No one moved, not even Chiron. They were all too stunned.

Then the girl took a shaky breath. She coughed and opened her eyes.

Her irises were startlingly blue— electric blue.

The girl stared at me in bewilderment, shivering and wild-eyed. "Who-"

"I'm Percy," I said. "You're safe now."

"Strangest dream..."

"It's okay."

"Dying."

"No," I assured her. "Your okay. What's your name?"

That's when I knew. Even before she said it.

The girl's blue eyes stared into mine, and I understood what the Golden Fleece quest had been about. The poisoning of the tree. Everything. Kronos had done it to bring another chess piece into play- another chance to control the prophecy.

Even Chiron, Annabeth, and Grover, who should've been celebrating this moment, were too shocked, thinking about what it might mean for the future. And I was holding someone who was destined to be my best friend, or possibly my worst enemy.

"I am Thalia," the girl said. "Daughter of Zeus."

I looked away to see everyone's expression, but it hadn't changed. Their mouths were still wide open. After a few seconds, I realized that my jaw was hanging down, too.

I looked back at Thalia, and then it hit me. Oh my gods, she was beautiful! Her shiny black hair! Her gorgeous blue eyes! I had never seen someone so beautiful!

Words started pouring out of my mouth. "Hi, Thalia! My name is..."

She interrupted me with a giggle and ran her fingers through my hair. "Percy, you already told me your name!" Oh, her smile... although she wore Gothic clothes, her personality was bright and sunny.

Thalia got up and looked at everyone. "What are you all gaping at?" As soon as she said that, everyone was filled with grins as something like a family reunion went on. I didn't know Thalia very well, so I just stood there. I felt like an idiot.

After what seemed like hours, everyone started heading towards the camp. I tried to move, but my legs were stiff, so I could only walk very slowly.

Before I walked one foot, I felt something tap my shoulder. As a natural instinct, I grabbed Riptide out of my pocket, clicked it, and turned around. This all happened in about two seconds.

"Whoa! Watch out there! You could get someone killed!" Thalia said with a look of horror on her face.

My face was tomato red. I put Riptide back in pen form and put it back in my pocket. "Sorry, Thalia, I thought you were something else..."

Thalia chuckled and replied, "Oh, it's fine..."

"So why are you still up here?" I asked her.

"I got to see everyone that I already knew, but I didn't get to meet you yet, Percy!" She answered. Gosh, I was excited. "So, are you a half-blood, too?"

"Yeah. Son of Poseidon."

"That's cool! So can you like, control water?" Thalia was excited, too.

"Sorta... but only if my dad let me."

"Oh, okay..." She sighed and looked away. I wished I lied. She looked towards me again. "Well that's still cool! I've never met a son of the sea god before!" Maybe I was better off telling the truth...

"Well I've never met a daughter of Zeus before!" I said with as much enthusiasm as she had been using throughout our whole conversation.

"I like you, Percy Jackson! I think we'll be great friends!" I hoped she was right.