Chapter 12: Another Secret

Percy's POV

I fell to the ground exhausted. Madison is one hard trainer.

"Pick it up Seaweed Brain. We aren't done yet!"

"UGH, I need a break! I'm tired!"

"I guess we can be done for the day. We have been training for the past two hours. You worked hard enough. We will continue another time."

"Thanks the gods! Training with you is soooo hard!"

She laughed at this. "Get used to it Seaweed Brain!"

We dove back into the water from the cave and headed back to camp.

We were leaving camp today because my mom was taking Madison and me to a Goode High seminar for new people to the school. My mom's boyfriend Paul Blofis (I thought it was Blowfish) is principal of the school and got Madison and me in for the year. Madison wanted to go back to school after all these years and said she was going to school with me!

My mom picked us up at the bottom of Half-Blood Hill. She kept glancing at me then at Madison and would smile. I gave her a glare as to knock it off. She smiled even more.

"Percy, I'm so excited to go back to school! I haven't been to school since I was just a young mortal girl! It's gonna be so much fun! Just you and me! I could help you in your studies too if you like since I have the wisdom of Athena…"

I had to cut her off by placing a hand over her mouth. My mom just laughed.

"Sorry, just… excited." She said while blushing.

"I have NEVER seen someone so excited to go to school!"

"You would be excited too if you have been stuck in an underwater palace most of your childhood with barely any friends and all you do is train."

"Oh… Uh sorry. I had no idea…"

"It's fine Seaweed Brain. Besides, I have great friends now." She smiled at me and I smiled back.

"We're here!" My mom said. We got out of the car and I waved goodbye to her. Paul met us at the front entrance.

"Ah, hello Percy and you must be Madison. I have heard much about you from Sally and a lot from Percy." I blushed. He motioned us forward, but before we entered I saw a familiar red headed girl. My eyes widened and hers did the same when she saw me.

"Percy?" She came up.

"Uh… Hello Rachel."

"Who's this?" Madison asked.

"Who are you?" Rachel asked her back.

"Uh, Rachel, meet Madison. Madison, meet Rachel."

They both had an intense stare down.

"Okay Rachel it was nice seeing you again, but we have to go. Let's go Madison."

I grabbed Madison by the shoulders and led her off.

"Percy I don't like her. We need to stay away from her."

"She perfectly mortal Madison."

"I don't trust her. She's too suspicious."

We made it to the seminar and It was boring. I glanced at Rachel every once in a while and she kept looking at me suspiciously. Maybe Madison was right. I glanced at Madison, but she was listening intensively to the speaker.

I was relieved when it was over.

Madison and I left and headed down a hall way to talk we entered a room and it was slammed shut behind us. We turned and saw Rachel locking the door.

"I told you not to trust her Percy."

"I just want answers about all I can see and what you guys are. I think you owe me that Percy."

"You're a clear sighted mortal."

"Percy, we can't tell her anything!"

"I do owe her an explanation. She helped save me, Zoë, Grover and Thalia from the skeletons."

We began to explain to her everything about us and the gods. She listened closely and once we were done. We made a bolt for the door. Rachel didn't get another word out before we left.

Paul gave us a ride back to my mom's apartment. My mom insisted that we stay for dinner. My mom makes great spaghetti!

"Ms. Jackson, this is delicious. Thank you for having me."

"Thank you, you are so polite and call me Sally."

After dinner, Madison insisted on helping with the dishes, but Paul beat them both to it.

Madison sat next to my mom on the couch and I was next to Madison. My mom pulled out my baby pictures and started to show Madison. When Madison was holding them, I tried to take them, but she avoided me and started running around the room while flipping through them. I chased her and tried tackling her, but ended up wrapping my arms around her waist while reaching for the pictures. She still kept flipping through them and laughing.

I tackled her to the ground, but she held them just out of my reach. She finally finished looking and gave me the pictures. We both got up off the ground and I saw that my mom was taking pictures the whole time. Madison was too busy to notice.

I hugged my mom bye and Paul drove us back to camp. We got back right before lights out.

My dream went like this:

Nico was talking with a ghost.

"You can trade a soul for a soul and get your sister Bianca back."

"Minos, are you sure this will work?"

"Yes I'm sure and it is KING Minos!"

"Sorry, sorry, will you relax?"

