Of Quests and Rumors

Disclaimer: If I own PJO, pigs can fly. See the connection?

12/8/13: I stared at that disclaimer for a second after I read it. It is so funny that I said that; didn't a pig fly in The Last Olympian? Haha! Maybe I do own PJO! (I wish).

Sophia's POV

I was sitting on the porch of the Big House watching Mr. D and Chiron play pinochle. Well, Greg was sitting in a chair and I was on his lap. He was playing with my hair when I asked, "Do you think Ashley thinks I'm dead yet?"

Greg snorted, "Why would she think that?"

"School started again yesterday, and we're supposed to be back from winter break. I haven't talked to her since that monster came into my apartment, and she heard the crash. She might connect the dots and force her parents to file a missing person report for both of us," I responded.

"I admit that she might be worried, but I don't think she'll just assume you're dead," Greg reassured me.

We just sat there for a while. Then I saw Dad, Mom, Aunt Aura, Hallie, and Stella approaching us. Dad was carrying something limp bridal style. I realized it was some kind of demented life-size doll. When they got closer, I realized that it wasn't a doll, but a mummy. It was freaking me out! Chiron and Mr. D looked up from their game. Mr. D raised his eyebrows while Chiron stared openmouthed at them.

"I got a prophecy, Chiron," Dad grunted as he carried the mummy up the steps.

"What did it say?" Chiron asked seriously.

Mom answered for Dad, "Six shall go west to face the rising titan / Terror, Lightning, Music, Wisdom, and Triton / Five will be captured, the last to return for aid/ An unexpected five will journey with the one who returned from the raid / To the western copy of a mountain to save those caught / All of the new five shall face the rising titan while helping their lot / During this showdown, expect the unexpected." That sounded wordy and confusing. How did she manage to remember it all? Oh, right; daughter of Athena.

"Percy, take the Oracle back to the attic and come back here. We must discuss your quest," Chiron instructed. What the Hades is a quest?

When Dad came back down the stairs, he and Chiron began to talk, "Even though you are not a camper, the Oracle gave you this prophecy. You will lead this quest, and take five more with you. The prophecy said 'Terror, Lightning, Music, Wisdom, and Triton', so I would pick children of Hades, Zeus, Apollo, and Athena to accompany you." I have now assumed that the mummy is the Oracle.

"Will Annabeth, Nico, Aura, Thalia, and Theodore join me?" Dad asked.

"I will come," Mom answered. Duh, she's his wife; she's not going to let him go across country without her.

"I will too. I'm pretty sure Nico will come too, but you'll have to ask my sister and her husband themselves," Aunt Aura added.

"Stella, dear, could you please go fetch your father, Thalia, and Theodore?" Chiron asked Stella. She ran off to the archery range to get them.

A few minutes later, Stella returned with Uncle Nico, Aunt Thalia, and Uncle Theodore. Dad asked them if they would like to go on the quest, and they agreed.

I began to understand what was happening, "Wait, you're all leaving?"

"I can't ignore a prophecy from the Oracle, especially when she seeks me out," Dad answered quietly.

Annabeth's POV

My mind was racing. I was trying to decipher the prophecy, trying to find out where we had to go. The person from the group that is not captured returns for help. Then a new five go to a western copy of a mountain with the one who wasn't captured. This mountain has to be where we must go. A western copy of a mountain, though? A copy…a copy…I gasped because a light bulb had just gone off in my head. I knew where we had to go!

Everyone looked at me, "I know where we have to go!" I exclaimed.

"Of course she does," Nico teased. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Where?" asked Percy.

"There is more than one Mt. Olympus in the US! There is one in the west other than the one at the top of the Empire State Building. It's in Washington, in the Olympic Mountain Ranges. The prophecy said, 'To the western copy of a mountain'," I answered.

"Oh my gods, she's right," Aura murmured.

"Duh," Thalia joked. I smirked.

"When are we leaving?" Percy asked Chiron.

"Once you let your children know that you will be gone and gather any necessary materials. I will tell Argus to get the car out for you to drive, Percy," Chiron answered.

Percy and I turned to Sophia and Hallie. Percy ignored the fact that Sophia was on Greg's lap, much to my relief. Percy spoke, "Girls, we have to do this quest. I'm sorry. The prophecy didn't say anyone would die, so I think we'll all come back. Don't worry."

"Be safe," I added. Our daughters nodded glumly and I took a deep breath. I hadn't been on a quest since the Labyrinth! Percy and I went to our room in the Big House to collect anything important.

