Percy's POV

Riding down a street towards what looked like a strawberry field wasn't the most exciting thing. After leaving the house my mom drove like a madman. The car was silent, no one said a word, afraid of offsetting the calm silence that surrounded us. The pitter-patter on the windows signaling it was storming outside. The sound of thunder echoing throughout the night, flashes of lightning coming just before the distinctive BOOM. Zeus was angry. He must of found out about my existence. The paranoid shit.

The calm air was disturbed by a quick flash of light. The hairs on my arm and neck stood straight. A metallic chemical smell came to my nose, then a loud CRACK and my ears popped. The air became serine again, like time had stopped. I felt like I was floating, feeling weightless. My eyes darted around, looking at the glints of glass and water droplets that caught my eye. Time started up again and I fell down, hitting my head flat on the concrete. Shoulda' wore my seatbelt.

I looked around for my mom and Grover, "Percy!" My mom shouted at me from my left.

"I'm okay..." I groaned out. I looked around and it seemed we were in a ditch. The car looked like it had seen better days. It was literally in half. I got to my feet and went to help my mother out of the driver seat then dusted off any asphalt that got on my pants and shirt. I suddenly heard moaning coming from the backseat. I looked and saw a pantsless Grover knocked out. I got him out and put him over my shoulder.

"Percy," My mom said, "We have to..." Her voice faltered, layered with fear. I looked over at what she was inspecting and what I saw made my blood boil. In a flash of lightning I saw the Minotaur, his Fruit-of-the-Looms underwear was the brightest thing on him.

"Percy-you have to run. Do you see that big tree?" I nod. "That's the property line, get over that hill and you'll see a big farmhouse down in the valley. Run and don't look back. Yell for help. Don't stop until you reach the door." She said.

"Mom." She looked at me quizzically. "You're crazy if you think I'm coming without you. Now let's go!" I said, determined to save my mother this time around.

We were running. Only about 200 meters away. And closing fast. We were about at the halfway mark when my mom chose that time to turn around. Old Whitey-Tighties was closing in on us. "He doesn't want us, he wants you. Besides, I can't cross the property line." She said, sounding determined.

"Yes you can mom! I know a way, just trust me!" I yelled at her. She looked at me like I was mentally unstable.

"We don't have time, Percy. Go. Please." She said.

"We're going together. Come on, Mom"

"I told you-" She started, sounding like a scolding mother.

"And I told you, you were crazy if you thought I am going to leave you. It runs in the family. Come on!" I told her. I quickly took a look behind me and my eyes widened. "Mom, jump!" She seemed to understand and jumped to the side, avoiding the charging truck. My mom and I stopped dead in our tracks trying to confuse the Minotaur, but eventually his beady black eyes locked onto me. He lowered his head and charged at me. I waited till the last second before jumping away making the Minotaur huff in disappointment.

His eyes locked onto his target again, but this time it was my mother. I used this time to try and collect as much water from the rain as I could, waiting for the perfect attack. I quickly set Grover down next to me and went to charge after the Minotaur who was running after my mom. She stood completely still, fear etched across her face, and tried to jump away at the last second. Tried. The Minotaur apparently learned his lesson from last time. When my mother tried to jump away he held his hands out on either side of him. Once he felt my mother contact his hand, he closed his meaty fist, closing around her whole body. She managed to mouth a "Go!" while still being held up.

With an angry roar, the Minotaur squeezed his fist even harder and she simply vanished in a golden light. I was stunned, I failed to save my mother again.

"No!" I screamed. I was filled with unmatched rage. By this time I managed to get alot of water behind me. The Minotaur turned to look at me. As soon as he did though I forced my hand out, sending almost all of the water I had out. He fell on his back spluttering and trying hard to get up. The rest of the water I had, I made into a line so thin you could barely make it out.

