Hey guys!

So this is Chapter 24, become the new Chapter 12. I know you've already read it before, and you're waiting for the actual changes to take place – just chill out, the story will come into play in a couple of chapters.

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Chapter 12: Atlantis

Atlantis had been one of the very first myths I had learned as a toddler.

My father, at bedtime, always read Greek myths to me, knowing that as a demigod it would be imperative to my survival. Atlantis had captured my attention from the very beginning.

The story of the lost civilization fascinated me. What would their architecture look like? What inventions would they have come up with? How had Atlantis disappeared?

Many believed that it was at the bottom of the ocean, that the people had found a way to survive through the eons and, over time, come to forget about the world above.

I had always yearned to visit it - knowing of the animosity between Athena and Poseidon, I never imagined that I actually could.

But I was standing in the lost city itself.

It felt like I was in a very bizarre dream, but I could still feel Percy's hand in mine and surely he couldn't be in the dream with me - which meant that it had to be real.

Atlantis was so much bigger than I had anticipated. I looked above me to find that the water above was surprisingly clear, clear enough for sunshine to reach the depths of the ocean.

We were standing in what looked like an enormous bubble. I reached out to touch it and found that it was cool beneath my fingers, feeling very much like glass.

"It's sea glass," I heard Percy's voice and I nodded, running my hand along the smooth surface. "And Annabeth? You might want to move on."

I blinked and realized that I was obstructing the entrance. "Oh, right. Sorry!" Percy gently pulled me to the side, away from the edges of the glass dome.

A couple of nymphs swam past us, chattering excitedly.

"I'll leave you here," Poseidon told us, smiling. "I'm sure you'll want to explore by yourselves. Oh and Percy, remember the shift takes place today. Be careful."

"We will be. Thanks, Dad."

Poseidon smiled warmly at his son before he vanished, returning to his palace. "What did he mean by, 'the shift takes place today'?" I asked curiously. Percy grinned. "I don't need to tell you. You'll see it for yourself very soon," he promised.

I groaned. "Not this again! Why are you so intent on making me wait? Will it kill you to tell me?"

Percy smirked. "It's just fun to watch your reactions."

I smacked him on the arm.

"Honestly, didn't you ever hear that violence is bad?" Percy complained, rubbing his arm.

"Oh quit whining, Seaweed Brain. We both know that you didn't feel any pain at all."

Percy grumbled. I ignored him.

Atlantis was absolutely stunning. The buildings around me were made of the purest white marble, so that they gleamed silver in the sun that managed to penetrate the very heart of the ocean. The golden streets shone brightly, and it felt almost a crime to walk on them.

The gates that enclosed the magnificent wonder from the world were 30 feet tall, and a little further in the distance, I could see astounding coral hills - at the top of which stood a palace that could only be Amphritite's.

"So where do we go first?" I asked.

Percy winced. "We visit my stepmother."

Percy never let go of my hand as we walked through the city, but I hardly noticed. I was too occupied with everything around me. As we neared a tall tower, I did a double take. Unless I was very much mistaken, a humongous glass slide wound around it, sliding all the way to bottom where a lake awaited.

As I watched, a giggling nymph slid around the bend and splashed straight into the water, laughing as she resurfaced. "Who are they?" I asked.

Percy started walking faster. "Hurry up, I don't want them to see us."

"Why?" I persisted, curious. "Because that's the Tower of the Nereids," Percy groaned. "Or more accurately, their daughters. You wouldn't believe how annoying and persistent they can be."

"Are you trying to imply that they're terrible flirts?" I asked, trying not to laugh. "Yes," he complained. "And they just can't take a hint."

"How mean of them," I teased. "How horrible they are to flirt with you and make you waste your precious time."

"Oh, very funny," Percy grumbled as we walked. "You won't think it's that amusing if it actually happens."

Thankfully, we passed the tower without attracting any unwanted attention, and before long, we stood at the foot of the hills I had seen earlier. I could have stood there and gazed at the hills forever.

They were a rose pink colour, and waterfalls ran down the sides, falling into crystal clear pools at the bottom. I bent down and ran my hand through the water, which felt cool and revitalising beneath my fingers.

