Hey guys! I think I'll settle on chapters around this length from now on, 1,400 - 2000 words seems about the right length.

Thanks for reading. Next chapter will be up in a few days.

Remember to Comment/Review! I'd really appreciate some more reviews.

I'm also writing a Percabeth oneshot. It's funny - you'll see! I'll keep you updated.

Update: Big thanks to Ninjawriter11 for helping me tighten my grammar.

Chapter 4

Horsey Companions

Five years ago, Annabeth, Tyson and I, set off on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to retrieve the Golden Fleece and save Grover. The Sea of Monsters was a legendary archipelago where dozens of monsters and magical creatures lived. Its entrance was guarded by two deadly monsters: Scylla and Charybdis.

Scylla had six long heads that could snap up all passing sailors. Her body consisted of twelve tentacle-like legs, a cat's tail, with another six ferocious dog heads on its waist. Charybdis was a huge formless creature that had only one mouth, but with rows of sharp teeth and flippers. The danger with Charybdis was that she could create enormous whirlpools that would sink ships.

To save Grover, we had to get past Scylla and Charybdis, defeat Polyphemus -- the most powerful of all the Cyclopes -- and overcome many nautical perils. Now, I was heading back on a similar quest.

What was it with Grover and getting lost at sea?

Last time he went to the Sea of Monsters, he had one foot in Hades and was nearly forced to "marry" a ghastly Cyclops. Why he would want to return was completely beyond me.

I was worried about having to get by those two monsters again. Last time, I barely survived and had to rely on a magical thermos of wind to blow me to safety. This time, I had nothing but Riptide and the curse of Achilles to help me.

"Percy come quick, we need your help! Scylla!" Grover's words from the Iris Message were clear. He was at the Sea of Monsters and I had to go and rescue him.

At about 4:00 am somewhere over North Carolina, I fell asleep on Blackjack's back. The air was freezing, and there was a strong wind, but I was just too tired to keep my eyes open. As the soothing darkness of sleep took hold, I was suddenly hurled into the middle of an intense sea battle.

Grover clung to the mast of a large ship. Or what was left of it. Around him, wood nymphs and satyrs desperately tried to fight off Scylla, who was picking them off one by one. Reed pipes in hand, the satyrs tried to grow vines to ensnare Scylla but the boat was rocking too much from the whirlpools created by Charybdis.

Woodland magic required full concentration and a lot of energy. The satyrs had neither.

Vines began to wrap around Scylla's tail but came up short. Meanwhile, the wood nymphs were hard at work trying to repair the ship. They sang calming songs and I saw the broken hull of the ship mend itself with new wood.

But they were sucked too far into the whirlpool.

For every tiny bit of hull they managed to repair, a large rent would appear on the other side of the ship. Grover yelled above the horrible sucking noise of the whirlpool.

"Everybody take cover! We might still make it!"

Grover closed his eyes and took out his reed pipe. He began to play a sad mournful song. Creepers extended in all directions, hauling satyrs and wood nymphs to safety. Grover trembled with the exhaustion of such a powerful spell.

Just as he was reeling in one last wood nymph from the clutches of Scylla, he collapsed, hanging limply from the mast. The ship wasn't going to hold. The prow was already going under into Charybdis' maw.

They weren't going to make it.

My eyes flew open and I gripped Blackjack's neck tightly.

Yo, Boss are you alright? Blackjack said in my mind.

"Grover, you know, the Satyr? He's in serious trouble. Can you fly any faster?" I urged.

Blackjack dipped his wings and caught a newer, faster air current. I'm guessing we won't be stopping off at Monster Donut today either… Blackjack said jokingly, hoping to raise my spirits.

Up ahead there was nothing but sea. My mind drifted back to Camp. Annabeth. I just couldn't get her out of my head. Several emotions flooded through me one by one.

Love, Regret, Passion, Jealousy, Loneliness, Anger, Love again.

I couldn't believe how strong these feelings were. I gripped Blackjack even tighter as I realized I was flying away from her. But I was here to help Grover. Annabeth would be fine without me, really.

Dionysus said he'd take care of her. If I was going to save Grover, I needed all my concentration. Scylla and Charybdis were waiting.

"Annabeth," my heart sang. It was hopeless. I couldn't ignore it.

I saw her face again in my mind. Her grey eyes were dazzling, her smooth tan skin and smatter of freckles were just divine. Her lips were full and soft, I wanted to kiss her so much. She looked, somehow, even more beautiful in my mind. I felt like I was going to fall over from the intensity of the love I had for her…

Dude cut it out! Blackjack yelled in my mind. The vision disappeared immediately much to my despair.

I was back on a Pegasus flying at high speed towards two deadly monsters.

"Sorry, I was just a bit uh…"

In love much? Blackjack snorted.

"I… uh… let's focus on getting to the Sea of Monsters. 30 degrees, 31 minutes north, 75 degrees, 12 minutes west. You got that Blackjack?"

Nope. We have our own navigation techniques Boss. We don't need co-ordinates. I hope you're ready though, Boss. Those two monsters aren't going to give you a free pass. We're nearly there. I'll drop you off at the nearest pier. Rainbow and some of his Hippocampi friends will take you the rest of the way.

I frowned, deep in thought. I didn't have any plans to defeat the two monsters. If only Annabeth was here. She had a plan for everything and…

Hold on a minute! Why was I always thinking about her?

I forced myself to think of Manticores, Dracaenae, Laistrygonians and other nasty monsters. I thought of how I managed to defeat each of them. The memories gave me strength and courage. No monster had defeated me yet, so why would these two be any different?

Blackjack took a big dive a few minutes later, and a small pier came into focus. "Thanks! Blackjack," I said gratefully.

No problem Boss. Next time though, you're taking me to the Monster Donut shop or no more free rides! Blackjack grunted.

"You're on! In fact, I'll get you a chocolate dipped caramel donut with extra toppings," I said with a grin.

Blackjack whickered happily as he landed smoothly on the pier. Rainbow, the Hippocampus, and two of his kin, were already waiting in the water nearby. Their white bodies shimmered beautifully as the bright rays of a newly rising sun warmed them.

Rainbow jumped out of the water as I approached. His scales sparkled and his rainbow colored tail fin flicked from side to side in delight.

Great day for a swim, Lord, Rainbow said in my mind.

I realized it was quite a gift being able to speak to horses. Pegasi and Hippocampi helped get me out of sticky spots more times than I can remember in the war.

"Good morning Rainbow. I hope you're ready to go, because we really have to hurry," I said.

Hop aboard. I'll be glad to take you, Rainbow said.

I gave Blackjack an affectionate pat and tickled his snout. "Take care of yourself Blackjack. I'll be back… uh… soon," I said feebly.

The truth was, I didn't know how long I'd be gone or if I'd even come back.

See you later Boss. And Blackjack deftly took to the skies.

I turned to Rainbow and the other two Hippocampi, "It will be dangerous getting through. You guys," I directed my voice at the accompanying Hippocampi, "don't have to come if you don't want to."

The other two Hippocampi neighed indignantly. We're coming. We're not going to back out and leave you or Rainbow alone.

I smiled appreciatively and jumped into the water after the Hippocampi. I felt a new wave of strength and energy as my body entered the water.

I was at home here.

Rainbow swam up to me and I got on his back.

"Let's go," I said once I was comfortable.

The three Hippocampi shook their heads and swept their powerful fins. Before long, we were cutting through the water effortlessly, headed to the Sea of Monsters and Grover.