Hey guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter! There shall be action soon I promise.
Replies:
Rage2091: I mean, you're not wrong lol. And they're both deeply ingrained into who Percy is.
Undeath9087: Yeah it's probably really weird going from one to another- hah I love it! And I'm sure my readers will miss the emotional whiplash soon enough.
Guest: Triton and Amphitrite have known for years that Percy existed, they just believe she's dead right now. And with a lot of the stuff you'll have to wait and see my dear- after all I can't give spoilers lol. And Aphrodite does check in from time to time but not nearly as frequently as a good parent probably should lol. She loves Piper but she has lots of kids and the times she has checked in her daughter's seemed fine with no sign that she knows.
Krypton Writes: Heh you shall have to wait and see what happens, I do so enjoy making people wait. It's fun that way!
Zephyr0f8: I'm glad you're enjoying it! And cuddles are an important part recovery. There shall be some soon enough I assure you.
Clarissart: Thank you so much for the review I'm glad you enjoy so much! It means the world to me. And Pipercabeth is adorable I agree on that lol, clearly. Honestly their bond is so sweet though I warn you there shall me miscommunication and angst in the future. Sorry not sorry.

Percy took a deep breath, staring ahead at the island. It had to hold the fleece. Which was great, really. The problem was the cyclops that was surely waiting. Though there was no sign of him yet.

It didn't look like the home of a cyclops. Not that Percy would know what a cyclopses home looked like. And the Fleece undoubtedly had a very strong influence. The only thing that even showed any sign of any life other than animal life was the rope bridge strung across a chasm- never a good sign. But other than that? It looked like a Caribbean postcard with green fields and tropical fruit trees and white beaches.

And the air was sweet, filled with the scent of life, and magic, powerful magic. It filled Percy with a warm feeling.

"It's here." she gave a smile, inhaling deeply. Some magical artefacts radiated their magic, and the Fleece radiated it's vitality, it's life and healing. It made Percy feel almost giddy, and Annabeth gently grabbed Percy's elbow.

"Woah there Percy. Are you okay?"

"You look kinda drunk." Piper was trying to hide her laughter. "Maybe bringing a magician to find the Fleece was a bad idea, you're getting magic drunk."

And Percy shook her head sharply, pulling a face as she forced herself to focus. "It's fine, it's just- it's powerful magic. And good magic- like truly, genuinely good. It's a heady feeling. And believe me it'll work. This magic? It'll heal that tree."

"This island-" Piper was staring ahead, "The magic must be insanely powerful to make it thrive like this and to make you go all funny. But what happens when we take the Fleece away?"

"The magic will fade away." Percy told her friend, "And gradually the island will return back to however it was before."

"That seems kind of sad." Piper remarked.

"But worth it." Annabeth had a hopeful glint in her eyes, "To save Thalia."

"Pipes, you talked to Reyna and Hylla- do they know-"

"I told them we were safe from the Sirens." Piper shook her head, "We'll have to talk to them before we head out to the island."

"It should be fun." Percy muttered the words, staring ahead at the island.

In the meadow at the base of the ravine, several dozen sheep were milling around. They looked peaceful enough, but they were huge—the size of hippos. Just past them was a path that led up into the hills. At the top of the path, near the edge of the canyon, was a massive oak tree. And Percy could see something gold glittering in its branches.

"Okay, so is it just me or is this way to easy?" Piper quirked an eyebrow, "I mean, what's stopping us from just hiking up there and taking it- Percy's great at hiking, this hill wouldn't be any trouble."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "There's supposed be a guardian. A dragon or…"

That's when a deer emerged from the bushes. It trotted into the meadow, probably looking for grass to eat, when the sheep all bleated at once and rushed the animal. It happened so fast that the deer stumbled and was lost in a sea of wool and trampling hooves.

Grass and tufts of fur flew into the air.

A second later the sheep all moved away, back to their regular peaceful wanderings. Where the deer had been was a pile of clean white bones.

Percy just blinked slowly before she snorted, "Well, I believe we have our guardians." she remarked, "That makes things a little more complicated."

"Transformation?" Piper turned her head to look at Percy. "You're really good at birds-"

"I am." Percy eyed the distant glitter of gold, "But birds are pretty small, and that fleece is pretty big. Even if I turn all three of us into birds it'll be incredibly awkward and difficult to fly it all the way back to the boat."

"What about one of your invisibility spells?"

"Risky." Percy decided, "There's the whole scent thing- even though the sheep won't be able to see us they will be able to smell us and hear us. If their senses are strong enough..."

"We'll be sheep meat."

"And I'd rather not use my magic against them- I want to be fresh and ready for Polyphemus-and I want to be full strength when we come face to face with him and I don't want him to realise we're here before we're ready."

"And if we kill the sheep he'll notice." Piper finished. "Well let's think this through right? We can still fly up there as birds even if we don't actually grab the fleece and birds."

"We should take a look around the island anyway- get an idea what we're dealing with." Annabeth agreed, "Does that mean you'll turn me into a bird too?" there was a curious look on her face. "I mean- I've got to admit it does sound interesting-"

"It's amazing. Weird as anything but amazing." Piper told Annabeth, "But you can't fight it. You'll want to at first but fighting it won't do any good."

"It'll make me lose my grip on the spell." Percy added, "Which I don't need to tell you, wouldn't be good."

