Two chapters: 10 seconds! New record!

CHAPTER 10: THE SURPRISE

When they were leaving Mount Olympus, Annabeth was talking to Percy. "How'd it go with Poseidon?"

Percy replied, "Pretty good. What about Athena?"

"Okay. She is a little bit upset about us being friends. She thinks that you're like your dad. Greedy and unruly." Annabeth blushed when she said it.

"It's okay. My dad thinks so too. He was asking if you took after your mom. It's kind of weird because he thinks that you're all stuck up and self-centered. I am trying to tell him otherwise," Percy explained.

"Yeah. I've been trying to get Athena to accept that you're a good person, but she won't believe me. She told me that if you hurt me or anything like that, she'll come find you. And I know she means that when she says it," Annabeth said as she laughed nervously. She noticed that the group had stopped walking. And there were a few shocked faces in their direction. "What's going on?"

A voice behind her responded. "Hello, Annabeth. And I never thought I'd say it, but your mother is right. Percy is like his father. Irresponsible and glory-greedy."

Annabeth and Percy recognized the voice. "There's no way," she said under her breath as she turned around. But she found that her guess was right. "Luke!"

Luke was standing right there in front of her with an evil smile on his face. "Yes, I know, you're shocked to see me. Thought I would be in hiding somewhere?"

Percy hadn't said anything. "Why haven't the gods chopped you up like Tartarus?" Percy asked with ice in his voice.

"Why if it isn't Percy Jackson, our little hero? Still clinging to Annabeth, I see. Afraid that you'll never live without her? You know she always liked me better, right? You're just a substitute for me," Luke said. He was beginning to tick Percy off, and he knew it.

"Go to Hades, Luke. No one wants you here. You're a traitor to Mount Olympus, to the gods, to Camp Half-Blood, and to me. Anyways, Percy is way better than you'll ever be," Annabeth said.

"Tsk, tsk, Annabeth. It's a shame that Percy isn't strong enough to protect you from me. But he can protect you from Hades…And it's a shame that he'll be gone by the time you get down to New York." With that, Luke drew a sword and shield. "Good-bye Percy. And I'll take care of Annabeth for you when you're dead. She'll rule Mount Olympus with me."

"Luke! Don't you dare!" Annabeth screamed, about to draw her knife. But Percy had already taken out Riptide. "Stop it!"

"Stand back Annabeth! This isn't about you." The two boys had begun the battle. Luke had had the better of the fight. He was pushing Percy back farther and farther. He had managed to get a swipe at his shoulder and ankles. But Percy was not going to give up very easily. He managed to push Luke backwards towards Annabeth. "Luke! It's not going to be easy to overthrow the gods. And it's not worth it if you're just hurting yourself."

"Of course it's worth it, Percy. Like I told you, the gods have been in power too long. Their most powerful children should take their place. You could become the new Poseidon, Percy. Not having to listen to anyone. Forgetting about Camp Half-Blood and living on Mount Olympus. It's all perfectly planned. Together, you, Annabeth, and I could rule Mount Olympus. We'd be the most powerful people in the universe."

Percy managed to get closer to Luke. But Annabeth had been right next to Annabeth. He grabbed her and pulled her in front of him. Annabeth fought and fought, but Luke knew her weaknesses and held her in place. "You want to stab me or make me surrender, fine. But you'll have to stab Annabeth first. And we both know that you won't do that."

"Let me go Luke! Percy!" Annabeth gasped.

"Let her go, Luke. This isn't about her."

"But she is your weakness. And she means the world to you. Now if I were you, I'd put the sword down before sweet little Annabeth gets hurt," Luke advised, tauntingly.

But Luke had forgotten one thing about Annabeth. Her knife. She pulled it out and sliced Luke's hand. Luke screamed in pain. "Annabeth! What was that?"

Annabeth wriggled out of his grasp and pointed her bronze knife at his neck. "Go the Hades. And don't come back. Ever. We clear?"

"Come on. Like you'll hurt me," Luke said tauntingly.

She pointed the knife closer so that it was nearly piercing his skin and said, "Of course I will. You deserve it." Annabeth pushed it closer. "Get out of here."

"Annabeth."

But she didn't release. "Good-bye Luke."

Luke looked shocked. But he complied. "Fine. I'll bide my time…but I'll be back. You belong on Mount Olympus, Annabeth. It's where we should rule together."

"Shut up and scoot Luke."

"Not forever Annabeth. Not forever."

Surprise! Sorry I updated a lot, then didn't update at all! And the surprise was...LUKE! I hope you liked it!