A: Sally is paired with Sirius! Not Paul. As much as Paul Blofis is loved, it's different in my story.
Listening to – Everybody's working on the Weekends by LoverBoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO. Rick Riordan is the father of all things Percy. J.
Words –5937
Percy wished he had his skateboard. Unfortunately, it was back in his dormitory. He did have an old one at home, but was so rusted and used, it could break anytime.
He looked out the taxi at the familiar streets and felt safer. Did Grover and Mr. Brunner know where he was? Was Flo right about them spying on him? What if they knew about Mom? Oops, he hadn't thought about that!
"We're here. So, at least tell her if you're gonna run away." Flo chided as Percy lingered on the sidewalk few minutes after the taxi dropped him.
Percy nodded. His apartment was nothing fancy. Two bedroom flats on every floor. His mom could barely keep up with the rent, because between Percy and Smelly Gabe, she was working way too much. He also knew that she was slowly saving for at least one air line ticket to London.
Percy just made it to the stairs when the landlady, Mrs. Dusword's door, swung open and she marched out. All four foot one of her frame was a body of insults. At the moment, she wore a pink bath robe and a green face mask. Her hair was in rollers and her glare did nothing for her looks.
Percy jumped and yelled, "God! Oh! Mrs. Dusword! Is it Halloween already?"
She raised her eyebrows, "Hilarious, Jackson. Shouldn't you be in school?"
Percy thought. He was possibly in danger. So he should be out of the danger zone, which means he had to be closer to a help source, in this case, his mother. Besides, being at school might be a danger to a lot of people.
"Nope, I'm where I should be." Percy smiled, but Mrs. Dusword frowned. "It's easy to see why you're a drop out, if you always run away from where you ought to be. You're a big time failure! Runts like you are the worst things this world has because they grow up to be no good slackers. I'm looking at one and I can tell that you'll be of no use to the world!"
Percy blinked and muttered under his breath, "You're mean."
"What did you say?!"
Percy sighed, "Nothing."
She threw her hands up, "Well, that's what you are, Jackson, a big nothing!" she slammed the door in his face.
Percy pressed his lips together and then said, "Aren't you due back at the lab to get your bolts tightened?"
Flo sniggered and he sighed. "Sooo should've said that." He shook his head and ran up to the first floor.
He was about to ring the doorbell before remembering that his mom wouldn't be home at the moment. He had forgotten the number at her job place.
"Gabe's probably's in there with his buddies." Flo said sympathetically. Percy groaned.
Now what?
'You could wait for her. Get onto the fire escape and up to the terrace. See if anyone's looking strange or hanging around the block.'
Percy sighed but did it anyway. He stayed on the terrace for about forty minutes watching everything in sight.
His eyes kept drifting to the three very old women who sat on a park bench on the other side of the road.
From the distance, they seemed to be knitting something so large it might fit King Kong. The sky blue yarn was extremely long.
And then, quite suddenly, they stopped in their movements and looked up to stare at him. Percy felt self conscious and wanted to look away. But he couldn't. Their stares made him freeze and Percy felt fear. Then, the middle woman slowly and deliberately took out a pair of long golden scissors. She trained her gaze on him and cut the yarn.
When Percy heard the clear 'snip' of the scissors, he turned and ran down the fire escape to his floor. Prying the window of his room open, landed as noiselessly as he could on the cluttered floor.
He stared around the room in dismay. In his absence, his room always magically transformed into Gabe's study.
There was a lot of waste like old newspapers, torn pages, some beer cans, a shirt (way too large for him) and his bed was completely unmade.
Percy started cleaning (kicking the mess) to make his room more inhabitable. He gave up his attempt and tried his door which was, thankfully, open.
The smell of cigarette and beer greeted him and he immediately covered his nose.
The TV was switched on in full volume, but Gabe and his 'friends' were in the kitchen playing a card game loudly.
Percy took a look at the clock. It was close to four. Mom should be home any second...
The main door opened right on time. Sally Jackson came in looking tired in her 'Sweet on America' uniform. She looked as though she had been solely living on coffee. Percy knew that her dark circles meant that she had been working on a draft for a book late at night.
She looked up and her jaw dropped when she saw Percy poking his head through his door. He pressed his finger to his lips and beckoned her silently. She looked a little confused but snuck past the kitchen and into his room.
