Hello, my homey-g's! I'm soooo sorry for the delayed update! My computer is a bitch, and wouldn't let me update. Grrr…

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Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or Percy Jackson. I do, however, own the mysterious persons mentioned in this chapter.

Chapter 6: Dreams and Advice

MPOV

My peaceful slumber wasn't to last, though.

I dreamed I was in a cave. Though, it wasn't like any sort of cave I've ever been in. This one was deep, dark, and damp. I could hear water dripping to the floor somewhere in the back. A dark chill crept up through my bare feet—I was still in my pajamas.

"Come closer," a deep, hallow, raspy, and whispery voice said from near the back of the cave.

"Master," said one voice. I knew it was male from the deep sound of it. "The six have arrived, as you foresaw."
"Good, good," said the first voice. "And the seventh?"

"He's still dawdling, my lord," said the second voice.

"This will be a setback in our plan," said the first. "Make sure that he reaches the camp before the Summer Solstice. I don't want to risk anymore monsters on his behalf."

"It will be done my lord," said the second.

"I sense… another presence," said the first. "Invite him in… so I can give him a proper greeting.

A man, with dark brown hair and intense greenish-grey eyes walked into my line of vision. He grinned evilly.

There was a brilliant flash of multi-colored light, and a boy fell to the floor.

The worst part: I knew who he was.

It was Sam, the boy who I had kissed in Virginia.

I sat up, suddenly wide awake. I could feel the chills going up and down my spine, the feeling that I always got after a nightmare. I was covered in a cold sweat. My heart was racing, and I was panting. Total opened his eyes sleepily. "Max…" he muttered blearily. "Wha's up?"

I took a deep breath and murmured so low that no one but he could hear, "It's nothing. Go back to sleep."

He put his head back on his paws and was asleep and snoring in seconds.

I ran a hand through my hair, which had come out of its bun.

I swung my legs over the side of my bed and stood, heading out the door. I knew that we had a curfew, but I just had to get outside, into the fresh air.

I walked through the valley, making sure to skirt around the flock's various cabins. They were sure to hear me if I walked by.

I walked to the beach and sat down near the water's edge, but out of the way of the waves.

I lay on my back and looked up at the night sky, littered with more stars than I'd seen in a while. It brought me back to the night that Fang and I had shared in the desert, when I had first stopped running away.

"A beautiful night for stargazing," said a voice several feet from me.

I sat up instantly, my hands curling into lethal fists. But I saw that it was just a man in a business suit. He had a black beard that was streaked with grey. So was his dark hair. He had the same blue eyes as Lucas and Thalia.

He chuckled. "I remember when I was your age. I used to look at the sky with hatred. But that was many, many years ago."

"Father?" I asked.

He smiled. "Yes, Max. I am your father."

I just stared at him for a moment, trying to see if I shared any features with this man. We had the same leaderly, intimidating look to our eyes. The same stature, like we were trying to intimidate and scare our opponents.

"I was blonde as a young boy, like you are," Zeus said, like he could hear my thoughts. "And I was quite stubborn. In fact, I still am!" He laughed. It was like the deep roll of thunder just before the storm.

I grinned. "We have the same smile," I pointed out.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" he asked.

"Sure," I said, feeling nervous.

He sat in the sand next to me. "Max, I don't want you to think the wrong things. I love you, your sister, and your mother very much."

I stared at him. "I know. But… It's just… You're a god. I know that you've probably said that to a lot of women in the last few thousand years."

Zeus searched my eyes. I had a feeling that he wouldn't find the answer he was looking for there. Only Fang would be able to. "No."

I blushed and looked down. I felt really bad. "Oh. I'm sorry. I just thought—"

"That because I'm a god I would say that to every woman I woo," he finished. "No. I love Hera very much, but your mother…" He paused, as if trying to figure out how to word this. "I offered to grant her immortality. But she refused, saying that to live forever would be a curse. She did not want to watch those she loved grow old and die." He patted my shoulder. "You remind me of her very much. Both you and Ella. But the day you were taken from the hospital… That was the hardest thing I ever had to endure in my life. I sent all of my best trackers to find you—Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Athena, Ares—but they never found you. And when you appeared again, ten years later…

"That was the moment I felt that something had finally gone right. You were so strong, so brave, I thought that maybe your were a fully-fledged goddess after all. You've done so well this last year. I just want you to know that I am very, very proud of you. And I say this as a father, Max."

For once, I was speechless. I meet my father for the first time in my life, and then he just tells me how proud of me he is, and that he loves me. I was mortified when I felt tears prick at my eyes.

Before I could think twice, I hugged him.

At first he was startled. But then, he hugged me back.

This is what a real dad would do, I thought. Wait… He is my dad.

I let go and smiled. "Thank you, Father," I said.

Zeus smiled. "I hope that you like your sword."
I grinned. "I love it! I even beat Fang with it!"

Apparently, he knew who Fang was, because he smiled. "That's my girl!" He pushed me playfully, and I pushed him back.

He and I were both laughing. "I hope he treats you well," he said once our laughter had subsided.

I nodded. "He's Fang. Of course he treats me well. He's my best friend."

Zeus smiled and leaned close, "Do you want me to tell you a secret?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

He grinned as he said, "I had the Fates look into your future. You and Fang will someday be more than that."

I gaped and blushed furiously.

He laughed and hugged me. "But no need to worry about that right now."

I smiled. This man was an amazing father. He did more for me in ten minutes than Jeb did for me in ten years!

Zeus sighed and looked at the stars. "I suppose I must be getting back. There is much to prepare for."

I smiled as he stood. "Oh… Okay."

He gave me one last smile. "Don't worry. I'll always be with you." Then, he disappeared in a flash of lightning.

I sighed, and pulled my knees to my chest. I thought about what Zeus had said, about Fang and me one day being more than what we were now.

I stood and started walking back to my cabin.

But, just then, I heard shouts from Half-Blood Hill.

Something was incredibly wrong.

Already.

Dun, dun, dun! What is going on? Find out in the next chapter!

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