Chapter 15: Semblance of Normality
3RD PERSON POV
For five days, Percy stayed by Diana's bedside as she recovered. He'd gone for a brief hour or two to check on the Hunt in Artemis' temple and they were all worried for their mistress, but recovering well nonetheless. Estelle and the little ones insisted that he tuck them in every night, so he happily obliged.
Diana was stable according to Apollo, but had yet to awaken, so at her side Percy sat. Thalia and the other hunters came to visit here and there, but Thalia mainly wrangled them into her palace. Apollo and Percy talked a little bit about things: music, traveling with the Hunt, and Apollo's issues were the prominent three.
DIANA/ARTEMIS POV
I groggily woke up to the blinding light of my brother's temple and was immediately confused. Then the events of the battle came back to me and I couldn't help but quietly sob. 'Phoebe and the others,' I thought as I cried. After a few brief minutes of weakness, I gathered myself and looked around. Percy was asleep in the seat to my left. A small pool of drool had gathered on his shirt and I giggled quietly. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep.
My giggling must have woken him up, because he stirred and looked up at me. "Lady Diana. It's nice to finally meet you, though I wish the circumstances were better," he said to me and I smiled. "Perseus. I agree, I believe our meeting was long overdue," I said and he chuckled. "Same rule for you: when we're alone call me Percy," he said and I nodded before shifting back into Artemis.
"How long have you been here?" I asked him and noticed a faint blush on his cheeks as he rubbed his neck sheepishly. "He's been here everyday for the last five days. He only left to check on the Hunt and tuck in the little ones," Apollo said as he walked in and my head snapped to him, but it induced a headache. "Here, Sis," he said as he handed me a glass of nectar. 'Percy's been here everyday?' I thought and couldn't fight the warmth that brought me.
"The Hunt will await your return to your temple, Milady. I believe you two should talk," Percy said with a half-bow and a smirk, earning a confused look from me and a scowl from Apollo. He then flashed out. "Ungrateful, little smarass," Apollo muttered under his breath. "Apollo, what is he talking about?" I asked, confused.
I narrowed my eyes when I got no answer and said, "If this has something to do with my hunters, I'll shoot an arrow right where you don't shine." He laughed. Not his normal laugh, no. This was completely humorless, like how Percy does when he's in warrior-mode. "Of course you would assume that I would do something to hurt or mess with their maidenhood. That's all you expect from men," he said bitterly.
He worked around my bedside as he talked and I looked into his eyes. They held none of the former mirth or playfulness that they used to. They were dulled and for the first time in our immortal lives, Apollo looked like he actually had lived for several millennia. 'Tired,' I thought.
"What happened to us Arty? We used to be so close. Hunting and playing on Delos with Mother. We were inseparable," he said with sadness and longing laced in his voice. "Don't call me that," I growled, though not nearly as hostile as I used to. "Answer the question," he said firmly like he does when dealing with patients.
"What do you mean? We came to Olympus and you became like every other male out there. Greedy, arrogant, sex driven pigs that prey on females," I spat. Again, the humorless laugh that gave me chills. "When we came to Olympus, huh?" he said. "And tell me Artemis: when we came here, I mean first came here, how many men pursued you?"
"Countless. All of you are the same," I said and he replied back, "And you beat them ALL off ALL on your own?" I hesitated for a moment, "Yes." He shook his head again. "Look Artemis," he began and I thought 'He only calls me by my name when he's serious.' "Do you know what my domains are?" I rolled my eyes at the question. "Yes, Apollo. Of course I do," I said for him to continue, "And do you know what the domains of Prophecy and Truth entail?" I scoffed. "Yes, Apollo. I'm not a dimwit like you," I said and he tensed. Unshed tears were present in his eyes and I froze.
"Percy was right about me being right so I'll just come out with it," he said, but before I could ask a question he went on. "In those domains, I feel it. All of it. Every good and bad thing that is to come upon the world, not just the Gods and demigods. Everything. Every lie told by mortals, demigods, monsters, and Gods. I feel it. And there is so much evil in the world Artemis. So much that it crushes me. Every. Single. Day."