She gave him a hug and held him by his shoulders, "Honey, I know you missed -"
"No, mom listen! Something weird happened. Like mega weird! Or maybe I need more meds. Wait! Today two people called me 'Perseus!' my favourite and horrible teachers! Mr. Brunner and Ms. Dodds! Then Ms. Dodds turned into this huge angry bird, but she wasn't as colourful as the Angry Birds; she started screeching at me and then Mr. Brunner came and she flew away through the window, but when I looked again the window wasn't broken and I was alone! Then I heard Grover and Mr. Brunner talking about taking me somewhere and that somebody was after me and -"
Sally gripped Percy by his shoulders and said, "Pepe! Calm down, deep breaths!"
Percy calmed himself and stared at his mother. She had a small frown as she kept her eyes his collar. The intensity of her gaze reminded him of when Harry did some quick thinking.
"Continue." she said as she removed his cap and stared at his dyed hair.
"Um... Then, I kinda freaked out and came here."
Sally blinked, "Didn't you tell Grover?"
"No."
She looked worried, "Oh dear, honey, Grover and Mr. Brunner were keeping a look out for you!"
"I... what?"
Sally was about to say something else but the door slammed open to reveal Gabe Ugly-ano.
"YOU?!" he yelled glaring at Percy. Sally pushed Percy behind her and said, "Gabe, don't-"
"Shut up! What the hell are you doing here?"
At that moment the main door banged open and Grover came in looking thoroughly desperate.
"Percy?" he shouted. "Why'd you leave?"
"Who are you?" Gabe yelled.
"Grover, what are you doing here?" Percy asked wide-eyed.
"It's happening! Oh gods!" Sally started fretting.
Grover waved one of his crutches around, "We gotta go! Your scent's getting stronger!"
"Scent? Can you smell watermelon from my hair?" Percy felt confused.
"Hold it! No one's going anywhere!" Gabe said furiously.
"Grover, where's Chiron?" Sally asked.
"He left for camp!"
"Percy, listen to me. Stick to Grover like glue. He's your protector."
"You ain't going nowhere, freak!" Gabe thundered pushing Percy against the wall.
WHAM!
Grover slammed his shoulder against Gabe. He then bunched up one of crutches on Gabe's right foot and kneed him in the gut. Gabe went down like a potato sack.
"G-man, that was gnarly." Percy muttered in shock.
"Sally, Percy needs to leave. Right now!"
Percy's head ached as though someone had taken it to do the salsa and reattached it badly. His stomach was rolling as if he hadn't eaten for days. His throat was spongy and he felt something moving in it. He was about to panic when he realised that he was eating something soft. He blinked and saw a golden hallow.
Was he dead?
"Hey!" someone whispered. Percy blinked again and the room came into focus.
"Hey." Percy said automatically. He was looking up at a curly headed blond girl, about his age. She had startling grey eyes like stormy clouds and Percy had an odd feeling that he'd seen her before.
"Have we met, before?" Percy asked. The girl frowned.
"I don't think so." she said carefully. "But Chiron went for you specifically. You have to tell me! What was stolen?"
Percy shook his head and lost consciousness.
When his head felt better, he tried to open his eyes. His gaze fell on a guy who had blond hair and blue eys. about two dozen of them all over his body. Percy's mind decided to blackout.
When he came to for the third time Grover, Mr. Brunner and the blond girl were talking.
"Percy! Ah, good. When Argus said that you had awakened, I was surprised to see the opposite. But you look better now."
Percy wasn't paying attention to his words. He was too busy looking at his legs. Mr. Brunner was on his feet. All four of them. From the waist below he was a white horse. Complete with a tail.
Percy would have got breathing problems right there if he hadn't seen Grover standing without his pants. His legs were covered with greyish brown fur and he had no feet. Instead, they were hooves.
"My name is Chiron and this is the infirmary for-"
The words tuned out when the blond girl sighed, put on a Yankees cap and literally disappear.
Percy passed out again.
When he finally did wake up, it was dark. Percy jumped up from the bed taking deep breaths. It was all coming back to him.
They had taken the car and were on their way to Long Island when lightning struck the car which did a flip off the road.
It was a blur of pain and rain as his mom helped him get a half-conscious Grover uphill towards a pine.
It hit him like lightning. The minotaur. The horn.
His mom.
Percy grabbed a side table for support. Mom's gone.
