Chapter 17: Reunion with Storytime

Madison's POV

I woke up before anyone else. I headed out to the deck and didn't worry about breakfast. I looked out into the horizon and knew that we were only hours away and would hit the sea within an hour. We would travel the rest of the way by water.

I felt someone come up next to me. I kept my eyes on the horizon.

"Beautiful morning…" Leo started. I turned and faced him. I smiled.

"Ya, I guess it is…" I said while looking back at the horizon. I could still feel his eyes on me.

"Can I help you?"

He looked out towards the horizon.

"Why do you care for Percy so much?"

"What do you mean?" I started playing with my ring again.

"He's been gone for a long time and yet, you still let him blind you to everything else."

"He's all I can think about at times…"

"Madison…" I turned and looked at him. "Fire burns through both of our bodies; I feel a strong connection to you when I look at you…"

"No, Leo, you don't. You like me because I'm different like you and you can relate to me. You like me only because I'm like you in ways and I get you. Trust me you don't like me like you think."

He blinked a few times and looked away. He sighed then walked off.

I could see the ocean in the distance.

"Prepare to land in the water and sail on from there!" I yelled. Jason and Piper just got up and came on to the deck. Jason ran to the mast and Piper stood by me while Leo took the wheel.

"Lower and keep it steady Leo! Almost… Jason a little lower."

I controlled the water and made it rise a little to the bottom of the boat. I controlled it to help us land in the water safely. We finally hit the water and I released my pull on the currents. It is smooth sailing from here for just a few more hours…

Percy's POV

After everyone found out that I was Greek, I wasn't treated the same. Bobby and a few of his siblings tried attacking me. Reyna and Lupa had to step in. I am not their enemy, but they find it hard to believe. Every day I would get cold stares. I didn't bother explaining to anyone who I am. Most of my memories have come back, but why bother explaining if they won't listen or even believe me?

I sighed. This camp is different. Most of them except me as one of their own, but a few others still dislike me. Reyna seems to be my only friend besides Gwendolyn, daughter of Venus, and the rest of her sisters.

I was practicing sword fighting when Gwendolyn walked in. More like skipped in.

"Hey Percy…" She said while batting her eyes. I kept stabbing the dummies.

"Hi…" I said. She came closer as I took a break to get some water. She sat down next to me and pushed herself closer.

"Stop Gwen…"

"Why… I know you love it."

"No, I don't, now get off me."

She had a fake-hurt expression on her face.

"Come on, you know you want me!" She said with a wink.

"No, I have… someone back where I am from waiting for me."

He sat up straight. "You have a girlfriend?"

"Yes…"

"What's her name and who is her godly parent?" She didn't look happy.

"She's not a demigod."

"So you would rather have a mortal than a beautiful daughter of Venus?" She looked a little angry.

"She's not mortal either…"

"Then what is she?"

"She's… Madison."

"The Phoenix?"

I nodded my head.

She looked at me for a second then busted out laughing.

"Ya right! Jason even tried to get her, but she turned him down multiple times."

She walked out still laughing. I sighed. I knew they wouldn't believe anything I said.

I finished practicing and headed out. I saw Gwendolyn whispering to a group of people and they were all laughing and staring at me.

"I believe you..." Someone said coming up behind me.

"You do Reyna?"

She nodded her head. "Madison turned down Jason and I knew another boy was involved and when she showed up to help you fight, I knew she was watching you. I could also see the way she looked at you."

I gave her a small smile. She returned it.

Gwendolyn walked up onto the big house steps and whistled for everyone's attention.

All of camp faced her and gathered around.

"Everyone, Percy here told me something very interesting…" Everyone leaned in to hear what she had to say. "He told me that he is dating the Phoenix!" Everyone busted into laughter. Some things were said like:

"Yeah right!"

"He's a lying Greek!"

"If Madison were here, she would burn him alive!"

I just leaned against the wall of the big house where I stood and didn't move or say a word. There is no point in arguing with these people.

Then everyone stopped laughing when the alarm sounded. We all grabbed our weapons and headed to the beach where the threat was coming from. What I saw out in the water, I couldn't describe.

Madison's POV

This was it. I was just a few minutes away from Percy's arms. I could see the beach in the distance and the whole camp was gathering around. The alarm must have gone off with our presence. I yelled for Leo to anchor us right here. I told Jason to fly them three to the beach when I give him the signal. I dove into the water and took off to the shore.

I emerged from the water and they all bowed. Well, all but one bowed and I knew who that one was.