I was shocked. I hadn't realized the impact of my own brother's domains on him. "The one person who I thought I could rely on was you. You and I did everything in Delos. We hunted, we played, we had so much fun and you didn't hate me then. Then we came to Olympus and you discovered the filth of men and put us all in the same bin. Even when I fought some of them off for you behind the scenes. I didn't let any of them get near you. Yes, you're my older sister, but I wanted to protect you as your brother." 'He never admits that I'm older,' I thought as the guilt began to add up.
"You pushed me aside. You founded the Hunt and replaced me. Just like everyone did to Percy. You did that to me. I couldn't get you to talk to me for more than five minutes. I wouldn't see you except at the Council meetings. I was forgotten." The tears were welling up in my eyes now.
"So I became something you hate. I became a 'greedy, arrogant, sex driven pig that prey on females' as you so eloquently put it," he ranted. "Why?" was the only question I could ask and he sighed deeply. "Because it was better for me to have you in my life with you hating me than to not have you in it at all," he hardly whispered. 'I am horrible. What would Zoe think of this? What would Thalia? What would Percy?!' I thought, but the last one felt like it held more weight than the others.
"A-Apollo, I…" I tried, but he held up a hand to cut me off. "Don't worry. I'm done hiding behind the facade of the easy-going playboy. I guess it's about time that I grow up. I'm glad you have Percy as the Guardian. That way he can do what you wouldn't let me. So thanks, Artemis."
He looked me in the eyes one last time and the tears flowed down my face, but I could tell it still pained him to see me like that. He broke the eye contact and began to leave, "You're all clear. Do be careful, Artemis," he said and took a few more strides. With a half look over his shoulder he said, "I actually wrote a haiku for this: Sun circles the Earth, His world revolved around Moon, Alone he travels"
He flashed out. He flashed out and I cried for all my bitter heart was worth. Then I chuckled humorlessly. 'Of course the one time his poetry doesn't suck,' I thought and cried some more.
3RD PERSON POV
Artemis quit beating herself up for the remainder of that day and returned to her temple to find the Hunt and Percy ready to move out. Percy and Artemis reported to the Council about the attack on Camp Jupiter and New Rome and that Hera's suspicions of the Giants getting involved was correct with the ambush led by Orion. They flashed to a lovely forest clearing for the shroud burnings. Thalia and Artemis said a few words about Phoebe and some of the other hunters.
The silver flames licked at the shrouds and the ashes climbed high into the night sky, ready to begin their next hunt. Artemis and Thalia let a few stray tears escape and Percy hugged Thalia and put a reassuring hand on Artemis' shoulder. She flinched slightly at the touch, but then gently laid her hand atop his.
The Hunt settled back into their normal routine and remained that way for nearly six months. Hunting, training, and scouting took up the majority of Percy's time. The forces they found and dispatched were less than stellar and it made Percy and Artemis very nervous. Percy had no dreams, other than the nightmares of the Pit he already experienced occasionally.
~Flashback: 3 weeks after Perses~
PERCY POV
~Dream Sequence~
Annabeth and I were trudging along the endless wasteland of Tartarus simply trying desperately to keep moving forward. No matter what, keep moving forward. We came to a large cliffside and soon were overrun with monsters. 'The fucking arai again,' I thought bitterly as I watched dream me try to desperately fight them off.
Annabeth killed one and my blood chilled, like someone had walked across my grave. "Percy! Where are you?!" she yelled at me. "Annabeth! I'm right here!" I yelled back but something was keeping me from getting to her. The closer I got, the further away she would get from me and she was headed toward the cliff. "Why did you leave me Percy?! Did you not love me?!" she yelled as tears spilt rapidly from her eyes.
"Annabeth!" I yelled and only heard the hissing laughter of the arai. "She has been cursed, demigod. Cursed by one that you left all alone in her prison. One that loved you even though she knew that she couldn't," they hissed around me. "No. She wouldn't!" I yelled desperately, but knew in my heart it was true. "But she did, hero. And now your beloved is going to die because of it," they cackled.
I went on auto pilot and slayed every last arai, racking up my own share of curses. The most noteworthy were those of Polybotes and Phineas. My whole body was on fire as I fought my way to Annabeth who had her back to the cliff. "Percy!" she cried out and I grunted as I leapt to her. Then I watched the two of us tumble over the edge.
~Dream Sequence End~
ARTEMIS POV
I returned to the camp to see Percy sweating and shaking in his sleep. As I went to reach out for him, he jolted awake and sat straight up. "Percy? Are you okay?" I asked and mentally kicked myself for asking such a stupid question. He shuddered at the dream and nodded to me.
"Nightmares of what is to come? Or…" I trailed off and he took a deep breath. "My first trip to Tartarus… The arai… Not fun," he said and I nodded. He told me about the dream and the encounter with the arai and I couldn't help but think the curse from Calypso that the daughter of Athena had received had been a premonition of sorts.
After talking for an hour, he settled back in and told me that he would take guard duty the rest of the night. I was going to argue, but the broken look in his eyes told me he was shaken up and didn't want the nightmares to have the chance to resurface. At least not tonight, so I bid him goodnight.
~Flashback End~
3RD PERSON POV
Percy wasn't the only one to have dreams in the six months. Artemis had her share, as well. Where Percy's dreams were those of the terrors of his past, Artemis' were of the overwhelming guilt she had succumbed to after her conversation with Apollo.
~Flashback: a little over a month since Perses~
ARTEMIS POV
~Dream Sequence~
I was back on Delos as a child. Running through the forests I have long since called home and I was chasing after something. Tracking something. Younger me came into a clearing and hid from the deer I was tracking. I unslung my bow, took a calming breath and notched an arrow. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. I released and heard the satisfying sound of an arrow hitting its mark.
Younger me got up and strode gracefully to the carcass. "I win again, Apollo!" I yelled to no one in particular and in a rustle of bushes, my younger brother appeared. "Damn it!" he yelled and I laughed. "That makes it 37-35. You're up by two now!" he yelled with mock frustration and I laughed again. "You're just going to have to be quicker, little brother," I said. 'Were we always that close?' I thought as the dream shifted.
I was walking the streets of Olympus and noticed the men following me. I was irritated and one made the mistake of grabbing my hand. I growled and started to fight him with my hunting knives, careful not to kill. As I was watching younger me fight, I noticed a flash of gold a ways away from younger me and went to see what it was.
Apollo was there, sword drawn, and fighting three other men. He dispatched them easily with haste and left them pretty mutilated too. As I went to turn back around, I heard him speak. "Don't even think about being near my sister ever again," he spat at the three bodies groaning on the ground, and flashed out before younger me could notice. 'He really was there,' I thought and continued to berate myself as the dream faded out.
~Dream Sequence End~
I woke from my sleep and knew immediately that I wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon. It was nearly 3AM, so I put on my coats and went to sit by the fire and was shortly joined by Percy who was still on guard duty.
PERCY POV
"Bad dream?" I asked as I walked up to join Artemis by the fire. "Not a nightmare, but my past is eating at me like yours," she said, never looking away from the fire. "Apollo?" I asked and she whipped around to look at me. "How did you know?" she asked, confused. I held my hands up in mock surrender, "We talk pretty often. Almost like therapy," I said and he nodded.
"I take it he told you about his domains," I said and she nodded again. Silence settled in between us and I waited patiently. "I've been horrible. I preached all my life that men are disgusting pigs and then treated him no better," she said and I nodded. "Good," I said and she whipped her attention to me again.
"That means you regret it. You've realized that what you did was wrong. Now you can move forward and repair that bridge," I said and she scoffed, but I could see the defeat in her shoulders and the tears in her eyes. "He won't even talk to me for more than five minutes," she said deflated and I did something really stupid. I pulled her into a hug. She tensed for what felt like an eternity, but finally hugged me back. 'Gods I thought I was going to turn into a jackalope,' I thought as I rubbed her back and felt a few stray tears hit my shirt. Her scent was heavenly. Pine with a hint of cinnamon.
"He's family. He won't abandon you if you really need him. Especially because he already knows what that's like. He may be mad or upset, but he wouldn't put you through that," I said and she finally regained her composure and released from the hug. "You'll get your chance to apologize. Just be patient," I told her and she nodded then chuckled a little. "He actually had a good haiku - his first good one in millennia - for how he was feeling," she said and I chuckled a bit too.
She got up to leave and go back to bed, but whipped around and put on a stern face. "A word about me crying into your chest, and no being alive will fix what I do to you," she said with steel in her voice, but I heard a slight trace of humor and gratitude. "You keep my secrets. I keep yours, Arty," I said and she smiled and nodded.
