PROLOGUE

Ever think that life will go your way, that there will be nothing to keep you down, nothing to stop you from getting anything? I apparently did not get that kind of life. My name is Persephone or Perci, Jackson, my age is twelve, but you might think I'm older somehow, and I have many issues in my life to call what I have "normal". For one thing is the fact that I tend to attend many different schools. One can't keep me down for at least maybe a year or so without some trouble. I'm that kid schools warn the next one about and put me under some watch like I'm a prisoner that just got out of jail. It's not exactly a pleasant thing in what's known as my life. It's also not like I caused those incidents to get expelled. Now I'm stuck at Yancy Academy in New York, a hell on earth that's for sure. Not all bad though; well at first it was. See, my second problem are a few... medical issues. See, I'm ADHD, I can't exactly keep still or follow along easily so classes are a drag for me if I can't pay any kind of attention. My next issue is that I'm dyslexic, letters and words don't go well for me. I try and try and it's as if English hates me, just doesn't want me to read it or speak it. Don't even get me started on Shakespeare... However, if there's one thing I've learned while at this new prison, everyone has issue via theft, educational hindrances and other such problems that make it hard. I was swimming with the right school, but didn't like the fish I was swimming with.

Let's see... keep going to different schools, have medical issues, what else is there to my life? Oh, yeah! It's my "family". I mean I have my mother, Sally, but she's not why it's an issue. She's sweet, loving but the fact that she puts up with my step-dad Gabe for so long is beyond me or anyone known to man. I think even people back in the old days wouldn't understand. The guy is managing some electronic mega mart, but we never hear of him going to work. The slob just stays home, drinks and plays poker. Oh, and on top of that, he's an abusive SOB. Yeah, the bastard of pig and a drunk whore abuses my mother and me. I'm glad to leave him, but I can't with my mother. My mother has had a bad life already with her parents dying at the age of five and not being able to finish high school because her uncle, the one that took care of her, died of cancer as she needed to take on jobs to help him. My mom deserves a better life, and I'll bring it to her... some day. What's also rough in my family is my real father. I have... small glimpses of him from maybe a younger time. I remember a warm feeling when he held me, a set of dazzling eyes, as well as... I'm not sure but it keeps haunting me to this day, a memory I can't remember but want to. In any case, I do hold a grudge for my father leaving my mom as she's left with the pig she has now. My mom says he's not dead, meaning when I find him, I'll beat the crap out of him and get some answers.

Okay, sorry, family is a touchy subject. Now let's see what else I have to say... well, out of the blue I'd like to say, I'm a lesbo. And I don't care who judges me, be it the guys saying, "I'm too cute to let a girl have" or the girls saying "Sorry, but not interested". I have my reasons; I'm always comfortable with girls due to my mother and of course my history with Gabe. After what he did, he basically ruined my old dreams of finding Prince Charming. But hey, I got no issues, it's my choice and I can do that or change it should I meet the right guy, which I doubt will happen. Now I'm not those lesbian stereotypes, you know the tomboyish looks, I completely dis any boy and just act like a bitch by stating flaws in men like how they'd describe Gabe. I wear whatever I want because I have my own style, could be jeans one day, could be a skirt; one day it'll be high heels or boots or even sneakers. As for the thing on the guys, don't get me wrong I still have respect for guys, after all, I wouldn't be here without one, but you'd have to earn my respect, not just try to woe me with any kind of charm. So now you know another thing on me. Well, there's more to my life than my medical history, family issues and my sexuality.

Okay, so to Yancy Academy, it's a boarding school, but most of the people are from rich families and again are the troubled kids. I've been living in the dorms working hard for the education my mother wanted. My courses include pre-algebra, Latin and English. Only teacher I like there is Mr. Brunner, he teaches the Latin class and he's better than any teacher there. He brings in awesome Greek swords and tells awesome stories on the gods of that time. He keeps me more interested than anyone in school for sure. Mr. Brunner is a middle-aged man with scruffy brown hair, eyebrows and a bushy beard. However, the poor guy kind of has a setback; he's paralyzed from the waist down so he's in a wheelchair. Even though he's like that, he's treated me better than any other teacher. He seems to take a very special interest in me, says I have... potential. I hope this potential can help me pass those awful tests or get into college.