Once the monster got up, he looked at me with rage burning in his eyes. He lowered his head once more and charged, hands out to the side. I sent the rest of my water at him, intending to cut him in half but miraculously, he turned just a bit. The water went straight though his horn, cutting it off, but also made a nice gash on his leg that made him slower. I backed up into a tree, waiting for him to charge once more. He did just that. When he was close I vaulted off tree and used his head like a springboard to get behind him. His forehead hit smack-dab in the middle of the tree. While he was shaking out of his daze I ran up to the snapped off horn.

He turned around and did the only thing he knew how to do. Charge. He was pretty slow though. I stood my ground though, waiting for him to come. Once he was close enough I charged him as well, readying the horn. His head was down so he most likely didn't see me. I stepped to the side of the broken horn just before he reached me, trying not to get impaled. I brought the sharp horn right into his eye. My feet dug into the grass, pushing me back. After a little he exploded into a yellow dust, leaving me and a groaning Grover. Missing my mom.

I hastily picked up Grover and the Minotaur horn, slung him over my shoulders and took him down to the Big House to get him situated in the infirmary. Once I got there I saw a 12 year old blonde girl leaning on a post, a little taller than me, with grey eyes. Annabeth. Now, I thought I could maybe forgive her for betraying me twice, but when I saw her, an instant scowl was smacked on my face. I saw Chiron in his wheelchair sitting across a focused Dionysus who was occasionally drink some Diet Coke. There seemed to be floating cards, but I knew better. These were the invisible players.

Annabeth was the fist to spot me. She pointed at me and said some words to Chiron and Mr. D. Chiron shot a glace over in my direction and when he saw me, his eyes seemed to dim a little from their usual shine. Mr. D didn't even look up. Typical.

Before Chiron could say hello, I walked up onto the porch and asked, "Is there any place we can get Grover fixed up?" I gestured my head towards the satyr, faking bieng clueless.

Chiron smiled at me and said, "Annabeth, show him the infirmary and get him a little ambrosia while you're at it will you?" She nodded and motioned for me to follow. We walked down some hallways and eventually came to a door. She opened and I followed in after her. I laid Grover on a bed and let the Apollo kids take care of him. I got handed some ambrosia, which I stared at quizzically, goading Annabeth to tell me what it is. Even though I knew perfectly well.

"Ambrosia. Makes you feel better, and heals any minor and some major wounds" She said. I nodded and began to munch on it. I quickly went back to the deck, following Annabeth, who was asking me questions like: What's my name? How old am I? Anything strange happen lately? Luckily, she hadn't noticed the horn in my pocket, so I didn't get any questions about that. I answered the first two questions with ease, trying to keep the malice out of my voice. The third question, I stayed silent, not wanting to give her the impression that I wanted to be friends. I wanted her out of this life. I'd be okay with having to deal with her on occasion, but that would be the extent of it.

Once we came outside, Chiron looked at me and smiled. "Ah, Percy, you look better." I nodded at that. "Annabeth, why don't you go and see if you can get a bunk for Percy, we'll be placing him in Cabin 11 for now." She nodded, but took a glance back at me. She noticed the horn this time, and looked at it curiously, a wicked gleam in her eye. She looked at me, as if saying 'We'll talk about this later.' I shook my head and looked back at Chiron.

"How are you doing, Mr. Brunner?" I asked.

He seemed surprised, but answered. "I'm doing alright, Percy. Would you like to sit down and play some Pinochle with Mr. D and I?" I sat down and scrunched up my eyebrows in fake thought. "That wouldn't be D as in Lord Dionysus, would it?" I asked after a little while.

Mr. D raised an eyebrow over his bloodshot eyes looking at me, "Indeed it would be, boy. What gave it away?" He asked.

"The pungent smell of grapes, sir." I said, already trying to be respectful. Maybe I can make the Dionysus in this world nice to me. I know, pretty much impossible, but I can atleast dream. All he does is look at me curiously.

