Whoop! Hey guys I hope you enjoy this chapter-I struggled with this one because of the prophecy i won't lie, it's really hard to make one up completely, but hey I hope you guys like it and I hope it doesn't make things too obvious though it might.
Anyways, as always please do read and review, it makes my day seeing what people think of my story-though I will say to the people still voting I've already started developing the ships that are gonna happen-seriously I'm already like 13 odd chapters into the Titans curse plotline at the moment so it'd be a lil to late for me to change it now.

Luke returned perhaps half an hour later, slightly pale as he let himself into the office and turned his head to look at Percy, "Was it like that for you too."

"Creepy as Hades? Except, y'know I've been to the Underworld and met uncle Hades and even he wasn't that creepy-"

"You received a prophecy then?" Chiron could clearly see that if he let them the siblings could go on like that for hours-he was smart enough to know that it was probably better to nip it in the bud so to speak.

"Yeah, yeah I did." Luke nodded. "The Oracle said;
To find the cure you shall travel far,
an offer shall be given whilst under the stars,
but a heart filled with love will refuse,
and by so doing their fate they will choose,
three heroes leave and six return,
but alone one must take it and acceptance earn
despite a parentage not often admired
as the magic works better than required."

"Hm." Chiron nodded slowly as Luke finished reciting the prophecy, "Well, from the sounds of it you shall at least find the Fleece and return home safely. Though... I wonder who shall return with you. Grover of course is likely one but that still leaves two heroes unaccounted for."

"Prophecies are never clear until they're being fulfilled right?" Percy shrugged, "I know mine wasn't-though in retrospect I feel dumb for not figuring it out. If I'd been able to we'd have known who was responsible from the start. One of the lines literally talked about 'The Crooked One'."

"Yes, well if you had come to me before leaving I could have told you who the Crooked One referred too." Chiron pointed out, shaking his head, "But I hope you have at least learned your lesson on that since you came to talk to me first this time before running off on a new quest."

"Of course." Percy flushed, "We've done it right this time."

"Yes." Chiron conceded, "And I'm glad for it." he sighed heavily, "I only wish the circumstances were different. Now you three need to figure out how you'll be getting to the Sea of Monsters without a ship."

"I might have a plan for that." Percy said hesitantly, "Does praying real hard to my dad count?"

"Well it can't hurt." Chiron nodded, "I'm afraid the usual send off might not be possible under the circumstances, but I wish you three all the luck in the world. Now I should probably go and help deal with the injuries from the latest attack."

With that he left the office and Percy, Annabeth and Luke exchanged nervous looks.

"Percy." Luke spoke up after a long moment, "You go to the beach and try and pray to your father, see if he's willing to help you. Annabeth and I can go grab our supplies and we'll meet you there okay?"

"Sounds like a plan." Percy nodded, and they quickly split ways, Percy leaving the Big House as Annabeth and Luke headed down into the basement to stock up on their supplies.

It didn't take Percy long to reach the beach, and she let out a slow heavy breath when she did.

"Uh. Hi." she swallowed hard, staring out at the water, "Dad. I.. uh, I hope you can hear me right now. I know last time I saw you was... well almost a year ago now and I hate to do this but we need your help. I dunno if you've been watching over me that closely-I know you sent Tyson-he's doing great by the way but, uh see the thing is Camp is in danger, and I know that it's probably not your biggest concern-which I get, I know you have a lot to deal with but... well we've got another quest. And we need to go to the Sea of Monsters so we kinda need a boat-a big one if possible?" she let out a weak laugh, "I feel totally stupid talking to you like this-I know you can probably hear but it feels like I'm talking to myself and I just-I know you love me I do... and I know I'm asking for a lot-probably too much but I don't know what else to do-"

"Sure you do." Percy span around.

It wasn't her father's voice but it was a familiar voice, and her mouth dropped open in surprise when she saw the familiar figure in front of her.
She'd only met him once before, but the day had been memorable and given the fact that her brother looked like his father it was hardly as if she wasn't going to recognize the God.

"Lor-"

"I told you last time-ditch he lord." Hermes waved a hand dismissively, "Your father's been watching you. I'm sure he'll send you some help himself-but I've been watching too-watching Luke and my kids." his smile was proud "He's grown into a brilliant young man. And I know that you and Chase will be going off on another quest and I know my boy will be coming with you-"

"It's his quest, officially." Percy nodded, "He got the prophecy and everything, the quest is his."

"I won't pretend that I'm not worried." Hermes admitted, "It's a difficult quest-"

"How do you even know?"

"Luke prays to me. I know that the Camp's in trouble and that the Fleece is somewhere in the Sea of Monsters." he paused, "You know Hecates son is using you-"

"Yeah, yeah I know." Percy shook her head, "All of this-poisoning the Tree.. is a way to use us. But... I don't see what choice we have?"

"You don't." Hermes shook his head, "And neither does Luke, this is his quest to lead, I know my son will do a good job. I'm here to wish him luck and give him some gifts-"

"Gifts?"

"I'm not sending my boy off on a quest without seeing him-I know I'm breaking the rules and I know my father will be furious if he finds out what I'm doing but I want my boy to know that I have faith in him. I feared for him as a child-May saw horrible possible futures for him, but now... whatever she saw she prevented the day that she told your mother to take him. I'll forever be in your mothers debt for that, and I want my son to know that I have faith in the man he's become."

