Chapter 1: Percy Sleeps With the Fishes


The last couple of days couldn't have been any more agonizing. Not only were we almost at war against Kronos and his army, but Percy has also been missing. I took a notice in Percy's absence during meals a few days before, and my suspicion got the better of me. So a couple nights ago, I confronted Chiron about it.

"I don't know where Percy is, Annabeth. I'm sorry," was all he had said to me.

No one knew where Percy was. I started to skip meals, worried that he was never coming back. But he had to come back; he's a Seaweed Brain, after all. Last night, my half brothers and sisters started to worry about my skipping meals. I just shook my head and attempted at a smile. They knew better than to bug me about it, so they left and continued on with their camp activities. I was staring at the waves, but at some point, I made it back to my cabin and fell in a deep sleep. Little did I know, with every deep sleep comes a painful nightmare.

I looked around me, taking in the bright lights. The place was slightly familiar, with statues of a goddess I didn't recognize. I was at the entrance, staring out into the dusty sky. A tiny speck seemed to inch closer to me. It grew bigger and bigger, until I was looking at a Pegasus. I recognized his black mane easily. It was Blackjack. But what was he doing here? What surprised me most was the green eyed rider, who stepped down and told his Pegasus to fly back to camp.

Percy.

Why was he here all alone? I tried to call out to him, to tell him to go back, but I couldn't find my voice. It was like I wasn't even there. I followed behind him as he started down the hall. After looking around for a couple seconds, I realized it was a temple. To which goddess, I did not know.

After a few steps, the ground began to shake like crazy. I looked left and right quickly, trying to figure out what was happening. Then I looked at Percy's feet. His foot was poised over a thin wire, in the exact position it would be in if he had stepped through it.

Agh! Stupid Percy! Of course he'd be the only one not to notice where a trip wire was set. I tried to move myself towards him, but my feet wouldn't budge. The statues were falling now, one by one. Percy was about to get crushed by a stone body, but luckily, he dove out of the way. But being the Seaweed Brain he is, he activated another trip wire.

Instantly, walls in the temple opened and revealed squares of darkness. Arrows shot from the holes, nearly taking Percy's life, but he ducked and took cover under some broken statue arms and heads. The arrow storm lasted for about thirty seconds before it was quiet again. I heard Percy sigh in relief, but faster then you can say "Ah!" one last arrow flew at him, slicing a deep cut on his cheek. He yelped in surprise and clutched his wound.

Footsteps echoed in the room. Percy looked straight ahead, right into the eyes of a woman with brown curls. I studied at the woman carefully. She was wearing a long white dress which draped over her feet. Her eyes were a startling blue.

"Son of Poseidon," she mused. "What brings you here, to my temple?" She stepped closer to Percy, who looked like he was going to pass out from exhaustion.

He said something real smart, like, "Uh... I dunno..."

I'd smack him on the head if he wasn't in such a deep situation. Percy started to waver on his feet, like he was about to fall over. The arrow wound on his cheek was turning bright red. Then it started to sizzle. Smoke curled off the opening and rolled up through the air. It was like the gash was burning him from the inside out.

"Ah, I see you've been hit by one of my traps," she said in a distasteful voice. "There is nothing I can do for you now, boy. It is your own fault for wandering here without an invitation."

Percy stumbled back. "Who--are--you?" he asked slowly, like it was hard to breath.

The woman smiled, though it didn't seem so sweet. She parted her lips, and answered in a tone that made me shiver.

"I am Hebe, goddess of youth."

And that's when Percy collapsed to the floor.

I woke up with a start. My breathing sped as I tried to make sense of my dream. What was that just now? It couldn't have been real, could it? But then again, demigod dreams always seemed to be visions of some sort. Dreams were one of the things I hated most about being a demigod, right next to fighting monsters to survive. I ran a hand through my hair and rubbed the gunk out of my eyes.

My siblings were still fast asleep. I glanced at my owl clock, which read 5:36 AM. Camp would start sooner or later, so I got dressed and headed out the door quietly.

The sky was a dark gray, but I could see where I was going. I made it passed the cabins without a noise. The Big House came into view. The lights were out and I could've sword I heard snoring as I successfully tiptoed by. Then, finally, I was standing in same place I had been last night.

