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

Chapter 7: Strange Prophecy

Percy's POV

I walked out of the training facility, but I didn't go to the mess hall. I wasn't hungry, how could I eat, I hurt the love of my life and two of my best friends. What have I become? Can I control this strength within me? I feel scared not for myself, but for others. If I can hurt my friends this easily, what about other campers or normal humans? I made my way to my cabin and went into my room. I was so tired, I laid down on my bed and fell asleep still in my clothes.

I awoke and looked at the clock. It was six in the morning, I felt like a swim, I needed to clear my head, I needed to feel calm. The water always made me feel that way. I put on some swim trunks and ran out of my cabin to the lake. It was early, there were only a few campers up and they were too busy exercising to pay any attention to me. As I approached the water I saw the beautiful sailboat at the dock. The sun was low in the sky at the moment, but even so the boat was perfect. I was tempted to take it out for a ride but I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I couldn't face Annabeth, Thalia and Nico at the moment. I hoped they were alright, but I couldn't talk to them, yet. I ran into the water and swam out about one hundred yards from the shore. I sank to the bottom of the lake and sat there with my legs crossed. Several fish came to me and wished me a happy morning. I tried to smile, but I wasn't feeling happy. I closed my eyes and concentrated. I thought about Annabeth, my family and friends. I couldn't let them down. I didn't want them to feel afraid of me. I had to do better, I had to control this strength within me. I won't ever use these techniques again unless absolutely necessary, I thought. I started to feel anxious again and then I let myself get wet and the coolness of the water relaxed me. I prayed to my father for the strength and control I would need. I knew I couldn't hide down here anymore I needed to apologize to Nico and Thalia. The first official day of camp was tomorrow and I had responsibilities. I didn't surface and swim to shore, I walked along the lake bottom. As I walked out of the water I saw three familiar faces staring at me. Annabeth, Thalia and Nico were sitting on the beach looking straight at me as I exited the water. They didn't look mad. Annabeth looked worried. Thalia and Nico looked, well uncomfortable and maybe a little scared. I walked over to them and sat on the beach in front of them.

"Nico, Thalia, I'm sorry that I hurt you both. I shouldn't have fought any of you. Please forgive me." I said sincerely.

Nico and Thalia just looked at me.

"Perce, your my best friend and you know I look up to you like a brother. I forgive you, Theseus and Annabeth told us what happened. I know that you didn't do it on purpose so your forgiven." Nico said.

"Kelp face, I accept your apology, but I have one question. How did you give me a concussion, I can't remember?" Thalia said curiously.

"Well, it wasn't me specifically. When you saw me knock Annabeth out with that head touch thing that Theseus does, you charged me with your spear and Aegis. I knocked the spear out of your hand with Riptide. You turned around and charged again trying to ram me with your shield, so I jump flipped over you." I said.

"What happened after you jump flipped over me?" Thalia asked.

"Well, you kind of ran into the wall and you hit your head on Aegis." I said.

Nico and Annabeth started to laugh.

"I knocked myself out with my own shield?" Thalia asked disbelievingly.

"Yes!" I said.

"Well, at least your hands not broken." Nico said as held up his black cast. Of course Nico would have a black cast.

"How are we supposed to sign that thing?" I asked.

"I have a white pen." Nico said with a devilish smile.

"Seaweed brain, you need to get dressed, so we can go to breakfast." Annabeth motioned to my lack of clothes, then I saw her face turn red and I thought I saw a hint of pink on Thalia's cheeks as well.

"I'll go!" I ran to my cabin and I could feel Annabeth and Thalia looking at me leave. I yelled behind me, "Hey, your making me feel like a piece of meat." I looked back and Thalia and Annabeth had red faces.

After I got dressed I walked outside my cabin, Annabeth, Thalia and Nico were there waiting for me. The four of us walked to the mess hall and then we separated and went to our respective tables. I filled my plate with food and prayed to Poseidon, Theseus and Athena as I emptied half my food into the hearth. I walked back to my table and began to eat. I finally felt hungry for the first time in two days. After I finished, Annabeth walked over from her table and sat next to me. I never can get over how beautiful she is. Her blond hair was pulled into a loose pony tail, but it was still beautiful. Her storm grays eyes always made me feel like I was being pulled into them. I seemed to lose all control when I stared into them.

