Disclaimer: Just the plot is ours. Enjoy! ^^

Chapter One

Percy's POV

I started to worry, like really worry. Annabeth went shopping for food with Grover, and hasn't come back yet. Suddenly, the door to my cabin burst open. Grover was standing there without his pants. He started panicking, and I dragged him inside.

"Ok, calm down. What happened? And where are your pants?" I asked calmly.

He started whimpered. "They took her… some big evil guys took Annabeth!"

Now I wasn't so calm. "They did WHAT?" I roared. I grabbed Riptide and was about to storm out the door when Grover caught me by the arm.

"We… have... to...tell... Chiron," he wheezed.

I straightened up even though there is no possible way I will ever be calm again until Annabeth calms me down herself. "You're right. Then we can form a strategy."

We walked out the door towards the Big House. When we went through the door, Chiron looked at us expectantly.

"Chiron! Annabeth's missing! Bleh-heh-heh…" Grover said, nervously taking a bite out of his aluminum can.

"Grover, there is no need to worry. Annabeth is a skilled demigod. She can handle many intense and challenging situations."

"Yes, but we need to go look for her, Chiron! Annabeth could be anywhere; for all we know, she could be waiting for help to come!" I nearly screeched.

"Percy, she has handled many situations before, you do not have to worry about her."

"But then she had us! Now she's by herself!"

"I suppose, but Percy-"

"NO!" I cut him off, "We have to help her!"

Chiron sighed, "I obviously can't hold back your feelings, you may go after her, but be careful, Percy. Consult the Oracle of Delphi. If she has a prophecy for you, then you may go."

I nodded before heading off.

I found Rachel sitting on a log next to the campfire. Her back was slouched, and she was prodding at the fire's ashes sadly and without interest. Word of Annabeth's disappearance must've gotten to her as well.

At the wound of my footsteps, she turned around. Her green eyes were tinted red, slightly swollen from tears that she furiously swiped away. "Hey, Percy." she croaked.

I nodded, looping an arm around her to comfort. "Hey. Chiron's sending me on a quest to go find Annabeth. I need a prophecy."

Rachel attempted to smile. "Yes, she better give a prophecy." She closed her eyes and sat up straight, waiting. Suddenly her eyes closed and her voice lowered, saying:

"Dark evils arise,

Each wearing a dangerous disguise.

With a thirst for revenge,

They vow to avenge.

Five hostages, twelve heroes,

Shall fight to defeat six great foes.

But one will be lost to currents,

And three will seem good, but aren't.

Twenty-three involved, but just sixteen return.

This quest shall soon take a treacherous turn."

The moment she finished, Rachel's eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she collapsed before I could catch her.

"Heh heh, oops?"

She groaned, and opened her eyes, rubbing the back of her head. "Ouch, Percy. I thought you knew to catch me."

"Um...I forgot. Sorry." I said, helping her up. She turned to me, an expectant glint in her eyes.

"So, what did she say?"

I bit my lip and recited the prophecy. As I spoke, Rachel's eyes widened. By the end of the prophecy, she was twirling her hair and pursing her lips.

"And I'm guessing that one of the heroes is you?" Rachel said, her words more of a statement than question, her eyes knowing.

I nodded. "S'pose so. And even if it wasn't, I'd go anyway."

"Knowing you, I'm sure you would." Rachel let out a breath of air. When she spoke again, her voice so quiet that I had to strain my ears to hear her. "Just, promise me something, Percy."

I raised an eyebrow, confused, but nodding my head all the same.

"Just...don't die. Whatever you do, don't die. Please."

I chuckled. "I defeated Gaea and Kronos, surviving both. I won't die this time either. I've come too far."

She didn't even laugh along. "I'm serious. Promise me."

I nodded. "I promise. I swear on the River Styx."

She smiled as thunder boomed in the distance, sealing my vow.

I finished packing my things, and headed back to the Big House for confirmation of my quest. When I reached its door, I opened it, striding in confidently.

"Chiron, I'm going out on my quest now."

He nodded, and said, "I caught wind of your prophecy. I must say, the words said are very troubling. I suggest you have two others accompany you."

I smiled, and said, "I already have my friends decided. Both loyal to the very end. Tyson and Grover." At my cue, Tyson came bounding toward me, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. I couldn't breathe. "Ty-son...too...tight...can't...breathe…"

He giggled and let go. "Oops, sorry big brother."

I smiled in return. "No problem, bro. Glad you could come."

He nodded eagerly. "Bye bye now, Chiron! Percy and Grover and I are going to go save Annabeth from big bad guys! And maybe we'll ride fish-ponies along the way! I've already got my peanut butter sandwiches all packed up!" he said proudly, puffing out his chest.

Chiron chuckled. "You be good now, Tyson. Do your best."

"I won't disappoint anyone!"

I grinned. "We'll be leaving now, Chiron. See you soon."

Chiron's eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Stay safe, Percy."

I nodded, and we were out the door.

We left at dawn, The sun just rising over the horizon. I take full credit for choosing our departure time. I find it heroic to leave at dawn. A symbol of hope.

"Where's our first stop?" Grover asked, crunching on aluminum.

I shrugged. "I was planning to just go with the flow, like we always do."

Tyson nodded and fist pumped the air. "Let's do this!"

Together, we travelled off with no destination in mind. Just as we started walking, a dust cloud billowed past. Before it evaporated, I swore that Gaea's face had smiled at me sleepily.

I grit my teeth. Fates, no matter what you throw at me, I vow to get Annabeth home. I swear on the River Styx.

We passed Thalia's tree and entered the mortal world.

Nike: This chappie took like so long to write. We finished chappie two before this one. Oh, do you have a surprise stored in for you.