Author's Note:

Well, apologies for the absence, but I have a life filled with thing that need to be done, like homework, VCE studies, and procrastinating (joking on that last one... mostly).

Anyway, I'm going to cut straight to the chase here. There are two things I want to do, both of with which involve all of you guys.

Firstly, for 'On the Matter of Teasers', I'm considering taking it down, and posting the first chapter of each story in their own actual stories. This won't change anything though. I'm still going to finish No Rest for the Wicked first before I post any other story related stuff. And keep in mind I'm going to take Teasers down the moment I finish this story anyway. It's simply a matter of doing what I'm already going to do sooner.

Secondly... yeah, I'm doing a Q & A next author's note. Why? Not a clue, it's a spur of the moment, let's go do some stuff kinda thing. Don't think it's that formal though. It's pretty much 'do you have anything you're curious about at the moment'. If you have question, leave it in a review, and I'll probably answer it. If it pertains to spoilers, or if I find it too personal, I probably won't answer it.

Anyway, that's that, on with the story once again.

Chapter 22

Our Very Own Dream Team

Percy realised, a little embarrassingly, that all the while he was thinking he'd seen everything there was to see around the Camp, he'd never actually bothered to explore the inside of the very house he was sleeping in, as the ping pong war table was a surprise.

You'd think demigods of all people would be able to get an actual war table.

Percy turned to Thalia. "Right, okay then, can you give the basics again, I just want to make sure I'm clear on this."

"Okay then, for the third time, I need to find out how to use this Mark thing on my hand, and the prophecy hinted that I could learn this from someone else who's used it. Only thing is, it hinted that they lived a long time ago."

"So they're probably dead."

"My thoughts."

"Thalia, would you kindly tell us exactly what this prophecy said?" Chiron asked.

She sighed.

"To find your mark,

Seek the bearer with a mind of dark,

Journey across generations

To discover old machinations

Back when a world was new,

Revelry in an instant paid the due,

The third to behind the ghost,

The second plays welcoming host,

The broken seeks to turn,

Wisdom comes not from the spurned."

Nobody said anything for a while.

Somebody started to drum their fingers on the ping pong war table.

"So then..." Percy said, trying to pierce the awkward silence. "Ghosts huh?"

"So the obvious thing to do first," Annabeth spoke up, "Would be to find out who exactly held the Mark. A mind of dark... I think it may mean they weren't particularly nice... or sane."

Mission successful.

"Probably hated Olympus if you ask me," Clarisse huffed. "That's what I'm thinking."

"It does seem to be a sound theory. 'Wisdom comes not from the spurned' could also allude to this," Chiron considered. "If they were an enemy of the gods."

Percy frowned. "Wait. So not even you know about who's held the Mark before? You would've been around when they were alive, right?"

"Correct, but the gods told you how they ensure as little people as possible know about this power? This also extends to me, it would seem. I've always known they were wiping my memory for something, and I knew it was a good cause... but I never knew exactly what it was about... obviously. I expect I'll be confounded in the very same way, eventually."

Grover sat up a little bit. "So, it said, 'back when a world was new'... it can't literally mean when Earth was first made, right?"

The head counsellor for the Apollo cabin interjected (Percy couldn't quite remember his name). "Doubtful. It would have to be demigod to hold the Mark right? There were no demigods back then."

"...I'm thinking it may be the discovery of a new country." Annabeth said. "The prophecy said 'a world', not 'the world'. And new land might seem like a new world to those arriving..."

"A bit of a stretch if you ask me," One of the Stoll brothers said.

"You got any better ideas?"

"How about revelry?" Percy suggested.

All eyes turned to him.

"It said revelry paid a due or something right? Kinda sounds like a god or something, like how they're personified. We know any gods of revelry or parties?"

Everyone's gaze shifted down the end of the table, to where Mr. D was sitting, reading a wine magazine.

After a few moments of silence, Dionysus peaked over the top of his book. "Can I help you?" He said sarcastically.

"Yes," Thalia said, either not picking up on his tone or not caring to acknowledge it. "Is the prophecy referring to you?"

"...No."

Thalia stared at him. Along with everyone else in the room.

He lowered the magazine. "Arghh, alright then, yes, it's talking about me. It's a rather sore memory so don't expect me to go into it."

"How does being Titan fodder sound to you?" Thalia said simply.

For a few seconds, no one said much of anything.

"...Fine. I'll tell you this even though I'm not supposed to. And I'm only doing it because hopefully whichever of you brats go will die and I'll have three less campers to deal with."

"We're waiting with bated breath." Clarisse said mockingly.

Dionysus gave her death glare, before simply announcing, "...Sean... Sean Darrick. And that's Mr. D to you, miserable brat."

No one said anything for a few seconds again.

"That's the name of our guy?" Thalia asked.

"Yes, now don't expect me to repeat it. May the bastard continue to rot in Punishment." The snarl vanished from Dionysus' face as soon as it appeared, and he went back to reading his wine magazine like no one had ever spoken to him.

"Well, that, and the prophecy should be enough to go on for now, even if it is incredibly vague." Chiron stated. "Thalia, you must choose your party members, and keep in mind... this quest looks like it will require a tad more intuition than the usual dilemma."

She nodded in response. "Yeah... okay, about we take a break, come back in ten? It'll give me time to think it over."

Thalia stood with her arms crossed, overlooking Camp Half-Blood from the Big House porch, like she was its guardian or protector.

That actually wouldn't be too far from the truth. She kept the monsters out as tree (that still sounded weird) even if she did so unknowingly, and there was this big prophecy, that said something along the lines of 'she might save the world.'

So not far from the truth... not at all.

Percy walked up to her side.

"Having second thoughts?"

Thalia frowned. "About the quest? Of course not."

"No, I mean about me. You said I was the second member before, but now-"

"Oh yeah, don't worry about that," She waved her hand dismissively. "I just wanted to make it look like I put some extra thought into it."

Now it was Percy's turn to knit his brows. "Why? You trying to appear intelligent?"

Immediately she punched his shoulder and his entire right arm convulsed and went numb.

"ARGGHH! Damn it, you know I didn't mean it like that."

"Yeah, I know." She said smugly.

Percy shook his head. "Demigods, running around punching mortals because they think they can. This is racism I say, and I will not stand for it!"

Thalia chuckled. "Yeah, all about that mortal pride."

"Are you discriminating against me?" Percy said as seriously as he possibly could.

"Oh no, I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good, that's what I thought."

Thalia laughed, a good, genuine laugh. It wasn't very long, but it was the first time Percy saw her like that in... well, forever.

Not that they'd known each other that long. What was it, half a year? Percy had lost track, like he did with a lot of time and calendar related things.

"Anyway..." Thalia continued, "Back onto a serious note. I called for a break because I want to make it look like I've thought it through. I already have, but that's beside the point. It's just... I don't think the other's will approve of my choices for quest-mates, bringing along two new Campers. "I'd like to get on the road with as little trouble as possible."

"Yeah, I suppose that's reasonable enough. But, two new Campers? Who's the other person?"

"Nico."

"Well alright then. Someone has to be positive on this trip I suppose."

"What makes you think we can't be positive?"

"Well, you? You've got the fate of the world resting on your shoulders. It's that not stressful, I don't know what is. And me? When it comes to combat, and generally not being horribly murdered, I'm the weak link, so I'm probably going to spend my time being terrified of everything that breathes...'

"Hey now, you're not that bad. You had a pretty good teacher too, remember?"

"Now you're just being cocky."

Thalia smiled. "Come on let's go back. We've waited long enough I'd say."

When they went to go, Percy muttered to himself under his breath, absentmindedly, "Right about the pretty part..."

Thalia frowned and turned around. "What was that?"

Percy snapped back to reality. "Oh, what... it was nothing, don't worry about it."

Thalia and Percy were the first back inside, apart from Chiron, who had never left the room. The Cabin leaders filed in, filling the seats quickly, looking either thoroughly bored, or highly concerned.

Clarisse was the last to sit down.

"You've been given time to think now Thalia, have you reached a conclusion?"

Thalia pretended to be of two minds, feigning minor indecision.

But she quickly said, "Yes, I've decided. I'll take Percy as my second, and Nico as the third."

A few cabin leaders looked surprised, most were looking at Thalia like she'd lost the plot.

"Are you sure about that Thals?" Annabeth said worryingly. "You don't want to take more experienced Campers?"

"I'm sure of it. I picked them for a reason."

"Well, it is not completely rare for relatively new arrivals to go off on quests..." Chiron started.

"This is a joke right? Those two aren't prepared for a quest," one of the Stoll brothers claimed. He turned to Percy. "No offense."

"Uhhh... none taken?" Percy tried.

Then Clarisse spoke. "Why is he even in here?! He's not a Cabin leader!"

"Clarisse, if you would quiet down-" Chiron tried, but Clarisse was having none of it.

"And another thing, why is he sleeping in the Big House, huh?! Why does he get the special treatment?!"

"Clarisse!-"

Clarisse smiled for a brief moment. Hardly for a second, but Percy noticed anyway.

"Why to a MORTAL of all people?! Huh? Why is a weak little mortal boy here in our Camp? That's right, I overheard your conversation with the thunder queen over here."

In response, Thalia jolted to attention, looking at Clarisse with an expression that said 'Are you serious right now?' Chiron pinched the bridge of his nose, and about half the councillors looked at Percy in shock. Others were surprised but didn't seem altogether mortified.

And Percy?

Percy just sighed and rolled his eyes.

Knew it would come out eventually.

"Yeah, I'm mortal. Clear-sighted, if it matters. But hey, I've helped out on the quest to save Artemis, and I'm trying to help you now. If you want to shun me because I'm not as godly as you all are, go ahead, I won't stop you."

Silence ensued.

"Nothing to say?"

"How about you get out of our Camp you pathetic little-"

"Clarisse, that's enough." Chiron called.

"No, how about we get an explanation-"

"Clarisse! The boy wants to help. Who are we to deny him that?" Chiron sighed. "The meeting is adjourned. Everyone, back to your business. And Thalia? You have a quest to prepare for."