I quickly say goodbye to Dipper and Mabel. As I walk to the Athena Cabin, I think out loud, "Could Dipper be the child of one of the Big Three?" It seems unlikely- I had always pictured the child of the prophecy to be more, well, like Luke. Athletic, well trained, smart, determined. Sure Dipper was impressive for a new camper, but still. Mabel seemed like a better fit. I have never met anyone in five years able to do what she does. I searched through all of my books: nothing on evaluating of enemies. Her ability did make me jealous. Sure, I had just gotten an invisibility cap for my birthday a few weeks ago, but Mabel could tell what your worst fear was in the blink of an eye.
Most of the summer campers had packed everything, but I often look at their writings and notes they had left behind. It wasn't much, but they got to go out and explore the world. The twins hadn't ever run away, even if they had fake parents. They were better than mine. No, not you, Athena. My stepmom.
I spend the next hour staring out the door, waving to passing campers. "Hey Annabeth. I'm glad you're being given a quest. You know, after my epic fail," Luke walks over. "Luke, do you think I'm ready for a quest?" I ask him. "Annabeth, for the five years I have known you, you are the bravest fighter I've ever met," he says sincerely. Besides Chiron, he's been my closest family since I ran away. Well, more than Chiron too. "Thanks Luke," I glance at the clock: 5:45. I try to keep up with him as we race to Thalia's tree.
Nearly everyone is surrounding the tree, all staring at the sun. After a few silent moments, Travis goes, "Is it just me or is the sun getting big-" "DUCK!" Chiron yells as a massive fire ball barely misses our heads. We shield our eyes as a glow becomes hotter and hotter.
"'Sup people? Sorry, I had to comb my hair," I look up and see a cocky blonde guy standing in front of us. I was just about to snap back, but I remembered he was a god, no matter how egocentric or cocky.
"Lord Apollo," everyone bows their heads. "So, these are the few little people that stay year round? And hello, Mabel and Dipper Pines." Mabel is staring at them, probably because he's so sparkly and glittery. Dipper just stands there awkwardly. "Well Chiron, I need some of you to do me a personal favor. One of my enemies, King Midas, was turned into a half donkey by me. Lately, I've been having weird cravings for straw. Even though I'm a god, I never eat straw. I'm more stubborn than usual." Someone says, "No you're not." And Apollo yells, "Yes I am! Sorry. Anyways, I'm guessing that when I cursed the king, I slightly cursed myself. I don't know how, but as the god of medicine, I do know that in twelve days, I will permanently become a donkey. No more awesome a hair or great poetry." I mumble, "I wouldn't mind quiet Apollo." But he's a god, and he can torture us for the twelve days when he still has powers.
I've never heard of a curse rebounding except for Harry Potter, but he's not Greek. "And because I'm here, I get to choose who goes to Gravity Falls." Dippers eyes widen. Isn't that where he said he trained? "Let's see... Annabeth, Mabel, Dipper, Luke, and Travis." This is one of the weirdest choices he could have said, but I going! Travis is smiling, Mabel is high fiving Luke, and Dipper is staring at the ground. "And you know about the sacred rule where only three survive? Well, I'll change that and make sure at least four are sane when they die." How reassuring.
"The prophecy shall be in a haiku! Ready?
Find Gravity Falls
Cure these cursed donkey hormones
Before I kill you
Whoa! I did it!" Apollo cheers before he flies off with his car.
"Time for dinner!" Chiron announces, but I'm in no mood to eat.
