Disclaimer- I don't own anything, it all belongs to Rick Riordan. I am making no profit from this whatsoever.

*Note this is unbeta'd and all mistakes are mine. Also note that this an AU story and does not follow the story as it does in the books exactly.*

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Chapter 1

"No! I won't leave you! It's suicide!"

"You have to go, I can hold them off!"

"Come on, the camp is safe!"

Luke was yelling. Thalia was yelling. So was Grover who, in the short time Percy had known him, never yelled. That was about the only thing Percy was completely and fully aware of.

That and they were totally surrounded by monsters. There was so many Percy couldn't count (not that counting had ever been his strong point anyway) and most of them he had never seen or heard of. Of course Percy didn't really care who or what they were only that they needed to be cut down to monster dust.

It was raining and the water was everywhere, in his eyes and on the grass beneath his feet, making everything hard to see and slippery. Percy knew logically the rain should have made him feel disoriented but it only made him feel… stronger. He couldn't think of the right word for it.

"Let's go," Grover said, gripping Percy arm and pulling him up the hill. He didn't seem to have any problems climbing up the slippery hill, but he guessed there had to be some perks to having hooves for feet.

"No!" Percy yelled, yanking away. "What about Thalia and Luke? We can't leave them!"

"I'm right here," Luke said, coming up behind them and ushering Percy forward. His face was mixed with the dirt and sweat ad rain water. His eyes had a haunted defeated look in them that did nothing to help Percy's spirits.

"Thalia!" Percy tried to twist around Luke but he wouldn't let him, holding tight to his arm and dragging him forward.

"She's got it under control,"

But she didn't and they both knew it. The only thing Percy could think of as the monsters converged on Thalia and her scream came loud and clear was that they had abandoned her.

Percy's whole life he was neglected and forgotten about. Thalia was one of the few people who stuck by him and hadn't kicked him to the curb, even when he was being a pain in the ass. And now he was leaving her to die.

"No!"

Percy bolted up awake, almost banging his head on the bunk above him. There was a cold sheen of sweat on his forehead and he felt empty and clammy. But that was normal after a nightmare, which he was very used to.

Percy gave a quick look around making sure he hadn't woken anyone up. Fortunately, everyone was still sleeping, snores and other odd sounds the only noises in the room besides his heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat.

Sleeping in close quarters with so many people for so long taught Percy how to keep quiet and draw the least amount of attention to yourself as possible.

In Percy's first 6 months or so at camp he'd often woken the whole Hermes cabin with his nightmares. Luke was always there to comfort him in one way or another, but it was embarrassing and it ensured that nobody liked him or wanted to talk to him from his own cabin.

So eventually Percy learned to stifle his screams, even in his sleep.

Percy dragged himself from bed, carefully stepping over sleeping bodies as he went. The Hermes Cabin was way too crowded Percy thought with disgust. Because Hermes was the god of travels and all that crap, his cabin took in all the rejects the other gods and goddesses were too lazy to claim. Rejects like him.

Percy was fully aware that it was against camp rules to be out after curfew but at the moment he really didn't care. If he was going to sleep with the Hermes kids he might as well act like one.

Anyway, it was too hot, too crowded in that room and Percy needed some fresh air before he had a full blown freak out.

When Percy stepped outside he was greeted with rain. And lots of it. But he didn't really mind. Percy had always liked the rain and it was better than being stuck in there.

Technically it couldn't rain in camp because they were separate, in their own little bubble as Percy liked to think of it, from the rest of the world. But Dionysus, the Camp Director, was in a bad mood lately causing the weather to take a turn for the worst, even when all the campers were begging for some sun.

Even Percy was smart enough to pick up something was wrong. This wasn't just Dionysus throwing a hissy fit because of some Naiad. Something big was going on. Percy didn't bother pushing down the hope that this could be his chance to finally do something. Something great.

Percy decided to make his way to the Big House, huddling up against the rain. After all he was still wearing his pajamas and it was really cold outside. The last thing he needed was to catch a cold.

Chiron would probably scold him and put on an 'I'm disappointed and I expect better,' face when Percy showed up at the Big House door in the middle of the night, but he would let him in anyway. Chiron had always had a soft spot for him and this wouldn't be the first time he'd snuck into the Big House in the middle of the night and hung around until breakfast.

