Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson
A/N: This is the third book in A Series of Unfortunate Events (not by Lemony Snicket): the first one When it Rains and the second, Enemy Among Us.
Recap: I'm writing a series of unfortunate events that was Luke's life from the day May decided to become the Oracle to the day Luke sacrifices himself to the save the world. This third one takes place during the Lightning Thief. (Which means dialogue from the book, I hope you don't mind too much.)
Hope you enjoy!
You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend…. ~ Oracle of Delphi
άλφα—Alpha
Luke walked forward with a bright smile for the newcomer.
"Now, now, campers." he called over the murmuring of dissatisfaction of harboring another "undetermined" person in their cabin, even though Luke agreed. It was always crowded and tiresome when someone new came. That was another thing about the gods: they didn't even have the decency to take a second out of their immortal lives to claim their children. "That's what we're here for." Luke continued keeping up the façade. "Welcome, Percy. You can have that spot on the floor, right over there." He gestured to the small spot.
"This is Luke," Annabeth introduced for him, a slight blush staining her cheeks. Luke had always wondered if she had a crush on him. Liked him more than a family member, an older brother. By the looks of it, that was a definite yes. Luke just wasn't sure what he felt. Of course he always loved Annabeth as that smart, young little seven-year-old sister he took care of when they were on the run. But Thalia—
"He's your counselor for now." Annabeth continued, breaking Luke out of his thoughts. Her face had hardened and the blush had left her cheeks. Percy was looking at her curiously.
"For now?" he asked.
"You're undetermined," Luke said repeating the words he'd said who knew how many times since he'd first gotten to camp. "They don't know what cabin to put you in, so you're here. Cabin eleven takes all newcomers, all visitors. Naturally, we would. Hermes, our patron, is the god of travelers." It was never easy to say his father's name, but Percy didn't seem to notice.
Percy was silent for a while as he looked at the small spot Luke had given him, shifted his Minotaur's horn in his hands, and then around at the other campers in the cabin.
"How long will I be here?" he asked looking back at Luke.
"Good question," he answered, although to him it was a blatantly obvious question. "Until you're determined." Which wouldn't be too long.
"How long will that take?"
The whole cabin burst out into laughter. Luke repressed a sigh.
"Come on," Annabeth said quickly. "I'll show you the volleyball court."
"I've already seen it." Percy objected stupidly.
"Come on." she hissed grabbing his wrist and dragging him back outside. The kids continued to laugh as he left. Luke let out an audible sigh this time before closing the door and going back to sit on his bunk. But it was only a few moments later was there a piercing scream. All the mayhem going on in the cabin stopped—which was hard to do—and everyone turned to look at the door. For a millisecond time seemed to freeze, then just like that everyone was up and pushing to get out the door.
Luke followed slowly and jogged up to the big crowd that had gathered around the bathrooms. He pushed his way through to get a closer look. Clarisse and two of her half-sisters lay sprawled on the ground, which was dark and muddy and smelled horribly of sewage.
All three of them were coughing and spluttering. Then Percy and Annabeth stepped into view and Luke's eyebrows raised a fraction of an inch. Annabeth was sopping wet just like the Ares kids, but Percy was completely dry. Not a drop on him. None of the other campers seemed to notice, though, because of the novelty of Clarisse and her siblings being grounded by bathroom water.
It's not like Luke didn't believe Kronos when he said that Percy was the son of Poseidon, but it seemed like with Kronos, he'd always have his reservations about what the titan told him. Hopefully Kronos couldn't see this—this fact would surely make him angry and Luke really didn't need that—and hopefully Luke would get over doubting him. He was a titan and he obviously would know things like that. Although, it was always good to have some confirmation and actually see it for yourself.
As Percy came into view Clarisse shot daggers up at him. "You are dead, new boy. You are totally dead." she spat.
"You want to gargle again with toilet water, Clarisse? Close your mouth." Percy shot back.
Clarisse let out a growl and lunged for Percy but her two siblings grabbed her before she could get to him and started dragging her back to the Ares cabin. The crowd split to let them pass, for Clarisse was kicking and trying to break free from the hands holding her back from pummeling Percy into a pulp.