"It will work. I know it."

"Then I'll so it."

Nico then threw a McDonald's happy meal in a pit.

"Di immortales! Why can't I speak to my mother? I know nothing about her!"

The image changed.

Bianca stood in front of me.

"Protect my brother. He is doing the wrong thing and King Minos is leading him down the wrong direction. You have probably already figured out that my brother and I are children of Hades. We were born before the oath and have been in the Lotus Hotel and Casino for over 70 years. Don't let him do the wrong thing."

I woke up after that.

Madison's POV

Today was the day I go back to the place I haven't been in a while. I am supposed to spread myself equal through both Camp Half-Blood and the other place, but I have been a little busy with Percy and… Kronos.

There was a new guy name Quintus and he had a pet hellhound. Tyson was coming back today so Percy had someone to keep the cabin clean while I am gone. The son of Hades is out and about and all of camp is worried about an attack Luke is planning. Annabeth talked with me about the Labyrinth and I knew where the location was in camp, but I couldn't tell them. If they find it, then they will send a quest out to stop Luke. I am informed about all quests by the gods so I will know if Percy leaves and I can Iris Message him. I sighed. There is way too much on my mind.

I packed my bags and Percy watched me in silence. He wasn't happy about me leaving, but I told him it was only for a week.

We walked outside and I was greeted by Clarisse, Annabeth, Grover, and Chiron.

"Where are you going Madison? Please tell me." Percy asked/ pleaded.

I looked at Chiron then looked down and sighed. "I'm sorry Percy, I… Can't tell you."

"Why not?"

Chiron spoke up. "Percy, she still has secrets that the gods have asked her to keep and it is a secret that we swore on the River Styx not to tell. She will be perfectly safe where she is going."

Percy sighed and after I hugged everyone bye, they left. I turned to Percy. "I'll see you soon."

"Promise?"

I smiled and gave him a big hug. What really surprised him was that I gave him a quick peek on the cheek and whispered in his ear: "Stay safe Seaweed Brain."

I turned around and got on Blossom. I gave Percy one last glance and saw him touching his cheek before taking off. I smiled.

I flew across the country. It is a bad idea to keep them separated, but the gods think otherwise after the war that happened between them last time. I sighed. I wish everyone got along.

I landed in front of a large group that was bowing. They must have been expecting me. They take everything very serious here.

Welcome back Phoenix. You're cabin is ready and prepared for you.

"Thank you Lupa."

She walked away and some of my old friends came up. "Hey Madison!"

I was engulfed in a big hug by Jason.

"Hey Jason, it's good to see you again!"

Reyna came up next and gave me a bigger hug.

I went to my cabin and placed my stuff inside. It was just as beautiful as the one at Camp Half-Blood, but it felt empty and hollow without Percy. I sighed.

"You okay?"

I turned and saw Jason standing in the doorway. I have known him ever since I was 7 as well. He is Thalia's brother and I feel really bad about not being able to tell them that the other one is alive.

"Ya, I'm fine, just… thinking."

"There is something more bothering you, I can tell."

"No… everything is fine. I'm going to the beach. It is the only way that I can be close to…" I cut myself off. I was about to reveal more than I should.

"Close to what?"

"Jason, you have always been like a brother to me, but you don't have to know everything okay? I'm perfectly fine."

"Well with the war against Saturn coming up I just thought that you had a lot on your mind and all."

"I do." I sighed again. "I just don't want to talk about it."

"Alright." He turned and left.

I decided to I.M. Percy.

I said the prayer to Iris and an image of Percy popped up. He was in the Labyrinth. I also saw Annabeth. I knew Grover and Tyson went their separate way to find Pan.

"Heyy guys! How's the quest?"

"Madison! Where are you?"

"Sorry Seaweed Brain, I can't tell you."

"Percy, are you guys ready to go?" Someone with a familiar voice asked.

"Oh… Uh Ya, just a sec."

"Who's that?" I asked curious.

"You're dead Kelp Head." Annabeth said.

"What does she mean Percy?"

Before he could answer, a familiar red head came into view. I was furious and I could tell that Percy noticed.

"Madison calm down, Rachel can lead us threw the Labyrinth safely. She has the sight and she is the only way."

"WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE HER THOUGH?" I was soooo angry.

