Chapter 3: CTF, Mummies, and a Vision Quest

~Dream Sequence~

Zoe POV

I woke into my dream and was at the one place I hoped to never see again: home. The Garden of the Hesperides from where I was banished for helping Heracles. Ladon was snoozing as he was curled around the tree containing the Golden Apples of Immortality and my sisters were nowhere in sight.

My dream self left the Garden and headed up to Mount Othrys, but what I saw made my blood freeze. Lady Artemis made her way to where my father should have been holding the burden of the sky, but instead it was the blonde camper from Maine.

I wanted to cry out, but I couldn't. I could only watch as Milady got underneath the burden herself and the blonde flopped out in exhaustion. Before my eyes, the blonde rose and her appearance shifted to a young blonde man and my father appeared shortly after to mock her.

Then I woke with a start.

Percy POV

I woke into my dream and was at the one place I know Zoe hoped to never see again: her home. The Garden of the Hesperides from where she was banished for helping the douchebag Heracles. Ladon was snoozing as he was curled around the tree containing the Golden Apples of Immortality and her sisters were nowhere in sight.

My dream self left the Garden and headed up to Mount Othrys, but what I saw made my blood freeze. Mother made her way to where Atlas should have been holding the burden of the sky, but instead it was the blonde camper from Maine.

I wanted to cry out, but I couldn't. I wanted to run to stop her, but I couldn't. I could only watch as Mother got underneath the burden herself and the blonde flopped out in exhaustion. Before my eyes, the blonde rose and her appearance shifted to a young blonde man and Atlas appeared shortly after to mock her.

Then I woke with a start.

~Dream Sequence End~

3rd Person POV

Percy and Zoe found each other after they woke up to talk about their dream.

"I had a dream about Mom/Lady Artemis," they both said at the same time and went wide-eyed at the other's statement. They discussed the details and realized it was identical, which could not have been a coincidence and rushed to the Big House to find Chiron.

"Chiron, Lady Artemis is in trouble. We need to go save her!" Percy argued with Zoe nodding furiously by his side and Chiron just pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and slight annoyance. "I understand that children, but The Oracle has not been giving any quests, and until I receive word from Apollo, I cannot do anything. My hands are tied here," he said and Zoe huffed in annoyance and Percy just narrowed his eyes.

Zoe stormed out, but Percy was stopped by Chiron before he could leave. "My boy, a moment please?" Chiron asked and Percy turned to face him. He took the time to observe the eternal trainer of heroes. 'Not as gray in the beard as I thought he would be for seeing so many heroes come and go,' he mused. "Yes?" Percy said again uncaringly.

"May I ask who your Godly parent is?" Chiron asked gently and Percy grit his teeth for a fraction of a second before the facade settled back in. "With all due respect, Chiron. I would prefer to keep that to myself" Percy deadpanned. Chiron frowned again and said, "I swear on the Styx I will not reveal it." This time it was Percy who gained a contemplative look. "I was adopted by Lady Artemis, now if you'll excuse me I need to train before Capture the Flag tonight," Percy answered flatly and turned on his heel.

Chiron was wide eyed and gaping as the boy left, but knew better than to push his luck if his suspicions about the boy's "birth father" were correct.

Percy POV

'Gods, why does everyone want to know all about my parentage? What does it matter? You can learn so much about a person by just watching them,' I thought minorly frustrated as I strutted away from the Big House. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I bumped into someone without realizing and she fell on her butt with an "oomph!"

I looked down to see the Daughter of Zeus from Maine, Thalia I believe was her name. "Sorry about that. I was thinking about something," I said as I stretched out my hand for her to take it. She took it and let me help her up. "It's all good… I'm Thalia Grace by the way. Daughter of Zeus, but I guess you knew that already," she said a little sheepishly and I had to admit again that she was very cute.

The freckles that splashed across her nose and cheeks and the electric blue eyes that held the hint of mischief and promise of power. Her hair was choppy and short like a punk rocker, but it strangely only added to the appeal for me. It said, "This is who I am and if you don't like it you can shove it."

I realized that I was staring for too long so I blushed and snapped back to it, "Uh. Yeah. Perseus Jackson, but please, call me 'Percy'."

If she noticed my blush, she didn't comment on it, thank the gods. "How did that come about anyways? You with the Hunt," she asked innocently and I stared again. That, she did notice and quickly backpedaled, "Sorry, if you don't wanna go into it then that's fine."

I sighed deeply and said, "No… it's fine. I had a... less than pleasant childhood and Artemis saved me and took me in. I wanted to get stronger." Thalia got a faraway look in her eyes like something I said triggered an unpleasant memory and said, "Yeah… I get that."