She had used her knife as a distraction to give Percy some time. The minotaur only got angrier with the knife impaled in his shoulder. He had grabbed her and... squeezed? She was gone into a golden shower of light.
Percy wanted to sit in a corner and cry. Mom was gone.
Grief overtook him and he suddenly felt a crushing sensation of loneliness. Percy sat on the ground and wrapped his arms around his legs, trying to keep his head level. It wasn't working so well. His chest felt heavy as if something was physically trying to take away his air and he felt suffocated.
What was left for him?
'Harry', Flo whispered. Percy swallowed, unable to breath. He leaned against the wall to keep his back straight. Taking out his inhaler from his jacket pocket, he shook the little blue device before breathing out hard and taking a puff. Feeling his chest lighten by a degree, he did it once more.
Water, he thought, wanting to rinse his mouth. He reached for a bottle on the table.
He had to keep calm. So, he was an orphan. He'd live with whom? Smelly Gabe? No way in heck.
May be he could sneak into a shipping container along with some luggage to get to England. He'd hitchhike to Surrey, get to Harry and live in the forest.
How was he supposed to explain about this to Harry? It had been more than 4 years. What would he think if Percy turned up without mom?
Percy clenched his fists. That wasn't important. Harry had to know what had happened. Even if it meant that he'd hate Percy for the rest of their lives.
Step 1: Get out of US
Step 2: Find the right ship
Step 3: Travel undetected
Step 4: Reach Harry
Simple.
Percy straightened up and looked around. He was in a hospital like place. There were many beds in a row with tables. Percy's table had a bottle of water, a goblet and his bag. Grabbing for it, Percy checked for his extra inhaler, tablets, cash, earphones, a small tape recorder, a note book, a pen and his cap.
He blinked. He didn't put his cap in, did he? No...
Somebody else opened his bag and probably stuffed his cap in while looking through it.
That was plain rude.
Putting on his cap and lifting up his hood, he closed his bag and slowly headed for the door. The sky was dark. It was probably early in the morning.
Percy stepped out and looked in awe. The place was huge and very nature friendly. Harry would have liked it. So would Mom. Percy closed the door carefully and quietly walked through the grounds looking at everything. He looked up at a large blue painted three storyed building. He stopped briefly feeling a sense of calmness. The air was cool, the silence was sweet and the smell was lovely. Scents of fruits and fresh earth reached him and Percy inhaled deeply. It was wonderful.
He passed through a small hillock and saw two rows of cabins. He passed by a large open area where he could see trees that led into a dark forest.
Harry would definitely love this place.
Percy was quite sure that the tall pine tree was the way out. And he would have gone if he hadn't heard the roar of water crashing onto land.
Percy changed directions and started running towards the sound. He ran up another hillock and stopped at the breathtaking sight of the ocean. He grinned momentarily, remembering Mom as she described her dream house. A spacious place with two floors above, located on a beach and at the end of a forest with scenic views on all sides.
Ironic. That was the word. Percy had stumbled upon a place like this after she was no longer there.
He sighed and walked towards the raging waters. The sea seemed distraught. It was exactly how he felt. He walked into the waves till he was knee deep. Finding some rough boulders, he sat against them and stared at the spot where the black ocean met the black sky.
Percy didn't sleep. He couldn't. He watched as the waves became unbounded sometimes washing over him. He tried not to react at the sea, which seemed to be angry but not at him. He cupped his palms to take some of the water and sipped the ocean. He felt the saltiness of the water and smiled.
The sun slowly started to rise and it cast red and violet streaks through the lightening sky. The scene was so beautiful, Percy felt cheated. Mom was gone and the world continued. Percy got up to start yelling at the treacherous planet when a voice asked, "What are you doing?"
Percy turned to see a blond guy with brown eyes and casual gait looking at him. The boy was a little taller than Percy and wore an orange shirt with jeans cut-offs.
"Standing." Percy replied.
The guy stared, "I can see that."
"Then, why'd you ask?" Percy said.
The guy stared at him and then gave a cry, "You're the horn guy!"
Percy's eyes widened. He put both hands on his cap-covering head, "I don't have horns!"
"No, what I meant is that you killed the minotaur with its own horn! Without any training!"
Oh, that. Percy had had a lot of training. But he never wanted to kill the bull monster. When it had killed Mom, Percy had seen red.
"Yeah." He muttered.
The guy walked towards him and held out his hand, "I'm Adam Austins, son of Aphrodite."
