Ch30

Chrysaor dreamed of Pegasus flying. His brother flew through the air with a bunch of his children beneath the dark skies of California.

"Father the monsters are getting more arrogant," a pegasi said. "They have harassed us these past few days and I fear if we stay longer you'll be injured."

"Don't worry I've gotten out of many sticky situations," Pegasus said. "We have to find out what they are up to. Lady Artemis was last seen around this area we can't fight the enemy but we could at least gain the information, when the heroes come they'll need all the help they can get."

Pegasus's son nodded, "Understood. It's a shame Lady Artemis is captured."

"She is strong she'll be able to hold the sky for a while," Pegasus said. "Heroes will come and set things right like they always do."

"Father monsters are headed towards us by air!" A pegasus reported. "Please stand back or you'll be injured."

"Get into formation!" Pegasus yelled as his children formed a defensive perimeter around him.

He then woke up to the sound of the door to the cabin opening. Great what now. He rubbed his throbbing head and cleaned the wetness from his eyes his body shook at the dream he had.

"Hey boss we need your help," Blackjack said poking his head through the door.

He and Percy both sat upright in their bed. "What is it?" Percy yawned.

"There is a sea creature that needs help," Blackjack said before turning to him and bowing. "H-Hello Uncle if you both could help us that would be fine."

"Fine lets go," he said putting on his sunglasses. Percy nodded and they both got up and followed Blackjack to the lake where they found a few other Pegasi gathered around.

"The creature is beneath the water it is tangled up in some webs," Blackjack said.

"I'll go check on it. Make sure no one spots us," Percy said.

"Let me know if you need anything," he said as Percy got into the water leaving him with his nephews.

Well this awkward. He never really interreacted with his nephews in the stables. Blackjack always seemed to try to talk to him but mainly because he was close with Percy.

"So uncle how have you been?" Blackjack asked while the other pegasi looked at the ground.

"Fine," he said awkwardly. "Just doing my best to help Percy out." The dream he had played out in his head. I haven't dreamt of him in a while. What is going on with him? Strangly his heart raced at the thought of Pegasus being in trouble. I haven't felt this way for him in ages.

The pegasi nodded, "Cool. You and the boss get along well."

He nodded as Blackjack avoided his gaze, he knew Pegasus could see things through his children but he didn't know if he was listening in right now or not. Well I might as well ask. Not like I have anything better to do. Yet a part of him did care enough to ask even if he didn't want to admit it.

"So how is my brother Pegasus doing?" He asked. Blackjack and his companions must not have expected him to ask about his brother since they all looked surprised and exchanged a look between them.

"Oh he is doing great," Blackjack said the surprise evident in his voice. "He is out west last I heard, looking for something. I could send him your regards if you want?"

"I'll think about it," he said scratching his head. "It's been a while since we spoke to each other." Blackjack nodded while his companions avoided his gaze, he may be one of his brother's younger children but he imagined gossip spread quickly among them.

Strangely the resentment inside of him didn't feel as strong, a part of him still did but he didn't loathe him as much at the moment. I guess mortality gives you a new perspective on things. Looking up at the sky the memories of his youth passed through his head. He would always take me across the Aegean when we were younger. Those were fun trips. He shook his head and ignored the ache in his heart.

"Of course. You know just let one of us know if you ever want to speak to him or anything," Blackjack said as Percy got out of the water.

"Alright I freed it," Percy said as he took a few deep breaths.

"What was it?" He asked.

"It was like a sea cow. I called it Bessie," Percy said as Blackjack and the pegasi left.

Seacow? Oh shit. "Percy I think you may have saved the Ophiotaurus," he said.

"What's that?" Percy asked as they headed back to their cabin.

"It is a creature whose entrails are burned will give the user the power to defeat the gods," he said

Percy's eyes widened, "Really? Bessie seemed docile."

"Well either way if you see it again we should call Triton or our father to take care of it," he said as he sat on his bed, took off his sunglasses, and rubbed his eyes

"Is something wrong you look upset?" Percy asked.

"Oh nothing I was just talking with Blackjack," he sighed as he rested on the bed.

"You don't talk to them that much right?" Percy asked carefully. "Not that it's any of my business but I notice a lot of them avoid mentioning you around me."

"Yeah it's alright. You know how when I was born my twin brother was Pegasus right?" He asked. Percy nodded. "Well me and him fought a lot and we haven't spoken in ages." He felt the bitterness wrap up in his chest, it wasn't as strong but it was there, all the resentment he had towards his brother and the fights they had growing up.

"Oh sorry to hear about that," Percy said scratching his head.

"It's alright. We were close for a while before well we started fighting. He didn't approve of my line of work and I resented him for getting all of the glory," he said gripping his fists tightly. "We fought and I said some things and we haven't spoken since."

"Do you think he still doesn't like you?" Percy asked.

"I'm not sure," he said scratching his head. "He always was the forgiving type so probably not."

"Oh well if you ever want to work things out with him I'm sure you could," Percy said carefully. "I'm not saying that you have to but you could if you wanted to. I mean you've changed a lot since you've been mortal right?"

"True," he sighed. "He told me once to call him if he ever needed help." Deep down he knew that his mortality gave him a different outlook on things. I wonder if being mortal comes with being less prideful. Though to be fair with Percy I've had my own adventures as a hero.

He sighed and shook his head. It was weird being the more experienced one, looking after Percy made him think of his younger days more often. Pegasus always did look after me even when I tried to push him away. He shook his head before going back to bed.

The next day the mood at camp wasn't any better. Yeah they campers looked up to him and Percy for helping defeat the Hunters in capture the flag but Thalia was still missing and Artemis was captured. He let Percy attend the meeting to rescue Artemis, he figured it was best that he and Zoe not be in the same room together.

"So how was it?" He asked as Percy came into the room.

"Well Zoe wanted to go on this quest with Bianca and Grover," Percy said. "She refused the help of any other camper even the females."

Reyna who had been reading a magazine looked up at them. "Do they dislike the camp that much?"

Percy sighed. "She is upset that the hunters lost. Even though the prophecy says hunters and campers should work together she refuses help."

"Well that's stupid," Reyna said.

"Zoe is stubborn the quest said hunters and campers should work together," he said as he got up and fed Circe. His guinea pig looked at him and frowned, but she knew she wasn't getting out any time soon. "How do you feel about it?"

"Well the hunters are jerks but I don't have much desire to go on this quest," Percy said folding his arms. "I mean I want Artemis to be saved and to find Thalia but I just don't have a strong desire to go outside of doing good for the sake of it. I'd insist on going if it were someone close though."

"Well Thalia was your friend," Reyna said. "Won't it be bad if she joins the enemy?"

"True," he said. "But you want to go don't you? Thalia is our cousin." A part of him was curious about how Percy would react. The two quests they went on together had an immense personal benefit to Percy and while Thalia was important she wasn't Sally Jackson or Grover.

"A little," Percy sighed. "I just feel like it's the right thing to do. Anyway I might as well let my mom know that I'll be heading home."

"Sounds good. I'll go for a walk," he said.

Reyna got up. "I'm going to find my sister." She quickly left the cabin to give them some privacy.

He walked past some of the cabins, the night sky provided a nice breeze as he walked along the cabins. "I'm sorry Nico but I'm leaving," a voice said that caught his attention.

Turning around he saw Bianca di Angelo speaking with her brother Nico whose face was red with tears. "Why are you leaving me now?" Nico whined his voice a half sob.

"I'm a part of the hunt and right now I have to save Artemis," Bianca said softly. "I'll come back later I promise. But for now this is goodbye."

Tears fell down Nico's face as the young boy sobbed and begged her to not go but alas Bianca di Angelo made her decision.

Poor kid. He knew that those that joined the hunters usually left for extended periods of time. Walking along the edge of the lake he found a familiar person. "Long time no see," he said to Zoe.

Zoe glared at him, "What brings thee here?"

"Just going for a stroll. Thee not has't a quest to prepareth for" He asked mocking her old English.

Said frowning at the lake. "I will my lady at all costs. What about thee pirate boy?"

He shrugged, "Me well I'm just here. I don't have a stake in this quest and neither does Percy no offense."

Zoe frowned at him, "Lady Artemis is important. Without her Olympus would face many problems."

"I know and I wish you luck," He said. "If you ever needed our help we would gladly help you out."

"I don't require the help of man," Zoe said turning to the lake. "Heroes they only care about themselves and never change over the generations."

"Well that is a generalization if I ever heard one," he said folding his arms. "There were many good heroes in the past and some still are."

Zoe looked at him her face bemused, "Really? You the pirate son of Poseidon who always complained about not being a hero and having no legends to his name are telling me heroes don't care for themselves? You who out of thine own selfishness and greed caused the deaths of many talk of heroes?"

He frowned at her, he had to admit she had the balls to say that to his face while they were beside the lake. A part of him did want slap her but he didn't feel like picking a fight.

