Chapter 20: Land Ho!

Madison's POV

Nico told us about the 11 giants and an army of earth-borns standing outside of Mt. Olympus. They were waiting for the summer solstice, which is tomorrow, to strike. I sighed as we all got up from the table. I saw Jason ask Percy to talk for a moment. Piper and I exchanged a quick glance before we left the room with everyone else.

I walked out to the deck and sat down. I hung my feet over the edge of the Argo II and closed my eyes as I felt the wind in my hair. I felt a presence and kept my eyes closed as the person sat down next to me.

I finally looked at the person and noticed it was Leo.

Does the boy ever give up?

"Hello Leo…"

"Madison… Can I ask you something?"

"Sure… Anything."

"What makes Percy special?"

I laughed at this and smiled. "I could go on and on Leo; I have known Percy for what seems like forever. We just… have a special connection…" I trailed off.

"What kind of connection?" Obviously he really wanted to know for he thought just because we both had fire in us that we had a connection, which we really don't. My gift is from Hestia, his is from his father, Hephaestus. Although Hephaestus did give me the gift of better fire control so I don't cause too much destruction.

"If only you knew… If only ANYONE knew. He's special… especially to me."

"He doesn't have a connection like we do."

"You don't know what Percy is capable of… Plus, my gift of fire is from Hestia, yours is from your father, Hephaestus. I don't see the connection there. My fire is from the hearth, yours is from the forge."

He didn't say another word. I saw Jason and Percy coming out of the kitchen now and got up. I wonder what the talked about…

Percy's POV

Jason asked if he could talk to me for a second. I nodded my head as we waited for everyone to leave the kitchen. I saw Piper and Madison exchange a quick look at each other before they left. Leo left after them and he kept staring at Madison with longing. I couldn't help but feel a small pang of jealousy.

He better leave MY girlfriend alone…

"Percy… do you think we can really do this?"

"Yeah, it may seem impossible, but we can't give up. Everyone is counting on us."

"Well that's a lot of pressure."

"Yeah, I think I finally understand how Madison feels… She's the Phoenix and everyone always counts on her to make things happen or to save the day."

"Yeah, she has a lot of responsibilities. To think she had to go through all of this starting at the age of seven. That is just too young."

"Not to mention she had to leave her family…"

"Yeah… I think, since we are the leaders of the two camps besides Madison, that we should try to lead our friends in battle."

I smiled. "I can't believe your Thalia's brother."

He laughed now. "I just don't know if we can surprise the giants at all, they were made to defeat our parents and they know our weaknesses as well."

I smiled a little and Jason looked confused. "I think we have a few surprises up our sleeves…"

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see… All we have to worry about right now is getting the gods to help us and I think Madison can persuade them. Let's go talk to her."

"Alright… One more thing…" I raised an eyebrow at him. "Treat Madison well or I'll shock you with lightning until you are burnt to the bone." I just laughed. He looked shocked that his threat didn't work. He obviously didn't know that I would never hurt Madison and that I am extremely powerful.

"You know… nothing seems to scare you."

"I'm invincible and have faced death many times… Plus, my girlfriend could kick the living Hades out of me anyway."

He laughed at my comment. "True, true… I may be the son of the King of the Gods, but you were born to lead Percy, more so than I."

"Thanks man… I never really wanted to lead though, when Madison was around, I was second in command. When she was gone, I would lead, but I had help from Annabeth."

"The daughter of Athena who is dating the son of Hermes that everyone hates?"

"Yeah her…"

"Why does everyone hate him?"

"Did no one tell you at camp?"

"No…"

"He was the host for Kronos…" Jason gasped. "He chose to join Kronos's side and devastated Thalia and Annabeth. He learned in the end that what he did was wrong and that the gods really do care."

"He was the one that ran away with my sister and Annabeth?"

I nodded as he came to realization with all of this.

"Let's go find Madison." I stated. We left the kitchen and I saw Madison get up from Leo who looked defeated. She came up to us.

"Hey Seaweed Brain! What'd you two talk about?"

"Oh nothing Hothead…"

She raised her eyebrow at me and gave a quick glance to Jason.

"Perseus…" Madison's face grew all serious, but only I knew she was joking around and using one of her sneaky techniques to get an answer out of me. Jason looked a little frightened.

"Uh, Percy… I think you should just tell her before she gets too angry and takes out her anger on you…"

"She wouldn't do that, would you Madison?" I raised my eyebrow up at her. She stepped closer to me and still had a serious expression.

"Try me…" She set her hair on fire and her eyes began to glow. I felt mine glowing too, but I had my back to everyone so they couldn't see. I brushed my hand through her hair and touched the back of her neck where her 'tattoo' is. She shivered and stopped glowing.

"PERCY…" She whined. I smiled and leaned in. We kiss and I pushed her up against the wall. Our tongues battled for dominance and we both got lost in the moment. I then heard someone clear their throat and we both pulled away. Madison and I were beat red in the face and Jason was laughing alone with Piper.

When did she get here?

"Dude, get a room!" Nico said as he came out of the shadow of the door.

"Shut it death boy!"

"That lasted like 5 minutes!" Jason said in between fits of laughter.

"Shut it fly boy!" Now Madison was the one who yelled at them. He smirked, but then he kind of cowered like he was afraid she was going to do something to him. Madison just stuck her tongue out at him like a child. He had a shocked expression on his face that was priceless! Madison and I then busted into laughter. He shook it off.

"Madison… You're not as… fierce as I remember…" He said while choosing his words carefully.

Madison just smirked. "Do you want me to be?"

"NO, No…" Jason replied quickly.

"This guy seems to have softened me up." She said and popped the 'p' in up. She then poked me in the stomach multiple times, but it didn't hurt with the curse of Achilles.

Our little moment was interrupted by Reyna shouting 'Land Ho'.

We all scrambled to the front of the boat and saw Greece just a few hundred yards away.

Here we go…