It was the winter solstice, and the gods were arguing – as usual. Apollo and Artemis were bickering about who was older, Athena and Poseidon were bickering over who got Athens, and Zeus and Hades were bickering over who was the most powerful. Ares was instigating everything, while Aphrodite fixed her make up, Hephaestus fixed his defense mechanism, and Dionysus complained about camp half-blood. Demeter droned on about the merits of cereal, while Hera listened, nodding earnestly in agreement when ever there was a pause. Everyone stopped as Hermes came rushing in with a package and a letter.
"Where have you been." Zeus thundered. "Your half an hour late."
"This package appeared out of nowhere," he said excitedly, completely ignoring an irritated-looking Zeus. "The letter appeared with it. It wouldn't open unless all of us were in the same place though." He had the council's full attention, now.
"May I see it," Athena asked curiously.
Hermes tossed her the letter. The goddess of wisdom opened it and read aloud. "Dear gods, the future was too horrible to face unprepared, so we sent back a warning. The first book is in the package. After you finish it the second will appear and so on. Some of our past selves or us may join you, but no one outside the room may be brought in except by us. It's signed your children, the demigods." Athena finished frowning.
For once, the throne room was silent.
"So," Hermes asked nervously "are we going to read them?"
"Why not?" said Zeus pensively. "We might as well, if our children feel so strongly about it."
"Do we have to read? It sounds boring." Ares complained.
"Yes. Now who wants to read first?" Asked Hera, glaring at the war god.
"I will," volunteered Athena moving to take the package from Hermes.
"Of course you will," Poseidon muttered.
"What was that fish-breath?" Athena demanded.
"Nothing that concerns you owl-head." Poseidon retorted, glaring.
"Don't start," Zeus warned, glowering at them both.
"All right," said Athena turning her attention back to the book, "it's called Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief."
Poseidon paled. Does she mean my Percy he thought. He's only seven now, but if this is a book from the future, then it could be…
"What," Zeus Thundered murderously. "This Percy stole my master bolt!"
"Maybe not," Apollo reasoned. "He might have been framed."
Artemis gaped at him "did you just say something intelligent?"
"Hey! I can be smart when I want to." Apollo protested. Then he cleared his throat. "There once was a goddess from Sparta –"
"Yes, yes, can we just read already? I want to find out who this Percy fellow is." Hades interrupted.
Athena cleared her throat. "Chapter one," she began. "I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-algebra Teacher."
