I lied, this chapter is also based on the og chapter, it was just too well written. It won't be a recurring thing, but I had to use the parts that worked in the og story. My prose was so perfect...


Grover, Percy and Aaron walked up to the front porch of the Big House. Dionysus sat at the pinochle table in his tiger-striped Hawaiian shirt with his Diet Coke. Chiron sat across the table in his fake wheelchair. They were playing against invisible opponents-two sets of cards hovering in the air, though Aaron could sort of see their outline made up of their auras.

"Well, well," Mr. D said without looking up. "Our little celebrity. Come closer, And don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle-Beard is your father."A net of lightning flashed across the clouds. Thunder shook the windows of the house."Blah, blah, blah," Dionysus said.

Chiron feigned interest in his pinochle cards. Grover cowered by the railing, his hooves clopping back and forth. Aaron just sighed, having no patience for the showmanship.

"If I had my way," Dionysus said, "I would cause your molecules to erupt in flames. We'd sweep up the ashes and be done with a lot of trouble. But Chiron seems to feel this would be against my mission at this cursed camp: to keep you little brats safe from harm."

Aaron wanted to smack the man, but he resisted since he liked living. "That is a form of harm." He said, his tone as respectful as he could make it.

"Nonsense," Dionysus said. "Boy wouldn't feel a thing. Nevertheless, I've agreed to restrain myself I'm thinking of turning you into a dolphin instead, sending you back to your father."

"Mr. D—" Chiron warned.

"Oh, all right," Dionysus relented. "There's one more option. But it's deadly foolishness." Dionysus rose, and the invisible players' cards dropped to the table. "I'm off to Olympus for the emergency meeting. If the boy is still here when I get back, I'll turn him into an Atlantic bottlenose. Do you understand? And Perseus Jackson, if you're at all smart, you'll see that's a much more sensible choice than what Chiron feels you must do."

Dionysus picked up a playing card, twisted it, and it became a plastic rectangle. A security pass. Impressive enough magic.

He snapped his fingers. The air seemed to fold and bend around him. He became a hologram, then a wind, then he was gone, leaving only the smell of fresh-pressed grapes lingering behind. More impressive magic, something Aaron could only hope he would accomplish someday.

Chiron smiled at me, but he looked tired and strained. "Sit, Percy, please. And Grover. And Aaron"

They did.

Chiron laid his cards on the table, a winning hand he hadn't gotten to use.

"Tell me, Percy," he said. "What did you make of the hellhound?"

"It scared me," I said. "If you hadn't shot it, And Aaron not pulled me back, I'd be dead."

"You'll meet worse, Percy. Far worse, before you're done."

"Done ... with what?"

"Your quest, of course. Will you accept it?"

"Um, sir," I said, "you haven't told me what it is yet."

Chiron grimaced. "Well, that's the hard part, the details."

Thunder rumbled across the valley. The storm clouds had now reached the edge of the beach. "Poseidon and Zeus," Percy said. "They're fighting over something valuable ... something that was stolen, aren't they?".

Chiron and Grover exchanged looks.

Chiron sat forward in his wheelchair. "How did you know that?"

Aaron turned to his friend, and wondered the same thing.

"The weather since Christmas has been weird, like the sea and the sky are fighting. Then I talked to Annabeth, and she'd overheard something about a theft. And ... I've also been having these dreams."

"I knew it," Grover said.

"Hush, satyr," Chiron ordered.

"But it is his quest!" Grover's eyes were bright with excitement. "It must be!"

"Only the Oracle can determine." Chiron stroked his bristly beard. "Nevertheless, Percy, you are correct. Your father and Zeus are having their worst quarrel in centuries. They are fighting over something valuable that was stolen. To be precise: a lightning bolt."

Percy laughed nervously. "A what?"

"Do not take this lightly," Chiron warned. "I'm not talking about some tinfoil-covered zigzag you'd see in a second-grade play. I'm talking about a two-foot-long cylinder of high-grade celestial bronze, capped on both ends with god-level explosives."

"Oh."

"Zeus's master bolt," Chiron said, getting worked up now. "The symbol of his power, from which all other lightning bolts are patterned. The first weapon made by the Cyclopes for the war against the Titans, the bolt that sheered the top off Mount Etna and hurled Kronos from his throne; the master bolt, which packs enough power to make mortal hydrogen bombs look like firecrackers."

"And it's missing?"

"Stolen," Chiron said.

"By who?"

"By whom," Chiron corrected. Once a teacher, always a teacher. "By you."

Aaron looked at Percy, who almost collapsed into his chair.

"Swear it, Percy, on the River Styx. " The words left Aaron's lips as he turned to his new friend, while the sky rumbled from the invocation of such a powerful force as Styx. Percy just seemed confused, whereas Chiron looked intrigued and almost weary. "Swear to the River that you never stole or have even seen the Bolt! They can't punish you for that if you swear that you never touched it."