Sometimes he got some sleep on the couch, but mostly Chiron told him stories. Stories about the heroes he had trained and their adventures. Chiron was a good story teller and he never told the stories that he told Percy in the shelter of the Big House to the campers around the fire pit. It made him feel special, even if that sounded stupid.

Percy was constantly asking and begging (yes he was reduced to begging) for a quest. He needed to be out there like Hercules and his namesake Perseus, fighting monsters. He needed to do something that would make his dad proud. Something that would make his dad proud enough to claim him.

Yet every time he asked, Chiron refused. He claimed that Percy wasn't ready and that he didn't know what was out there, that it wasn't all glory and fame. But Percy did know what was out there and he knew how to take care of himself. It was what he'd been doing his whole life.

But after every argument Chiron would always end it saying he would go on a quest when it was meant to be (whatever that meant) and nobody was going on a quest right now at all.

Which was true. No one had been on a quest since Luke's went wrong. Percy tried not to feel bitter about it, but it was hard. It wasn't fair everyone had to be punished because of one mess up.

And Percy tried his best not to think about that quest. Luke had come back with an ugly looking scar and a bad attitude. A bad attitude that had stuck.

Luke was different after Thalia's death. He was bitterer and he didn't laugh and joke around as much. Sometimes he and Luke would go out deep into the woods that surrounded camp and he would rant about the gods. How they should have saved her instead of turn her into a stupid pine tree. How they should care more about their kids and Percy shouldn't be jammed into the Hermes cabin because his dad couldn't take two seconds.

Luke was still Luke though. He still helped him with his training and stood up for him. He still played pranks and snuck sugary things that weren't allowed in camp in true Hermes fashion.

But after the quest those things happened less and less frequently. Something had shifted.

A short scream snapped him out of his thoughts. He didn't recognize the scream; it was feminine that he knew but it sounded more like a battle cry then a cry of pain.

Percy ran towards the hill where Thalia's tree stood, protecting the camp forever. He cursed himself because he didn't have a weapon with him but when he arrived there was no monster in sight. Only a girl about his age with blonde curly hair and a sharp looking dagger and Grover stumbling towards him. They were both soaked through and shivering.

"I already killed it," The girl said proudly, as if reading his mind, wrapping her arms around herself to fight off the cold. "Thanks for the help," she said that last part with much sarcasm.

"This the demigod you were after?" He asked Grover who was stomping his hooves against the ground.

"Yeah, a daughter of Athena. We should probably get inside,"

The daughter of Athena looked slightly annoyed at something, rolling her eyes as she glanced between them. Percy didn't know why, but he figured he never would. The only thing that confused him more than math was girls.

So the three of them made the short trek to the Big House, not saying anything. The girl didn't ask any questions which Percy was impressed by even though he knew Grover had probably already filled her in and answered her questions. She just walked along with them, her head held high trying to make anything and everything through the rain.

When they arrived Chiron was already waiting for them on the porch, door held open. He was in his wheelchair, which was probably a good idea, considering it might be a bit of a shock seeing a 6 foot tall centaur waiting for them.

"Come in, come in," he said ushering them inside. "You'll catch your death out there,"

Chiron didn't say anything as Percy slipped inside with Grover and the girl (he should have asked for her name) only shook his head and gave him a fond smile.

The girl with princess curls who was apparently a daughter of Athena stumbled inside as if just realizing how tired she was. She sunk into the couch, visibly shaking, her hand clutching her dagger in a white knuckled grip.

Percy sat on the other side of the couch, as Chiron rolled away, promising to be back in a moment. Probably going to get some ambrosia and nectar.

Percy felt awkward and uncomfortable sitting there in his wet and soaking pajamas. The girl wasn't saying anything just observing the room and taking in its pictures and odd assortment of objects.

Grover wasn't helping either and instead of sitting he was shifting back and forth in front of the doorway. He seemed nervous. Why Percy didn't know. Maybe something had gone wrong, although he couldn't see what. The girl made it to camp in one piece which was more than could be said for some campers.

"I'm Percy," he said finally, sticking out his hand in an attempt to break the ice. He'd never been good at making friends.

The girl glanced at him and seemed to have a debate inside herself on whether to take his hand, but when she opened her mouth to respond Chiron came in carrying a glass that Percy knew held nectar. He also had towels which Percy was grateful for.

"What's your name, child," he asked gently, passing her the drink and giving them all a towel.

