(Okay, the first part is just like a backstory to what's going on, yeah. This first chapter will mostly be plucked from the first book, but the story will change from the original more as the chapters progress. Tried my best to make the dates and stuff line up correctly…)

(Year 1980) 2:50 AM – 150 miles south of Lake Ontario

Estelle Jackson sighed as she sat between her husband, Jim, and her best friend, Arthur. Jim and Arthur were currently fighting, yelling at each other and attracting the attention of all the nearby passengers on the plane.

"For the last time, Jim. There is nothing going on between me and Estelle!" Arthur slammed his hand on the armrest, startling Jim.

Jim growled back and stood up, "Listen, I know something's been going on between you two. Ever since Sally was born, you two have gotten… infatuated with each other."

Estelle gave her husband a glaring look, "Infatuated? Reign in your horses, Jim. You're the only one infatuated here… infatuated with the idea of me cheating on you with Arthur!"

As the trio's argument got more and more heated, passengers started to whisper among themselves. Having enough, the flight attendants at hand rushed towards the group before things got more out of hand.

"Ever since we had that baby… you stopped loving me." Jim's hostility all but gone, having been replaced with utter sadness.

Hearing those words broke Estelle's heart.

"I have never not loved you." Estelle cried as she sunk to the floor on her knees.

Jim just shook his head, "That's the worst lie you could ever tell yourself."

Jim started to make an inhuman sound, like he was trying to puke out a chainsaw. His back arched, making his spine show clearly through his shirt, and his fingers started to grow longer, growing sharp, black nails.

All of the passengers started screaming, and chaos erupted inside the airplane.

As people were running, praying, and hiding in the toilet, Jim finished his transformation into a grotesque winged demon, with matching black horns and talons.

"WhAt IsSSs HAppennnInGg TooOo meEe?!", Jim screeched as he ripped off the row of seats the trio was previously sitting on, and hurled it at the fazed Arthur. With a loud crash, both man and chair were sent tumbling down the aisle and into a food cart.

Estelle stood up shakily, her eyes still holding tears as she looked at her demonized husband. She took one step back, then started to run away as Demon Jim pursued her.

"COommMMeeE bAAaCkk!" Jim flapped his wings and hovered in the air, before Arthur rammed into him, sending the demon face-first onto the carpeted floor.

"With all my power, I summon you… come to me, Excalibur!"

A blinding golden light enveloped them as both Estelle and Demon Jim were knocked back from Arthur by an invisible force. As the light subsided, Arthur now donned a set of glowing golden armor, and held aloft a similarly designed golden longsword.

With a loud grunt, Arthur swung the sword, however Jim managed to bring up his talons and deflect the blow, making the sword cleave a hole in the side of the plane. With the wind whipping in their faces and various items being sucked out of the plane into the open night sky, man and beast collided in a fierce battle.

Parrying and blocking, jabbing and hacking, it was an utter stalemate. At least until Estelle started to get sucked out of the plane as well, making Arthur glance at her and lose his concentration for a split second, letting Jim land a deadly blow to his chest.

Demon Jim walked over to Estelle who was now hanging from the edge of the plane, slowly losing her grip.

"YOuuU dEessSeRrVee tHIss. FooOr aLL thE pAIIn yOOuu haVeeE cOossSt meEe."

Jim stepped on her hand, breaking her bones as she cried out in agony. But she was saved by Arthur as he grabbed Jim and slammed him into a chair, before driving his sword into Jim's chest.

Rushing towards Estelle, he reached out his hand and grabbed onto her. As he pulled her up, both started to quietly shed tears.

But only one of them saw a fatally wounded Jim standing over Arthur, desperate to finish off both of them along with him. And so, Estelle let go of Arthur, using her good hand to draw her dagger, Carnwennan, and throw it at Jim.

Two yells were heard after that moment.

A yell of pain, anger, and defeat. And a similar yell that held all those emotions, but also one of sorrow and grief.

As Demon Jim crumbled away into dust, Carnwennan clattered onto the floor. With a heavy heart, Arthur picked it up, and slowly walked back to the location where there was once a row of seats, that had been ripped off a few minutes prior.

Looking down, he reached for his bag, taking out a small wooden box. He carefully placed the dagger inside along with a simple necklace, before shedding a tear and wrapping it with a striped red-and-gold ribbon. Quietly, he slipped in a small note before he thrusted it back into his bag, and jumped out of the plane.

As the plane went down, an invisible figure watched over the night sky. This figure cursed at what it had to do, seething inside as he plucked the string of his bow repeatedly.