Suddenly Kronos's words echoed through Luke's mind, Make friends with this boy. Make sure he trusts you. Luke turned and headed slowly back to the Hermes cabin thinking of a way to make friends with his kid. As he stepped inside he noticed the small empty spot that was to be Percy's. He hadn't brought anything with him here, so maybe Luke would be able to break the ice by stealing some supplies for him. That'd work.
Luke exited the cabin and went over to the camp store. There were four kids inside, including the councilor behind the counter. Of course, that didn't matter to Luke. He'd had so much experience stealing things it was like second nature for him, even when people knew he was prone to stealing items.
It was fairly easy to slip a couple of items into his pocket, and a few moments later Luke was heading out to look for a sleeping bag for Percy. (That wasn't hard either: he'd gotten the sleeping bag by promising to get a six pack of Coke for a camper from the Apollo cabin.) As he was heading back to the cabins, though, Luke noticed Annabeth standing at the canoe lake by herself.
He jogged up to her.
"Hey," he greeted with a friendly smile, putting the sleeping bag down next to his feet.
She looked up, her eyes clearing and a returning smile spread across her face. "Hey, Luke."
"So, how're things with the newbie?" he asked leaning against the railing.
Annabeth shrugged and looked out over the lake. "Fine." she said curtly. "Hey, I wanted to talk to you about the capture the flag game this week."
"Yeah?" Luke asked. Knowing Annabeth she'd been planning exactly how to win all week, going through all the possible scenarios, even though there had to be over a hundred, at least.
"I was thinking that we could use Percy to our advantage." she continued. "I mean, you saw what happened with Clarisse. She's obviously going to hold a grudge and the only real time she can get back at Percy without getting into too much trouble is the game. So, I was thinking that, because she'll be after him he could be used as bait and you could run in with some of the other campers and steal the flag.
"I'll set him up near the creek so he'll be easily spotted. With some of her forces taking time with Percy, it'll be easier for you to get in." she finished excitedly.
Luke crossed his arms. "You know sometimes I wonder if you really are a daughter of Athena." he joked.
Annabeth rolled her eyes and shoved him playfully. "Well? What do you think?" she prompted.
"I can already hear the cheers of victory." Luke told her. Annabeth beamed. "I'll see you later, then, Annabeth. I have some house-warming gifts for Percy." He picked up the sleeping bag.
"Okay, I'll see you around."
Luke headed off down the trail to the cabins.
Percy was sitting in his little spot when Luke entered. The rest of the cabin was trying to entertain itself until dinner. He put on a smile and walked over to Percy.
"Found you a sleeping bag," he told him, handing it over. "And here, I stole you some toiletries from the camp store." He pulled out the items in his pocket and handed them over as well.
"Thanks." he responded a little half-heartedly.
"No prob." Luke sat down next to Percy, leaning up against the wall. "Tough first day?" he asked.
"I don't belong here." Percy answered. "I don't even believe in gods."
"Yeah, that's how we all started." Luke tried his best to not sound bitter, but some came through anyway. "Once you start believing in them? It doesn't get any easier." His mind starting going back to all the monsters he'd fought with Annabeth and Thalia.
"So your dad is Hermes?" Percy questioned.
Luke pulled out his switchblade and started scrapping some mud that had gotten onto his sandal, trying to keep his mind busy enough that he wouldn't scare Percy off if he started getting angry. "Yeah." he finally choked out. "Hermes."
"The wing-footed messenger guy." If Luke hadn't been so peeved he might've laughed at that description. It at least helped him compose himself a little better.
"That's him. Messengers. Medicine. Travelers, merchants, thieves. Anybody who uses the roads. That's why you're here, enjoying cabin eleven's hospitality. Hermes isn't picky about who he sponsors."
"You ever meet your dad?"
"Once."
Silence formed between the two half-bloods. Luke didn't care to explain any further. Just the memory made his blood boil.
He took a breath and composed himself, plastering a smile on his face though, he needed to make friends with Percy; he needed Percy to trust him indefinitely. "Don't worry about it, Percy. The campers here, they're mostly good people. After all, we're extended family, right? We take care of each other." That had to have been the biggest lie Luke's ever told.
Percy seemed to relax slightly and then indecision flashed in his green eyes. Luke waited patiently. "Clarisse, from Ares, was joking about me being 'Big Three' material. Then Annabeth… twice, she said I might be 'the one.' She said I should talk to the Oracle. What was that all about?"
Luke folded his knife up, thinking about that mummy up in the attic, the talks with Annabeth after the lightning bolt had been stolen, the announcement Chiron had made… his own quest and the repercussions… Kronos telling him that Percy was the son of the sea god and he'd be the one who would deliver the stolen items t him. "I hate prophecies." he told him flatly.
"What do you mean?"
Luke's face twitched involuntarily. What an annoying, nosy little prick.
Swallowing this thought he said, "Let's just say I messed things up for everybody else. The last two years, ever since my trip to the Garden of the Hesperides went sour, Chiron hasn't allowed any more quests. Annabeth's been dying to get out into the world. She pestered Chiron so much he finally told her he already knew her fate. He'd had a prophecy from the Oracle. He wouldn't tell her the whole thing, but he said Annabeth wasn't destined to go on a quest yet. She had to wait until… somebody special came to camp."
"Somebody special?"
"Don't worry about it, kid," Luke lied. "Annabeth want to think every new camper who comes through here is the omen she's been waiting for. Now, come on, it's dinnertime." Simultaneously, the conch horn sounded outside.
Luke stood up and called to get the attention of the cabin. "Eleven, fall in!" The cabin lined up and marched into the pavilion while the other cabins, naiads, nymphs, and satyrs also came in.
Luke sat next to Percy, to help him through this first dinner. Traditions at this table were a lot different than at home, he was sure.
Chiron pounded his hoof against the floor, grabbing everyone's attention. He raised his cup. "To the gods!"
The others followed, raising their glasses and repeating, "To the gods!" Luke raised his own cup, but didn't say anything.
Luke noticed Percy looking at his empty cup. "Speak to it." he instructed. "Whatever you want—nonalcoholic, of course."
"Cherry Coke." Percy told it. His glass filled and Luke could see a light bulb go off in Percy's head. "Blue Cherry Coke." he amended. The liquid inside rippled turning almost as dark as night. As Percy cautiously brought the cup to his lips, Luke grabbed a plate of smoking hot brisket for him.
"Here you go, Percy," he said, handing him the plate. He filled up his own plate as Percy did and right before he was about to dig in, Percy seemed to notice all the kids walking up to the large bronze brazier.
"Come on," Luke said, grabbing his plate and standing up. Percy quickly followed, walking next to the older half-blood. "Burnt offering for the gods. They like the smell." Luke explained as they neared the brazier.
"You're kidding." Percy muttered disbelievingly.
Luke went up the brazier and dropped a vine of ripe, fat, juicy grapes and mumbled, "Hermes." before going back to the table and sitting down to eat. Percy joined soon after.
Finally, when everyone had finished with their meal, Chiron pounded his hoof yet again against the marble floor and grabbed the campers' attention.
Mr. D stood and sighed heavily, with an expression that said this was the last place he wanted to be right now… which really was his own fault. If he hadn't gotten in trouble with Zeus, he wouldn't be here making the campers suffer more than he did. "Yes, I suppose I'd better say hello to all you brats." Pause. "Well, hello. Our activities director, Chiron, says the next capture the flag is Friday. Cabin five presently holds the laurels."
The Ares kids pounded their feet against the floor, and fists against the table, as they cheered.
"Personally," Mr. D continued forcing the cheering to quiet down. "I couldn't care less, but," Pause. "Congratulations. Also, I should tell you that we have a new camper today. Peter Johnson."
Luke rolled his eyes at Mr. D's antics. He couldn't understand why he pretended to no know people's names. Chiron murmured something into his ear.
"Er, Percy Jackson," Mr. D corrected, no sounding embarrassed or sorry at all, just exasperated. "That's right. Hurrah, and all that. Now run along to your silly campfire. Go on."
With a cheer the campers got up and headed down to the amphitheater. Luke followed a little more slowly. The campfire was pretty fun, but it really depended on the mood Luke was in. Sometimes it felt a little childish, but sometimes after a hard day, it felt nice to just relax and act like a kid again.
The rest of the week it was all about Percy. They put him in anything and everything they had at camp. And, although, Luke already knew who his godly parent was, he had to keep up the act as just another unsuspecting bystander also trying to figure out who exactly his parent was. So, he'd go and watch with other senior campers and counselors and have short conversations with them when he'd fail at archery or be beat by one of the Ares kids.
At one point, just keep the "friend" act up, Luke told him he might be the son of Hermes, to try and make him feel a little bit better. Failing at a lot of specific things for specific gods looked like it wasn't settling well with the young half-blood.
Meanwhile, Kronos told Luke of his plan to get Percy out of camp: summon a hellhound during the capture the flag game that would attack as soon as the game was over. If someone was after him in camp, Chiron would feel that camp was no longer safe for him and send him on his way to "return" Zeus's lightning bolt.
It was foolproof.
When Thursday rolled around and Luke finally had a chance to do some swords play with Percy, which he was actually looking forward too. Luke wanted to see if Percy had any sword skills… sure he'd just arrived and wasn't particularly good at anything else, but it could've been one of those things that just came naturally. Well, whatever the matter, Luke was teaching his whole cabin today.
He started out with the basics: stabbing and slashing using the dummies dressed in Greek armor. Luke watched Percy handle his sword. He was decent with it, he seemed to understand Luke's instructions and he had pretty good reflexes, but Luke could see Percy struggle with the way he held the different swords that Luke had him try out. Either way, however, he'd hit too hard, or too high, or misjudge how long his blade was. Finally, it was just situating him with a sword that he could work with and leaving it at that.
When they came to dueling Luke announced he was going to be Percy's partner, it was kind of a given. And this time it actually didn't have anything to do with Kronos's plan. This was kind of routine for Luke. He liked training the newbies, seeing what they were made of and then training them the hard way by wailing on them until they finally grasped what he was trying to teach him.
Percy came over and Luke started the lesson. Within that short period of time, Luke had hit Percy so many times he had lost count. By the time Luke decided it was a good time for a break, Percy was drenched in sweat, completely beat. Luke himself felt like he'd just gotten started. Even so it was a hot day and he too was sweating. He poured the icy water over his head, not failing to notice Percy doing the same thing only a moment later.
"Okay, everybody circle up!" Luke called. "If Percy doesn't mind, I want to give you a little demo." Percy came forward and the Hermes cabin gathered around. "This is a trick using the flat of your blade and twisting the enemy's sword, forcing them to drop it." Luke explained to the campers. "This is difficult," he added seeing all the repressed smiles on the kids' faces. "I've had this used against me. No laughing at Percy, now. Most swordsmen have to work years to master this technique."
Luke turned toward Percy and demonstrated in slow motion.
Percy picked up his sword and turned back toward Luke. "Now in real time," he told Percy. "We keep sparring until one of us pulls it off. Ready, Percy?" He nodded and Luke was on him, not his usual, because he knew he'd be able to disarm Percy as soon as they started if he really wanted to. But as they sparred and Percy tried to catch Luke's hilt, he realized this kid wasn't joking around.
Instantly, he started pressing Percy harder and the next thing he knew his sword had flow out of his hand. The arena was totally silent, the only sound was Luke's blade at it rattle against the ground. There was a moment of silence, Percy's sword pointed at Luke's chest.
Then Percy lowered his sword. "Um, sorry." he mumbled.
There was another moment stunned silence, before a smile spread across Luke's scarred face. "Sorry?" he asked incredulously. "By the gods, Percy, why are you sorry? Show me that again!"
Percy was reluctant, but Luke kept insisting and finally Percy gave in. However, as soon as their blades connected Luke performed the trick quite nicely on Percy—not daring to go easy on him this time—and it was his sword that went clattering to the ground this time.
There was another moment of silence.
"Beginner's luck?" someone from the audience queried.
Luke wiped the sweat off his forehead and scrutinized Percy, suddenly remembering Percy pouring water on his head right before they'd begun the demo. More evidence that Percy was Poseidon's son.
"Maybe," he said remembering that someone had spoke. "But I wonder what Percy could do with a balanced sword…." And it was a good question too, just not exactly what Luke was thinking about.
Okay, there you have it, the next "book". I know the chapter break was a little choppy, but I thought it'd be good to end there.
thank-you-for-everything
~ See you at Camp Half-Blood!