Percy
Percy Jackson - as far as his memories could recall - has always been asking who his father is. Every year, during his birthday, he would ask his mom if his dad would show up. His mother's response has always been constant.
"Maybe next year, Percy. You know your father has always been busy, right? Please understand. He's doing this for you - for us, I mean."
He tried to ask his mom for any details about his dad - his looks, his job, and his family. Does he have any cousin? Any aunts or uncles? Maybe a dog he could play with - but no, his mother has another constant response.
"He's just like you, Percy - black hair that has always been windswept by the sea breeze, sea green eyes that reminds me of the vast sea, and tanned skin. You know you also both loved to be in water. I bet he might be underwater as we speak."
He tried to understand what his mother meant. How come his mother was sure that his father is underwater at the moment he asked his questions? Do they still have contact between each other? If so, how come his mother would not allow him to contact his father?
He even argued to himself that his father does not exist - but that would be impossible, he also told himself. The only proof of his father's existence is his annual gifts, during his birthday.
He received annual gifts from his father - remote-controlled sail boats, fully-paid cruises for him and his mother, and sometimes as simple as postcards with images of white sand beach aroud the world. These gifts also come with simple birthday messages.
Some were wishes like "Stay safe" and "I wish you good health and long life". Some were reminders like "Keep away from trouble" and "Always wear this bead necklace. This will keep you away from danger". Some were even simple greetings. The only constant thing written to the note is his father's initial: P.
He tried to list any first names he cpuld think of that starts with "P" - Perry, Peter, Patrick - and search him through Facebook. There were multiple results but none of them matched his mother's description. He gave up when he even tried to search for "Periwinkle Jackson". What? He thought that maybe the reason his father kept using his initial in his greeting cards is because his name is girly - come on, desperate times call for desperate measures.
No matter how silly his father's messages are, he still followed his father's words. Before he received the bead necklace his father sent, he has always been a trouble magnet. In fact, he even transferred twice in a school year. Most of the times, the blame was put on him due to his record of misbehavior - the most ridiculous thing he could remember being blamed on him was the malfunction of his former school's sprinkler system. Like seriously, he was only having a heated argument on his former bully, Nancy Bobofit, and suddenly the sprinklers were triggered. He still couldn't believe that the administration blamed him for the incident. Ever since he recieved his father's gift, these random events miraculously stopped. Yadda. Gone.
Despite his father's questionable behavior, he is thankful. At least, his mother experienced a cruise around the Carribean.
However, this year, he question his father's sanity. His gift for his sixteenth birthday is a ballpoint pen, a wad of cash, a bag of food labeled "ambrosia", a flask containing golden liquid labeled "nectar", a booklet titled "Absolute Guide to Heroness", and map to this so-called "Olympus Institute for Future Heroes and Heroines" that is located at Long Island. There is also a note saying that he should bring the gifts he received this year and his bead necklace. It also states that he should pack few clothes, enough not to weigh him down during his travel. The note also specified that he would be picked up at the first day of his summer vacation.
Ignoring his doubt, he searched the location using Google Maps and he was surprised at what he saw. His father is sending him on a summer camp. He wanted to slam his head and forget everything.
Although he think that this gift is stupid, he can't help feeling excited. Would he finally see his father after many years of searching?
-X-
Few months after his birthday, the "fateful day" arrived - and for the first time, Percy was not looking for the first day of summer vacation.
Begrudgingly, he began packing his belongings, which quite few - he followed what his father said.
As he walk downstairs, he saw his mom by the table counter, setting a tray of freshly baked blue cookies at the counter.
"Hey, mom. Are you sure that this is real? Did dad really send this letter? By the way, why aren't you packed yet?" Percy asked his mom after he grabbed a cookie, blowing hard at it and hurriedly stashed it at his mouth - together with his singed fingers. Nothing can stop him from his mom's blue cookies.
His mother, Sally, gave his a sad smile. "I'm sorry, Percy but I won't be able to come with you. About the gift, I'm quite sure that that is real. Your dad once showed me around the area. It's quite stunning actually"
"Why not? Dad gave me quite some cash if that is what is worrying you. I think this would be enough for the both of us."
"It's not the cash, Percy. I still have a job here in New York and if I take vacation leave for an indefinite amount of time, we won't have any fund for the rest of the year. Please understand, Percy." Sally reasoned.
Percy frowned. He knows his mother is right and he can't argue with his mother's reason.
"I understand, mom" He sighed and hugged his mom. "I really wish you could come with me. I'll miss you, mom" Percy gave his mom one tight hug.
"That's enough, young man" Sally tapped Percy's back. "Make sure you follow their rules at camp, ok?"
"Will do. I promise"
Percy was about to grab his bag when he heard a knock on the door. He cautiously opened the door. In front stands a short buff guy, around 5'0, with beady eyes and a wispy goatee.
"Hello there, cupcake! Finally! All cupcakes have been gathered! Come on!" The guest tried to pull Percy out.