We talk a little after that. I 'learn' things about today and the modern Greeks. I see Chiron trying to get out of his seat to show me around but I quickly intervene, "I'll actually show myself around, Chiron. No worries." I smile at him for good measure. He looks like he wants to protest but doesn't anyway.

I walk around camp aimlessly, wondering around, trying to look like I care. I of course remember everything, this was like my home before I was tossed out like trash. Eventually Annabeth found me and started shooting off questions faster than I can remember. I tell her the story about the Minotaur and my mom. After that there was silence, she didn't talk so I didn't say anything. I could tell the silence was awkward for her and I smirked while looking dead in front of me, towards the Hermes Cabin.

I walk up to the door and open. I start to take in what it looks like, and it seemed Annabeth was getting impatient. "Well?" She asked, "Go on." I watched my step coming in. I didn't want to be the laughing stock just yet. "Percy Jackson, meet cabin eleven." Annabeth announced.

I heard someone in the back of the cabin have to shout, "Regular or undetermined?"

Annabeth didn't miss a beat, "Undetermined."

Everybody groaned. A familiar face came around the corner. He looked like he was 19. Tall and Muscular. He seemed to have a friendly smile and short-cropped sandy blond hair. I saw a scar that traced from his right eye all the way down to his jawbone. Luke. Flashbacks of cold golden eyes flash inside my head for just a second. I return the friendly smile before he speaks up, "Now, now, campers. That's what we're here for. Welcome, Percy. You can have that spot on the floor, right over there."

"This is Luke." She said, though her voice sounded an octave or two higher. I looked over at her and I could see that she had an insane blush that covered her nose. I snorted on accident. She looked at me and her structure hardened again. "He's your counselor for now."

"For now?" I asked.

"You're undetermined," He said patiently, like he's already done this a million times. He probably has. "They don't know what cabin to put you in, so you're here. Cabin eleven takes all newcomers, all visitors. Naturally, we would. Hermes, our patron, is the god of travelers." He explained. I looked at the space they gave me. A nice portion of the floor that seemed to be clean. I looked back up and looked at some of the people there. Some people had this mischievous look to their face, like they were ready to pick my pockets on command.

I looked back towards Luke and asked, "How long will I be here?"

"Good question," He said. "Until you're determined."

Now I heard the little voice in my head tell me to say 'How long will that take?' I didn't want to sound like a complete idiot, but it had to be done. I swallowed my pride and asked, "How long will that take?"

All the campers in the cabin laughed. For some it was humorless, like some cruel torture they were subjected to when anyone talked about the subject. Even though some of the laughs were like that, my face at least turned a little red.

Annabeth seems to get a little miffed, "Come on," She says, "I'll show you the volleyball court."

"I've already seen it." I said, acting stupid.

"Come on." She grabbed my wrist and forcefully dragged me outside while the Hermes cabin kids are all laughing behind me. "Jackson, you have to do better than that."

"What?" I asked.

She proceeds to roll her eyes and mumble under her breath, "I can't believe I thought you were the one."

"The one? What the hell does that even mean? All I did was kill the Minotaur-" I angrily said.

"Don't talk like that!" She yells at me, just as angry. "You know how many kids at this camp wish they'd had your chance?"

"Oh, yeah, because I love to see my mother get FUCKING KILLED in front of my own two eyes, then have to fight the slab of meat afterwards while my goddamn protector lay PASSED OUT on the gods damn ground!" I yell at her.

She seemed stumped. I smirk inwardly, "I-I-I-I didn't mean i-it like that, I just m-m-" She starts to stutter.

"What did you mean it like then?! That not many people have a chance at GLORY?! I don't give 2 FUCKS about glory! I'm not some pompous ASSHOLE that you expect me to be! Now get the fuck out of the way!" I push her out of the way and start to walk back to observing, but before I can I hear a voice call out to me.

"Well! A newbie!" Clarisse. I turn around and see a 12 to 13 year old her standing a little bit behind Annabeth with three other girls, all wearing the same camo jacket.