Joy returned to his Friend. "I swear on the River Styx that I have never seen or stolen the Masterbolt!"

The Thunder was deafening, shaking the Big House before the entire storm exploded. A Ripple in the center blasted the clouds away, leaving the valley clear once more. Heat, the comfort of summer returned in an instant and everyone in the valley let off a breath of relief.

As a group, they all turned to a very relieved and tired-looking Chiron. "That clearly has helped... but I am afraid that you still must go on this quest. Lord Zeus demanded that, in the case of your innocence, you would still be required to go on this quest as punishment for your father breaking the Oath."

"Then I'm going with him." He didn't care for the disbelieving look on Chiron's face. "Persephone told me to go on his quest with him. I don't know why but it was her command that I go, as a part of my debt to her. Besides, I am not bad with a sword or bow, I have some control over my magic... More Percy has with his powers by any stretch. I know mythology really well and can help keep his ADHD in check since my emotional issues aren't so erratic."

"You would do that?" Percy's voice was soft, touched. "You would risk everything?"

"Technically I was ordered too, but to prevent WW3 I would go anyway. This is too important not to have all hands on deck. Personally, I think Luke should go, since he is powerful and experienced."

Chiron cleared his throat, his gaze heavy. "You may have eased the risk of death but Percy still needs to consult the Oracle... that is required for any and all quests. Before you do, however, you need to understand just what it is you are stopping. World War Three is a poor exaggeration of what would really happen. Should the Masterbolt end up the wrong hand, the world may as well end. God-level explosives wrapped in a refueling package, a weapon strong enough to kill a minor god entirely and seriously maim a powerful Olympian. A weapon of unbridled power, in the wrong hands, could start a war that turns out to make the Trojan war into a water balloon fight. Will you still choose to join up this quest? " He sighed when Percy nodded, a soft broken sound, the sound of a man who had seen countless millennia of undue suffering.

"Where would I even look for the Masterbolt, where could I go to find it?" Percy's voice cracked, fear and courage boiling in his eyes. "I have no idea where I would even start."

"I believe I know." Chiron's expression was grim. "Part of a prophecy I had years ago ... well, some of the lines make sense to me, now. But before I can say more, you must officially take up the quest. You must seek the counsel of the Oracle. Go upstairs, Percy Jackson, to the attic. When you come back down, assuming you're still sane, we will talk more."

And so Percy left, walking to his doom. The moment he left the room, Aaron was captured by a fierce look on Chiron's face.

"I knew you would join Percy, I knew..., you were not born to fate but you chose to join it. So I give you these warnings. You must never enter a direct fight, even against a weak monster. Your humans, your senses and strength and durability is simply not enough to deal with even the slightest assault from most monsters. At least without the weapons and armor you made " Sighing once more, he drew a smile on his handsome face. "Despite that, you must always be careful. You have vulnerabilities that no Demigod has and you have not lived long enough to enter the Elysium Fields. Hecate cannot help you in this, you must know that."

Aaron shivered, thinking about the nightmare of the afterlife. "I don't plan on dying... and I pray that I do not. If I do... then remember me well, keep my memory alive for I tried to make a difference. If that counts for anything."

Percy came down shortly after, face pale with shock and concern, he was shaking something fierce but oddly he seemed determined.

"Well?" Chiron asked him.

"She said I would retrieve what was stolen." His words were hollow, tired, and weak.

Grover sat forward, chewing excitedly on the remains of a Diet Coke can. "That's great!"

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed. "This is important."

Haunted and tired, Percy somehow managed to speak up. "She . .. she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"I knew it," Grover said.

Chiron didn't look satisfied. "Anything else?"

"No, That's about it." A lie, and one that Aaron mourned. What could be so bad that Percy would withhold it?

Chiron, from the look on his face, seemed to agree with Aaron's silent assessment. "Very well, Percy. But know this: the Oracle's words often have double meanings. Don't dwell on them too much. The truth is not always clear until events come to pass."

"Okay, So where do I go? Who's this god in the west?"

"Ah, think, Percy," Chiron said. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?"

"Somebody else who wants to take over?"

"Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow powerful with the deaths of millions. Someone who hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath to have no more children, an oath that both of them have now broken."

"Hades."

Chiron nodded. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

"Oh you have to be kidding me?" They all turned to Aaron, who was deeply annoyed. "He is the only god in myth to never attack someone, the only one to never rape or pillage or destroy things. He messed up what, two people in myth and they deserved it. Theseus and his one friend, I can't remember his name but he tried to kidnap Persephone. If anything he is the last God I'd suspect. Hell, if anything I would bet damn near anything that he was innocent."

