This installment: Percy pouts. Yay!
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Percy Jackson sat on the porch in front of Poseidon cabin at Camp Half-Blood, idly picking at a small fossil embedded in the sea coral. Chiron stood a short distance away on the grass of the courtyard, giving him an apologetic glance. Above them the late summer sun shone down warmly on their backs. It would have been a perfect day, if Percy were in the mood to appreciate such things.
It was ridiculous, he thought.
Why did they have to send him off on a quest now? School was just starting! And the way things were beginning to shape up, it looked as though he might be gone for a while.
What was he supposed to do? Fail his junior year of high school? (His step-father Paul had assured him that he wouldn't.) If he absolutely had to leave, waive his right to a public education and all that, couldn't they at least send him someplace nice?
But no.
They were sending him to another school.
For wizards. Percy snorted.
Apparently, they had some sort of oracle there, not the oracle, but still someone who Apollo had granted enough power to speak a prophecy. Chiron was absolutely convinced he was one of the individuals that it mentioned. So now he had to sit around in a dusty old castle and be the salvation of some poor chump who got roped into fighting (uselessly) against some dude that wasn't going to die anyway. He felt sorry for whoever it was. As a rule, experience had taught him that prophecies generally brought about a lot of pain and suffering.
In his opinion, the entire situation may, or may not, have been orchestrated by Kronos. He huffed out a breath in frustration.
"Why are you sending me so far away?" He growled. "If it really is Kronos then I should be here, near to Mt. Olympus in case he attacks!"
"We don't know anything yet, Percy. The gods are still investigating your claims." The centaur patiently crossed his arms over his chest and spared a glance at the blue sky. "When they've decided to take action, I have a feeling we'll know."
Silently, Percy agreed. That sort of thing tended to bring about giant black thunderheads, lightning and an ominous rumbling across the sky. He scowled.
"That doesn't make me feel any better. I know what I saw. He's trying to get out." Chiron turned back and graced him with another concerned and sympathetic look.
"I know, and I believe you." He answered softly. "The gods are taking this seriously. They're worried, Percy." Chiron sighed and shook his head. "This should never have happened. If Kronos managed to escape yet again, it's the jailers at fault. Some changes are in order."
"Yeah," Percy frowned. Usually he admired and looked up to his father and the other gods (mostly). But he couldn't stand the thought of Kronos getting free once again. Dealing with the titan and his brothers had pounded a soul deep weariness into his body. The sheer devastation they'd wrought made the half-blood shudder.
For a moment he pictured a pale face in his mind, blond hair and blue eyes marred by a jagged scar that crossed an eyebrow and ran down the cheek. Handsome features gaunt with pain as a shiny bronze knife protruded from his side, the life slowly draining from his fiercely glittering eyes.
"It will be different this time." Chiron's voice intruded on his memory. "It he tries to move against the gods. He has no support." The centaur stamped his hoof against the ground and gestured around them.
"The changes you requested have served us well." Percy followed his gaze. There were twice as many cabins now as there had been last year, and several more were still being built.
"There were more campers this summer than we've had in years, despite our casualties after the war." The old stallion continued softly. "And the gods are united. For the first time in a long time, Olympians and minor deities alike are peacefully coexisting together with a common purpose."
"And now they're alerted to his movements. And after everything that happened last time, they won't make the same mistakes twice. So try not to worry too much, Percy." The young man shook his head ruefully.
"You say that now. But it never turns out so easy in the end." The immortal trainer of heroes regarded him for a moment with a tilted head and sighed.
"Better not to dwell on things that have yet to pass." His tone turned light and teasing. "Get back to gathering your things. The sooner you leave, the sooner you may return. As for myself, I believe I'm overdue for the afternoon pinochle match with our esteemed Mr. D. We wouldn't want to make him come out and find me!" Percy managed to raise a chuckle at that, and waved as Chiron cantered off towards the big house.
The camp was nearly deserted. Summer was over and almost all the half-bloods that normally attended were back at home with their families. Percy stood up and stretched before turning around and heading back into his cabin to finish packing. As he walked over to his bags he spotted a blue Yankees cap lying on his bed. A stab of pain jabbed at his heart.
As soon as Annabeth had gotten wind of his quest, she'd sent it to him.
"I have a feeling you'll be needing this more than me, Seaweed Brain."
