Okay I'm actually writing like a maniac. The chapters keep getting longer and longer. I don't know if you should expect longer chapters, but definitely do not expect frequent updates like I have now. I was on a five day weekend! I had this ready a while back but I really don't want to get you all used to quick updates. I love them, but I am so busy I can't even attempt to have a schedule. I'm hoping for one a week!
Hope you enjoy!
Apollo pulled up in a blinding Maserati Spyder. The snow melted around his car, leaving Percy with wet shoes. He sighed and instantly dried them with his water powers.
"Where's my little sis?" The god asked with a smile. Gods, his teeth were white.
"She is hunting alone. She asked me to let you know that her hunters and the campers need a ride to Camp Half Blood." Percy relayed, bowing quickly.
Apollo gave the demigod a onceover. "You're a son of Hestia. Adopted, of course."
Percy nodded. "Lady Artemis trusts that you can take us all to Camp Half Blood." He reminded, and Apollo freed himself from his daze.
"Right." He scanned the group. "Who wants to drive?"
Grover raised his hand. "Too furry." The god dismissed.
He looked towards Percy. "I'm fourteen." The demigod said, putting up his hands.
The god sighed and set his eyes on Thalia. "Zeus' daughter. You can drive."
Thalia paled. "Uh. No thanks." She said awkwardly.
"Come on, kid. How old are you?"
Thalia shrugged, looking down. Percy assumed that being a tree meant that she really had no idea how old she truly was. "I don't know."
The god looked her over, probably trying to discern her age. "You're fifteen. Sixteen next week, December 22nd."
Thalia smiled. "That's my birthday! How'd you know?"
"God of prophecies. I know stuff." He said proudly, tossing her the keys. "You're driving."
The daughter of Zeus paled again. "I really don't—"
"Nonsense. Load up, everyone!" The god called, turning the car into a van so they could all fit.
They all squeezed into the van, hunters in the back and campers in the front. Percy sat next to Annabeth.
"Annabeth Chase." The demigod said, introducing herself. "Daughter of—"
"Athena. Next to you is Grover. Next to him is Orion, son of Poseidon. In the front driving is obviously Thalia." Percy smiled, extending his hand. "Percy Jackson, son of Hestia. Nice to meet you."
The two shook hands, but Annabeth looked at him in confusion. "How? I mean, I understand guessing parentages. But names?"
Percy chuckled. "I'm no child of Athena. Lord Hades told me when he asked me to rescue his children."
"Why did Hades ask you?" She asked, her curiosity seeping through her words.
"My mom is the only one who visits him, from what I've heard. She told him about me, knowing that none of the Olympians would hear it from him." Percy clarified.
The car jolted as Thalia floored the gas pedal. "Not so fast." Apollo advised. "Don't want to burn the forests down."
Thalia's knuckles were white, her hands clenched so tightly on the steering wheel Percy was surprised it didn't break.
"Left up here." Apollo instructed, seemingly unfazed by Thalia's driving. The car jerked to the right. "Try the other left."
"I'm trying!" Thalia shouted, her brow slick with sweat.
Percy was concerned. "Let me drive." Percy said, giving no room for anyone to argue. To the van's surprise, he didn't move. Fire curled around the steering wheel, keeping it balanced. Thalia quickly moved her hands, but the fire wouldn't have burned her anyways. She sighed in relief.
"Land on the beach." Apollo said calmly, and Percy could hear that the god was very happy to have someone else driving. Percy did as instructed, landing softly on the beach. They unloaded from the van in seconds—hunters fastest of all. "Percy, a word."
Percy turned around. "Yes, Lord Apollo?"
"There will be a quest, and you need to be on it." He said seriously. "No matter what." The son of Hestia nodded. "And for the record, I see why my sister's given you a chance." With that, the god flashed out.
Percy looked around to see that everyone had left, and he had no idea where he was supposed to go. He decided to just sit and watch the waves. He hadn't really ever been able to truly just sit by the ocean.
He turned as he felt a godly presence next to him. He turned to see a man with black hair and the same sea green eyes he used to have before Hestia adopted him. His eyes were now a sparkling brown, with only sea green flecks.
"Poseidon." Percy realized, looking up with at his… father.
"Percy." The god replied, sitting down next to him. "I know I have never been a father to you. But I am truly sorry for what happened to your mother."
Percy looked away. "I don't forgive you."
Poseidon sighed, expecting it. "I expected as much. I am sorry we will not get enough time. Zoë Nightshade is approaching." With that, he—just like Apollo—disappeared.