Percy stared, "What?"
Adam shrugged, "Just got claimed a few weeks ago. You know your god parent?"
"My what?"
"Didn't Chiron tell you?" he asked.
Percy just looked at him.
Adam gave him a 10 minute explanation.
"My dad's a god?" Percy asked laughing. How was a dyslexic, ADHD, asthmatic, D+ grade achiever kid be a child of a god?
"This is Camp Half-blood, refuge for demigods like us."
Percy didn't want to believe it. But he did.
"That explains so much!" He sighed in relief. Adam looked glad that Percy understood so fast.
"Santa Claus, cookies, shoelaces, the eggs, my therapy!"
"What?" Adam asked amused. Percy kept thinking about all the strange things Mom might have hinted on and the crazy stuff Harry and he could do.
Was Harry a demigod too? An English Greek demigod?
"Who's my dad then?"
Adam shrugged. "We won't know until you're claimed. We can keep a look out for your powers if you have any."
"What powers do you have?"
Adam thought. "Not sure. At least, I'm not obsessed with my hair like Tim. But speaking as a son of Aphrodite, you need a tan. Where you been? Antarctica?"
Percy rolled his eyes, "My skin's like this. I don't tan."
Adam hummed. There was a sound of a horn.
"Someone's missing." Adam said in alarm. He stood up as did Percy.
They ran to a large place like a pavilion where there were a few kids along with the blond girl he'd seen before. Next to her stood another blond guy who looked to be the oldest. He looked around college age and was giving others directions.
"If he did go into the forest, then the teams will be no less than three. We already checked the Big House and Infirmary."
"What if he left?" a buff girl in real bronze armour asked.
"Then, I don't think there's anything we can do."
"Wait! Who're we looking for?" Adam asked.
"The kid who came a day ago. The one Grover brought-" the blond girl started and then stared at Percy.
"He's right there!"
Everyone turned towards him. A few snorted, some rolled their eyes and others yawned.
"Jeez, kid. Camp's got enough craziness without disappearing tricks." The tall blond guy said.
Percy felt abashed and also a little touched. None of them knew him and yet they were about to send search teams for him.
"Sorry. I was at the beach. Couldn't sleep." Percy apologized. The group started to disperse while Adam, the tall blonde, the blond girl and the brown haired girl in armour stayed with Percy.
"Why'd you leave the infirmary? You were bedridden for a day and now... you need ambrosia. Don't wander about, you'll be eaten." The blonde girl told Percy. She turned and headed for the cabins.
"Who's that charming and delightful girl?" Percy asked smiling. Adam laughed. "Annabeth, daughter of Athena. Don't cross her. She'll crush you like a bug."
Percy blinked, "She crushes bugs?"
The tall blonde held out his hand. "You're funny, kid. I'm Luke. Son of Hermes."
"Clarisse, daughter of Ares."
"The war god?" Percy asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, something wrong, punk?" she growled. Percy chuckled. She sounded like Harry.
"Nah, you just remind me of someone I knew."
She frowned and then glared at him. "You and me are going to have a little sparring session after breakfast today."
She left the trio and Percy tried to understand what just happened.
"You're dead, kid." Luke said as Adam whistled.
Percy had decided to leave after breakfast. He would tell Chiron and may be the centaur would even help him sneak onto a ship.
Percy sat next to Luke along with the other Hermes and undetermined children. He looked around to see Adam sit with his siblings who, like him, had perfect looks and excellent forms. Annabeth was seated next to her family where everyone had blond hair and sharp grey eyes. Clarisse was at a table where there were many kids like her. Muscled and noisy.
There were so many kids that Percy couldn't believe that they were all demigods.
Apparently, most were dyslexic and diagnosed with ADHD. No one said anything about being asthmatic so Percy kept that quiet. He'd never told Grover and had also kept his medical bracelet in his bag when the car had crashed. The only one who might know was the person who went through his bag.
Percy was quite sure that no one else had a weird bronze bracelet on their left arms.
He didn't like bracelets.
He watched a part of his breakfast go up in smoke and thought, I'll be back here someday.
This was a place just for him and he hoped he could come back, may be make friends...
"Watch your back, Clarisse's been eying you." Luke whispered subtly.
Percy finished his food and grabbed his bag. He wasn't sure how many people knew of his blue hair. He had kept his cap on his head the entire morning.