Percy had fear in his eyes. "Madison calm down before you burst into flames again.

"We will talk later PERSEUS!"

I swiped my hand through the mist.

I stormed out of the cabin and I'm sure my hair was on fire, but I didn't care. Everyone was staring at me with fear in their eyes. Reyna came up to me.

"Madison, are you all right?"

I shook my head no and stopped the flames. I wasn't angry now, I was sad. Percy betrayed me by allowing that mortal girl into his life and our world. A tear fell down my cheek. Everyone saw it and gasped. No one ever saw me with emotion before. I always hid it from everyone here. An image started to shimmer in front of me.

"Madison I'm sorry, please listen?"

"I don't want to talk right now!" I slashed my hand through the image before anybody could get a really good view of Percy.

I ran to the beach to get some peace and quiet.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

So much for peace and quiet. I turned and saw Jason coming up behind me.

"Hey… Nothing."

"Well, we all know that that's a lie."

I sighed. "Seriously, you can tell me." He said and put an arm around my shoulder as he sat down next to me.

"No, I seriously can't." I said while removing his arm. I just wanted to be alone.

He sighed. "Why are you pushing me away?"

"What are you talking about? I'm not!"

"You haven't been here in months! I've missed you as well as everyone else."

"I'm sorry. I was occupied. Neptune and Vesta had many missions for me that I had to… take care of."

He leaned in closer to me and was inches from my face. I pulled back.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought… I just…"

"Jason, you have always been like a brother to me and nothing more. I'm sorry if you thought that…"

"It was that boy in the I.M. wasn't it?"

"Wha…"

"I didn't really see him, but I know enough that you care about him and that he is the one on your mind."

"Jason… I'm not the one for you, I'm sorry. You'll find someone though. I'm leaving early. I don't want to stay here any longer."

"Madison don't go… I didn't mean for you to leave."

"No, it wasn't you… I just want to go back. I have to set things right."

I ran to my cabin and packed all of my stuff fast, and then I bolted to the stables and got on Blossom.

She knew what I was thinking so she took off. I took one last look at SPQR and saw Jason watching me from below as I disappeared into the darkness.

Percy's POV

I really screwed up with Madison, but Rachel was the only way to get through the labyrinth safely. Hera even told us so, well she implied it. It was bad enough that she found out about Rachel, but if she found out about Calypso, she would burn me alive!

I was still a little shaky after seeing that Luke was now Kronos! I couldn't do much about it though. He has now risen, but he isn't in his full form yet so we still have time. We found out that Quintus was really Daedalus. Also, we found Nico and he was betrayed by King Minos's ghost, but all ended well. He disappeared though. We met up with Grover and Tyson and actually found Pan. He put his essence mostly in Grover, but also a little in Annabeth, Tyson, me and even Rachel.

We were back at camp and Luke's army came out of the Labyrinth entrance in the camp. They were attacking us. We were fighting hard, but there was just too many of them. All of a sudden Grover lets out a wild call that hurt my ears. The army retreated back into the Labyrinth. Daedalus then sacrificed himself to destroy the Labyrinth, but before he said hello to Hades, he gave Annabeth his laptop and he asked me to take care of Ms. O'Leary.

Once he was gone, the Labyrinth crumbled. Grover let out a call of the Wild.

Grover apparently has a girlfriend who is a tree nymph. Her name is Juniper and Annabeth is comforting her while Grover gets trialed by the Council of Cloven Elders. He tried to convince them that Pan is dead, but they didn't believe him even though we told them that we also witnessed it.

"They speak the truth." Madison came out of the shadows. I smiled at her, but she didn't even give me a second glance. She must still be mad.

"Pan has indeed faded. They all witnessed it. You can either choose to believe it or not, but you cannot do anything to Grover. You heard the Call of the Wild come from him. He definitely has the essence of Pan within him."

Nothing more was said after that. Madison turned and left and I followed her.

"Madison, please wait." We were in the middle of the 'U' shaped cabins once she stopped walking.

"Why should I?"

"Let me explain…"

"Explain WHAT? You let that red head mortal demon into our world and lives, and then I find out you were on Ogygia!" I paled.

"H… How did you know that?"

"Percy, I know much more than you can imagine!"

Everyone was crowded around.

"Well I didn't stay with Calypso!"