I smiled softly and told her, "Thank you for not pestering me like everyone else." She smiled in return. 'Gods, I could get used to seeing that,' I mused and she said, "Thank you for telling me what you were comfortable with." I nodded and smirked, "Capture the Flag tonight. You're going down," I said and she raised an eyebrow at me. "Guess we'll see, Jackson," she said and we went our separate ways.

3rd Person POV

The day dragged on for the Hunt and Percy after that and most of them spent it training in the archery range or threatening the boys who dared to even look at them. Percy trained a little in the range, but mostly in a secluded area of the woods where he meditated and focused on his powers.

Finally, the time for Capture the Flag came and Percy was somewhat excited. It would feel good to let loose for a bit even if the campers were the ones on the receiving end of that. 'Unlucky for them,' he mused at the Hunt gathered for their strategy meeting.

"We'll have Percy, Phoebe, and Zoe go on the offensive with another squad going the opposite to act as a decoy away from the three," Ashley, a Daughter of Athena said as she planned this game for them. "Actually, I figured I'd serve as the decoy," Percy spoke up and everyone looked at him to continue.

"For starters, the entire camp saw me claimed by Artemis which will draw their curiosity. Secondly, his brat is going to want some form of revenge on me, so I imagine he'll seek me out. And lastly," Percy started to blush a little at this point. "I may have challenged Thalia earlier today," he said as he rubbed his neck.

The entire Hunt rolled their eyes at him and his antics, but Ashley gave him the green light to act as the decoy and draw in as many as he could. Before they set out, Zoe and Phoebe pulled him aside to talk to him.

Zoe POV

"Getting close with the Daughter of Zeus? As Lady Artemis' kid that makes her your Aunt you know," Phoebe teased and Percy made a repulsed face that didn't match with the blush he was also sporting. Phoebe laughed and I narrowed my eyes at him. "Need I remind you that you are a hunter first, Little Brother?" I said to him and he looked at the ground and nodded.

Phoebe elbowed me in the ribs and gave me a look that said "Seriously?" She then cleared her throat and said, "What Zoe meant to say, is that while you didn't have to take an oath like we did, make sure that you only give your heart to someone you trust with everything you have."

I looked back to my little brother and felt a little bad, but it was out of worry for him. "And don't you dare go around breaking hearts like your Uncle or you'll have Artemis and the entire Hunt to answer to," Phoebe added and he paled, making Phoebe and I chuckle.

"Make sure you don't reveal your powers. Thalia is going to use lightning against you and the boy the water. You have to keep it all under wraps. Else you and the Hunt and especially Lady Artemis will be in trouble," I told him and he nodded stiffly. "Now, let's go win another game," I said and the three of us grinned and bumped fists.

3rd Person POV

The horn sounded to start the game and both sides took off. Zoe and Phoebe were the two woman team that stuck to the shadows in the trees to approach the enemy flag, while Ashley and Atalanta (Daughter of Apollo) lead another group, less stealthily so they would draw the campers attention. The remaining hunters stuck to defense and obstruction.

The real decoy was Percy and he went straight to the biggest clearing by the creek and sat down in a meditative pose while he waited for people to show up. While he was meditating, he picked up all the auras and water signatures in the woods. He could feel Zoe and Phoebe creep toward the flag undetected. He could feel Ashley and Atalanta's group attract the attention of the campers and engage them. He could feel his sisters stationed in the trees watching over him.

Finally, he could feel the campers. A group of about six of them were approaching with not very strong auras and further away there were two stronger ones that would be there later, but they weren't working together in the slightest. 'Those are probably Steven and Thalia,' he mused as the first group came to the clearing.

Percy POV

"So you're the boy hunter," a burly girl called out to me. "Yes. From the appearance, I would guess daughter of Ares? You remind me of my hotheated sister Phoebe," I said trying to rile them up further. It proved successful.

"Pretty big mouth for a scrub," the girl said again. "May I know who I am fighting?" I asked as blunted arrows rained down on their position and struck her siblings, rendering them useless as I drew my hunting knives. She looked around shocked then back to me in anger. "Clarisse, Leader of Ares Cabin, punk," she spat and drew her spear.

I charged her without another word and quickly overwhelmed her with superior speed. I stepped into her guard and went to yank her spear out of her hands, only to find it was electrified. I cursed and had to pretend that it affected me, but the cursing was more so because I was annoyed that I had to pretend.

She gave a feral grin, thinking her victory was assured and rushed me in turn. I dodged and slipped everything she came at me with until I slid between her legs and sliced her ankles making her drop. Before she could let out another hiss, I rose, spun, and knocked her out with the hilt of my knife.

