They landed at Camp Half-Blood at about midday right next to the Thalia's stark whit pine tree. A greeting party made of the rest of campers that did not attend the Camp Jupiter journey, the nymphs, the satyrs, Argus, and Rachel Elizabeth Dare. They waited expectingly for the returning heroes. Peleus, the dragon that guarded Thalia's Tree, regarded the ship's landing as disruption of his nap and went back to sleep irritated.
"Is it ironic that I see the Golden Fleece with a dragon guarding it and I'm not trying to kill?" said the original Jason as he looked at Peleus and then the gold sheep skin that hung off one of Thalia's Tree's limbs.
"You're back early," Rachel said to Annabeth as she got off the boat.
"The big baby over here was getting homesick," Annabeth winked as she hugged her friend and then nudged Percy.
"Percy!" Rachel shouted as she entrapped him into a bear hug.
"Good to see you too," he managed to gasp.
Rachel stepped back with her face going from smiles to seriousness, "We received the Iris Message from Chiron. He told us that you were coming back, he said something about training."
"Thanatos doesn't believe were ready yet to take back his Doors," said Percy. "The Gods brought back the old heroes from the legends to help us out but he still thinks that's not enough. All the greats are back: Hercules, Perseus, Jason, an-"
"I already know," Rachel told him.
"Did Chiron tell you?" Percy asked in wonder.
Rachel pointed at her self, "Oracle, remember?"
"Oh right," Percy said stupidly.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Have you had any visions lately," she asked Rachel.
"It's all been kind of fuzzy, just flashes and brief images. A lot of warriors fighting, explosions, things dying, people screaming in panic or pain. It was some pretty scary stuff but you learn to get used to it."
"How merry," Percy said sarcastically.
"A war is coming and I wouldn't expect you to see anything different but did something stick out to you. Did anyone say or do anything that could possibly be important?" Annabeth pressed.
Rachel knit her eyebrows.
"You're not telling me something," Annabeth knew.
Rachel was about to open her mouth but Achilles called for attention with the conclusion of the de-boarding.
"We'll talk about this later," Annabeth said quietly.
Rachel nodded and quickly walked away before she could be questioned further.
"There's something she's not telling us and it's bothering me," Annabeth said to Percy.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Percy said soothingly. He in fact was worrying also but felt it would be counterproductive to let her know. He feared what Rachel wouldn't say was related to the unfinished prophecy that had something to with Annabeth being in danger.
Annabeth was going to reply to Percy but Achilles interrupted her by ordering everyone at attention. Achilles already stood at an impressive height but he found a box to stand on which made him seem like a giant.
"Lord Thanatos has seen fit that we prepare ourselves for our mission ahead. He has put me in charge of training you. He wants you to be the best you can possibly be and that's whats what I plan on doing. I'm going to make you the best warriors in the world in the short time that we have. I understand that all of you have some training and experience so we won't have to start entirely from scratch. I'm not saying it won't be easy but we will get it done. I am not alone in this either. Before we arrived, I took the liberty to Iris Message the Camp. They in turn took time to prepare a training ground for us."
"In order to give you the best training I have decided to split our forces into groups which each have their own special talents with a General in charge of it. I have made my fellow Heroes of Old my assistant generals. Once I have finished speaking, I want you to get behind the group that best suits your abilities."
"I am now going to describe each group: If you are one who fights with a spear then you are with me. If you are an all around foot soldier you will form ranks behind King Leonidas and his Spartans. If you are a swords man you'll will gather around General Jason. If you are one who fights in close quarters or with blunt weapons you are with General Hercules. If you are a skilled rider of a winged beast or have the ability to fly, group around General Bellerophon. If you are the type who fights with stealth and speed assemble near General Perseus. If you are an archer you will be with General Odysseus. For those of you who are unsure of your are of expertise, then you are with General Theseus."
"Percy Jackson, Jason Grace, Frank Zhang, Hazel Levesque, Piper McLean, and Leo Valdez will report to me after I am finished with what I have to say. Everyone else, get to your groups."
The heroes separated from each other and formed ranks behind their designated Generals. The Hunters, with disgusted faces, and most of the Apollo kids went to Odysseus. Butch, Reyna, and the Aphrodite cabin members went to Bellerophon. A majority of the Ares/Mars campers went behind Achilles and King Leonidas. The children of Athena/Minerva went to Jason. The kids of Kratos, Nike, Bia, and Zelus went to Hercules along with a few others. The Hermes/Mercury kids, some children of Erebus, some hunters, some children of Nyx, and a few shady looking types went to Perseus. A whole mix of people went to Theseus. Others like the Amazons, some satyrs, and few dozen demigods spread into the groups that they felt they belonged to the most.
