Are you ready for this?
-dance music-
Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. Percy. Jackson.
Percy's POV :)
Stop squirming!
She's going to cause a scene!
Shut up.
Yeah, shut up!
I was talking to you!
Oh. Hey!
What are you going to do with me?
We're not stupid. Well, he's close. Ow!
Percy! Help!
Shut her up!
Are you talking to me? Ow!
He won't be able to hear your screams where you're going, little demigod!
Oh Percy! Help me! Oh, help! HAHA!
I shot upright, gasping for air. "No," I called out, running for the Big House, having no time to change out of my pajama pants.
"Annabeth... what?" Chiron looked confused.
"I think she's been kidnapped." I explained breathlessly.
"By whom?"
Obviously, I hadn't thought this through. "I don't know."
"When?"
"I don't... know."
"Then what do you know?"
"They're taking her somewhere I won't be able to hear her by two men who argue a lot."
"Are you sure it's Annabeth?"
I frowned. "She knew I would try to save her. She was calling for me."
He shook his head. "It looks like the prophecy was for you after all."
I sighed, "Isn't it usually?"
He smiled, "Let's get a meeting together. You won't have very much time to get ready, so I would hurry."
I nodded, jogging out the door. Before I even made it two steps outside the Big House, I bumped into Mr. D. "Sorry,"
"I had received word that Peter Johnson was running around in his underwear," he looked me up and down. "I thought you'd gone mental. I'm disappointed."
I rolled my eyes and kept walking.
While I was packing my things, I heard a noise from outside. My hand dove for Riptide instinctively, but she gripped my arm.
"It's just me."
I let out a sigh of relief. "You have got to quit that."
"Sorry. Are you... leaving?" She looked worried.
"Just got a quest."
"Seriously?" She checked the clock. "They're pretty legit about them, huh?"
I grew tired of talking. "Cleo, Annabeth's been kidnapped. It's kind of important that I hurry."
"Alone?"
"No, I have to bring six."
"Why six?"
"Seven half-bloods will answer the call.
To storm or fire, the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death."
"Oh. Well that makes sense then. You're going to Hades place?"
"That's where I figured we would go first."
"So I'm guessing he's going."
I thought about that. "He would be good to have, yeah."
She was quiet for a second. "Can I go?"
"I uh... I don't think so."
She was quiet again. "Oh."
"I mean, since you're new and stuff..."
She nodded. "I totally get it. I mean, I'm not good enough..."
"I didn't say that, I meant..."
A single tear slipped out.
"Fine."
"Yay!" she hugged me. "You won't regret this, Percy! I'll do everything you tell me-"
"Well-"
"It may take some getting used to-"
"Cleo!"
"Yes?"
"Go get packed."
She nodded. "Right," before she left, she hugged me again. "Thank you!"
At first, having Cleo and Nico coming was great. Until they were in the same room as each other.
"I don't understand why she has to come-"
"-always so judgemental-"
"-if she gets in my way-"
"-in your way?"
"Guys!" I shouted.
They looked at me with hate. "What?" they said in unison.
"This has to work out. I'm not going to sit here and listen to you argue all of the time! It gets annoying after awhile." I snapped at the two of them.
"Sorry, Percy." Cleo murmured apologetically.
"Yeah." Nico grumbled.
"Campers!" Chiron shouted, which was returned by a yawn. "We have received, yet again, another great quest from the gods!"
"Great. Let me guess. Jackson?" Clarisse rolled her eyes.
"They try and try, but he just keeps coming back." Mr. D shook his head, smirking.
He was just full of wise cracks today. "Listen," I pleaded, "Someone had taken Annabeth Chase. I need four more people to come with me to bring her back. Remember, you could die out there."
"That's not really something you should add to that, Percy." Chiron mumbled.
"Just reminding them."
"Who's going so far?" Thalia asked.
"Nico, Cleo, and myself." I replied.
"I'm in." she glared at Cleo.
"Thalia, whatever you have against her, please let it go. There's no time for this. Annabeth is in serious danger." I begged her.
"I'll do it for Annabeth."
"I'm so in!" Derek jumped up. "Come on!"
I nodded, "Sure."
"Anyone else?" Chiron asked.
"Count me in." Clarisse stood up. "Might as well, huh Percy."
"One more." I whispered, looking around.
"What the heck, I'll go." called a voice from the back.
"What's your name?" I asked when he stood next to me.
"Samuel Au Feu. Call me Sam." he shook my hand. "Son of Hephaestus."
I looked at my recruits, happy to be on our way. I was about to get us moving when Cleo took me by the hand and pulled me aside.
"I'm worried." she looked truly concerned.
"What is it?"
She closed her eyes. "I'm not hearing anything good. I heard Sam talking to his friends. I don't think he's here to help."
"Come on, Cleo. You're just nervous. Would Chiron have let him come?"
She sighed, "You're probably right."
"Listen," I put my hand on her shoulder. "You're going to be fine. If you want, I'll even watch your back, you know, in case Thalia decides she wants to try target practice again."
Her smile was uneasy, but hey, at least she tried.