"Hold on! Who are you? What do you mean by 'cupcakes'?" Percy asked.
"Hello there, Mr. Hedge. Are you here to take Percy? Well, would you like to come inside?"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Jackson but we're on a tight schedule"
"Oh, well then. Can you keep Percy out of trouble?"
"Will sure do! Now come along, cupcake!" The guest, identified as Hedge by Sally, once again pulled Percy's arm. Hedge successfully dragged Percy out of his home, albeit slowly.
Percy stared at the school bus in front of him, Inside, he could see few people about his age, he guessed.
Before Percy entered the bus, he heard his mom calling for him. He turned around and saw his mom walking towards him, a box about the size of a lunch box in her hands.
"I forgot to give this to you. Keep safe, ok? I love you!" Sally gave Percy a quick hug before stepping back.
"I love you too, mom. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Percy. Now, go! Mr. Hedge said you are in a hurry and trust me, you'll never want an irritated Hedge with you. Don't forget to call me!" Sally gently shoved Percy.
As Percy sat down on a seat near the windows, he saw his mom waving at him. He gave a small wave back.
"Alright! Cupcakes! Listen carefully! Whatever you do from now on, I don't care! Your journey ahead is one of the most dangerous you'll ever encounter! If you die, that means you're weak! Survival of the fittest is what I think is the best way to determine those who are worthy of the luxury called 'living' so do your best, alright?" Hedge warned the occupants of the school bus through his megaphone.
Percy examined the occupants of the bus. There are 9 people in the bus, including him, Hedge and the driver.
Couple of rows in front of him sat 2 guys and a girl. One guy has blonde hair while the other has curly dark brown hair. The girl has choppy dark brown hair. He couldn't determine their other features as their backs are facing him.
Across from his seat is a girl with blonde princess curls. He raised his eyebrow as he saw her reading a book while the bus is running.
Percy turned around and two rows behind him sat another girl with piercing black eyes and glossy black hair worn in a single braid. The firl noticed him and looked at him. She gave him a friendly greeting - if a glare could be could be considered friendly. He shrugged, determined not to get to the girl's bad side.
Behind her sat another guy. The guy looked up as he noticed Percy's gaze. From his looks, Percy can say that the guy is of Asian decent, and that he had been crying - red rimmed eyes is an indication of crying, right? Or maybe the guy is on drugs. Percy doubted his second opinion. He looks innocent enough to avoid drugs. The guy gave him a shy smile before looking out at the window.
He can't help but think that the guy is already feeling homesick so he decided to make friends with him to at least make him feel better.
Percy grabbed his things and stood up. He was about to walk towards the guy when Hedge grabbed his attention.
"Yo! Cupcake! Where are you doing! Do you want to die or something? If so, I could help you! Do you want me to bludgeon you to death with my bat or would you prefer me pushing you out of this moving bus? Pick your choice, cupcake!" Hedge swung his bat, hitting the bus' ceiling.
"I thought you won't care about what we do. Can't hear yourself over the megaphone, coach?"
"Sassy aren't you, Mr. Jackson? Do you want me to kick the lights out or you with these hooves?" Hedge pointed at his legs.
"Hooves? Don't you mean feet?"
Hedge chuckled. "You might want to get those eyes checked, Jackson."
Percy raised his eyebrow. He looked at Hedge's feet and, dang, Hedge is right he does have hooves!
"Nice prosthetic you got there, goat-face" Percy smirked.
The one with the curly hair guffawed. "He just called you goat-face, coach!"
"Shut up, Valdez!" Hedge threw his megaphone, hitting the Valdez kid in the head and knocking him out in the process. "Now, do any of you cupcakes want to take some sleep as well?"
Percy gulped. How could his mom trust this guy?
"Now, back to you, Jackson. You were saying that these are prosthetic?" Percy nodded. "Sad to say, but you're wrong." Hedge turned around and at his back is a goat's tail. "Can modern prosthetic do this?" He wiggled his tail with both his hands up to prove that he is not holding any remote to control his tail.
"Huh? Wha- How?" Percy gaped.
Hedge laughed. "Where's the sassy Jackson? Got scared of my hooves? Stop gaping like a fish!" Hedge grabbed another baseball bat and he kicked it hard with his hooves.
A loud clang was heard. Percy couldn't believe his eyes. This guy really had hooves as feet and they're not prosthetic!
Percy did the most logical thing he knew to do in these unbelievable situations.
He fainted.
Author's note: Hey guys! This story is a semi-AU. Percy and the others are still demigods. However, instead of being sent to camps, they are sent to Olympus Institute of Future Heroes and Heroines (OIFHH), just like how wizards are sent to Hogwarts. OIFHH is a school where all Greek and Roman demigods are sent to train them like how they are trained in their camps. Greek and Roman demigods share the same classes. However, the tension between them are still intact.
That's all I got to share with you, guys. I can't spoil you too much detail. You don't want me to spoil you the details, right?