"Annabeth."

Percy slumped out of the dining pavilion, trying to ignore the endless chatter that was all around him. He had gotten virtually no sleep last night and had instead spent it with the new camper and Chiron, answering all her questions, etcetera. Grover had disappeared soon after they arrived, claiming he had to go report to Dionysus. Percy thought that was stupid, he would be more cranky and annoyed in the night then he already was but Percy kept his mouth shut about that.

Of course he knew he could have gone back to his own cabin and try to get some shut eye whenever he wanted but the Big House always seemed much more appealing.

And the fact that he had archery right now did not improve his mood. Unfortunately, the main reason for his sour mood seemed intent on making a reappearance.

"Hey, Percy right." Percy didn't bother to acknowledge the daughter of Athena and kept walking.

It wasn't that he didn't like Annabeth. She was just so annoying. Percy could only answer so many questions and think so deep at 3 in the morning. And despite the fact that she had literally just gotten to camp, had only truly learned about the godly world days before (although she claimed she had known about monsters, etc since she was 7) Annabeth had this aura around her that said 'I know everything and I'm better than you'.

And maybe she was smarter than him when it came to books (she was after all a daughter of Athena), but Percy had been at camp for 5 years and he wasn't going to let a newbie walk over him.

"So," Annabeth continued not wanting to back down. "You mind giving me a tour of the camp?"

"Can't your cabin leader do that?" He asked not looking at her and not stopping to chat.

"He's busy." Annabeth said simply. Percy was walking quicker trying to shake her but she easily kept stride with her long legs. Percy realized with horrified embarrassment that she was taller than him.

He shouldn't have been so surprised. Everyone was taller than Percy.

"Then find someone else."

"But I was told you've been at camp longest."

Percy finally stopped and glanced at her, taking in her determined stormy gray eyes. She was barely inches taller than himself he noted with relief.

"Fine, why not," he finally said, rolling his eyes at her triumphed smile. Besides, he was only doing it to get out of archery.

It turned out not to be as bad as he thought. She was easy to talk to for the most part and she was maybe, just a little funny. Of course Percy wasn't going to tell her that. She didn't need anyone boasting her already prideful ego. Percy couldn't really blame her though, all kids of Athena were like that.

"What's in there?" Annabeth asked as they neared the edge of the forest.

"That's the forest. We play capture the flag in there and it's stocked with monsters for us to train on."

"Oh," Annabeth said eyeing the looming trees a little more apprehensively. "Why would you do that? I thought camp was supposed to be safe place away from monsters."

"We have to prepare for the real world somehow," Percy said shrugging his shoulders. "Wanna go in?"

Percy figured that might not be the best idea, considering he was with a newbie and was weaponless but he wanted to show Annabeth up in any way he could. Plus she did have her dagger on her and he was in the mood to blow of some steam.

Annabeth didn't even hesitate. "Sure," she stuck her chin up and marched in, leaving Percy scrambling to catch up.

"So," Annabeth said, breaking the long silence they'd been walking in. "Who's your godly parent? I don't think you told me."

She was looking at him out of the corner of her eye with a calculating stare like she was trying to figure it out for herself. Percy wished she would.

"Dunno," he said finally. "I was never claimed."

He quickened his pace trying to get away from Annabeth's gaze. He felt his cheeks flaming red. With embarrassment or anger he wasn't sure. Probably both. This whole thing was so unfair and it was times like this he actually agreed with Luke.

"We should probably start heading back," Percy said abruptly, cutting off whatever Annabeth was going to say. She was looking at him with pity and if there was something Percy hated more than anything it was pity.

"But I want to go explore somewhere. Maybe we'll run into a monster," Percy thought she looked maybe a little too excited about that.

"Well too bad. I have more important stuff to do than to show a newbie around, and no matter how experienced you think you are, you're still untrained and it's not safe to go wandering around here alone,"

Annabeth looked like she was about to argue but before she could there was a loud clap of thunder and a bright strike of lightning shot down to the center of camp. Even from all the way out in the woods Percy could here screams and shouts of confusion and chaos.

Without even bothering to look if Annabeth was following Percy sprinted off towards camp.

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I meant to update this story once a week, but time got away from me and I forgot about it, oops.

Even if no one reads or reviews I'm still going to finish this, it just might take longer to update.

But please if you're reading this just drop a quick review. It would mean a lot (: