Replies:
Awesome job with the chapter! also good job with the PTSD, it seems believable. –Omega Alpha Hydra
I'm going to pray my computer doesn't crash, because this is the fifth time I'm going to be typing this reply. THANKS, man. I tried my best.
Heyo! This chapter was awesome, no lie! I didn't see any mistakes that needed fixing ;) You're good on this one :D Waiting on Chapter 6, but I'm going to work on Chap. 7 before I forget :D This plot line is very interesting ;) You and Maverick have some pretty good ideas. Can't wait for Chapter 6! –SoulHorse
Hai, did you enjoy that time off from beta-ing, Soul? Lol. Looks like Microsoft Spell Check did your job for you! ;) Yeah…. I was having trouble finishing this one. As I mentioned earlier, my computer has crashed 4 times so far during the making of this chapter. URGH! But I had chapter 7 done because Percy's easier since a lot of it's from the book. Glad the story's interesting. I wouldn't write anymore if it bores you guys.
Why does the linebreak have to be a guy? –Josh the Pleb
Why can't it?
-Part One: Pressed-
Chapter 6: Percy
So I did say that this chapter was going to be an Annabeth one. But….. because of both technical and scheduling issues… I guess chapter 7 and chapter 6 will now switch spots. (If there's any confusion this was originally meant to be chapter 7.)
Oh well. I would've rather had the other chapter. It's kinda like the big reveal-ish moment but I guess you all have to wait until next week. But too make it up to you when it does come, it's gonna be a big one! :D
Need to get help…
I wanted to lie down there, waiting until I woke up from whatever this was. The only other option was….. time travel. And I highly doubted it was that.
But then there was Grover, needing my help. So I managed to haul him up and stagger up the hill, to take in the site of camp. The illusion quickly gave way, since I knew what to expect.
The Big house laid hundreds of yards down, and after that, the dining hall and amphitheater.
Steadily, I made my way.
The last thing I remember is finally giving way, collapsing on the front porch, looking at the ceiling fan circling above me, moths flying around the yellow light, and Chiron and Annabeth's stern faces. Annabeth's princess curled hair fluttered in the soft breeze.
"He's the one. He must be," she said, expectantly.
"Silence, Annabeth," Chiron soothed. "He's still conscious. Bring him inside."
Then, there was black.
LINEBREAKATEALLOFVCRXSOREOSDONTTELLHIM
My dreams were full of barnyard animals. Many of them wanted to kill me. The rest wanted food.
Unlike last time, where I must've woken up several times, and then passed out in exhaustion and confusion; I was able to wake up on the first time with a start.
Before I even opened my eyes, I jolted up from my slumber.
Only to head butt Annabeth in the jaw.
She yelped in surprise, and jumped back. I hadn't hit her that hard, but my sudden movement seemed to have sure startled her.
I held back laughter as the twelve-year-old version of Annabeth clattered onto the yellow rug carpeted floor.
She looked exactly like how I remembered she'd looked like the first time I met her.
Her long blond hair cascaded passed her shoulders, curled like a princess's.
She was probably a couple of inches taller and me, and a whole lot more athletic. She had a deep tan, and reminded me of a stereotype California girl (Never say that to an Athena girl. It may be true but they'll strangle you). Even with her obvious annoyance, her looked absolutely beautiful. Her startling gray eyes bore into me, in silent analysis.
She glared at me, and started wiping off sips of Ambrosia off her t-shirt.
"Your awake," she muttered.
"Sorry about that," I replied soothing my forehead. I looked around the room taking in all the details. It might be useful later.
Annabeth stood off the ground, placing the feeding spoon and what was left of the ambrosia on the table besides the bed. She dusted off her jeans.
Then she asked the big question, "What will happen at the summer solstice?"
Well that didn't take long.
She looked like she wanted to ask me another million questions, but luckily she knew of my fragile state…
At least, my presumed fragile state…
I hesitated. I didn't know what was happening. One second I was about the propose to my girlfriend, now I was talking to the kid version of her.
This was all too weird.
Silently, I convinced myself to do what Annabeth would do. Don't mess anything up.
Seemed like a plan.
Just don't mess anything up.
Yeah.
"What?" I croaked.