~Flashback End~
3RD PERSON POV
During the six months, it wasn't all bad times. They celebrated the training of the Percy's girls as they continued to excel. Percy and Lora trained a bit more together now that Percy had his ax, Diagrapsei. As a gift for all of his little ones, he made them each a necklace with a delicate, but intricate snowflake on it, along with a small trident charm that he had gotten from Amphitrite. He sent a prayer to Khoine to bless the snowflakes so they would never melt and as he finished making them, a faint ice blue light glowed on them. 'Thank you, Teacher,' he said in his head and got a mental nod and smile in return. The girls loved them.
He went and visited Nico, Triton, and Amphitrite a few times as well. Nico has been busy with his Underworld duties, but the two sparred whenever they were together. Nico told him all about his job and what exactly he was doing. Percy in turn talked about the Hunt and his mission, but his topic of conversation seemed to always drift to Artemis and Nico noticed. "A bit smitten with a certain maiden goddess are ya, Perce?" he asked and Percy scoffed, but blushed slightly. "She's just a really good friend, Nico. One of my best actually," Percy said, but Nico just rolled his eyes.
Percy and Triton sparred and went out to the mortal world when they hung out. Percy discovered his affinity for whiskey, but never had too much in fear that he would turn into Gabe. It bothered him that even in death the piece of shit had that much influence on him, but he pushed it aside considering it was for the better. Percy and Amphtrite usually had tea and lunch both in Atlantis and the mortal world and just chatted about anything and everything. He was grateful to have such a relationship with his step-mother and even she picked up on his supposed crush of the Moon Goddess.
The Hunt even celebrated a couple birthdays, though the big birthday bash was for Estelle.
~Flashback: 4 and a half months after Perses.~
3RD PERSON POV
Estelle woke Percy up by jumping on him. "Get up! Get up! Get up!" she yelled at him and he groaned. "It's my birthday! My 8th birthday! That means I get a sword to train today!" he exclaimed but it was immediately turned into a fit of giggles as Percy tickled her. "Happy Birthday, my little star," he said and they left for breakfast.
Percy summoned a plate of blue pancakes for Estelle with eight candles on them and the same minus the candles for everyone else and breakfast dove into the pleasant conversations and jokes that he had become accustomed to. After everyone had eaten and was still sitting at the table, Percy walked up to Estelle with his hands behind his back.
"Estelle," he said and she turned to him. "Happy Birthday," he said with a huge grin and handed her a hair clip. She was a smart girl, so she grabbed it from him and inspected it. It was a beautiful Atlantean Silver with pearls and other jewels encrusted in it. She clicked the pearl and out sprung a sword that fit her perfectly.
"Dad and I collaborated on it and Tyson forged it. It'll grow along with you and always return like Riptide and Frostbite do for me," Percy said and was tackled into a hug with all the bouncing energy the eight-year-old had. "Thank you, Brother! Thank you Posey!" she yelled and began to drag Percy off to train her. "I'll meet you out there. Let me talk to Artemis first," he said and she skipped away.
"You have to hold good on those sword lessons now huh?" Artemis asked smiling. "I couldn't bear to say no to her. Last I checked, neither could you," Percy said with a sigh and Artemis laughed. "A hairclip huh?" Artemis asked, knowingly. "Yeah. I told her all about Zoe and how she should aspire to be like her," Percy answered and Artemis grinned widely. "Milady, could we do s'mores tonight?" Percy asked and Artemis blinked in confusion. "What is a 's'more'?" she asked and he gaped. Before he could explain she said, "I'm kidding Perseus. Yes, we can." She laughed at his expression and he fake pouted, but joined in as well.
Day turned to night and soon after dinner, all of the Hunt was gathered around the campfire roasting marshmallows. Artemis was across from Percy, who had Estelle in his lap and his girls littering the ground around his feet. Thalia was next to Artemis and the remaining hunters were assorted on logs and the ground alike.
PERCY POV
"I got an idea," I said and set Estelle down to go grab my guitar. "Where are you going?" Artemis asked and I brushed it off. "Be right back!" I called over my shoulder and returned shortly with my guitar. I put Estelle at my feet and got a lot of weird looks.
"Since when can you play the guitar, Kelp-Head?" Thalia asked and I shrugged. "A gift from Apollo. As long as I know the words to the song I want to play, it'll be in tune and I'll know the notes and chords. It doesn't help with my singing though, so fair warning," I said. Thalia shuddered at the thought of my singing voice, probably expecting it to be horrible.
