Percy Jackson gulped, staring at the giant horned monster that was thumping its left leg against the floor, getting ready to charge. His best friend (and apparent 'protector', whatever the hell that was) was down and out, so he couldn't rely on him, and his mother… Oh lord, he hoped she wasn't dead.
But that could wait. He had to focus now, as hard as that was for him, or he'd get run through. He did wonder what that would feel like, though. Probably painful.
The bull-headed (hehe) monster snorted hot air out of its nostrils and charged. Percy cringed and tried to swing at it, but it swatted him away like a fly, and right into a tree.
The Minotaur (because that was probably what the monster was, he thought dazed; that or an iguana) grinned with its snout and stomped slowly towards the semi-conscious boy, intending to finish him off.
However, luckily enough, something managed to stop the Minotaur before it could shish kebab the kid. It was a man. Or at least an elder teen, dressed in a very clean white shirt with a black Pegasus on the back, and white slacks. He had no shoes, although he wore some kind of foot wrapping that left his heel and toes exposed. There was also a long strip of white cloth tied around his head, billowing in the wind. In his hand, and completing the ensemble, was a strange, curved shortsword (a kopis, specifically; but Percy didn't know that, of course). Said sword was pointed at the Minotaur.
"Hold, creature." His voice was strong, but that was about as far as Percy got before the darkness completely overtook him. "You are not welcome at this camp. Away with you."
The creature snarled at the man and charged, intending to tear him apart if need be, to get to his true target. But the white-dressed man, with a swift strike of his sword, unbalanced the Minotaur and sent it tumbling to the side. And with another equally swift strike the beast's head was cut clean off, dissolving it into golden mist.
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The next day the same man from before was sitting at a table in the so-called Big House when Percy was walked there by another camper called Annabeth Chase, he had met a few hours before.
"What do you think, my friend?" Mr. Brunner was on the other side of the table, facing the two young campers.
"That this is a mere signal of things to come. It was obvious the two had stumbled on the tail end of the conversation. "But who can safely say that, I wonder?"
"Only the Fates and the Oracle." A third, short and fat man in a Hawaiian shirt added.
"Perhaps not even them. I fear a great fog will cloud their vision. Perhaps even their judgment."
"Be careful, boy. They do not take kindly to such disrespect." The area around the fat man seemed to turn imposing. Even Percy could feel it from outside the rom. The other man seemed to be unaffected.
"They do not control me. Not anymore. Not after that day. But we should put our discussions on hold, we have visitors."
"Yes, indeed. Come in Percy, Annabeth." The two kids walked inside the room. "Now Percy, I'm sure Annabeth already filled you in on the camp, yes?"
"I still don't believe it."
"So typical." The fat man snorted. "Tell me, Perry, was it perhaps just a mirage that attacked you last night?"
"Mr. D, that's quite enough. The boy's had a difficult day." The other man snorted into his can of diet coke. "And where is Grover? I thought he would be here by now."
"Outside, roughly half a mile east, trying to chat up some dryads." The blonde-haired man, Percy now noticed, muttered."
"Is he? I wish him the best of luck, then. His hearing is later today."
"Whoa, wait, what hearing?" The three men exchanged glances, or at least they seemed to.
"You see, Percy." Mr. Brunner, as one closest to the boy, was unanimously selected to speak. "Grover was supposed to be your protector, to keep you safe from harm. And in that task he failed."
"But… he'll get a second chance, right?"
"Percy…" Annabeth sighed sadly. "That was his second chance."
"Indeed, so young Grover will be appearing before the Council of Cloven Elders, to decide whether he will be getting his Searcher license."
"Something I doubt they will give him, since he did fail." The fat man muttered. "Again."
"But he didn't fail. I'm right here, safe and sound."
"That would be my doing." The blonde commented.
"And on that note, it's time for introductions. Me you already know, Percy, but my real name is Chiron. I am the camp activities director here at Camp Half-blood. To my left is the director of the camp, Mr. D. and sitting across me is Naruto Namikaze, a camper here, and the one who saved you last night."
The blonde stood and turned around, regarding the newest member of the camp with a curious gaze. At least, that was what Percy would imagine it, because, underneath his spiky yellow bangs, and above his slashed cheeks, the stripe of white cloth with a black flower petal design was tied securely over his eyes.
"Are you blind?" Percy blurted out, earning a face-palm from his female companion, and amused stares from the two older men.
"I lack sight as much as you lack tact, Mr. Jackson." Naruto deadpanned, causing Percy to chuckle sheepishly. "And now if you'll excuse me, we have been cooped up here all night, and I must tend to this as soon as possible." He lifted a horn in his left hand and walked away, miraculously not hitting anything.
"Is he really a camper?" Percy asked, watching the blonde walk away with a mixture of emotions on his face.
"Yes, he is. And pitying or underestimating him is probably the worst thing you can do. He is not the councilor for Cabin 10 for nothing. Now, young Percy, let us continue on with your questions."
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"Yes, Clarisse?" Naruto stood in front of the great hearth in the camp, while a tall, slightly muscled girl stood behind him. She was pretty, in a tomboyish sort of way, with her hazel hair tied in a loose ponytail, wearing the customary bronze cuirass.
"How do you always do that?"
"Practice."
"That's your answer for everything." The blonde chuckled. "I met the new meat."
"Oh? And how did that go?" She grumbled. "Not too well, then. If you are interested in a spar, you'll have to wait for a while."
"What, too busy to come play with me?"
"Something like that. I am sending a gift to my mother. It won't take more than an hour."
"Is that… its horn?"
"Yes. Why, is it not fitting?"
"Why don't you keep it? As a trophy?"
"I am not a hunter, Clarisse. What use have I of trophies? To gaze at them, remembering the kill?" She shifted uncomfortably.
"I didn't mean…"
"I know you didn't. Just a little joke at my expense. Now, if you would?"
"Yeah, sure. Be at the training grounds in one hour. If you're late, I'll hunt you down myself." She turned and left.
"Ah, I can never remember how this goes." Naruto turned to the fire, putting his hand holding the horn in it.
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On Mount Olympus, in the temple of one of the major goddesses, there was a fight going on.
"Listen to me, Ares. My son is trying to send me a message, and I will not have you here trying to distract me." Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, angrily told her boyfriend.
"I don't care if the brat's calling. I'm horny."
"Do not call my son a brat. Out right now, or I'll banish you from my bed for another century."
"Fine, fine, I'm going. Pushy bitch." He ducked out the door just in time to evade a pillow thrown at his head.
"Pig." Aphrodite muttered. "Why do I put up with him, again?" She shrugged, turning to the pool of water displaying her favorite son. Not that she would tell her other sons that.
"Dear mother."
"Oh my baby, it's so good to hear from you again." She knew he couldn't actually hear her, but she liked pretending they were holding a proper conversation.
"I hope this message finds you well. I am as can be expected. But I have a gift for you. Proof of slaying the Minotaur." A horn appeared on a velvet cushion in front of her. "I hope you have some use of it."
"It's lovely, baby."
"And, as always, I hope you are not too disappointed with a son who cannot see the beauty of the world with his own eyes. Until next time, mother." He bowed to the hearth and walked away. Aphrodite sniffed, a few tears flowing down her beautiful face, clutching the horn tightly.
"Oh Naruto. My poor baby, mommy could never be disappointed with you.
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Ok, so I didn't actually read the books. I did watch the movie. The first one. And I know a lot about mythology. That should keep me covered. If not, I'll just wing it.
It's late now, and the ideas for this story are all still in my head, so I won't be posting this until tomorrow, along with at least one more chapter. Now, I'm going to bed. Later.