When Achilles saw everyone was situated, he spoke again. "I will get to our training schedule in a moment but first I would like to say a few things." Achilles cleared his throat.
"What we will be teaching you is a combination of Greek and Roman tactics with a few twists. We will take the strengths of both styles of fighting and doing away with the rest. From now own you are no longer Roman and you are no longer Greek. From here on out, you all are just a bunch of sloppy scumbags. You are worthless but I am going to make you worthy, stronger, faster, and more intelligent warriors. All the training you have received in the past is nothing compared what I have in store for you. No offense to Chiron or Lupa.
"I'll make proper warriors out of you. Till then, you are going to have to work for it. General Jason told me it would only be appropriate to call ourselves the new Argonauts and I agree, but you are going to have to earn that name. You will be referred to as 'Grunts' for now."
Achilles smirked, "You're going to learn to hate me in these next five days but in the end you will thank me."
"Your training does not start till tomorrow. The rest of this day is yours but come tomorrow morning you are my property. The day will start with PT or physical training, and it is mandatory for all. After that you will coalesce with your groups and Generals. You will spend the rest of the day training with them. The Generals and I have already gotten together and have planned a wonderful itinerary for you maggots that we think you'll enjoy. Remember your groups and Generals and Generals remember your soldiers because you are in charge of them. As for your PT instructor, I decided it will be Mr. Gleeson Hedge."
"Mr. Hedge if you will..." Achilles said as he stopped down and gestured for Hedge to step onto the box.
Instead of stepping up on to the box; Hedge decided to pace up and down the ranks of Grunts that stood before him. His hands behind his back and chin pointed to the sky.
"GOOD AFTERNOON CUPCAKES!"
The Grunts looked at him plainly with no expression or response.
"I said, GOOD AFTERNOON CUPCAKES!"
"Good afternoon Coach Hedge!" The group reluctantly replied in unison.
"What was that? I can't hear you!"
"GOOD AFTERNOON COACH HEDGE!"
"That's more like it," Hedge said satisfied. "This is whats going to happen every morning: We will go for a nice run in the ocean and then will do a few laps around the perimeter of this Camp. The nymphs were kind enough to build us an obstacle course that you'll love, trust me! Its full of a bunch of nice surprisesHades that I think we can all learn to live. We will use the Hades out of that obstacle course and that's for sure, no doubt about it. Then we will run more laps, do some pushups, pull ups, and crunches. Then rinse and repeat till I see fit. Any questions?"
A demigod leaned toward his friend next to him and whispered into his ear. "He expects us to do all that? I bet he couldn't even do one lap without puking?" He didn't think Hedge could hear him but he was sadly mistaken.
"WHO SAID THAT?"
No reply.
"WHO ALL THING THAT IS GODLY SAID THAT?" Still no answer. "Fine, it's going to be that way then. Everyone get down for fifty pushups."
The Grunts groaned in protest.
"It was him," someone called out and the others joined in on the shouting and finger pointing.
"Oh, cry me a river! I see how it is, when you all have to suffer, you rat each other out. Let's make it seventy push ups then." More groaning. "It doesn't matter if one of you disrespects me or any of your Generals, you are all at fault. You are now a team, one unit! You work together, grow together, accomplish things together, make mistakes together, and take responsibility for each other."
"How are you going to expect yourself to protect and possibly risk your life for your buddy if you're not even willing enough to do a few push ups for that person? You must learn to make sacrifices for each other...it all starts here!"
No one got down to do the pushups. "Do you need Q-Tips to clean out you're ears? I SAID EVERYONE DOWN FOR SEVENTY PUSHUPS!"
The Grunts gave Achilles pleading looks but in response he simply grinned. Don't look at me, he's the PT Officer, his face seemed to say.
Everyone groaned as they got into pushup position. "You are a team. If one of you messes up, then you all take the fall as a team. NOW LET'S GO! DOWN, UP! DOWN, UP!"
When the pushups were finished and everyone climbed back to their feet Hedge said, "I have nothing else General Achilles."
Achilles stepped back up on to the box. "The rest of the day is yours. Go visit your families if you have some near by or go relax and enjoy yourselves because come tomorrow... let's just say tomorrow will be the most miserable day in your pathetic lives."
"GRUNTS, DISMISSED!"
King Leonidas stepped forward, "GRUNTS, AHOO! AHOO!"
While pounding on their shields, clapping their hands, or stomping their feet, the demigods chanted back, "AHOO, AHOO!"
"FALL OUT!"
