Hey guys, so this is a somewhat emotional chapter, I hope you all enjoy it, and as always thank you all for the reviews they make me real happy. And don't you guys worry, Tyson and Nico will have their parts to play in what's happening.
Annabeth's eyes went wide with shock and horror at that, "What is it? What's he done now?"
"I.." Percy swallowed hard, moving forward quickly and grabbing her best friends elbows gently, "I'm sorry I'm so sorry-"
"Sorry for what Percy?" She paused, a terrified look on her face, "Is it Chiron did he do something to Chiron?"
"No..." Percy shook her head, "He... Thalia's tree." there was a confused look on Annabeth's face.
"What about her tree?"
"He poisoned it."
"He po-what?" the confusion didn't clear-but Percy knew her friend, could practically feel the way she was desperately trying to refuse to even
consider what Percy was suggesting, "You're not making any sense Percy he-"
"He poisoned her tree Annabeth. It's dying. The magical boundary is fading."
"But that's not possible she's not just a tree no one would do that." Annabeth was shaking her head, and Percy could see the way she was actively fighting accepting the possibility of what Percy had said being the truth. "Thalia's tree can't die it just can't-"
"Annabeth-"
"Because that'd be like Thalia dying all over again and that wouldn't-they wouldn't do that the Gods wouldn't let that happen again they wouldn't do that to me-"
"I'm sorry-"
"I-she..." and then the tears were falling-Annabeth who was usually one of the strongest girls Percy knew was suddenly crying as she backed away from Percy. "No. No she can't die again Percy she can't the Gods wouldn't do that to me they wouldn't it's not fair-"
"I'm sorry." Percy felt her own eyes filling with tears at seeing her best friend so hurt, so upset, "Annabeth I'm so sorry-"
"Thalia was all I had after I ran away she was all I had and I lost her but... but she was still kinda there y'know? I could still feel her presence. It hurt
so much but I could tell myself she was still there I could sit at the tree and just talk to her and now she's-you're saying-" a sob ripped it's way out of
Annabeth's throat and Percy was there when the girl's legs gave out beneath her and she let out a grief filled scream as Percy caught her and they
sunk to the ground, though it was muffled by Percy's shoulder.
And Percy clung to her tightly, rocking them both as Annabeth grabbed Percy's arms just that bit too tight, as she sobbed and screamed.
When the sobs and screaming stopped Percy stilled, shifting slightly so that she could look at Annabeth, a worried gleam in her eyes as the familiar gray eyes now red from tears lifted to look at her. "We have to save her Percy. There has to be a way please-"
"That's why Alabaster came here." Percy admitted reluctantly, "He's the one who poisoned her. I think he did it because he knew it would force us to do what he wants."
"I should have stabbed him." Annabeth snarled the words and Percy nodded.
"I don't disagree." she shifted slightly, still hugging Annabeth, "He said that he needs me to go to the Sea of Monster to get the Golden Fleece-"
"That should be able to heal anything." Annabeth perked up, "And he said it was in the Sea of Monsters."
"Yeah. It also means he wants it for something. If I get it he'll be hunting us down trying to get it from us."
"Then we don't let him." Annabeth's expression became determined, "Percy please. We have to try and save the last thing left of Thalia. Please, and from what you said if we don't then Camp's in danger too. We need to save her."
Percy bit her lip, staring at Annabeth for a long moment before pulling back and climbing to her feet, "First we go and tell mom we're going to Camp because we need to talk to Luke and Chiron. Once we're at Camp we talk to them, see what they think. If they agree we get a quest, if they don't we run away." she bit her lip, "I think Grover might be there too-"
"You do?"
"I think so. I had a weird dream so Iris messaged him and he said about some kind of powerful Nature magic and he said he was in the Sea of- and then he had to go in a rush because something was coming."
"Right." Annabeth nodded, "With our lives I honestly wouldn't be surprised." she took Percy's offered hand and pulled herself up quickly, "Let's go speak to your mom then."
So together they headed home, Annabeth hooking her arm in Percy's, and when they arrived Sally was sat waiting for them in the kitchen, a worried look on her face.
"Girls are you-oh Annabeth." her expression softened and she surged forward, pulling Annabeth into a warm hug, "Percy told you."
"Yeah." Annabeth sniffled slightly as she hugged Sally back, "She... uh, I want to go to Camp. Talk to Chiron about it. We might have an idea about fixing it."
Sally frowned slightly, "Of course." she ran her fingers through Annabeth's curls gently, "Of course you can go to Camp. Do you want me to drive-"
"I was actually thinking of taking a different means of transport." Annabeth admitted, "A faster one-"
"Oh?" Sally hesitated before sighing, "Just be careful then you two. I'll stay home with Nico and Tyson. Annabeth you sit down and have a bite to eat, Percy you should go and talk to Tyson and Nico if you're going to be gone for a little bit."
"Thank you Miss Jackson." Annabeth gave a grateful smile, moving to sit down as Sally got to work rustling up a quick meal for her, and Percy took the stairs two at the time, knocking twice and Tyson and Nico's bedroom door.
It was Tyson who called for her to come in and she opened the door, peering into the room to see Nico and Tyson sat on the bottom bunk of their beds-they'd ended up sharing a bedroom when Nico had gotten into the habit of sneaking into Tyson's room to play video games.
