Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 37: I Make an Olympian Cry!

Camp Half Blood

Percy's POV

We practiced all last night and into the morning. I was tired, but not overly so I guess whatever Atlantean healing ritual my dad performed did the trick. I still felt pretty good, much better than my fellow band members. Annabeth, Thalia and Terra had watched us practice until it got too late for them. I walked back to my cabin with a very tired Chris next to me. I grabbed him by the arm and kept him awake until we reached our cabin. Chris went to his bed and crashed falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. I walked into my room and sat down at my drafting board. I worked on a design for a new type of research vessel, one that I hoped one day would be built. Chris, Terra and I had always talked about opening our own oceanic research nonprofit someday and I knew that a research vessel was on our wish list. Once I finished the plans I knew I needed Chris to look them over to make sure I got all of the engineering aspects correct. I worked on the design for an hour and then I went to sleep. I wish I could say that my dreams were peaceful, but all I could dream about was Gaea running from the titans and her pleas for assistance. I woke up about two hours later drenched in sweat from my nightmare. I felt like I had run a marathon, so I went and took a shower I knew the water would make me feel better. After I finished in the shower and got dressed. I left for the mess hall, lunch would be served in about thirty minutes. As entered the mess hall I noticed that there were a few campers already sitting at their tables talking. I saw Annabeth, Thalia, Terra and Calypso sitting at the Poseidon table talking. I'm so happy that my dad and Theseus let my friends sit at my table whenever they wanted. The Athena table was so close to the Poseidon table now that it was really like one big table anyway. I noticed Malcolm sitting at the Athena table with one of his brothers. They waved to me as I walked by them. I sat down across from Annabeth.

"Long night?" Annabeth asked.

"Chris and I didn't get back to the cabin until nine in the morning." I said as I began to eat my lunch.

"How did practice go after we left?" Terra asked curiously.

"Practice was great I think we're ready for tomorrow." I said.

"Good, now maybe Nico will stop worrying. He's been gloomier than usual." Thalia said.

"I heard that pine cone head." Nico said as he sat down next to me and across from Thalia. Thalia glared at him, but Nico smiled fiendishly.

"You two either need to kill each other or go find a room to make out." Annabeth said with a mischievous smirk. Terra and I began to laugh at Thalia's and Nico's shocked faces. "You two are just too easy to pick on."

"Watch it owl head." Thalia said. Nico nodded and smiled in approval.

"No picking on my girl or I'll make sure that one or both of you are my next sparring partners." I said with an evil grin. Thalia and Nico both gave me a worried look, they hate sparring with me now. The only ones who spar with me are Annabeth and Luke. Annabeth gave me a happy smile and then abruptly kicked me under the table. I didn't make a noise, but I did bend down and rub my bruised shin as I glared at her. Chris walked over and sat down next to Nico, he still looked tired from last night.

"Look what the cat dragged in." I said as I motioned toward Chris. Chris groaned loudly and nearly fell asleep into his food before he woke up. "Man you look like crap."

"Laugh it up Perce, you didn't look any better a few days ago." Chris said defensively.

"Well I at least fought a drakon all you did was play the drums." I said.

"You try playing drums for twelve hours straight and see what you look like. We don't exactly play songs that are light on the drums." Chris said. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

"My gods are you two going to shut up, its like sitting around with an old married couple or something." Terra said with an amused look on her face.

"They do argue a lot." Thalia added.

"Who asked you pine cone face?" I quipped. Thalia rolled her eyes at my comment.

"That's enough everyone, you all need to continue practicing after lunch and then again after dinner." Annabeth said. Nico and Chris both looked like they were going to be sick.

"We have to practice all day?" Nico and Chris both asked incredulously.

"Yes, because I heard that there will be a battle of the bands at tomorrow's festival." Annabeth said.

"How did you hear that?" I asked suspiciously.

"Let's just say that it pays to have an invisibility cap and Mr. D when he sneaks a drink of wine will pretty much blab anything." Annabeth said with a chuckle.

"So the Olympians will be competing against us. Well good, I think the gods need to see how we demigods play." Nico said confidently.

"I wonder who they got to play bass guitar." I said, because I wouldn't be playing with them.

"I heard it was Ares." Luke said as he sat down next to Chris.

"Good to see you Luke, how did you hear that?" I asked.

"Let's just say that I'm on good terms with the oracle and Apollo never was very good at keeping secrets." Luke said.

"I can't believe that Ares would want to be in a band with my brother." I stated.

"Ever since Hera's war Ares has been on much better terms with Theseus and the other gods. I guess he finally grew up, even Hera has been more cordial." Annabeth said.

