So things still aren't back to normal for me, but I do want to give you something and I am so grateful for your support and patience. It doesn't help that I now am on puppy watch most of the day since my mom was worried about our other dog pining and getting lonely so she chose to get him a new playmate to help. Which is lovely because our new puppy is tiny and adorable and she's helping my mom with the grief too but holy crap is she a crazy little thing who can and will attack toes at all times. We call her Sadie the toe killer. (She acts exactly as you'd expect given her name lol, though she was actually named after my dads first ever dog.)
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: You shall have to wait and see-but remember they only knew about the fleece in canon because of Percy's dreams.
Undeath9087: Hades really was asking for it giving him a name like that.
Guest: thank you!
Drizzle: No hints my dear.
Guest: I know, and I definitely am still taking my time.
Ryan Fowler: Thank you so much. And I like to think he's looking down on us, on Sadie the toe killer and he'd be smiling. It did kind of feel to early on one hand but I don't think it would ever not feel too early and our other dog doesn't do well without a play mate and our eldest dog is just too old to give him that.
ant-death: Thank you so much for your review- it makes me smile knowing how much so many people seem to enjoy it. It means the world to me and I'm also so grateful.
PJ fan 285: Thank you. You made me smile. I really do appreciate it all.

They didn't waste any time after Hades ominous warning. The god opened a doorway for them-into Central Park, as usual. They said their goodbyes quickly before they stepped through the doorway, and Percy instantly turned her gaze to her two friends, most specifically to Annabeth- who was pale to say the least, and gods but Percy couldn't blame her.

She couldn't imagine what the daughter of Athena was thinking. "We're going to save the tree Annabeth." Percy spoke firmly, "Uncle Hades gave us some good information we have some idea of what we're going-"

"It not just-" Annabeth took a deep breath, "I don't want Thalia's tree to die- because I love her, obviously. But there's something else. When Lord Zeus turned Thalia into a tree- he also- her sacrifice created a magical boundary around the camp that keeps out monsters. Before that they had patrols and watches to keep monsters away but that stopped after Thalia died. But if her tree's been poisoned..."

"The magical boundary will fall." Piper said the words slowly, "And your camp is going to be in danger."

"I bet that many demigods will draw a lot of monsters." Percy's brows furrowed with worry. "That just makes our mission even more urgent."

"We've grown used to not having to have watches." Annabeth grimaced, "It could be very bad if we don't get the Fleece."

"We will." Piper's voice was firm, "But first we need to get to Brooklyn House and tell the others what's going on."

"And we're going to need to get a boat." Percy rubbed her hands together, "Mom can help with that-I doubt anyone would sell a boat to three teenagers but mom can buy one for us I bet. It's a bit short notice but we can do it."

"And we know a fair bit about the Sea of Monsters." Piper remarked, a smile playing across her lips suddenly, "Since Percy's read the entirety of the Odyssey to us." and that made Percy blush as Annabeth smiled.

"You have a very good point." she agreed.

And as they talked they started walking, heading out of Central Park and towards the Williamsburg bridge.

It was a decently long walk but one that all three girls had done dozens of times. And it gave them time to think and start making plans as they did walk.

Annabeth had pulled a pen and pad from her pocket, and she was scribbling onto the pad, making a list of their potential obstacles.

"I've got Sirens, Charybdis, Circe and Scylla." Annabeth spoke up, tapping the pad with her pen- and more than once Piper and Percy had to grab her arm and gently pull her to one side or the other out of the way of people walking towards them. "Have I forgotten anything?"

"Yes." Percy didn't hesitate, "Your least favorite part of the story- Polythemus-"

Piper snickered at that, "I wonder how that meeting would go-"

"Well based on my last run in with one of my brothers on Poseidon's side I don't really want to take any risks." Percy huffed the words, blowing a stray curl out of her face.

"Which brother was that?" Annabeth tilted her head, "I can't remember if you've mentioned it before."

"Procrustes." Piper's face scrunched up. "Percy had a bad shoulder, we went into a water bed shop to ask for a first aid kit and he shoved her into one of the beds."

"Pipes totally saved my butt that day." Percy's voice was proud. "Though- maybe you should have given it ten minutes or so, I could do with a few more inches-" that earned Percy a shove from Piper- which sent her stumbling and she laughed loudly.

And the fact that Piper could push so hard was actually rather impressive. After all a few years earlier she'd have never been able to put so much strength into it. She was a lot physically stronger than she'd once been. And their first little adventure had done wonders for her confidence in herself.

"I don't know." Annabeth remarked, looking at Percy thoughtfully, "I like you like this- you're shorter than us. You're not allowed to be taller-"

"Hey!" Percy pouted, "That is so mean owl head-"

"This coming from the girl who routinely transforms into a bird because it's fun-"

"Okay but you usually join me Pipes."

"Oh I don't deny it's fun. But if anyone should have a bird themed nickname it's you Percy."

"I-" Percy paused, "Okay, okay I can concede that point." Percy snickered, "Birds are definitely one of my things. What should it be then? I mean, Hawks aren't great for cute nicknames- Owls and doves are much easier to work with."

"I swear Percy if you start calling me dove I will murder you."

"Aweeee." Percy pouted slightly "I think you make a lovely dove- lovely dovely if- OUCH!" that was because Piper had shoved Percy hard- which sent her crashing into Annabeth, and they both hit the ground with twin yelps, Percy managing to twist as they fell so that she was cushioning Annabeth's fall, catching her elbow in a way that made pain shoot up it- though she knew from experience that it wasn't actually a serious injury, it would probably just bruise- and Piper's startled cry just made her laugh.

"Oh gods! I didn't think! Percy, Annabeth I'm sorry I didn't mean- stop laughing it's not funny!" and Percy was shaking with laughter as Annabeth pushed herself up with her good hand, clearly trying to push back her own giggles.