The water was dark with the occasional sparkle. It was beautiful. I took a seat on the cold sand and tucked my knees into my chest. I rested my head on my knees and thought about my dream.

If all of that was true, then Percy is in trouble. I bit my lip. What could Hebe possibly do to Percy to make him pass out like that? And how could he be so stupid to go out there by himself? I've saved his butt from death many times in the past. Plus, we're best friends, so why didn't he tell me? Maybe I'm being a bit too unfair to Percy. He wouldn't have gone alone unless he knew it was too dangerous. I glared into my knee. Maybe I should talk to Chiron about it when the camp wakes up.

I looked up again and saw the sky a little brighter. I sighed to myself. If Percy gets himself killed, I'll... I'll...

I hung my head in defeat. I couldn't do anything to him. Not my Seaweed Brain. I lifted myself to my feet and brushed the sand from my clothes. I was just about to turn, when I saw a lump of black lying on the sand near the retreating waves.

Very slowly, I crept up to the thing and looked it over. It was a body clothed in jeans and an orange t-shirt. The body was lying face down in the sand. His black hair swished with the wind.

No... It couldn't be...

I flipped the figure over and screamed, way too loud for my own good. I stumbled back and fell on my butt. Sitting there, I stared wide eyed at the body of my best friend.

He was just lying there. His eyes were closed and his lips had lost its color. The paleness of his skin could've fooled me into thinking he was dead. I scrambled up next to him and felt his pulse. I was scared out of my mind as I felt the faint thud against my fingertips.

"Percy!" I said as I shook him.

He didn't move.

"Seaweed Brain! You are NOT dying on me, you hear that?" I yelled at his unmoving body. Quickly, I picked him up (he was surprisingly light) and I put his arm around my shoulder. As I gripped onto his waist, I tugged both of us towards the Big House. It seemed to take forever, even though the house was in plain sight.

"CHIRON!" I screamed. My cry for help echoed in the distance. My eyes were getting watery. I finally reached the porch and pounded on the door to try to wake him up. After several kicks and shouts, the lights turned on. The door creaked open and revealed a centaur holding a brown teddy bear.

He was rubbing his eyes as he said, "Annabeth? What time is it? You should be slee--" He stopped when he saw Percy in my arms and my terrified face. "What happened?" he asked in a panic. He gestured for us to hurry and come in, then shut the door behind us.

I dragged Percy to spare room and put him on the bed. Then I slumped back in the wooden chair to side of him, exhausted.

"Annabeth, what happened to Percy?" Chiron said, his eyes full of worry.

I didn't know where to start.

"I had this weird dream about Percy, like he was in trouble. Then I went out to the beach to think. And then just now I found Percy near the water. I think he was washed up or something," I said. Everything came out like mush because I was hyperventilating.

Chiron seemed to contemplate this for a minute or two. Then he nodded briskly.

"I suppose I could call an Apollo camper to make sure he is all right," Chiron said. He looked out the window and I did the same. The camp was stirring now, moving into their morning routines.

Not five minutes later, Chiron had called in one of Apollo's sons and was letting him inside the door. I watched from my chair as he checked Percy's temperature and body.

"He has no injuries, though I think he should have a massive headache when he awakes," the camper announced.

Chiron and I breathed out relieved sighs.

"Just make sure he doesn't hit his head when he wakes up," the doctor man called as he left the Big House.

Now came the hard part: waiting. Chiron allowed me to skip my training classes for right now, since I was in no mood to fight. I stared at Percy's unmoving face for Zeus knows how long. It was weird. Weird, because in my dream, he had a huge gash under his eye, on his cheek. But now it was gone.

Maybe the water healed him. Though, I don't know how he got into the water. Unless Hebe threw him off the cliff while he was unconscious. I winced to myself.

Chiron noticed. "Annabeth, you said you had a dream?" he asked. He was looking at me cautiously, like he was afraid I'd start bursting into tears or something.

I opened my mouth to explain, but I closed it suddenly when I heard Percy stir in his sleep. Both of our eyes flashed to Percy's face.

His eyes fluttered open slowly, revealing those lovely sea green irises. The color returned to his face, thank the gods. His lips were back to its natural pale pink. Even his eyes seem to radiate energy. He stared at me for a minute in silence, like he was studying my face too. Then, he suddenly jerked upright and pressed his back against the wall. His eyes were wide as he flicked his head back and forth between me and Chiron.