Then Hermes stilled, his eyes going wide, and Percy knew without turning around why-and she wasn't even remotely surprised she did look and she saw Luke and Annabeth sprinting towards them, Luke skidding to a halt a very short distance from Hermes, his eyes wide.

"Dad."

"My son." Hermes' smile was bright and proud, "You're bigger every time I see you. So you're going on a quest?"

"Yes." Luke nodded, his eyes wide as he stared at the God, "Gotta make sure Percy and Annabeth don't get themselves in trouble."

"Of course." Hermes nodded, chuckling, "You're a good brother son." he reached out, laying a hand on Luke's shoulder, and Luke's face flushed slightly.

"I try."

"You've grown into a brilliant young man. I'm proud of you."

"You are?"

"I know I can't say it often enough but yes I am. Anyone of us would be lucky to call you son, and I'm the one with that privilege. You have no idea how proud you make me." And Percy knew that no matter how much she loved teasing her big brother she'd never ever comment about the fact that his eyes were shining slightly.

"Dad I..."

"When I realized you were going on a quest I decided I had to get you something." Hermes waved a hand, and then there were three large yellow duffel bags on the ground by his feet, "Supplies for your quest kids." and on top of the bags was a stainless steel canister—an old-fashioned lunch box thermos with a black plastic top. The sides of the thermos were enameled with red and yellow Ancient Greek scenes—a hero killing a lion; a hero lifting up Cerberus, the three-headed dog.

Luke leaned down, picking up the cannister, gasping, "What is it dad?"

"Uncap it, and you will release the winds from the four corners of the earth to speed you on your way. Not now son! And please, when the time comes, only unscrew the lid a tiny bit. The winds are a bit like me—always restless. Should all four escape at once... it wouldn't end well."

"Got it." Luke nodded, a serious look on his face, "I'll be careful dad." he looked down and spotted another item on top of the bags, picking up a small pill bottle. "Uh-chewable vitam-are they shaped like-"

"The Minotaur, yeah" Hermes nodded, "the lemon ones anyway. The grape ones are Furies, I think. Or are they hydras? At any rate, these are potent. Don't take one unless you really, really need it."

"Uh, as much as mom always says we need to eat get all of our vitamins I don't see why we'd need them on a Quest." Luke pointed out hesitantly. "You'll know, believe me. Nine essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids … oh, everything you need to feel yourself again."

"To feel yourself again?" that was Annabeth, and she was standing back slightly, clearly she wanted to give the father and son a few moments to themselves too.

"Where you're going you might need them." Hermes voice was serious as he laid a hand on Luke's shoulder, squeezing gently. "Be careful okay son?" his voice was incredibly soft, "I know how important your quest is but I don't want to find out I've lost you, okay?"

"I'll be careful dad." Luke nodded, a determined look on his face, "I'll make you proud-"

"I already told you. I am proud of you." Hermes shook his head there no nee-" there was a ringing and Hermes groaned.

"It's okay." Luke said quickly "You can answer it or whatever-"

"Sorry son." Hermes pulled out a phone that glowed with a bluish light. When he extended the antenna, two creatures began writhing around it—green snakes, no bigger than earthworms.

Hermes sighed when he looked at the number, "Let me just take this kiddo."

"Uh... sure dad."

Hermes sighed, holding the phone to his ear, "Hello?"

He listened. The mini-snakes writhed up and down the antenna right next to his ear.

"Yeah," Hermes said. "Listen—I know, but… I don't care if he is chained to a rock with vultures pecking at his liver, if he doesn't have a tracking number, we can't locate his package…. A gift to humankind, great… You know how many of those we deliver—Oh, never mind. Listen, just refer him to Eris in customer service. I gotta go." He hung up. "Sorry. The overnight express business is just booming. Now, as I was saying—"

"Is that him?" that was one of the snakes-a female voice, and Luke's mouth dropped open as both of the snakes heads turned to look at him, clearly excited based on their hissing.

"Is that Luke-" that was a male voice, and Hermes smiled slightly.

"Yes that's Luke. Luke meet George and Martha."

"Uh, hi."

"He won't shut up about you." hissed George, "It's Luke this, Luke that-" and Luke's face was turning a bright shade of red as Hermes rolled his eyes.

"Oh hush George." that was Martha, "It's sweet, a father should love his son-"

"And I think that's enough from those two." Hermes declared, shoving the phone back into his pocket to shut the two snakes up-which made Luke
laugh-though he tried to cover it up with a cough. "You get used to them."

"I bet." Luke hesitated, "You really talk about me a lot-"

"Oh of course." Hermes grinned, "me and Uncle P have monthly meetings to talk about you kids-I tried to invite Athena to the party but she said she didn't want to put up with Uncle P."

"You have monthly meetings?"

"Oh yeah." Hermes nodded, "Gotta talk to someone about how proud we are of you kids-not that they're ever long meetings I'm a busy God. Even just taking this break is going to mean I'm behind on my work."

"It is?"

"Yeah? I don't often get breaks."

"Then you should go." Luke's smile tight and pained but it was real, and Hermes stared at him for a moment before nodding.

"You're right I should. But first-" Hermes moved quickly, reaching out and pulling Luke into a tight hug.

It only lasted a few minutes before he was pulling back and he spoke again, "Now I have to go son-and so do you three. You need to get the Fleece back as soon as possible or Camp will fall."

"Right." Luke nodded, his expression hardening, "We'll do it dad. I promise." and then Hermes was turning around and walking away, leaving the three Half-bloods behind.