Thank you all for the continuous support, and I love the appreciative reviews. This chapter is a bit short.

DISCLAIMER: I am not Rick Riordan, and I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I'm just a simple guy trying to fit in. Okay, not really. I just wanted to be a little emo. ;)


Chapter 3: A sunny day during winter.


I sat along the bleachers in the arena. I grabbed one of the hacked dummies that I just finished practicing with, and threw it to the other side as Mrs. O' Leary bounded after it and chewed on its head. I tried to get my thoughts in line on what to do with the situation I'm currently in. Alex is now officially my half-brother. I thought it would be best for Poseidon to keep his promise and claimed Alex when he turns thirteen, I guess my father thinks otherwise.


"Hail, Alexander Thompson, Son of the Sea God, Poseidon!" Chiron shouted as he stomped his foot.

Alex was still in shock. He looked up at the green hologram of a trident fading above his head as camper bowed in respect.

Chiron sat back down next to him, and whispered something. Alex's eyes widened as he looked at me. I smiled and signaled him to sit here at my table. He glanced at Gleeson, then ran to me and sat at the opposite end.

"I can't believe it. You-you're my brother!" he said excitedly, his eyes lit with excitement.

I didn't know how to react. I've already treated him like a brother when we first met him. Somewhere inside me, I was happy, but at the same time, a little irritated. "I guess I am," I forced a smile.

We talked for a while, discussing the gods, heroes, mystical creatures, and magical items. I wanted to ask him about his childhood, why he was an orphan, but I was still in disarray to do so.

When breakfast was over, I left him with Gleeson and headed for the arena. I needed to take my mind off of this.


Mrs. O' Leary came lumbering back and stuck her tongue out. I gave her a scratch between the ears as I grabbed the bronze shield next to me and threw it across the arena for her to chase. Then out of nowhere, Chiron appeared and trotted towards me. He studied me for a while with his old piercing brown eyes that have seen almost everything there is to see, "Percy, you shouldn't be upset."

"I'm not! I'm just a little-" I started as he stared at me waiting to continue. He knows me too well to know how I felt. "I'm just a little surprised." I lied as I looked down. Surprised? What was I thinking?

He raised his eyebrow. "Why will you be surprised if you already knew?" I should've just shut up. He sighed, "Gleeson sensed him weeks ago as he passed by an orphanage."

"Orphanage?"

"Yes. He lived in an orphanage ever since he was a baby. I wanted to discuss the matter with you, but I myself still don't have an idea of what happened."

I thought about what my father told me. It's time for him to finally have a family.

"Gleeson was able to inform me that he had a strong scent, a little more powerful than regular demigods." Chiron continued.

"Just like me," I muttered.

He nodded. "I intended on seeing him myself, as I have done so with you, to observe him if he is indeed a son of the Big Three. But I was unable to leave. As you may have noticed, Mr. D is away on, uhm, a vacation."

I raised an eyebrow. Mr. D was ordered to stay here at camp by Zeus himself to direct camp for a hundred years as a punishment for fancying with an off-limits wood nymph (and after finding out that he had a gorgeous wife, what in Hades was he thinking that he even tried to go for that wood nymph!). I looked down on the floor, waiting for vines to sprout and drag me to Tartarus. Anyway, after the war it was cut in half, so he only now has fifty years. He only left on urgent meetings, and on times when he was really needed. But on a vacation? "You're kidding, right?" I said.

He glanced at Mrs. O' Leary, who started to chew another dummy. "Alex was lucky he survived the Great Stirring and the war," he said. Great. He just avoided my question. Something is up, and he is hiding it from me. "His scent was most likely covered by the orphanage. As for you, your scent was covered by-"

"Gabe," I said in disgust. He was my ex-stepfather. My mom and I lived with him until he was turned into a sculpture for super-ugly neorealism. The thought made me smile mischievously.

"You see, my boy, not everyone is lucky as you are," he sounded just like my father.

I still didn't know what to do. I should be happy I finally have a half-blood for a brother. I mean, it have come across my mind from time to time when I thought about having kids. Okay, scratch that. It's just that, it wasn't one of the things I looked forward to. But I guess I couldn't just throw it all at Alex. It wasn't his fault. But something was still bothering me. My dad hid him, knowing he was just out there. I understood he tried to protect him because he did the same for me. Though I still have my doubts, I know he did it out of love.

I sighed, "Where is he?"

He smiled. "He's waiting for you at your cabin."

