Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson! :(
-.-
Chapter 1
The scream that echoed around the cool cabin's walls startled him awake.
Percy Jackson's hand reached for Riptide; he jumped out of the bed…only to land face-first on the floor because of the tangled sheets around his legs.
How heroic, he thought, grunting.
"Oh gods! Oh gods! Percy!"
Kicking the sheets away, Percy stood up and ran towards the ajar bathroom door, uncapping Riptide.
"Annabeth!" he pushed open the door, readied his sword, and paused.
The first thing that registered in his mind was that Annabeth looked extremely cute with her tangled 'just-woke-up' hair, stripped pajama pants and matching spaghetti strap top. She was pressed up on the wall opposite to the sink, her toothbrush in her hand.
His cheeks flushed at the sight of her.
The second thing that registered was the palm-sized, eight legged arachnid that sat comfortably in front of the faucet, looking at Annabeth Chase with innocence.
Percy couldn't help but smirk. He capped Riptide and leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, watching Annabeth squirm in her place.
She glared at him. "What are you doing?" she hissed, glancing fearfully at the spider as if her voice might make it move. "Kill it!"
"Actually, I am enjoying the view. You look cute."
"Percy—" she warned, hissing his name.
Percy Jackson grinned. "Yes, sweetheart?"
The spider's eight legs moved forward. Annabeth jumped, startled and afraid.
Percy shook his head, astonished. He had seen Annabeth stab the ugliest, scariest, most disgusting-looking monsters without batting an eye or flinching. He saw her look at a telekhine without fear—and they were the most horrid creatures! And yet, she quivered like a frightened, little girl in front of a spider!
He abandoned his place against the door frame and walked back to the cabin. He returned with a paper and advanced towards the spider.
Annabeth watched him, secretly admiring his lean torso. He was clad in black shorts and a fit undershirt that showed his muscles. Her fingers itched to run through his messy, black hair.
While she secretly admired his physique, Percy had already coaxed the spider in to the paper and turned to dispose of it.
Annabeth stayed against the wall until Percy came back.
"It's free to roam camp now!" he announced.
She relaxed and slumped against the wall, letting out a breath she wasn't aware she held in.
He smirked and walked over towards her.
"Wipe that smirk off your face." Annabeth scowled.
"I just find it hard to believe that you fear spiders and not scary, big monsters."
"Spiders are big and scary monsters!"
"No, they are not!"
"Yes, they are!"
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Oh well, we should blame your mother for this. If she hadn't turned Arachne into a—"
"Don't you dare turn this on my mother, son of Poseidon!"
"Why not? It's true, daughter of Athena!"
Annabeth glared at him. Percy laughed wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her closer.
"You're cute." He repeated, kissing her brow.
She sighed. "I'm sorry I gave you quite the scare."
"Nah. Just glad you're safe." Then he grinned. "And spider-less."
She rolled her eyes fondly. "Seaweed Brain."
"Yes?"
She leaned up and kissed him. "Good morning."
-.-
Piper's eyes snapped open at the shrill scream that echoed inside her cabin. She sat up straight and her hand curled around her knife's hilt.
"What is it?" she yelled, jumping to her feet.
She was ambushed by a blur of arms. She slammed back into the bed.
"James asked me out!" Lacy screamed. At the words, all her half-sisters screamed as well.
Piper sighed, rolled her eyes at the pink ceiling, and gently pushed the younger girl away. She smiled at her.
"That's great, Lacy! I'm happy for you!"
The fifteen-years-old blushed, but the smile wasn't going to be erased anytime soon.
Over Lacy's shoulder, Piper saw Drew Tanaka smirk and roll her eyes fondly. Piper smiled. They really had come a long way since they have first met.
"Tell her how he did it!" one of her sisters yelled.
"Well, we were having breakfast and he came up—"
"All cute and blushing!" several voices informed, giggling behind their hands.
But Piper was groaning silently. She had slept late again. She had lost count on how many days she had missed breakfast because she slept late. That wasn't like her—she was usually a morning person and the first one up and about the cabin. She should be—she was the head counselor, after all.
"—and I said yes!"
The screams began again.
Piper lay back down, covering her face with her hands. Why, oh why was she a daughter of Aphrodite?
The cabin's door slammed open. Jason Grace and Leo Valdez stood outside, looking out of breath, worried, and holding their weapons ready. Leo was waving his hammer around.
"Show yourself, you ugly creature!" he was yelling.
Piper jumped up. "Jason!" and she rushed over into his arms.
Jason held her tightly, his Imperial Gold sword still ready for an attack. "What's wrong?! What's the problem!?"
"What?" Piper asked, blinking. "There is no problem."
"But we heard screaming!" Leo exclaimed.
Piper sighed.
Drew laughed, strutting over towards the door. "We were just over-reacting a bit. Everything is under control." She ran her hand down Jason's arm, giving him a flirtatious wink. "Welcome back, Jason." And she walked away.
Piper scowled. Well, it seems that they haven't come a long way after all.
Jason shuddered. "I wish she'd stop doing that."
"Wouldn't be Drew if she did," Leo grinned. "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." And he ran away before Piper can deliver her punch.
Jason chuckled. "Missed me?"
"You're back early," she said, looking at him inquiringly. "Is everything okay?"
His blue eyes darkened for the slightest moment, before his grin slid back into place. "A bit of a complication, but hey, complications are everywhere, aren't they?"
"Nothing too serious, though, right?" she asked, worried.