She looked over her shoulder, as if afraid someone would overhear. "What's going on? What was stolen? We've only got weeks!"
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, trying my best confused expression. "I don't…"
Somebody knocked the door, and Annabeth put a finger over her mouth.
Not. A. Word. I inferred.
After a few seconds, Argus, the camp's chief of security barged in. His blue eyes, dozens of them took the entire room by storm. I could tell he quickly noticed that I was awake, and splattered bits of ambrosia on the rug.
He made an expression that ruggedly resembled suspicion, but then must've decided against it.
He shrugged, and stepped aside, out of the way for my best friend to come in.
Looks like I was going to have a party.
"Hey," Grover strolled up to the bedside. He wasn't holding the box with the minotaur horn this time.
That was different from the last time.
Didn't seem important, but you never know…
Annabeth looked back at me one more time, with a threatening glance.
If you say anything, I'll kill you! She communicated silently.
Argus raised a series of eyebrows.
She took her cue, and left. Argus gently closed the door behind them, as they seemed to think Grover and I should have some time by ourselves.
"Hey," I said, not knowing what to say.
Talk about awkward.
He handed me a tall glass. It looked like iced apple juice, with a green straw and a paper parasol stuck through a maraschino cherry.
My hand wrapped around it, and gingerly took huge gulps. It tasted like cookies. Not just any cookies, but my mom's homemade blue chocolate-chip cookie, buttery and hot, with the chips still melting.
Drinking it, my whole body felt warm and good, full of energy.
I've tasted in dreams, but never this real. Never this vivid.
"Careful!" Grover said, trying to not shout.
I raised an eyebrow, before I drained the rest of the drink of the gods.
"Was it good?" Grover asked.
I nodded.
"What did it taste like?" his voice sounded so wistful. I felt kind of sorry satyrs weren't able to experience the greatness, that was nectar.
"Chocolate cookies," I found myself saying. "My mom's. Homemade."
He sighed at my response, making me realized I had never let him try one of my mom's famous cookies.
Next time I see him I should invite him over.
At least, when I woke up.
The problem was I couldn't. I was awake. Well, I felt awake.
Maybe it was one of those things normal people had?
What were they called?
Lucid Dreams?
"And how do you feel?" Grover asked, jarring me from my thoughts.
"Like I could throw Nancy Bobofit a hundred yards."
"That's good," he said blandly. "That's good. I don't think you could risk drinking any more of that stuff."
"Why not?" I asked even though I already knew the response.
He took the empty glass from me gingerly, as if it were dynamite. Too be fair, the stuff was probably more dangerous than ten tons of dynamite if used right.
"Come on. Chiron and Mr. D are waiting for you."
"Great," I replied, taking off my covers. I slid off the bed, before almost falling down.
Grover tried to offer me some help, but I declined.
"I can do it, Grover. Just give me a minute."
I hauled myself up. My legs felt wobbly, trying to walk that far. We made it through the hallway, and past the front door, until we were on the back porch of the house.
I stared at the scene before me. Ahead of me in the distance, was the northern shore of Long Island. The landscape in between was dotted with buildings that were made of a mix-mash of Ancient Greek architecture and summer camp etiquette.
I looked around, spying the open-air pavilion, the arena, and the amphitheater.
Canoes glided across the small sparkling lake.
In a nearby sandpit, a dozen campers, and satyrs some of which I recognized, were in a midst of an intense volleyball match.
There were another million things going on, but my mind was going to explode. Everybody – Everything looked younger.
I faltered.
Down at the end of the porch, two men and Annabeth sat around a card table. A forth seat was sparse of another player.
The man facing me, I quickly recognized as Mr. D.
AKA Dionysus, the god that will be the pain in my hinder for the next five years.
He was small, but porky. He had a red nose, big watery eyes and curly hair so black it was almost purple. Mr. D looked like one of those baby angels – what do you call them? Cherubs? Yeah, I think that was right.
He looked like a cherub who'd turned middle-aged in a trailer park. He wore a tiger patterned Hawaiian shirt, and he would've fit right in at one of Gabe's poker parties. Only I knew this guy could probably out-gamble pretty much everybody.