Things had not worked out so well between them. And for the life of him, Percy could not figure out what went wrong. They were as close a pair of friends as ever, but the romantic involvement between them had inexplicably cooled.
In the beginning, it was amazing. The two of them were closer than ever after the war ended last summer. Annabeth had stayed in New York for the year, to be close to Percy and Mt. Olympus so she could help with the reconstruction as promised. She had spent almost every moment of her free time there, designing buildings with her mother. And apparently, Percy thought bitterly, Athena had used some of her unfailing wisdom to convince Annabeth to change her mind about a few things.
He had especially noticed it when Annabeth started giving him these odd assessing little looks. They would be off somewhere together, and he was simply lost in thought, gazing at the people passing through, occasionally watching someone interesting walk by. She would follow his gaze and grin, usually chased by a deviously concocted tease.
"Ooooh, he's cute!" Where upon he'd frown in jealousy and return his attention back to her in annoyance.
Things like that had begun to happen more and more often. Then she had started with the questions.
"Do you like me Percy?" And things like, "Are you happy with me?" He had always made sure to answer that he was. But Annabeth didn't seem convinced. The rest of the school year had passed them by in a strained manner. It all came to a head over the summer, when they wound up spending more of their time together at Camp Half-blood.
They were sitting side by side out in front of Athena cabin, just enjoying a quiet moment together. Percy was gazing absently across the way at Apollo cabin. Annabeth spoke up after a few moments.
"What's so interesting Percy?" He shrugged and replied.
"Nothing." Annabeth sighed.
"You've been staring at Will Solace for the last five minutes." She said flatly. Percy blinked. He supposed he had been.
"Do you think he's handsome, Percy?" She asked him softly. Her voice had acquired a rather odd tone. He raised an eyebrow and glanced back over in consideration, thinking nothing of the question.
"Yes, I suppose he is." He eventually replied. Then she had sniffled a little and grabbed his hands in hers. She pulled their hands into her lap and looked into his eyes, a serious expression on her face.
"Percy, I don't think we should be together anymore." He blinked in astonishment then jumped to his feet with a growing sense of panic.
"Hang on, Annabeth! Why all of a- Did I say something funny? That's not what I-" He backpedaled quickly. "I don't think he's handsome! And he's really annoying!" Annabeth just shook her head and held up a hand.
"That isn't what this is about, Percy." She frowned. "Well it is." She amended. "But not really." She let go of his hands and walked to the railing, looking off into the distance. Percy felt like those few steps had put miles of distance between them.
"Look, Percy. This is hard for me, too!" She cried. "But I just want you to be happy!" She looked back at him, deep into his eyes. He felt like she was reading through his soul.
"To be really truly content, with the one whom you belong. Nothing less." Tears were appearing in the corners of her eyes. Vaguely, he felt them gathering at the edges of his own.
"And I'm not that girl, Percy." He shook his head.
"You are, Annabeth!"
"No." She sounded certain.
"I'm pretty sure that none of the girls here would be right for you, Percy." Then she grinned brightly through her tears.
"But you'll figure it out eventually, even if you're hopeless." She promptly turned and walked away.
That had been the end for them. And though he'd tried more than once, they hadn't gotten back together. When summer ended she moved back out to San Francisco to be with her parents again. Percy clenched the Yankee's cap in his fist and shook his head. Then he let out a breath of air that had become stuck in his chest and tossed her hat in his bag.
The sea lord's son got back to work, hoping to keep his mind off of Annabeth by staying busy. It didn't take long, just a few minutes later and he was ready to leave. He'd already said goodbye to his family back home, so there was nothing left to be done except check in with Chiron before he left. His quest awaited him.
To travel half way across the world to a place he didn't know, filled with strangers that held odd powers and unknown dangers lurking in the shadows. He'd be all alone, since Grover was off in the wild and he didn't want to drag any other half-bloods away from school. Well, not completely, he'd still have his pet dog.
Bring it.
Besides, he had bigger fish to fry. Kronos was waiting, after all.
As he walked across the lawn, dragging all his bags and supplies along behind him, Percy spotted someone standing on the beach. More startled than surprised, Percy dropped his stuff and jogged over. For a moment he thought it was his father, and felt a joyful optimism bubble in his chest. But as he got closer he could see it wasn't so.
It was Hermes.