"Ready for Round 2, bitch?" Steven asked and I threw my head back in exasperation and sighed. Ironically, not talking to him made him angrier and he grew red in the face. "I'm getting my sword back!" he roared and I stared blankly. "I don't have it anymore," I told him and he grew even angrier.

He charged again without preamble and I danced out of the way but he didn't pursue me. 'Doesn't want to leave the creek. He's smarter than he looks. Fine, I'll play your game,' I smirked maliciously under my mask as I rushed him and drove him back into the creek. He smirked, thinking I was a fool for doing that, but I just smiled wider.

His sword strikes got more powerful and accurate for certain, but I pressed him continuously, so he couldn't raise a hand to manipulate the water we were dueling in. After 10 minutes of fighting, he grew exceedingly frustrated and he was starting to slow down, the water no longer aiding him.

Since I could get away with hurting him a little this time, I blocked a downward strike with my knives in an "X" position and planted a hard kick to his chest. He grunted and flew back a bit and I pounced before he could recover. I stabbed a knife through his sword hand and brought the other one hilt first to his temple for the second time in three days.

I took a moment to splash some water on my face to gain some energy back and sheathed both of my knives, before going back to my spot of meditation to sense out for Thalia. I only had to wait five minutes tops.

Thalia POV

I came to the clearing near the creek after playing defense for a bit and saw Percy sitting in a meditative position with the unconscious bodies of Clarisse and Steven nearby. "I was wondering when you'd show up," he said without opening his eyes and I chuckled.

"Did you get lonely without me?" I asked teasingly and he opened his eyes and got up, pulled down his mask, and gave me a lopsided smile that was adorable. "Not really. I expected at least one camper to be curious about a male hunter's abilities. And Steven would want some payback," he said cheekily.

"I see that. Even with the creek?" I asked and he just shrugged. "I knew if I kept pressing him he wouldn't be able to raise his hand to manipulate the water," he said to me and I smiled and nodded. "Now. You and me," I told him and he smirked. "Knives? Or sword?" he asked cheekily again. 'Gods, he's cute,' I mused.

"Sword," I said as I drew my spear and Aegis. He whistled at the sight of the shield, but didn't flinch and I gave a mock bow. He drew his blade again in his right hand and the elegant blade I saw in Maine was resting comfortably in it.

"Damn. Tell me about that one," I said to him and he tutted his finger. "After the fight. I don't know how much time we'll have until Zoe and Phoebe get back with your flag," he said and I grew irritated and charged.

He met my spear strikes with his own calculated blocks and parries. He was surgical with his weapon; the type of control you see from an experienced artist with a paintbrush. It was enchanting and horrifying all at once. My competitive side came out and I started to grow angrier that I couldn't find an opening in his stance and I couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't trying very hard given his usual demeanor.

I tried to zap him with lightning from my speartip and he danced out of the way as he let out a yelp. The yelp, however, was not out of fear, but amusement, which even furthered my anger to the fight. I stabbed, sliced, and batted at him with both spear and shield and he ducked, parried, and twisted out of harm's way every time in such an elegant way that I let my anger boil over.

I called down a huge lightning strike from the skies and brought it down on him. I saw his eyes widen and I let a smug smirk cross my features before the realization settled in. In the blink of an eye just as the lightning was going to strike him, he held his blade to the sky and let it act as a lightning rod. It gathered in the blade and he screamed in pain before he managed to turn it downward and ground the electricity in the dirt.

Just as I was about to run to him, the horn sounded and the Hunt had won the game.

Percy POV

I felt bad that I was toying with Thalia a little bit. She was lightyears ahead of Steven that was plain as day, but she still could train more. Her lightning powers were far beyond what I was expecting though, even with me and that was immensely impressive. I was getting ready to end it after sensing Zoe and Phoebe's auras running toward us when she sent down a massive one.

I had to think quickly because it was huge and going to hurt a bit even with my father's powers over storms. I quickly thrust my blade into the sky and hoped that this idiotic idea was going to work. The lightning connected with the blade and traveled up my arm. It hurt a bit and powered me up a little less and most definitely made my muscles spasm, but I beared it long enough to turn the blade back toward the dirt and stabbed it into the ground to ground the electricity.

'Hades that worked,' I thought as I sat on my haunches, panting with my clothes slightly ripped and smoking and my muscles spasming.

'At least we won,' I mused as I panted for breath some more.

Phoebe POV

Zoe and I returned with the flag as the plan had worked, but we saw the lightning and worried immediately for Percy Or worried that he had done something stupid. We ran past the creek ending the game and saw our brother sitting on his haunches and smoking with Kurouzu stabbed firmly in the ground with traces of electricity still running through it.

