Hello my beloved readers, introducing Quintus and our favorite giant puppy. Also, Percy is 100% the type to ask for a pet Hellhound let's be honest- and hey if they were all like Mrs O'Leary we probably all would wouldn't we? Anyways, some nice stuff before the more serious stuff- and Percabeth's first real argument is coming up so have fun looking forward to that one.
It didn't take the four Demigods long to reach the amphitheatre, and Percy had to admit that as they stepped into the amphitheatre it took all of her willpower not to panic- the only run ins she'd had with Hellhounds were bad ones- the one that had been the worst had been the time during Capture the Flag with Alabaster- and this one... this one was huge, and her hand slipped into her pocket automatically, fingers curling around her pen.
It was huge, the Hellhound was the biggest she'd ever seen- bigger than a tank and it looked incredibly at home. It was lying on it's belly growling contentedly as it chewed the head off a combat dummy.
"I-" Annabeth's voice sounded faint, "I kinda thought you were just screwing with us but there's really a Hellhound here."
"It's huge." Percy choked out, "I see why you freaked-"
"It won't attack." Luke laid a hand on Percy's shoulder "It's safe enough Percy."
"Uh huh. Just trying to push back the memories of the last time there was a Hellhound inside of camp."
"What happened then?" Thalia's voice was almost curious."
"Alabaster summoned it to attack me to force me into going on a quest- he helped me stop it- played the hero-"
"Asshole." Luke scowled fiercely, "That fu-"
"Luke." Thalia laid a hand on Luke's elbow, "What's done is done."
"Thalia's right." Percy let out a breath, "Not like I can go back in time and tell myself 'don't trust him, he's a dick. We know now and I'm fine Luke."
"Hmph." Luke snorted, "But you're no-"
"We're so not discussing this right now." Percy gave him a look that made him back down slightly, and Annabeth reached out to grab Percy's hand.
"Don't worry Luke." she shot the older boy a small grin, "She's okay. I make sure of that."
"Of course you do." Luke relaxed very slightly as Thalia grinned- and then a voice from behind them spoke up.
"I do hope you're not going to try and attack my hellhound again-"
"Hi Quintus." Luke turned his head and looked back, and Percy turned around fully, dragging Annabeth with her- after all she was curious.
"Hi."
"And you must be Persephone Jackson and Annabeth Chase yes?" the man smiled- he was an older man, with gray hair clad in Greek armor- he had a clipped gray beard and he was in good shape for an older guy. He wore black mountain-climbing pants and a bronze breastplate strapped over an orange camp T-shirt. At the base of his neck was a strange mark, a purplish blotch like a birthmark or a tattoo, but before Percy could make out what it was, he shifted his armor straps and the mark disappeared under his collar.
"That'd be us." Annabeth squeezed Percy's hand, "I see you've heard of us-"
"Hard not to." Quintus smiled, "I believe you two are Chiron's favorite campers-" that made Percy blush, "And I think most people have heard about your adventures last winter-" his gaze flicked between Percy and Annabeth, focusing on their hair- and Percy knew what he was looking at. The gray streaks from their time holding up the sky.
"I don't know about favorites." Percy managed, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, "So- the Hellhound is yours?"
"Yes, she is. As I'm sure young Luke here has told you, she's harmless."
"She's a Hellhound." Percy pointed out, "No Hellhound is harmless-"
"You have a point." Quintus smiled slightly, "Shall I rephrase it- she won't hurt anyone here- if I ordered her to yes, but I don't plan on doing that. She's a good girl aren't you Mrs O'Leary?"
"WOOF!" The bark was so long it almost shook the arena- and the giant dog's ears perked up and she lifted her head, turning it to look at them, tilting it slightly- and Luke and Thalia both tensed, looking uncomfortable, and Annabeth's grip on Percy's hand tightened.
"You named a Hellhound Mrs O'Leary?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow, and at the sound of her name the hellhound barked again. Percy realized that it wasn't an angry bark. She was excited. She nudged the soggy, badly chewed target dummy toward Quintus.