He walked towards Chiron who suddenly leaned towards a slightly dumpy guy in a loud shirt and summer shorts. The man looked about forty and drunk. He made a complaining sound and then sighed. Percy was about to open his mouth when the portly old guy said loudly, "Listen up, half-wits! I have another headache, here. Peter Johnson-"
Chiron whispered into his ears and the guy sighed, "Does it look like I care? Fine! Percy Jackson, welcome to camp, blah blah blah."
Percy was glad that he couldn't blush properly otherwise his cheeks would've been red.
He steeled himself and flashed a grin at the crowd, "Wassup?"
A few smiled at him. Some waved, others looked wary.
Percy leaned towards Chiron and said, "Can we talk?"
Chiron looked surprised but followed him out. Percy thought about the direct approach. He usually didn't bother with bea
"Will you help me sneak into a ship?"
Chiron stared, "is this another of those slangs?"
"Huh? No, I'm serious. I need to reach England!"
"Why?"
"Well, I don't really have anything left here. And there's someone waiting for me in Surrey."
Chiron looked concerned. "Who?"
"The only one who really cares. I ...have to tell him that my mother's dead."
Chiron's face had a look of sadness, "Percy, it's too dangerous. Once you realise that you're a demi-god, the monsters will come for you."
"Why?" Percy asked confused.
"Their diet consists mostly of heroes."
Percy nodded, "Then it's good that I'm not a hero."
Chiron sighed, "Being a demigod makes you a hero."
"You sound like my mother." Percy said, " 'Be my little hero and go clean your room'."
"Percy, the camp is protected by magical defenses. That's why you're safe. The forests are stocked with younger monsters for training. But, you must understand that this is the only safe place for you in the world."
"But, he's different like me! I mean, he can talk to snakes! And they talk back!"
Chiron frowned, "And you think he's a demigod?"
Percy nodded.
"Percy, if things were different, I would consult with the camp director but we have bigger problems."
"But –"
"And I'm not privy to some secrets of the gods. There may be a safe haven in England just for him, if he was born there."
"He was."
"Then he'll be safe and I'm sure he'll understand if you tell him sometime later. How did you know him? For how long?"
"He was my neighbour for about seven years. We always stuck together. He's my older brother."
"What?"
"Oh, we're not related, but my mom adopted him unofficially."
Chiron nodded looking thoughtful.
"I'll try to find out more about England, Percy. But please, don't leave."
Chiron patted his shoulder and left. Percy huffed and stuffed his hands into his pockets as he went towards the Hermes cabin to dump his bag.
"Percy!" somebody shouted and he turned to see Grover running after him holding a shoebox in his arms. Percy couldn't stop looking at his furry legs.
"Hey, Perce." he stopped and panted.
"You're half donkey." Percy stated. Grover looked miffed, "Goat! I'm half Goat."
"Oh, sorry. I'm kinda new to this."
"S'ok. How're feeling?"
Percy gave him a small smile, "You're the first one to ask that, G-man."
Grover smiled and gave Percy the shoebox.
"Oh…thanks. How d'you know my shoe size?"
"It's not shoes, Perce."
Percy opened the box to see the minotaur horn he'd broken. Its tip was crusted with blood.
"Thanks." Percy muttered again, closing the box and shoving it into his bag. He didn't want to ever see it again. His set of nightmares for the night were reserved.
"Newbie!"
Percy and Grover saw Clarisse and some of her brothers march towards the duo. The former groaned inaudibly. He had really wanted to back to the beach to wallow in self pity and blame the world.
"Hi Clarisse, I'm busy, so bye." he turned but realised that he was facing a guy with a surly grin.
He was surrounded. Why couldn't he be like Harry who'd actually like to be in a situation where he had to fight his way back physically?
"So, runt."
"I'm not a runt. I'm actually at a good height for my age."
Clarisse snorted, "Fine, Prissy. You have a sword?"
"No. I didn't pay my last installment to the Dangerous Equipment Section of Camp, so they took my sword and scissors."
"Take this." a guy thrust a long thick sword that Percy had to hold with both hands.
"Um, no, thanks."
"Hey, it's not an option!" she said, swinging her sword.
Percy shrugged. "I'm not fighting."
"Says who?"
"Says me." Percy grinned. She was funny when she was irritated.
"Fine, no swords. I bet you punch like a sissy, Prissy."
"Oh, don't worry; you could too if you tried a little harder." Percy said with a straight face.