I gasped as suddenly a burst of energy ran through me, shocking me from the tips of my fingers all the way to my toes. I quickly pulled my hand back from the water and stood up.

"What is that?"

"The Pools of Youth," Percy explained. "A gift from Aphrodite to Amphitrite. They say anyone who drinks from them will stay eternally young."

"And you know this how?" I questioned. It wasn't often that Percy told me about stuff – it was normally the other way around.

"My dad," Percy explained simply. "And anyway, how else do you think that old hag keeps herself so fit?" Percy gestured above him in disgust. I followed his gaze up, and realized something.

"Percy, how are we going to get up there?"

Percy grinned. "You're going to love this."

He put his fingers to his lips and whistled softly. A minute later, two dolphins swam up to us, and I recognized Marietta and Caterina. "What are they doing here?" I enquired.

"They're going to be our ride to the palace."

I stared at Caterina. She tilted her head to her side and whistled at me, her dark eyes playful. "We won't fall off, right?"

"No. They're perfectly safe Wise Girl, I promise."

I was about to climb onto the young dolphin's back, when I realised something. "Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"How the Hades am I supposed to climb on in this?" I gestured to the chiton I had on, which constricted me in the most uncomfortable places.

"You can sit side-saddle, Annabeth," Percy offered.

I crossed my arms and glared at him. "Percy, I am not going to sit side-saddle on a dolphin. Either I change back to my own clothes right now, or I am not getting on."

Of course that was an absolute lie. I was dying to see the palace, but I refused to wear the uncomfortable dress any longer. Plus, the flowers were giving me a migraine.

Sighing, Percy snapped his fingers and the dress vanished, replaced by my jeans and halter top. "You mean they were always there?" I asked, confused.

"Yeah," Percy answered. "The nymphs just cast a charm to make them invisible."

Caterina nudged my hand with her head and bent her neck. I swung my leg over her back and gripped her dorsal fin. Percy vaulted himself onto Marietta and grinned at me. "Ready?"

"Sure."

Marietta and Caterina immediately started forward. It was very comfortable to ride Caterina. She felt rather like a velvety bean bag that moved. She took care not to buck or tilt backwards, making sure I didn't fall off.

The dolphins swam upwards, along the waterfall that fell into the Pools of Youth. I leaned forward over Caterina's neck and allowed my fingers to lightly skim the surface of the water.

Just like before, the burst of energy ran through me, and I pulled my hand back. Caterina rubbed her nose against my palm and I stroked her head. She shot upwards and then levelled out, travelling horizontally until she stopped just in front of the palace.

I dismounted, and gave Caterina a well-deserved pat on the head. "Thanks, Cat," I said gratefully as I waved. The dolphins swam off and I turned to face the palace.

"This is going to be just great," Percy sighed. "Let's go meet Amphitrite."

The queen of the sea was extremely beautiful.

She wore a one-shoulder white dress that flowed to the ground, stopping at her ankles. Her feet were enclosed in strappy white heels, and her dark tresses cascaded down her back.

But her eyes took all the beauty away from her face. They were a sharp, icy blue; the sort of eyes that you saw on cold-blooded murderers. She stepped forward to receive us, and I internally groaned when I saw who was standing in the shadows next to her.

Triton stepped up to stand next to his mother, shooting me a wink. I purposely rolled my eyes and looked away. Percy's grip on my hand was growing steadily tighter until I finally tugged it from his grasp. "Your grip was starting to hurt, Seaweed Brain," I explained when he shot me a hurt look.

"Sorry," he murmured in my ear, lips lightly brushing my neck. I shivered involuntarily and I knew that Percy was smirking even as he took my hand again.

Triton's smile had vanished.

"Welcome," the queen said graciously, but her tone was cold. "I hope you are enjoying your visit to Atlantis."

"Oh, yes," I replied quickly, afraid of what Percy might say. "It's a wonderful place."

"Well, you are here because my husband-" a bitter smile twisted her mouth, "thought you might want to see the shifting. This is the best place to witness it."

"Thank you," I responded, although I had no idea what the shifting was. "It's extremely kind of you."

Amphitrite's eyes moved from me to Percy, and a look of pure hatred appeared in her cold blue eyes. "Triton will take you there."