'If only things had gone differently.'

(Year 1974) Mt. Olympus

There was a grand party being held as many Olympians, minor gods, and other beings danced and enjoyed the festivities on Olympus. No one really knew why there was a party, and frankly no one really cared. As everyone was occupied with the party, a lone figure hovered over them, searching for it's target. With an almost inaudible grunt of success, the figure sighted the god it needed to find.

The figure swooped over to him, changing form into a beautiful dryad. She sashayed over to him, stopping a few inches away from his face.

"Well, hello there handsome." The dryad inched closer to Eros, licking her lips enticingly as she attempted to seduce Eros. She knew it would be a hard task, as Eros and his wife, Psyche, shared a very deep bond.

Eros have her a once over before rolling his eyes and floating away silently. The dryad growled before sighing in defeat.

"Looks like I'll have to use my powers after all."

With a flick of her wrist, Eros suddenly changed directions, floating back towards the smirking dryad. Grabbing him by the neck, they both disappeared into the shadows.

(2005) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Percy sighed as he stared at the huge storm brewing across the sky. Beside him sat Grover, his enchilada-loving best friend, who was eyeing his apple hungrily. With a melancholy sigh, Percy threw Grover his apple, the latter munching on it happily.

Percy frowned, deep in thought, as he clutched the necklace his mother had given him a few years back. She said it had belonged to his grandmother's close friend, a man by the name of Arthur Pendare.

The necklace was unusual. A small white stone with a golden 'x' engraved onto it, tied with a weathered, brown string. Percy reminisced the time his mom gave it to him…

*FLASHBACK*

Sally held back tears as she gave Percy the special necklace that had been left to her by her mother and Arthur. Young Percy looked at it in awe, holding it gingerly before trying it on eagerly.

"Remember, Percy. If you're ever in danger, this necklace will protect you. Just pull on it and say these words…"

*PRESENT*

"Rwy'n galw arnoch chi, gwaywffon sanctaidd y nefoedd." Percy whispered under his breath just as Nancy Bobofit dumped her lunch into Grover's lap.

Percy closed his eyes and tried to keep his cool. A second later, Nancy Bobofit was splayed out in the fountain, doused from head to toe. Their demonic teacher, Mrs. Dodds, materialized next to them, sneering happily at Percy.

A few minutes later, Percy and Mrs. Dodds were in a very serious conversation.

"You've been giving us problems, honey," she said.

Percy gulped and said, "Yes, ma'am." He unconsciously started to reach for his necklace, only stopping when Mrs. Dodds glared at his hand accusingly.

She tugged on the cuffs of her leather jacket. "Did you really think you would get away with it?"

Her eyes shone with malicious intent, and Percy's heart started to beat faster. His blood racing as he tried to find an escape route in case things went south.

"I'll-I'll try harder, ma'am. "

Right on cue, thunder shook the building.

"We are not fools, Percy Jackson, " Mrs. Dodds said. "It was only a matter of time before we found you out. Confess, and you will suffer less pain. "

Percy's mind went into overdrive, thinking of all the school rules he had violated during the year, wondering which one Mrs. Dodds was talking about.

"Well?" Her tone suggested that if he didn't speak now, he'd forever hold his peace.

"Ma'am, I don't…"

Before Percy could even finish, Mrs. Dodds hissed in his face, "Your time is up."

Mrs. Dodds' eyes began to glow a demonic red. Her fingers stretching into sharp talons. Her jacket melted, morphing into giant, leathery wings. She was no human. She was a terrifying mash-up between a witch, a bat, and whatever monster had giant claws and sharp, yellow teeth.

Percy wasted no time tugging on his necklace, the engraved symbol starting to glow a brilliant gold. With a shaky voice, he yelled.

"Rwy'n galw arnoch chi, gwaywffon sanctaidd y nefoedd!"

For a split second, nothing happened. Mrs. Dodds laughed in his face, at least the scratchy squawking made it sound like she was laughing… before the room was engulfed in a blinding white light, and Percy ended up wielding a shining silver spear.

The spear was a partisan, and it sported intricate, angelic designs, and a matching silver coil wrapped around it. Mrs. Dodds hissed at the new weapon, both in fear and shock.

"That spear does not belong to you…"

Percy stared, wide-eyed at the spear. His legs shaking like jelly, and his arms too numb to even properly hold the spear.

She snarled, "Die, honey!"

