Chapter V: In Which the Surf Unites

Finally, free day has arrived. Todd thought as he opened his eyes.

Pluto's Caput tabernaculum was pitch black inside. Light was provided by the glow of bright green torches and the reflection of the various gems embedded on the tent's walls. One time, out of curiosity, Todd had removed a ruby and tested it to see if it was real. It was.

So, if Todd decided to run away, he knew how he was going to get the money he needed. There were enough diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and all of the other gems and treasures to set him for three rebirths.

Todd got up and stretched. His mouth still tasted of marshmallows even after four times of brushing his teeth. The night before was entertaining.

He and his friends had introduced Percy to 'Mouthy Minotaur' or 'Fluffy/Chubby Bunny' for the mortals. You have to put in marshmallows in your mouth and say Mouthy Minotaur without swallowing or chewing the marshmallow. The winner is declared by how many marshmallows they have and if they haven't puked the marshmallows.

Todd liked Percy. Anyone who can fit twenty and a half (yes, half of a marshmallow. They had ran out of marshmallows.) Marshmallows into their mouth are okay with him. Percy's personality also amused him. Todd felt a bit of responsibility when he heard that his uncle, Neptune, claimed Percy. After all, shouldn't the children of the most powerful gods stick together? Or at least try not to kill each other?

Todd and Jason got along just fine. Their friendship could've had some improvements but as long as Jason didn't summon the winds on Todd and lifted him up in the air, Todd was fine.

He changed into his swimsuit and slipped on his blank First Legion purple shirt. Today, not only he was going to visit the beach; he was going to teach Ol' Neptune's son how to windsurf.

"Should be pretty easy," Todd said to himself, "Guy's the son of Neptune. If he can't do anything aquatic, then I'm a faun's uncle."

"If not, it'll still be hilarious as a centaur in a dress." Todd ran his hand through his hair before leaving the tent for breakfast.


"Percy! Get up!" Percy groaned and covered his head with the blanket.

"Todd! Go away…" He mumbled, wanting to get back to his dream, whatever it was. All he could remember was a pleasant, butterfly-inducing feeling.

He could practically feel Todd's eyes rolling. "Don't you want to see the beach? Feel the water against your skin, the sand making everything itchy? Oh, and you missed breakfast."

Percy opened his eyes and looked at the tent entrance. "I missed breakfast? Dude, why didn't you wake me?" He got out of bed and stretched.

Todd snickered, "I figured you'd want your beauty sleep, ya know. To impress the girl of your dreams."

Percy was glad that the tent flap remained closed. His face felt warm from his blush. Ever since he and Todd saw the blonde and the black Pegasus, Blackjack, he'd been acting as if he was under one of the Venus' Centuria's love spells.

"Shut up, Todd! Don't make me stuff a mackerel in your throat." Percy half-heartedly threatened.

"Where would you get a mackerel?"

"I dunno. I'll find one though." Percy opened the wardrobe. Percy found it after he had returned from border patrols. At first, he'd thought that one of the fauns had given it to him, because of his father.

It wasn't until he discovered that the pool went deeper than he'd originally thought that the wardrobe was magical, so to speak. Percy didn't have any swimming articles and just so he can get it out of the way, he opened the wardrobe and looked. He was surprised to find a pair of black and sea green swirled swimming boxers. Even more surprising, they actually fit him pretty well.

Percy had gone near the pool and noticed that there wasn't any actual floor. The water gave the illusion of a floor. Percy climbed into the pool and went under the warm water.

He had to double check to make sure he was still in First Legion. It looked exactly like he was in the ocean, with fishes, reefs, seaweed, kelp and sand. Lots of black, brown and white sand, all swirled together in complex patterns.

When he had left the pool an hour or two later, Percy had put the wet swimming boxers into the wardrobe and it protruded a new pair plus some underwater tools. And after a couple of experiments, he figured out it would only give out water related items.

Percy put on the stuff Todd told him too, plus a First Legion purple shirt. For some reason, Percy preferred orange to purple.

Before Percy left, he grabbed the knife Tim had given him. He still hadn't named it


The sand felt fantastic underneath Percy's feet as he looked around for a good spot to put Todd's cooler. Todd had left him with the task while he went to get the windsurfing equipment.

Some of the campers had given him weird looks and some had even avoided it. Percy thought that it should worry him but he really didn't care as long as he didn't get into any fights.

"Percy! Wait, it is Percy, isn't it?" A very feminine voice called to him. Percy turned toward the voice. He was very surprised to find Amara smiling at him.