"Actually," Percy broke in, "I know exactly where it is. There's no need to trouble yourself. Thank you for your consideration."

And before I could say anything, Percy gently steered me out of the foyer and into a marble corridor that led into a sitting room. "You know, you don't have to be so obvious," I commented teasingly as we headed down the hallway.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked, the scowl on his face fading.

"You're jealous!"

"What? I am not!"

"Uh-huh," I responded knowingly. "I can see that."

"You're just over-analysing it," Percy said firmly. "I'm not jealous."

"If you say so."

Percy rolled his eyes as we walked through the door at the far end of the corridor. I stopped abruptly, my eyes taking in the sight around me.

We appeared to be in a sitting room, but that wasn't what was remarkable about the room. There was a window at the far end, spanning the entire length of the room. It was made of glass, and I got a perfect view of the whole of Atlantis.

"This is amazing," I said quietly, turning to Percy. "Have you been down here before?"

He shrugged. "I came to visit my dad a couple of times and he wanted to show me this. I've never seen the shifting though."

"And you never told me!" I scolded, though the smile on my face gave it all away. "I wanted it to be a surprise," Percy grinned.

"It's the most amazing surprise ever," I said softly, leaning up to kiss him.

As usual, even innocent kisses could turn out into full-on make out sessions. Right now, this showed all the signs.

My arms looped around his neck of their own accord, and his hands found their way to my waist, just where my shirt had ridden up. His hands slid slightly up the back of my shirt, and I pressed my lips against his more firmly.

I felt myself stumbling backward and my back slammed against the wall. My legs locked around his waist, and my hands travelled up into his raven hair, pulling him down to me.

He tugged slightly on my bottom lip and I felt an electric shock run through my whole body. You do not want to jump Percy in the palace of the sea queen. That would be considered very rude and she might blast you both to ashes. Hormones, shut up.

If he continued to tease me this insanely, I would go crazy.

"Perseus, sir?"

We both pulled away at the same time, and I immediately slid my legs to the ground, blushing furiously. We turned to find a nymph waiting at the entrance, her eyes locked on the ground.

"Yes, sorry?"

"Um, Lady Amphitrite wishes to speak with you."

Percy ran a hand through his already messy hair. "Right now?"

"Yes, sir. I didn't want to interrupt but it's urgent. And, she asks that you come alone."

I could clearly see that she was fighting back a smile, and I turned away to see my own reflection in the mirror on the wall. I nearly gasped out loud, but stopped myself.

Percy had obviously not thought to consider it, but I was having a very bad case of sex hair. Just great.

This was exactly what I needed everyone to see.

"Tell her I'll be right there."

The nymph nodded and left the room. Percy turned toward me, eyes narrowing in concern when he saw my expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes, something is wrong!" I exploded. "Look at my hair!"

Percy's gaze travelled upwards and he smirked. "I quite like the way your hair is now."

"Percy," I protested, "It looks like a flashing sign that says 'we just made out!'

Percy rolled his eyes. "You women and your hair."

I smacked his arm. "I can't walk through beautiful Atlantis with sex hair! Everyone will know."

Percy planted a quick kiss on my lips. "You'll look beautiful walking through Atlantis with sex hair. I'll be right back, okay?"

And before I could say anything else, he was gone.

I rolled my eyes as I turned back to the window and gazed at the astounding sight before me. I was absentmindedly fingering the pearl necklace at my neck when suddenly I felt a warm sensation on my fingers and snatched my hand away.

Shocked, I looked down at the necklace to find that the very middle of the necklace was a deep blue, the colour of the sea. I gently lifted the necklace and peered closer at it.

On closer inspection, I realised that in the middle of the necklace was a diamond about the size of my thumbnail. It was an aquamarine colour now, and I stared at it, puzzled.

"I never thought my brother would leave you alone."

I whirled around to find Triton leaning against the door, his lips curved in a smile. "Hello, Annabeth. It's nice to finally be able to talk to you."

He started to walk towards me and suddenly a burst of heat ran through my hand. I pulled my fingers away from the diamond to find that it had turned a dark red.

I didn't know what the necklace was, or what it meant. But I knew what the colour red meant. What it signified.

Red is Nature's warning colour.

Danger.