I may have Mr. Brunner on my side at the academy, but I was able to make a friend. His name is Grover Underwood, he's a bit strange like most of the people at the school, but he's a good weird. Grover is about an inch taller than I am, had scrawny arms, a bit pale, has short, messy brown hair and is one of those earth environmentalists, criticizing people for not recycling, a vegan or vegetarian I can't remember which one. He's not so bad; he's been by my side for the longest time at that crap school. One thing I've noticed is how he spends time with Mr. Brunner, I think they're pals of some kind. Well, either way, Grover is a good friend, and who knows, he could be my prince charming, but I don't want to give up on meat.

Okay, so today our class is going to this new Greek and Roman art exhibit at a Museum in New York. All our class was being escorted and watched by Mr. Brunner, best guide if I might add, and our newest pre-algebra teacher, Ms. Dodds. Her appearance does kind of... disturbs me. Our previous teacher was reported to have a breakdown and our batty teacher came as a sub. She's what you'd expect from my distaste in her; wrinkly skin, straw dry brown hair, and has a bad attitude. She's watching me like some bat. With that in mind, I hope my trip will be a good one, my life is difficult enough already.

Chapter 1

I was opening day at the museum for the new Greek and Roman exhibit and my class at Yancy Academy took a trip. We were now looking at the statues of many of the old mythological gods such as Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite and others. Mr. Brunner, who was wearing a green sweater with a grey vest, having on black slacks in his wheelchair, was explaining stories such as the myth of Heracles, Perseus Theseus and many others. I was in the group taking pictures of any statues that struck my fancy; such as a statue of the abduction of Persephone, Mr. Brunner explained how the goddess was taken and her story came into the mythological explanations of the seasons. It was amazing how such a minor goddess had a big impact. I was dressed in my school uniform since Yancy is a private boarding school; I had on a white blouse with a black skirt as it came with a pair of grey socks that extended to my shins and a pair of red sneakers. My hair was a long black color as I grew it out to a bit past my shoulders; my skin was a bit dark, but it'd be enough to call me tan, my eye color was a nice shade of green, more emerald coloring than that of grass. I walked along with Grover as he was dressed in the male's attire for the school, he was really into the statue of Artemis as she drew and arrow pointing upward. We walked around as Mr. Brunner told a story, "There are twelve Olympian gods, the most powerful are the brothers Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, the sons of Kronos. After the Titan war, the three brothers have divided to cosmos among themselves with Zeus ruling the heavens, Poseidon with the waters and Hades with the Underworld. Most children of these three gods are known greatly as either rulers or heroes." One student said, "Because they can't keep it in their pants." The class laughed as Mr. Brunner said, "Most of the time, yes." I was curious as to what heroes belonged to these three brothers. I raised my hands as our guide asked, "Ms. Jackson, you're question?" I asked loud and clear, since most people had issues following along, "Yeah, there's lots of heroes belonging to Zeus such as Heracles and Perseus, Theseus and Bellerophon for Poseidon but how come none for Hades?" The old man took a breath as if it was terrible news as he explained, "Hades was the most husband like among all the gods, loyal to his wife, Persephone. Barely any children, mortal at least, were ever born of this god. But that's something that separates Hades from his brothers, he's more loyal and keeps oaths, unlike Zeus and Poseidon." I had to ask this one, "So why than is everyone making him as a bad guy? The god that's always trying to take over everything?" One student said, "When you live in Hell, you gotta be seen as the Devil. You'd fit in, Perci." The group laughed at me as Grover gave me the "Don't bother with them" look. Mr. Brunner answered my question, to over right the student's, "Well, most people wouldn't want to worship death as many would want to live as best they can. Hades is also known for giving off immense fear with what he received from the cyclopes, the Helm of Darkness, like the Trident or Zeus' Lightning Bolt, it is very powerful, said to have made Titans fear Hades more than his brothers. It's due to these traits that people might make Hades out as a bad god." The group moved on as I stayed behind to examine the statue of Hades. He had a long, curly beard, a toga, a two-pronged spear and the dog Cerberus by his side as the statue was all white. I studied him wondering why be feared and hated? Why couldn't he be more... respectable and loved? He's more of a husband than Zeus and Poseidon as well as the oldest brother; why be cast as a villain when his brothers don't keep their wedding vows in mind and don't seem to pay him any dues? I whispered, "Don't mind them, big guy, I know who you really are, not a bad guy, just... misunderstood." I soon paused as I shook my head, "And I'm talking to a statue..." I soon ran back to find my group.

