Hello! This is my 2nd chapter for Week 2. Hopefully, I'll be able to maintain this schedule of mine.
Discliamer: All rights go to Rick Riordan and the other owners of any character I borrow!
RIIIIIING!
The shrill ring of the doorbell pierced through the silence of Sally Jackson's apartment, startling said woman and making her drop her feather duster.
"Damn it!", she cursed.
She picked the feather duster up and placed it back on the table. She quickly made her way to the door of her apartment, her swift strides vexed and irritated.
'I need to tell Percy to lift that damn curse! Every time I replace the doorbells, it just ends up making the same painful ring. I swear, that boy still can't get over that time I caught him watching Love Life! I didn't even mean to laugh that hard!', she ranted to herself as she walked through the living room.
On the way, she passed by Gabe, wasted and unconscious on the couch. His snoring was almost as loud as the cursed doorbell.
Sally sighed tiredly. Sometimes dealing with Gabe can be even more daunting than dealing with Percy. Considering Percy is a teenager with godlike capabilities, that's saying something. Sally switched off the TV, which was left on long after Gabe passed out, and walked to the apartment door.
"Coming!", she called out as she opened the door.
The sight that greeted her was surprising, and a little bit unsettling. There was Grover, fidgeting anxiously beneath his trucker hat. Right beside him was Percy, who looked like he managed to win an Oscar. He was grinning up at her proudly, his green eyes glinting with devious excitement. That alone only served to heighten her unease.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Jackson.", Grover greeted respectfully.
Sally smiled down at the brunette boy, his polite and respectful demeanor is quite charming in her eyes. Then there was Percy.
"Still can't get rid of that curse, mom?", her devious son teased.
His already broad grin almost stretched out to his ears. Sally just sighed once more. She's been doing it so often that it might as well have been involuntary.
"When will you ever get over that incident?", she asked blankly.
"Never.", he answered.
"Never?"
"Never."
"Why not?"
"Because you laughed mockingly at anime.", Percy stated. His eyes then darkened considerably, a deep anger churning within them. "No one laughs mockingly at anime.", he whispered menacingly.
Sally just looked at him, disbelief etched on her face.
"I wasn't laughing mockingly!", she defended. "I was laughing because it was adorable!", she continued.
"That doesn't change the fact I felt mocked!", her son retaliated.
Sally groaned in defeat, her form slumping down like a defeated soldier. "Fine, I'll get you that new manga volume you keep asking for. Just lift that damn curse already, will you?", she compromised.
"Yes!", Percy cheered in triumph.
Sally smiled in amusement and looked over at Grover, who was observing the exchange in bemusement.
"So, why are you two here? Shouldn't both of you still be on that field trip?", she asked curiously.
Grover fidgeted even more now, unconsciously nibbling on his lips. Percy, on the other hand, just puffed his chest out in pride. Worry started brewing deep within her stomach.
Grover looked up at Sally and gathered his courage. "Mrs. Jackson, I think we should talk more in-"
"I just bodied a Fury, mom!", Percy interrupted proudly.
Grover's head abruptly twisted to his direction, as if he'd been punched. His jaw dropped like a brick, and his eyes were wide in disbelief.
Sally's face looked like it had been carved out of granite.
An uncomfortable silence seemed to stretch out over the apartment's entrance.
"Get in. Now.", Sally ordered, her tone and face devoid of all emotion.
"-so I killed her.", Percy finished, leisurely eating the blue cupcakes on the table.
He was leaning on the chair, with his feet propped up on the kitchen table. Sally opted to stand, feeling far too tense to sit down. Grover felt the same. As Percy finished recounting the story, Sally finally decided to talk.
"Percy, were you hurt?", she asked, her voice soft and worried. Her blue eyes showed nothing but loving concern. Which is probably why Percy veered away from her, like how a little boy would avoid a slobbering dog.
"Come on, mom! You know I hate it when you do that!", Percy said.
Percy sighed, before his face morphed into a softer, but more serious visage.
"I'm fine, mother. You know I can handle myself well.", Percy stated. "Not to mention I can just call my 'bros' if the situation gets out of hand", he said calmly, waving off her concern.
Sally relaxed a bit, but her troubled countenance was still present.
"I know that, Percy. But you're my son. I couldn't help but worry.", she replied.
Percy just smiled at her, completely fearless. The sheer confidence he has in his own abilities was enough to put her at ease.