"Who are you? What do you want? I just got into an argument with princess over her so hurry it up." I was really irritated right now.

She gave a little chuckle and seemed to look me up and down before asking, "Who are you little runt?"

"Percy Jackson," Annabeth said, making stuff dramatic. "Meet Clarisse, Daughter of Ares."

I hold out my hand for her to shake but she just grunts in response. I sigh and lower my hand down, "Again, what do you want?"

"We got an initiation ceremony for newbies, Prissy."

"Percy." I correct.

"Whatever. Come on, I'll show you." She says, grinning stupidly.

"Clarisse-" Annabeth tries, but gets cut off.

"Stay out of it, wise girl." She retorts. I cringe at the nickname I used to call her. I sigh and look at my horn. I take it out of pocket and start handing it to Annabeth, but before I can, I drop it out of shock. I felt Clarisse pick me up by the neck.

I quickly jab her ribs with my elbow, hard. She hunches over and loosens her grip, but not enough to let me down. I quickly kick in her knee just enough so she buckles. She falls to the ground on one knee and I take her hand off my neck. Everybody looks wide eyed on how easily I forced her down.

I glare at her and say, "If you want to fight, let's at least do it in the arena."

She gives me her own glare while she gets up and says, "I'll enjoy beating you to a pulp."

I smirk as I walk towards the arena. It was time to test my skills again. I haven't been able to test my skills in the past months. In Tartarus, I practiced any weapon I could make. That meant different types of daggers, spears, to different sword types. Most of the sword types didn't really work for me, except the roman gladius, if made right. I found out I was alright with the spear since the trident comes from the spear family I guess. Daggers were a different story, each dagger I made had a different fighting style to it. Damasen helped to make all the weapons and trained me. Being the Giant opposite to Ares really helps.

Once we got into the arena, Annabeth ushered me over to where I could get some weapons and armor. I picked up a simple 6" spear with a circular shield. I told Annabeth armor would only weigh me down, but in all honesty, I was pretty confident in myself. Back in the other world, I could beat Clarisse in a couple of minutes with Riptide. Even though my spear skills aren't perfected, I would call myself one of the best spear/trident users of the time. Right now I'm facing a really watered down version of Clarisse. Once again, I am confident.

I walked out into the middle of the arena with Clarisse a good 20-30 ft. away. Everything was silent and everyone in the arena stopped to look at us, some giving me pitying looks, expecting the 'newbie' to get decimated. I looked over at Clarisse to see her decked out in the heaviest armor I've seen, but she seemed to move fine. By her side was her electric tipped spear, red lightning buzzing off in sparks around the tip. She was carrying a similar shield to mine and giving me a sneer and a smirk at the same time, giving her a weird look to her face.

"Ready to lose?" She asked, getting into an offensive stance, shield raised and her spear low, already giving signs to me that she was going to go at my legs or lower body somehow. I just gave her a smirk and leaned on my spear, giving off a cocky attitude that wasn't normally like me. Someone off in the stands gave us a countdown, giving Clarisse the incentive to charge me with a battle cry while I still sit there looking as casual as ever. Once she was about 10 ft. away I got into a ready position faster than anyone could comprehend. Once in range, Clarisse swept at my legs, trying to catch me by surprise. Though she was the one who faltered when I jumped over it, giving me enough time to kick her shield with quite a bit of force, sending her staggering back.

Apparently that only made her angrier. She got up rushing towards me, sending swipes and stabs at my chest, stomach, and face. I almost laughed at how bad she was. All I was doing was dodging and sometimes smacking her spear away with mine. Now I would usually be able to do this for days, but the little 12 year old body had no stamina, and I was already panting a bit. I decided to end it quick so when Clarisse decided to try and go for a stab at my chest, I sidestepped and knocked the spear out of her hand with my shield, all the while sweeping at her legs. I caught her legs and she fell flat on her ass. Faster than she could handle, I put my foot on her ribs, digging in a bit, and put the spear under her neck.