"Percy? Are you all right?" Chiron asked with worry.

Percy's gaze finally rested on Chiron. Percy gasped and reached his hand out like he wanted to pet Chiron or something.

"Pony!" he squealed in delight.

Chiron and I traded an awkward glance. "Excuse me?" he said as he raised an eyebrow. But Mr. D interrupted them as he made his way down the stairs, yawning.

Percy's eyes flickered to him.

"Well if it isn't Peter Johnson," Mr. D said as he sat down and poofed up a diet coke. He pursed his lips at him. "What? What are you staring at, boy?"

Percy had his eyes on Mr. D like he was a talking flower that just sprouted from the ground. His mouth hung open in pure amazement.

Percy sniffed the grape scented air and said, "Yew--smell--gewd." His words came out slow, like he was trying hard to enunciate.

Mr. D just raised an eyebrow and flashed a look at Chiron. "Is this your doing, my dear centaur?"

Chiron coughed awkwardly and said, "No. Annabeth found him not long ago, washed up on the beach. He just woke up. Though, I find his behavior a bit peculiar..."

We all looked at Percy again. His eyes were fixed me. A boyish grin appeared on his face.

"Yur pretty," he said out loud. My face turned red.

"Okay Seaweed Brain, what's wrong with you?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

Percy reached out slowly and tried to touch a strand of my hair, but I slapped his hand away. He whimpered and looked back to Chiron and Mr. D, who were watching us with weird looks on their faces.

Percy got out of bed suddenly and stumbled to his feet. He gripped the edge of the bed for support. He took slow steps towards Chiron and made a noise of accomplishment when he reached his destination.

"Per-tty pony," Percy said. He smiled a big toothy grin as he ran his hand over Chiron's furry back.

"Uhh…" I said blankly as Chiron flinched away from Percy. Percy wailed and was going to start bawling, but then he saw me scratch my head in confusion.

The grin returned to his face as he held out both arms to me for a hug. Percy kept walking forward until he was two steps from squeezing me.

"No," I said sternly as I smacked my palm against his cheek and held him back by the face. He made a whining noise as he pushed against my hand. His outstretched arms tried desperately to get some Annabeth lovin'. I looked at Chiron and Mr. D for help. An amused expression stuck to their faces. They both looked like they were fighting to hold in laughter, but sadly for them, they were losing.

"Percy," Chiron said, his voice relaxed. "Please, sit on the bed."

When Percy didn't stop struggling against me, grape vines sprouted from the bed and pulled him in. He sat upright in the bed and tugged at the vines. Fascination lit up his face.

"Mr. D, can you see if he's gone insane or anything? I'm getting quite worried," Chiron said as he watched Percy put some blanket in his mouth and giggle.

"I suppose. How else would I spend my precious time?" Mr. D muttered as he walked to the foot of Percy's bed. Percy met his eyes, but continued to chew on the blanket.

Dionysus stared intently into Percy's eyes, his irises turning into a purple color. A minute of silence passed. Mr. D was still staring at Percy, but Percy found his pillow to be much tastier. Mr. D cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows.

"It's strange," he said, now facing me and Chiron. "There's something clouding his mind. Something that isn't insanity. And I don't know what," he muttered stubbornly.

I coughed. They all look at me, except for Percy, who was rolling around in the bed like a little kid. My brain had a thought. It was like a light bulb lighting up all of a sudden. I repeated my thoughts again. Like a little kid...

"Mr. D, Chiron, I had a dream last night. And it has to do with Percy," I said. Chiron nodded for me to continue.

It didn't take long to explain to them every part of my dream, but when I reached the end about Hebe, they gasped.

"The gods aren't going to like this," Mr. D said, clearly stressed. I looked at Chiron, a little worried. He seemed to notice my expression and began to explain.

"See, Annabeth, Hebe is Zeus's and Hera's daughter. If Poseidon finds out that his brother's daughter has cursed Percy, then there will be arguments. Maybe even fights. Since Hebe is a stubborn one, it is most likely she will not help us."

"Cursed? But we can reverse it, right?" I asked. My hands were shaking. If Percy was stuck like this forever, there's no telling what I'd do. "Right?" I insisted when Chiron didn't answer me.