"Um, I think it's time", Grover spoke up.
Both Percy and Sally turned to look at him. Grover looked firm and professional, his previous anxious façade gone.
"You need to know what you really are, Percy", he said.
He glanced over at Sally, who nodded resolutely.
Grover took a deep breath and explained. "Percy, you-"
"-are a demigod, I know.", Percy drawled.
Whatever Grover was going to say died in his throat, his face morphing in surprise. Sally, on the other hand, just laughed.
"H-How did you know?", Grover stuttered.
Percy just rolled his eyes.
"I read your mind. So, lets get straight to the point, shall we?", Percy offered impatiently. "So, what's that camp thing I read in your mind?", Percy asked curiously.
Grover raised his eyebrows, wondering why Percy didn't just claim all the information in his mind.
"If you're wondering why I didn't just read everything in your mind, it's because I only read surface-level thoughts, the ones you're thinking at the moment. Not to mention the fact that thoughts in the head are often jumbled and messy, borderline incoherent. Therefore, I'd like it if you explained it to me. If you don't mind, of course.", Percy explained generously.
Grover nodded in agreement.
"Well, Camp Half-Blood is..."
"So, let me get this straight.", Percy drawled, his voice stoic and dull.
"You want me to join you in a camp that raises child soldiers. Child soldiers who'll eventually fight monsters from Hell in the name of a shapeshifting rapist and his band of self-righteous douchebags?", he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Grover was beyond dumbstruck at this point, while Sally had practically buried her face in her hand.
"Jesus Christ, Percy.", Sally groaned. She looked like she wanted nothing more than to drown herself in the sheets of her bed.
Grover still couldn't gather his wits, opting to stay silent.
After a while, he finally replied.
"Uhhhh, yes?", he agreed reluctantly. Grover winced as he looked up at the ceiling, as if afraid a mighty flash of lightning was going to strike him down within moments.
Thankfully, nothing came.
Percy just stared straight at Grover for a full minute, his face giving nothing away. Then, he cracked an excited grin.
"Fuck it! I'm down. When do we leave?"
Sally just groaned once more.
Gabe looked uneasy as the three of them boarded his Camaro.
"Lord Perseus, I must insist that you take great care of my vehicle as you take your trip.", he cowered fearfully as Percy glanced at him with uncaring eyes.
"Relax, Gabe. It'll be fine.", Percy assured as he rode shotgun. "Besides, I can just fix it if we somehow crash it.", he reasoned.
Gabe still looked uncertain, but all it took was a harsh glare from Percy before he caved in.
"If you say so, Lord Perseus. May you enjoy your trip.", Gabe bowed in reverence.
"Yes, yes. Do enjoy your period of reprieve, Gabe", Percy said dismissively as they left.
As they rode to Camp Half-Blood in silence, Percy couldn't help but ask.
"Hey, Grover!", he called.
"Yeah?", Grover replied as he observed the trees that pass them by.
"Have you been to Olympus?", Percy asked curiously.
Grover looked at him, intrigued as to why he asked.
"No, only those who've done great deeds are invited.", he answered.
"Ah, okay. I was wondering if you've met any of the Olympians. I'm curious as to how they act.", Percy said as he gazed out the window, his mind lost in thought.
"Well, there is Mr. D.", Grover answered.
"Mr. D? Who the hell's that?", Percy asked, his tone both curious and apathetic.
Grover wondered how Percy could make himself appear both eager and uncaring simultanously. It was quite impressive.
"Well, Mr. D is Dionysus. He supervises the Camp alongside Chiron.", Grover answered. "As for how he acts, he isn't hostile. But he isn't welcoming either.", he elaborated further.
"Sounds like someone I'll like.", Percy smirked.
Sally just shook her head, but there's a ghost of a smile on her face.
"How about Hephaestus?", Percy asked Grover, who looked a bit taken aback.
"Lord Hephaestus? Well, he's a bit of a recluse. I hear that even in Olympus, he doesn't go out much. Why would you ask?", Grover wondered.
Percy reclined his char back, and looked up at the car's ceiling.
"Seems like someone I'll like. An outcast even amongst his own family, just because he's a unique existence. The only God who lacked beauty and radiance. Not to mention he's one of the nicest Gods out there. I think the worst thing he's ever done was give a necklace that caused bad luck to a bunch of Ares and Aphrodite's descendants. That's pretty tame, if you ask me.", Percy explained.
