Chapter 6: Smelly Gabe NO MORE!

Percy's POV

I felt like this quest was a success, well, almost. I sighed. I couldn't save my mother and know she is gone. Madison noticed me sigh. She looked up at me.

"What's wrong Seaweed Brain?" She asked with concern in her voice.

"We could… couldn't save m... my mom from Hades." I choked out.

Madison looked at me then smiled a little.

"Why are you smiling? I lost my mom for good!"

"No… No you didn't."

"Wha…"

"Percy, Hestia informed me of all that happened on your quest. After the fury saw that Ares had the helm, she flew straight back to Hades and told him that Luke, son of Hermes, stole it and Ares took it from him and had it. Alecto told Hades that you had nothing to do with it being taken. Hades may be the god of the Underworld, but he still does have a heart and had no reason to keep your mother or even kill her. She is safely back at your apartment."

My face lit up. Madison let a small laugh. "If you want, we can go see her before we go to camp."

My face lit up even more. We told Annabeth and Grover to head back to camp and that we will meet them back at camp.

We approached my mom's apartment door. I let out a deep breath. After everything that happened, I was nervous to see her. I found the spare key hidden in the plant and unlocked the door. "Mom…" I said and waited for a reply. Madison pushed me into the door. "Mom?" I called again.

"Percy…" I heard a reply. I looked up and saw my mom come around the corner. When she saw me, her face lit up with a big grinned and we both met for a big huge. I looked around and the place actually looked clean. I was curious. Usually, there were empty beer cans everywhere and poker chips lying around.

"Where's… Gabe?" I had to spit out his name. Just saying it angered me.

Madison cleared her throat. My mom and I both looked at her and she had a devilish grin on her face.

"After I found out about everything you did for me, it was only fair that I do you a favor in return. So… I called in a favor from your father. You sent Medusa's head to the gods, so before we left I asked your dad to sneak it into Gabe's poker case. So, when he opened it last, let's just say, he's a little stiff." She grinned again. A HUGE smile went across my face. "Go see for yourself." She told me motioning me towards the kitchen.

When I entered the door I saw Gabe solid as a rock leaning over his poker case on the kitchen table. The smile came back to my face and I turned to Madison and crushed her into a BIG hug. I lifted her off the ground and spun her around shouting "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU" over and over again. Once I set her down, our eyes met and my face heated up and I saw a small blush creep up her face. I turned back to look at the Gabe statue and I pulled out riptide. I walked up to the statue and sliced my sword across it. It crumpled to the ground, but I grabbed Gabe's head before it broke. I took out a pen from the drawer and drew a mustache, fake glasses, and a fake beard. I have wanted to do that ever since I was five. Madison and my mom busted out laughing and my mom had to put her hand on a chair to hold her up. Madison was already on the floor.

Then I threw his head on the floor with all my strength and it shattered into a million pieces. I bet my mom was relieved to be rid of that smelly pig, just as much as I was.

I hugged my mom again, and then turned to Madison.

"Shouldn't we be getting back to camp?"

She nodded her head. I turned to hug my mom and she handed me a bag full of blue cookies.

"YES!" I screamed.

"Boys and their appetites!" Madison said while rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" I said while stuffing three blue cookies into my mouth.

My mom and Madison started laughing at me.

I gave my mom one last goodbye and she whispered in my ear: "She's pretty."

I looked at her and blushed. She let out a small laugh.

My mom shut her apartment door and I looked at Madison. She raised her eyebrow at me and I just shook my head. She shrugged it off.

Madison's POV

Percy's mom whispered something into his ear and he looked up at her and blushed. She then closed her door and Percy came towards me. I lifted an eyebrow towards him and he just shook his head at me like saying don't worry about it. I just shrugged and kept walking. We exited the apartment building and I decided we needed a ride so I called my Pegasus. It was a gift from Poseidon so I could get around easier if I couldn't find a hearth.

I looked up at the sky and smiled at the all too familiar figure flying towards us.

Ya call me, Master?

Yes we need a ride to Camp Half-Blood.

Hello my Lord. My Pegasus, Blossom, said looking at Percy.

He was wide-eyed then he shook it off as if realizing what was going on. I rolled my eyes.

