What the hell. Just. Freakin. Happened?

"Did that really JUST happen?" Percy screamed, now back on her feet pacing like a mad woman after her ungraceful drop back down on the tiled floor.

Feeling unbelievably panicked and flustered, she looked to Mr. Brunner and Grover for an answer, still wondering why Mr. Brunner of all people had actually been threatening to the monster—the guy was handicapped.

"Perc, look just calm down girl—everything's gonna be okay!" Grover said, trying to pacify the high strung teen, though it proved unsuccessful hearing her mutter something about how she should be on vacation right now instead.

"Did she really just turn into that- that thing?" Percy's voice had raised into the point of hysteria by now.

"A Fury, concealed in our own school... My apologies, I should have known." Mr. Brunner murmured.

Percy however was still recovering form the shock of it all and struggled to recall what she had learned in class so her response was more of a stupid one: "A fury? What's a fury? I am pretty damn sure it's not the expression anger."

Mr. Brunner dismissed the question with a wave of the hand, focusing Percy with a sharp gaze. "Never mind that for now, what exactly did she want with you?"

Never mind? Never mind!? Her teacher who she considered a human up until about ten seconds ago just turned into some weird giant bat-like THING, and all this guy says is NEVER MIND!?

Percy ran her fingers through her dark hair, feeling that a few more seconds of this insanity would leave her with a bald spot, she took a few calming breaths desperately trying to regain composure and make sense of it all.

"She said... something, about me having a lightning bolt or something..."

The atmosphere turned dark—an ominous end of the world type of the dark. Percy took notice of this and a part of her wondered if she had just said something taboo because the next moment she was being led to the museum's exit.

"They've found her? "Mr. Brunner said wheeling around with Grover at his side and a still bewildered Percy trailing behind.

"She's in danger." Mr. Brunner answered, speaking more to Grover but Percy could still hear the shaken tone of voice the older male was using and couldn't help the small knot that formed in her stomach because of it. What could make someone like Mr. Brunner so... nervous?

"Guys, uh, who found me?" Percy called out, trying to wedge herself into the conversation. "And why are we going to the bus stop, shouldn't we be going back to school?"

"Percy, I know you're confused right now, but before I answer—any of what I'm sure are the many questions—you might have, know that the knowledge I am about to impart on you will forever change your life. From here on out, you will be thrust into a world filled with things beyond belief— take this to defend yourself it's a powerful weapon." Mr. Brunner was rummaging around in his pocket as he spoke and he eventually drew out a stick.

Percy looked at it for a moment, then back at Brunner. Stick. Brunner.

'Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me right now.' Slowly, she reached out to take the, er, stick in her hand. It was a pretty stick sure, it was silver which she found strange with intricate designs woven onto it as it sparkled in the brightly shining sun.

"It's a powerful weapon, use it well, child." Mr. Brunner said.

"This is a stick." Was Percy's flat response. Here was the teacher she respected the most, obviously terrified and concerned for her well-being after seeing that THING of a teacher attack her, and what did he do to help? Gave her a frickin' stick to defend herself... what was the world coming to? He's obviously losing it.

"This is a stick!" She said it again, as if repeating it more than once would somehow prove it's usefulness to her.

"Percy, come on, girl —we gotta move," Grover said, gesturing for Percy to follow him. "It isn't safe for you here anymore. You're going to have to trust me, I know, it sounds stupid to follow someone who isn't telling you why or explaining what just happened. But we really need to get you somewhere safe, okay? You and I are going to this place —the only safe place for people like you."

Percy felt truly and utterly lost. She had no idea what was going on and was only mildly aware of Grover shoving something into her hand; she groaned when she realized it was written in cursive, this day just keeps getting better and better!

"Grover, what the heck? You know I hate having to read cursive, I have dyslexia remember?" The poor dark-haired girl whined a little, exhaustion lacing itself into her tone as she and her companion trudged along.

Slowly she read the card aloud:

Grover Underwood

Keeper

Half-blood Hill

Long Island, New York

(800) 009-0009

"What. The. Heck? Since when do you have a business?" Percy demanded, realizing it was some sort of strange looking business card. Grover simply shrugged indifferently.

"It's our summer address. And as for the cursive script, well our director, he's very...articulate, you might say." Though Percy could tell that hadn't been the word to best describe who it was Grover was referring to, watching his face change into one of exasperation actually lift her mood— she giggled.