Grover stared at him, a little surprised that Percy defended one of the most neglected Gods before he even got to meet him.
Sally just glanced sadly at Perseus. It doesn't surprise her that the one God Percy respects was a similar in most aspects. They both have difficult personalities. They both barely interact with the outside world. They both prefer their creations over others. And both have seen the worst their kind had to offer. It's enough to lull Sally into a pit of melancholy.
"Well, here we are!", Sally declared, awakening both teens from their slumber.
Percy and Grover got out of the car with their bags and trodded up the hill. A pleasant breeze blew rough the lush woods, scattering emerald leaves and ruffling through fresh grass. The presence of Nature was strong here, as if the forest itself was an organism teeming with life. It was enough to bring a smile to both Grover and Percy's faces.
Eventaully Percy and Grover reached the top of the hill, and both stood before a gargantuan pine tree.
"Holy shit.", Percy whispered in awe.
The tree towered over them, with a trunk as wide as a circular jacuzzi. Its umbrella-like leeves were enough to shade the entire area around them.
"This is Thalia's Pine Tree.", Grover declared proudly, though with a twinge of sadness. He remembered Thalia's noble sacrifice on this very ground. He remembered fleeing for his life and the lives of Annabeth and Luke. He remembered weeping for-
"Wait, is that a fucking person I feel?", Percy asked aloud, pulling Grover out of memory lane.
He looked over at Percy in surprise, though at this point he really shouldn't be shocked anymore.
"You can feel her?", Grover asked Percy, who was in the process of putting on a red and white hoodie with the word 'Oppai' printed on the front.
"Yup. Thalia, I presume?", Percy guessed.
Grover nodded at this as he kneeled before the tree, offering a short prayer.
"She saved us, you know? Me and two others. She held off an entire horde of monsters so I could get us to safety.", Grover whispered as he recalled that hellish night.
Percy just looked at the tree in silence. Until Gorver asked him a rather bold question.
"Can you pull her out?", Grover asked Percy.
Percy just stared at him, his face both surprised and impressed.
"What makes you think I can?", Percy asked, a smirk beginning to form on his lips.
Grover just grinned.
"Well, you have been doing the impossible a lot lately. So, you might as well do so again, right?", Grover stated hopefully, with an undertone of desperation.
Percy looked over at the tree once more, before making his answer.
"I can. All I have to do is-", Percy was abruptly interrupted by a loud, menacing roar.
"RAAAAGH!", bellowed a beast deep within the woods.
Both teens immediately stopped what they were doing and assessed their surroundings. Grover readied his flute, looking both determined and anxious, while Percy just raised his left hand, looking considerably more calm. Then they see Sally break through the bushes, looking tired and worn.
"Percy, Grover! He's here!", she immediately ran into her son's warm embrace.
Percy just hugged her and calmly asked, "Who's bothering you this time?".
She let go and hid behind the two teens as the sound of twigs breaking and branches snapping reached their ears.
"The Minotaur.", she answered worriedly.
Just as she says this, the trees before them suddenly toppled over like dominos, as a massive behemoth plowed right through them.
It was a huge beast, with a well-muscled body and hooves for feet. Its onyx skin was covered tangled fur and its enormous arms were riddled battle scars. Its sported the face of a mad bull, and its baleful red eyes were glaring at them hatefully. The beast roared once more as it prepared for battle, it's breath coming out in short, aggravated inhalations.
"Get ready! He's about to charge.", Grover hissed through his teeth as he brought his flute to his lips.
Sally hid behind Percy, who spread both his arms and smirked at the seething beast.
"I think it's time I called one of my 'bros'.", Percy said to himself, before letting out a loud whistle.
Just like that, silence shrouded the entire area like a rain cloud.
Everyone looked at Percy in confusion, even the Minatour.
Percy just smiled smugly to himself, before he glanced over at something behind the Minotaur.
"About time you showed up. You're 34 seconds late.", Percy said.
"Well, believe it or not, traveling from Japan to Long Island in such short notice does take time.", replied a deep, resonant voice from behind the beast.
The Minotaur, more than a little surprised, turned abruptly towards the voice.
Percy smiled excitedly as the shadowed figure finally stepped into view.
"What's up, Madara?"
Chapter 2, finished.
Edit: I submitted this earlier than expected by accident. Sorry!