"It is a little funny." Annabeth managed.

"You did say you'd murder me." Percy pushed herself up onto her elbows. "So I probably got off lightly. And lovely dovely is pretty bad."

"You know, Pipes works just fine."

"Yeah, yeah but anyone can call you Pipes. We should have something that we're the only ones allowed to call each other."

"You're ridiculous." as Annabeth said that she was letting Piper pull her to her feet, and Percy grinned.

"It comes of being a daughter of Poseidon-"

"Yes you have Seaweed instead of brains." Piper rolled her eyes fondly and Annabeth paused.

"Seaweed brain. I like that."

"Hm-" Piper paused, "It is fitting." she conceded, moving to Percy once Annabeth was on her feet, and Percy caught her hands, accepting Piper's help as the other girl hauled her to her feet, "But I'm still gonna call you other stuff. Little Miss Movie Star- huh."

"What?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "You come up with something better?"

"Sea star." Piper had a wide smile on her lips, "Because, well, daughter of Poseidon and because she's literally a movie star."

"Hm, I like it." Percy beamed, "Seaweed brain, and Sea star. I think I'll call Piper our Siren, 'cause, you know. She's got Charmspeak. It's fitting right?"

"I actually really like that." Annabeth said slowly, a smile forming on her lips. "Mind if I borrow that one?"

"Sure, but only you two are allowed to call me that." Piper declared, "And I'm serious, if anyone else does I'll stab them I swear to the gods I will."

"That just leaves Annabeth."

"I think the only nickname that comes to mind is Wise Girl but-"

"I'm taking it." Percy yelped, "That's it, from this day on you're our Wise girl."

"I have to admit it does fit." Piper laughed, "You're definitely the wise one between the three of us."

"Wise enough to know not to argue with you two." Annabeth's lips were twitching, like she was trying not to smile. "Come on you idiots, we need to get back to Brooklyn House."

"Why of course." Percy grinned, glancing at Piper, who nodded, and together they hooked their arms through Annabeth's on either side, Percy planting a kiss on Annabeth's cheek. "Let's go talk to my crazy ass family about us three heading off on another adventure."

"Carter and Sadie are not going to be happy." Piper snickered, "I still haven't forgotten their reaction to the backpack disaster."

"Hey, we handled that like, ridiculously well. It could have gone so so much worse."

"If literally anyone else had done what you did they'd be dead." Annabeth remarked, "Anyone else Percy."

"And yet here I am, and uncle Hades loves me."

"Of course he does." Piper laughed, "Who wouldn't?"

"Lord Thunde- ouch!" Percy rubbed her ear, which had just been twisted by the daughter of Athena.

"Stop calling him that. You'll get us all smote-"

"Oh come on- if you called him that sure, but as long as I wear these-" she tapped at the amulets around her neck, "As long as I wear these he won't notice me unless he's actually in front of me looking for me."

"Hmm." Annabeth automatically reached for the singular amulet hanging around her own neck.

Percy had given both her and Piper one each. They weren't as strongly enchanted as Percy's own- Percy had made them herself with Walt's help- enchanting such things weren't her speciality but she'd been learning a lot, ever since she'd made the choice to help create Annabeth's bracelet- and Percy's gaze automatically flicked down to Annabeth's right hand, which hung limply through Piper's arm- the daughter of Athena wore it often enough but she was quite careful not to over use it- if she did she got agonizing cramps in the hand.

Through trial and error Annabeth had learned that three hours was the absolute limit to how long she could wear it at once, she'd tried to push it the first few times- and she needed at least two hours before she could wear it again- which Percy hadn't even known.

But Percy dragged her eyes away, focusing on Annabeth's amulet again. They'd kept most of the monsters away, a fact that Percy was eternally grateful for. Not that they had any issues with the few monsters that did pick up Piper and Annabeth's scents. Both of the girls could easily handle themselves- Annabeth had more practise than Piper but she'd been set back by having to learn to fight left handed. Still, they were both skilled- Percy enjoyed training with them. It was always fun, Piper and Annabeth generally teamed up against Percy- and both of them had long ago come to terms with the fact that- in the nicest way possible, unless it was a no magic or powers fight, they would lose against Percy. Still they always put up a good fight.

"The amulets are good." It was Piper who's voice caught Percy's attention then, "I mean, there's less attacks than before I had one. Not that I ever had to worry about that many."

"When I was on the streets there were a lot of monsters." Annabeth shook her head, "It feels weird- we've been attacked what, fifteen times? If that. In almost a full year."

"Sounds about right." Percy remarked lightly, "So what you're saying is that my spell work is amazing and you should all bow before me." she darted forward slightly, whirling to face them and pulling a mock bow, giggling as Piper and Annabeth both started laughing at her too- and out of the corner of her eye Percy could see a couple of strangers aiming their phones towards them, clearly pausing to take photographs, so she gave an extra dramatic flourish before straightening up and calling, "Thank you, thank you people I'll be here all week." she winked before taking off, Annabeth and Piper laughing loudly as they took off after her.

"Slow down Seaweed brain!" Annabeth shook her head, a wide smile crossing her lips.

"Nope my wonderful Wise Girl! Race you back." after all, they weren't far from home now, she could see the Williamsburg bridge.

And soon enough Percy was sprinting up the metal steps, Annabeth and Piper clattering behind her as she reached the door and opened it with a wave of her hand and a quick spell- just as Piper and Annabeth both collided with her and the trio wound up in a pile on the ground, Percy underneath her two best friend- and she groaned before blinking when a pair of sandals came into view with- Percy blinked, "Sandals and socks?" she lifted her head, a look of disgust on her face, "Carter Kane I say this with love but you need some serious help if you think that looks cool."