Amara, a daughter of Venus, had a slight interest in the Son of Neptune. She admitted that he was somewhat cute. The interest was purely curiosity, or that's what she told her fellow campers.

"Uhm, Hello Amara." Percy greeted, he didn't really know how to talk to Amara. Her hazel eyes and auburn hair made Percy slightly nervous. Like he had a girlfriend or something along the lines and it made him feel like even talking to a girl will cause pain.

Amara smiled brightly and Percy held the urge to take a step back. "Hey, Percy. How you've been?"

"Alright, I suppose. And yourself?"

"Fantastic! I'm at the beach after weeks and weeks of training. Have you seen Todd anywhere?" Percy didn't know whether to feel relieved or worried. Amara was fierce during training and Percy would hate to be at the bad end of her knife.

"I don't know. He said something about getting the equipment." He nodded in the direction where Todd went.

Amara turned to leave, "Thanks, by the way, I like your necklace. The beads are pretty."

Percy looked at the necklace around his neck. There were four beads on a smooth piece of leather. The beads were creatively designed. The first bead was pitch black with a sea green trident; the second bead had a sea green background with a gold bath mat, at least that's what it looked like to Percy. The third had the pattern of a maze that even glancing at it gave Percy a headache. The final bead had the picture of the Empire State Building with names in Ancient Greek. How he knew that it was Ancient Greek, he didn't know.

Percy felt nostalgia whenever he looked at the first two beads. The last two gave him a darker feeling, which he can't describe.

Percy shook the feeling away and continued his search for a good spot.


Bobby watched the ocean waves soak the sand. He never really understood why Lupa had only one day of rest for every three weeks.

"Bobby? Hello?" Gwen waved a hand in front of his face. She looked mildly annoyed. "Someone home?"

Bobby glanced at Gwen. She was wearing the First Legion purple shirt and orange shorts. She preferred not to have flip-flops because she didn't see the point. Her red hair was in a messy bun.

Bobby thought that Gwen looked beautiful.

"Sorry, Gwen. Distracted a lot today." Bobby gave her an apologetic smile.

Gwen rolled her eyes. "What were you thinking about?"

"That Percy guy. He and Todd are weirdly close now."

"So? They're children of the Big Three."

"The Big Three weren't known for their cooperation, Gweny." Bobby dryly replied.

Gwen chuckled and started to draw a pattern in the sand. "Maybe for the Greek counterparts."

"I guess so. But don't you find it odd that Todd befriended Jason and now Percy? Think he's got some secret motive?" Bobby chuckled at the last sentence.

"Whatever Bobby. Lupa would sniff out a secret plan before the person can even finish planning it."

"Speaking of plans, there is gonna be a quest soon." Gwen casually said, swinging her feet back and forth.

Bobby looked at Gwen, surprised. "What? To search for Jason?"

She sighed, "No. Jason probably felt for some secret quest or something like that. Lupa doesn't seem that worried about Jason."

"Probably means he's dead." He deadpanned. Deaths were very common at First Legion. Aut vincere aut mori. Conquer or Die. Survival of the Fittest, whatever you want to call it.

Bobby had seen his fair share of deaths at the camp. Lupa taught them to respect the deaths of their fellow campers. He thought that it was slightly unfair that the young children die more quickly. If he had to estimate, out of every hundred new campers, fifteen don't make it very far.

Gwen flinched slightly when Bobby said that. It wasn't as if she had feelings for Jason. It was just that Jason helped her out quite a few times when they both arrived around the same time. She sometimes thought that if it weren't for Jason, she would probably be dead. "Bobby. Don't you think Lupa would do something if the Consul of the camp was dead?"

Bobby shrugged. "Maybe. Anyways, how do you know about the possible quest?"

"The Oracle approached Lupa and Lupa sent for me afterwards."

Bobby thought about this. The Oracle didn't show up very often. Nobody at the camp even knew what it looked like. Not even the oldest campers. Lupa's wolf companions probably knew but they kept silent about it.

"Did you hear the prophecy?"

"The Eldest Half-bloods Beware by Sleep."

"Stone and Flesh Collide, Only Freed by Snow and Water"

"Beginning at Old Places, The Immortal Metals Shall Reap"

"The Forgotten and Lost Arouses, To Return Against Slaughter."

"Child of Both. A Secret is Bilked, for Only Allies will Keep."

"Bilked? What the in the name of Pluto does that mean?"

"Lupa told me it means cheated, eluded."

"It sounds like there will be blood, if slaughter is what it means."

Gwen looked at the ocean and frowned. "This child of both must be important if the guy's secret is revealed."