He hadn't talked to the messenger god since last year on Olympus. He had a feeling the other god had been trying to avoid him, as if the sight of him brought back painful memories. He couldn't blame the guy. And while they had both forgiven each other, their last conversation wasn't exactly friendly.
Hermes met his eyes and nodded in greeting. Percy bowed to him and lowered his head in respect.
"Percy Jackson."
"Lord Hermes."
It was always important to show respect. Especially when, if they decided they didn't like you, they could hit you with a lightning bolt. Or, in this case, an electric cattle prod. They would probably both achieve the same results, mused Percy. As if he could read his thoughts, Hermes grinned.
"I have a message to deliver, from the other gods. We've been meeting to discuss our strategies regarding Kronos. Thanks to your warning, we were able to determine that he has indeed escaped." Percy felt his heart clench.
"We don't believe he's left the underworld yet, but we could be wrong. He laying low and staying hidden." The god gave him concerned glance and rubbed his chin in thought.
"Regardless, stay cautious." He emphasized, his features set in hard lines. "You're currently the only soul in the mortal realm that bears the curse of Achilles. If Kronos wants to possess a body long enough to consolidate his power, he'll be heading straight for you." Percy swallowed nervously and nodded.
"Are you sure I should be leaving on this quest?" He asked uncertainly. Hermes nodded slowly and rested a gently supportive hand on his shoulder.
"You're going to be needed there, Percy. Events will begin to unfold, surrounding the place where the prophecy was given, and the people who are capable of effecting a change. You are certainly one of them." Percy wondered if Hermes already knew his fate, and came here to warn him. The god had seen what would happen to his son, yet hadn't been able interfere under Zeus' laws. He looked down.
"Is it going to be bad?" He whispered softly. Did he really want to know? Hermes glanced down and they stared at each other for a moment. The god squeezed his shoulder in comfort.
"You know I can't speak of it, Percy." Hermes released his grip and stepped away, glancing up at the sky with a wide grin.
"The gods are devising a plan to deal with Kronos as we speak. You know how we are, we like to make things work out in the end." Hermes reassured him. Unfortunately, he did know.
"Which reminds me! Before you have to leave, I have a few things to give you!" He exclaimed in a happy tone. He reached to his packet and pulled out a smart phone, two snakes were coiled around it. Percy caught the sounds of quiet mumbling from the pair.
"Percy! Good to see you again" Martha spoke. George slithered around on top of her.
"Rats! Rats? Do you have any for me? I'm so huuungry." He whined. Hermes sighed and tapped him on the head.
"Come on now, George, the packages for Percy. I'll feed you when we get back, you bottomless pit!"
"That boring meeting's been dragging on forever." Martha yawned. "The messages are starting to pile up." Hermes rolled his eyes. "The messages are always piling up." He muttered.
George opened his mouth and gagged. Two packages were horked up. Percy wrinkled his nose in disgust. Hermes opened the first one and handed him a pouch. When he peeked inside he saw it was filled with drachmas.
"From your father, so you can keep in touch." Hermes explained.
Next he unwrapped the other package and handed Percy a thick gold bracelet. It was quite heavy, the half-blood noted, as he took it from the god. Every inch of it was covered in ruins. But they weren't in English, ancient Greek, or anything else Percy could recognize.
"You're lucky, Percy." Hermes informed him. "This is a powerful protective bracelet, a gift given to you from Hecate herself. It will help to guard you from the more dangerous forms of magic. Not fool-proof, but quite useful. Any god would love to wear such a thing." Percy nodded with reverence and slipped it on his right wrist, opposite his shield watch. A moment later it dissolved into mist and sank into his skin. The young man jumped at the odd sensation. He glanced down and saw a dark ring of blue tattoos where the gold had been, in the same shape as the ruins. It was a little different, but eventually he decided that he like them.
"All she asks in return for her gift, is that you watch over her children." Percy looked up gravely to meet Hermes' intense gaze.
"I will." Was his solemn reply. The messenger god grinned and nodded once.
"Good, I knew you would! Well, looks like you're all set then, so I'll be going." Percy stepped back and waved his farewell. And with that, the god disappeared in a gust of wind. Percy glanced after him in amazement. He'd never get used to it.
He turned to head back up the beach. Determination written across his features.
It was time for him to leave.
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Aw, poor clueless Percy, and Annabeth. But lucky Harry! (grins) Coming up next chapter, they meet! (Gasp!)
Please... (whiny voice) Review.
