Percy Jackson and the Staff of Asclepius

by Under the Willow Tree

Percy has been poisoned, and now our heroes must embark on a quest to fufill the new prophecy and save his life. The mighty eight will rise for the quest A battered conscience will be put to the test Bellow the doomed city that paid for its plight, The festering darkness must be cured by snakebite Includes characters from both the PJO series and the HOO series.

4. Nico Tell's a Joke

Chapter 3: Nico Tells' A Joke

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR HIM SALLY!" My dad thundered.

The boards of the deck groaned with the wind from the possible hurricane that was forming. Somehow my dad's Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts didn't make him any less terrifying. My mom however, seemed un fazed.

"OH AND YOU DO?" My mom shouted back, "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS?"

"YOU FULLY KNOW THAT IF I COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE!"

"Gods, Percy," Frank whispered to me, " Remind me never to get grounded by your mother,"

I had never seen Paul look so awkward, or Chiron so nervous.

"Sally maybe you should just-" he began putting a hand on her shoulder.

She shook it off, "No. He needs to hear this. Now get this through your big, water logged head you-"

"Actually, guys? I'm pretty sure that I know what's best for him," Apollo interrupted, wincing at the menacing look my mother gave him.

However, her eyes softened when she saw me. "Percy! How are you feeling dear?"

"Um.. Better now thanks mom,"

"But not for long," Apollo added ominously.

"Aren't you just a real ray of sunshine," Nico rolled his eyes.

"Actually? Yes."

Ouch. Well that joke fell flat on its face.

Hazel let out some sort of a nervous squeak.

Apollo addressed my parents, "He's been poisoned, but not to worry, I smell a quest!"

He grinned goofily, as if he had suggested that all the Gods and Titans get together and play UNO, and not just announced my impediment doom.

"Can't you just cure him yourself?" asked Annabeth.

"Sorry sweetheart, but that's not in the cards. This is the work of some other god, and me interfering is a big no no," he held up his hands and shook his head.

"I want Annabeth to lead the quest," my father butted in, his green eyes shouldering as if he dared anyone to question him.

"Oh now look who's decided to go making rational decisions!" My mother spat sarcastically, "Don't you have fish you need to go feed or something?"

My dad ignored my mother's sassy statement, " Annabeth you leave for New York City tomorrow, Percy-"

My dad paused, his eyes resting on me for a brief moment.

Did I really look that awful?

"You should be resting,"

He snapped his fingers and my eyelids suddenly felt really heavy. The camp faded to the image of a peaceful dock with the quiet thrashing of waves and the squeaking of seagulls. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the rational part of me hoped I hadn't fallen on my face again.