I began to strum the "Happy Birthday" tune and most of the Hunt joined in with me to sing it to Estelle. After I had finished, some of the hunters went off to get ready for bed, but some stayed, simply enjoying the atmosphere.
"Not bad, Kelp-Head. What else do you got?" Thalia said and I thought for a bit about what song to play. Then it came to me. The song that conveys how I have felt and how I'm feeling now. I began playing.
3RD PERSON POV
As Percy began playing, Estelle nestled into his legs and all attention turned toward him. He took a deep breath and started to sing.
"All is Well" by Austin Basham
[Verse 1]
I know what it is
But I'm hoping that all is well
No harvest of green
But it's still my heart to sell
I put everything I had
Into something that didn't grow
Like going on a wild hunt
Shooting arrows without a bow [AN: Artemis and the hunters smiled at this line]
[Chorus]
But lord, you know it's true
I only want to be with you
Oh, you know it's true
I only want to be with you
[Verse 2]
Death is stopping by
And I'm hoping it's not too late
A filthy bishop to thank
Shaking hands into a fatal stalemate
Trading riches for love
Knock a year or two off of the pin
So got a hundred left to serve
Standing hopeless uncork the gin
[Chorus]
But lord, you know it's true
I only want to be with you
Oh, you know it's true
I only want to be with you
[Bridge]
Cause all your love
I left it at the door
Don't stop the skies
Let them rain
Let them pour
All your love
I left it at the door
Don't stop your heart
Let it rain
Let it pour
Don't stop these tears
Let them rain
Let them pour
Oh, let them pour
Oh, let them pour
And let them pour
[Outro]
Woe is me
Weary soul
Heeding grief
Your love in my heart
Feels like the ocean breeze
Said your love in my heart
Feels like the ocean breeze
By the time he had finished strumming the last note, Estelle and the little one were asleep and the older hunters plus Thalia and Artemis were staring at him in awe and disbelief.
ARTEMIS POV
I was shocked. Percy could sing. Like REALLY sing. It was smooth and sweet and full of so much soul. I could feel the emotions he poured into it with every note and word. And the lyrics themselves were powerful and captured nearly exactly what he had been feeling. 'The first part of the song was clearly about the daughter of Athena. He still longs for her, but the later parts of the song… has he found someone else?' I thought before Thalia spoke out.
"That… was… beautiful, Perce," she said, likely thinking the same thing that I was about the daughter of Athena. "When did you learn to sing like that?" Thalia asked again. Percy blushed in embarrassment and rubbed the back of his neck making me smile. "Nowhere? My mom always told me that I could, but I thought she was just saying that to make me feel better," he said, earning a gape from Thalia and I, immediately followed by a smile and a few shakes of the head.
"I'm gonna take the little ones to bed before guard duty. Thank you for letting us do the s'mores, Milady," he said and gathered the sleeping bundles of joy. Thalia smiled at him and told him that she would show him some songs so he could play what she likes and bid him goodnight.
"Goodnight, Percy," I said with a smile and got one in return. "Goodnight, Artemis."
3RD PERSON POV
That night, something sparked in the two of them. The friendship they had developed had finally started to bud into something more. Neither of them had begun to realize, nor would either of them admit it to each other, let alone themselves. But it was there. The budding of a new love. A love that no one, be it mortal or immortal, could ever fathom or believe. Of course, it brought unwanted attention by a certain love goddess, but that could wait. It would take copious amounts of time for it to bloom fully. Copious amounts of time, or one very traumatic experience to force them both to swallow their pride and admit it.
Unfortunately, it would be the latter.
~Flashback End~
3RD PERSON POV
Percy was visiting Nico in the Underworld and sparring against him like they always do. Dual swords against Stygian Iron. The two were a blur of sword strikes, but upon closer inspection, you could see Percy was holding back. In the six months since Perses, Percy found his skills polishing during his sparring with Nico and Triton.
The two had been going at it for nearly an hour when Percy collapsed in pain. Another headache. The Hunt was in danger. Nico rushed to his side to help, but Percy rose and gave Nico a look. Nico nodded stiffly and Percy flashed out.
