Percy Jackson and the Depths of Tartarus

Chapter Nine: I Get Dragged Into A Quest

Percy's POV

Four days after the attempted invasion, I learnt there was no death toll, but only some minor injuries. War Council was called as soon as Cabin leaders were healed.

Only the members of the Olympian Cabins came. Celia got me to tag along, since I was one of the older people in the Aphrodite Cabin, and because I was new. Thalia got Annabeth to come along, and acted as the mentor of the Zeus Cabin, while Annabeth took the Artemis/Hunt's spot. Someone called Cassandra Hutt filled in for Poseidon. She had medium length black hair, and green eyes. I thought she looked a bit young to be the leader, but I figured that the older kids had… never made it to Camp.

Hermes' representative was Emma Stoll, for Demeter was Bella Gardner, in Dionysus, there was Hector Vine, Athena's mentor was Jordan Stuart, Hades' was Krystal Grant, Charlie Smith for Hephaestus, and Jeffrey La Rue for Ares. I saw Grover beside Dionysus in front, along with a younger satyr.

Once everyone had settled, Chiron called out, "We are here to discuss the matter of the attempted invasion."

"It was Kronos!" Thalia and I had jumped up and yelled at the same time.

"Peter!" Celia hissed at me, outraged. I ignored her as Grover stood up and added, "I agree."

Simultaneously, we all looked at Annabeth. She blushed heavily, and muttered, "Me too."

"I believe you." Chiron started, and I was about to whoop, but he continued, "But the Olympians have declared that no one shall speak of that Titan."

"But – " Thalia started to protest. Mr. D stood, eyes on fire, "We have said that that matter is closed, Daughter of Zeus! You'd do well not to say anything more about this!" There was a silence as he sat down again. Thalia and I followed suit, seething.

Emma Stoll asked a tad awkwardly, "Then… what other things are we to talk about that are related to the invasion?"

Krystal coughed, "Well…"

"I know," Annabeth suggested. I hid a smile at her expression, "We should get every Cabin to do guard shifts around the Camp. We'll be prepared for another attack then."

There were murmurs of agreement.

"Then it's settled: We will put up posts, and I'll make up a roster for it. There will be two Cabins per day." Chiron looked around, "Anything else to add?"

No one said anything. Just as Chiron was about to close the War Council, however, Mr. D spoke up.

"I'd actually like for some Demigods to acquire something for me…" He drawled, sipping on a can of diet coke.

I sat back. I may have tolerated Mr. D, maybe even considered him as a friend, but I didn't want to do his dirty work. However, I would get roped into it anyway. Yay.

Chiron frowned, "At a time like this, Mr. D?"

Dionysus shrugged, "I really need it." I scowled.

"What is it?" Charlie Smith asked hesitantly.

"My thyrsus." Dionysus declared. At his words, I saw Annabeth frown, thinking hard.

"So… where is it?" Jeffery raised an eyebrow.

He glared, "I, ah, accidentally misplaced it. Now, if you – "

I interrupted flatly, "So you lost it?"

Mr. D gave me his deluxe, 'I-Will-Incinerate-You-If-You-Do-Not-Shut-Up-Perseus-Jackson!' look.

"No, I did not, Johansson. "He snapped, "I want the following to retrieve it for me – " Everyone leaned forward unconsciously.

"Cassandra Hutt – " There was a surprised squeak, "Thalia Grace, Annabeth Chase, Silenus Wildgrove, and Peter Johnson." He drawled, wrinkling his nose.

There was a dead silence.

Celia protested, "Mr. D! Surely not Peter! He's new, and – "

I put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be fine." I assured, smiling.

Her eyebrow furrowed, "But, what if you – "

Annabeth suddenly snapped, eyes flaming up,"He said he'll be fine!"

I blinked, startled. What had gotten her so angry?

Celia glared, "I was just worried." She turned back to me, leaving Annabeth bristling. "Look, just make it back safe, okay?" She growled out.

Eyes wide, I nodded. Inwardly, I was pretty freaked out by the mood swing.

"M-me, sir?" The satyr beside Grover, and who was probably Silenus, stuttered, gaping.

Dionysus shrugged, waving a hand airily, "You'll do fine."

Chiron sighed, "Well, then, it seems you five have a quest to do. You'll be leaving tomorrow morning. One of you should go to the Oracle – "

"Did someone call?" A young girl, probably eleven, or twelve, skipped into the room. Red curls bouncing, she faced Chiron.

I blinked. This must be a new Oracle.

Mr. D nodded sharply, "Marie." I didn't know whether that was the Oracle's real name or not, considering the fact that he always purposely mispronounced names. He turned to Cassandra, "Go on, then, Cornelia."

She looked taken back for a second, and green mist crept out of the floor, and Marie's, whatever her name was, eyes glowed green. Her voice tripled as she said, "I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python." She turned to Cassandra, "Approach, Seeker, and ask."

Cassandra asked nervously, "How do we get back Mr. D's thyrsus?"

Marie (Urgh, what's her name? I thought) spoke:

"Five Demigods will go,

To retrieve something lost long ago;

To the mountain where a Titan never sleeps;

A choice will come between friends and powers peaks."

The green mist dispersed leaving her blinked, dazed.

Chiron smiled gently, "Thank you, Martha." I know her name now! I did a random victory dance in my head. "You may go now."

Martha nodded happily, and flounced out. I shivered, and tad bit freaked out.

There was a pause, as everyone tried to figure out what the prophecy meant.

Jordan Stuart, the representative for Athena, stated, "The mountain must mean where the Titan Atlas hold up the sky. 'Cause he, well, never sleeps?"

Annabeth nodded slowly, "It must be there."

Thalia joked, "Don't get caught again, Annabeth."

Said girl blushed, embarrassed.

"Even the Oracle says you lost it." I pointed out to Mr. D. He ignored my comment, looking moodily in the other direction.

Cassandra said, looking around at each of her new quest members. "I don't like the sound of the last line, but we won't sell each other out for power, promise?"

We nodded, though mine was distracted. I would never choose power over my friends, right?

…Right?

Interlude: The Night He Died

A/N: Please review!