"They do?" Leo asked
Percy snickered.
"It was a pain." He said
Back at the Plaza, Thalia pulled me aside…"Do you know what happened to May Castellan? I mean—"
"We know now." Hermes said, glaring at Hades who grimaced.
"We're going to try, Hermes." Dionysus said
Hermes nodded.
"I know what you mean," Thalia said…If Luke knew, he never told me."
"It was freaky." Percy admitted
Hades grimaced again.
"I'm sorry." He said finally
Hermes nodded.
"You should be."
"Hey, okay now listen, Hermes. Yes, what dad did was very wrong but everybody succumbs to their fatal flaw at least once. The fact that there was grief involved with the fatal flaw didn't make matters easier. Mr. D said that you are going to try to heal her. Let's think about that rather than how it happened." Nico said
Hermes' eyes widened a little but he nodded. Hades gave a grateful look to Nico.
"Hermes knew," I said. "Something caused May to see parts…how Luke would turn into Kronos.
"You knew about what would happen but you didn't know how the lady was able to do so?" Zeus asked. Hermes gave a small glare to Zeus for calling May 'the lady.'
"I knew that there was something wrong. I knew it was dangerous but I didn't know why." Hermes said
Zeus nodded.
Thalia frowned. "You can't be sure of that…night because he was checking up on May, taking care of her. He wasn't all bad."
"Thank you." Hermes said to Thalia who gave a small smile.
"It's still not right," I insisted. "Luke was just a little kid. Hermes never helped him, never stopped him from running away."
Hermes winced. Percy grimaced.
"I'm sorry Hermes." Percy said
Hermes waved it away. Somewhere Hermes still thought that he could've prevented Luke from running away or at least helped him. Though he knew that the prophecy couldn't be changed.
The demigods grimaced at the thought that even Percy was sympathizing a little with Luke at the time.
Thalia shouldered her bow…silvery glow around her—the blessing of Artemis.
The hunters smiled.
"Percy," she said, "you can't start feeling sorry for Luke…Blood rose to my face. "She'll do fine."
Annabeth winced. Thalia looked anywhere but at her.
"I don't know. After that night, after we left his mom's house? ...We can't afford to be soft on him."
Hermes grimaced again.
"I think he wanted to prove himself worthy or something." Travis said
Thalia nodded.
I looked out at the fires in Harlem, wondering how many sleeping mortals…wonder what she'd been dreaming about.
"Nothing good." Thalia shuddered.
Percy nodded.
"Dreams can be helpful though." Will said
"Emotionally and mentally stressing but yes, helpful." Percy said
It was a common demigod problem: the more dangerous our situation became, the worse and more frequent our dreams got.
The demigods grimaced.
"But Percy, there's no telling when you'll get another chance…I'm allergic to pithos." Thalia smiled. "You got it."
"How are you-no why are you so casual about saying that it might be your last night?" Triton asked
"That's because it's our life, Triton. We were prepared that we might die. It was the truth. It was the last night for few. We can't avoid the truth." Percy said
The gods winced at that.
I found the nearest bed and passed out…dad had used as his headquarters was burning with Greek fire.
The sea gang grimaced.
I zoomed in on the armory, where my brother…because I don't want to know).
"Peanut butter tastes good." Tyson grinned toothily and clapped his hands
Percy chuckled. The Stolls grinned at each other.
As I watched, the outer wall of the armory exploded…The Cyclops dissolved into sea silt
The sea gang winced and closed their eyes.
Enemy giants moved toward the breach…"PEANUT BUTTER!" and charged behind Tyson into battle.
Poseidon gave a slight grimace and sighed. That was quite the mix up.
"Oh so that's the best war cry." Thalia grinned
Percy grinned right back.
Then the scene shifted. I was with Ethan Nakamura…AUNTY EM'S GARDEN GNOME EMPORIUM.
"It was a relief that Medusa wasn't alive and wasn't with the titans." Grover shuddered. The demigods shuddered at the thought.
I hadn't thought about the place in years…Grover's Uncle Ferdinand—had lost his arm.
Dionysus, Hermes and Grover grimaced.
Part of the warehouse roof had caved in…One of the other demigods snickered. "Nice knowing you."
A few snickers.
"To be honest, anybody would be scared if Kronos called them personally." Nico said
The demigods nodded.
Ethan readjusted his sword belt and headed into the warehouse…like the younger version of Luke I'd seen in the vision, pleading with Hermes to tell him his fate
Everybody's eyes widened.
"Father in a t-shirt and jeans." Poseidon shuddered
"Creepier than seeing or imagining him in battle armor." Triton said
Then Luke saw Ethan, and his face contorted into a very inhuman smile…"I…I don't think Jackson will surrender. Ever."
"You got that right." Percy snorted
Kronos nodded. "Anything else you wanted to tell me?"…Medusa hasn't re-formed since Jackson killed her
Percy smirked.
"Then sent us the head." Ares said
"I'm impertinent." Percy grinned
The demigods chuckled.
So you needn't worry about joining her collection…"when you can freeze time itself?"