Clarisse's face turned red in anger. Percy felt like he should apologise before she exploded.
"You're getting a free nose job!" she shrieked, clenching her fists.
"Why?" Percy asked.
"Clarisse! Don't! He doesn't know how to fight!" A girl's voice yelled. Percy saw the blond hair of Annabeth pushing it's way through the crowd as she shoved people.
"He doesn't know how to shut up either!" She let her fist fly towards his face.
WHAM!
Just kidding.
Percy dodged it quite easily.
She threw a few more punches but he dodged them all.
"Joking aside, I don't fight. I'm a nonviolent person. Peace!" he made the peace sign. She swung a kick and he jumped back cleanly avoiding her leg.
"What if your life's in danger?" she asked advancing forward.
Percy crouched and replied, "Daily occurrence. I haven't fitted it into my schedule, yet."
She lunged and he jumped over her head and tucked and rolled onto the ground behind her.
The crowd backed up to give them more space. Annabeth watched in surprise as a look of boredom settled on Percy's face.
"Clarisse! Enough, you better stop before Chiron decides to come over here." Luke said stepping into the circle. Percy nodded. Clarisse glared at him and said, "We just started."
She saw the look on Luke's face and amended, "Fine, whatever, but Prissy and I have unfinished business."
Luke sighed in exasperation, "He didn't even do anything! Go on. I'll meet you on the archery grounds."
Percy grinned as she glared at Luke but backed away nevertheless.
"Don't worry, 'Reese, just watch your back." Percy called out.
She turned around and started towards him again but Luke stopped her. Somebody grabbed Percy's hand and pulled him away from the clearing.
"Annabeth?" he asked because whoever was pulling him was invisible. She removed her cap and shimmered into existence.
"Hi there." Percy greeted her brightly.
"What d'you think you're doing, Jackson?" she snapped at him. Percy shrugged, "I think I'm holding a conservation with you."
Annabeth lost her irritation, "What?"
Percy didn't understand for a second and then he face-palmed, "Conversation! Not conservation! I always get them confused."
She nodded slowly, "You need to think about this. You actually got a chance to fight a monster. You have no idea how many kids wanted to be in your place!"
Percy frowned, "In my place? Trust me, Chase, just be happy you're not in my place. Only one person can handle being me!"
"Who?"
"Me!"
Annabeth looked annoyed for some reason, "Whatever. I've to take you to get your weapon."
"I said it before, I don't fight."
"It's not a lifestyle choice, Jackson. If you wanna live you need a sword."
Percy grumbled all the way to the big house. Annabeth kept turning to see if he was following or not.
"What kinda sword do you have?" Percy asked.
"Not a sword, a knife."
Percy's eyes lit up. May be if he showed her his knife (dagger actually), she'd stop nagging him. But he decided to play with her a bit.
"Do you think I'm a knife kinda guy?" Percy asked skidding to her side.
She rolled her eyes, "Knives are for the quickest fighters and the fastest thinkers. So that means, you can't handle a knife."
Percy knew that she was making fun of him, "You don't even know me."
Annabeth smiled and stopped in front of the door gesturing him to go in. "Oh, I can tell. Go on, Chiron has it."
Percy nodded and hoisted his bag on his shoulder.
"You're wrong, Annie." he said as casually as he could. He enjoyed her glare and went inside.
Chiron was standing next to the guy in the purple shirt who had introduced Percy to the others.
"Percy! Come meet our camp director, Mr. D."
Mr. D didn't bother to look at Percy. Percy was reminded of a sulky little school boy.
"Hello, sir." Percy said nevertheless.
Mr. D looked at him as if about to snap but then stopped. He gave Percy a long stare before nodding. Chiron gave him a look at the exchange. But he recovered quickly. He reached into the pocket of his tweed coat hung over a hook and pulled out a pen. He handed it to Percy.
Percy slowly took it. Wasn't he supposed to get a sword?
"A dangerous and powerful weapon. Learn how to wield it in times of distress." Chiron said. Percy stared.
"This is a pen. This-is-a-pen." Percy said waving the tiny bronze ballpoint pen in their faces.
"Half-bloods." Mr. D muttered shaking his head.
"Click it." Chiron said, amused.
The demigod looked at the regular looking pen and clicked it. A sharp bronze blade grew and Percy exclaimed, "Whoa! That's awesome! It's for me?! Yeah!"