"Child of Both? Both what? Gods, half-bloods?"

Gwen shrugged. "I think Lupa's more concerned about who will be going. The Oracle has already chosen the campers going."

Bobby could see where this was going as well as he could see a weapon on anybody. "Gwen, don't tell me you're going!" He couldn't stop the jealousy and anger from boiling. So everyone gets special treatment besides him? The campers should all be bowing to him, Son of Mars and Praetor of his Centuria.

"Bobby, remember your fatal flaw. Remember what Lupa told you when you became Praetor?"

Bobby glared at the sand, nodding subtly. "I remember, Gwen. It's just-"

A high-pitched scream interrupted him. Both he and Gwen stood up and rushed back to the beach.


"You're doing better than I hoped." Todd remarked as Percy finished his lessons on surfing and windsurfing.

"What? Did you want me to fall into the ocean?" Percy grinned. He had caught the hang of the sports quickly.

"It's always amusing to watch someone face plant into the water. It would've been hilarious if you did some."

"Haha, Todd. I'm glad your confidence in me is high." Percy sarcastically replied.

"My confidence says you can't beat me in a race." Todd challenged. "How about it? Is the Son of Neptune ready to lose?"

"I accept your challenge, and it will be you who will lose."

"Alright, first one to the nearest buoy and back is the winner."

"Deal."

"Ready…set…go!"

The race started out pretty good. The wind was perfect for windsurfing and the water felt good. Todd was maybe ten feet behind Percy. The buoy was in sight and Percy began to turn.

There was a small yell behind Todd and Percy didn't bother to look. It must be one of the young campers freaking out over seaweed.

Todd had caught up with Percy. He stuck his tongue out at him and grinned. They both turned around the buoy at the same time.

Percy clenched his teeth and willed his board to move faster. It seemed to respond to his will.

Percy heard the scream. He looked up from the water to find Amara and a couple of other girls scramble to get out of the water. Percy found that peculiar. Surely, a couple of girls couldn't be scared that easily.

Of course, that was before the monster burst out of the water.

Percy looked at Todd and they both nodded.

The sea serpent made the Ram Eel look like a worm. It was an ugly, blotted grey and green colour with scales around his head, making Percy think about that lizard that can extend his skin to make him look bigger or something like that. It had wickedly sharp teeth as long as Todd was tall. The eyes were a combination of a fish and a snake, milky white.

The serpent hissed at the campers trying to get out of the water. Percy waved his hand at the water and a billow emerged from the water and pushed the campers to shore.

Todd somehow had a bow and a couple of arrows on him and he amazingly began to shoot the serpent at its clinks in the scales while making balance on the board. The arrows exploded when they made contact and caused the serpent to become angry.

The serpent turned to Todd and snarled at it. Its tongue was like a snake, long and an ugly colour.

The scales around the serpent's head expanded as the serpent opened its mouth and snapped dangerously close to Todd.

The serpent opened his mouth and prepared to attack again.


The campers reacted surprisingly well for a first time attack in the water. After the campers that were in the water had gotten out of it. The campers got arrows and long ranged weapons seemingly from nowhere. (Actually, Lupa required them to take weapons wherever they went, free day or not.)

Bobby saw Todd and Percy still in the water. Todd was shooting exploding arrows from his windsurfing board and Percy didn't seem to be doing anything. Bobby scowled.

He called for a spear. He saw that the serpent was well protected.

Besides its mouth.

Bobby measured the distance and threw the spear.


Todd was almost running out of arrows and he probably couldn't dodge another attack without losing either his weapon or his board. Then he would be dead meat.

He knocked an arrow. Well, better to die now than to some stupid thing. Like a Hydra attack or Hellhounds.

The mouth of the serpent wasn't pretty. It was a bright, Pepto-Bismol pink. It reminded Todd of the Nemean Lion.

Todd was about to shoot when the serpent got a tongue piercing. The spear seemed to appear out of nowhere and pierce the tongue right in the middle.

The serpent wasn't very happy about the new look it got.

It roared and slapped its spiked knobbed tail against the water, creating a huge twenty to thirty foot wake.

Luckily, Todd was in control long enough to stabilize himself as the wave passed him. The serpent turned its head at the beach. Green smoke had started to billow from its now closed mouth.

"Oh, crap. Poison? Reeally? Can it get any worse?" He looked for Percy to see if he was okay.

Percy was nowhere to be seen.


Percy's vision was blurry as he clung to the serpent. The huge wave that it created had launched him from the board and onto its head.