Lightning and thunder boomed around them, but he held fast glaring at the sky in a genuinely foolish move. Yet he didn't stop, having lived in a shitty house, he was used to being blamed for everything. People passed all sorts of judgment on things they feared and it wasn't right. God or Human, it was awful.

A scrap of aluminum dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?" They all looked at him with shock and confusion.

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron reminded him, slow as if talking to someone stupid. "She watched him until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

"He shouldn't have been born, the same was that he attacked Thalia. There is no proof he did anything, isn't he forever in the Underworld anyway? And if everyone is so afraid of him like you lot seem to be, who would listen to him?"

"Hades hates all heroes," Grover protested. "If he has found out Percy is a son of Poseidon... he would have all the reason in the world to kill him."

"A hellhound got into the forest," Chiron continued. "Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. Hades must have a spy here. He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name. Hades would very much like to kill this young half-blood before he can take on the quest."

"Then someone else summoned it, someone that sees Percy as a potential threat. Hades attacked Thalia here, on that Hill, who is to say that he wouldn't or couldn't have been trying to do the same to Percy. Hell, if it would prevent the Third World War I would do the same thing. One person cannot be allowed to trump the needs and safety of the rest of the world. They made an oath against such births, if you have to blame somebody blame those that broke the oath instead of the one God that didn't."

Silence, Percy looking at him in pained shock. "You'd kill me?"

"In a heartbeat, no one life is worth everyone else. It would be the hardest thing I have had to do, but I would do it."

The silence was painful, and agonizing and seemed to affect even Chiron, who seemed just as hurt as Percy was. "Your point may be valid... Perhaps I was too quick to assume it was Hade. Prophecies are often vague, and It seems that I have forgotten that... very well, regardless, you must go West as the prophecy said. Hades is in the West as it is, under L.A. Go in the direction and you will find the path of your quest. Maybe the God who turned is Hades, maybe it is another who is simply in the west at this point. I should not assume or fill your head with my own prejudices."

It was impossible not to see the rising Passion in Percy's eyes, the wrath and power that made him a son of Poseidon. His aura was sharper, darker, like a hurricane of sheer force.

"Look, if we know it's Hades or some other God," Percy told Chiron while giving a wary look to Aaron, who was giving Percy the stink eye for mentioning Hades like that "why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and bust some heads."

"Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation." Aaron sighed here, shrugging his now aching shoulders. "That is another ancient rule. That's why they act through Humans, Percy. Demigods and Mortals aren't bound by those sort of divine laws. You can go places freely though with consequence."

"You're saying I'm being used."

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."

"Yes, he is using you." They all turned to Aaron again, who just shrugged. "He's being used. Having a realistic approach to this can only help. Your dad is using you because he cannot do it himself. Doesn't mean he doesn't love or care, you'd have to ask him. I can't imagine he is enjoying it though Percy. I mean imagine having all that power but being limited in this... and to be frank it's Zeus who's using you since it was him who ordered your quest."

"So let me get this straight," Percy said. "I'm supposed go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"That's about right."

"When do I have to get it back? I mean you never gave me a time limit."

"Well... that is difficult. Originally Zeus wanted it back by the solstice, since he was at war with your father... but since you swore that oath I cannot see them being at war. Still, I would use the Solstice, ten days from now, as a good point of reference."

Percy turned to Grover, who cringed inward. "Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" he asked weakly.

"You don't have to go, "Percy's voice was defeated. "I can't ask that of you.

"Oh ..." He shifted his hooves. "No ... it's just that satyrs and underground places ... well..."He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his T-shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. If ... if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

"All the way, G-man." Percy turned to Aaron. "You still on?"

"Of course, Percy, you need someone to keep you alive. Besides, I am technically on my own quest, I have to go so I don't count to the rule of Three I read about while studying Ancient Greek."

Seemingly satisfied Percy turned to Chiron. "So we just get on a plane-"

"No!" Grover shrieked. "Percy, what are you thinking? Have you ever been on a plane in your life?"

"Percy, think," Chiron said. "You are the son of the Sea God. Your father's bitterest rival is Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Your mother knew better than to trust you in an airplane. You would be in Zeus's domain. You would never come down again alive."

Overhead, lightning crackled. Thunder boomed in the now clear sky, a mockery of the idea that Percy dared put forth.

"Okay, So, I'll travel overland."

"That's right," Chiron said. "Normally I'd say that Two companions may accompany you but as Aaron put it, he is on a separate but joint quest so he does not entirely count. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered if you will accept her help.

"Gee," Percy turned and looked behind Chiron. "Who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?"

The air shimmered behind Chiron. Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket. Aaron frowned, wondering why he did not sense her, realizing it had to be her hat that masked her essence to a weak witch like him.

"I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"If you do say so yourself, I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

Her cheeks colored. "Do you want my help or not?"

