Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson...
Chapter 12
PERCY
The only thing Percy could think of as the first monster charged was, "Ohmygods we are going to die."
Percy glanced at Fox, concerned. She looked completely fine, apart from the angry glare etched on her face. It made him want to run away. He'd only seen that expression once, two years ago on his first visit to Chaos' palace.
The first monster charged straight at Fox, roaring angrily. It reminded Percy of the Minotaur, one of the first monsters he had faced, only it was dumber, and slightly smaller than Mr. Beef-Jerky.
Fox wasted no time in slicing open the monster. The creature melted into dust.
There wasn't any noise for a moment. Percy could see monsters lining the clearing, waiting for something. He could see each of them clearly, thanks to his ADHD. Every single kind of monster he had ever faced was there, ready to attack.
"How did they get in?" Percy asked Fox. Last time he'd checked, there was a protective barrier around camp.
Fox clenched her jaw, "I don't know-"
Ryan finished for her, "-and she hates not knowing."
Beside him, Chiron helped Rachel onto his back, ready to whisk her away. They couldn't lose their oracle after all. All at once, the monsters, who had been patiently waiting, charged in unison, roaring in harmony, like a badly put together song.
Chaos, no pun intended, broke out among the demigods. There were at least a hundred demigods, but the monsters were double the amount of the campers. Things were not looking good for them.
Even as Percy thought about it, he noticed Ryan and Fox weaving around through the crowd of monsters, disintegrating them like they were nothing but pests. Fox was cackling with mirth, swinging her sword with ease. Even with his two years of training with Chaos couldn't allow him to fight like his partners. They were so in tune with each other, not bumping into each other even though they moved live bullets. Even when it didn't seem like they were looking, they had each other's backs.
Percy was almost envious.
There had been one person that he had trusted like that, and she had gone and stabbed him in the back.
Percy shook himself and disintegrated another monster, anger now evident in his movements. He began to move faster. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could get back to the cabin and sleep.
Thanks to his battle-ready instincts, he could see every detail in the clearing, including the monster who was about to pounce on Chiron and Rachel.
Percy spun around, stabbing another hellhound that looked painstakingly like Mrs. O'Leary. He charged forward, hoping to intercept the red-eyed monster that was looming over his trainer and his friend…
Chiron grunted with pain as he was knocked over, his armor protecting his human half. His horse-half wasn't so lucky. Claws dug into his white velvet flesh and Rachel was knocked off, screaming.
Percy swiped at the monster. It dodged and retaliated, but Percy was too quick for it. He slashed its unprotected throat, whirling away even before it could finish disintegrating.
Chiron was painfully getting up to his hooves, "Go, young hero!" He shouted to Percy, heading over to Rachel, his sword drawn. Evidently, he had already used up all of his arrows.
Before Chiron could reach Rachel, she was swept away by another wave of fresh monsters.
"Rachel!" Percy yelled, charging forward.
"Percy!" She screamed back, panic making her forget that he was undercover.
Chiron wore a shocked expression, but he quickly recovered, "We need to get her to safety." He said, a strict look on his face as he trotted forward.
Percy paid him no mind as he slashed through the monsters, trying to get to his red-haired friend, "Rachel!" He called, cutting off the head of an empousa.
He faintly heard her call back, "They're going to kill…"
By the time he had fought through the thick throng of monsters and arrived at the place he had last seen her, she was gone.
There was a low rumbling sound, like a horn, but it was lower and grated Percy's nerves. The monsters stopped fighting and withdrew, some of the demigods, like Clarisse, chasing after them, shouting insults.
Percy turned about, trying to see Rachel. He let his sword arm drop down to his side, defeat weighing him down.
He turned and walked over to Chiron, who was sheathing his sword and leaning heavily on one side, "She's gone." He said hollowly, returning his sword into his faithful pen.
Fox trotted over, her armor melting off and her sword still out. She was grinning, but her smile fell as she saw Percy's expression, "What happened?"
Percy's own armor melted off, back into the ring on his finger, "Rachel. They took Rachel."
Fox's gaze hardened as Ryan joined the circle. She used her hand to hit herself on the forehead, "That was the point!" She cried, "It was all a distraction to get their real target."
"Rachel?" Percy questioned, befuddled.
Fox rolled her eyes, "You still haven't changed, Trident-Boy. They weren't after Rachel. They were after the Oracle."
Comprehension dawned on Percy's face.
Ryan nodded along, "They must want something from her. A prophecy."
Percy was still confused, "What prophecy could she possible give them?" He asked.
Fox and Ryan exchanged worried glances. Percy hated when they did that. They knew something, and they were keeping it from him. He wasn't a child. He could handle one piece of information.
Percy scowled and turned to Chiron, "Don't tell them who I am, please." He nodded at the campers. The children of Apollo were going around, healing the wounded while the satyrs played music from their reed pipes.
