Percy's P.O.V

"Can you believe it?" Grover yelled.

"Relax, Grover," I said. Grover was having a panic attack because a bunch of half-bloods were spotted near St. Louis, and Chiron won't grant anyone a quest to save them. I had to admit, it wasn't like Chiron to leave a camper in danger. But they were a lot of things going on right now, so I guess I can't blame him.

"I wish there was something we could do," Annabeth sighed.

"Who says there isn't?" I asked.

Annabeth glared at me. "Gosh, Seaweed Brain. Didn't you hear Chiron? No quests are being granted to go and help."

"So?"

Annabeth ignored me.

"Just drop it Percy," Grover said after calming down a bit, "Maybe it's for the best. I mean, they'd just die more painful deaths if they knew."

They walked off without me.

"Wait, you guys! We can still help. I can prove it!" But it was no use. They were way to far away to hear now.

I blew the stray hair out my line of vision. Just as I was thinking to myself about how I needed a haircut, a big, black Pegasus swooped down over me and landed by my side.

Hey boss! How about a nice juicy sugar cube? No? Well, you're gonna change your mind after the idea I offer you!

Blackjack. Should have guessed. "What idea?" I asked him.

Well, I overheard your little problem with your friends about saving those kids at the arch. I think you just found yourself a runaway horse. Price only one sugar cube.

I smiled. "Deal," I told him.

Good! See at the fireworks beach, ten o'clock. Sharp! And don't tell anyone!

And he flew away.

I decided I might as well go get packed. As I packed, Grover's words raced through my mind. 'They'd just die more painful deaths if they knew.' Should I really just drop it? I pushed that thought aside as I zipped up my suitcase.

I made it to the Gateway Arch just in time.

As I landed, I heard screaming. Desperate screaming. I ran to the source of the noise and found three girls, surrounded by empousai.

"It's ok," one empousai hissed, "We want to help you. Poor young half-bloods."

"Yes," another snickered, "We can make it all better."

"Half-bloods?" the middle girl asked, "What do you mean?"

"Get away," the older girl warned.

"Someone help us!" The youngest girl yelled.

"We are trying to help," the lead empousai soothed, "Just one bite," she said hungrily, licking her lips.

My turn to jump in. "No!" I yelled.

I was too quick for them, luckily. I slashed them all with Riptide, turning them to yellow monster puff.

The girls stared at me like I was crazy. I probably looked crazy. I called Blackjack over. He came with three other Pegasi.

"We're gonna… we're gonna ride those?!" the young one asked, apparently terrified and excited.

"Yep," I managed. The girls were all pretty, and were all sisters.

The oldest, 17, had pale green eyes, long brown hair that turned in at the bottom, and a smile that made you so relaxed, but made you acknowledge that she wasn't as calm as she looked.

The middle-aged one, 15 (my age) had grey eyes, honey-blonde hair and glasses. She had a pouch at her side. When I finally got a glance inside, I saw what it was full of. Books. Annabeth was gonna like this one.

The last and youngest, 12, had icy blue eyes, blonde hair that was amazing pretty, and a gorgeous smile.

As we flew to camp, I tried to guess which parent each of the girls had. Though they claimed to be sisters, I knew that was impossible. They each had different personalities and different features.

Flying through the skies wasn't easy for me. I am a son of Poseidon, so flying is risky. I watched each the girls, flying pretty steadily for new kids. I looked at the oldest. She reminded me of someone, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

When we landed, right outside the borders of camp, we were shocked by a startling "FREEZE!" We did as we were told.

"Percy?" the voice asked.

"Thalia?" I guessed.

"Who?" asked the middle-aged one.

I turned around, the three soon following my example.

The whole Huntress squad was there. Thalia, being head Lieutenant for Artemis, did most of the talking.

"Percy, according to the camp rules, Huntresses get to talk to the acceptable campers first."

By acceptable, I knew she meant girl. Huntresses swore to turn their backs against men. So, they only offered entry into their 'club' to girls.

"Of course," I choked, "go ahead."

To tell you the truth, I didn't want to let her talk to them. I didn't want Artemis to take more campers.

Thalia spent a couple of minutes talking to them about the benefits. I saw the youngest nod in disgust and storm away. "I guess we'll at least get to keep one of them."

Then, the middle-aged one nodded calmly and went to stand by her sister. The oldest kept listening. "Please no," I kept thinking, "Don't go."

Finally I saw her raise her right hand. I heard, "I, Angie Laurence…" Angie. Nice name. Then it finally hit me. Demeter! That was her mom. I sighed. We were losing Demeter kids. Another loss.

Then I watched her talk to her sisters. The youngest one looked away and pouted. The middle-aged, her hands on her little sister's shoulders, cried, but nodded silently. Then, Thalia said good-bye to me and the other girls, and left with Angie.

Ask we walked in the camp, I asked them a few questions. The little girl's name was Amy, and the middle-age's name was Ali.

"But you never told us your name," Ali insisted.

"Percy. Percy Jackson. Son of Poseidon."