Landing on the serpent wasn't comfortable. He believed that when he landed, he destroyed some of the scales around its neck and head.

Staying on the serpent was even harder. The scales were slick, smooth, wet and slippery. He managed to grab one of the various horns and hold on.

He started to see green smoke coming out from an area near him.

The serpent seemed to know that someone was on it. It shook his head back and forth, keeping its mouth closed. Percy had to hold his breath in order not to inhale the smoke.

"Percy! Percy! I know you're up there! I need you to open the mouth!" He was so surprised at the fact that he could hear Gwen so clearly that he almost lost his grip. Percy would've answered if it weren't for the fact that he would've bitten his tongue off.

"Percy! Do it or die trying! It's an order!" Percy wanted to scream at Gwen that it was impossible but he tried anyways.

He could feel Todd's exploding arrows shake the serpent's body as he tried to maneuver to the mouth, or where he thought the mouth would be. He had a couple of scary moments when he lost his grip.

Percy finally reached the mouth. His only signal was his hands had encountered a soft, squishy thing under the scales.

I really think I can't do this. Percy thought as he got under its lip flaps. He hooked his feet between the bottom teeth and his hands grabbed the top teeth. He took one last breath before forcing the jaws open.

The serpent felt something in his mouth and it produced more poisonous smoke. The smoke make Percy's skin itch but he tried to ignore it.

At first, the jaw wouldn't open and Percy was tempted to give up but slowly, the jaw opened. The force made his muscles scream in pain. And it became more difficult to keep steady as the serpent shook its head more violently.

Fifteen minutes of doing this, Percy had managed to open the mouth wide enough. The poisonous smoke cleared briefly and he took a huge breath.

He regretted it instantly.

The breath of the serpent smelled like rotten fish, seaweed, brine and smoke all combined. The serpent obviously never brushed its teeth after every meal.

Gods, when are you planning to move, Gwen? Percy desperately thought as the serpent tried to close its jaws. I can only go for so long. Weirdly, Percy was reminded of a worse pain than this. Like he was holding up the sky.

One of the sharp teeth scraped against Percy's shoulder. It bounced off harmlessly but Percy knew it would've been a lethal wound.

Hurry up!


Gwen anxiously watched as what she hoped to be Percy forcing the jaw open. She had to wait for the right moment. "Archers! Prepare your weapons!"

She had ordered the archers to go as far into the ocean as they can. It was very difficult seeing as the serpent's thrashing created huge waves and wakes.

Finally, Gwen could see the tender pink insides of the serpent. She was amazed that Percy even had the strength to do it. "Release!"

The credit of the serpent's defeat would have to go to Bobby the most. While the arrows did hit the serpent, Bobby's spears did the most damage.

The serpent thrashed in pain and tossed Percy into the water. Great, not again.

The serpent spat some more smoke and disappeared into the ocean.

Bobby sent his best swimmers to go find Todd and Percy. It wasn't too hard, considering Percy was conscious this time.

Percy stood up against the healers wishes and Todd did the same.

"Percy, Todd. You did a better job than I thought you would. Kudos." Bobby grumbled to him. Percy looked surprised and Gwen didn't blame him. Bobby ever rarely compliments anyone, except her.

Todd looked at Percy and asked. "Well, who won?"

Gwen and Amara had to hold Percy to prevent from attacking Todd.


First update of the year! Happy New Year to everyone!

Updates won't be as frequent because of school and my book but probably expect an update between one to two weeks. The main problem would be getting enough time to think about the next chapter and to type it down. (Don' worry. I have the basic plot on my ipod which means this is an official fanfic! Praise The gods!)

Opinions are greatly appreciated. Did i abuse the line breaks? (Im horrible at transitions...) Was the Prophecy good enough? (It took forever to find words that rhyme with water and sleep...) Did I get information wrong? (I sometimes forget details and all PJO info comes straight from my copies and the PJO Wikia.) Details that need to be cleared? Anything you want to see? Did i over do anything? Horrible Descriptions? Do I ramble in the author's notes? etc.

Oh, let's see if we can beat my other PJO fanfic with reviews. Born For This has twenty four reviews and we're at eighteen! You guys can do it! (Not meaning i wont update until this thing reaches twenty four reviews. I hate authors that do that.)

Even though it isn't Christmas, reviews still make lovely presents for my inbox!

The Scribe of Stories. (I seriously was surprised that no one picked this name...)

PS: The next chapter title will be In Which Political Fists Fly. Like it? Wonder how i come up with the titles or what they mean? Wondering what I got for Christmas? (Gotta stop rambling and get to bed...)