"So then, you guys have a director? What's his name? And how come you never told me you live with Mr. Brunner?" She asked, firing the questions at bullet-fired-speed. The last part held more confusion and disbelief than intended, making her friend shoot her a strange look that she couldn't quite decipher in time before he looked away. She hoped he didn't think she was jealous.

"Look it's a long story, okay? First thing's first, we gotta get our asses going here. I'll explain everything on the way to your house, got it? Let's just go get your mom first," Grover said.

"Keep her safe, Grover," Mr. Brunner said, just as a delivery van stopped right in front of us, seemingly swerving out of nowhere. The side of it read in big, bold lettering "Delphi's Strawberries" —wherever that was.

"Whoa, um, this is our ride?" Percy wondered aloud, it wasn't that it was run down or anything, just that... well, it was a delivery truck not a cab. Unless they counted her as something to be delivered.

"Perce, it'll be fine, now let's go!" Grover said, pulling open the back door of the vehicle and gesturing for Percy to get in. The girl hesitated, leaning in closer to whisper into the boy's ear out of curiosity. "Is it... uh, safe?"

Grover shot his friend a disbelieving look. "Do you think, I, as your protector would willingly jeopardize your well-being by placing you in a moving vehicle without making sure it was safe?" He wondered, voice sandpaper dry.

"Alright, alright, I was just asking —jeez, no need to get touchy!"

Once they were both inside, the van rumbled into life, speeding off into what Percy could only assume to be the direction of her apartment, though she couldn't help but wish maybe Grover had gotten a smoother ride to go with.

"So, wanna clue me in as to what's going on and why I was suddenly attacked by a giant "Fury" or whatever?" Percy asked, figuring it was time to get some answer, and thought this might be her only chance to do so since she knew the ride would at least take a few minutes.

Grover heaved a heavy sigh, and though Percy couldn't see it he looked terrified.

"Well, Perc, let me deflect your question with one of my own."

Deflect? Was he trying to say he wasn't going to answer her? Percy thought deciding that was NOT going to be happening for him!

"You remember what Mr. Brunner said about all the Greek gods and goddesses, the twelve Olympians and stuff?"

"...thirteen..." Was all Percy mumbled in response making Grover raise a brow at her in intrigue. Now that was something she definitely noticed due to the shimmering glint being given off of her stick she had received from Mr. Brunner before departing

"What?" She snapped, unable to take the scrutinizing.

Grover shook his head.

"Well, how much about them do you know about them?" Grover inquired.

Percy looked at him, debating whether or not to answer the question that presented itself. Ultimately she shrugged and said, "Well, they existed thousands of years ago. There were a lot of them, not including the minor gods and goddesses —we have twelve main ones called the Olympians."

Percy stated as though it were just another question on a test or something. She missed the small smirk that came onto Grover's lips in favor of wondering just what the heck does Ancient Greece has to do with the current events happening to her at the moment?

"Well, what would you say if I told you their mythology, the gods, monsters, and everything else we were told were real?" Graver spoke in a careful tone, not wanting to shaken the girl anymore than she already was. Percy whipped her head to look at him like he'd just said something crazy, because in truth he sort of had...

"I'd say, nice try, and why are you trying to joke around in this situation?" Percy demanded rather bluntly, she swallowed a bit uneasily, feeling a small part of her that she couldn't seem to convince into believing that it was a lie.

"Look I know it sounds crazy—"

"Crazy? Oh no, we're past crazy, we crossed that line when our teacher turned into a giant bat-like thing and tried to kill me!" Percy snapped, for once not caring if she cut him off, she leaned her back against the truck breathing heavily while trying to get her bearings. She was feeling very stressed right now and just wanted this crazy dream to end.

"Come one Perc, think back on your life so far, anything strange happen that you can remember?"Grover insisted.

Percy thought, and thought until her brain hurt. Sure there had been quite a few oddball moments, ones she eventually managed to peg as simply being her imagination or a dream.

She froze.

Grover panicked slightly at the ghost white expression that flitted across her face recalling one of the more memorable events that made her realize this wasn't a dream, this was real.

"Grover..." Her voice was soft, like she was in some sort of trance

"Yeah, Perce?"

"Was my dad...did he..."

Percy let out a small strangled breath of frustration burying her face into her hands still trying to wrap her head around everything she was being told.

"Perc, what's wrong? You remember something, don't you?" Grover questioned, brows furrowing in worry.

