2009

Two figures stood at Montauk beach, one seemingly training the other in the arts of battling with a trident. The one that was currently inexpertly waving around the weapon with no skill was a sixteen-year-old Percy Jackson. The other one was his trainer, a skilled Atlantean by the name of Chiron who took it upon himself to be tasked with the young man.

When the two had started their training together, Chiron had begun with teaching him about the history of Atlantis, and the foundation that it was laid upon.

"Many thousands of years ago, Atlantis was a big continent that was inhabited by all kinds of people," Chiron explained. He and Percy read a book which Chiron had placed on his table inside his makeshift hut. He pointed to the pictures as he read along. "Sailors, craftsmen, traders, astrologers, alchemists. This was a continent brimming with civilization."

"This looks like they used to be on land," Percy said, pointing to the drawings.

"That's because it was."

"What happened?" Percy question.

"The Great Cataclysm," Chiron said. "Atlantis was rocked by volcanoes and earthquakes, along with an attack from an outside force."

"Outside force?"

"To this day, it is still unknown what exactly were they," Chiron said. "Some suggest maybe they were … but no. No, that couldn't be possible."

"What?"

"Forget about it," Chiron said. "Regardless, Atlantis sank and disappeared after the cataclysm. But the Atlanteans adapted to the underwater. Thousands of years passed before it set on its first ruler, King Kamuu. Over the years, Atlantis suffered against many natural disasters and sieges by barbarians, but every single time, Atlantis rebuilt, twice as strong than before. And the Atlanteans became the sole heart of the underwater city."

Percy listened intensely, letting every word sink in.

"Throughout the millennia, many kings of Atlantis have come and left. But Atlantis and its purpose remained the same of honoring our patron, the god of the sea himself, Poseidon. Eventually, your father, Aegaeus, took over for his father and became king," Chiron explained.

"And then I came into the fold," Percy finished with a grin.

"Yes," Chiron confirmed. "You came into the fold. Your training started with learning our history. Now you must learn our way of living. Are you prepared?"

Percy shrugged. "I guess."

Chiron shook his head. "You cannot be guessing, young Perseus. You must be firm in your answer. I will come next week to ask again, and if you are ready, then we will commence."

Many sessions later, he had many abilities learned and mastered under his belt. Super-strength, super-speed (especially underwater), super-agility, aquatic healing, underwater breathing, telepathic communication with marine life, propulsion and most importantly, hydrokinesis.

Wrapping up all that, Chiron moved onto battle training, which proved to be a bit of a challenge.

Chiron watched Percy practice his jabs, his stance and the manner in which he held the weapon. The trainer looked concerned with how unbalanced the trident looked in Percy's grasp, as he stumbled occasionally and had to redo his stance from scratch.

Percy tried to go for another round but the trident went flying out of his hands, which seemed to really frustrate Chiron as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Sloppy," Chiron told Percy. "You have to concentrate."

"I'm trying," Percy complained.

"At this rate, you'll never get the throne," Chiron said. "Ever."

"Whoa, time-out" Percy said, raising his hands. "Who said I wanted the throne?"

"You are Aegaeus's son," Chiron said. "You are the rightful heir to the throne."

"I'm sure Atlantis will manage just fine without me sitting on the throne," Percy retorted. "King Aegaeus can keep it for as long as he wants. I'm just known as the bastard child of his anyway."

Chiron sighed. "You are not a bastard child and Aegaeus cannot keep the throne for as long as he wants."

"Why not?"

"Because your father, King Aegaeus, is dead," Chiron announced.

Percy scowled. "What?"

"I'm sorry I had to the one to tell you that," Chiron apologized.

Percy looked shocked. "How … how is he dead?"

"After the affair your father had with your mother, he was tried for his crimes," Chiron explained. "His uncle, Attuma, was leading the trial."

"The uncle that doesn't like him?" Percy asked.

Chiron nodded. "He had him banished to the Chambers, where the only way to gain your freedom is to fight your way through it against some of the worst and strongest sea monsters that has ever lived. His corpse was the only thing that was found days later by a search party."

"So … did he have any other children that could take over the throne?"

"He did," Chiron said. "You have a brother named Triton. But Attuma was the one who took over the throne, made by his own judgement. He's been ruling Atlantis ever since, and he's been taking advantage of his power, ruling like a warlord."

"Is that why you're trying to train me?" Percy asked. "So at some point I challenge him for the throne?"

"Yes," Chiron admitted. "And train, you must."

"Why me?"

"You don't realize it, but you are stronger than all of us," Chiron said. "You are much, much stronger than the average Atlantean and even much stronger than the average human being. You are hybrid of both, which makes you a mutant, gifted with many abilities, due to your amphibious physiology. You are stronger, faster and much more agile than us. You can survive on land and underwater both, for as long as you want, something we can't do. We are limited, but you are not. That makes you the right ruler of Atlantis."

Percy was silent for the longest before he decided to drop the trident and let it fall to the sand. "This is too much for me."

"What?"

"I ... I can't do this anymore," Percy said.

"That's it?" Chiron asked. "Are you suggesting that I wasted my time on you?"

"I appreciate everything you've done here, but royalty … that's not for me," Percy said. "If you're trying to train someone to defeat Attuma, I'm not your guy. Sorry."

Chiron sighed, looking disappointed, before picking up the trident Percy dropped. "I understand." He bowed his head. "Well ... with that being said, I am disappointed. You have a lot of potential, and the only obstacle in the way of reaching that potential is you. But ... regardless, I respect your wishes and I wish you luck in your endeavors."

Percy just watched as Chiron disappeared under the waters and never came up. He was left wondering if he made the right choice.