OMG FINALLY CHAPTER 4!

I know a lot of you who have read the first 3 have been pretty anxious to read more, especially my friends Lukas and Zoey. Mostly Lukas though. He got pretty dang mad when I didn't have the 4th chapter up. isn't that right, Lukas?

Lukas: dang right! I'll even quote myself! These were the exact words I said (texted) when I got really mad over there not being a chapter 4 yet!

"GRRR U I WANNA READ MORE CURSE U FOR NOT MAKIN A CHAPTER 4 YET D:"

Annabeth: …does your friend have like, anger issues?

Me: nah, he's just funny like that, exploding over the smallest things ;D

Annabeth: weirdo…

Me: moving on… I don't own the Percy Jackson books etc. etc. blah blah blah… and as u still know if I did I would have Apollo as my hostage… but this time we would be playing laser tag and bungee jumping in Glenwood Springs ;D (you cant actually bungee jump, but close enough, and that bit was inspired by my trip there!)

Annabeth: where the heck is Glenwood Springs?

Me: Why, in Colorado!

Annabeth: ….where's that?

Me: United States, stupid.

Annabeth: oh, right… ^-^"""

Me: *sigh* ok ok lets just get on with the dang chapter…

P.S. THIS IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER EVER AND DON'T KILL ME FOR THE END, OKAY!

CHAPTER FOUR: THE ALL-MIGHTY GOD COUNCIL ONE-ON-ONE MEETING THAT I MIGHT SURVIVE OF DOOM

I woke up with my hair perfectly straight, laying out perfectly straight. Basically, I had been scared stiff in my sleep - quite literally. I got up and changed out of my dress and into some jeans and an orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt I didn't know I had. I tied the loose end of my shirt into a ponytail and tucked it under. My hair was pulled back into pigtails, and I slipped on my shoes. I found Annabeth without much difficulty sitting by the nearly-dead fire reading. I plopped down next to her, smiling.

"Someone's in a good mood today," she pointed out.

"Well, you told me not to stress out, so I'm doing my best not to. Stress makes me get cold. I hate getting cold," I replied cheerily. Her face lit up.

"Well, then let's start Ancient Greek then, shall we?" she suggested. I smiled and agreed. I was already advancing pretty far, so Annabeth handed me a thick novel in Ancient Greek. I stared at her.

"I want two chapters a day. With your progress, I don't expect that should be hard. You could always read it while waiting for your meeting with the gods," she replied. I sighed and opened it to page one. It quickly occurred to me that I hadn't even read the title. I flipped it over and read the title in ancient Greek. In English, it said The Birth Of The Gods. Huh. A book about how the Gods became to be? Awesome! I knew I was into it before I read one word. I read the first line out loud.

"Mount Olympus is a place of legend, but a real legend. It is home to what we know best at Gods, ruled by Zeus," I said flawlessly. Annabeth nodded for me to continue, while she dug into a different book. I had already finished the first chapter by breakfast. I carried the book with me to breakfast, but nobody commented on it. When I scared my toast into the fire, I could almost imagine each god inhaling deeply and almost being able to taste the melted butter. It must have been really nice to be a god. I ate all my eggs and bacon and my last piece of toast, then got back to reading. I didn't think I would be able to stop after the second chapter; it was surprisingly epic. My lessons were all in the morning, and they were only about 10 minutes each. Archery wasn't too fun because of my still sore hand, but I could still hit the target. I just read while everyone else rode the pegasi, and I didn't really have time for a down-river canoeing trip. So I spent that extra time in sword training (by which I mean knife training). I was getting really good, too. I could take on Annabeth, and it would take her a long time to knock it out of my hand. I still couldn't knock her knife away, but I could come pretty close. Honestly, I liked doing defense better than offense. After sword training, I went back down to the beach. I had about 30 minutes before my scheduled meeting with the Gods. But I only had a few minutes before I had to leave. It took a while to get to the Empire State Building. I inhaled the last bit of fresh air I could before going to the city, and even brought a small baggy of sand with me. I put everything in a little shoulder bag and threw on a hoodie. I rode up to New York City with Annabeth and Percy (not to my liking much). It only took about ten minutes to get there (even though it should have taken way longer, but the car was enchanted or something), and we went straight to the Empire State Building. A lump was forming in my throat. As we walked up to the counter, I looked around in awe. Everything was huge. I seemed so tiny compared to it all.

"We need to get to the 600th floor, now!" Percy demanded. The doorman shook his head and continues reading his magazine. I decided to play cute and innocent for him. I skipped up to the counter.