It was lunch time as we decided to eat by stairs outside. I was hanging by the large pool outside enjoying a nice PBJ sandwich, some Doritos, had an apple and some Cherry Dr. Pepper. Grover came by saying, "Well, well, isn't someone too cool to sit with everyone else." I giggled a bit saying, "Can the same be said for you, celery boy?" Grover rolled his eyes as he sat by me as he had a pleading look on his face. I decided to tell him, "I appreciated you sticking up for me, even if you didn't say it." Grover said, "Hey, it's a crap school full of crap kids." I played with his curly hair like he was a dog as I tossed him my apple and some veggies I wasn't keen on eating. Grover lit up like the Fourth of July as he began to eat away like a termite with a block of wood. As he ate, he looked to me as he said, "You were kind of right to ask that question. Seems the lord of the dead was a bit... neglected and deemed evil. Still, imagine a demigod child of Hades, what'd they be like? Good? Evil?" I wondered for a bit myself on what a child of Hades would be like. Possibly someone who'd want to prove their father to be just as good as Zeus, while looking badass too. Possibly getting into fights, like with Heracles, man that guy fought all of Greece. I even wondered on what they could do. Heracles had amazing strength, Perseus had tools of the gods, Theseus was quick and strong, wonder what a child of Hades could do? Maybe... summon the dead to do their bidding? That would be awesome, I'd have servants at my fingertips. Maybe they could control the Earth? It'd be like an Earthbender off Avatar. After some thought I replied, "Not a clue."

Just as lunch was getting good, it got bad. Coming over, was this bitch I'd like to strangle with my own two hands, Nancy Bobofit. If one food would describe her, it'd be a Cheeto, the girl had curly long red hair with red freckles. She was put in the academy due to being kleptomaniac, bitch couldn't help but to steal. She came over as she said, "Grover, I didn't know you were a girl, that'd be the only reason why Perci girl over hear would even talk to you. Or did the les become bi?" I rolled my eyes as I wanted to roll her head. Having those powers would be good now, I could use them to make Nancy suffer. I soon got up and said, "Grover is still Grover, while you are still some kind of bastard child of a chip snack." Nancy smirked as she said, "What are you going to do, daddy issues? You going to hit me? Do it, this school will be better off if you were to be expelled. After all, I didn't do anything against you, you're standing for the hippie here."

What to do? I didn't know what I could do against the bitch. She was always picking on me because of my issues and she just treats it like it was her favorite show in the world. My blood started boiling as I clenched my fists. However, for some weird reason, Nancy fell over, I mean like she tripped backwards. Her right arm made some sort of crunch sound as she shrieked in pain. She yelled, "Perci pushed me down! My arm!" I looked around as the kids were accusing me of doing the deed but... I didn't even touch her; the girl just fell over. I didn't know why they looked at me, were they just going to take her word over mine? No trial, jury, evidence, just guilty, you're here by expelled? Bullshit on that. Coming into the mists of it all was a very ugly looking teacher, Ms. Dodds. She yelled, "Perci Jackson, come to me right this second!" I couldn't believe it, even that bitch was standing for the thief. As I slowly made my way back, I heard Grover say, "It was me, not Perci, people. Sorry, I'm guilty of it all." Ms. Dodds rolled whatever eyes she had as the response went like this, "I'll deal with you, Mr. Underwood, right now I'm dealing with this Missy."