"There was some guy back when I was in kindergarten, he wore a trench coat and tried to kidnap me, he was stopped by the teachers and the incident was reported to my mom who later on told me we were moving... but, just before I was pulled away from him, he said something in some other language, I think it was something like... no, he called me the daughter of the sky."

The comforting hand on her shoulder suddenly fell limp beside her. Percy turned and using the small glint of her stick she saw Grover's face paling, like VERY pale. He looked ready to pass out any second as Percy grabbed hold of his shoulders, lightly shaking him out of his stupor.

"Grover, you okay, man?" she asked genuinely concerned for her friend.

Grover flinched, meeting her eyes with his, big and wide brown eyes looking back at her like she had just been diagnosed with an incurable disease and had only seconds to live. Needless to say it was not a very pleasant or reassuring look coming form the person she called her best friend at the moment.

The van suddenly screeched to a halt signaling the end of the line for them, which was when Grover seemed to remember what was happening. He snapped into action he threw open the van doors and hopped out first, gesturing for Percy to follow. She did, saying nothing of the look he gave her a few moments ago, fearful that maybe now wasn't the best time to know about it.

Percy and Grover raced inside, seeing Gabe in the middle of having one of his poker nights, ugh! Percy fought the urge to gag and instead looked off to the side to see her mom. Immediately Percy's fears melted away seeing the all too familiar kind smile directed at her by her mother.

"Mom!

"Percy, you're home early!" Her mom exclaimed in pleasant surprise, not caring about the earlier minor scuffle they had regarding Gabe. Heck, despite her tendency to hold grudges for a long time, Percy didn't even care if he was in the same room at that moment.

"Mom, we really need to talk," Percy said as she pulled away from the warm embrace, her turquoise eyes all seriousness.

"Hey, can't you see she's busy servicing me and my friends?" Gabe interrupted.

Okay, now THAT was the last straw. She gritted her teeth, glowering at the pig of a man in disgust, moving to stand in front of him, wind whistled in her ears loudly, paying it no attention even though she should be curious as to how breeze could seep in when the windows were shut tightly. "Hey— you bald headed freak, don't you EVER talk about my mom like that!"

It took maybe about five seconds for Gabe to react, effectively slamming Percy up against a wall with Sally clawing at his back to try and get him away from her precious daughter, Percy shoved him as hard as she could, stumbling back into Grover in the process.

Unbeknownst to Percy, Grover's usually playful face was now contorted in a small twist of rage seeing the way Gabe just attacked his best friend. When Gabe lunged for her again, Grover took the opportunity to slam one of his crutches down onto the other man's foot before swinging the other between his legs making some of the other guys wince in pain watching him fall to the ground unmoving.

"Whoa, nice job." Percy breathed.

"Like I said, I'm your protector," Grover responded receiving a slow nod from the still stunned girl. He turned to Sally who was equally shocked by the aggressive display. "Sally, Percy has to leave now, like right now"

Sally froze, seeing the intense look in his eyes relaying a silent message only she seemed to understand.

"It's time?" Sally's voice was coated with worry and the same twinge of fear Mr. Brunner seemed to have earlier. Did she know something Percy did not?

"Yes, Sally. It's time."

"Where are we going? What is this camp you guys are talking about?" Percy asked from the passenger seat of the car they were now driving towards Long Island, to Camp Half-Blood as Grover called it.

"It's a place for really special and gifted people like you, Firefly." There it was, Percy thought, that nickname back form when she was five; nice to know it still holds the same effect as it did back then because as soon as her mom said that, accompanied by that warm and loving smile, Percy's anger melted away like butter.

Who was she kidding? Percy could never stay mad at her own mom, the woman was just too kind for something like that.

"So what? Do I have like some kind of disease or something?" Percy asked thinking maybe her mother thought she was crazy after all.

A long stretch of silence filled the air between them until Percy heard her mother sigh— it was the heavy sort you let out just before spilling a big secret to someone—it made Percy shift uncomfortably, seeing the expression on her mother's face was also one of decisiveness.

"Percy, this is about your father..."

Those few words made Percy's blood run cold. Her father? The one who just up and left her and her mom, who Percy never even got the chance to see, no photograph, no letter, no nothing. He was the reason all this was happening?

Then something clicked inside Percy's head recalling how Grover kept telling her the myths about Greek gods and goddesses were true, and all the talk of demi-gods in the stories told by Mr. Brunner.

"Is dad...a god?" Percy bit out, almost afraid to say it aloud.