"Of course not." Annabeth nodded quickly, a flash of determination crossing her face as she straightened up. "But we won't be able to talk while we're birds will we?"

"Uh-" Piper paused, "That could be a problem-"

"Not at all." Percy grinned, "I invented a spell when I was younger- used it with Zia so that we could talk in our minds. It's pretty useful." she shoved her hand to the side, drawing out her wand, "Give me your hands."

And both Annabeth and Piper held up their hands- Annabeth holding out her left hand, and Percy carefully cast the spell, and soon enough it was complete and she closed her eyes, focusing as she projected her thoughts.

"Hey guys, can you hear me?"

"Oh that is weird!" Piper thought back quickly, "So so weird. And cool."

"I've never felt anything like this before." Annabeth chimed in, and when Percy opened her eyes she could see that the blonde was shaking her head slightly, blinking rapidly.

Piper seemed to be taking it much more easily, a grin on her lips as she tilted her head and mentally said "You know, this could be fun at premiers, we could talk and no one could hear us so we won't get dirty looks if we're joking around."

"Well right now we're using it for a more important job." Percy laughed to herself, "But it is a good idea." her gaze shifted to the cliffs, "I'd say if we're looking around the island we should come up over the cliffs, we're less likely to get spotted that way even as birds."

"Before I transform us I'll go have a word with Hylla and Reyna." Percy decided, speaking out loud this time as she ran her fingers through her hair, "Annabeth-"

"I'm putting my bracelet on." the daughter of Athena was slipping her hand into her pocket, and Piper moved quickly to help her as Percy moved towards the cabin, opening the door and slipping inside.

Reyna and Hylla were sat on the bed together.

Reyna was tucked into Hylla's side, her knees pulled to her chest, and Hylla had an arm wrapped around her sisters shoulder. "We're stopped." there was a suspicious gleam in Hylla's eyes, "You'll be leaving the boat."

"It won't leave without me." Percy was many things, but she wasn't a complete idiot. If she left the boat with Hylla and Reyna without magical precautions they'd probably take it and sail away- understandable but not exactly helpful. "Listen, we're going to land but you two should stay here. It's safer for you both-"

"We don't need you to protect us." Reyna almost snapped the words, "We're not helpless little girls. We're strong-"

"I don't know you, I don't trust you and I would be an idiot to ask you to come with me when I don't know your capabilities." Percy declared, "So stay on the damn boat and wait for us."

"And what if you don't come back?" Hylla demanded, "We're in the middle of the Sea of Monsters, whatever island we're at there's almost certainly monsters there. It isn't safe for us to just be stuck here waiting forever."

"That-" Percy paused before nodding, "That's a fair point." which earned slightly surprised looks from Hylla and Reyna. "If we're gone for longer than-" she paused, considering the situation- she had to give them a good few hours, if they were scoping out the island and coming up with a plan to get the fleece without becoming sheep food. But- waiting too long would be dangerous for the other girls. "Ten hours. That should give us more than enough time. If we're not gone within ten hours the magic that stops the boat from leaving without me will stop and you two should get out of here."

"You-" Hylla faltered. "That's... kind of you."

"Not really." Percy gave a small shrug, "I mean, all I'm doing is making sure you guys don't end up getting captured because of us. Any decent person would probably do the same."

"Perhaps."

"Good luck." that came from Reyna after a moment, the other girl staring at her, an expression Percy couldn't read on her face. But she didn't seem to be sarcastic so Percy gave a small nod.

"Uh, thanks." she took a deep breath. "We'll be heading out. Like I said if you guys could just stay here..." she trailed off before turning and heading out onto the deck.

They had moved on slightly, they'd moved towards the back side of the island, and at Percy's mental prompting the ship moored there, where the cliffs rose straight up a good two hundred feet. It was less likely seen, tucked in behind the cliffs. Which meant that Hylla and Reyna would at least be a little bit safer.

Once they were safely moored Percy grinned slightly as she focused on Annabeth and Piper, both of whom looked pretty eager.

So Percy focused her magic, and she watched as first Piper shrunk down, arms turning into wings, pure white feathers sprouting from them as she turned into a beautiful dove.

And the gasp Annabeth let out was awed, which filled Percy with a rush of satisfaction- and she focused her gaze on Annabeth once Piper was safely transformed, though her eyes were a bright shade of blue that looked odd in the face of a bird- very pretty though Percy decided.

And the process repeated, within a few minutes Annabeth was also transformed, bigger than Piper, a beautiful snowy owl with those piercing gray eyes.

Then of course it was Percy's turn, and as soon as she was finished transforming she ruffled her wings and let out a shriek, which was echoed by Piper's soft coos and Annabeth's hooting call.

"This is amazing." even in her mind Annabeth sounded breathless and awed, "Percy you're amazing you know that right?"

"Of course she does." Piper scoffed, "She's Percy Kane. She's like, one of the top ten coolest people to have ever lived."

"You flatter me." Percy would have been blushing if she could. "Come on you guys. It's time for us to fly- Annabeth just let yourself rely on instincts, the bird body knows what it's doing even if you don't."

And within minutes all three of them were in the air, soaring towards the high cliffs.

And as they flew, Percy had no doubt in her mind that whatever troubles they'd have to face getting to the fleece, they could pull this off.