Wow, this story is ending fast.
xxKeliosxx: Thank you!
PercyJacksonLittleSister: I know, people always seem to give him his immortality in Fanfic. And I know it's their story and all, but really.
: Thanks a lot for that. I definitely agree with the whole mush thing. And I don't mind some mush occasionally, don't get me wrong. But a lot just makes the story way too saturated with it. Lls, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, perfect comparison! :) Thanks for the awesome review!
Jellie Smiff: As a matter of fact, gyros are a real Greek sandwich. I've tried one before, and they're really good! And thanks for the grammar comment, I'm glad that it's good.
So get this. In reading class, we're reading Where the Red Fern Grows. We got to the part where the dogs die, and a bunch of people started crying, even my teacher. She made me read the part when Little Ann dies, and I could barely read because my voice was so caked with emotion. :'( My teacher barely could either; she kept sniffling and sobbing to herself. And to make it worse…I started my period when I got home.
FUUUUUU-
Chapter Twenty-One: Final Preparations
Percy's eyes fluttered open, and the scratchy feeling of sleepy sand scratched the side of his eyeballs. He smeared them away from the left eye with his left hand, but couldn't with his right. Someone, or something was holding it. He glanced down, and Annabeth was clutching onto it in her sleep. Percy slowly pulled it out of her grip and gently shook her with it.
"Annabeth," He shook her shoulder with a little more force, "Annabeth, wake up." He continued to shake her, and she finally opened her eyes and showed off a glare that could kill.
"Say my name again, and you're dead." She hissed.
He raised his arms in surrender, "O…'kay. I'm starting to regret I did anyway." Percy replied sharply.
Just then, the massive front doors opened, and the bearded man who had led them through the streets of Olympus yesterday tripped inside.
"There will be a breakfast for anyone who wishes to join; it will be in the ballroom. The same one that you went to yesterday for the party." He stated. He turned and left quickly.
"I hope that guy gets paid well, for all running around he has to do." Annabeth said, still staring in the direction of the door.
"Mmm…we should go, I'm starving anyway." Percy stood up. "I'm going to go get ready. I'll see you there?"
Annabeth stood, too, "Yeah, I'll meet you there."
They gave each other a light hug, and Percy watched her leave. He took a quick bath, picked out a mint green and black striped T-shirt, jeans, and his converse. Percy stepped outside, and a light summer breeze blew through his hair. His stomach began to snarl, and he knew he had to get to breakfast, before it got any ideas.
It took a lot longer to get to the breakfast. One, he had at least five camera crews after him. Two, people wanting autographs. And three…fan girls. Before he finally got inside he heard a high pitched voice scream, "I LOVE YOU PERCY!"
"Oh my gods!" He muttered to himself, still shaky from the attention overload. But the aroma of many breakfast meats calmed him down, and he followed the smell. He was led to the main room that held the party from last night, and it looked a hundred times cleaner. It was free of passed out people, ballons, and most of all, camera crews. It was all replaced by a long dining table completely made of marble, with gold accents on it. Across one of the walls was a table with silver platters and trays stacked sky-high with food. Percy was about to sprint over, but noticed he wasn't alone. Sitting at the table, were his soon-to-be opponents, glaring at him. Even Annabeth was wearing an intimidating face. They already had filled a couple of plates each, so he went over to do the same.
Sitting down in a spare seat, he heard nothing but the clank of silverware scraping across plates and heavy chewing. Percy started the slowly chew his food, "So…" He trailed off when the glares returned. In the distance, the heavy entrance doors opened. A more official looking messenger than the bearded man appeared, he was holding a small scroll. He quickly stopped in his tracks, unrolled the scroll, and began to read the message out loud,
"Competitors, before you begin your daylong training, you are required to attend an interview. Please answer each question sincerely and honestly. Present yourselves properly, dress nice." He marched off again, and everyone but Percy went back to eating. Seriously? They're going to make us dress up again? Percy thought.
Later on, Percy went "home"; still slowed down a little by spectators. He changed into his suit from the night before, paced around, and waited. They hadn't given them any information on where to go. Just then, someone knocked a few times, and it echoed through the spacious room. Percy walked over to the door, and opened it. A male reporter stood under the frame of the door.
"Mister Jackson, you're needed at the interview station," He said in an official-like tone.
Percy shrugged, "Okay, take me there, please." The reporter nodded. He led Percy through the bustling morning markets and the clean-cut neighborhoods. Percy didn't think much of the reporter; he looked like any other that you could find on CNN or The Today Show. If you took away the scald mark that ran across the back of his neck, that is. "How did you get that burn?" He spilled out.