The demigods felt chills go down their spine.
"That's very scary." Leo said
"You think?" Clarisse asked.
His golden eyes bored into Ethan's face…I forgot my friend is invulnerable and took a knife for him. Oops.
Annabeth grimaced. Percy scowled.
"The mimicry was annoying." Beckendorf said. Everybody nodded.
Tell me, Ethan, where were you aiming when you stabbed at Jackson?"… I wasn't aiming for any spot in particular."
"Hmm, trying to repeat the movement does help bring back memories." Clarisse said
"Was he trying to protect you? Ethan." Reyna said
Percy frowned.
"I… don't think he was able to think clearly at the point. Kronos is quite intimidating." He said
"Maybe." Reyna said
Kronos's fingers tapped the blade of his scythe…flexed his fingers slowly as if forcing them to obey.
Hermes glared at nothing in particular. Though he smiled internally at the thought of his son trying to fight.
"It is nothing," he said, his voice steely and cold again…but no more than a temporary inconvenience."
"The boy is fighting father. Kronos knows that." Hades said
Hermes gave a small smile.
"As…as you say, my lord."…We will talk again when we have taken Manhattan."
"You'll never have Manhattan." Connor scoffed. The demigods nodded.
Ethan bowed, and my dreams shifted one last time…which were probably good for keeping monsters away.
A few snickers.
Chiron stood by the porch, talking to Hermes…"It's been a long time since a mortal was allowed at camp."
Hermes closed his eyes. He didn't want to hear that. Chiron sighed. He knew what this was about as well.
"Don't encourage her," Hermes grumbled…the kind of person who could smile and make everyone around her feel good.
Hermes gave a small smile.
"Oh, don't worry so much," May said, rocking the baby…"Longer," Chiron said gravely.
Hades winced.
Hermes raised his arms in exasperation. "I didn't tell you that story so you could apply. It's dangerous. Chiron, tell her."
"Now what story are you talking about?" Hera asked
"That nobody is able to host the oracle and to host the spirit of the oracle, one needs to have sight and be able to see through the mist." Hermes said
"It is," Chiron warned. "For many years…Humanity seems to have lost the ability to host the Oracle."
"Well, we know now." Hermes grumbled
"We've been through that," May said…But I couldn't move or speak.
The demigods winced. They all had instances in dreams when they wished they could change something but it was never possible.
Hermes looked more hurt than worried…I can still raise Luke if I'm the Oracle, right?"
The demigods grimaced. Thalia and Annabeth winced. Hermes flinched.
Chiron coughed. "Yes, but in all fairness…"It will," May insisted.
"NO IT WON'T!" The demigods shouted
May Castellan kissed her baby and handed the bundle to Hermes…A cold wind rushed through the strawberry fields.
"No." The demigods said
"NO!" They yelled next
Hermes buried his head in his hands. The Stolls and Chris wrapped him in a hug.
"It's okay dad. We're going to try to fix this." Travis said gently. Hermes nodded and gave them grateful looks. They just smiled and hugged him again.
Hermes must've felt it too. He cried, "No! NO!"...May Castellan's terrified scream.
Rachel shuddered.
Hades flinched.
I sat up so fast I banged my head on somebody's shield…"I was just about to wake you."
A few snickers.
I rubbed my head, trying to clear the disturbing visions…"Percy?" Annabeth asked. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," I lied
"Everything was wrong." Annabeth snorted
Percy sighed.
"What…what are you doing in armor? ..."Uh-huh. You can't seriously go out and fight."
Will groaned. Nico gave him a sympathetic smile.
"You're going to need every person you have," she said…"I'll bonk him on the head harder next time," I suggested.
"You should hit harder." Travis nodded.
Percy chuckled.
"Any idea what surprise Kronos was talking about?"…"Nah. You'd just beat me up."
"No doubt about that." Thalia laughed. Percy and Annabeth grinned.
She managed a laugh, which was good to hear…"Never fear! We'll show those Titans!"
Everybody chuckled.
"At least he showed up." Frank chuckled.
I didn't know whether to laugh or be angry…"Then let's do it," I said. "Good hunting, everybody!"
"Yay." Pollux said
We heard the army before we saw it…grappling hooks around the largest giants and pulled them to the ground.
"Nice job!" Apollo cheered
The demigods smiled and smirked.
In the woods on the right, the Hunters sent a volley…but more marched behind them.
Artemis grinned at the hunters.
A bolt of lightning crackled out of the sky…Thalia must be doing her daughter of Zeus thing.
"Yeah bruh!" Thalia grinned. She and Jason grinned and high fived.
"Whoo!" The Stolls and Leo grinned.
"Daughter of Zeus thing." Nico snickered.
"You do death boy things." Thalia laughed
"In this situation, son of hades things." Percy laughed. Nico smirked.
Grover raised his pipes and played a quick tune…Stones flew up and hit dracaenae in the faces.
Hermes and Dionysus smiled at Grover who looked quite pleased.
The enemy slogged forward. Giants smashed through the trees…Hunter fell from a high branch.
The hunters looked down.