I made sure I had nectar, ambrosia, my knife, my cap, food, my driver's license (just in case), drachmas, mortal money, and extra clothes. I put this all in a backpack and swung it over my shoulder. My pearl necklace was around my neck. I can never trust Percy to pack everything without forgetting something, so I checked his bag. He had nectar, ambrosia, Tsunami, his watch on his wrist, water bottles, drachmas, mortal money, his driver's license, and extra clothes. I nodded in approval and he zipped up his bag. He swung his bag over his shoulder and we walked out the door.

We met the others outside; making sure we all had everything one last time. Aura and Thalia brought more food and Theodore brought more water bottles. Nico said he didn't have any. We walked up Half-Blood Hill with our kids, Rachel, Tommy, and Greg. We climbed in the car and they waved goodbye. I haven't ever left my girls alone, but I'm sure they'll be fine.

Percy started the car and we left Camp Half-Blood behind, beginning our quest.

Sophia's POV

At dinner, everyone asked me questions. Again. This was starting to get annoying, but I answered them all. Sammie asked the most questions, again, "Where are your parents, Nico, Aura, Thalia, and Theodore?" she asked. The whole table listened to our conversation.

"They're on a quest," I answered.

"But they aren't even campers! How did they get a quest?" a guy named David asked.

"It's hard to refuse a quest when the Oracle leaves the attic to come find you," I replied simply.

"That doesn't happen often. That's how Chiron gets his prophecies; he can't go up the stairs. It happened with a Hunter of Artemis too, when your parents were at camp. I think there was one or two before that, but the Oracle rarely leaves her attic," Sammie informed me.

"Interesting," I commented, not sure of what to say. I chewed my food silently, knowing Sammie wasn't finished with her interrogation.

"Some girls have been gossiping around camp lately, Soph," Sammie started. I cringed at the nickname; I hated it when people called me that.

"Oh?" I commented.

"Yes. The rumors, actually, have been about…you," Sammie continued, watching me closely.

"Interesting," I commented, knowing what they were about.

"I want to know if they are true," Sammie demanded.

"What are the rumors, exactly?" I sighed.

"There have been many. Did you or did you not kiss Greg yesterday?" Sammie asked. I'm surprised that it took this long for the rumors to circulate.

"Yes," I answered. All the girls frowned at my answer. I knew some of them were watching that day, but apparently they still weren't happy about it.

"Are you his girlfriend?" Sammie continued.

"Yes," I answered.

"Are you engaged?" she continued seriously. I choked on the food I was chewing as I heard the question. I managed to recover without the Heimlich maneuver.

"No," I declared. The girls who had been holding their breaths sighed in relief. I inwardly laughed at them for being so desperate.

I didn't realize that the previous question was the least preposterous of the next few questions I would be asked, "Are you pregnant with his child?"

"No!" I exclaimed in disbelief at these ridiculous questions. Sammie was completely serious.

"Have you slept with him?" she continued.

"NO!" I half shouted half spat at her.

"Is Aphrodite herself giving you special attention?" she asked. Finally, a decent question!

"Yes," I answered. Some girls growled, surprising me. I didn't know people actually did that. Sammie faltered at the sudden 'yes'.

"Have you hurt someone to make them stay away from Greg?" Sammie asked.

"Yes," I answered, embarrassed.

Sammie stopped her questioning to gasp with the other girls, "Who? What? When? Where? Why?"

"Jolene Adams. I slapped her. A little before Christmas in a park near my apartment. She was jealous of the attention Greg was giving me, so she kissed him. He pushed her away, and I slapped her," I answered all the questions.

"Mortal?" confirmed Jessie, the cabin leader.

"Yes," I answered.

Sammie continued to ask me if rumors were true or not. I chewed and nodded or shook my head when appropriate. I expected the insane, so I never choked again. She finally finished her questions and began to eat her food just as I was finishing mine. Greg came up behind me, earning me a few glares from the Athena girls. I got up with him, and he walked me back to my cabin, holding my hand. He kissed me goodnight before heading off to his cabin.

About the "I hadn't been on a quest since the Labyrinth!": I don't know if there is a quest in LO, but we'll find out on Tuesday! I can't wait! I'm probably going to do nothing but read once I get it.

I know the chapters have been short lately, and I'm trying to fix that. This was actually going to be two chapters, "The Quest" and "Annoying Rumors". But I put them together for one big chapter.