THE LIGHTENING THEIF
Percy literally fell into his bed. He was soaked, bruised and utterly shocked. He missed the cramped Hermes rooms. The emptiness was comfortingly crushing. He looked at the blue ceiling and the whole day replayed in front of his eyes. How naive he was to think Annabeth would be a problem, he had completely forgotten to factor in himself.
2 hours earlier
"Who is willing to take Percy in their team" Chiron asked pushing Percy forward, as if trying to show him off. The two leaders were Annabeth and Luke. Percy secretly hoped Annabeth would pick him, especially since she had had a glimpse of his skills.
"The blue team will take him" The blond boy called.
Chiron smiled "Percy will join the Hermes team." Percy walked towards Luke; not missing the glare Annabeth gave him. Luke smiled in a friendly manner and handed him the Blue bandana to mark his loyalty.
"The team who captures the other teams micro chip first wins. The microchip will be placed in a container either blue or red. The blue team needs to steal the red box and the red team needs to steal the red box. Once a member had obtained the box he or she needs to go to the nearest announcing booth and plug in the microchip and read of the code. The first team to read off the opposing teams code wins." Chiron explained, "Both teams have 30 minutes to strategize and hide their chips wisely, when the siren goes the hunt begins. When a player's bandanna is stripped off he or she is no longer allowed to continue and is considered eliminated. Not wearing a bandana to mark your team leads to your disqualification, all means of battle are allowed, so play nice and may the best team win"
Both the teams immediately headed to two different corners. Annabeth crossed Percy.
"Best of luck Wise girl" he said grinning.
"Save the luck Seaweed brain, your going to need it" Annabeth snapped, quickly storming off with her team.
Luke walked upto Percy and noticed his disappointment with Annabeth's behavior "Don't sweat it, this game is kinda her thing cause she's the daughter of Athena and she hates losing, so don't take her attitude personally." Luke said.
"Kinda hard not to, by the way I'm Percy Jackson" Percy introduced himself.
"Luke Castellan, son of Hermes" Luke shook Percy's hand warmly, "Till you get claimed your going to be Chilin a lot with me in the Hermes complex"
"So the Hermes complex takes on all the newbie freeloaders?" Percy questioned.
"According to Greek mythology Hermes was the god of travellers so we keep the tradition alive, but I guess that's the justification for us just being really friendly people" Luke joked.
"Yeah, certainly unlike some others I know" Percy couldn't help but pass the snide remark.
"Don't worry Annabeth will warm upto you, she just has this cold exterior thing going on" Luke explained.
The whole blue team was gathered around in the Hermes complex, which was rather cramped and didn't fit in with the luxurious setting of the rest of Olympus. Luke gave the whole group a de-briefing of sorts and then sent two guys to hide the chip, while the others prepared for 'battle'.
The siren finally rang through the whole organization and the game began.
"Percy be my cover and watch my back" Luke instructed as he moved out, with Percy right behind him. Luke moved swiftly, moving from one hiding spot to another. The pair had just made it to the common building when a pair of older boys from the red team caught them. Punches were thrown, kicks were exchanged and bruises were sustained, but the raven and blond haired pair managed to move into the common area with ease, leaving two slumped over boys in their path.
Percy and Luke began to tear the place apart quite literally as they frantically searched for the red container. Percy was just fired up so he could see the expression on Annabeth's face once she had been beaten at her own game. They had rummaged through the lounge area to only find nothing. They made their way over to one of the rooms only to see two people guarding the door. Percy accidentally volunteered as a distraction while Luke used the opportunity to take the two by surprise and eliminate them.
One of the guys protested and the girl just cursed under her breath. The victory was short lived, as the room was a dead end.
"Damn, I should have Annabeth was to smart to just hide it here" Luke growled, when he realized they had just walked into a trap. 5 red team members now surrounded them, determined to pull off their bandanas. What was worse was that all five of them had guns, and for a second Percy felt genuine fear despite wearing a bulletproof vest.
Luke tackled the one nearest to the door, making a way out for Percy. He yelled at Percy to run, who didn't protest after a point and left while there still was a clear passage. Percy heard gunshots behind him and his blood froze, but his legs picked up speed and in no time he found himself standing on the edge of the pool.
He had unconsciously run to pool since it was the only place he was familiar with in this humungous organization. He silently cursed for not paying attention to Grover, while Grover had shown him around.
The water shone blue and tempted Percy. Percy gave the water a quick glance and then that's when he saw it, a red container at the deep end of the pool. Percy smirked to himself and dived into the water to retrieve it. Having retrieved the container he spoke to himself "That is quite smart, hiding the micro chip in the one place no would look for it, unfortunately wise girl you forgot to factor me in."
