Percy knew the meeting would be serious the moment he sat down because all of the ping pong balls were missing.
Grover Underwood sat at the foot of the ping pong table, fidgeting with his rasta cap nervously, going as far as to slide it off his head and nibble at the end. Percy sat on Grover's right, and his satyr friend would only steal nervous glances at him in between what were now becoming large bites of hat. Next to Percy sat Piper Mclean, who was rapidly talking to Jason on her right, gesturing dramatically about some movie her dad was filming. Percy couldn't remember what it was called- something like "Gladiator 2: Space Invaders." Whatever it was, the media was getting desperate for new movie ideas.
Directly across the table from Percy was Hazel Levesque. She was absentmindedly swinging her legs under the table, since her feet didn't reach the floor. Next to Hazel sat Nico. The son of Hades looked healthier than he had half of a year ago, when the Second Great Prophecy had been fulfilled. His skin had gained back some color, so he wasn't as pale as he used to be, and he'd gotten a haircut. He was also dating Will Solace, which meant lots of time in the sun, contributing to the sunburn on his cheeks and nose. Nico was twirling his skull ring around his finger and watching Frank Zhang next to him, who was reading over some proclamations Reyna wanted to pass. Being praetor was a full-time job. Annabeth Chase, Percy's girlfriend and professional architect of Olympus, wasn't there. She was busy with renovations in the heavens. Ares insulted Hepheastus at the last godly meeting, which led to some statues being dismembered and buildings burned. She would be busy for at least another month, but at least she's doing what she loves.
"Demigods," began Chiron, who sat at the head of the table. He was sitting in his magic wheelchair, which hid his enormous horse half inside. Percy was determined to someday learn how that even worked.
"Rachel and I both had…urgent dreams last night." The centaur waved his hand, and out from the shadows of the room stepped Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Camp Half-Blood's oracle. Her red hair hung loose on her shoulders, its frizziness adding to her exhausted look. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her jade-colored cloak was disheveled and dirty.
She's starting to look like the old oracle, Percy thought to himself. Of course, he'd never say that out loud. Rachel'd throw whatever was nearest at his head.
Rachel cleared her throat. "In my dream, I was standing in Central Park at night. I couldn't see much, but I heard a rustling behind me and turned to see a dracanae and empousa running through the trees. I couldn't hear everything they were saying, but I understood a few words: camp, headquarters, power, and-" Rachel's voice caught in her throat. "-kill and potion. Whatever it is they're planning, it isn't good. That's when I heard Apollo's voice. He told me that the monsters were gathering in the state, and they're going to attempt to bring the most powerful demigod over to their side. They figured that with the demigods' most valuable member on their team, they'd have a better chance at defeating us. They'd get all of our secrets, our strategies, everything."
"And that's where the dream ends," Chiron finished for her, leaning forward to rest his arms on the table. "I had the same one. The only thing left out was the name of the demigod they are after."
"And since you all are the most powerful demigods we know, it's one of you." Glances were exchanged around the table. At one point, everyone happened to be looking at Percy, who proceeded to blush. For someone who got involved in every major event in the mythological world, Percy still felt uncomfortable whenever he was thrust in the spotlight. It wasn't his fault that the gods were extra motivated to ruin his life.
"Grover can prove that Rachel's dream reflects reality," Chiron continued.
The satyr nodded, swallowing his latest bite of rasta cap before explaining, "I saw a manticore this morning when I was in town checking on Central Park's tree nymphs. He didn't cause any trouble, but he seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere. The nymphs also confirmed that monsters were passing through last night."
Grover's voice began to shake as he spoke. "They said that the monsters were talking about kidnapping the most powerful demigod, then killing the rest. Th-They want to kill everybody!"
Percy leaned over and put his hand on his emotional friend's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it. We're all usually about to die."
Hazel let out a nervous laugh, but most everyone remained in silence.
Piper spoke up first. "So, let me make sure I've got this right: The monsters are developing a master plan to use a potion to turn the most powerful demigod evil, and they'll use him or her to destroy all the other demigods?"
"Pretty much," Rachel agreed with a nonchalant shrug.
"Easy, then," Jason piped up. "We stay in camp. The monsters can't get in to neither Camp Half-Blood nor Camp Jupiter. Everyone is safe in camp."
"If we do that, every monster will show up at camp and we'll be forced into another war," Nico countered. "The force field will hold them back for a while, but it can't hold that many monsters back for that long of a time. They'll wear it down or find some way to disable it."
"So what should we do then?" Hazel asked the crowd.
"We could send a small group of demigods out to find the monsters' HQ," Percy suggested.
"Cut them off at their source and prevent the attack in the first place," Frank added.
Their was a general murmur of agreement before Hazel raised the question, "Who do we send?"
"We could go," Jason suggested, implying a mission including the Seven and Nico. Even though there were only six members of the original Seven left after Leo Valdez's, well, explosive demise, the group kept the name and adopted Nico and Reyna into it as numbers eight and nine of the Seven.
Nico disagreed. "They're looking for demigods with lots of power. If we go to them first, we'll be walking into a trap. We'll be bringing their bounty to them."
"Then we send demigods with less power, like a child of Hermes or Hypnos," Frank recommended.
