It's actually amazing how badly things can go wrong when you just close your eyes. When Joel awoke from his tiny power-nap the battle had completely changed sides now a group was pushing through the pathway he was supposed to be guarding. When he checked to see how the other guards were doing Miguel and some of the other guards on land were busy fighting off Invaders while when he looked at the ocean for Garvin he and his sister were fighting Thalia who had managed to sneak up on them. Looks like I have to take on the role of saving the flag Joel cringed at the thought knowing that this would probably get him MVP status and he would have to lead the quest which was something he wanted to avoid. He undid his bow and fired a few volleys of arrows at The Intruders who were coming down the path it, was obvious that they were not expecting anybody to be guarding it as he took out quite a few of them however it still stood when he was done and now they all knew he was there. Oh crap now I'm going to have to fight him up close Joel said as he transfigured his boat into a sword another perk of the bow he was given. He approached the first Warrior he recognized the girl threw her Army armor is Allie Mina, a daughter of Hermes. Joel was actually quite an experience fighter at that point so he had no trouble taking the camper out. However troubles a Rose when he went to battle with his second opponent he recognize this is Eric Lancing, a son of Athena and quite a skilled swordsman in his own right. They did fierce battle with ducking slashing and truly a Hollywood worthy sword fight however when Joe was just about to lose he felt a sudden Rush of energy he didn't know what this was happening as he somehow was now able to overcome Eric, in fact, this energy was so great he actually went out and defeated all of the six remaining invading Squadron. What on Earth is happening? Joel fantasy actually continued his way up the path to the enemy's base he wasn't really sure of what he was doing all he was knowing is that now he has energy as he slowly began to take out the Army one by one eventually he brushed shoulders with the air he knew this wasn't just a coincidence as he knew this was Annabeth Chase another daughter of Athena, who had been given an invisible cap similar to Joel's bow when they visited Olympus last year. And she clearly learned that she was caught however before she could make a run for it Joel used his sword to sweep her feet causing her to land on a rock and knock herself out. He continued to hack and slash his way all the way to the enemy's flag, however something interesting happened when he came across the new guy, Sammy Fitzgerald Joel thought his name was. Sammy was assigned to the other team so they fought and Joel was not prepared for the way Sammy fought, a very fencing heavy Style with stabs and thrusts and various types of parrying Joel's attacks. This Sammy character was apparently the only one who was somehow able to resist Joel's Newfound might, and Joel was quite impressed, however eventually Joel was able to make Sammy mess up and try to Parry the wrong type of strike causing a chink in Sammy's armor and sending him to the ground he then knocked him out with a kick to the Head. then with almost the entire enemy camp defeated he walked back triumphantly with the flag in hand it was only after he had stuck it in the ground proclaiming victory that he realized what he just did. God dammit Joel thought as he just realized he was now most definitely the MVP of the game.

That night of the campfire various campers from both teams were congratulating Joel on his outstanding effort." wow, I can't believe you actually pulled that off" Amber said clearly full of Pride at Joel. This caused Joel to blush harshly in fact according to Amber he looked redder than the reddest Rose.

"It Was Nothing" Joel said modestly but still blushing harshly

"Nothing! Joel, that was one of the greatest things in military history that I have ever seen, to think you somehow walked up and turn the entire tide of the game how did you even find that strength?" Amber said curiously

"Oh, it's just that, I didn't want you to be disappointed in me" Joel said

"Joel you didn't have to do that" Amber said now she was the one who was blushing harshly

"Children!" Chiron began speaking. "Allow me to thank everybody for participating in the capture the flag it was truly a great battle and with its conclusion and shocking come back we now have the MVP of the game Joel Hemmings! As I said yesterday the MVP of this game would lead the quest along with two allies of his choosing and of course with his striking come back he was the MVP and now Joel, you may choose your two partners to go on this Quest."

Joel thought intensely, his first thought was Amber however when he looked at her she shook her head I"'m sorry Joel, I just can't accompany you on this journey, I can't explain why but I just get the feeling I'm not meant for this" she finished

With his only option out of the way Joel then remember his fight with Sammy during the battle and thought he could be a very useful Ally for his quest. "Sammy Fitzgerald was it? Joel said kind of awkwardly, would you mind accompanying me on this Quest?"

" Sure…" Sammy said with an even more Awkward response.

"Since I don't know that many kids at Camp very well Sammy you choose the last member" Joel said

"Sure… I choose Astrid Carmella to accompany us on this journey Sammy" said firmly with the girl sitting next to him almost looking shocked

"Sammy, you would choose me?" The girl Astrid said

"Of course I would you're like the only person I know here" Sammy said with a bit of humor

"Do you approve of these Quest companions Joel" Chiron said

"I accept them" Joel said authoritatively trying to sound all mature for the campfire audience

"Well then, it is settled Astrid Carmella, Sammy Fitzgerald and Joel Hemmings will attend the quest now meet me at the big house so you can get the details about the quest" Chiron said

When they got to the big house, Joel was shaking with fear, he wasn't really sure why he was shaking with fear but maybe it had something to do with the feeling that he thought he saw eyes coming out the big houses window, he thought all that was up there were just some knick knacks from old Quest but he did feel a slight presence in the air as if something was off. When they got in the living room with the big house Chiron greeted them welcome "children" he said "thanks for coming here, we have a lot to discuss."

Chiron filled them in about the details, during the winter solstice meeting, Zeus's Master Bolt was stolen right from under his nose. And now he's almost out of war with Poseidon thinking one of his children stole it to make copies.

"If that's the case, then why not just send Garvin and have him choose the companions?" Joel said curiously

"Because I want to make sure somebody capable gets it done." Chiron said "now Joel head up to the attic entrance and we have to discuss something."

When Joel came back down from the stairs, he looks like he saw a ghost Sammy noticed "so," Sammy said "what happened up there?"

"I... Really don't want to talk about it," Joel said hesitantly

"Well, if that's how you feel then so be it I won't force you to speak" Sammy said in response. Sammy had been busy talking to Astrid, the two of them got along quite well she enjoying his sense of humor with her is also being quite similar although, a bit more tame than Sammy's

"Well children," Chiron began to speak. "in the morning we'll have our security guard give you some money and drive you off to the bus station, there you can begin your quest. Now, go get some sleep, you'll need it."