"Nothing you should worry about," he whispered, kissing her temple. "I'll step out, let you get dressed, then I'm walking you to breakfast."
"Breakfast ended a while ago." Piper whined, shaking her head. "I have the Climbing Wall now."
"Then I'll walk you there." He kissed her nose. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." She smiled.
-.-
Grover Underwood jumped sky-high when he heard Mr. D's blood-freezing scream.
The satyr stared at the wine god as he hopped with surprising speed around the room, overturning tables and opening the drawers haphazardly. His face was now red from fury, and his hands shook as he scanned the perimeter of the room with his watery eyes.
"M-M-Mr. D…" Grover bleated, nervously. "Is—Is everything alright?"
"ALRIGHT?!" Dionysus bellowed, making the satyr jump again. "No! Nothing is alright, you good for nothing—"
And with one final blood-curdling scream, Mr. D shimmered, a light flash illuminated the whole room, and he vanished. Grover had the sense of mind to turn away and close his eyes as the god took his true form.
He was shaky when he opened them, still not understanding the whole situation. Why was Mr. D so agitated? Was it something that Grover did? But he had just taken out the glasses from the cabinet just like Mr. D had asked him too.
Grover turned to find Chiron standing in the doorway, his face grim.
-.-
Percy and Jason were having a friendly spare in the training arena when Grover appeared, looking confused and shaken.
"Chiron wants to see us." He announced, looking at the son of Poseidon and the son of Jupiter. "Piper, Annabeth and Leo are already there. He says it's urgent."
The two demigods looked at each other, shrugged, and followed the satyr into the Big House. True enough, the other three were already there. Leo was tinkering with something between his hands, while Piper and Annabeth discussed what might be so important for Chiron to call them in.
"So, what's up?" Percy asked.
Leo shrugged. "Chiron is not here yet."
Just as the phrase left his mouth, Chiron and Argus, the security keeper in Camp, came into the room. Argus' hundreds eyes that covered his body kept sweeping the room up and down.
"What's the matter, Chiron?" Piper asked once she saw him enter. "Is everything okay?"
"I am afraid it is not, my dear," Chiron asked, flicking his white tail. "The gods are furious."
"About what?" Percy asked, confused.
"Something has happened on Mount Olympus. I do not know what it is, but Hermes has sent a message that I should send the best demigods that are here to Olympus, for the gods wish to speak to them."
Silence fell around the demigods as they all glanced at each other nervously. The gods were furious and they wanted to see them? They were all asking the same question, but dared not voice it: Have they done something to get punished for?
Chiron saw the look, and hastened to reassure them. "Oh, do not fear, my children. You did nothing wrong."
"But why would they want to see us if we did nothing wrong?" Leo asked, his hands flying around the object in his hands.
"That I do not know, but I believe it has nothing to do with you, children. They just asked for the best, and I think you are my best options."
Percy glanced around. Annabeth met his eyes. He raised an eyebrow. She furrowed her own eyebrows for a bit, before giving a small nod. He understood. They would go, listen to what the gods have to say, and then see where it takes them from there.
"Alright." He announced, looking at his five companions. "Let's visit Olympus, hear what they have to say."
"I don't have to go, right?" Grover shuffled on his hooves. "I mean, I am a satyr, not a demigod."
"You're coming, G-man."
"Perrr-cy!"
Seeing the others nod, Percy turned to Chiron. "When do we leave?"
"The sooner, the better. Argus will drive you towards the city. You know where to find the entrance."
-.-
An hour and a half later, the doors of the elevator opened, and Annabeth gaped in amazement. She had never seen anything like this before. The city was floating between the white clouds, looking ancient, beautiful, majestic, and it just radiated architecture. The six demigods walked on the marble path, and Annabeth took the opportunity to gaze at the wondrous place. Temples were built along the path, shops were opened, nymphs were dancing and singing, and trees swayed with the gentle breeze.
She wanted to walk up to one temple, run her hand over the smooth, marble column, but she resisted. They were here for business, and not to gawk at temples. Though, if she was allowed to stay here for the rest of her life, she wouldn't have minded.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Percy look away from her and smile.
The five demigods and the satyr finally reached the huge double doors of the palace where the Olympians'' thrones sat. They all hesitated, looking at the doors uncertainly. Percy looked around, and noticed that his companions have all stepped back, leaving him in the lead.
He scowled. "Sure, leave me to open the creepy doors."
"You're the captain!" Leo said, grinning. "Do the honors."
"Traitors," he grumbled, and reached out for the doors.
However, they slid open themselves, and the six friends found themselves staring at the huge throne room, where the twelve Olympians sat in a U formation. Their eyes all swung to watch as the six visitors came forward, looking at the huge form of the Olympians with uncertain eyes. Percy noticed Hades sitting beside the hearth, his face disgruntled and his black robes shimmering.
He swallowed.
Zeus—sitting right in the middle between his wife, Hera, and his brother, Poseidon—eyed them with wary eyes, before he sighed, and gestured them forward.
"Welcome, demigods."
-.-
Note: I think it is Screaming Day! :D And oh-oh, Zeus has spoken! Chapter 2 will be out soon! I am already writing it! Please tell me what you think! You're opinion matters the most, after all! Besides, reviews make up my day (or night) and leaves me motivated to deliever more! ;)
Love you all!
Have a beyond an epic day or night, wherever you are and whenever you're reading this! Keep a weather eye on that horizon! :)
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