"Great," I thought to myself, "Another school expulsion." I made my way with the math teacher as she decided to take us somewhere private. Ms. Dodds made us enter an empty room, one that looked like it was under repairs or construction. There were some support and towering structure with some sculptures in the area. Whole place was about twenty feet tall and thirty feet wide. I turned to the old bat, "Look, I didn't touch her, I swear." The old bat cringed as she said, "Careful on swearing, Miss Jackson, those are strong bonds. Now than, did you really think you could get away from us?" I thought on what she said "Us". Who exactly was "us"? The school board? The police or maybe... government agents? I asked, "I'm sorry, but whom are you talking about?" Before she could answer, I was pushed back by the bitch. I landed on my back as I looked over to see that the pre-algebra teacher really was an old bat.

Just when I thought Ms. Dodds couldn't get any uglier, she did. Her wrinkly old skin turned into leathery bat flesh, a pair of wings appeared behind here as she turned into this... monster. Her teeth sharpened into fangs, ears turned into that of a bat, her nails turned sharp like claws as she became some kind of... thing. My heart was racing, racing quickly as I was about to get up but what was Ms. Dodds picked me up and threw me into a wall. I went flying as the impact was hard, very hard. I fell a few feet off the floor as the impact was hard too. My vision was blurry, and my bones ached as I tried to get up. The monster that stood before me went up as she said, in a raspy, deeper voice, "Always fun to play with your food before eating it. But first, where is the lightning bolt?"

Now I knew that the hit on the wall messed with my mind. "Lightning bolt"? What the actual fuck was she talking about? Am I just dreaming and if she kills me will I wake up? Yeah that's it... I'm back at the dorms, asleep with mythology on the brain and now I'm dreaming about some kind of... ugly, bat mother-fucker... However, what I was seeing wasn't fake. I could feel her claws grabbing my throat as she said, "I asked you a question. Now answer it." My throat was closing from the pressure that was being added to my throat as I couldn't respond. As I thought I was about to meet my end, I heard something, a voice that screamed, "Begone!" I looked around, thinking the voice came from someone who came inside, but the room was getting darker. Was it my brain just sitting off from the injuries? Whatever it was, I was seeing less light every second. The room appeared to have gotten darker and darker and I felt... cold. I felt as if I was being trapped in an ice box. Ms. Dodds soon looked around like something was coming after her now. I could see panic and fear in her eyes as she dropped me. I fell on my front side as I watch Dodds fly off and he form began to turn into a golden misty form. I soon laid on the ground, wounded and wondering this, "What the hell just happened?" After that, everything went dark.

I woke after, I don't know how long, a few seconds or maybe a few minutes as I heard some rolling coming in. I opened my eyes to see Mr. Brunner coming in as he didn't look too pleased. One of his bushy eyebrows was raised at me as if wondering why I was here in this abandoned room with some injuries. I got up off the floor as Mr. Brunner said, "Miss Jackson, next time you want to sleep, it'd be best to do it at the dorms." I looked around as I said to him, "I... I wasn't sleeping. I was attacked by our pre-algebra teacher, Ms. Dodds attacked me and she became this... I don't even know what the fuck it was, but she nearly killed me!" Mr. Brunner's face was transformed from displeased to confusion. I was wondering what the hell made him look that way; I mean sure the monster thing might seem off but how could he not notice my wounds? However, I looked at myself and the strangest thing happened to me... I was healed! All the bruises were gone, my body felt better as if I wasn't attacked. I was freaking out, no way did I dream that up, nor could I have just fallen asleep in this room. Mr. Brunner finally looked at me and said the one thing that blew my mind, "Miss Jackson, there is no Ms. Dodds."