"Good girl." Quintus smiled at the dog as he grabbed the armored manikin by the neck and heaved it towards the bleachers, "Get the Greek! Get the Greek!"
Mrs. O'Leary bounded after her prey and pounced on the dummy, flattening its armor. She began chewing on its helmet, and Percy found that despite her initial fear.. well it was kinda cute- and she glanced at Annabeth and she could see a similar look on her girlfriends face- and Quintus grinned slightly at their reactions.
"She's a good girl isn't she?" he held out a hand and Percy took it and shook slowly- his hand was as rough as sandpaper, and when he switched to Annabeth Percy's gaze moved back to the Hellhound.
"I gotta ask how? How do you get a Hellhound as a pet? I mean I know Nico says he's played with the Hellhounds in the Underworld but he's Hades son so that's different."
"Now that's a long story, involving many close calls with a death and quite a few giant chew toys."
"Huh." Percy tried not to stare as Mrs. O'Leary ripped off the target dummy's shield with the arm still attached and shook it like a Frisbee. "She's real big-"
"Do you have much experience with Hellhounds?" Quintus raised an eyebrow and Percy gave a tight smile "A bit, mostly with being attacked by them. She's even bigger than the one that tried to kill me when I was twelve."
"I see." Quintus stared at her for a moment before he gestured for her to move forward. "Come here a moment."
Percy glanced at Annabeth, Luke and Thalia, all of whom looked slightly concerned as Percy did step forward- and then Quintus had a hand on her shoulder and he let out a whistle.
A moment later Mrs O'Leary was bounding forward- and he held up his free hand quickly. "Sit!" and the Hellhound did, the ground almost shaking with the force of it as she sat and she lowered her head so that she could look at them. "Lay." and the lowered herself even more, and her head was right in front of Percy once she was led, and those big black eyes were wide, and up close there was suddenly no fear and Percy stepped forward, a hesitant smile on her lips as she reached out and pressed a hand to the huge dogs nose, and Mrs O'Leary shifted her head slightly into the touch and Percy started to scratch gently.
"Hi. Hi there... you're a good girl aren't you." Percy smiled when the giant dog shifted, head butting Percy gently, and Percy started to use both hands, moving again so that she could give her a good scratch behind the ears "Oh look at you-"
"That-" Annabeth's voice was beyond amused, "Is the cutest thing I have ever seen."
"Nothing to be frightened of now is there." Quintus was watching, a smile playing across his lips as Percy made a fuss over the Hellhound- and Luke and Thalia were both staring looking somewhat bewildered before Luke spoke up.
"Percy. Don't even think about asking your dad or your uncle for a pet Hellhound."
"But-"
"No buts." Luke let out a groan, "The thought of it alone is enough to give me nightmares."
"Like is right, please don't." Thalia's voice was faint.
"I think I'm in love."
"Can I-" Annabeth's voice was hesitant, but Quintus laughed, sounding almost amused.
"Of course Miss Chase, go ahead." and then Annabeth was on the Hellhounds other side, cooing over the giant dog as both girls grinned over the top of the giant head and Mrs O'Leary let out a happy huff as they fussed over her.
They only stopped when Mrs O'Leary perked up again- head turning slightly when there was a loud bump from six wooden crates the size of picnic tables that were stacked nearby- and they were rattling.
Mrs O'Leary started to rise but Quintus spoke up before she could. "Woah Mrs O'Leary. Those aren't for you. Down girl." which made the Hellhound almost whimper but she did lower her head Obediently, nudging Percy in order to try and get more attention, even as the crates thumped and shook. There were words printed on the sides, though it took a few minutes for Percy to decipher them due to her dyslexia.
'TRIPLE G RANCH FRAGILE THIS END UP.
Along the bottom, in smaller letters: OPEN WITH CARE. TRIPLE G RANCH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, MAIMING, OR EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL DEATHS.'
"Uh-" Luke's voice was uncertain when he spoke up, "Quintus- I'm not sure I want to ask but what is in those boxes."