"That's Mr. D," Grover murmured to me. "He's the camp director. Be polite. The girl, that's Annabeth Chase. She's just a camper, but she's been here longer than pretty much anybody. And you already know Chiron…"
He pointed at the guy whose back was towards me. I quickly recognized his tweed jacket, the thinning brown hair, and his magic wheelchair.
"Mr. Brunner," I feigned surprise.
The disguised centaur turned and smiled at me. His eyes had the mischievous glint they sometimes got when he pulled a pop quiz and made all the multiple choice answers, B.
"Ah, good Percy," he said. "Now we have four for pinochle." He offered me the seat to the right of Mr. D, who looked at me with bloodshot eyes and heaved a great sigh.
"Oh, I supposed I must say it. Welcome to Camp half-Blood. There. Now don't expect me to be glad to see you."
"Uh, thanks sir," I nodded trying to sound respectful. The safe route sounded like the best one.
"Annabeth?" Chiron looked towards Annabeth who sat across from me. She looked up from her hand. "This young lady nursed you back to health, Percy."
Annabeth looked at me with neutral intention.
I squirmed under her gaze. "Sorry about bumping into your jaw back there…"
I was expecting some acknowledgement of the apology, but instead, she answered back with: "You drool when you sleep."
"Uh, thanks." I replied. Seriously, Annabeth?
Mr. D took a sip from his coke.
"So," I said, anxious to change the subject. "You, eh, work here Mr. Brunner?"
"Not Mr. Brunner," Chiron corrected. "I'm afraid that was a pseudonym. You can call me Chiron."
"Okay…" I said, trying to look confused once more. I was probably going to be doing a lot of that. "And Mr. D… does that stand for something?"
Dionysus glanced up from his hand, looking at me like I had just belched loudly. "Young man, names are powerful things. You just don't go around and using them with no reason."
"Oh. Right. Sorry, sir."
Dionysus grunted.
"I must say, Percy," Chiron broke in. "I'm glad to see you alive and taking this all in so well. It's been a long time since I've made a house call to a potential camper. I'd hate to think I've wasted my time."
"House call?"
"My year at Yancy Academy to instruct you. We have satyrs at most schools, of course, keeping lookout. But Grover alerted me as soon as he met you. He sensed you were something special, so I decided to come upstate. I convinced the other Latin teacher to… ah, take a leave of absence.
"You came to Yancy just to teach me?" I asked, maybe a little too quickly.
Chiron nodded. "Honestly, I wasn't sure about you at first. We contacted your mother, let her know we were keeping an eye on you in case you were ready for Camp Half-Blood. But you still had so much to learn. Nevertheless, you made it here alive, and that's always the first test."
I nodded silently as Annabeth revealed the game winning hand. Dionysus sighed stubbornly.
"Which reminds me, Grover," Chiron said. "Why don't you go check on Percy's bunk? We'll be putting him in Cabin Eleven for now."
That's different. Annabeth's supposed to go. Grover's supposed to stay.
"Yessir," Grover said. He clumsily saluted before trotting off towards the cabins.
After a super deluxe shuffle, Mr. D began to deal the cards.
Then he paused at me.
"You do know how to play pinochle," Mr. D eyed me with suspicion.
"Umm, actually I do," I stated, surprising everyone.
Dionysus' frown curved up in admiration.
"Well, finally! A boy with understanding of the fine arts," Dionysus glanced with an approving nod. "It is, along with gladiator fighting and Pac-Man, one of the greatest games ever invented by humans. I would expect all civilized men to know the rules!"
He slapped me on the back with pride. It was almost fatherly.
This was getting too weird.
"So…" I murmured as I bid. "What is this place? What am I doing here? Mr. Brun – Chiron – why would you go to Yancy Academy just to teach me?"
Mr. D sighed. "I asked the same question."
Chiron smiled at me sympathetically.
"Percy," he said. "Did your mother tell you nothing?"
"She said…" I closed my eyes in thought. "She told me she was afraid to send me here, even though my father had wanted me to be here. She said that once I got here, I probably couldn't leave. She wanted to keep me close to her."
"Typical," Mr. D said whiling bidding. "That's how they're usually killed."
"I am afraid there's too much to tell," Chiron said. "The orientation would not be sufficient."
"Orientation Film?" I said curiously. I had never gotten to see it.
Chiron waved the idea away.