I went to Mrs. O' Leary and ruffled her fur. As I was about to leave, Chiron called, "Oh, and Percy. Do not judge your father. Know that he's doing everything out of love."

Did he read my mind? He knew me well enough to know how I was feeling and what I was thinking, but still, he can't possibly read my mind. Right?

I glanced back at him, then I smiled and nodded.

I headed back to my cabin. I entered the door and saw Alex sitting by the saltwater fountain in the corner. I destroyed the fountain a few years ago, and I haven't noticed until now, that it was there again. My dad must have replaced it. He was playing with the water, trying to make it float in the air and twirl. It took me twelve years to realize what I was capable of doing, and it was just by accident. Here he was, already knowing his abilities. He probably found about it before.

I knocked on the wall. "Hey."

He turned around as the water splashed back into the fountain. "Oh, hey," he said a little downcast.

Oh, crap. I remembered Tyson thinking that I was mad after he was claimed as my brother. I hope he didn't think the same way. "You know, there's more things you can do with water," I said.

He gave me a downhearted smile. I still don't know why he was feeling a little down, but I knew how to make him feel better. "C'mon," I waved my hand. "I'll show you something."

I brought him to the beach. The morning breeze was perfect. Even though it was winter, the air was humid. I glanced at Alex, he was smiling as his green eyes sparkled, with no trace of sadness. "Wow," he said in amazement.

"Come on," I dragged him along the sand and into the water. I was about to dive in when he stopped. I looked at him and he was a bit trembling. "What's wrong?"

"I-I can't swim," he said as he started to walk backwards.

"You don't need to," I grabbed his hand and pulled him under. He tried to struggle upward, but I pulled his feet. He looked horrified, probably thinking I was going to drown him. Then he finally realized I was breathing underwater. He opened his mouth as bubbles came out.

Wow. He thought.

Amazing, isn't it?

His eyes widened. We can talk! Underwater!

Yes, we can. I smiled.

He started to tumble in the water. I spiraled the water around me, and forced a little push towards him as he was knocked back a little. His smile widened a little more. He tried to do the same, but I willed the water and pushed myself a couple of feet deeper. He tried to do the same, but he overdid it. He went down fifty feet.

This is so cool! He started to swim back upward. What else can we do?

I thought for a second. Then, I whistled. It didn't make any sound, but bubbles went out of my mouth. In seconds, a figure started to appear headed towards us.

Hey, Rainbow.

You called, my lord?

I wanted you to meet Alex. I looked at Alex. He froze at the sight of the hippocampus. The tail shimmered with different colors, glowing phosphorescent. He started to swim near it and touched its white mane. Rainbow neighed in delight.

You can ride him.

For real?

I nodded.

He got on the back of Rainbow, then they burst out of the water. I swam up to the surface and went back to the surf. I sat down on the sand, and watched them as Rainbow did some backflips, ollies, and aerials as Alex hung on his back.

"Hey."

I turned around. "Oh, hey, Nico," I raised my fist as he gave it a bump. "Didn't see you during breakfast. Where have you been?"

"I just got back. I've been busy," he said as he sat next to me.

I raised an eyebrow. "Busy with what?"

"Something strange has been happening lately. Monsters are forming groups all around the country, hunting for demigods. We've received reports coming from outside America, same thing happening. Chiron has been sending me out to help protectors."

"That's what happened with us when we were in New York."

"Yeah, I heard. Is that him?" he asked as we watched Rainbow and Alex surf the water.

"Yup. Alex. Ten."

"So, how does it feel to have a little brother?"

I shrugged. "I can't tell for now. Haven't spent more than a day with him. It'll probably be fine. I've had enough experiences with Tyson and you."

"Me?"

"Yeah. He's ten and plays cards. Pokemon."

"No kidding," he tried to hold his laugh.

"And, at least, he's not trying to kill me," I said with a grin.

He shook his head, smiling. "Well, I better get going," he said as he stood up. "I still need to report to Chiron."

He gave me a tap on the shoulder and went off.

I laid back on the sand and stared at the heavens, the stillness of the sea reflected in the clear blue sky. I was glad they decided to not let it snow here. I inhaled in the humid air, and felt the cold breeze along the shore. Peace surged through my body, blocking all thoughts in my mind. I closed my eyes and took a nap.


AN: Sorry to Percabeth fans. No moments for them in this chapter. But there will be in the next one. :)

And also, sorry for the still very slow plot development.

If you wish to react with your thoughts or tell me something, review or PM me.