A/N- Hey!
So, the beginning of the quest for Persia of Athens (I love that sound-just has a ring to it, you know?) Mostly Percy's Pov, and I'm doing the best to keep the characters original-I mean, it's the least we author's can do if we borrow Rick's character, but most the characters will be based my opinion.
So if Jason is a bit strict or harsh and Piper is a bit..whiny-That's just how the characters seem to me. You've been warned, I am a biased writer.
Let us begin...
Percy Pov-
"I'm in." I said, grinning.
Apollo smiled like I had made his whole day brighter, "Great, can you go now?" He asked.
"N-now?" Artemis stuttered, her expression worried.
"I can go now," I offered, giving her a small smile for reassurance. "Can I bring a few friends?"
"I don't see why not," Apollo murmured. "The more, the merrier-bring whoever you want."
"More protection," Artemis agreed, nodding her head, "That's good."
"Be ready at noon," Apollo said. "I'll go tell the rest of the gods-you might want to get packing."
Apollo vanished in a golden light, leaving Artemis and me.
"I guess I better go pack," I chuckled, starting to walk away.
"Wait." Artemis put a hand on my shoulder. "Be careful, alright?"
"I will," I promised. "And thanks."
"For what?"
"For standing up for me."
"It was nothing," Artemis removed her hand. "You would've done the same for me."
I chuckled slightly. "Yeah, I would have." For once, I actually considered the goddess a friend.
Once I got in the elevator, I pressed the first floor button that would take me to my friends and family that were waiting in the lobby.
In the elevator's door, a dim reflection of my face appeared.
I didn't recognize myself anymore.
The boy with a young vibrant face, long dark tousled hair, a strong confident look, and sea green eyes that mimicked mine wasn't me.
Okay, the hair was totally me, but everything else-no.
That reflection was me, morphed into a perfect, war-like machine.
The elevator bell rang and broke me out of my reverie and the doors opened to reveal my very worried friends and family.
"Percy!" Annabeth threw her arms around me as I hugged back.
"You're so stupid, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth punched my arm as she pulled away.
"I know," I said, smiling at her.
I swear, as soon as I got out of that elevator everyone tackled me with hugs.
"Ow." I said once everyone got off of me.
"What happened, Perce?" Leo asked, curious.
"Oh, nothing much." I responded, suddenly realizing it was afternoon. "I have to go pack."
"Where are you going?" Thalia asked.
"Nowhere in particular," I shrugged. "Just your daily trip to the Underworld."
I walked out quickly and almost got away with it until Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank, Annabeth, Thalia, and Nico showed up behind me.
"I don't think you're going to the Underworld without me." Annabeth stated.
"Especially without me." Nico said.
I sighed and briefly informed them of the quest for Persia.
After giving it much consideration, Annabeth responded, "How long ago did she die?"
"About 2 thousand, one hundred and sixteen years ago."
Nico sighed, racking his brain. "It's definitely going to be hard to find her ghost; considering how long ago she died. Do you know anything else about her or her death?"
"Well," I tried remember what Apollo had told me. "She was a huntress when she died. And she died in Greece, not too far away from Athens."
"Was she just a huntress or a lieutenant?" Nico asked.
"Lieutenant."
Thalia laughed, "No way." She protested. "I know every lieutenant that the hunt has had. There's no Persia."
"She died quickly after she had just became lieutenant. And she was murdered, so Apollo has reason to believe that she's still alive because she didn't die in battle."
"Then we should start in Greece," I could imagine Annabeth's gears racing in her head.
"I don't sense her in the Underworld, but most ghosts linger around where they died." Nico added.
"I guess I have some...travel companions." I grinned earning a nod from everyone.
Jason hailed a cab and we quickly got in, already ready for the quest.
"Your ticket, Sir."
I glanced up at the flight attendant, wanting to give her my plane ticket but my hand wouldn't budge.
"Give her the ticket." Annabeth coaxed through gritted teeth.
With a shaky hand, I gave her my ticket.
"Thank you." She said, "I hope you enjoy your flight on American Airlines."
Annabeth and I passed terminal 5, entering the airplane that was about to lift off.
"Finally," Jason rolled his eyes. "We've been here for a good hour or two."
"Sum Neptuni filius, non placet profecto fugit." (Roughly translated Latin for 'I'm a son of Neptune, of course I don't like flying.')
Everyone stared at me blankly.
"What?" I asked, suddenly feeling self conscious.
"That was really old Latin." Hazel commented.
I shrugged, taking a seat. The rest of my friends followed suit but not before glancing a worried, and somewhat, wary expression in my direction.
Annabeth sat down next to me, wounding her fingers in mine.
"What's wrong, Wisegirl?" I asked, elbowing her playfully.
"Nothing," She sighed, her grey eyes meeting mine. "Just...you're so different now."
"In a bad way?" I briefly held my breath, awaiting her answer.
"Not completely." Annabeth replied. "You're still you. Just modified to a point where it could be dangerous."
As she said that, the reflection in my eyes appeared in hers.
In the corner of my eyes I saw a flame-like key.
Annabeth looked up in my eyes and said, confused, "Is that a key?"
Her eyes widened and she grew more alarmed. "It's burning!"
I could feel a pressure overwhelming me as I faded to the darkness.
"Percy!" Annabeth screamed, alarming the passengers.
A brief flash of silver eyes disoriented my vision before I lost myself in the darkness.
A/N- Quest is officially underway!