Mrs. Dodds flew straight at his face, and as if on instinct, Percy thrusted the spear at her. The spear pierced her with a satisfying hiss, and made a brand new hole in his math teacher. Mrs. Dodds was a sand castle in a power fan. She exploded into yellow powder, vaporized on the spot, leaving nothing but the smell of sulfur and a dying screech and a chill of evil in the air.

The coil on the spear glowed a crimson red, before resorting to it's natural, silver state.

Percy dropped the spear in horror, his eyes looking around the room wildly as he thought of an alibi to explain why he just vaporized his math teacher. Deciding he should get away from the scene of the crime, Percy ran out of the room and back outside.

As soon as Percy left, Mr. Brunner wheeled his motorized wheelchair into the room, eyeing the spear that was slowly turning into silver light.

There was more to Percy Jackson than meets the eye, and Mr. Brunner knew that he had to find out what.

(A Few Months Later) 9:00 PM – Yancy Academy

Percy sighed in frustration as he threw the Cambridge Guide to Greek Mythology across his dorm room. After pacing around for a while, he picked up the book and went to see Mr. Brunner. He walked downstairs to the faculty office, most of the rooms dark and empty.

At least save for Mr. Brunner's office. The door was ajar, light from his window stretching across the hallway.

Percy was a few steps away from the door before he heard voices inside the office. He paused to listen and heard the familiar voice of his best friend, Grover.

"… worried about Percy, sir."

Percy froze.

"-alone this summer. I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too-"

"We would only make matters worse by rushing him, " Mr. Brunner said. "We need the boy to mature more. "

"But he may not have time. The summer solstice dead-line- "

"Will have to be resolved without him, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can. "

"Sir, he saw her... . "

"His imagination, " Mr. Brunner insisted. "The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince him of that. "

Percy made a silent, 'yes' as he finally had proof that he wasn't crazy. Or at least he thought it was proof.

"Sir, I ... I can't fail in my duties again. " Grover's voice was choked with emotion. "You know what that would mean. "

"You haven't failed, Grover, " Mr. Brunner said kindly. "I should have seen her for what she was. Now let's just worry about keeping Percy alive until next fall-"

Percy dropped his mythology book, his eyes wide in shock at what he just heard.

The hallway became silent.

Percy carefully picked up the book and slowly slinked back down the hall.

A shadow slid across the lighted glass of Brunner's office door, the shadow of something much taller than a wheelchair-bound teacher, holding something that looked suspiciously like an archer's bow.

Percy opened the nearest door and slipped inside.

A few seconds later, Percy heard a slow clop-clop-clop, like horse hooves on tile. He held his breath as what sounded like some sort of animal snuffled outside the door. A large, dark shape paused in front of the glass, then moved on.

Somewhere in the hallway, Mr. Brunner spoke. "Nothing, " he murmured. "My nerves haven't been right since the winter solstice. "

"Mine neither, " Grover said. "But I could have sworn ... "

"Go back to the dorm, " Mr. Brunner told him. "You've got a long day of exams tomorrow. "

"Don't remind me. "

The lights went out in Mr. Brunner's office.

After a long time, Percy slipped out of the hallway and made his way back up to the dorm.

Grover was lying on his bed, studying his Latin exam notes like he'd been there all night.

"Hey, " he said, bleary-eyed. "You going to be ready for this test?"

Percy remained silent.

"You look awful. " He frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"Just... tired. "

(The Next Day) Yancy Academy

Percy faced Mr. Brunner after an exhausting 3-hour Latin exam, a sad look on both of their faces.

"Percy, " he said. "Don't be discouraged about leaving Yancy. It's ... It's for the best. "

His tone was kind, but the words stung. Even though he was speaking quietly, the other kids finishing the test could hear. Nancy Bobofit smirked and made sarcastic little kissing motions with her lips.

Percy mumbled, "Okay, sir. "

"I mean ... " Mr. Brunner wheeled his chair back and forth, like he wasn't sure what to say. "This isn't the right place for you. It was only a matter of time. "

"Right." Percy's fist shook as he fought against the urge to punch something.

"No, no, " Mr. Brunner said. "Oh, confound it all. What I'm trying to say ... You're not normal, Percy. That's noth-ing to be-"

"Thanks a lot for reminding me… sir."

"Percy-"

But Mr. Brunner was talking to air.

(A Day or so Later) Greyhound Bus

As Percy eyed Grover, all twitchy and nervous, he decided to confirm his theories and said, "Looking for Kindly Ones?"

