Quick note: this is in third person. I intentionally wrote it so it switches between Percy and the quest.
Festus soared over the West Coast. His bronze wings beat the air as fast as they could. Piper shifted restlessly on the dragon's back.
"How much longer?" she asked. Leo shrugged.
"I'm pushing him pretty hard, so maybe three hours unless something happens," The mechanic stroked Festus' head with a free hand. "You can do it, buddy." he said. Festus snorted in agreement. Flight goggles popped out from his back and the group put them on. Leo snapped his fingers twice and Festus angled upwards. When he was high enough, Festus dove.
As they hurtled towards the ground, Festus locked his back legs in place. The sounds on shifting metal rang out. The dragon leveled out and locked his wings. Twin jets sputtered to life and they rocketed away, faster than they had been before.
Percy hacked at a tree with his small hatchet. He had been running low on firewood and he needed to rebuild part of his garden's fence. When he gathered enough materials, he walked back and began working.
The south coast of Alaska quickly came into view and Festus angled northwest towards Nome.
"At least three more hours, guys!" Leo yelled. Piper gave a thumbs up and Grover threw up off the back. Piper's heart beat faster with every mile.
It was getting dark and Percy had his sights on a large bull moose. Mrs. O'Leary glared at it and Percy loosed the arrow. It hit the animal on the hind leg. The bull snorted and began running. Mrs. O'Leary leaped from the underbrush and, in a bound, took it down. Percy silently walked up to it, asked for Artemis' blessing and slit the animal's throat. Blood splattered on his hands and the forest floor. Grabbing the legs, Percy slung it onto the hellhound's back. The duo began the trek back home.
Piper looked up at the night sky and felt the dragon decelerate. Looking back, she saw the jets retract and Festus glided before diving. The lights of Nome flickered thousands of feet below. The dragon landed just beyond the city limits, near a large house. A small girl was waiting for them.
Butchers were unappreciated. Cutting up the animal and preparing the meat was hard. And Percy could say that because he had hands on experience. His walkie talkie chirped.
"Percy, there's a dragon robot by my house," Lila said through it. Percy grabbed it.
"Be careful, but go talk to them. See what they want," he said
"Okay,"
Piper watched as the girl approached them.
"I like your dragon." she said and stroked Festus's leg. The automaton snorted. Piper frowned. She was clear-sighted. Maybe she knew about Percy. Sliding down, she knelt in front of the girl.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Lila."
"Okay, Lila, we're looking for someone. Do you know where the Wraith is?" A voice came from Lila's pocket.
"Say no," It was Percy. Piper turned to Leo.
"Already tracking it," Leo said. Festus tilted his head a few times before pointing his head east. The quest scrambled onto the dragon and he took off.
"Percy, they're coming," Lila said. The son of Poseidon ran out of the cabin and into the woods. He ran as far as he could before stopping. A glint of bronze caught his eye. Festus.
Piper watched as the dragon landed near a small cabin. Smoke rose from the small chimney. She got off.
"Percy?" She called. Leo looked around and whistled.
"Aquaman's done pretty well for himself," he walked over to the small forge and patted the small anvil. Grover knelt and touched the ground before sniffing the air.
"He's not here," the satyr said. Piper ignored him and opened the door.
The small living area was spartan compared to the cabins. The most noticeable thing was a small memorial to Annabeth. The other detail was Percy's absence. Piper walked back outside.
"Where'd he go?"
Percy climbed a tree and looked in the direction of his home. Festus's glowing skin seemed like a fire compared to the dark forest. He hopped down and drew Riptide. Voices echoed through the trunks as he stealthily tracked towards them.
When he finally saw them, Grover was leading, sniffing the air. Leo's flaming hand provided light and Piper clutched her sword and dagger, scanning for any threats. Percy crept closer and his breath caught in his throat.
It was either because of three years of exile or because he had been gone for so long, but Piper was easily the most beautiful person Percy had seen. Sure, she was a daughter of Aphrodite, but still. Her attempts to try and hide her beauty made it even better.
Percy steeled his nerves. How dare they come and try to bring him back. He left for a reason.
"Where is he?" Piper asked.
"He's close," Grover said. Percy dashed from the shadows, across their path and into the woods. Grover was so startled, he fell over.
"What the Styx was that?!" Leo yelped. Piper faced the shadows where Percy was hiding.
"Percy! We know it's you!" Percy knew he had been caught. He stepped from the woods, keeping his hood up. Grover stood, facing his oldest friend, Leo lifted his flaming hand, and Piper lowered her weapons.
"Percy…" Grover said. The exile turned towards him before addressing the group.
"Leave. Now." His voice was a menacing growl. A flash of uncertainty took over Leo's face. Grover frowned, concern etched on his face. Piper stepped forward.
"Percy, please-" A flash of bronze streaked towards Piper. She raised her sword to parry it. They exchanged blows before Percy dodged around her attacks and pointed the tip of Riptide at her throat.
"I said, leave." Leo flicked a finger and a small whip of fire flicked at Percy. He ducked, but not before his hood came off.
Piper stifles a gasp. If possible, Percy had gotten hotter. Girls at camp always commented on his looks. Now he actually looked more like a sea god than his dad.
His green eyes were even more brilliant and a rough beard covered his jaw. Speaking of jaws, Piper was pretty sure his jawline was sharper than the sword at her throat. They stared into each other's eyes.
"Percy… please. Is this what Annabeth would want?" Piper asked. Percy's eyes hardened and he flung Riptide into a tree. The sword buried itself up to the hand guard.
"Don't say her name!" he yelled. The ground shook. Grover stepped forward, hands raised.
"Perce, we need you back at camp. Everyone misses you." Percy glared at the satyr before turning back and pulling Riptide free.
"Yeah, I bet they do," he said, bitterly. "I ran for a reason. There's nothing at camp for me. And even if I did stay, the next time the gods have a problem that could be easily solved, they're gonna come to me because I saved their sorry asses twice. I have nothing against you guys, but you need to leave. Or I will make you leave." Leo sighed.
"You're right, man. Sorry." He turned and began walking back. Grover took one last look at his best friend before following Leo back. Only Piper remained. Percy glared at her.
"Go on, McLean. Go home. Leave me be," he pushed past her and pulled up his hood.
When he reached his cabin, Festus saw him. The dragon bounded towards him, but Mrs. O'Leary tacked the dragon, thinking it was an attack. The monsters struggled up, Festus roaring and blowing flames everywhere, Mrs. O'Leary snarling and pacing. Percy drew his sword.
"Heel. Leo, calm him down or I'm gonna turn him into scrap." Leo frantically obeyed, calming Festus down with promises of oil and Tabasco sauce. Piper tried one more time to bring the son of Poseidon home.
"Percy, we need you. The camp needs you. What about your mother and Paul? Don't you have a sister?"
"Yes, I do. They know where I am. I let them know weekly that I'm okay. Now go. Please. I don't want this to get violent." Percy walked back inside, his hellhound following before she plopped down in front of the door. Piper sighed and mounted the dragon. Festus took off and began the long journey back to New York.
SO yeah! I don't have much, but review please!
