The Next Part of the Quest Begins

There's a random part near the end of this chapter, but I really think it was necessary. Stella just needs it. Don't just stop reading it because you think it over, because it's not.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO! Why are you pressuring me?! I don't! I'm telling the truth! *Grabs brown paper bag, opens it, puts face to it, and begins to breathe deeply.* Ah, much better.

Annabeth's POV

Chiron called me to the Big House. When I got there, he was waiting for me at Sophia's bedside with Greg, Hallie, Stella, and Tanya. All six looked at me when I entered, "You called me, Chiron?"

"Yes. It is time to discuss the next part of the prophecy. 'An unexpected five will journey with the last'. Now, who could that be?" he asked me, glancing at the children.

I immediately knew what he was talking about, "No. No way," I refused.

"You never guessed that I would suggest sending them, the children who just recently found out their demigod blood. That is what makes them unexpected. There are five of them, Annabeth; they fit the description," Chiron explained.

"It is too dangerous," I maintained.

"Annabeth, be reasonable. I know that you know that this is what was meant to happen; you are not stupid. You were seven when you ran away from home, and you were twelve when you went on your first quest. They are thirteen and sixteen, older than your seven and twelve," Chiron coaxed.

I knew he was right, but I didn't want him to be, "I just don't want them to get hurt."

"Annabeth, I think you're forgetting part of the prophecy. You are going with them," Chiron said.

"I know, but what if I can't protect all of them?" I asked worriedly.

"Mom, chill. You raised two troublesome kids just fine, and you said yourself that you were a cabin leader with many responsibilities. I think you can handle it," Sophia said with a tinge of annoyance.

"Sophia can't go," I suddenly realized.

"The prophecy doesn't say that they have to go immediately," Chiron pointed out.

"Yeah, we can leave as soon as Sophia is healed," Hallie added.

I sighed, "What about Tommy and Rachel?"

"My parents are proud," Greg answered, "Mom said that she even joined you on your first quest, Annabeth. The first quest you led, that is."

Sophia raised her eyebrows at her boyfriend, "Why did you just call my mother by her first name?"

"She asked me to," Greg shrugged.

"Rachel did come on my first quest, and that was when she hit Kronos in the eye with a blue hairbrush," I laughed. Then I sighed (again), "So I guess this is happening. They're…they're coming on the quest."

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Days passed, and Sophia's ribs finally healed. She took it easy the first few days that she was out of bed, and then she began to train. She pushed herself harder than ever, not wanting to loose against a Cyclops ever again. I was worried she would push herself too hard, and become too weak to fight.

The other four trained as well, wanting to be prepared. I even saw them work on their extra powers. Tracey was like Greg's personal drill sergeant; she left no room for mistakes. Stella taught herself some of the things her father didn't. One time, she scared me half to death by appearing out of nowhere. She explained that she had just figured out how to shadow travel, and passed out immediately after that. She didn't wake up for a week.

A few days after Stella woke up, we were ready to go. Hallie sat in the passenger seat. Stella and Tanya sat in the next row so they could talk to Hallie easier. Sophia and Greg sat in the last row together, and I smiled slightly to myself as they laughed. They were perfect for each other, anyone could see that. They reminded me so much of Percy and I when we were their age. I started the car and we were off.

Soon, Stella, Tanya, and Hallie had started up a debate, "Just let me braid it," Tanya was begging Stella.

"Why?" Stella asked.

"It would look so good, and it would be much easier to fight without all your long hair swinging around," Hallie answered. Aura was exactly the same; she refused to do anything to her waist-length hair. She did a good job of taking care of it, though. Both girls' long hair was silky and tangle-free, a feat that seemed almost impossible with that much hair.

Stella bit her lip, "I don't know…"

"How about we put it to a vote with the whole car?" Tanya suggested.

"Yeah!" agreed Hallie.

"Okay," Stella agreed.

"Obviously, Tanya and I are for it. So far, the vote is two for braiding, and one against," Hallie announced.

