The more I rewrite this the more typos, weird dialogue and just mess ups I find... it is nice to redo it and see it so much more polished.

I cannot wait for the quest to change in a more paced, realistic way...

"It scared me," Percy said as Aaron approached, making his way out of the Big House. "If you hadn't shot it, I'd be dead."

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

"Done ... with what?"

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

"What quest, Chiron?" Aaron said as he slumped out of the Big House and landed next to Percy right next to the Table where Chiron and Dionysius usually played Pinochle. He could feel something, a remnant like heat in the air. He had a feeling that Dionysius had just left. "Does it have anything to do with that terrible dream we just had?"

"Child, what happened to you?" Chiron looked at him, horrified.

Aaron froze, realizing he had yet to wipe the blood from his face. He was probably still pale as a ghost, something he saw reflected in Percy's confused and worried eyes. "Oh, just what I assume was Hecate astral projecting me into Percy's dream but since I am human my soul and body are more fully fused together so this is what happened. My head aches, just so you know. If was a demigod this would be a good time for Nectar or Ambrosia I think."

Chiron grimaced, then sighed. "What did you see exactly, child?"

"I saw Percy's dream, where two beings I presume are gods were fighting like toddlers over a toy. Give it back, give it back... and then Percy was sucked beneath the Earth by some force that mocked him. Sound right, Percy?"

Percy nodded. "Yeah, it was terrifying. You going to be in my dreams a lot or..."

"No plan too if this is the result?" He gestured at his bleeding face. "Anyway, why does it have to be Percy, whatever this quest is? Not a complaint really, I am just curious. I presume it has to do with his being a child of that Broken Oath?"

"Well, that's the hard part, the details. " Chiron mulled. "Yes it does, actually." Thunder rumbled across the valley. The storm clouds had now reached the edge of the beach. As far as Aaron could see, the sky and the sea were boiling together.

"Poseidon and Zeus," Percy suddenly piped up, and they all turned to him. "They're fighting over something valuable ... something that was stolen, aren't they?"

Chiron and Grover exchanged looks, and Aaron looked at Percy with wide eyes.

Chiron sat forward in his wheelchair. "How did you know that? That dream he said you had, I gather?"

Red faced and shamed, Percy nodded. "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 had one tonight like he said. "

"I knew it," Grover said, his words uplifting and happy, as if he did not see the incredible danger Percy was now in. It was a little insulting and suspicious.

"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?"

"The Masterbolt." They all turned towards Aaron, his mind going over his mythology. "The Bolt of Zeus, crafted by the Cyclopes during the Titan war. A weapon that won the war, but I thought it was impossible for gods to take it from each other." When he realized they were looking at him, he sighed. "Alabaster isn't just teaching me magic, while I am working on a task he fills me in on all sorts of things from Iris Messaging to well... this subject. He's a pretty good teacher."

"Zeus's master bolt, you are quite right. " 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. A power unlike any other."

"And it's missing?" Percy and Aaron spoke as one, their voices echoing each others perfectly in disbelief.

"Stolen," Chiron said.

"By who?"

"By whom," Chiron corrected needlessly. "By you."

He 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 brother, while the sky rumbled from the invocation of such a powerful force as Styx. Percy just seemed confused, where as 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 brother. "I swear on the River Styx that I have never seen or stolen the Masterbolt!"

The Thunder was defeaning, 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 breathe 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. "Hecate 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... as I told you before, 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 your were given. " 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 no 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 me.

"She said I would retrieve what was stolen." His words were hallow, 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 an genuinely foolish move. Yet he didn't stop, having lived in a shitty house, he was used to be blamed for everything. People passed all sorts of judgement 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 your brother 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's else. It would be the hardest thing I have had to do, but I would do it."

The silence was painful, agonizing and seemed to effect 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 you quests path. 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.

"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. "Your still on?"

"Of course, Percy, you need someone to keep you alive."

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 a pure human your brother does not count. The prophecy would not include him. 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.

"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 then 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." Percy nodded as he hurried away, leaving Aaron to quickly pack his things. It wasn't hard, he had to very little. "Wait, what am I doing? I can't heal with Nectar or Ambrosia, so I might as well get some healing salves and stuff...onward to the cave."

;;;

"Hey... so, I know you don't have a lot of time, so I'll be quick." Alabaster all but threw himself at Aaron the moment he entered the cave. "I sensed that Prophecy the Oracle gave out and Mom sent a message. I know your going on a quest. We figured you'd be here so we prepared some stuff for you. " He handed a satchel to Aaron, which he safely placed over his shoulder. "It has some pastes we made, some bandages and other things so you can patch yourself up since Nectar and Ambrosia won't help you. Please, don't need it... but if you do, be careful and stay safe. It it spelled to be resistant to damage, prevent mortals from getting in it and it is bigger on the inside then out... we also wanted to give you this." From behind him, Alabaster handed a small leather bound book. It was covered in Green runes that Aaron know knew were meant for protection, power and knowledge. "Your first Grimoire. It's a bit early, normally we'd be waiting a month to give it to you but with this quest we figured you might have to figure things out early on your own. I really, really, hope you don't need to use it. Magic can turn on the unwary."

Aaron grabbed the Grimoire, feeling the power woven into it. He placed it into his bag, feeling that much safer. " Thank you... seriously, thank you."

"We aren't family but we like you, Aaron. You don't look down on us, share our values and respect magic. Not everyone here does, We'd rather not lose that."

To say he was moved was an understatement. "I won't let you guys down... to be honest this is the first time I've ever felt a home. Valued and appreciated. I don't want to lose that. I don't to disappoint your mom either, she gave me a chance when no one else even considered it. I don't know why she put me on this quest, but I won't fail her. I won't let Percy fail or let this weird hate of Hades contribute towards failure."

Alabaster nodded. " Be sure you don't. Too much is riding on it... we... we actually know about the Masterbolt." He gestured to the group of Mages, working behind him on their various crafts. "We sensed and saw the omens, so we looked into the past. Powerful magic is masking the actual theft but not Zeus' reaction. Magic that powerful is not to be trifled with, so be careful. Remember Iris messaging and your spells and you should be fine."

"I will... well, I have to get going... if I do die, remember me and know that I genuinely appreciate anything and everything you've all done for me."

With a heavy heart, now confident that he might actually survive this, Aaron turned on heel and walked out of the Cave of Magic.

''''

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 and shield, 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, waiting for his Brother and yet he also felt entirely fine.

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 due 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 states that we can only offer so much aide."

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

The Old man just gave him a look. "As if you would accept anything less? Hmm, Alabaster does good work. I can sense the magic from here, should you manage to keep the hoodie after the quest, I would look into improving it."

"That was my idea, I have some ideas. Mainly it involves adding other things to it, like fur from the Nemian Lion if it is still around."

"It is but keep in mind that it took someone as powerful as Hercules to kill it the first time."

"Don't you mean Heracles? I thought Hercules was his Roman name " It was on that that note that the others finally arrived.

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.

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

This is really fun to rewrite, it is becoming so much better.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.