"Percy!" Annabeth grabbed my arm and pointed at the reservoir…He was the father of Helios, the first sun god."
"Really bad." Tyson said
Percy chuckled.
"I'll keep him busy," I promised. "Percy, even you can't—"
"Well who knew?" Annabeth laughed
Percy grinned.
"Just keep our forces together."… Yeah, buddy. Two can play that game.
"Yeah, you tell him!" Triton cheered
Percy grinned at him.
Twenty feet away, Hyperion raised his sword…"You Titans are about as bright as my gym socks."
"YEAH PERCY!" The Stolls cheered.
"That was awesome but he won't like that because he's the titan of light." Apollo said
"Yeah, I found out." Percy said
Hyperion snarled. "You want bright?"…Hyperion and he went under, his light extinguished.
Poseidon smirked.
I landed on the lake's surface just as Hyperion struggled…"You will burn, Jackson!" he roared.
"If I burn then so do you." Percy said
The demigods cheered.
Our swords met again and the air charged with ozone…I would've broken every bone in my body.
"Ouch." Poseidon said
Percy nodded.
I got to my feet, groaning. "I really hate it when you Titans do that."…Hyperion staggered backward.
"What wind?" Hazel asked
"It was so awesome." Grover said
Percy blushed.
"Percy!" Grover called in amazement…but the storm knocked them aside.
All the gods stared at Percy. Some looked at him in amazement while the others in confusion and surprise. How much more powerful could this demigod get?
"Dad." Triton muttered in worry
"Let's see if he gets tired." Poseidon said.
"Sweet," I muttered. "But a little more!" Lightning flickered around me. The clouds darkened and the rain swirled faster.
"Lightning is not your father's domain. How did you do that?" Thalia asked in shock.
"Son of the earthshaker doesn't cover that." Jason agreed
"I-don't know. I figured because of stormbringer." Percy said
"That's not supposed to be possible. Not at his age. He's a demigod." Triton muttered. Amphitrite looked at her son and nodded in agreement. It certainly was amazing.
"That is so awesome." Frank said
Percy smiled.
"Lit." The Apollo kids said
"Insane." Castor and Pollux grinned.
Percy grinned.
"Percy!" Grover called again. "Bring him over here!"…Grover took his pipes from his mouth. "You are a very nice maple tree."
The demigods' cheers were deafening.
"That was one of the most awesome and hilarious things ever." Piper grinned
"Grover, Percy and the satyrs! Damm." Thalia grinned
Grover and Percy laughed and grinned at her.
"He's not that tired." Triton muttered. Poseidon looked a little troubled but also proud.
"Maybe he has to become an immortal." He sighed
Triton looked at his father with wide eyes.
"We'll see more." Poseidon said quickly
Triton nodded.
Several of the other satyrs passed out from exhaustion…barely missing one of Annabeth's siblings.
Athena scowled.
The pig stomped around and tore down half an acre of trees…"Perfect," I muttered.
A few snickers.
The Titan's army was recovering from its shock…but the right flank of the enemy army was now between them and us.
Dionysus felt extremely tired. Athena grimaced in pain. Artemis looked worried about her hunters.
I didn't want to leave my friends in such bad shape…Flying pigs are faster, but way more dangerous.
The demigods chuckled.
The sow soared past the Plaza Hotel, straight into the canyon…while you're flying at a hundred miles an hour.
"Those are good lessons but it might not be the most ideal time to learn them." Nico said
Percy grinned sheepishly.
We zigzagged along several blocks and continued south…That wasn't very reassuring.
"Probably." The demigods snickered.
Grand Central Terminal lay dead ahead…Oh, I hate your ideas.
"Even him." Thalia laughed
Percy pouted.
I swung outward with all my might…I free-fell toward the street.
Hermes burst out laughing.
In that split second I thought about the days…"No problem," I squeaked. "Follow that pig!"
The demigods roared with laughter while Percy was grinning sheepishly.
The porker had taken a right at East 42nd…blasting water and wood everywhere.
Hermes snickered.
"Thanks Perce." He said
Percy grinned.
"Your welcome." He said
Then something occurred to me. "Get closer," I told Blackjack… but he did what I asked.
"We were sure he lost it long ago." Rachel laughed.
Percy stuck his tongue out.
When I was close enough to see the statue's face clearly…Kill Flying Pigs! Begin Activation!"
"Clever!" Castor grinned
Percy smiled.
Immediately the statue moved its legs…Oh, sure. Mock the horse.
Everybody burst out laughing.
"You two are so similar." Silena smiled.
Percy grinned and winked.
Blackjack burst through the air. He could fly pretty darned fast…Those lions had some nasty claws.
Everybody snickered.
I drew Riptide, but there wasn't much for me to do…I hoped it got to meet the boar of its dreams down in Tartarus.
The demigods were clutching their stomachs in laughter.
"Bad boar luxuries." Connor laughed
The demigods roared with laughter.
"You can defend Manhattan now," I told them…we flew north toward the sound of explosions.
"Done." Apollo said
"I'll read." Michael said. Apollo gave him the book.