THALIA POV
It was a normal day for the Hunt. Percy had gone to visit Nico with the lack of forces we had been coming across. It made all of us feel uneasy, but there wasn't much we could do otherwise. I was training with some of the hunters out in the clearing when things went to shit.
A small group of about 30 monsters appeared from cracks in the ground and caught us entirely by surprise. I fended off what I could as I sent a prayer to Lady Artemis, but it was futile. Several of my sisters were already unconscious when I saw who was behind it. The giants Polybotes and Polypherion were across the field looking smug with Atlas and a smaller figure behind them. "Prometheus," I spat as I turned my attention to them.
"Ah, the spawn of Zeus. Bring Jackson here. We want to talk," he said and I growled. "Over my dead body," I hissed and charged. Not my brightest idea, as Polypherion, the Bane of my father, met me in combat and I was quickly outmatched. One thrust of my spear and I over extended and he knocked me out with a karate chop to the back of the neck. And I succumbed to darkness.
ARTEMIS POV
I got Thalia's prayer and raced to the clearing to see most of my hunters unconscious and Thalia laying limp at Polypherion's feet. I snarled and drew my hunting knives but before I could charge, a fist came flying at me from the side. I barely dodged and turned to see Atlas smirking at me. "Time for round two you little huntress bitch," he said and drew his spear. I growled again and pressed him.
We exchanged blows for what my body told me was hours, yet my mind said it was 15 minutes. I left him angered and littered with cuts all over, but he had done the same. I went to drive my knives into the back of his knees, but he spun quick and brought his spear with him. The spear cracked against my ribcage and I gasped for breath only to receive several punches to my face. He dragged me by my hair to his group, through me on the ground and pinned me there with his spear through my shoulder.
Then a flash of fire gave me hope.
PERCY POV
I arrived at Artemis's position and began shaking with rage. Polypherion had Thalia limp at his feet. I could barely see her chest rise and fall and felt a brief relief. 'Good, she's still alive.' I then saw most of the Hunt unconscious and scattered throughout the clearing and the rage came back. 'They must have got them completely off guard,' I thought then I saw Artemis.
She was pinned to the ground with Atlas' spear through her shoulder and the rage increased tenfold. I drew my weapons and got ready to charge into Death herself, but I froze. Polybotes stepped out and threw the girls at his feet. They were cut and bruised, but alive. Alive and crying. Then Polybotes pulled Estelle, gripping her by her hair and had a knife at her throat.
"Not so fast, Jackson. We wouldn't want any accidents now would we," Prometheus said as he stepped to the front of the group. "What do you want?" I asked through clenched teeth and still shaking. "Easy. You." he said and I tilted my head. "You see, Jackson. You're a wild card. The one person who can flip our plans on their head simply by existing. And we can't have that."
"So you're going to kill me," I said and readied my weapons again, but Polybotes held the knife closer to Estelle's throat and I broke. My will to fight gone. "You understand now. We simply wish to give you a front row seat while the world burns. Come with us, and the Hunt is spared," Prometheus said with a smug grin.
"Percy! Don't! You can't! We can't lose you! I can't lose you!" Artemis yelled, but I had already sheathed my weapons. In hindsight, I would've heard her say "I" and my heart would've fluttered, but the situation was too dire for me to care. "Swear on the Styx that the Hunt and Artemis won't be harmed and you'll let them go and I'll come with you," I said hardly a whisper. "PERCY!" Artemis cried. "Brother!" Estelle sobbed and I broke completely. 'I can't lose you too,' I said to her in her head.
"We swear on the Styx that the Hunt and Artemis won't be harmed and will be let go so long as you come with us," Prometheus said and the thunder boomed.
I began the walk toward them that felt like six miles. I turned to Artemis and the girls as they slapped on the Celestial Bronze cuffs and chains. "I swear on the Styx that I will come back to you," I said looking at Artemis. "To all of you," I said and looked at Estelle and tried to give her a reassuring smile. The thunder boomed and they all cried.
The ground opened up and they shoved me in. The last view I saw was Artemis and Estelle crying their hearts out, so I sent them both one last mental message. 'You're safe. Don't cry. You're too beautiful to cry,' and the Earth swallowed me whole.
AN: Chapter 15 done! I had fun writing about the happy times while they lasted! Not sure how I'll proceed with the rescuing of Percy. Will he be rescued? Will he break out on his own? Suggestions and comments are always welcome. Until next time!