"Seaweed brain, are you alright?" Annabeth said concerned.

I shook my head once and broke away from her eyes, I guess I really did get lost in them.

"Sorry, I was just thinking of something." I said still a little hazy.

"Are you thinking about the missing campers?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"What missing campers?" I asked, now finally fully over my day dream.

"You didn't here Theseus tell the camp last night as dinner?" Annabeth asked in disbelief.

"Well, I kinda didn't go to dinner last night." I said.

"Where did you go?" Annabeth asked.

"I wasn't hungry so I just went to my cabin." I said.

Annabeth looked at me and I guess she realized why I didn't go because her face softened and she looked at me and said, "I know you didn't mean to hurt us, it will be alright."

"I know you do now, but I didn't know then. So what's going on with missing campers?" I asked.

"Grover spoke to Theseus yesterday and told him that the young girl he was supposed to escort to camp was taken by two men in a black van." Annabeth said.

"Did he get a good look at the men?" I asked.

"No, they were wearing dark clothes and ski masks. He said the van was unmarked and so was the license plate." Annabeth said.

"We need a quest, we have to help them." I said, I saw Annabeth smile at my sudden enthusiasm.

"It's good to have the real Percy back." Annabeth said.

"So are we going to the big house or not?" I asked anxiously.

"If you two are going then we are as well." Thalia said as she and Nico stood in front of us.

"Alright, let's go." Annabeth said.

We all walked out of the mess hall and headed to the big house. As we reached the house. We could hear yelling from inside. As we opened the door, I knew exactly who was yelling.

"We can't send heroes into a mission without knowing what's going on!" Theseus yelled.

"Theseus, please calm down, Chiron's right. We need to send heroes to investigate, this mission is too dangerous for a satyr." Athena said trying to calm down her husband.

"I know it's risky, but this will be a quest. We will have a hero go to the oracle for a prophecy. Hopefully, that will provide additional information." Chiron said.

"Dionysus, what do you think?" Theseus asked excitedly.

"My friend I know you're concerned, but I think this is the best action we can take at the moment." Mr. D said.

Theseus knew when he was outnumbered, he raised his hand in defeat and sat down next to Mr. D.

"Alright you all win, who do we send to ask Rachel?" Theseus said.

"I'll go!" Annabeth said next to me. Everyone turned around and were surprised we were there.

"When did the four of you get here?" Athena asked.

"Just now." I said as the others nodded in agreement.

"Annabeth since you were the first to notice something was amiss, you can go see Rachel for a prophecy." Theseus said.

Annabeth walked out the door and I ran to her before she could leave.

"Wise girl!" I said.

"Yes!" Annabeth said.

"Good luck." I said, then I leaned down and kissed her softly. Her cheeks turned pink and she ran off toward Rachel's temple.

Annabeth's POV

Percy always knows how to get me flustered. He couldn't just wish me luck, he had to kiss me too. Now my head is all clouded with thoughts of him. I forced myself to concentrate on the task at hand. As I reached the door to Rachel's temple, I looked up and marveled at how similar this temple was to the one at Delphi. The white marble gleamed in the sun. I entered the temple and I was astounded, instead of looking like a temple, it looked like a modern apartment in New York. I entered what looked exactly like a living room with a couch and a television on the wall. I saw a light in the back hallway so I continued forward and I entered the kitchen. The kitchen was painted a warm yellow and the cabinets were maple with butcher block countertops. A large oak kitchen table was in the middle of the room and sitting at the end of the table was my friend Rachel. Her eyes lit up as she saw.

"Annabeth, its so good to see you." Rachel said.

"Its good to see you too, but I'm sorry this is a business visit and not pleasure." I said.

"That's alright, I've heard about the missing campers, I suspected that a quest would be in order. I'm glad that you're the person they sent." Rachel said.

When Rachel finished speaking lightning seemed to flash outside and when I looked back at Rachel her eyes were glowing green and a mist had somehow entered the room and hung around the floor. The oracle spoke in that multiple voice that I think freaked everyone out, including me.