"Dr. Jackson, what do you think? Should Stella let us a braid her hair?" Tanya asked.

"Stella, your mother was exactly the same way when she was your age. My opinion is that you should so something with it. But, you have every right to make your own decisions. I vote against," I answered, giving my daughter and her other friend a reason.

"My own mother," I heard Hallie mutter, and I chuckled softy to myself. Hallie spoke louder, "Sophia what do you think?"

No answer. Hallie said in an annoyed voice, "Yo to the two lovebirds! What is so interesting about your conversation that you can't hear me?!"

"Huh?" I heard Greg say in a confused voice.

"What?" Sophia asked in an equally confused voice.

"We're taking a vote to see if Stella should let us braid her hair. So far, it is a tie. What do you guys think?" Tanya asked.

"Umm…Stella, I'm sorry, but it would look so good! I vote yes," Sophia answered.

"I don't really care," Greg added.

"Even with Greg abstaining from the vote, the last time I checked, three was greater than two, so you now have to let Tanya braid your hair, Stella," Hallie said happily.

Stella moaned, but I saw in the mirror that she turned her back to Tanya to let the latter braid her hair. Tanya's fingers twisted Stella's hair expertly, a fact that I was shocked to see. Thalia doesn't have a lot of hair, so where could Tanya have possibly learned how to do that? Oh well, all that mattered was Stella was getting her hair braided, finally.

When she was done, Tanya was beaming, "Hallie, Sophia; look!" she said. Hallie turned around in her chair, beaming as well. I glanced in the mirror and saw a perfect French braid that I could only dream of being able to do.

"It looks awesome!" Sophia complemented.

I smiled, but the smile was wiped right off my face once I saw what was ahead of me. A woman with fabric draping around her head was standing in the middle of the road, blocking my path. I remembered the last time I saw a woman like that, and it wasn't a happy time. Medusa.

"Girls; does one of you have a mirror?" I asked.

"Why? You have one in front of you," Sophia asked.

"Answer me!" I snapped.

"I – I do," Sophia answered nervously. I heard movement and Sophia whisper something to Stella and Tanya. Stella passed me Sophia's compact mirror. I pulled over, "Mom, what are you doing?"

I didn't answer. I made a move to get out of the car, but stopped, "Hallie, do you still have the original sword that was given to you as a gift?"

"Yes," she answered, pulling it out of her bag. She handed it to me. I thanked her, put on my cap, and approached Medusa. I really didn't want a big fight, so I crept as quietly as I could to Medusa.

The gorgon spoke, "I know your near, daughter of Athena." I could hear the snakes on her head writhing even with her cover on. I uncapped Wavemover, praying to Ares and Poseidon that this would work. The sword was meant to be used by a relation to Poseidon (by blood). Although my mother is his niece, gods' genes are different, so it is not meant to be used by me. I prayed once more to the god of war and my husband's father before coming at Medusa with Wavemover.

It was too easy. She couldn't see me, and she hadn't removed her cloths. I silently made sure that the blade was even with her neck before I swung. One of the snakes got free of the cloths and bit my invisible hand. I worked hard to not make a sound, and sliced off Medusa's head. It came off, oozing…ooze. Gross. I took off my hat and wiped my forehead of the sweat that was there.

Making sure it was wrapped tightly in the cloth, I picked up Medusa's head (I don't recommend this) and carried it to the edge of the road. There was a forest there, and I chucked the head as far as I could. Let the animals get her.

I climbed back into the car, my snake bite gone because of my necklace. I turned so I could see every face that was staring at me. I said seriously, "If you ever meet a suspiciously nice lady with cloth wrapped around her head who wants to take your picture, either run or chop off her head. That would be Medusa."

I handed Sophia her mirror, "If you ever choose to fight her and she takes off whatever is surrounding her head, never look her in the face. The mirror was a precaution, just in case she did. Thank you, Sophia. I am sorry I snapped at you." I gave Hallie back her sword, "Thanks for letting me use that. It is nearly impossible to fight her with a knife or bow and arrow."