"Um, excuse me Mr., but I really need to get to really high floor. You see, Mr. Zeus wanted to see me. And um, I don't know where to go," I said in an innocent, high-pitched voice. His face immediately softened.

"Well, of course, sweetheart. You see, you need this card here. You go in and put it in the little slot, okay? But make sure no one but you three are in the elevator. Got all that?" he asked. I nodded cutely. I smiled and handed me the card. I had to stand on my tiptoes to reach over the counter to get it, but I reached it. I led the in-shock Percy and Annabeth to the elevator. As soon as the door closed, I cut the cute act.

"How did you do that? He just like… melted!" Percy exclaimed. I smiled.

"Well, I can be cute and innocent when I feel like it. Which isn't often," I said. As I watched the floor numbers tick higher, my cool and composed feel was dissolving away. I began to hyperventilate. Annabeth tried to calm me down, while Percy was talking to Chiron through a rainbow. Chiron was giving me tips on how to not panic, but they weren't helping. By the time we were at the 300th floor 15 minutes later, I was curled up in a ball hyperventilating more. I thought I was going to fall apart for sure before we even got to Olympus. It wasn't until Annabeth gave me a cup of warm water I was able to get hold of myself. I was still hyperventilating a little bit, but it was controllable. And I knew exactly why I was panicking. I was going to be alone - totally alone - with Apollo for who knows how long. And all the other big, scary gods for that matter. The idea of being alone with any one of them terrified me. But I had to keep it together. By the time the elevator dinged to the 600th floor, I was ready to pass out. It was a really good thing I had already seen Olympus in that dream, or I might have died. It was to beautiful. I looked over at an olive tree and saw a white dove, and it was cooing. It fluffed it white, downy feather and flew away. It left a trail of sparkle powder. I was looking around in awe at all the details I had missed in the dream. I was continuously lagging behind to look at stuff, so Annabeth took my hand and forced me to keep up. When we were a couple blocks away from that bi throne room place, I got nervous again.

"Annabeth, what do I ask them?" I whispered.

"I'm not sure… but Chiron said he will be waiting for us, so let's ask him when we get there, ok?" she replied quietly. I looked up at Percy. He was tall and nice to Annabeth. Why hadn't I realized it before?

"Hey, Percy, are you and Annabeth…" I started. They both stared at me. Then Percy got what I was saying.

"Oh, um, Vadetta, no," he said coolly. They were both red. I giggled. I could tell he was lying. But I just went along with it. We got to the huge, shiny gold doors. A lump the size of Chiron's head formed in my throat. I began to hyperventilate again as we waited for him. I was on the ground feeling claustrophobic by the time he got there. I was really panicking. Chiron showed up, finally.

"Vadetta, what's gotten into you?" he asked, seeing me there on the ground.

"I-I I can't d-do it!" I stuttered, forcing back a tear of fear.

"I understand that you're nervous, but-"

"No, I can't! It's worse that nervous! I'm absolutely terrified!" I cried.

"Ok, well, let's go in there. You need to pull yourself together. I'll get you some warm water," he offered. I nodded. He came back with a glass full, and I chugged it. It helped calm my fears a little, but I was nowhere near ready. But it was time. Still struggling not to hyperventilate, the huge doors opened, and I almost fell to my knees. The beautiful thrones were all occupied; filled with huge, 15-foot tall Gods. I saw Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, and all the others. Even Mr. D. it then occurred to me how many gods and goddess's names started with A. Percy knelt at the throne of his father. Annabeth knelt by her mother. And just like in my dream, Zeus and Poseidon both straightened up. I couldn't move. My limbs were totally frozen. Annabeth came from her mother's throne and started to drag me into the middle. She pulled so hard that when I finally started to go I plopped down on my face. No one laughed… except maybe Percy. I blushed and got up right away. I was quick to head to the center this time. I turned and faced all the gods, the lump in my throat getting bigger and bigger every second, as if every time I breathed it added to the mass. I remembered Apollo's amulet, and touched it once for good luck. I knelt to all the gods the way I had seen Annabeth and Percy do it one by one. First Zeus, then Poseidon, and so on. When I got to Apollo, it felt a little odd. He smiled hugely, and bowed his head to me. I raised an eyebrow, but he just motioned me onto the next god. After I had finished all of them, I was getting a lot of curious stares. Some from Chiron and Percy, others from Athena and Artemis. Some were looking at Apollo. I forced myself not to blush. I just kept standing there, calmly as possible.

