Hi everyone. I must say something. My lovely mother has decided to ban be from writing fanfiction in order for me to "focus on my studies". *sighs* I know. Actually, she banned me at the start of the school year; nevertheless, she gave reprieve this week because it's my birthday week. I know they are only excuses, but they are all I've got! Review, review, review!

Chapter 10: The quest begins

The three adjusted the straps onto their backpacks as all the campers gathered around them at the top of the hill. As soon as they set foot past the sacred pine tree, their lives would change forever. They saw a black SUV roll into view at the bottom of the hill. Chiron patted McKenna and Alex's back and nodded at Lily.

"May the gods be with you" he said gravely. McKenna and Alex started eagerly towards to the car. The young witch hesitated, wanting the safety of the camp. Chiron, having faced it all, simply stated, "The world is counting on you". Lily gave a shaky nod. Then, he shoved her past the safety of the camp and into the real world.

The campers cheered bits of good luck and bits of advice as they ran towards the car. Alex, being ever the gentleman, shoved McKenna out of the way and triumphantly shouted, "Shotgun!" as he sat down into the front seat. The offending blonde huffed and Lily rolled her eyes, smiling. All the doors closed and suddenly the outside sounds were immediately shut out.

Argus started the car and drove off in silence. Needless to say, it was really awkward. They took so many twists and turns but none of them asked where they were going because Argus was really creepy. Alex was regretting his decision of sitting up front. McKenna sniggered at his misfortune. Suddenly, the car came to an abrupt stop. Lily jerked upright in her chair to see what the matter was. Alex reported, "It's some Greek looking lady in the middle of the road"

"Wow, that narrows it down so much" retorted McKenna sarcastically.

Argus cleared his throat. They turned to face him. "You will no longer need my assistance. May the gods be with you" The doors opened on their own accord and they exchanged wild glances. They were in the middle of nowhere. Lily pulled McKenna by the arm out of the SUV. Together they walked toward the woman.

She had golden hair and a rippling silk dress. Lily started to pat down her hair and smooth out her clothes in order to impress the mysterious lady. Alex gave her a funny look.

"It's Hecate" the witch muttered out of the corner of her mouth. They all bowed respectfully to her. The magic goddess neared them. "Arise, legacies and witch, we have much to discuss if you are going to live through this quest."

Instantly, their heads jerked up to face her. "What is your plan?" she questioned them.

McKenna raised her hand uncertainly, "We plan to destroy the device I saw in my dream, you know, the one that threatened to destroy all magic and magical beings" This came mostly out as a question but, Hecate nodded.

"That would be the most immediate priority. You have little time until it will be completed."

Lily waited for the goddess to continue, except she didn't, making it really really really awkward. Lily briefly wondered if there was a god of awkward pauses. Thankfully, Alex coughed. "Um…according to the prophecy, we might have to combine the powers of Olympian might." This came out again mostly as a question, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he knew that it was true. He spoke again with absolute certainty. "We will combine the powers of Olympian might."

Hecate actually smiled. "There is hope for you yet."

McKenna's eyes bulged out from their sockets and her mouth dropped open. Gears turned in her head. "Do you even know what you are saying, Alex?!"

Alex stared at her with utter confusion as he shifted from one foot to the other under the sea-green eyed glare.

Lily interrupted before her best friend lost control and started to literally "beat some senses" into him, a thing that she did quite often and was actually infamous for at Camp. She explained, "We have to take the twelve Olympians' symbols of power and 'combine' them into something". Alex got the seriousness of the issue and nodded wordlessly.

Hecate looked out at the sun, which was beginning to rise in the New York sky. "It seems you have everything in order" She clapped her hands and the world started to spin.

The scenery around them swirled into a muggy mixture of shadows and light. McKenna felt like her face was being ripped off and started to feel her bacon and eggs she ate for breakfast work their way up her throat. Then suddenly, everything stopped. McKenna dove behind a bush to throw up and when she came back out, Alex also emerged from behind some shrubbery looking green, but relieved. Lily, however, looked fresh as a daisy, not a hair out of place. The girl in question received jealous looks from both legacies.

"What?" she simpered innocently. Her companions shot her death glares. Lily started to fear for her safety and quickly explained, "What we just experienced is a popular form of transportation for wizards called Apparating. I have never Apparated before, being under the legal age, but I have done a side Apparation. The first time is always the hardest."

McKenna just simply gave her a look that said totally not amused. Alex coughed nervously and glanced at the surroundings.

"If I am correct, we are in Central Park" he announced.

Lily shrugged, "Okay, That means Olympus and the Empire State Building aren't far away. How do we do this? I mean, we can't just waltz in and grab the highly dangerous power symbols out of the gods' hands"

McKenna nodded in agreement and dragged the others on the trail. "I'm cold" she said bluntly.

Alex looked incredulously at her. It was the beginning of June. McKenna noticed his look and replied "Whatever" as she broke out into a brisk jog.

"Hey! I am trying to talk to you!" Alex protested.

"And I am trying to monitor everyone in the vicinity. The man in the blue bowler hat and robes on the bench to our left looks suspicious to me" McKenna retorted.

Alex rolled his eyes. "All New Yorkers have something weird about them. Don't judge other peoples' fashion choices"

"Also, bowler hats are very fashionable in the Wizarding World" Lily chimed in.

Both McKenna and Alex exchanged looks and muttered, "Brits".

Suddenly, Alex stopped dead in his tracks. He stared at the ground. Lily gave him a concerned look.

"What is it? Is there something wrong?"

He looked up. McKenna gave a groan when she saw his face. His blue eyes had that exact trouble making look that would make the most easy going professor get apprehensive and a grin wide enough to make the Cheshire cat jealous. It was obvious what he had in mind.

McKenna voiced her fears aloud. "You have a plan, don't you?"

If it was even possible, his grin got even wider. "You know me so well blondie"