Chapter 11

-Percy's POV—

After I ate lunch I went back outside towards the water to think.

Why was the water looking like this? Am I to blame?

I decided if I wanted answers I needed to find them myself. I walked along the shoreline towards an old park. I climbed the rusted step ladder which I was obviously too big for, and climbed to the highest part of the play set.

I then called out in my mind, "BLACKJACK!"

All was silent for a few moments and I could hear the weak lap of the water against the concrete barriers. Then suddenly without warning a dark shape swooped out from the sky, picking me up from the back of my shirt.

"Boss! How dare you disappear on your family like that!?" Blackjack whinnied.

"Sorry buddy." I said guiltily. "Hey, where are we going?" I asked as we started going towards the ocean.

"For a swim of course." Blackjack replied with a hint of mischief.

"What? Wait! Blackja-"

SPLASH!

My trusted Pegasus dropped me into my father's domain. I hoped he wasn't alerted of my location sense I was still technically in the land- er waters, of no gods.

I swam to the top of the water allowing my head to break surface. I reached my hands up, "Alright Blackjack you had your fun. Now let's go I need a ride home."

"Sure thing boss!" He replied.

I pulled myself up and onto his back and we set off into the sky.

After a few minutes Blackjack said, "Hey Boss! Can we stop for donuts?"

"Not today Blackjack."

"Aw c'mon! There's a monster donut place in Florida that's supposed to be great!"

"We don't have time today Blackjack."

It was silent again for a few more minutes.

"Do we have time now Boss?" asked Blackjack.

I sighed. "Let's just hurry up."

By the time we reached Camp Half Blood, Apollo was almost done with his daily ride. A part of me wondered if he was driving it or if it was on autopilot.

I dismounted Blackjack and told him to go treat himself to a few donuts.

After Blackjack flew away, I started walking up Half Blood Hill. Peleus (Right?) the dragon laid sleeping, guarding the Golden Fleece. I stopped at the top by Thalia's tree and looked out at the camp below me. I was hoping to not be seen, get in and get out but of course nothing goes as planned.

"Percy?" a familiar voice asked from behind.

I kept looking forward, down at the camp. "Hello Rachel."

"What are you doing here? I thought you worked from Kronos." She asked hesitantly.

"I do. But something caught my attention and I had a few questions I needed to be answered."

"Why didn't you just ask Kronos?" asked Rachel.

I looked back at her. She wore her usual drawing-covered, faded jeans with a T-shirt that said, 'You have to know the rules to break them.' Her fiery red hair blew in the wind, but she stood tall with a look of defiance in her eyes.

"You're the oracle. Shouldn't you know these things?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "Do me a favor and get Chiron. I'll wait here."

Rachel looked hesitant to leave me here, but nonetheless she ran down Half-Blood hill towards the big house.

While she was gone Peleus woke up and got ready to turn me into a dish of deep-fried Percy, but I said, "Woah there. I'm not here to hurt anyone."

Peleus calmed down once (He or she?) saw who I was. I stood there petting her until suddenly a wide eyed Apollo came bolting towards me, followed by the rest of the gods, Chiron and the camp counselors.

Once everyone reached Half-Blood hill I looked up from Peleus and looked around at my audience who now surrounded me with a mix of worry, guilt, and anger.

"Why have you returned Perseus?" asked Chiron.

I involuntarily flinched at my name and automatically corrected, "Percy. Always Percy." Then I shifted my body to turn to look at my old mentor, "Where's Poseidon?" I suddenly noticed the absence of my not-so-father.

-Chiron's POV—

When we reached the top of Half-Blood Hill I saw Percy petting Peleus.

He still cares about the animals here. I noted.

Percy scanned us all showing no sign of emotion. Finally I asked, "Why have you returned Perseus?"

He slightly flinched and replied, "Percy. Always Percy." I was a little surprised about how normal he sounded. I expected him to sound bitter, and cold. He just sounded like nothing ever happened and he was just visiting for the heck of it.

Percy's eyebrows knotted in confusion. He turned towards me. "Where's Poseidon?" he asked.

"He flashed out during our meeting." Replied Annabeth.

Percy noticeably relaxed before asking casually, "How is he?"

"How is he?" Zeus mocked. "He lost his favorite son to one of our worst enemies! How do you think he is? Stop messing around boy, tell us why you've really come!" Boomed Zeus.

Percy didn't look affected at all, except for the barely visible dim in his eyes.

"I came to have some questions answered." Percy said simply, leaning against Thalia's tree.

"Then ask." Said Hera, clearly annoyed.

Percy gave a small smile like he was enjoying this and waved his finger. "Nuh uh uh." He tsked.

"Questions for Chiron and Chiron only."

I saw surprised. "Why me?"

"I still trust you, whether you trust me or not." He said, earning even more surprised gasps.

"Why would you trust the enemy?" Inquired Athena. By now half the camp was gathered around listening in.

"I don't." Percy shrugged.

"But you just said-"

"I know what I said." Percy cut her off. "Chiron isn't my enemy."

"What?" asked Athena confused.

"Chiron never gave me a reason to hate him. The gods…" He trailed off for a second then said firmly. "That's a different story." He smirked.

I sighed. "Let's go Percy. We should talk while we still can."

I started walking down Half-Blood Hill towards the Big House, the campers parting for us like the Red Sea.

I walked inside and settled behind the Ping Pong table while Percy took a seat.

"Now." I asked, "What is it child?"

-Hermes' POV—

Once Percy and Chiron disappeared the campers started talking and asking a bunch of questions.

"What's he doing here?"

"I thought he was hosting Kronos?"

"Why are you trusting him with Chiron? Let's go get him!"

"Enough!" yelled Zeus.

The campers all hushed into a dead silence.

"Go back to your camp activities." The Lord of the Skies demanded.

The campers slowly broke away into their normal duties.

Apollo turned to me. "You got anything that allows us to eaves drop?"

"Of course." I grinned. "I used it on father all the time."

"Wait what?" asked Zeus.

"Nothing." I lied.

I snapped my fingers and a small device appeared in my hands. I switched it on and it turned into a spider where it crawled away and into the Big House. I got out my IPad and turned it on. An image of Percy and Chiron talking inside showed up.

"What are they saying?" asked Aphrodite.

"Wait for it." I said turning up the volume.

Their voices soon focused so I could hear what they were saying.

"I don't get why you're even working for Kronos in the first place he's just going to use you." Chiron was saying.

"Like the gods don't?" Replied Percy coolly.

We all flinched. Suddenly Poseidon flashed next to us.

"What are you guys doing?" He asked before looking at the screen. His eyes widened and he ran towards the big house.

"Poseidon wait!" Called Zeus.

But it was too late. The sea god ran into the house and yelled, "Percy!"

I looked at the screen and saw a very shocked and pale demi-god.

Percy swallowed with what seemed to be great effort and said, "Hello Father."