"Well," said Chiron, seeming rather small. "Who will have the first audience with our camper?"Everyone sighed, and I was tingling with fear. I was probably hyperventilating a little bit, too, but I couldn't tell. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it everywhere - my head, my big toe, my bellybutton, even my eyebrow. I barely even heard Athena when she volunteered, and Annabeth had to nudge me to follow her. Thankfully, she changed into a normal human size so we could talk. I followed her into a circular room, and she closed the door. I shot one last terrified glance to Annabeth, who looked equally worried. There was a huge round table with chairs all the way around. Athena sat herself down in one, and I sat in one across from her. I guess she could tell how deathly nervous I was. She smiled softly.

"Child, do you know why you're here?" she asked. I thought about that. I shook my head.

"Because you are going to talk to all the Gods and Goddesses here until one confesses to being your parent. But whoever that is might not reveal themselves," the Wisdom goddess explained. I nodded slowly.

"O-Ok… so, um, are you my mom then?"

Athena chuckled.

"No, dear. I assure you of that. But I do not know who is your parent. You will soon find out though, assuming they are honest. Unless they are a minor god… then we will not know. But I hope that you are moved to your proper cabin soon," she replied sweetly. She was a lot nicer than I had expected. I sighed.

"Well, um, I guess I should talk to the next, err, god or goddess…" I mumbled.

"Quite right. I will send out the next. I hope you find what you're looking for," Athena said, then exited the room. I gulped and twirled my hair as I waited for the next person to come in. I began thinking about what Athena had said. 'I hope you find what you're looking for'. What had that meant? I didn't have time to think more about it before Artemis was in Athena's chair. I immediately sat up straight. She was in the form of a 12-year-old girl. She was pretty. She smiled.

"Ok, Vadetta. Let me tell you straight up: I am not your parent," she didn't hesitate. I sighed in relief. She nodded, and left. Short talk. Aphrodite came in next. Despite the fact that I was a girl, I just couldn't help but be amazed by her beauty. The shiniest hair ever. The world's whitest teeth. Perfect and flawless skin. She was like the winner of America's Next Top Model only way prettier.

"Um, hi Lady Aphrodite…" I greeted nervously. She giggled.

"Hello, Vadetta. You are such a cute thing!" she gushed. I smiled.

"Now, before we get down to business, there is something very important we need to discuss," Aphrodite said seriously. I nodded. "Now, I can tell by your emotions that you like someone close enough to us. It's either someone on Olympia, or down very close to the building. And I would just love to help you with that!"

My jaw dropped. She smiled brilliantly.

"Um, thanks for the offer Lady Aphrodite, but no thanks…" I declined. She laughed.

"No, no. All you need to do is tell me the name of the one you want. I will not mention you, just that a special little girl likes them," she winked. I sighed.

"Well, I'm surprised you don't already know who it is. It's pretty obvious…" I teased her. Her face tensed.

"Don't tease me, child. If you do not want my help with your love problems, then we're done here. I am not your parent," Aphrodite concluded, and stood up. Just before she opened the door, she turned to me.

"By the way, some tips for winning him over: he likes music," then she exited. Then she did know. He likes music… what am I supposed to do, invite him to do a concert? I thought. Then it hit me. I would write a song dedicated to the sun. But I was not a good singer. At all. Well, maybe if I got more people to do it with me… that's it! I would get the Apollo cabin to help me write and perform a song! We would sing it at that nightly sing-a-long! I was just about to run out of the room when I heard the door quietly close. I sat back in my seat and looked down.

"Oh, well, sorry to interrupt your thoughts," Hermes said as he sat down. I looked at him. He had wings on his sandals, and a cell phone in his hand. I saw two snakes on it. I was deathly afraid of snakes. I fell backwards in my chair from leaning back so much.

"Oh, sorry. Allow me to introduce them. These are George and Martha. Say hello, you two," Hermes pointed the snakes.

How do you do? Martha greeted.

Hey, if you have any rats, I would be so happy if you gave me one! George said. Martha rolled her eyes… if a snake can even do that.

Oh, don't mind him. He'd do anything for a good, fatty meal. Martha sighed. I was shaking with fear at the talking snakes. They stared at me.

Oh, there's no need to be scared of us, dear. We don't bite, Martha promised.

Unless you have a rat and won't give it to me, George corrected. Martha bit his jaws lightly.

"Stop it, you two. Can't you see you're scaring the poor girl?" Apollo motioned towards me shaking on the floor.