Zoë stepped onto the sandy beach. "I figured you would be lost."
Percy stood up, turning around to face her. "Well, you're right."
The hunter looked at him as if he had grown a second head. "I am here to take you to Chiron. As the one who told him about you, he sent me. Gods know why. Chiron of all people should know that a hunter would be the last one to want to talk to a boy."
Percy laughed. "You're not a good actress."
"Excuse me?" Zoë said, looking at the boy with anger, but it was half-hearted. She found that she couldn't hate this boy, who was not only trained by her old friend, but also not like the rest of his gender.
"Look, I know you don't hate me. I know I confuse you. I mean, have you met my mom? Of course she raised me to be a good person." Percy smiled.
Gods, Zoë didn't know what to do with this boy. "Follow me, I'll take you to Chiron."
Percy nodded and followed her. She led him through the camp, past the twelve cabins for the Olympians.
"Do you know where I'll stay?" Percy asked, knowing his mother didn't have a cabin.
Zoë shook her head. "The camp does not recognize all of the gods. Many hunters' parents don't have a cabin here. They place unclaimed and the children of the minor gods in the Hermes cabin."
Percy frowned. "Does your parent have a cabin here?"
Zoë's dagger was immediately on his neck. "It is none of your business." She sheathed her dagger.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Percy apologized, putting his hands in his pocket. "After all, I feel the same way."
They continued walking, in a silence that was neither comfortable nor awkward. They finally reached the Big House, where everyone was waiting.
"Ah, Percy. Nice to meet you. I am Chiron, the activities director." The centaur introduced, shaking Percy's hand.
"Another brat?" The chubby man sitting with a Diet Dr. Pepper in hand said. "Mr. D. You'd best not piss me off."
Percy's eyes narrowed as he recognized the god. "Dionysus." He seethed.
The god looked up at the son of Hestia angrily. He attempted to show the demigod all of the horrors of madness he could put him through, but Percy's eyes were flames, blocking the god from his mind through sheer power. The god growled, and went back to his card game.
"That was not smart." Annabeth noted quietly, but loud enough for Percy to hear. She was seated in a chair with the rest of the members of the rescue mission.
Percy turned to look at her with a steely glare. "I don't care if it was smart or not. The pathetic excuse for a god represents everything I hate."
Zoë snorted, but nodded her head.
"Settle down. I've heard the questers side of the story. I just want to hear from you what happened."
Percy nodded, expecting this. He relayed everything back, but not mentioning anything that pertained to his talk with Artemis without Zoë.
"Well, it seems that the hunters will be staying for a while. Capture the Flag will be tomorrow."
"Who's team captain?" Annabeth asked, wanting to lead the campers to victory.
"Me!" Orion shouted, but everyone rolled his eyes.
"Percy." Zoë suggested. All the heads turned to her, confused. "What? I want to see his worth."
"Well then, Percy will be captain." Chiron surmised, quite shocked. "Thalia, can I trust you to show Percy the boundaries and the rules?"
Thalia nodded, leading Percy out. "Do they still call your tree Thalia's Pine?" Percy asked, and Thalia couldn't decide to slap him or laugh.
She laughed. "Really? That's what you're going to ask?" Percy shrugged in response, chuckling. They sat in silence for a moment. "Yes, they still call it that."
Percy burst out laughing. "Seems like a thing campers would do."
They walked in silence for a moment, nearing the cabins. "Why doesn't Zoë hate you?" Thalia asked, much more serious than before. "I mean, Zoë and I do not get along. I just want to know why you haven't been castrated."
"That's a loaded question." Percy chuckled.
"Yup."
"Well, I mean, I still think she doesn't like me. She just… tolerates me. Lady Artemis asked her, and the hunters, to treat me neutrally."
"That's out of character." Thalia remarked, giving the demigod a onceover. "Why?"
"I honored our agreement." Percy said simply. "Plus, my mom's really great."
Thalia burst into chuckles. "Sure." She rolled her eyes. "Now, to the actual tour."
She pointed to the creek, explaining how it was the boundary line. The hunters have the Northern Woods, we've got Zeus' Fist."
"Is that where they usually put the flag?"
Thalia nodded. "Pretty often. It has to be clearly visible."
"Is it the best place to put it?"
"Honestly, yeah." Thalia answered, shrugging. "There really aren't that many good places to put it. If you play your cards right, it's the best."
Percy grinned at the daughter of Zeus. "You're my co-captain." She looked shocked. "What? I don't know the camp nor the campers. I can do strategies."
"Well that works."
"Do you have a map of the boundaries?" Percy asked, and Thalia nodded.