"Maybe I'll tell you later, like, never." The reporter spat bitterly, and left Percy in front of a building before he could press anymore questions. He turned, and it was like a fire had been ignited in the man's eyes, "I'll meet you in conference room five-I don't want to here anymore questions about," He gestured to the back of his neck, "This." Percy's face burned, and he looked down at his feet to avoid eye contact with him.
"I'm sorry, man." Percy said; he was comfortable saying that to the guy. He did only appear a few years older than himself. Though he could be a minor god, that was a possibility as well. "I really didn't mean to uh, you know…" He trailed off. The reporter's rage-torn face softened up, only slightly, though.
"It's alright. I guess I was just tired of people asking, you know?" He sighed, and held out his hand, "I'm Alec." Percy cautiously shook his hand, still unsure of his sudden change of heart. "I got it from the battle of Manhattan, I was one of the teams of minor gods with the job of protecting the elevator entrance…I guess I didn't do a very good job. Lucky for me, I was the only one on my team that managed to survive. My brother was with me, but, he didn't make it." Alec clenched his eyes shut, "I couldn't sleep for as long as I can remember. My brother's face, just…wouldn't go away. I felt furious with, with everyone." He continued to keep his eyes shut while he kept telling the harsh story. "I guess I feel I should thank you. After all the heroes who have rose and fell over the centuries I've been a god, you've risen higher." Without saying anything more, he waved Percy to follow him again.
Percy was taken aback; he had no idea the impact he had done on just a single person. It made him feel good inside, in a way. Alec led him inside a room with a stout, cherry leather sofa with an interviewer's chair standing across from it. "Well, this is where I must leave you, Percy. Your interviewer will be with you soon. But I hope I meet you again in the future." Alec forced a small, sad smile and gently shut the wooden door behind him. Percy waited for ten, fifteen, twenty minutes until a stranger stumbled into the room.
"Whoops…sorry I'm late there was a buffet, and-"He belched, "I guess it seemed more important than this interview." Percy clenched his fists, clinging onto both his pant legs. This guy reminded him too much of Gabe, his old stepdad. "I see I have aggravated the great Pablo Jacks." And Mr. D.
"Why are we even having this interview," Percy hissed, "If you don't even have the decency to learn my name?"
"Whatever, just answer the questions, and blah, blah, blah." He waved his papers in the air slightly and plopped into the chair. He dug through his pockets with his grimy hands and tossed him a microphone that could clip on. Pressing the "record" button, he began to speak. "This is Martha Anagnos, reporting for Olympus television." Percy had to puff out his cheeks and hold his breath to keep from laughing at Martha's name. He must've gotten that a lot, and he narrowed his eyes at Percy, "I'm here live with Percy Jackson, who will be competing against five other demigods in the Warrior Competition." He shot Percy another nasty look and continued, "So, Percy, what made you want to enter the competition?"
Percy thought for a moment, "Well. I had just recovered from a run-in with a Manticore, and needed a way to regain my strength, so this was the perfect way to."
"Did you struggle, considering the fact you were in an accident?"
"Yeah, it was on the bitter side of work, since I was more weak than usual." Percy replied, being careful to word himself correctly.
"Did anyone inspire you to enter the competition, then? Perhaps someone who nursed you back to health that you wanted to payback to?" Martha asked probingly.
"Well…my girlfriend-"Percy was cut off by Martha.
"Your girlfriend, isn't she Annabeth Chase?"
"Yes, she is." He said calmly.
"How are your relations with her?" He prodded.
"What does this have to do with me and the competition?" Percy asked, anger returning.
"Just answer the question, young man." Martha's tone told him that he was irritated, as well.
"I'm not answering any questions that have to do with my romantic life, thank you." Percy was on the verge of losing his temper now.
"Just answer the question, Mister Jackson." Martha's was voice higher than his last comment.
"This interview is over…Martha." Percy growled.
"This interview isn't over, until I get my answer." He snipped. Percy jiggled the handle on the door, locked.
"It is over." Percy nearly shouted. Slamming his shoulder and shaking the handle simultaneously, he attempted to break through the door. After about five minutes of wailing on the door while Martha reassured his listeners (if he even had any at this point) through his microphone, the door turned into chunks of wood. And despite his shoulder being raw and bruised, he staggered through the doorway. "And the last time I checked…Martha was a girl's name." Percy tore the clip-on microphone off and dropped it on the floor behind him.
That's some bad ass bad-assery, if you ask me. The only thing I can do is the credit card hack, and then kick the door dramatically. It's the only way to steal my mom's candy stash! O,O