I know I took long for my update. Sorry. Exams and a minor case of writer's block. Anyway here's a slightly long chapter to make up for it.

-Celinasophia-

Percy's POV

Okay, so I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed. But, I did know who was. So, with a little help from Annabeth, we worked out the details. Argus would drive us to the harbor, which was pretty close and then we would travel by a ship going our way. Annabeth had drilled us on the route we should take, so which ship to choose wouldn't be a problem.

Right now, we were in the backseat of the Delphi strawberry delivery truck. Argus had to make a delivery as well, so Chiron decided this would be a great way to kill two monsters with one arrow. I looked at my cousins. Technically, we weren't cousins, with the whole 'gods have no DNA thing' but who cares. Both of them had changed. A lot. Thalia, well not so much, she was still the annoying girl I knew, but Nico….I could hardly associate him with the overeager boy of ten who was obsessed with mythomagic .

"So…..How's life with the hunters, Thalia?" I asked, just as a conversation starter. "Oh, its sweet." She replied. "I get to bash up idiots like you everyday. Unfortunately, I can't do it to you, since you're on our side and all."
"Hey! Who are you calling an idiot?"
"I knew shadow travelling would be better. Atleast you can't talk during it." Nico mumbled.
"Oh shut up, death breath." Thalia replied. Nico glared at her and opened his mouth to say something when the truck skidded to a halt.

"What happened Argus?" I asked. He pointed to the left end of the street where a half horse half rooster stood. It's wings, hind legs and tail was that of a rooster, it's multicolored feathers sparkling. The front horse part shone black with a few random feathers sticking out here and there. "A Hippalektryon. A small one too, its not even adult." Nico said. I realized he was right. It's front part was still a foal and its back hadn't really become a rooster yet. "Alright, it doesn't look dangerous. Let's just turn around and go down another lane." I said, my eyes still on the creature. It was sniffing around, like it was searching for something. Hopefully, not for us. "You're right." Thalia said. "We better get out of here before it's mom comes back."

That was the plan, until the little thing saw us. It came bounding towards the truck, it's wings flailing. "Alright, change of plans. We better get out. Argus can leave, the harbour's not too far away."
Argus nodded and we got out. I uncapped riptide and was ready to fight, until it bounded at me and pounced. I was caught under its hooves and riptide flew out of my arms. Nico advanced at it, but with a flap of it's powerful wings, it knocked him out.
Master! I heard a gleeful voice in my head. Of course, it was half horse! I remembered the hippalektryons from Geryon's ranch trying to contact me. Master my mother, she was packed in a box. I can't find her, master, she's missing. I winced at its words. Geryon must be back. He's probably sent her as a delivery somewhere. I'll….I'll see what I can do.
Thank you ,master. I know you will find her. I have heard great stories of you. I felt bad at lying. I knew I wouldn't be able to find could be anywhere. Olympus, The Underworld, anywhere. When you find her, master, say Foaly, come. Then I will come. And with that, it took off, flapping its great big rooster wings.

I sighed and got up, a heavy weight pulling at my chest. Nico was standing and Thalia came over to help me. "What happened?" She questioned. "Nothing." I replied. "Oh come on Kelp head, cut the drama. What really happened?"
"I just had an unsettling conversation with it, okay? That's all," I replied.
Nico came over to us. "Percy, what-"

"Nothing! Just leave me alone, okay?" I walked towards the harbor. I wasn't really angry at them, I was more angry at myself. Angry that I made a promise that I couldn't fulfill. That I had set the poor creature up and now it would probably never forgive me. All I really wanted to do was call Annabeth and tell her about the whole fiasco.

We walked in silence upto the harbor. I could feel the concerned glances of Thalia and Nico, but I ignored it. As we reached the harbor, I spotted a ship unlike the others. The thing that made it so different was that it had this aura of…power. As I walked towards it, a Nereied walked towards me.
"Hello, son of Poseidon." She said. She looked like Annabeth. Except for her voice. I had learnt not to question it, back on my first quest wen a Nereid appeared in the form of my mother.
"You're father gives you this ship. A gift for you and he wishes you the best of luck for your quest."
"Tell him I said thank you. I am extremely grateful."
"Percy? Percy who are you talking to?" Nico asked.
"Who am I….you can't see her?"
"See who, Percy?" Thalia asked.
"The Nereid." I turned to said Nereid
"No hero, they cannot see are not of sea blood, after I leave, your father asked you not to worry too much about the young hippolektryon's words."
"I…wait what? How does he know?"
"I must go. I have work elsewhere. Best of luck, hero." And with that, the Nereid disappeared.

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-iloverickriordan