"Annabeth does. Why?"
"We're going to win. We don't have to do this tour; I can look at a map and figure it out. Strategy starts now." Percy said, and Thalia grinned like a mad man.
"Follow me."
When Percy finally got to bed, he was exhausted. He had arranged with Chiron to stay in the Big House, as Thalia had advised him that the Hermes cabin was cramped.
Thalia, Annabeth and Percy got along much better than anyone could have expected. With Annabeth and Thalia's help, they crafted and unbeatable plan.
But now wasn't the time to worry for tomorrow. As soon as Percy's head hit the pillow, he was out like a light.
"Artemis has no idea what is coming for her." A man with stone grey eyes and black hair remarked with a chuckle.
"The girl is under the sky, General." A demigod reported, and Percy immediately recognized him as Luke—the one who betrayed both Annabeth and Thalia, Percy recalled.
"You have done well. You must not fail like that despicable Thorn."
Luke gulped but nodded. "I will not."
Percy's dream shifted.
"If you insist on fighting Ladon, this will help thee." A girl said, and Percy immediately recognized her as Zoë Nightshade. She pulled a hairpin from her hair and held it in her hand.
"How will a hairpin help, pretty one?" The man across from her said in a slightly condescending tone. Zoë didn't seem to notice.
"It may not, but it is all I can do to help thee." She handed him the hairpin.
It grew to a bronze sword that Percy recognized to be his own. "What shall I name it?"
She smiled sadly. "Anaklusmos. The current that takes one by surprise. And before thee knows it, thee has been swept out by the sea."
Before the man could say anything else, there was a hiss. "He is here!" Zoë whispered, and the man stood up.
The scene changed, but Percy immediately recognized the people.
"You must take me with thee!" Zoë protested, but the male shook his head.
"I cannot. It is far too dangerous for thee, pretty one."
He walked away, but the girl ran after him. "Heracles, please!" She cried, breaking down into sobs. Somehow, Percy knew the gravity of the situation for Zoë. She had turned her back on her family, and the man she trusted had betrayed her. She no longer had a home.
Percy woke up with a start. He immediately shot out of bed, intending to find Zoë. If anyone would listen to him about Artemis being in danger, it would be her.
When he got to the main room of the Big House, it seemed Zoë was already there, arguing with Argus. Percy had quickly come to learn that Argus did not talk, because of the eyes covering his body.
"Argus, please let her through." Percy requested, and Argus sighed, letting her pass.
"Artemis is in trouble." They both said at once. Zoë eyed him suspiciously but nodded.
Percy turned to Argus. "Can you get Chiron for us?" Argus nodded and left the room.
"The General is planning something to capture Lady Artemis." Percy said, and Zoë nodded once again.
"What was your dream about?" Zoë asked, and Percy sighed. He explained all of it that regarded Artemis, figuring he could talk to Zoë about her part in his dream later.
"Yours?" Percy asked.
"The same. Down to the phrasing."
Chiron entered with hair curlers in his tail. Percy didn't want to ask.
"Lady Artemis is in danger." Zoë said, and Chiron sighed.
"Zoë, there is nothing we can—"
Zoë shook her head. "My lady is in danger! The hunters will leave at once!"
Chiron turned to Percy, and he nodded seriously. "We had the same dream. Chiron, she's in danger."
The centaur looked at the two sadly. "Zoë, you and the hunters must stay here until Artemis orders you otherwise."
Zoë and Percy shared a look. "How will she be able to give the hunters orders if she is lost?" Percy asked, and Chiron paled.
"I cannot sanction a quest, with no evidence. I'm sorry, Zoë."
Zoë stormed out, and Percy took one last look at Chiron. "I know you are worried too. I do not blame you." Percy said with a smile before following Zoë.
She was seated on the porch, looking out angrily. "What do you want?" She spat.
Percy threw his hands up in mock-defense and sat next to her. "If there isn't word from Artemis tomorrow, we will go and find her." Percy promised, and Zoë turned to him.
"You mean that?" Zoë asked softly, her tone changing to one of gratitude.
Percy smiled. "Of course. Lady Artemis gave me a chance."
Zoë looked at Percy and smiled. "Thank you."
"The hunters are likely wide awake and waiting for you; and you'll need sleep, no matter what happens tomorrow."
Zoë nodded, standing. "Goodnight, Percy." She said, walking away.
"Goodnight, Zoë." He called. He could ask her about her involvement in his dream later. For now, he had to help Artemis.
He walked back up to his temporary room, falling into to a dreamless sleep.