"No," Chiron decided. "Well, Percy. You know your friend Grover is a satyr. You know you defeated the minotaur. No small feat, either, lad. What you may not know is that great powers are at work in your life. Gods – the forces you call the Greek gods – are very much alive."
I blinked at the statement, waiting for something to happen. I formulate a comment to what Chiron had just said.
"Gre – Greek gods?" I stuttered out.
Annabeth's expectant glare bore into me. She had been quiet for the past for questions. I could tell she was trying to decide my parentage.
I looked to Chiron, looking him up and down.
"Chiron sounds familiar," I said.
"That is right. I am Chiron, the same one in the myths."
"You trained the original Perseus?" I asked.
He nodded. "Very good, Perseus Jackson. I remember that was one of the few on your test you had answered correctly. #42."
I turned to Mr. D.
"Are you a god?"
Everyone looked at him strange. Like he had just grown a second head.
Chiron murmured, "Where would you get that idea?"
Dionysus narrowed his eyes. "You make it sound like he's wrong."
The think stench of grapevines appeared.
"So," I said. "Umm, grapes. Card games. Mr.D. Dionysus?"
Dionysus turned to me.
"Young man," Dionysus said. "I would really be less casual about throwing those names around if I were you."
"But you are Dionysus, right?"
Dionysus nodded, appreciative of being recognized.
I turned to Chiron. "So all those lessons about Greek gods in Latin class were because you were trying to prepare me?"
Chiron almost looked embarrassed. "Yes. It seemed like the most appropriate option at the time. I admit, it was a stretch at first, but it looks like you have made quick use of the knowledge, Percy Jackson. I am impressed."
Annabeth interrupted, "So your mother is mortal?"
I nodded. "For sure. Why?"
"That would make your father the godly one."
Chiron glared at her, as if she wasn't supposed to have reveal that critical piece of information yet.
I looked at her blankly.
"What?"
Chiron sighed defeat. "Percy, in the Greek myths you studied, do you remember what the Greek gods often found themselves having?"
I stared at him.
"No." I said.
Chiron nodded slowly, Annabeth trying to make sense of every inch of my facial reaction.
"Wait….. no!" I feigned, trying to sound amazed by a new revelation. "You mean – I'm a demigod?"
Remember that plan to not change anything? Yeah, I had forgotten about that.
"Wait." I said, trying to look confused. Again.
"If their Greek gods, why are they in America?"
"Of course the gods would be in America. The gods move with the heart of the West."
"The what?"
"Come now, Perseus. What you call 'Western Civilization.' Do you think that is an abstract concept?"
I stared blankly.
Chiron sighed.
"No, it's a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years. The gods are a part of it. The fire started in Greece, but then as you well know, it has moved. To Rome, to Germany, France, Spain, England, and now America. Oh different names have been used over the centuries, Jupiter for Zeus, Venus for Aphrodite, and so on – but the same forces the same gods."
I nodded, not wanting another lecture. I had already heard all of this.
Chiron started to stand up. I stared as his horse form emerge from the magical wheelchair.
"What a relief," the centaur said. "I'd been cooped up in there for so long, my fetlocks had fallen asleep. Now come, Percy Jackson. Let's meet the other campers."
Another chapter done. Most of it was just a repeated telling from The Lightning Thief, but you may have noticed some differences… Anyone taking notes? On another note, has anyone seen my Oreos?
Best Wishes, from a Junior Scribe of Camp Half-Blood,
~VCRx
Note from the Beta:
Hi everyone! It's SoulHorse! Anyone miss me? No? Oh well, your loss. Hopefully the author missed me! :D (VCRx: Yes. Definitely. Maverick is complete s*** with grammar.)
So yeah, been busy with life and crap.Pressedfor time, if you wanna put it that way! XDDD
Now, IMMA BACK! And great chapter as always! Hm…wondering why some things are different. But I do know what's happening to Percy ;) Hopefully I got all the errors :)
So, don't forget to leave some reviews (I know my boss sure loves them ;) ) and favorites and follows and as always, please check out my many unfinished stories! *smiles broadly and spreads arms like an advertiser* Yeah…this is getting too weird…Until next time!
~ Yours in demigoddishness, SoulHorse
[Last Edited 4.18.2017]