Grover looked at her, surprised, unbelieving of how quickly she was able to put the pieces together. "Whoa, Perce, you could be a daughter of Athena with smarts like that!" He said merrily, trying to lift the somber mood, if only a little.

Percy straightened, staring at her mother beside her. "Well wait a minute, if dad really is a... a god like you say, then why didn't he ever help you, mom?"

Percy found herself pressed flat against the car door when Sally made sharp swerve on the road, caught off guard by the question. Sally's hands tightened on the steering wheel, focusing her eyes ahead. "Percy, you and I are a lot alike, but what you don't realize is how much you also remind me of your father..."

Percy's brows knit together, she reminded her mom of her father? How?

"Something all three of us share is that we like to do things ourselves, without the help of others, but the difference between you and your father Percy is that you're not afraid to admit when you've made a mistake." Now Percy was confused, her father didn't admit to making mistakes, well doesn't he sound smart? Percy thought with a roll of the eyes.

"He was such an amazing guy; he was kind, gentle, loving and brave," Sally said, sighing dreamily. Percy heard Grover mumbling something under his breath about how they were always like that; she couldn't resist the small snort of laughter that rose in her throat.

A frown tugged at the corners of her lips as she tried to think of a god that might fit the description her mom had given her, but no one came to light. She was sure each one of them had their own areas of expertise so to speak. But right now, this guy sounded more like prince charming. Maybe, Eros, the god of love?

"I guess I'll just have to meet him for myself then..." Percy grumbled looking back out her window at the now setting sun in the distance.

"Do you at least think he'll be happy to see me?" Percy wondered sadly, a small trickle of doubt forming when she said it. He's been absent from her life for so long though, who wouldn't assume that maybe he just doesn't care all that much anymore.

"Percy, of course he will! When you born he was ecstatic, he wanted to stay and watch you grow up, to make sure you were safe, but he..."

"He had a job to do being a god and all, plus seeing as how a good portion of them are actually already taken I'm guessing he has a wife somewhere," Percy sneered sarcastically because deep down, she realized she was right.

"You have no idea..." Grover grumbled from the backseat shoving more food into his mouth trying to suppress the small shudder of fear that seemed to run through his body at the mention of the word 'wife' something that made her think Grover might have an idea of who it was her 'Dad' had waiting for him wherever he was.

"It's complicated Percy, your father and I...we really do love each other, he actually even offered to give me sanctuary where he lives," Sally said in a quiet tone of voice, but that didn't stop both Grover and Percy's eyes from going wide as saucers.

"He what?" Grover shouted leaning forward, curiosity getting the best of him.

Sally nodded. "Yeah, we loved each other, but at the same time, we didn't..."

Percy and Grover looked at one another, confusion evident on both their faces, not following where she was going with this.

"We meant everything to each other, but there's just always this feeling... like something was missing, like whenever we looked at each other we saw someone else and not the other person's face, you know?"

But Percy didn't know, and neither did Grover. Their faces blank, and their minds reeling form the information they were being fed right now.

"So, you're saying you... rejected him?" Percy asked, eyebrows climbing to her hairline.

"No, no, it was just...we loved each other and everything, yes, but the way he and I felt about one another... we also felt the same amount of love for another person, do you understand?" Sally asked, realizing how confusing she must've sounded. It had taken a few months herself to work that answer out.

"So, you and him... were part of a love triangle?" Percy wondered, unable to help but feel frustration and confusion cloud her judgement right now.

"Let me put it this way, you remember all the times you mentioned Hera?" Sally said; Percy blinked; Grover frowned, turning to his best friend.

"You talked about Hera?"

"Well yeah, but it wasn't anything bad I just thought that maybe the reason Zeus always has flings behind her back is because... maybe he's trying to remember a happier time with her, and at the time whoever is with him is actually somehow reminiscent of his wife, like a- a reincarnation or something, but in human form..." Percy stammered the last part, hopefully she would not somehow offend said goddess who as it turns out is now confirmed to be real.

Her expression suddenly becoming more wistful at the end, she muttered the last few words mostly to herself. "I mean... everyone wants to remember the good times, especially when it seems like there's none to be had in front of you..."

Grover looked at her, thoughtful for a moment at her words and seeming to mull them over.

"It's not the worst theory I've ever heard," he admitted.

Percy felt a small laugh pass her lips slowly turning her attention back to the road her mom was currently driving on, Night had fallen around them when she saw something strange moving through the sky up ahead coming right towards the trio...

"MOM— LOOK OUT!"

She turned.