"Yield?" I asked.

She still seemed to be in a daze. As soon as that cleared she gave me an evil glare, filled with a bit of grudging respect. She grumbled a surrender and I offered her a hand. She seemed surprised at first, but eventually accepted, getting up with a ghost of a smile on her face.

I looked around and saw some campers gathering around to just gawk at us, or specifically me. "What?!" I yelled at them. "Don't you know that staring is rude?!" They all immediately scrambled to do something, some peeking at us every once in a while. I nod to Clarisse out of respect and give her a small 2-finger salute while walking out of the arena. I could feel the glares of her 3 friends watching me walk away. I hear the scuffling of feet on ground behind me and I turn to see Annabeth with a finger on her chin.

"What?" I snap. "What are you thinking?" I ask her.

"I'm thinking," She says. "That I want you on my team for capture the flag."

I scoff at her, "If I can help it, I'm staying as far away as I can from you and your team." Immediately after saying that, I take a turn towards the Amphitheater to find a favorite aunt of mine. I turn the corner and see Lady Hestia sitting in her 9 year old form tending the fire, staring into the mesmerizing flames sadly. I, in turn, smiled sadly at her, then proceeded to walk over the bench she was sitting on.

I plopped down next to her, scaring her out of her wits, making her drop the poker and shoot straight into the air. When she came down she had a hand over her heart, which most likely was beating insanely fast.

I chuckled at her then got off my seat and gave her a deep bow, "Lady Hestia." I say, with all the respect I can muster.

Her eyes widen a bit, and her mouth starts twitching into a smile. "Rise, young hero. How do you know who I am? Why do you bow?" She shoots off the questions in a calm manner.

"First, my name, my lady, is Perseus Jackson or Percy, for short. Why I bow is out of respect. Out of all the gods and goddesses on Olympus, only a few can make up a smidgen of the things you do for Olympus and the Olympian family as a whole. You are what holds the 12 Olympians together, even though most don't realize it. You are willing to give up anything to help your own family. I respect the loyalty that you posses, I am envious of what you have done. In my honest opinion, you are one of the most overlooked goddesses in all of history." I said, looking at her straight in the eyes the whole time. "As for how I know you, that's classified information, Aunt Hestia." I said with a small playful smile at the end before realizing my mistake and slapping a hand over my mouth and looking at her with wide eyes. She was beaming at me with happiness halfway through but now, her eyes resembled mine, almost bulging out of her head while her jaw was hanging down.

"Uh.. I-I-I.." I said, stuttering. "Why am I so stupid?" I muttered to myself, smacking my forehead with the palm of my hand and dragging it down my face.

"How did you know you were a son of Poseidon?" She asked, scooting further away from me, looking at me suspiciously like I was gonna stab her and take her somewhere. She's was most likely thinking I was a traitor.

I sighed. "My lady, if you want I will tell you what you want in a couple days. I'm not gonna hurt you, Lady Hestia, I promise, I swear on the Styx even, it's just that my life is just so hectic up until this point and I have no one to talk to. I need to talk about it openly to another person, with someone who I can trust. This isn't just a secret I can tell anybody, but I do trust you with that kind of information, so please, I beg you to come here. Just a couple days from now, just so I can get this all sorted out." I asked her, my eyes pleading her to say yes.

Hestia looked like she was contemplating real hard. "O-Okay. I'll come."

I immediately jumped out of my seat and picked her up in a hug, twirling around while she giggled like a school girl. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I put her down after a few second, steadying myself from dizziness. "2 days from now Lady Hestia." I say with a wide smile.

"Okay, Percy, I'll see you in a few days." She smiled warmly at me before leaving in a burst of fire.

AN: This was a longer chapter for my standards. I will try to make longer chapters later on more frequently. The poll to vote for the pairing should be up.

~CrackLoader