I ran to Percy and I heard Zoe run to Thalia and shove her. Hard. As soon as I touched Percy, I was shocked from the leftover charge in his body. He picked his head up and looked at me wryly. "Sorry about that Pheebs," he said with a light chuckle, but I could tell he was still in pain. I gave him a small smile and shook my head before I hugged him; electricity be damned.

I pulled away to hear Zoe unload on Thalia. "What the Hades were you thinking?!" she yelled at the Daughter of Zeus and I almost felt bad. Almost. "I-I-" Thalia started to stutter, but Zoe didn't let her. "You weren't thinking! You could have killed him! And then you would have the entire Hunt and Lady Artemis to deal with after me!" she screamed and to me it was starting to get comical.

"Help me up, Pheebs," Percy said softly to me and I did. With his arm around my shoulder, we limped him over to the two. "Enough, Zo. I'm fine," he said to Zoe who pulled him into a hug with a few stray tears in her eyes. He then turned to Thalia and helped her up. "Nice fight, Thals." he said with a shit-eating grin. "Remind me not to piss you off," he added, cheekily and Zoe glared while I chuckled.

Thalia gave a soft smile at the joke and apologized for it which he just waved off. I was worried Steven was going to steal his sword, but he was still out and being carried to the infirmary. Percy also had his katana to where if anyone tried to use it without his permission, it would shock them while also being as cold as dry ice. Besides, something else happened that made everyone freeze.

3rd Person POV

The campers and hunters had gathered around the result of the fight when a sickly green mist started to appear and surround the group. Chiron stared wide-eyed and everyone followed his gaze to see the mummy that housed the Spirit of Delphi and Oracle to Apollo had moved itself from the attic and floated toward them.

"Impossible," Chiron whispered as the mummy stopped at Zoe.

"Approach seeker and ask," the raspy voice that sounded like a thousand snakes spoke.

Zoe stepped forward and asked, "How do I save Milady?"

The raspy voice answered:

"Five shall go West to the Goddess in chains,

One shall be lost in the land without rain,

The Bane of Olympus shows the trail,

Campers and Hunters combined prevail,

The Titan's Curse must one withstand,

And one shall perish by a parent's hand."

"Counsellors, we shall meet in 20 minutes to discuss this," Chiron said and Zoe and Percy just shared a look.

Twenty minutes later, the counsellors, Zoe, and Percy were gathered around the ping pong table with Chiron and Mr. D (Dionysus but don't worry about it). "Alright. Five to go West. Zoe who will you take?" Chiron asked and Zoe and Percy nodded to each other.

"I will take Percy, Thalia, Bianca, and the Satyr," Zoe said and Thalia scowled. "His name is Grover," she grumbled, but no one paid it any attention. "Right," Chiron began, "The five of you will head out tomorrow morning at first light with the van. May the Gods aid you on your journey."

Everyone filed out to get some sleep and prepare for what was to come.

Zoe POV

I pulled Thalia aside after the meeting was over. "I'm bringing the satyr because of the tracking magic and his nose. I am bringing you because the prophecy demands it and I admit you can be a powerful ally," I told her and she tensed a little but relaxed and nodded, realizing that it wasn't a good idea to argue with me.

I turned to leave and stopped after a few steps and turned back to face her. "And if you hurt my little brother in any way ever again. I will not hesitate to have Lady Artemis turn you into a furry creature to be hunted down," I told her and she paled slightly.

I returned to Cabin 8 and saw Percy waiting for me on the steps. "I already gave Phoebe the rundown. She was bummed she couldn't go, but I told her you, I, and especially Artemis needed her to lead here while we're gone," he said and I nodded appreciatively at him. We sat in silence for a while before I turned back to him.

"How are you feeling after the game?" I asked him and he sighed deeply. "Thalia packs one hell of a punch, that's for sure. I was a little jealous that I couldn't summon something like that. These self-imposed power dampeners bite," he said, lightening the mood as he let his own sparks dance around his fingers. I chuckled and the silence came again.

"How are you?" he asked and leaned forward toward me. I let out a shaky breath this time and looked back to him. "Just worried for Milady," I said, but I could tell he didn't buy it. He stared at me for a moment longer and finally said, "Me too."

I know he knew that wasn't the full story after being together for so long, but he also didn't press me which I was glad for. "Come, Little Brother. We have a long trip starting tomorrow," I said and grabbed his hand to pull him into the cabin so we could both get the rest we were so desperately going to need.

'We'll be there soon, Milady,' I thought as I closed my eyes.

Percy POV

'We're coming, Mom,' I thought as I closed my eyes.

AN: Chapter 3! Enjoying the hell out of this one yo. More Shinto aspects to come after the Titan's Curse plot when Percy travels to Japan to train with his father and his father's family. Until next time!