Grover nearly jumped out of his seat. "Wha-what do you mean?"

Percy sighed before confessing about his accidental eavesdropping, leaving out the part where he saw someone holding a bow and arrow.

Grover's eye twitched. "How much did you hear?"

"Oh ... Not much. What's the summer solstice dead-line?"

He winced. "Look, Percy ... I was just worried for you, see? I mean, hallucinating about demon math teachers ...

"Grover-"

"And I was telling Mr. Brunner that maybe you were overstressed or something, because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and ... "

"Grover, you're a really, really bad liar. "

His ears turned pink.

From his shirt pocket, he fished out a grubby business card. "Just take this, okay? In case you need me this summer.

The card was in fancy script, and said something about a keeper, and Half-Blood Hill…

"What's Half-"

"Don't say it aloud!" he yelped. "That's my, um ... Sum-mer address. "

Percy frowned. "Right. And you're… the gardener?" Percy asked as he translated keeper into gardener.

Grover made a sour look as the bus made a loud grinding noise.

Black smoke poured from the dashboard and the whole bus filled with a smell like rotten eggs. The driver cursed and limped the Greyhound over to the side of the highway.

After a few minutes clanking around in the engine compartment, the driver announced that we'd all have to get off. Grover and I filed outside with everybody else.

The bus broke down on a stretch of country road-no place you'd notice if you didn't break down there. The highway was dotted with maple trees and filled with litter from passing cars. On the other side, across four lanes of asphalt shimmering with afternoon heat, was an old-fashioned fruit stand.

The stuff on sale looked really good: heaping boxes of bloodred cherries and apples, walnuts and apricots, jugs of cider in a claw-foot tub full of ice. There were no customers, just three old ladies sitting in rocking chairs in the shade of a maple tree, knitting a giant pair of socks.

The lady on the right knitted one of them. The lady on the left knitted the other. The lady in the middle held an enormous basket of electric-blue yarn.

All three women looked ancient, with pale faces wrinkled like fruit leather, silver hair tied back in white bandannas, bony arms sticking out of bleached cotton dresses.

Percy looked over at Grover to say something about this and saw that the blood had drained from his face. His nose was twitching.

"Grover?" Percy said. "Hey, man-"

"Tell me they're not looking at you. They are, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Weird, huh? You think those socks would fit me?"

"Not funny, Percy. Not funny at all. "

The old lady in the middle took out a huge pair of scissors-gold and silver, long-bladed, like shears. Grover started to hyperventilate.

"We're getting on the bus."

Percy argued but Grover pried the door open and clambered back inside like a scared goat.

Across the road, the old ladies were watching Percy. They all gave him sour looks, as if though they held some sort of grudge against him. The middle one cut the yarn, and Percy could hear that snip clear across the road.

At the rear of the bus, the driver wrenched a big chunk of smoking metal out of the engine compartment. The bus shuddered, and the engine roared back to life.

The passengers cheered.

"Darn right!" yelled the driver. He slapped the bus with his hat. "Everybody back on board!"

A few minutes later, Percy glanced at a pale-looking Grover.

"Grover?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you not telling me?"

He dabbed his forehead with his shirt sleeve. "Percy, what did you see back at the fruit stand?"

"You mean the old ladies? What is it about them, man? They're not like ... Mrs. Dodds, are they?"

His expression was hard to read, and Percy had a hard time making out what he was thinking about. He said, "Just tell me what you saw. "

"The middle one took out her scissors, and she cut the yarn. "

He closed his eyes and made a gesture with his fingers that might've been crossing himself, but it wasn't. It was something else, something almost-older.

He said, "You saw her snip the cord. "

"Yeah. So?" Percy felt a chill run through him.

"This is not happening, " Grover mumbled. He started chewing at his thumb. "I don't want this to be like the last time. "

"What last time?"

"Always sixth grade. They never get past sixth. "

Percy looked at Grover like he was crazy, but then again, he was supposed to be crazy too.

"Grover. What are you talking about?"

"Let me walk you home from the bus station. Promise me. "

Percy promised, albeit a bit wary.

"Is this like a superstition or something?" Percy asked curiously.

No answer.

"Grover-that snipping of the yarn. Does that mean somebody is going to die?"

Grover gave Percy a mournful look, like he was already picking the kind of flowers Percy'd like best on his coffin.

(Okay, so that's the first chapter. I promise it'll get better as the story progresses, and I won't be rewriting stuff from the book as much. After all, I'm rewriting the stars for a reason. Till next time.)