Ok, we'll be quiet. George and Martha both said. I carefully got back into my chair.

"Sorry about them… they never seem to get enough attention…" Hermes glared at George. They backed off into his pocket. I sat up straight.

"Well, I'm not your parent, either. But I am your friend… just uh, don't get on George's bad side, ok?" Hermes said. I nodded and he left. The next god to come in was Hephaestus. He was a little deformed, and clearly not the most handsome.

"Hello, Lord Hephaestus," I said politely. He nodded at me and sat down. He carried a small metal bird. He wound up a key and it flew around, looking just like a real bird. It sounded like one. It landed on my finger. It was a real bird made of metal. I stared at it in amazement.

"You… you made this?" I asked.

"Yes, I did. You may keep it; I have no use for it. It will carry your messages if you give it a bolt as a reward," he explained. "Now, tell me, do you know what components I used to make it so life-like?"

I shook my head like a moron. Hephaestus sighed.

"Then you are not my child. Have a nice life," and he left. I stared at the bird and blinked. I set it on the table and waited for the next god or goddess. I was very surprised when the door slammed and a guy sat in the chair so hard it almost snapped. He had on a leather jacket and had unforgiving scary eyes.

"Look kid, I didn't ask to be here. And I know you're not my kid. So I'm just gonna see if old Ares here can figure out your sorry parent," the god of war said. He was clearly not very nice. He looked over me like Apollo had, but I didn't want his grimy fingers anywhere near me. I flinched and tried to back away. He took a good look in my eyes. He burst out laughing.

"I don't believe it!" he cried.

"Um, what would that be, Lord Ares?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing… you'll find out soon enough…" he wiped a tear of laughter from his cheek. He left, slamming the door behind him again. It was a long time before the next goddess came in. She was beautiful, but not nearly as much so as Aphrodite. It was Hera, Zeus's wife.

"Wow…" I whispered to myself. She sat down and smiled at me.

"Hello, Vadetta. I am Hera, Queen of the Gods. It's lovely to meet you," she greeted. She was really nice, but I could tell from the look in her eyes that getting on her bad side would be very bad.

"Well, as you know, I have never had a child with a mortal. Not yet, anyways. Which, of course, means that I am not your mother. But I'm sure your true mother would be very proud to call you her daughter," Hera said softly. I smiled. She left gracefully.

I was surprised when I waited 10 minutes and no one else came in. I peeked my head out the door and saw Apollo, Zeus, and Poseidon arguing. Apollo turned and saw me watching. He broke out of the argument. Zeus and Poseidon glared at him then each other. Poseidon vanished in a puff of smoke, and Zeus left. I frowned. If either had been my father, I wouldn't know now. It was clear that Hades was not going to show up, so Apollo was indeed the last god I would see. I quickly went back inside. He followed and opened the door just as I sat down. I was blushing like a blooming flower.

"Well, I wonder what all that was about," he said. I blushed and looked up. It was him!

"Um, hi Lord Apollo…" I said. It felt weird calling him 'lord'. He laughed.

"Hey, no need for the 'lord'. I go just by Apollo. So, remind me what I'm doing here?"

I couldn't believe it. Apollo was giving me an excuse to come up with any reason he was here. I could say anything. But I knew better than to lie to a god.

"Uhm… we were… uh…" I couldn't spit it out. He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I see you're wearing my amulet. I hope it's brought you good luck so far," he smiled warmly. I just wanted to hug him. Instead I restrained to poking him. He stared at me.

"Any particular reason you decided to poke me?" he questioned, even blushing a hint.

"Uhm, s-sorry… didn't know what else to do…" I apologized, extremely embarrassed.

"No problem. So, I believe we were here to discuss whether or not I am your…. Parent." I noticed he had trouble saying the last word. I shifted uncomfortably.

"Y-You're not like, my dad, are you?" I asked nervously.

"No, no, of course not. That would be a little…. Awkward…" Apollo replied. I knew exactly what he meant, but did that mean he was seeing this from my point of view? Or did that mean…

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, what's your favorite genre of music?" I blurted out.

"Mine? Well, since I invented all music, I can't really say I have a favorite. But I do really enjoy happy and up-beat music. Something that lifts your spirit that you can dance to, you know?" he explained.

"Oh yeah, I actually agree with that part!" I agreed, smiling now. The Music God returned my smile. I was blushing but I didn't care. Just when I was ready to faint from being so happy, Apollo did something so weird and unexpected. Quite honestly, I thought I might die. Not from something bad, but something unbelievable. He…