Achilles met with Percy, Jason, Leo, Frank, Hazel, and Piper.
"I have been told that you are six of the seven demigods in this...Great Prophecy that everyone speaks of."
They nodded their heads.
"That makes you very special then and that also means you are going to be looked up too. People who are looked up too are only the best of the best. I am going to make these Grunts the best and that means you have to be better. I have seen leadership qualities in all of you and I only hope to capitalize upon them." Achilles told them.
"Instead of falling into a specific group like your fellow half-bloods and warriors; you'll have to participate in all of them. After PT each morning you will start off with my unit for a couple of hours and then from there you will go to the next, to the next, and so on. Understood?"
They replied, "Understood."
"Understood what?"
"UNDERSTOOD, SIR!"
"Do you have any special abilities that you want to tell me about which could possibly situate you into a specific unit when war time does come. Start by saying your name and tell me what you do."
Percy went first. "Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. By being a soon of Poseidon I can control water, speak to horses and to ocean creatures, and I can live underwater. I've also been told I can use a sword pretty well sir. I hate flying but I can manage to ride a Pegasus once in a while."
"Jason Grace, son of Jupiter. I can manipulate the wind and lightning. I can fly as well. I am very proficient with a sword and lance."
"Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus. I can build anything out scrap metal and repair any sort of machine. I'm the only one of siblings that can control fire. My tool-belt can summon any tool as long as I ask for it. As for weapons...I don't use them, I build them."
"Frank Zhang, son of Mars. I can turn into pretty much any animal but my the strength of my animal forms depend on the familiarity of the creature. I would say I'm also good with a bow."
"Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto. I have the ability to control precious minerals like gold, silver, diamonds, and things like that. I like to use a spatha and I ride the horse Arion."
"Control precious minerals?" Achilles asked with his eyebrows raised.
Hazel closed her eyes and lifted a ruby out of the ground and then let it sink back into the Earth. "Unlike children of Hades who control the dead, children of Pluto control his wealth."
Achilles contained his wowed expression and nodded to the remaining half-blood.
"Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite and I have the ability of charm speak. I can make anyone do almost anything for me. I'm not much of a fighter but I do have this for protection."
From Piper's jacket she removed her beautiful look ceremonial knife, Katropis
Achilles eyes bugged at the sight of the weapon and he almost flinched. "I have not seen that blade in some time...Troy." His voice trailed off as he stared into the distance and his glazed, recalling distant memories . "A river of blood, all for nothing."
"Sir?" Percy asked upon Achilles trance like state.
"Uh, nothing else, you are dismissed."
Percy invited Annabeth, Grover, Tyson, Frank, Hazel, Leo, Jason, Piper, Rachel and Thalia to his house for a little get together. When Percy's mom opened the door to find her son starring directly into her eyes, she started to slap him.
"How could you do that to me? How could you do that to me?" Sally Blofis wailed.
"Mom, I'm sorry but It wasn't my fault. Of all the people you should be hitting it should be Hera not me."
Sally stopped and broke down into tears of joy as she started hugging and kissing him. "Mom, you're embarrassing me in front of my friends."
"Silly me! How could I forget about your company? Come in side, please," she insisted.
The rest of the night they sat around the table eating blue foods, listening to Led Zeppelin, and telling Mrs. Blofis about their past adventures. Paul Blofis came home from work and joined in. He sat listening intently to the awe inspiring stories.
"Your'e telling me you got to actually meet THE Hercules, and Perseus, and Jason, and Odysseus and-and-and-"
"Yes, all of them," Annabeth said impatiently.
"How are they, they must be glorious?" Paul said dreamily.
"Not exactly," Grover said shaking his head.
With a mouthful of blue chocolate-chip cooking, Leo mumbled, "Yeah, they got sticks up their asses."
"They're okay but one tried to kill me the other day," said Frank gesturing to his arm in the sling. Paul faked a look of concern. "I should be fully recovered by tomorrow, besides Hercules made it up to me and the rest of them seem okay.
"They seem okay but they're really not," chimed in Leo again, almost begging for attention.
"They're damaged," Piper said. "Something from their past haunts them all."
Rachel closed her eyes and began to speak and in her mind she searched for answers.
"They were summoned by the Gods because they made them an offer. If the Heroes of Old help, they get to spend an eternity with the ones that they lost and cared about. Some may not know it but they are also repenting from actions from their past life." Rachel's eyes snapped open.
"That explains the sticks up their butts," Leo interrupted.
"Honestly," said Thalia. "Their behavior doesn't surprise me. If you think about it all heroes have crappy endings. Hercules got poisoned by his own wife and Jason's own ship crushed him." Thalia explained.