The next Percy was aware of was the fact that he was sitting on his aching laurels, the chip was now on the other end of the room and a very angrily satisfied blond girl was smiling down on him.
"I never forget to factor anything in Seaweed brain, and that's why I never lose" Annabeth smiled. Percy threw his hands up in defeat, but then jumped up and lunged at Annabeth. Annabeth dodged Percy's moves effortlessly; unfortunately Percy was not able to do the same. He was somewhat overpowered by Annabeth. The phrase hell hath no fury like a women scorned, suddenly didn't seem like just a mere phrase to him.
Percy was tired and beaten when Annabeth threw him onto the floor with a large amount of force. Percy however was not giving up with out a fight. Annabeth presumed she had secured the victory and she walked away to retrieve the chip. Percy used this opportunity to get inside the water. As Annabeth kneeled down to pick up the container, Percy caught her and pulled her into the water.
The chip sunk to the bottom of the pool as Annabeth and Percy engaged in their 3rd physical altercation of the day. No one had told Percy getting physical with a blond would leave that many scars. In the water Percy seemed to have the advantage since he could hold his breath longer. As Annabeth reached for the surface for a breath, Percy kicked her in the stomach. Annabeth grabbed her stomach and reeled in pain.
Percy swiftly reached for the chip and pulled himself out of the pool. Annabeth had recovered fast and was hot on Percy's trail. Percy had noticed the announcement tower on his way here and was headed straight for it. He ran past a chair, promptly pushing it towards Annabeth hoping to slow her down.
Percy pushed open the door to the broadcasting room, ran to the computer and pushed in the microchip. He breathed heavily and turned around to see a horrified and angry Annabeth at the door, while a recording played in the background.
He had done it. He had beaten the wise girl in a game of strategy. He couldn't help but feel a little satisfied and proud of this accomplishment, Annabeth's frustrated expression was just icing on the cake, at the moment.
A saw a group of Hermes's boys push past Annabeth and congratulate him and treat him like a hero. Luke walked up and shot Annabeth a friendly rival victory smile, while Annabeth just walked of embarrassed and very pissed.
Percy was serving himself a large helping of meat when two extremely beautiful girls approached him and Grover.
"Daughters of Aphrodite" Grover stated. Percy wondered how such delicate beauties got mixed up in this sort of an organization. He still pondered how he himself had ended up here.
"Percy there's a party at the Aphrodite complex, would you and your friend like to come" A blond girl asked him while twirling her hair seductively.
Before Percy could accept the offer Annabeth came in the way "Don't you have other people to seduce?" she snarled at the Aphrodite girls, who retreated while whispering insults.
Annabeth then served herself a helping of sorted vegetables and glared at Percy.
"Don't let it get to your head get to big" Annabeth commented smirking at Percy.
"It's not bigger than your humiliation Wise girl" Percy snickered. Annabeth shot him a death glare.
"So were you jealous of those girls wise girl" Percy joked
"Puh-lease they are just blondes with an IQ below 50" Annabeth snarled
"Just pointing out your blond" Percy said raising an eyebrow
"Story of my life" Annabeth sighed, "What I'd give to be brunette"
"What do the Aphrodite girls do here, they don't seem very athletic" Percy questioned.
"They are seductresses, you know they seduce guys to get information and stuff" Annabeth said quickly.
The trio had just settled down for lunch when a huge hologram flickered over the room. Everyone's eyes were glued to the green light, which was shaped like a trident.
Annabeth and Grover both dropped their forks and stared at a confused Percy.
Percy heard Annabeth mutter 'no way' under her breath. Everyone was so stunned that no one bothered to explain what was happening to Percy, who just picked at his food not liking being left out of the loop.
"It seems like our newest member Percy Jackson has been claimed" Chiron announced. Percy wondered why this was soo shocking, weren't they supposed to be claimed?
"I hereby announce Percy Jackson as the son of Poseidon, Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Percy Jackson, Son of the Sea God" He yelled. The whole room was essentially speechless, while staring at the now fading hologram.
At first Percy didn't think much of it, his mind was preoccupied with the coolness of the claiming system, he couldn't help but wonder where the hologram had come from. Realization only him when he noticed the stares everyone was giving him, as if he was alien. Then it came back to him about how the big three were not supposed to claim kids... sorry recruits he corrected himself mentally.
Despite Percy Jacksons cool attitude, he really did not enjoy being in the spotlight, atleast not like this. This was one of those moments where he just wanted to dig a hole and disappear.