Nico almost flew towards her as he leapt off the bed, his eyes wide "Percy is everything okay? What's going on did something happen d-"
"Woah now!" Percy hugged Nico quickly before pulling back, "Everything's fine Neeks. But I've got to go and visit camp for a bit you guys so you'll have to look after mom for me-"
"What?" Nico frowned, "But I don't understand. Why?"
"It's some stuff with Camp Neeks. Nothing for you to worry about-or you Tyson." she smiled at the gentle Cyclops, who was frowning.
"I want to go with Percy-"
"You can't big guy. This is something Annabeth and I have to do."
"Will you come back?"
"Always." Percy shifted so that she was looking Nico in the eye, "Nico Di Angelo I promise you I will always come back for you. You hear me? Always.
No matter what."
"Bianca didn't-"
"Yes. Well." Percy pressed her lips together, "I'm not Bianca Neeks. And I will come back-besides you'll be fine here. I need you guys to look after mom for me."
"We can look after mom." Tyson nodded eagerly, "Protect her from the scary monsters for you."
"Damn right. And there might be some other Demigods coming here soon too, so you can see about making friends with more people like us."
"I don't need friends." Nico said quickly, "Not as long as I've got you and Tyson-"
"You have no idea how adorable that sounds but you really do." Percy laughed, shaking her head as she ruffled Nico's hair. "Try and make some friends amongst the other kids, for me please?"
Nico groaned exaggeratedly and rolled his eyes, "Fine, I guess I can do that."
"And you be careful Tyson." Percy kissed her little brothers cheek, "Annabeth and I might be gone for a couple of weeks I don't know yet so you be as helpful as you can, and like I said protect everyone for me. You're strong and smart Tyson. They'll need you to look after them."
"I will." Tyson nodded quickly, "I'll be good and protect your friends and mom and Nico for you."
She hugged him tightly, dragging Nico into the hug too.
"That's what I like to hear you two-Nico remember you shouldn't tell anyone who your dad is because-"
"Because some people are still kinda dumb over that sorta thing." Nico said in a singsong voice, "And because Big Three kids aren't supposed to exist. I know Percy."
"Oi, enough with the attitude squirt-"
Nico very maturely poked his tongue out and blew a raspberry at her. "I'm not a squirt,"
"Oh, sorry I didn't notice you down there-"
"Percy!" Nico shoved her, "You're so annoying."
"I'm your big sister, it's in the job description Neeks, did you not read the contract-"
"I didn't sign up to have an annoying big sister I know that much." Nico was smiling despite himself as Percy pulled back. "It'll be nice to get a break from you."
"You'll miss me really."
"Nuh uh."
"I'll miss you big sister." Tyson piped up, and Percy's expression softened.
"I know you will big guy, and I'll miss you too but I gotta do what I gotta do."
"If you need us call us." Nico piped up "We'll totally help you if you do-"
"I'll let you know." as if she'd ever want to drag Nico and Tyson into a crazy quest.
Her baby brothers were off limits for that sort of thing as far as she was concerned, and she hugged them both again before making her way back down the stairs after shoving a few sets of clothes into a backpack which she slung over her shoulders, along with some drachmas and her stockpile of Ambrosia squares.
By the time she returned downstairs Annabeth had clearly polished off a sandwich, and she stood up when Percy came down the stairs.
"Are Tyson and Nico okay?" Sally's voice was soft, and Percy nodded.
"Yeah, a bit upset at the fact that I'm leaving but that's expected."
"I'll look after them." Sally nodded, "Just as long as you come back safe that'll be enough." she moved towards Percy, cupping her face in the palms of her hands, "My wonderful beautiful strong daughter. You promise me you'll come back okay?"
"Mom-"
"No, no you promise me honey. I know you two, I know that whatever you're planning is probably dangerous and I know that nothing I can say is going to stop you so I want you to promise me that you will do everything you can to come back to us."
"I will." Percy nodded, "I promise mom. I know what I'm doing, and where we're going... I'll kind of be in my element."
Sally relaxed slightly at that, "Somewhere on the water? Well that's good. The sea is one of the safest places for you."
Percy resisted the urge to exchange looks with Annabeth-it really wasn't likely to be where they were going but there was no way she was telling her mom that. "Yeah mom. Exactly." she turned to Annabeth, "So, how are we getting to Camp then Wise Girl. You said it's probably the fastest way or something right?"
"Yeah." Annabeth grinned slightly, "It's... not the funnest method of travel but it's fast and no one's ever died-"
"Oh that is not reassuring." Sally muttered, "Don't tell me, I'll only worry."
"Okay, we won't." Percy kissed her moms cheek, "We should probably head out anyways. I'll see you soon and keep in contact okay."
"Of course." Sally nodded, "I'll check in with Chiron again this evening, discuss how many Campers he'll send to start with."
"They're coming here?"
"Tyson can scare away some of the threats and if there's a couple of older Campers they can defend the younger ones-leaving the bulk of the older Campers at Camp to defend it." Sally explain, "It might not work out but... splitting up the Camp might mean less campers are drawn if there's less Demigods in one place."
"I suppose." Annabeth nodded, "It just doesn't feel right."
"Nothing about this feels right." Sally smiled sadly, "But there's nothing we can do."
"But hopefully there is something Percy and I can do." Annabeth's expression turned determined. "Come on Percy." Annabeth grabbed her best friends hand, "Let's go and save Camp."
"Again." Percy grinned slightly and Annabeth laughed.
"Again."