"Well, Annabeth's right as usual we need to continue practicing and we may have to add a song or two in order to make sure we win." I said. The rest of my band members nodded in approval. After thirty minutes we had finished lunch and everyone left the mess hall except for Annabeth and I. I needed to talk to her alone before we left. "Wise girl would you like to sing a song with me tomorrow?" I asked.

"What kind of song?" Annabeth asked warily. I knew she would be a little reluctant, but she has a great voice.

"Well, my dad, Triton, Tyson and I have a special anniversary gift for Theseus and Athena. I thought it might be nice to dedicate a song to Theseus and Athena." I said. Annabeth gave me a wry smile.

"Since when did you become so romantic seaweed brain?" Annabeth asked sarcastically.

"Hey, I can be romantic." I said. She'll find out soon enough I thought.

"Whatever, what is the gift?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"Well, Tyson made it with some help from Hephaestus." I answered carefully.

"You're not going to tell me are you?" Annabeth asked.

"I can't they made me swear on the Styx." I said. Annabeth sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I assumed as much." Annabeth said. I held her hand and looked into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, if it makes a difference I want the song we sing to be between us and the band. I want it to be a surprise to my family." I said as I leaned forward and kissed her softly. We broke apart and walked to the ocean and the boathouse. The rest of the band was there tuning their instruments.

"Well its about time. What were you two doing?" Thalia asked suspiciously.

"Well its none of your business pine cone face." I said. Thalia glared at me and then she looked expectantly toward Annabeth. Annabeth just shrugged her shoulders and walked over and sat down between Katie Gardner and Terra. Thalia crossed her arms and huffed angrily. I joined the rest of the band and we practiced until we heard the lunch bell ring.

"Hey Percy and Annabeth, I'm going to go see Rachel before dinner, do you all want to come along." Luke asked.

"Sure, I'll go." Annabeth said, I nodded in agreement. The three of us said goodbye to the others and walked to the infirmary. We entered Rachel's room to find her awake lying in bed clearly bored. Her face and her eyes brightened when she saw us, but I could tell she was much happier to see Luke, which made me smile even more. Luke walked over and sat down next to her. He held onto her hand carefully making Rachel's cheeks turn pink. Annabeth and I sat at the foot of her bed.

"Rachel, you're looking so much better, how do you feel?" Annabeth asked.

"Much better, I'm just bored lying in this bed all day." Rachel said. I could tell that the boredom was driving her stir crazy.

"Do you think that Apollo would allow you to go to the festival tomorrow?" Luke asked.

"Why do you care son of Hermes?" Apollo said as he stood in the doorway. None of us had heard him enter. Luke and Rachel both immediately let go of each others hands.

"I would just like to see her get out of here and have some fun Lord Apollo." Luke said.

I could tell by the skeptical look on Apollo's face that he didn't believe him, this conversation could go south rather quickly.

"I would like Rachel to attend the concert as well. I'm sure Theseus would as well." I said trying to throw my brothers name around for emphasis. I could tell by the thoughtful look on Apollo's face that he was thinking about what I said, but unfortunately I think he saw through my diversion.

"Nice try Jackson, but I want to know what Luke and my oracle have been up to." Apollo stated. Luke's and Rachel's faces paled.

"We're friends and I care about her she saved my life and I owe her." Luke said. Rachel smiled at him, but I could tell that she was a little hurt by the way he said that he owed her for saving his life. However, I knew that Luke cared for her more than that, but he was just trying to defuse the situation. Apollo didn't look like he believed Luke's statement.

"Rachel, is that true, you don't have any feelings for this son of Hermes?" Apollo asked.

Rachel looked speechless and I knew why. She loves Luke and she's a terrible liar. "We are friends and I do care about him." Rachel said. She wasn't lying, but I could tell that she was holding something back and I knew that Apollo could tell as well.

"Rachel, do you love this boy." Apollo said with disdain. I knew what she was going to say and I really hoped that Apollo wouldn't overreact, but just in case I opened my mind and concentrated on Theseus and sent a message to him. We no longer had our mental link, but we were still twins and I could always send him a message if needed. My new mental powers helped to make this ability stronger. I sent him a message informing him of the situation. I just hoped he would get it in time.

"I think I do love him, I'm sorry but I can't help what I feel." Rachel said as she smiled at Luke. Luke for his part smiled happily at her, but I could tell he was nervous as he looked away from Rachel and stared at Apollo trying to read his emotions.

"You agreed to be the oracle Rachel, you have sworn off the company of men and as the oracle you must remain a virgin. I forbid you from seeing this boy, you must adhere to your oath and agreement." Apollo said sternly.