"Stop your flirting you two." Done, Aaron raised his hand to stop their complaints. "It's agreed, now let's go. We have better things to do than bickering over a feud that has nothing to do with either of you."

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own. No time to waste," Chiron said. "I think you should all get packing."

And so they separated, Aaron hurrying back to his room in the Big House.

"I'll be back Percy... oh and bring the horn. It might be helpful for if we need to make an offering to a god for help."

''''

It was a strange thing, standing at the top of Half-Blood Hill, bearing vestments of power and knowingly leaving safety for what could be a lethal quest. Despite said vestments, a hoodie enchanted to withstand great damage and his magical weaponry, Aaron felt completely and utterly bare. It didn't matter if he could literally feel the barrier of power awash across his skin, masking him from harsh blows that would undoubtedly come his way if he participated on this quest. There was sense of weakness, danger and fear that came to him as he basked in the sun.

Chiron and another man arrived before his fellow questers, Chiron rolling in his wheelchair and the other man walking tall and strong and covered in countless eyes.

"Argus, I presume?"

The man blinked at him with a dozen of his beautiful green eyes, before nodding low and slow. He was handsome and husky, built with strong muscles and blonde hair. He radiated magic like nothing else that he had ever come across. Maybe it had to do with how utterly inhumane he was, or maybe it had to do with his being a creation of sheer magic.

"He doesn't speak much I am afraid." Chiron wheeled closer, a weary look on his old face. "He tends to keep an eye on things, our Head of Security. He is going to be driving you for a while. To the city but no further, I am afraid. Divine Laws state that we can only offer so much aid."

"Thank you for at least being upfront about that."

The Old man just gave him a look. "As if you would accept anything less?"

The unrelated crew, containing Annabeth and Grover, packed quickly as well with the weak Satyr carrying with him only his bag of snacks and his panpipes and the arrogant daughter of Athena carrying a book to read in case she got bored. Neither inspired much sense of purpose or power, it was actually kind of obnoxious to see either of them on the quest. Grover he understood, he was a proven finder a fact of which Percy was proof, and he had access to potent Satyr magic according to his book but Annabeth... he didn't get. She wasn't amazingly skilled as far as he was aware, just really smart. He hoped that there was something he was missing with her, to make her more worth bringing her on the quest in the first place. As the daughter of a war goddess she had to have something that made her capable and dangerous, or at least that was his hope.

Actually, what really got to him was that she basically forced herself on the quest. Again he understood Grover's reasoning, the Searchers Licenses… whatever that was for, but the girl just seemed to want to go for the sake of it. He sort of hated her for it...

After introducing Argus to Percy, Luke suddenly appeared on the hill, running with something in his hands. Once he got closer, it was clear that they were basketball shoes. He sensed magic in them as well, sort of like his hoodie they gave off a cold aura that almost warped the world around them. His talisman actually tingled when they approached, so He had a feeling they were blessed by a god in the same way that Annabeth's hat was. As favored as Luke seemed to be from just about everyone it would sort of make sense for his Father to gift him with something of value.

"Hey!" he panted. "Glad I caught you." His eyes wild with a happiness and excitement that felt odd, baffling as it was false. Annabeth, for some reason, blushed and honestly Aaron couldn't blame her. Luke was hot, plain and simple, tall with blonde hair and blue eyes and a sexy scar that added a ruggedness. Aaron almost wished his was older, but figured it was best not to mention that. Greek or not, he wasn't sure if the camp would be okay with that little secret on top of his humanness.

"Just wanted to say good luck...And I thought ... um, maybe you could use these." In a kind gesture, the boy handed the clearly magical sneakers to Percy. "Maia!" When White bird's wings sprouted out of the heel, and Percy dropped the sneakers, Aaron couldn't help but laugh.

"Awesome!" Grover said.

"Your grandmother's name is the activation word? That's kind of sweet... and I knew they were magical, I could sense it sort of." Smiling kindly at the boy who so kindly bestowed an awesome gift on his brother, Aaron gestured towards the shoes. "Do you mind if I examine them? I can't really do much but I am curious to see what they feel like, magically speaking I mean."

"Sure... I guess..." Then Luke smiled, but as he did he buried a sudden flare of something akin to what looked like worry or shock . "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days..." His expression turned sad.

"Hey, man," Percy said. "Thanks."

"Listen, Percy …" Luke's expression changed, turning awkward and almost pained. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just ... kill some monsters for me, okay?"

Aaron, to his surprise, was offered a handshake and a very warm smile that left him blushing almost as much as Annabeth. He wasn't used to pretty people touching him... and so with that, he smiled at Chiron.

"I'll wait in the van, I call shotgun."

And with that he hurried down to the Van, happily waiting the rest of the Questers.

However, as he sat in the van something hit him... he had no healing tonics, Ambrosia would not save him... if he got hurt, he would screwed...


Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.