Ali's eyes widened. "But, he swore not to have kids after the Second World War!"

"Well, the others didn't do to well either. That Huntress you just met? That was Thalia, daughter of Zeus. And soon, you'll meet Nico, son of Hades, and…"

I was interrupted by Chiron's hooves clopping and stopping right in front of us. Grover was right behind him.

"Grover, why don't you take the girls to see the initiation video?" Chiron suggested.

"Sure. Come on you two," he bleated happily.

They skipped away.

"Come, Percy. We've been waiting for you." Chiron said.

The first thing that happened when I walked in: Annabeth hugged me.

"You stupid Seaweed Brain!" she yelled, "You could have gotten yourself killed!" But she was smiling crazily; probably glad to see was I wasn't a tasty seawater-flavored monster meal.

"What's going on?" I asked as I surveyed the room.

The long table that was used for important meetings was set up. Nine chairs were set up around it. One at the head, where Chiron had sat down. On one side was Silena, then the two Stoll brothers, then Beckendorf. On the other side was an empty chair (Grover's), Clarisse, another empty chair (Annabeth's), and Nico. Then I noticed, there wasn't one for me. That could only mean one thing…

"This council's about you," Nico said angrily. He looked tired. Guess my council woke him up.

"For what?" I asked, nervous. Annabeth had sat back down. I was on my own up here.

"Well," Silena began, "I was in the middle of my not needed beauty sleep, by not needed, I mean I'm pretty enough already. So anyway, I'm rudely awoken by the sound of flapping wings (I gulped). Then I went outside to see if a Pegasus escaped or something. But when I walked out, Blackjack was flying overhead, Percy on board. I guessed he was going to save those kids in St. Louis, and turns out I was right." She sat down.

"Didn't you say we couldn't do that?" Nico asked, half-asleep.

Half-asleep or not, I wanted to strangle him.

"That I did, Nico. Thank you. You may leave." Chiron said.

"Thank the gods!" he yelled, and he bolted out the door. For a tired kid, it was pretty fast.

"Percy, as Nico reminded us, I did indeed disregard all quests to St. Louis."

"But you don't understand!" I yelled. I didn't mean to shout, but it just came out that way. "They're in big trouble! When I got there, the three I saved were surrounded by empousai. EMPOUSAI!!! It's was dangerous, and I got there just in time. The rest of those kids I couldn't save are probably dead!"

The room was silent. Beckendorf stood up. "Um, Chiron sir, may I leave? I have to go to work in the forging area now."

"Yes, you may leave."

It was then I realized what time it was. It was about 4:30 in the morning. I was suddenly filled with guilt. All these people have been up since about 10:30, and I was responsible. I felt terrible.

"Look, I'm sorry. I owe you guys."

"You sure do!" Connor screamed.

"Yeah!" yelled Travis.

Everyone else started yelling in agreement. I felt my face turn red. In the midst of yelling I heard one voice shout above the rest.

"People!"

It was Annabeth.

"I can't believe you're complaining about sleep, when this guy didn't even go to sleep tonight, and he managed to save three demigods. You shouldn't yell at him for that. You should be rewarding him. Come on Percy. We're leaving." And just like that she grabbed my arm and pulled me out the door.

"Thanks," I said once she released my arm.

She smirked. "Like I said. Athena always has a plan."

I had to smile.

We walked along the river for a while, talking about the two new campers. Annabeth was thrilled to hear about someone who liked books. "Just what this camp needs," she said.

We laughed and talked for a while longer and then we sat down. We were right next to each other. No one else was around. I took a deep breath.

"Annabeth?" I said.

"Yeah, Seaweed Brain?" she said back.

I thought about how to put this.

"Annabeth, I really like you. A lot."

She turned to look at me. "Really?" she said with surprise, "Because I…"

She never got a chance to finish her sentence. Athena appeared out of thin air, which made me and Annabeth stop talking. Then I realized. My hand was on top of hers. I pulled it away quickly.

"Daughter," Athena spoke.

"Mother," Annabeth said, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to tell young Percy something," she said. She pointed to a tree and then nodded for me to follow her there. I did. Annabeth watched us, visibly miserable.

"Perseus, I have one thing to say to you. Stay away from Annabeth. Just because you are an ungrateful hero does not give you the right to love my daughter."

I froze. The most intelligent thing my brain could think of to say was "Um, what?"

She gave a stern look, "You heard me, Son of Poseidon. Now leave my daughter alone." I averted my eyes as she disappeared, revealing her true form, which would turn me to dust if I dared to look.

I came back out of the woods. Annabeth looked concerned.

"Are you ok? She didn't do anything to you, did she?"

"No."

"Then what'd she say?"

"To stay away from you."

Ok, now let me tell you. I don't usually listen to gods threatening to kill me if I disobey them. One of my many great qualities. But, I had to listen to Athena this time. Not because it could hurt me, but because it could hurt Annabeth.

"I'm sorry. I truly am," I said. Then I ran back to the camp grounds, leaving Annabeth alone, and hurt.