This chapter features the OC of the author Apollo's Child, who won the contest on the end of Chapter 1: Popius, the god of popcorn. For details about Popius, check out Apollo's Child's story titled, "The Myth of Popius".
Chapter 2: Scary Stories
Annabeth's POV
I was annoyed at Percy for abandoning me back there with Medusa. Sure, I told him to run, but sheesh! He was supposed to be my boyfriend! How did he know it wasn't a test of trust or something? Anyway, Pan magically transported me back to the apartment just before Medusa took off her sunglasses, and now everyone was huddled around a flashlight, getting ready for scary stories. Kronos sat down with a bowl of popcorn in the circle beside Ethan Nakamura. "OK! So here's how this is gonna work. I will spin this flashlight, and whoever it shines on will start the story!" He announced, brandishing his scythe in the air enthusiastically and narrowly missing my head.
Kronos spun the flashlight. It circled twice and then landed on Rachel. She smiled happily, but before she could begin, Kronos snatched the flashlight, turned it towards him, and placed it down again in a split second. "Well would you look at that! It's my turn!" Kronos said hastily. Rachel opened her mouth to protest, but Percy quickly put his hand over her mouth and gave her a warning look. Then he gestured towards the pile of dust that was Thalia. Rachel shook off Percy's hand but kept silent. I shot Percy a dirty look. Already picking a new girlfriend, Percy? I thought coldly. Percy gave me a meaningful glance and a shrug that quite plainly meant, "Hey! YOU broke up with me!"
I focused my attention back at Kronos, who placed the flashlight under his chin, casting a ghostly light across his face. And so he began, " Once in a high cloudy mountain, there lived twelve filthy gods and goddesses who thought they were awesome. They lived in riches and thought nothing of their relatives, the wonderful Titans. The Titans were brave and strong. The gods were lazy and rude. One day, one amazingly awesome Titan, by the name of Kronos , outwitted the gods and ruled mount Olympus. Then the lazy gods sent Kronos to Tartarus, and since that day Kronos' ghost has haunted mount Olympus and caused all kinds of destruction and all that cool stuff. And now, Kronos' is back from Tartarus, and is soon going to rule mount Olympus once more." Kronos finished, beaming at his audience. We all clapped. I leaned over to Nico, who was smirking, and whispered," Hey, at least he has an excuse. Gods and Titans have no imagination. They like to repeat history remember?" Nico rolled his eyes. "Sure. 'Cause a mortal Kronos would be so much more imaginative, right?" I frowned. What did he mean?
"Enough chit-chat! It's time for the next story! He spun the flashlight and then took a handful of popcorn. Just before he could pop it in his mouth, one kernel jumped out of his palm. It popped and grew larger until it was as tall as a human and as wide as an elephant. Everyone stepped back, shocked. There was a loud bang, and a leg appeared out of the bottom of the popcorn. Another bang, and the other leg appeared. Two more and a pair of arms jumped out. An ear-piercing pop sounded and a head appeared. Kronos' face was white. "P-P-Popius?!" The popcorn nodded. "I heard there was a party going on here! Why wasn't I invited? " Popius raised an eyebrow questioningly. " Uh…uh.. W-well, um… Y-you were!" Kronos stammered, and he made an invitation card appear in his hand and passed it reluctantly to Popius. " Now that's better!" Said Popius casually, ripping open the envelope and pulling out the card. As he read it, I edged over to Chiron and asked who this popcorn dude was. Chiron's face was almost as pale as Kronos'. "He is Popius, the god of popcorn, cornflakes, and almost everything else to do with corn. I-I accidentally crea" Chiron stopped. "It's nothing." He stuttered.