"Percy, this is my Pegasus, Blossom, the only pink Pegasus ever to exist. She was a gift to me from your father. I use her when I need transportation and can't find a hearth or water."

"Cool, do I get a Pegasus?"

"Ha-ha, maybe later on, but for now we are riding her to camp."

"I am NOT riding a PINK Pegasus! The WHOLE camp will tease me!"

I rolled my eyes and muttered 'boys.'

"Fine, hold on. I'll get one that SUITS you."

That was when he rolled my eyes.

We waited for a minute and then I felt a pair of eyes on me.

"What are you looking at?"

"What are you looking for?"

I kept my eyes on the sky. I prayed to Poseidon asking for him to give Percy a Pegasus of his own. Then I saw a dark figure soaring through the sky. "That," I told him while pointing.

"Percy, meet Blackjack, your very own Pegasus. I got your father to give you one, now can we go."

We were finally soaring through the sky and I was catching up with Blossom until I heard Blackjack call Percy Boss. Percy yelled, "STOP calling me Boss!"

I smiled then laughed. "Get used to it Seaweed Brain! Once they're loyal they'll either call you Boss, Master, or even My Lord! Trust me I know!" I yelled back to him.

He groaned.

We finally landed on Half-Blood Hill only to be greeted by the entire camp, Chiron, and a pesky god.

Percy's POV

Everyone was crowded around, but they were mostly staring at Madison. Annabeth and Grover came up and gave us both hugs. Then they stood by are sides. Chiron stepped up.

"Welcome back Percy and Lady- I mean Madison."

Madison stepped forward. "Hello Chiron nice to see you again. I'm sure the gods informed you that I will be staying at camp."

"Yes, of course."

Whispering broke out and Madison held up a hand signaling everyone to be silent. Everyone shut up. She turned to Annabeth and Grover.

"Do you two mind taking our Pegasi to the stables since you already know everything I'm about to tell everyone?"

They both nodded and led our Pegasi away. Madison turned back towards everyone else.

"I know you all have questions—" People started shouting and yelling. Madison yelled "SILENCE!"

Everyone hushed. "Now," She began. "I'm going to tell you everything you need to know and nothing more. Do NOT push Percy, Annabeth, Grover, or me for any further answers. I will be staying at camp for the rest of summer and all coming summers. I will be staying in Poseidon's cabin because I am a half-mermaid with powers over the sea and I have a blessing from Lady Hestia. I have lived in Poseidon's Palace for many years and have trained with the Naiads. The Naiads are the greatest fighters anyone can find and no one dares to challenge them. I have completed my training with them and have beaten the top Naiad Carol, so I suggest none of you tempt me, especially the… Ares cabin." Madison spat out the last part.

I grew angry and clenched my teeth and fists as did Madison. Everyone looked back and forth between me and her.

"Why not punk?" Clarisse yelled with anger in her voice.

"Oh, I know that you all know about the fight between Ares and Percy and that Percy was the winner, but you were not told the whole story, so it is NONE of YOUR business!" Madison yelled back.

I flinched again and clenched my fists harder turning them white and everyone seemed to notice me.

"Okay everyone THAT is all WE are going to tell you. Come on Madison."

I grabbed Madison by the shoulders and lead her down towards are cabin. Everyone was staring at us, so I turned and yelled "DISPERSE!" Everyone paused for a moment then scattered.

Madison stopped in her tracks and turned towards me. Our eyes met for a moment the she took a step back, crossed her arms, and raised an eyebrow at me.

"What?" I asked.

She chuckled and shook her head. "When did you become so assertive?" She asked.

Now it was my turn to laugh. "It got them to leave us alone, stop asking questions, and to not anger you to where you burst into flames again."

"Seaweed Brain." She muttered. I paused.

"Still lost on the nickname huh?" She smirked.

"Well you can't really come up with a nickname for a girl who can control fire!"

"Oh, but I could come up with a million for you like… Kelp Brains, Barnacle Breath, Clam Head, Shark Bait…"

"Oh, shut it Firefly!"

"Firefly?" Madison looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "Not bad for you Seaweed Brain."

She gave me a playful punch in the arm then turned towards our cabin. I sighed and then smiled. I'm finally doing something right. I then raced after Madison heading towards our cabin.