"I wasn't planning on breaking my oath, but as long as I'm a virgin I can still remain the oracle and nothing in my oath said I had to stay away from men. I'm not a huntress." Rachel said defiantly.

Apollo's face turned red and I knew he was mad now. "How dare you defy me little girl?" Apollo said. Luke stood up to protest. "Sit down boy or I'll sit you down permanently."

"Lord Apollo, please Rachel is right, she didn't break her oath." Annabeth said.

"Stay out of this brain child." Apollo said incredulously. Apollo was now starting to piss me off. I controlled my temper, but I kept that strength in reserve just in case.

"Don't speak that way to her." I warned.

"Percy, you are my friend and I will let your tone slide for now, but stay out of this." Apollo warned in return.

"Apollo, please listen to reason, you're blowing this out of proportion." I pleaded.

"This is serious, the oracle must stay free from the distractions of love and relationships." Apollo said.

"You want me to be your toy, something that you can control. That was never part of the oath or the job description." Rachel yelled. Apollo was really getting mad now.

"If you weren't already injured I would slap your insulant mouth." Apollo said.

"You won't touch her." Luke yelled. Apollo turned away from Rachel and in an amazing display of speed he grabbed Luke around the collar and lifted him into the air. Apollo was about to throw Luke across the room when I forced all of my strength and anger into my body and I grabbed Apollo around the shoulder and squeezed. Apollo dropped Luke in an instant. He was about to turn on me, but I focused my power into my strength and I squeezed his shoulder hard. I heard a loud pop and Apollo fell to his knees in pain. I used my other arm and pulled Apollo up to his feet and looked in his eyes. I saw something I never thought I would see in the eyes of a god, fear. I heard Annabeth gasp next to me. I stared into Apollo's eyes ignoring the gasps and the pleas from my friends. When I looked into his eyes I felt my mind enter Apollo's. I could feel intense fear within him and then he started to sob. Suddenly two bright lights appeared in the room and the next thing I knew I heard my brother's voice.

"Percy, let him go, control your emotions and your strength." Theseus said. I realized that I let my instincts, my emotions and my inner strength take over. I used my control and instantly everything cleared I dropped Apollo to his knees. Athena ran to her younger brother to check on his condition. Theseus put his hand on my shoulder and I looked down. I was disappointed in myself for letting my emotions take over. I know I don't have a dark side, but I still have emotions and if I'm not careful they can take over, but I had no idea what I had done to bring the god of the sun to tears. Apollo sat in a chair with Athena next to him.

"What happened here?" Theseus asked. Annabeth explained the situation. Athena's expression was grim and she looked at Apollo with disappointment in her eyes. Apollo finally settled down, but he avoided looking in my direction. Athena helped him relocate his shoulder and he settled down.

"Apollo, the oracle's were not always virgins as you know. Luke's mom tried to be the oracle and she clearly wasn't a virgin and that wasn't the cause of her mental issues, it was Hades curse on the oracle. I know Rachel gave her oath, but if she is in love then I think she should remain the oracle even if she is in a relationship. I'm disappointed that you of all people were so concerned with virginity and love considering your casual attitude toward both." Athena said. Apollo just looked at her and then Theseus stood in front of Apollo and put hand on the shoulder that wasn't dislocated.

"You're lucky Percy called me before your conflict escalated. I saw what my brother did to Atlas, he could have easily defeated you. Although he looked like he was doing a pretty good job when we arrived." Theseus said.

I walked over to Apollo and he finally looked up at me. He looked surprised at what he saw, I wasn't sure what he was looking for. "Apollo, I'm sorry that I lost control of my emotions, but you made me incredibly mad by threatening my friends. Don't ever do it again." I said as I emphasized my last sentence. I could see Apollo visibly gulp before I turned and walked out of the room. I walked to my cabin, I didn't feel hungry. I felt Annabeth run up to me and grab my arm. I turned and I could see the worry in her eyes.

"Are you ok Percy?" She asked, I knew she was concerned because she called me Percy and not seaweed brain.

"I am now, I lost control and I'm not sure why. It was like the power within me overcame my mental control. Do you think it has anything to do with Gaea and her blessing?" I asked.

"It could, her blessing has enhanced your strength." Annabeth said. "Are you going to dinner?"

"No, I need to go to my cabin and think. I'm not hungry, please go to dinner and tell everyone I'm ok. I'll see everyone back at practice this evening." I said. I could tell that Annabeth wanted to protest, but she conceded and left for dinner. I walked back to my cabin and laid down on my bed and ran through my memories of the incident with Apollo. I finally fell asleep as my concentration waned.

AN: Next chapter will be a long one and will detail the summer festival, the battle of the bands and a surprise or two.