A/N: Hey everyone. I have no idea how many people are still active readers of PJO fanfics, so whoever takes the time to read this, thank you very much. This is my first fanfic, and my first time writing something outside of school, so any reviews, criticisms, or thoughts that you have would be greatly appreciated. I want to improve and make this story the best version it can be for both myself and my readers.

I do not own Percy Jackson or any affiliated characters within the series. All rights go to Rick Riordan. This is a fanfiction for pure entertainment purposes. Please support the official books.

Chapter 1: Where We Are

PERCY

Percy was having a good fight, but the cake being thrown at his face was a little annoying.

Let's back up a bit. My name is Percy Jackson. I'm a demigod; half human, half Greek god. And for the first time in a long time, things are relatively peaceful for me. Well, not at this exact moment in time. Right now, I'm in a bakery where the Hunters discovered that some Empousai were hiding out after the Giant War ended. They would take care of it themselves, but Thalia told me that they were too busy chasing a much more dangerous target in New Jersey.

"A bakery?" I asked Chiron in disbelief, "Monsters are selling cakes now?"

Chiron gave a hearty laugh. "My boy, I know it may seem a little below your level, but I had something else in mind. Are you acquainted with Kenna, the 11-year-old daughter of Hermes that came to camp a little over 2 weeks ago?"

I scratched my head. "Yeah, I think so. She doesn't stand out much though. Actually, it seems like she isn't interested in any of the camp activities."

"Precisely. I was hoping you would take her on this quest with you. 'Show her the ropes,' as one might say. Perhaps some real action would encourage her to apply herself more," said Chiron.

I sighed. "Is there anyone else who can do it? I'm in charge of sparring lessons later today."

"Percy, you are the only one I would trust with the safety of a new camper. Do you accept?" Chiron asked, clearly intending to keep asking until I agreed.

"Okay, okay, you have a deal," I said, giving in. "Where is this monster cake shop?"

Which leads us to right now. Upon walking into the shop, the two Empousai manning the counter reacted to our demigod scents almost immediately and leapt towards us, while another charged at us from the back room. Kenna, who was itching for some action back at camp and agreed to come along rather quickly, took one of them while I focused on the other two. The braver one of them (or perhaps the more stupid) thrusted their spear towards my midsection, to which I sidestepped, grabbed it, and broke it over my knee. As the monster reached for the dagger on its waist, I slashed my sword down on its shoulder, turning it into a fine golden dust.

I turned around for a quick second to see how Kenna was doing and was surprised that she was almost playing with the monster. Being a daughter of Hermes, she was incredibly light on her feet, dodging the spear thrusts that came her way and slowly whittling down the snake lady with her dagger.

"I definitely did not teach her that," I thought to myself, smiling. Before I could turn back to continue the battle, a large serving of strawberry shortcake found its way onto my cheek and up my nose.

"BLLRGH!" I exclaimed, frantically wiping it off, seeing my second opponent smirking with a self-satisfied look on their face. Was it even possible for snakes to smirk?

"Okay, you have officially succeeding in annoying me. Now I'm really gonna enjoy what happens next." I said, picking up some speed while running at her. Before the poor aspiring baker could even lift its spear, I brought Riptide down in a deadly arc, finishing the job.

After Kenna wrapped up her fight, she turned to me with stars in her eyes and said, "Quests are amazing! Soooo much better than practicing on dummies at camp."

"Hey, those 'dummies' are your fellow campers. And where did you learn to use a knife like that?" I asked.

She shrugged. "My mom was in a reconnaissance unit for the military. It's how she caught the attention of Hermes. She taught me how to defend myself from a young age."

"No wonder you know your way around a dagger," I laughed. "Is that why you seem so bored at camp?"

She looked down. "That's part of it. The other part is something I can't describe. A feeling that there's more to the demigod life than just sitting at camp doing sing-a-long's and learning Latin."

I sighed to myself. "Well quests are pretty hard to come by, especially since the war's ended. But I promise you'll find something that suits you eventually."

"I was actually meaning to ask you about that. We have a long walk back to camp, and I've only heard bits and pieces from the few friends I have, so could you tell me about your adventures? Pretty please?" She looked up at me with puppy dog eyes.

I had no reason to hide it, and we did have a long walk, so I told her shortened versions of my adventures growing up at camp, about the second Titan war, and the most recent Giant War, having ended almost a year ago. While telling her, I thought of all the friends I've made along the way and where they are now. My incredible girlfriend, Annabeth, has been busy redesigning Olympus and is having so much fun getting lost in her passion. Jason and Piper are living together at Camp Jupiter, attempting to live as normally as possible and going to college together. Frank is still Praetor, along with Reyna, and Hazel helping him out whenever he needs it. Leo came back with Calypso of all people, and after we each had a chance to punch him in the arm for being gone so long, they settled down and are planning to open a shop of sorts in New Rome. Something about mechanical monsters and food? Thalia is still with the Hunters of Artemis, tracking down any remnants of Gaea's forces, and Nico is working under his father in the Underworld, but still makes time to visit once and a while.

When we arrived back at camp, Kenna breathed a sigh of relief and thanked me for taking her. "It meant a lot to me. You're probably the only counselor I respect in this place."

"You'll warm up to the others eventually," I promised. I then made my way over to the Big House to tell Chiron about the quest.

"Ah, Percy," he carried a somber tone. "Come here my boy."

"Woah Chiron, what's wrong?" I asked, worried for my mentor.

"I'm not sure what to tell you other than to read this," he said, holding out a letter. I reached for it, instantly recognizing the handwriting.

"Annabeth…"

There you have it! Chapter one is done. Please give a little of your time and review, it would mean the world to me and my story. I also apologize for making this chapter a little exposition dump, as the goal was to establish where in the PJO world this fic is taking place, as well as introduce Kenna (who will be my only OC). I promise that next chapter I will be getting to the usual clichés of Percy getting hurt/betrayed/heartbroken but using my own original ideas.

Thanks for reading! Once again, constructive criticism is absolutely welcome!