"You thought about it, didn't you?"

I didn't say anything.

"I KNEW IT!"

"Well, I didn't purposely go to the island. The Fates send people there so it wasn't my fault!"

"Well maybe that wasn't your fault, but what about the mortal, huh? It wasn't your idea to bring her along in the Labyrinth?"

"Well…"

"Ya thought so."

"It was the only way to get through the Labyrinth safely."

"Madison, nothing happened. All she did was get us through safely, and then we sent her back to her home. We had no other choice or we would have died within seconds in the maze."

"Alright, I'm sorry, but I still told you not to bring the mortal into this world."

"I know and I'm sorry about that."

She sighed and headed to the cabin. I followed her. Summer was over and the school year will be starting in two days and tomorrow is my birthday. I sighed to myself. Only one more year until the great prophecy comes true.

"Can we forget this all happened?" I asked Madison.

"I guess so. Besides, we have school to worry about and a certain someone's birthday tomorrow!" She smiled and I laughed a little.

Madison left the cabin to go tell Chiron that we will be leaving for the school year.

I was still packing until a certain son of Hades shadow traveled into the cabin.

"Percy, I've come to make you an offer."

"What?"

"The way to beat Luke and I have a feeling it will be the only way."

"I'm listening."

Madison's POV

Percy's birthday party wasn't all that big. It was just me, Paul, Sally, Tyson, Percy himself and Nico di Angelo. I have no idea how Percy got Nico to come, but I was glad. I like Nico. He is a very nice boy for being a son of Hades. I've always had big brothers or sisters, like Thalia, Jason, and Artemis, but Nico is like my little brother.

Paul talked with Percy for a bit and Percy whispered in my ear that he was going to Propose to Sally. I was excited, but he told me to keep it a secret.

There came a knock on the door. Sally went to answer it and she along with me and Percy gasped. It was Lord Poseidon.

"Po-… Well hello." Sally caught herself. Sally was blushing like crazy.

"Hello Sally." Poseidon said. He was wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. "You look as beautiful as ever. May I come in? He finished.

Paul was the first one to speak after that. "Hell, I'm Paul Blofis."

Poseidon raised an eyebrow. "Did you say Blowfish?"

"No, Blofis."

"Oh, what a shame, I like Blowfish. Anyhow, I'm Poseidon."

"Like the god of the seas?"

"Yes, very much like that."

Sally spoke up. "Paul, this is Percy's father."

"Oh…" Paul didn't look particularly happy about that.

"It's good to see you all again. Also, hello Tyson, my son."

Tyson yelled 'daddy' and ran up and hugged Poseidon.

Paul looked confused. Sally reassured Paul that Tyson was not hers.

"Hello Madison." I smiled at Poseidon and he returned it.

"Hey Uncle P." Nico shouted.

"Uncle P?" Poseidon asked with an eyebrow raised. Nico paled.

Poseidon laughed. "I like it Nephew." Nico let out a sigh of relief and Percy and I were laughing.

"If you all don't mind, I need to speak with Percy alone. My boy…" He gestured for Percy to follow him into the kitchen.

They were in there for a while, and then Percy finally came back out and his green eyes twinkled with happiness.

"What happened in there?" I asked him.

"He told me that I was his favorite son." I smiled at him and gave him an approving nod.

"He also said that the ocean is at war with itself and that the fighting is so intense. I offered to help, but he said that we needed to stay here."

Percy opened presents after that and Tyson gave him a wristwatch that turns into a shield when you press the button on the side. Sally and Paul gave him Cash. I gave him a shark tooth necklace that is laced together from the strongest seaweed you can find and it has two pearls, one on each side of the tooth that is from the walls of Poseidon's Palace.

He put the necklace on and it matched his eyes perfectly. He placed his wristwatch on and pressed the button. A shield popped up and everyone loved it, but Paul was slightly confused. He thought it was just a regular wristwatch.

Tyson left to go back to the forges and Nico went back to wherever. All that were left was Percy, Paul, Sally, and me.

Sally and I talked with Percy alone and convinced him that if we were going to school tomorrow and monsters could attack, then we should tell Paul about who we really are.

We sat Paul down and told him everything about who we are and all our adventures.

"So I really met a god earlier?" He was still in shock.

This was going to be a long night.