CHAPTER 2

BACK TO CAMP: BAD NEWS

As I was running away from all the fire trucks and police cars, (seriously, how do they get here so fast?) I was thinking about what Mr. G said about his 'Master'. He said that Kronos was rising. How? I remember, like 2 years ago in the Sea of Monsters, on the Princess Andromeda, I saw that golden coffin he was in, and Luke standing by it. I still had nightmares. I always thought that it was crazy that Kronos could ever get back together. And that's not figurative language. Right now, he was only tiny, little destroyed pieces. How could he just form to a titan?

For some reason, something in the back of my mind was nagging me, like I was close to a clue or something. Panda said that Kronos will rise soon. How is that possible? Do they have a plan?

As you see, there are a lot of things I don't understand.

I was so deep in thought that I hadn't even noticed that I past the woods. I ran through the forest until I saw a big pine tree. I took a breath, panting. I could not wait to see Camp. I could not wait to smell the Camp. I know that sounds kind of weird, but you know the saying 'Home Sweet Home'? Well that's like me at Camp Half-Blood. It is my home.

Anyway, when I finally stepped over the line and started walking uphill, I saw Argus. He's head of security here and, let's just say he knows how to keep an eye on things. Did I mention the dude had eyes all over his body?

When Argus saw me, he smiled.

I smiled back and said, "Hey, Argus. Keeping things tight around here?"

He just nodded. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever heard him talk.

I started to walk up the hill again. I loved that feeling I had, like you're about to enter something great. When I reached the top of the hill, I smiled. Exactly like I left it, I thought.

From the view, I could see the 11 Olympian cabins in the shape of a U, kids from all ages doing the activities: sword fighting, lava climbing wall, canoeing, archery. The strawberry fields and the river by the woods.

I didn't know I was doing it, but I kept searching for a blonde head. Where was she?

I was still on the top of the hill looking for Annabeth, when I heard a familiar bleating voice.

"Per-r-rcy!" Grover yelled from down below. He looked mainly the same; his curly brown hair had grown out a bit, but you could still see his crescent horns. He was wearing his orange Camp shirt and his legs were as furry as ever.

I grinned and rush to the bottom. "Hey, man!"

Grover gave me a slap on the back, "How's it going?" he asked.

"Not bad." I answered.

Grover's smiled melted to a confused look and a raised eyebrow, "Er… Perce? Why does your shirt look like it's been torched?"

"Huh?" I asked, then looked down to the edge of my shirt, he was right; my shirt was blacken and burned. Then I remembered Panda. "Oh, that." I said, "It's kind of a long story; my science teacher turned into a gigantic panda and then he started to blow fire everywhere and then the cops and fire people came and I ran and now I'm here."

Grover, still wearing a confused look said, "Ooookay, whatever you say, Perce."

"So," I started, "how's Camp?"

He had a grim expression on his face, "Not so well." He answered at last. He looked around, as if to make sure the coast was clear. "You should probably go talk to Chiron, he needs to-"

Grover got interrupted by a very familiar voice, "Percy!"

I instantly smiled, forgetting about the 'not so well' news Grover was telling me. I knew that voice. It was Annabeth. She was running toward us. As she came closer, I noticed that she hadn't change much the last year. She was wearing her Half-Blood shirt and shorts. The sun seemed to bounce off her curly, blonde hair and her stormy gray eyes gleamed with amusement.

Annabeth tackled me with a hug. I hugged her back too, of course. She smelled like vanilla and cherries. When I realized I was sniffing her, I blushed.

I must've looked pretty red, too, because Grover started to chuckle.

Annabeth let go of me, which kind of bummed me out, and glanced over at Grover, "What's so funny?"

Grover coughed, "Oh, nothing."

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever, goatboy."

Annabeth turned back to me, "So, what's up, Percy? I didn't know you were coming until this afternoon."

"Well, I had a little run in with monster." I said.

She grimaced, "You too, huh?"

"What? There more monsters?" I asked, kind of surprised. There hasn't been an attack like this for a while.

Annabeth nodded, her expression had been like Grover's before. "There's been numbers of attacks all over the country. That's why Chiron is telling kids to come here quick before it gets worse."

"Worse?" I asked, "How?"

She shrugged, "I'm not sure, but you should definitely talk to Chiron. He wants to see you right away."

"What do you think he wants to talk about?"

Annabeth looked at Grover, it looked as if they were having a physic conversation:

You tell him!

No, you!

You!

At the end, it looked like Annabeth won because Grover sighed and came forward, "Something has been… stolen." He said.

"Stolen?"

He nodded, "Yeah, as in we don't have it anymore 'cause someone took it."

"I know what it means!" I exclaimed.

Grover put his hands up, "Just making sure."

"What's been stolen?" I asked again.

He hesitated, "Look, Perce. Chiron should really be the one telling you this, it's kind of top-secret."

"It's so top-secret, you can't even tell me?" I questioned.

"Well, not in public, outside. The nymphs could be eavesdropping on us." He said.

I sighed, "Fine, let's go."

As Me, Grover, and Annabeth were walking through Camp, it was just like old times. Happy times. But ever since we found out about Kronos and the soon to be 2nd Titan War…

I forced myself to not think about that, at least try.

I asked Annabeth how school was for her and she answered with delight. She some stuff about math or english or something and blah, blah, blah. I tried to listen, I really did, but that was one of the big differences of me and Annabeth: she liked school.

"How about you?" She asked.

"Nothing special," I answered, "except the giant panda bear."

"Um…," Annabeth said, confused, "Ooookay."

"That's what I said!" Exclaimed Grover.

"What's the giant panda?" Annabeth asked.

"Well, actually, it was my science teacher." I said.

"That doesn't really clear anything up."

"My teacher turned into a panda-monster." I said slowly.

"A panda?" Annabeth asked, then it seemed like a light bulb turned on in her head, "Oh! You mean Pandiochurs?"

"Er… I guess."

"Pandiochurs is the God of fire and warmth. In ancient times, he was known for his flame-throwing abilities and fighting skills." Annabeth said.

"That explains a lot." I muttered.

When we were walking around in Camp, I just felt happy. I missed this place so much. I was really looking forward to this happy reunion, the delicious dinner, maybe even some singing around the camp fire, but then I found out that there's really bad news that probably involves me in life-or-death situations.

I just can't get a break today, can I?