Chiron consented, "Of course."
Percy nodded and waved an arm to a camper, "Over here! We need a medic!"
Fox scowled at Ryan, her mind probably whirling, "When did monsters get so smart?"
Ryan frowned, "They're not."
She nodded enthusiastically, "That means we're looking at an intelligent leader."
"Or maybe we're just stupid." Percy said moodily, still angry about letting Rachel get out of his sight.
Fox rolled her eyes, "Don't let Athena's cabin hear you say that."
Percy froze, his stomach flipping. He unfroze, hoping his companions hadn't seen his moment of horror. They hadn't. He breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Counselors, convene in the war room!" Chiron called out, his side now wrapped with gauze.
Fox raised an eyebrow at Ryan, mouthing, "War room?"
It took some time, but eventually, the counselors and the three assassins stood in the "war room". Dionysius was nowhere to be found. Percy assumed he was still at Mount Olympus with the rest of the gods.
"Earlier in the attack," Chiron started, sitting in his wheelchair, "Rachel was taken."
There was a murmur amongst the counselors.
"We, the assassins and I, believe that the real target of this attack was Miss. Dare. We believe that the monsters are looking for a prophecy." Chiron continued.
Fox shifted uncomfortably, and Percy got the feeling that the attack was more to do with her than anyone else.
"The leader, whomever that may be, is resourceful and intelligent. For that reason, we think that camp may no longer be the safest place." Chiron continued, "Therefore, we will be posting guards by the woods and by the borders."
Ryan stepped up, "No. They won't use the same entrance again. It would be unwise."
Fox nodded, "They would know we'd be waiting." She agreed, "But we shouldn't take the chance of there being another entrance somewhere in there."
"If we see 'em, we'll pulverize 'em." Clarisse growled, cracking her knuckled menacingly.
Fox grinned madly at her. Percy didn't have to be a genius to figure out that she liked Clarisse. He wondered for a moment about how Fox sorted out her friends.
"We can contribute too." Ryan said confidently, stroking the sheathe of his sword with a finger.
"We don't need extra help-" A voice began to protest, but he was cut off.
Percy looked over to see Tybalt fuming and Annabeth with a hand over his mouth, "Sorry, he can speak without thinking sometimes." She apologized, her expression, business-like.
"And now we must deal with the matter of your prophecy, Ms. Fox." Chiron spoke again, rolling over to Fox in his wheelchair.
Fox's grin slipped from her face, "It's an old prophecy that Apollo gave to me a while back. It doesn't concern us now."
Chiron looked concerned, "Ms. Fox, this may help us find-"
"No." Fox spat, her hand flying to the fob watch in her pocket. Percy knew it wouldn't end well if she freaked out at Chiron.
"We'll find her some other way, then." Percy hoped this would calm her down. Thankfully, she did. Another disaster averted.
"Alright. Lights out everyone. Activities will resume as usual tomorrow morning." Chiron ordered. Turning to the assassins, he added quietly, "I'll have to speak with the gods. Tell Clarisse and some of her cabin mates to take the first shift."
"Fine." Ryan nodded and sauntered off.
Fox managed a weak smile and led the way out of the Big House. Percy followed her back to the temporary cabin made of fake walls.
It was strange to be in a cabin that wasn't really there. Everything looked real and felt real, but he knew it was all fake. Flaming torches lined the walls, illuminating the cabin's inside. A fire roared in the fireplace, washing the room with warmth. Thanks to Percy, waterbeds were splayed out on the floor.
Fox plopped down happily on one of the beds, "This is great! We should do this more often."
Percy shook his head, "This completely sucks." He disagreed and sat on his own bed.
"I mean, all we do is fight monsters and arrogant demigods-" Fox laughed. Percy wasn't sure if she was laughing at him, or she was just crazy.
"My half-brother is a jerk." Percy agreed, whole-heartedly.
"And then we eat, sleep, and repeat!" Fox laughed again. Percy determined she was crazy.
"I rather train." Percy grumbled under his breath.
Fox beamed at him, "Don't worry, Trident-Boy. You'll get your revenge later."
Percy rolled his eyes at her and settled down on his mattress, "Yeah, sure." He grumbled, turning to face the fake wall. He heard Fox laugh and say something else, but he was already drifting off into the realm of Morpheus.
A/N: I really enjoy writing Percy's POV. He's a funny character.
Remember that chemistry test I was talking about last week? I GOT A 100% WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Anyway, REVIEWS!
annabethgrace6: Thank you! You have never failed to put a smile on my face! I'm so glad you liked it!
lordericwhite (guest): Thanks for your review! Haha, I'm guessing you meant "update" not "review" ahahhaha
the Oracle of Akemi: Thankyouthankyouthankyou! I feel like I'm saying that too much!
NEXT: NIGHTMARES and it looks like this prophecy is really haunting Lindsey...
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-ALICE