"A little surprise, a training activity for tomorrow night. I'm sure you'll all love it- if you want we can go over it properly this evening."
"Right." Luke nodded, "I'm definitely going to want to go over it."
"You young ones need more challenges. They didn't have camps like this when I was a boy-"
"We need more challenges?" Percy's voice was incredulous before she paused, "Wait- you're a half-blood. But you're ol-" both Annabeth and Luke slapped their hands over
Percy's mouth before she could finish her sentence- which in her opinion was just plain rude, but Quintus just laughed and shook his head.
"Now now, I'm not going to take offence. Some of us do survive into adulthood, you know. Not all of us are the subject of terrible prophecies."
"You know about the prophecy?" Percy's eyes widened, and Luke, Thalia and Annabeth all tensed too, looking at him surprised as Quintus nodded.
"I've heard a few things- most people at least know of the existence of the prophecy even if they know little else."
"What do you-" Thalia was leaning forward, a curious gleam in her eyes, but she was cut off by a familiar voice.
"Percy! Annabeth, I just got word that you arrived. I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow- are Sally and Leo here too-"
"Not yet." Annabeth smiled widely as she gave Chiron a wave as he clip-clopped into the arena. He must've just come from teaching archery. He had a quiver and bow slung over his #1 CENTAUR T-shirt. He'd trimmed his curly brown hair and beard for the summer, and his lower half, which was a white stallion, was flecked with mud and grass.
"There was a monster attack so Percy and I figured we should come straight here. Sally should be bringing Leo later I think."
"Very good." Chiron nodded, "I'm sure I'll want to know all about the attack-" he paused, spotting Quintus. "I see you've met our new instructor. Quintus, do you mind if I steal away the girls? You can discuss your plans for training with Luke and Thalia as they're two of our oldest campers-" he gave Luke a look, "Luke, make sure Thalia doesn't do anything foolish-"
"Don't worry." Thalia rolled her eyes, "I remember your lecture from earlier."
"Good." Chiron nodded before his gaze moved to Quintus, who gave a small nod.
"Of course, Master Chiron. I'm sure you have much to discuss with them."
"No need to call me 'Master'," Chiron said, though he sounded sort of pleased. "Come, Percy, Annabeth. We have much to discuss."
"See you later then." Percy gave Luke and Thalia a grin before nodding at Quintus, as did Annabeth, and then they followed Chiron quickly, Percy tucking her hair behind her ear as they moved away from Quintus.
"Quintus seems-" Annabeth's voice was hesitant as she started to speak, "He seems kind of mysterious." and Percy knew that must be hard to admit- Annabeth hated not knowing things.
"Yes, I certainly agree there." Chiron's brows were furrowed, "He's hard to read. A very qualified half-blood of course. An excellent swordsman- I think even you and Luke may struggle in a fight against him-" that was aimed at Percy, who blinked in surprise- after all, she'd been told on more than one occasion that she and Luke were the most skilled with swords in camp- they were fairly evenly matched without using powers, so for Chiron to say that they'd find it a hard fight was high praise indeed.
Annabeth seemed somewhat startled by that too, "Really? But I've heard you say that Percy and Luke are tied for the best swordsmen of this century."
"Yes." Chiron's expression was troubled, "Yes I have- and yet he is extremely skilled. I just wish I understood- I've never trained a demigod named Quintus before you see-"
"What?" Percy blinked, "But- if he's been trained then... that doesn't make any sense."
"Either he's lying about his name- which is hard to believe because you'd still recognise him. Or he's never been to camp before." Annabeth realized. "Which would mean he trained somewhere else-"
"Luke and I had training before coming here." Percy's voice showed that she wasn't entirely sold on that train of thought, "So I guess it's possible but-"
"At his age it's very strange." Chiron agreed, "But he's not actually done anything wrong. So for now there's little I can do about the situation other than watch him closely- and I've ordered Luke and Thalia to do much the same." then he shook his head. "In any case now isn't the time for that." his gaze focused on the two girls. "Now, tell me more about this attack- but make it brief, I'm afraid there's other things we must attend to."