I heard Bobby say… 'He's dead now'. Most of the people smirked and glanced at Percy as they got up from bowing. I looked up and Percy was staring at me. I began to walk towards him. Our eyes never left each other.

"Percy…" I began, but was cut off by Percy.

"I love you, Hothead." I gasped and the rest of the camp did as well.

A tear escaped my eye and I started to smile.

"I love you too, Seaweed Brain."

He pulled me closer to him and we kissed not caring that everyone was watching. When we stopped I hugged him tightly not wanting to let go. I was crying because I got MY Seaweed Brain back.

Percy looked into my eyes and wiped the tears away with his head. He didn't let go of my hand as we turned and faced the camp. I motioned for Jason to fly them three over and they did. The camp gasped again and I motioned for them to stay where they were. I looked at the three as they landed. Leo saw Percy and I's intertwined hands and looked away quickly.

I turned back to the camp. Reyna stepped up. "Madison… What is going on?"

"Percy, here, is a Son of Poseidon, and my boyfriend." I smiled up at him and he pulled me closer. "He is the greatest hero to ever live. Greater than Hercules himself."

"Yeah right!" Bobby stepped forward. "Name one thing great this punk did?"

I smirked. "He has defeated Iapetus by bathing him in the River Lethe; He tricked Atlas by putting him back under the sky after he got free. He defeated Hyperion and helped me defeat Kronos or as you all know him by, Saturn. The gods were a little bit busy with Typhon, but Percy was the hero of the Prophecy. He also defeated Ares/Mars in a one on one battle and also saving me from him as well. Then he defeated Phobos 3 times and also beat Deimos. He was thought of as the thief of Zeus'/Jupiter's Master Lightning Bolt, but proved his innocence and returned it to him. He traveled through the Sea of Monsters and fought Polyphemus. He saved Artemis/Diana and me from Atlas and Artemis/Diana doesn't see Percy as a worthless boy. He traveled through the Labyrinth and caused the eruption on Mount St. Helens. He bathed in the river Styx and defeated an army sent by Hades and defeated Hades during that battle. Lastly, he was offered immortality from the gods, but he turned it down. Instead, he asked for the gods to acknowledge the minor gods and to claim all their children by the age of 13. He is the reason many more cabins were added to your camp. Jason is a great hero, don't get me wrong, but Percy has been on many quests and proven to be the best." I finished after giving a 'brief' description of Percy's heroics.

Everyone stared at Percy with awe. I smiled. Even Jason, Piper and Leo looked shocked.

"Now I hope Percy was treated with respect while he was here since I couldn't interfere because of that no good 'Queen of the gods'! She tricked ME!"

Percy squeezed my hand. I looked up at him. He kissed my forehead. "Stop it everything is alright."

I saw some of the Venus girls pale when he kissed me and I knew they have been flirting with him.

"Venus cabin FALL IN!" I yelled. They all scrambled forward.

"Madison… What are you doing?" Percy asked me. I just smiled at him.

"So… Who were they?"

"Who were who?" Percy asked me.

"I looked him dead in the eye. "Who were the ones that flirted with you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that important?"

I crossed my arms in front of him. He gripped the sides of my arms.

"Madison relax, I didn't acknowledge then anyway I was too busy thinking about you."

I smiled and forgot what I was just recently doing. I hugged him tightly. The Venus girls all sighed with relief and their color returned to their face.

I turned back towards them and they all stiffened again. "FALL OUT! Jason, Piper, Leo, and Percy, we need to discuss some things with Lupa in private."

Everyone left and went back to their normal activities. Percy and I walked side by side behind Lupa and Jason, Piper, and Leo followed behind.

Percy was staring at me. "What?" I asked.

"I'm just glad to have you back." I smiled at him and moved in closer to him. He wrapped his arm around me.

"I'm glad to have you back too."

We made it to the big house and Lupa lead us to the war room.

"Lupa, I'm sure you know that Gaea is rising and the giants have already. The next prophecy is upon us and we are heading to Greece. There is supposed to be two more to go with us on the quest as the prophecy states. That means two from this camp excluding Jason." I turned to Percy. "Who were the two you first met?"

"Reyna and Bobby," He replied. I nodded my head.

"It must be them two then."

Lupa nodded her head in agreement.

For now you must rest. We will figure this entire thing out in the morning. Jason can go back to his cabin and Piper and Leo can stay in the Vulcan and Venus cabins. Madison, you may go where you wish.

I stayed with Percy in the Poseidon cabin back at Camp Half-Blood so I will go to the Neptune cabin.