"The stories might not say it but a lot of them did as many bad deeds as their good ones," added Annabeth.
"If they're trying to absolve themselves of their past life; then I think they deserve a second change," Hazel said. She could relate to the Heroes of Old from her own personal experience.
"We're forgetting that they're psycho," Grove bleated.
"Theseus is the only one who shows it though. Biff may have been a jackass but after what happened to him..." Jason shuddered.
"They all hide their true emotions behind happy face masks," Percy said. "I don't blame them though, sometimes serving the Gods sucks." Percy recalled personal experiences i.e. Ares and Hera.
"No kidding," they all agreed.
They sat in silence thinking about the true nature of the Heroes of Old. These thoughts almost ruined the night.
Tyson saved the day though and shouted, "Peanut-butter!" He shouted it with a brown stained smile after he devoured his fifth peanut-butter sandwich.
Everyone started laughing and soon enough jokes followed and the flow of conversation continued.
Annabeth mouthed across the table to Rachel, "When are you going to tell me?"
Rachel mouthed back, "Later. Private and Percy."
No one noticed the exchange between the two and for the moment, Annabeth and Rachel forgot about it and got distracted with their friends' antics. Everyone got so lost in each other's company that they lost track of the time but eventually someone had to look at a clock said it was time for them to leave.
"Goodbye, Mrs. and Mr. Blofis! Thanks for letting us over," they called behind them as they exited through the door and walked down the stoop onto the sidewalk.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll meet you at the van," Percy said waving them away.
Percy stopped at the door and turned to look at his mother. "I'm sorry mom but I have to go again," he said apologetically.
"I know, you always do. Besides, how can I expect you to save the world within the confining walls of this house." Sally said with tears streaming down he cheeks. "I knew what I signed up for when I kept you."
"I'll be back mom," Percy said with tears coming down his face as well, trying to reassure her.
He wrapped his arms around her. "I wish you can only stay longer," she whispered in his ear.
"Me too, me too."
"Be safe for me will you?" She said softly.
"You know I always I am."
After a few moments more they broke a part. "You need a haircut," she said while ruffling his dark hair.
Percy beamed, "Mom."
Percy turned to leave but Paul stopped him, "Hey Percy, would it be cool if you brought me back a souvenir?"
"I'll see what I can do," and Percy left.
Percy whipped the tears from his eyes and walked to the van. "Love you mom!" He called back.
"I love you too, sweetie. Now go save the world as usual." Sally watched Percy walk all the way down the street till she couldn't see him anymore. She looked up to clouds and prayed, "Please return him safely."
"He'll be fine Sally. The kid is strong." Paul reassured her.
"I know," she said wiping a tear from her cheek.
Percy got into the driver's seat of the van and looked out the window so his friends couldn't see that he was crying. Life was so unfair. When he finally stopped Kronos he thought there would be some sort of break but no, Gaea, the big fat bitch, had to cause a ruckus and take him away from his mother and possibly kill his friends.
"You going to be all right?" Annabeth asked him comfortingly as she wrapped her hand into his.
"Yeah, just give me a sec."
"Percy, your mom is so cool," said Thalia reminiscing that one winter that seemed so long ago.
"Yeah, your mom is cool but not as cool as mine," said Leo.
"Leo," Piper snapped as she elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ow," Leo protested but he was stared down by Piper's eyes.
"Bull crap, your mom's got nothing on my mom!" Frank said.
"You wanna bet?"
"Bring it Santa Clause's helper."
"Don't even start beast boy."
"Will you ladies either shut up or get a room?" Grover said exasperated.
"Oh, so goat boy wants a piece of this too," Leo said.
"Am I going to have to open up a can of whoop-ass?" Jason sighed.
Piper and Hazel looked at each other, "Boys."
Tyson, "More Peanut-butter."
"Everyone shut up!" Thalia shouted but no one did and the friendly argument turned into friendly joking.
Annabeth rolled her eyes and looked back at Percy, "Everything fine?"
Percy smiled, "Yeah, everything is going to be just fine."
He shook head with a grin, started the car, and began the drive from Manhattan to Camp Half-Blood. The whole way he listened to his friends argue, talk, and laugh. The whole idea of being sad and angry left his mind. He had the best friends that a person could ever want and Percy realized something. He would die for all of them and he knew they would the same. Percy just hoped that it wouldn't come to that.
Review please and if you haven't already hit that favorite button, you can do so bellow, and it's much appreciated. Constructive criticism is welcomed and questions and comments will be answered. If you add the story or review you also get a high-five. Note that I just gave you one for incentive.