P.E.R.C.Y. J.A.C.K.S.O.N.

Percy awoke sometime later to Luffy trying to shove a barrel of blue coke down his throat.

"Gah! What the Hades, Luffy?"

"You're awake!" Luffy grinned, "I'm so glad!"

"Welcome back to the land of the living," Zoro greeted him.

"Where are we?" asked Percy, still disoriented.

"At the party, of course!" said Luffy.

"No we're not, dummy," Zoro chastised his captain, "We're in the infirmary; the party's downstairs."

Percy highly doubted that Luffy or Zoro would willingly leave an opportunity to gouge on meat and booze just for Percy's sake.

"I see," Percy said shrewdly, "You're hiding from Chopper."

Luffy deflated a little bit and Zoro laughed, "More like Chopper threatened no more meat or booze if we didn't come up here and rest."

Luffy leaned happily against Zoro's chest, "I'm not complaining."

"That's because you snuck out snacks," Zoro pointed out.

Luffy held up a takeout bag, "Kaimi helped!" he said proudly, "What are you in the mood for, Percy?"

The three boys sat in a circle on the ground, munching on sea king and candies and catching each other up on the past 2 years.

"I gotta confess," said Percy, "After the war, I went back to school to finish my senior year; I didn't come back here until two months ago."

"So you took a break," Luffy waved him off, "School's kind of like training, right?"

"I guess so…" said Percy, "Did you really train under Mihawk? That must've been humbling."

"I'd do anything for Luffy," Zoro declared, making Luffy grin, "Plus now I'm just that much closer to kicking Mihawk's ass."

"Before, you said something about your girlfriend," said Luffy, "and your other friends. They're here somewhere?"

Percy went quiet.

"Touchy subject," Zoro guessed, taking a swig of his sake.

"Nah, it's ok," said Percy, "We were all coming to fishman island when the others got blown off course. My dad says that's pretty normal on the Grand Line; even his blessing couldn't keep us all together. I don't know where they are, but they should all be in the New World."

"How many of them are we looking for?" asked Luffy.

Percy was glad that Luffy trusted him enough to not berate him for bringing his friends to the Four Seas without Luffy's consent. Luffy was still a really special person.

"Five," he said at last.

"That's a lot of people to find," Zoro commented idly.

"Then you mustn't waste any time."

"Hey old God guy!" Luffy greeted Poseidon cheerfully.

"I still don't believe in Gods," Percy heard Zoro mutter grumpily in Luffy's ear. Percy was glad that Poseidon chose to ignore that.

"Monkey d Luffy," said Poseidon, "Roronoa Zoro, I am glad you are recovered. I owe you a debt of gratitude for your aid in saving this island."

Poseidon lowered himself to the ground next to Percy, "I owe you a further debt of gratitude for befriending my son."

Percy's nose went pink, "Stop it, dad."

"Don't mention it," Zoro said casually, "You want us to leave you alone?"

"That would be kind," Poseidon agreed, "And I see you two have much to discuss, alone."

Luffy and Zoro shared a look that reminded Percy far too much of himself and Annabeth.

"Yeah," said Luffy, "Let's get out of here."

Luffy scooped Zoro up, bridal style, and sped out of the room, cackling madly all while Zoro demanded that Luffy put him down.

"You don't have many mortal friends, do you?" Poseidon guessed, "Even your mortal friends are strange."

"Strange isn't so bad," said Percy, "Annabeth is strange."

"Yes, on the subject of Annabeth," said Poseidon, "Her mother tells me she is still alive."
A flicker of hope blossomed in Percy's chest, "And you're sure she's in the New World? They all are?"

"Yes," said Poseidon, "And I suggest you depart in the morning to look for them."

"You don't want me staying around here," Percy guessed, already disappointed, "I get it."

Poseidon put a warm hand on Percy's shoulder, "It's not that, son. You know I love having you here. It's…well, it's best if you see for yourself."

Poseidon handed Percy a neatly-folded piece of paper. Unfolding it with hands trembling from exhaustion, Percy read the wanted poster.

WANTED

EARTHSHAKER PERSEUS JACKSON

100 MILLION BERRIES

ONLY DEAD

In the middle was a picture of Percy's face, his glowing blue eyes glaring at him as if to say "Now what, genius?"

"Only Dead, huh?" said Percy, "This must be about the gateway to the rest of the world beyond Raftel."

"I'd imagine so," Poseidon agreed, "Which is why you cannot remain here. Your friends know the truth as well; if the Navy catches them…"

"Annabeth isn't weak," Percy insisted, "Neither are the others. But you're right, dad; we'll set out in the morning."

"For now, my boy, you must rest," said Poseidon, helping Percy back into bed, "You will need your full strength to face the New World. And Percy?"

Percy hummed sleepily.

"I am so very proud of you," Poseidon said warmly, "You saved my kingdom and your friends. You will do great things in the New World; I just know it."

"Of course I will," Percy yawned, watching as his father retreated out of the infirmary, "How else am I going to help Luffy become King of the Pirates?"

That's the end of Part 1! I'm ending this story here and making a sequel. Stay tuned for Part 2!