"Annabeth...I am not so sure. Mr. D and I need to have a little private chat. You can go back to your camp activities until we call you back," Chiron said. Mr. D nodded in agreement.

"But, what about Percy?" I said miserably.

"An-nuh-bessth," Percy said slowly, trying to pronounce my name. "Annabess!" He said with a huge grin.

"Ah... I guess you will have to watch him for a little while," Chiron said. Mr. D snapped his fingers and the grape vines disintegrated in the air, freeing Percy.

I looked at Percy again. He was still grinning at me, not knowing what the heck was happening.

Sighing, I said, "Come on, Percy." Percy didn't move. I sighed again and grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the Big House.

"Pony!" he cried out as we passed by Chiron. Percy managed to tug on his tail before we left, which almost made Chiron lose his cool.

We made our way to Grover. He was looking at us weird, since Percy had been walking funny, like he didn't remember how to move his feet.

"Hi, Annabeth. Hey, Percy." Grover grinned at us. Percy caught his breath. He raised a shaking hand and touched Grover's horns. He giggled at the smoothness.

"Uh, yeah buddy. Those are my horns," Grover said. I could tell from the look on his face that he was confused.

"Percy," I said slowly. "This is Grover. Remember?"

"Gr...Grover!" He grinned.

"Listen, Grover. Uh, it's kind of hard to say this but...Something's wrong with Percy," I said nervously.

"Really now?" he said as he watched Percy pet his fur, saying "Good doggy."

Grover looked up at me with "weirded out" written all over his face.

I frowned in apology and said, "Hebe cursed him or something. I don't know everything yet. Chiron and Mr. D are discussing it right now. But they said it might anger Poseidon."

Grover looked at me in shock. "You mean the Hebe? The goddess of youth, Hebe?" His eyes were wide. I nodded glumly.

"Annabeth, this is bad. Really bad. I think she turned him into a little kid..." his voice trailed off. He picked up again. "And by the looks of it, Percy's acting like a five year old."

I looked at him in disbelief, but a part of me already suspected that. "How could he be a five year old? He's the same fifteen year old Percy that was here before he disappeared!" Well, aside of the fact that he's totally nuts.

Grover muttered something to himself. "We have to get Thalia here. This is serious. It could be permanent." He ran a hand through his curly brown hair and led me and Percy to the Poseidon cabin.

When we entered, Grover and I walked to the fountain as Percy gaped at the sea shells on the walls.

"O goddess, please accept my offering," I said as I tossed a golden drachma into the mist. It dissolved instantly. "Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus."

The iris message revealed a snoring Thalia. Her back was against a tree and her mouth was open, a trail of drool running down her mouth. She was hugging her bow like a teddy bear. Arrows were strewn across her lap.

"Thalia!" Grover said, shouting. Thalia's mouth twitched, but she continued to snore. I rolled my eyes along with Grover. You'd think being the Lieutenant of Artemis would make you more aware of things...

"THALIA!" we yelled at the same time. This time, Thalia bolted up with her bow ready, a crazed expression on her face.

"What!" Her head whipped back and forth, trying to find the enemy.

"Thalia, right here," I said. She looked in front of her and then relaxed.

"Oh, it's just you two." She sighed in relief. "Is that Percy?" Her eyebrow rose. She pointed at the boy behind us. He was on the floor on his hands and knees.

"Woof!" he said, completely oblivious to the iris message of Thalia. I smacked my hand against my forehead in embarrassment. Thalia burst out laughing.

"Is he--I mean--He's not on some new medication, is he?" Thalia said between fits of laughter.

"Thalia, he's been cursed by Hebe," Grover said sadly. Thalia stopped laughing immediately.

"WHAT? When? Where? How? Why?" She could have gone on forever, but I started to tell her about my dream. Grover listened intently, because he hasn't heard it yet.

"Ugh! Stupid boys. Always sneaking into goddess' temples," Thalia grumbled. Grover looked offended.

"Thalia, there's got to be a reason why he was there. Maybe he's been having dreams, too..." I said desperately.

"Maybe," Thalia shrugged halfheartedly. "Listen, I'll be over there as soon as I can, okay? We gotta speak to Chiron about this. Something's not right." Her eyebrows scrunched together in concern. Then she waved her hand through the message and disconnected.

With a sigh, I turned around and watched as my five year old best friend licked the cabin floor.


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