"You sure you want to give him a sword?" Mr. D whispered.
Percy dropped off his bag near the sleeping bag Luke had given him. The large room was filled with bags, clothes, shoes, etc. It seemed quite crowded.
"Horn guy!" someone yelled from behind and Percy jumped. He turned to see two boys, about his height. They were absolutely identical except one was taller. Percy could tell that they were Hermes' sons.
They grinned at him and slung their arms around his shoulders.
"We heard about your face off with Clarisse."
"And since you're not in the Infirmary, the rumours must be true."
Percy waited. One them stuck out his hand, "We're Travis and Conner Stoll, resident sons of Hermes."
Percy let out a burst of laughter which he controlled.
"What?" they asked, sounding bemused.
"Your name is 'Stoll'?"
"Yeah. So?"
Percy raised an eyebrow, "Don't you get it?"
They looked confused. Percy smiled. He adjusted his cap and then put his hands in his pockets and left the cabin. He had wanted to go to the beach, but decided to take a trip around all the cabins.
They were twelve in all going in the shape of a U. They were personalized by the demigods. Some like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon and Artemis were empty. Hermes and Apollo were crowded but that was mostly 'cause of the unclaimed kids.
Cabins like Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares, Athena and Demeter had about a dozen kids each while there were only two sons of Dionysus.
Percy went around and reached a large open area which was for target practice.
Most of the kids were from the Apollo cabin but there were others. Percy watched one boy helping a smaller girl to hold the bow and arrow.
"Hands straight, Mary. Hold the edge tightly. Good, now the target-"
Mary lost her grip on the arrow and it flew out a few feet. It took her a few tries to aim. Percy was about to leave when someone called "Horn guy!"
It was starting to get irritating.
A short kid, may be ten years old, came running towards him. "I saw you fight with Clarisse and not get beat up!"
"Thanks." Percy said .
"Can you fight? You can, can't you?"
Percy sighed in exasperation, "Why's this camp obsessed with fighting? Why can't we be normal kids and play 'Hide and Go Seek'?"
"If we played that with monsters, it'll be called 'Hide or Get Eaten'." Luke said walking towards him and short boy. "Hey, Michael."
"Hey Luke, I think I'm getting better."
Luke smiled. It made his scar ripple. "That's good. Didn't I tell you practice helps?"
Michael grinned and turned to Percy, "Wanna try?"
"Oh, um, I actually did this before. No thanks."
"Were you horrible at it?"
"Um..."
"You need practice!" Michael chirped pushing his bow and quiver of arrows into Percy's arms.
"Tell you what, if you hit the target, we'll let you go. If you don't..."
Luke gave him a smile that made him shiver unconsciously. Percy looked at an expectant Michael and said, "Alright." he slung the quiver around his shoulder and drew an arrow to put it in position. He looked at the target thirty feet away and took a deep breath. Expelling the air, Percy raised the bow and let go of the arrow.
They watched as the arrow flew and hit the quiver of another demigod's stash, ten feet away from the target.
"Okay." Luke said, as if trying not to laugh. "You just need some pratice…"
After lunch, Percy went to the beach to sit on the boulder. The waves weren't as strong as they were in the early morning. His jeans were soaked as he didn't bother to dry at the moment. The heat was quite strong but Percy didn't feel bothered by it. If anything, he was quite comfortable.
It got him thinking. He knew that others couldn't control water like he did. May be that was what Adam was talking about. Powers. Water god. How many kinds of water gods were there?
"Jackson!" a voice yelled. At least it was a change from 'horn guy'.
It was the blond Californian type girl, Annabeth. She had a frustrated expression. Percy stared at her. Her grey eyes were like steel. If they had been blue, she would've been the perfect Cali girl.
"Hey." Percy grinned at her. She stopped at the shoreline.
"I need to talk to you." She yelled over the sound of the ocean. Percy called, "About what?"
"Just come over here." She yelled again.
Percy sighed, stood up, slipped on the wet surface of the rock and fell into the one foot deep water. He shook his head. Anytime he tripped, he was sure to trip when there was water around. May be, he wasn't a son of a water god.
Percy stood up and blinked at her. She was staring at his head.
He looked down and saw the cap floating in the water around his feet.
Oh man.
Percy's being Percy. Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Q: Based on the books, who is the oldest demigod, out of The Seven in Heroes of Olympus?
Cabba.
