Chapter 2 – Golden Cliffs

A/N – Hello all, I just have a few things to point out if you don't mind. One, I have discovered that writing in 3rd person is much easier than trying (and failing) to write in 1st person. So the rest of this tale will be told in mostly 3rd person. Two, do expect this chapter and the following chapters to be longer than the Prelude. I apologize for the short length of the previous chapter. So, my rant is over. Let's continue with the rest of this story.

Percy was not happy. Now don't get me wrong, normally, Percy would have been quite happy and carefree. But, being chained to the floor and getting kidnapped by a Manticore just has that way of dampening your mood.

Percy was trying in vain of getting free. He was quite frustrated by now. He had been kidnapped for three hours and he was itching to move around freely. Being ADHD did not help. Neither was the fact that Luke/Kronos and Atlas were plotting in the separate room. And they were talking quite softly but Percy could catch hints of – River Lethe, Melting Cheese Fondue, and Golden Necklace of Obedience. Yep, Percy was having a REALLY bad day.

Annabeth was having a nearly equally bad day. Her best friend was kidnapped, Nico was being very annoying, and she had to endure a ride in Apollo's Sun Chariot…with Thalia driving. And it didn't help that her best friend who was kidnapped happens to be the same one that was supposedly able to determine the fate of Olympus.

On top of all that she had found out that Artemis was kidnapped. They were issuing a quest to save her and Percy. A quest she will not be joining. Zoe Nightshade, the first lieutenant of Artemis, had just gone up to the attic to get a prophecy leaving her and the other consulters waiting. Dionysus even seemed slightly distressed about Percy's disappearance.

At that moment, in the middle of Annabeth's musings, Zoe came down looking slightly shaken. All the eyes in the room turned to her.

"Well, what did the oracle say?" Annabeth said.

Zoe said shakily "Five will west to the goddess in chain, Death will come at bronze's hand, Son of sea will finally bend, Forever sleep one will see."

A tense silence filled the room. Yep, Annabeth was having a REALLY bad day.

Luke and Atlas faced each other. Both were seated at a worn wood table.

"The original plan was to kidnap Annabeth. But, this is much better." Said Luke.

"How so?" said Atlas.

"Percy will be very useful; he is a son of the big three. We have hardly any use for that infernal goddess now." Said Luke.

"What do you have in plan?"

Luke smiled darkly. His scar glowing in the darkness…

"Plenty, Atlas. Plenty."

Poseidon was not happy. Not happy would be an understatement thought at this point. His demigod son, his only demigod son had just got kidnapped by Kronos. And the fact that his demigod son could be powerful weapon against the gods didn't help.

He knew if Percy really did turn against the gods that he would be blamed. Why? Because, that's just the way the gods roll. Besides, he had gotten quite fond of this beloved son, even a bit overprotective.

And when Poseidon gets overprotective, he really gets overprotective. He knew he would have to intervene sometime or later. In his mind he thought "I will find you Percy."

Nico watched as his sister got ready to go. Yes, his sister had gotten chosen for the quest, and he couldn't help but worry.

What if she gets hurt or what if she...she…

No. He could not bear it if that happens. It will not happen he kept thinking to himself. Bianca will live.

Just that moment, he felt a presence next to him. Clumsily she stepped towards the disturbance and a figure magically appeared in front of him.

"Annabeth?"

"Shhh!" cried the previously mentioned girl.

"And, what are you doing here?" yelled an angered Hunter. Oops.

Annabeth Chase could not believe her luck. After Phoebe got poisoned by the Stolls, she got chosen for the quest. She could barely contain her joy. As she slumbered the day before the quest, she had a vivid dream.

Two figures surrounded another. "No! Never!" cried the one that was surrounded. "You have no choice." Said one calmly as he grabbed the surrounded one's neck and forced a necklace onto the person's neck. "NO!" as the surrounded person as he (she assumed that he was a he by his voice) fell onto the floor and screamed pure agony.

She suddenly woke up sweating as she realized that the person was Percy.