She nodded her head and Jason showed Piper and Leo to their cabins. Percy and I headed to our cabin for now.

Percy's POV

I got ready for bed and laid down on my bed. Madison came out and laid down next to me. I wrapped an arm around her. She rolled onto her side and looked into my eyes. I smiled and kissed her on the nose. A huge grin went across her face.

"Everything is almost perfect…"

My smile went away. "What so you mean?" I asked her.

"Well… Everyone knows you are safe, but your mom is still in a panic."

I forgot about my mom! "Di Immortales!"

She laughed. "I'll I.M. her, you stand to the side and surprise her." I nodded.

She threw a drachma into a mist she created and said the prayer to Iris. An image appeared.

"Madison… Have you gotten any news?" My mom asked with worry.

Madison nodded. "Well…" My mom asked with hope. Madison motioned for me to come forward.

I stepped into view. "PERCY! Oh thank the gods that you are safe!"

I smiled. "Good to see you mom."

"Paul, come in here!"

Paul came into the room and gasped when he saw Madison and me in the mist. Madison manipulated the mist around Paul so he could have the sight.

"You're safe! We have been so worried!"

I smiled at him. "Glad to be back." I said. We told them about the new prophecy and how we are involved. We told them that we may not be coming back for a while. We then told them goodnight and got into bed.

Madison snuggled into my neck and I rested my head on hers. We drifted off into sleep.

The next morning at breakfast, we had to explain how we are getting to Greece and who Leo and Piper are. Everyone knows, but it is more formal to introduce them to everyone. We came into the mess hall and Madison, Jason, Piper, Leo, and I stood by Lupa in front of everyone.

"SILENCE," Madison yelled. Everyone quieted down.

"I know that you have heard of the new prophecy and I am here to inform you that it is happening now. The giants have risen and are trying to destroy Mt. Olympus in Greece. Gaea is trying to rise. We must sail to Greece and stop the giants and Gaea. Two more will accompany us and we will get to that later. For now, meet Leo Valdez."

Leo stepped up. "I am a son of Hephaestus and have a gift." He set his hands on fire and everyone gasped including me. "I have the gift of fire that is rare in a child of Hephaestus/Vulcan."

Madison stepped back up. "Now meet Piper McLean."

Piper stepped forward. "I am a daughter of Aphrodite and have the ability to charm speak that barely any child of Aphrodite/Venus has. Also, my last name is McLean and I know some of you recognize that name. My dad is Tristan McLean, the actor." Some of the Venus girls squealed.

Madison stepped up again. "Jason also has something to say to the whole camp."

Jason came forward. "I have lived amongst the Greeks and have learned a great deal from them. They were very excepting of me and didn't care that I was Roman. It goes to show that they are not our enemies and we must work together to defeat the dark forces that we face. I have also met my long-lost sister Thalia Grace. She is my older sister and is Greek. It is the first time ever that a Greek and Roman were born from the same family and same god. She is now the lieutenant Hunter of Artemis (not Diana) and is very close with Madison and Percy."

"Now, I need Reyna and Bobby to follow us to the war room to discuss the matter at hand." Madison stated. Reyna and Bobby got up from their seats and followed us to the war room. Lupa explained everything to them and they both accepted to come with us. We will set sail right after lunch.

Madison and I walked around camp as everyone watched us out of the corner of their eyes. I looked at Madison and I could tell that she noticed it too. We walked to the creek and we sat down with our feet in the water. We saw some nymphs sitting at the bottom and waved to them. Madison rested her head on my shoulder. I thought about what would happen in Greece. I was afraid that we wouldn't make it, but I knew I had to stay positive. I needed to get us both back safely and to see the ones we love and miss again.

Madison's POV

Lunch went by quick and we set sail for Greece in a hour. I didn't want to leave yet though because that would mean a quest and I wasn't in the mood for another one after all Percy and I went through. During lunch, I told Percy all that happened at Camp Half-Blood while he was gone. When I told him about the incident with Drew and the talk about Silena, he busted out laughing not caring about everyone looking at him. That made me laugh. Everyone could tell how happy he made me and I think they were starting to warm up to the Greeks. I couldn't wait to try and get both camps together at once! The Vulcan cabin was teaching Leo their different techniques in building and creating. Piper was getting a crash course on the way of the Venus kids. I could tell that they both really like it here. I thought about if they would stay here with Jason or go back to Camp Half-Blood. Well… I was thinking of asking the gods to create a portal between the camps allowing access to one another, but that was a talk for another time. Right now, our focus was Greece, the giants and Gaea.