"All demigods are valuable, don't forget that," Hazel chipped in, looking at Frank crossly.
"No, no, I completely agree. It's just, not everyone can create a storm powerful enough to wreck a city, like Percy and Jason," Frank explained. Percy laughed to brush off the comment, but in reality he was nervous. He had a feeling that the monsters would be looking for him, Nico, Hazel, or Jason. Children of the Big Three were generally known to have the most power. From the looks Grover and Chiron were giving him, Percy could tell that they too thought Percy to be the target, and even they didn't know the extent of his power. So far, the only ones who knew about his encounter with Misery and his little "episode" with the poison and tears were Annabeth and Piper.
Being in Tartarus had caused Percy to really consider what he could do. Yeah, all water was under his control, and sometimes the weather when it came to hurricanes. He could talk to horses and breathe underwater, too. However, Piper, Jason, Hazel, and Frank didn't even know about his earthquakes yet, much less his control over poison and tears. Percy was too afraid to test his newfound abilities again. He didn't want to know if he could control those things out of Tartarus, too. Besides, where would he practice? And on whom? He didn't want to subject anyone to that kind of terror and feeling of helplessness. What if Percy could go even further than that? After all, the human body is 75% water…
"Shut up," Percy growled under his breath to himself. Luckily, the room was full of too much chaotic debating to hear Percy's comment.
"If we send regular demigods, can they defend themselves against the monsters?" Percy finally asked, albeit quietly. Piper and Grover heard him, and when they turned to listen, the rest followed. Clearing his throat, Percy continued, louder this time. "I mean, they've all trained hard and I trust them to defend themselves, but from the sound of it there are a lot of monsters. How many demigods would we be sending, then? We could probably afford to send less of us. We don't know what we're getting into, here, and to send less experienced demigods could end with more death. Besides, I don't want anyone risking his or her life to stop an attack meant for me- o-or for any of us."
He got an affirmative nod from Frank, Jason, and Nico. "We've sailed through the forbidden Mediterranean, for Poseidon's sake. We've fought giants and titans. In all honesty, we members of the Seven are probably the most prepared for a quest like this."
The plan wasn't ideal, but no one offered anything better.
"Then it is decided," Chiron declared. "Generally I prefer to send three on a quest, but this time five of you should go. If the demigod they're after is one of the quest members, four more of the most powerful demigods should be a sufficient fighting force to counter. It's also enough that traveling will be easier, as will escape."
"I'll go," Percy volunteered immediately. Chiron looked as if he wanted to object, but he stayed silent.
"Me too," Piper announced. "I could charmspeak monsters into thinking we're weak."
"Good thinking," Chiron agreed. "Three more spots."
"I can go," Hazel offered. "I've been working on my Mist magic, and paired with Piper's charmspeak we may as well be mortals."
Frank shuffled his feet awkwardly, "I want to help, but Reyna and I are assigning the new guards and legion generals tomorrow. It's customary that both praetors are present, and there's a lot of planning involved, and we've only-"
"It's fine, Frank," Percy smiled, a sense of understanding passing between the two boys. "Praetorship is important, and you have a duty to New Rome. We'll honor that."
"I guess that leaves Jason and I," Nico remarked, "since Annabeth is busy up in Olympus."
"Percy, Piper, Hazel, Nico, and Jason. You will leave after dinner tonight. I am afraid we don't have much time to lose; I suggest that you hide in Central Park to find a few monsters and follow them to their headquarters. From there," Chiron smirked. "Kick some monster butt." The demigods laughed, happy to release some of the tension that had built up over the course of their discussions.
"Meeting adjourned."
The demigods, oracle, satyr, and centaur filed out of the meeting room. Once outside, Percy remained on the Big House's porch. The view of Camp Half-Blood was so peaceful from there. The strawberry fields were blooming beautifully, shrieks of delight came from by the lava wall, and campers ran about, smiling as if all was right with the world. In the distance, Thalia's pine tree stood tall and solitary, a lone protector of the camp. From here, the restless, wild sea couldn't even be heard.
Percy wasn't surprised to hear Chiron roll up behind him.
"You think it's me, don't you."
"Oh, I know it's you."
Percy turned to look at Chiron, cocking an eyebrow. "We don't know for sure. It could be Jason, or Hazel. Or Nico- that kid's got crazy amounts of power. Heck, he scares me sometimes."
Chiron chuckled. "That may be true, but this isn't a time for modesty. I know what you are capable of, my dear boy."
Percy tensed. Does he know everything?
"You are as unpredictable as the sea, Percy. If the others are turned over to the monster's side by a potion or whatnot, we know what to expect. You, however…your powers have yet to be truly defined."
Percy didn't know how to reply. He was fully aware of how much he had to learn about his abilities, and he was terrified that he might learn the hard way. There's no easy way to say, Hey, I might be able to control things that aren't even 100% water, which may include human beings! Of course, this could all just be speculation, but something told Percy that he was right.
"Do you not want me to go?" Percy whispered.
Chiron hesitated. "I think you should go no matter what. If there's anyone who can destroy hordes of monsters, it's you."
Percy wasn't sure that was a compliment.
