It's not exactly the right day that I wanted to update, but it is the 14th.

Part Two: Chapter One: Company

=Percy=

Water lapped against the rocks as I stood looking out at the ocean. I could feel it's rage swelling and see the incoming clouds. "A storm's coming." Her voice spoke quietly next to me. Katie had been silent for days. She had been through so much, I could understand her silence. I haven't tried to get her to talk either. It wasn't something I could help her with… and I could only be blamed for it.

"The storm's already hit." I responded, not looking at her. "But as long as I stay here… It won't strike the town." She stayed silent for a while, I didn't dare look at her. "Will you stay here?" I wondered.

"I have nothing left here." She answered. "Where will we go?"

"If we're going to find Will, I'll need a ship. First we'll go to New york, there's someone I have to see, and a friend that can help us there. Then, The Hydra." I could feel her nervousness. "You don't have to come with me." I told her, "you're no pirate."

"I can't wait on the sidelines while my family is in danger." She said. That's the Katie I know.

"The storm will be the worst this town's seen in three years." I warned. "It might just destroy it."

"I have no home left here." She repeated, slowly she moved into my field of vision. I have to respect her bravery, her strength and confidence. She reminds me of Clarisse… just not as violent. Her black hair, once long was now cut short, barely reaching her shoulders. She was in pants and a longsleeved shirt, no doubt that it had been Will's. She carried a satchel that looked to be filled, as well as a bag and bronze sword tied to her pants. The sword was once Will's as well, but I had seen her wield it as an expert would. She's not usually a fighter, but if it came down to it she would. "Blackjack's waiting for us." She told me turning. A fire was burning in her eyes, she was determined to be brave and forge on. I nodded and turned, leading the way past the partially destroyed cottage that had been my home for the last two years and over to a forest. A black pegasus was waiting for us.

You ready boss? He asked defiantly, stomping his hooves impatiently. I helped Katie up onto his back, then got on myself.

"To New York," I told him, Katie's arms wrapped around me as the horse shot into the air.

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I've always had a home with Sally and Paul Blofis. They were, of course my family. Mom wrapped her arms around me and held me tightly when she saw me. It took several minutes for her to let me go. After she fussed about me and Katie and made us sit down while she made us something to eat. Katie glanced at me and smirked, "You're mom?" She asked. I rolled my eyes and ignored the comment.

"Is Ella still here?" I asked mom, the twinkle in her eye dimmed a little.

"She left with Clarisse and Thalia." Mom answered. "About a year ago." I considered this, it made my trip a little easier with her aboard the ship… but at the same time harder, now I really need to find the ship. Before it wasn't something I had to do, it'd just be nice if I had my ship back. Now I needed to find it to find Ella. But now I was able to bring along someone that can be helpful in our hunt. I stood getting both Katie's and my mom's eyes on me.

"I'll be back soon." I told them both. "There's someone I have to talk too." I left them before anyone could protest. The streets of New York were cold and barren in the late hours of night. Usually they'd be full of shouting drunk men and wenches but the oncoming storm made them hide away. The building I was looking for was filled with commotion. The lights were on and there was hammering from inside. The blacksmith was always awake. The children of Hephaestus didn't stop building, and worked around the clock hours crafting weapons, toys and anything else they're fingers could mold together. I was barely given a second glance as I made my way through the shop, Demigods were always showing up here. All of them started here, getting fit for a weapon then sent south to a camp. Then they'd spread off after being taught the basics, some ended up at the Hydra, others went to have their own quests and few stayed at the camp to train the new recruits. "Jake." I stopped at a workstation and looked at a man covered in sweat. He was working with celestial bronze to craft a shield and looked to be nearly finished.

"Percy," he greeted, not looking up from his work. He was holding up the shield and checking to see if there were any imperfections. "You have a job for me?"

"Yes, but you'll have to leave your lovely home." I told him, he hummed a bit and turned to put the shield on a rack.

"What exactly will I be doing?"

"A friend of mine was recently kidnapped, I'm assuming that he'd be guarded by traps and locked in a cage. No one knows mechanical traps better then you." I explained and finally he looked at me, his eyes were a red-brown and seemed to blaze like fire. His skin was tanned evenly and his hair was short and black. He was strong, he had to be considering he worked with metal's and hammers all day.

"I don't do pirates." He commented.

"You owe me a favor," I countered, his eyes narrowed cautiously.

"Fine," he agreed. "when do we leave?"

"If you don't have anything else to do, now." I answered. "Otherwise, meet me at the docks at dawn." Jake's eyes drifted towards a box to my left, he was thinking but eventually nodded to himself.

"Let me get a bag ready." He threw off his gloves and moved to the back of his station. After a few minutes he returned with a bag swung over his shoulder, held to him by a rope, a shield on his back and a sword tied to his waist. He picked up his box and it rattled. "Let's go." Together we left the shop and headed back towards my mother's house. Katie was waiting outside for us, with her two pegasi. Blackjack huffed impatiently.

Seriously boss, how long does it take to find someone? He demanded of me, I rolled my eyes.

"She asleep?" I asked Katie, she turned to me and nodded.

"She'll be upset when she wakes, you didn't say goodbye." Jake got onto the second pegasi while I helped Katie up onto Blackjack then climbed on myself. "Who's this?"

"Jake Mason." Percy answered her, "an acquaintance." Before she could respond they were shooting into the air.