Zoe looked him in the eyes her fiery gaze pierced through him, "Men and especially heroes only care about their own egos." She then walked past him before stopping. "You were in the Mediterranean for centuries working for that man. Did he mention me even once? Did he ever experience remorse for what he did?"

He sighed knowing exactly who she was referring to. "That man is the epitome of selfishness," he said softly.

"That we can agree on," Zoe said coldly before walking away.

Selfish huh I guess in a way we all have our own egos. He sighed thinking of Zoe's words as he headed back to the Poseidon Cabin.

Even the best PR team wouldn't be able to scrub your image clean if the world discovered the true you. A man who hated life and resents his current situation with every fiber of his body. A truly selfish man. Even Pegasus had found it difficult to work with him.

Entering the cabin he found Percy sitting on his bed. "What's up?" He asked looking at his brother.

Percy sighed and rubbed his head. "My mom and I talked. She says she wants me to do the right thing."

"Meaning help Artemis?" He asked.

Percy grimaced and nodded, "I mean I want to help. I just feel that this quest is important." His brother shook his head and looked him in the eyes. "I know they will need help. this is the right thing to do."

He saw the sincerity in Percy's eyes and a pang hit his heart as he remembered how Pegasus would always help the heroes of old even when he was tired. Pegasus would've loved you. Both of you care about others. "Well if you want to go I'll help you out if you want," he said sitting down across from Percy.

"Really?" Percy asked in surprise.

He nodded, "We are brothers we should help each other out. Besides if we meet that Ophiotaurus again you might need some backup if the enemy attacks."

"Thanks," Percy said smiling at him. "We'll leave tomorrow if that's alright with you."

"Sounds good," he said stretching his arms.

The next morning they packed their things discreetly and prepared to leave.

"You both are leaving?" Hylla asked during breakfast.

Percy nodded. "Yeah it's the right thing to do. I just feel like we have to help Artemis. Will you guys be ok here?"

The two sisters looked at each other and nodded. "We will," Reyna said.

Hylla nodded. "Personally while I like the hunters I don't know if I want to give up men in general. We'll stay here for the time being. Let us know if you need anything"

"We will," Percy said firmly. After breakfast they quickly got ready to leave before heading to the stables.

"Alright Blackjack and another pegasi will be helping us follow them," Percy said as he put the invisibility cap in his bag.

"Good lets just do it as discreetly as possible," He said going over to the fountain in their room. "I'm going to let Triton know about that creature you found."

"Alright I'll go make sure everything is ready," Percy said as he left the cabin.

"Oh Iris goddess of the Rainbow show me Triton," he said throwing the drachma into the rainbow he made.

Triton appeared to be practicing with a trident in a courtyard. He cleared his throat and his older brother looked at him, "What is it?" Triton asked.

"Percy saved the Ophiotaurus it was here in camp," he said.

Triton looked at him in shock, "The Ophiotaurus? Where is it now?"

"Percy said it swam away he didn't know what it was," he said calmly.

Triton frowned his face tense, "That creature is powerful enough to take down the gods. It is also kind and docile. If it appears again call me immediately."

He nodded, "Sounds good. We will low key be helping find Artemis."

"I understand. Artemis being captured has sent the gods in panic mode. The sooner she is freed the better," Triton said rubbing his chin a dark expression spreading on his face. "Remember the gods are already on edge about Thalia missing, don't give them any reason to doubt the loyalty of either of you. Good luck both of you." Triton's face changed, the cocky expression that was usually on his face was replaced by fear and sympathy.

"Thanks. I'll make sure Percy is safe," he said firmly as the call ended.

"Hey are you ready?" Percy asked. "The pegasi are ready for us to take."

"I'm fine. I just spoke with Triton about the Ophiotaurus," he said as he grabbed his bag. "He said to call him the next time it appears and he'll take it somewhere safe."

"Sounds good," Percy said as they exited the camp and discreetly made their way to the stables. On the way they passed by various campers who ignored them. However, he did notice Nico di Angelo look at them, Percy in particular with a longing expression.

"He nagged me to look after Bianca," Percy whispered as they entered the stables. "I felt bad so I said yes. He is kind of annoying but I feel sorry for him."

"Hopefully she survives," he said as Blackjack and another pegasi approached them. He took a deep breath his body shaking. Come on it won't hurt to do it this one time, I need to watch over Percy. He carefully grabbed the reins and slowly lifted himself up.

He winced as the memories of his childhood with Pegasus passed through his mind. Just like the old days.

The pegasi looked at him and nodded. Boy this is going to be awkward. Taking a deep breath he looked at Percy. "Lets go."