The wise old one schemes

The eagle of mortals takes

The children of the gods quake

Two teams of heroes shall undertake

One led by mischief shall free the restrained

One led by wisdom shall be bested

To destroy the pact the sea must be unleashed

A sacrifice given out of love

Wisdom restores with the power of three

After Rachel finished she collapsed. I caught her before she could hit the floor. I struggled to carry her, but I managed to get her to the couch in the living room. I placed her on the couch and immediately hers opened.

"What did I say?" Rachel asked.

I told her the prophecy and she couldn't make out any more of it than I could. I said my good-byes to my friend and raced to the big house. As I entered the door I saw Percy standing there waiting for me, surrounded by friends and family.

"What did she say my dear?" Theseus asked.

I told them the entire prophecy and I could see that everyone was processing the words.

"Who would be the old wise one?" I asked.

My mom looked at me and then I saw a sparkle in her eyes and I knew she figured it out.

"It has to be Coeus, the titan of wisdom and intellect." Athena said.

"So a titan is behind this." Percy said.

"It appears so." Chiron added.

"What's the eagle of mortals?" Thalia asked. Everyone shook their heads in complete disbelief.

"The children of the gods quake." Nico said.

"It has to be the young demigods, they have to be scared. They're quaking with fear." I said. Everyone seemed to agree.

"We have never had a quest with two teams before, but the prophecy has told us much about these teams. The first team will be led by a child or children of Hermes and the second team by a daughter of wisdom." Athena said carefully.

"So Annabeth will lead the second team." Percy said.

"I hate to say it, but the Stoll brothers will lead the first team." Theseus said.

It appears that the children of the big three will also participate based on the last line, but its not clear on which team.

"The one led by wisdom shall be bested. That doesn't sound good. I'll go with Annabeth." Thalia said.

"Then I'm going as well." Nico said.

"Considering the third to last line the power of the sea will be needed so I'm in and you know I'm going with Annabeth." Percy said.

"Alright, that's settled then, Percy, Nico and Thalia will go with Annabeth as the second team." Theseus said.

"I will have to speak with Travis and Connor about they're team. I think we should stick with four per team." Theseus said.

Connor and Travis ran in as if on queue.

"What are you two doing here?" Chiron asked suspiciously.

"We heard that we were needed for a quest." Connor said.

"No one outside this room knows that." Theseus said suspiciously as well.

"Alright you two where is it?" Athena said angrily.

"Where's what?" Travis asked innocently.

"The microphone, clearly you two have bugged the big house." Athena added.

I thought Connor and Travis would pass out right then and there. There faces became ashen and they looked nauseous all of a sudden.

"We ... A ... Don't know what you're ..." Connor tried to say.

"Spill it or I swear your both going to be eating shield." Thalia growled.

"Connor made me do it." Travis said as he pointed at his brother.

"You piece of ... You said no one would know." Travis said.

Now I was mad.

"Tell us right now or we will find out how long you too can hold your breath underwater, got it." I said angrily as I winked at Percy.

"It's in the centerpiece." The Stolls said at the same time.

Chiron picked up the centerpiece of flowers that sat in the middle of the table and sure enough on one of the flowers was a hidden microphone. He grabbed it between his fingers and crushed it to pieces.

"Ah man! Dad's gonna kill us now." Travis said.

"You got this form Hermes." Athena said in disbelief.

"It was a birthday gift." Connor said.

"You two are lucky that you are both the lead campers for Hermes and we have a prophecy that requires your a special skills." Theseus said putting an emphasis on the word special.

"You can bring two more campers. Who do you choose?" Chiron asked. The Stoll brothers started whispering and then arguing amongst themselves for at least five minutes and then they both spoke, "We want Clarisse LaRue and Will Solace."

Thats an interesting team I thought. This is the team thats going to rescue the captive half-bloods. I wondered to my self whether this prophecy wasn't a joke played by Apollo. I guess not, but I couldn't shake the thought that this quest just seemed to take a wrong turn.

So the Stoll brothers on a quest to save the day. Is that even possible, well the prophecy sure says so, we'll see?