Summer Odyssey
The Alexander Chronicles
Part Two
Chapter I: What Happened Between
The Lightning Thief & Sea of Monsters
Part 1: Olympus
Camp was hell.
I know, you'd think that a camp where you learn to be a hero would be heaven on earth. But for me, Alexander Summers, only living son of Zeus, it was hell. Everyone had been staring at me since Dad claimed me, obviously expecting me to be exceptional at everything. But when I couldn't even beat the newest camper in a duel, everyone started teasing me. I would often run to Thalia's tree for some privacy. My only relief came when Dad contacted me and said I could come to Olympus for a while and meet the family. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity.
For once, I actually had something to look forward to at camp. With Olympus waiting for me, I worked twice as hard to 'pass' my 'classes.' Unfortunately, that only made me worse at the rock wall; if it weren't for the winged shoes I got from Luke, I probably would have died at least six times a day. Finally, December 20th came, and we were allowed to leave camp for Olympus (Yes, Dad told me to come with the other campers, he thought it wouldn't draw as much attention as me leaving on my own.) When we arrived, we met many of the Big 14 Olympians, the only ones missing were Aphrodite and my step-mother, Hera (definitely not someone that I was looking forward to meeting.) Oh, and Dad made a special room in his palace just for me.
The Winter Solstice Council was a very boring meeting, pretty much nothing more than a chance for my father and uncles to officially apologize to each other after the events of the past year. After that, Olympus became very interesting. I got to meet most of my 'divine' relatives, and for the most part they all liked me. I learned that Dad had made many of his children give me a gift before he was born, thus the confusion over my heritage last year. From Ares, I'd had skill and knowledge of weapons (but he took that away after I shot him with the Lightning Bolt); Athena, I got wisdom; from Apollo, a love of and skill with music; from Artemis, skill with archery; from Dionysus, my satyr-like sense of smell; and from Hermes, mastery of flight. Over the next few weeks, I got to know most of them very well, except for Artemis, as she left for her Hunters only a week after the meeting.
I had been there for about three months when I realized that I was missing something. One evening, I was sitting at the peak of Olympus, looking down at New York when Dad came to me in his 'mortal' form. "Something's troubling you, son. What is it?"
"I almost feel like I'm losing my humanity here, Dad. Don't get me wrong, I love it up here. It's just that I feel if I stay up here 'till summer, I won't be able to look at my friends as equals."
"I know it's hard for you, Alex, but I don't know any mortal I'd trust to keep you safe. And I know that you don't want to go back to Camp yet."
"What about another demigod? I know that Doc Egan is a son of Apollo, and he's in Greece right now."
"HIM?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with him? He took care of me for a whole year when I was seven."
"He thought that he could date your mother, that's what's wrong! Your mother was special. Poseidon said Sally Jackson was a queen among women. He's right about that, but Sarah was The queen of women. We'd only known each other a month before I proposed to her."
"Wait a minute, proposed?"
"Yes. She'd known who I was from the first minute I spoke to her. When I proposed, I told her that I was willing to divorce Hera and marry her, even make her a goddess if she said yes. But she said no, to my everlasting regret she said no."
"But that doesn't explain why I can't go to Doc."
"You're right. Apollo will take you in the morning. Oh, and Alex, before you go, I want to say two things."
"Sure, what is it Dad?"
"First, when you get back to camp, you're going to find a gift from me in the Olympia model. Just imagine what you want it disguised as, and it will change. But use it sparingly, it's extremely dangerous."
"No problem."
"Second, in case you out live me, I want you to take my place as Lord of the Sky."
"WHAT? What are you talking about?"
"I'm going to be honest, Alex. I'm worried that you and Percy are right about my father. If you are, I might not survive, and I want you to take over my duties as God of the Air if I fall in the war. That's why I named you Prince of the Air last summer."
"Dad, please don't talk about dying. I just found you, I don't want to worry about losing you so soon!" He eventually calmed me down, and I packed for my trip to Greece.