Ch5
Chrysaor sat in the Big House, he had remained silent as Chiron explained to Percy about his upcoming quest. His brother was surprised that he wasn't too surprised getting a quest but accepted the offer to visit the oracle. Meanwhile, Dionysus for the short time he was there glared at him a few times before leaving probably because of the few times he raided his wine cellars in Italy and France.
"So why did you call me here?" He asked as soon as Percy left to see the oracle.
"You're his sibling I figure you could give him advice or council," Chiron said as Grover sat down nervously not saying a word
"Sibling I only had one growing up," he said sipping his hot coco. "We aren't on speaking terms now."
"So I hear," Chiron sighed. "How do you like having another sibling?"
"I'm neutral to it," he said shrugging his shoulders. "Growing up I was always in my brother's shadow, it's weird being the more experienced one."
Most of Poseidon's kids became famous but now it's my chance to get famous if I play my cards right. He sipped his coco, being a mentor figure was still a noble role and Percy seemed alright not arrogant like some of his other siblings. "Honestly though between that thunderbolt being stolen and my issue with Zeus I imagine the lord of the skies isn't in a good mood with our father." His ears picked up the sound of feet shuffling around, someone was being an eavesdropper and he had an idea of who it might be.
"If what Dionysus said had any truth to it he wasn't happy at all," Chiron sighed as Percy came running back into the room.
"I'm back," Percy said his body shaking as he told the prophecy.
Chiron nodded, "Well according to the ancient laws you can choose two companions. I already assigned Grover and you have one of two choices for the other one. I figure Chris here could be good since he is your brother and as for the other."
The centaur pointed to his side and Annabeth Chase appeared beside him taking off her cap, "Chiron I should go on this quest," She said with a frown. "I've trained for this my entire life and can keep Seaweedbrain here safe." She said it so quickly he had to pay attention to her words, he could see the desperation in her eyes, she really wanted to leave camp and she wanted to use Percy as her ticket out.
Chiron sighed, "Annabeth Percy has a right to choose. Both you and Chris would make great teammates."
Annabeth rolled her eyes, "Chris is a good fighter but I have more experience. I've been here longer and am ready for this. Percy you need my wisdom." He detected frustration in her voice as if she already had this argument before.
His heart pounded in his chest as he resisted the urge to laugh. A quest like this was something I dreamed of since I was young. He looked at Percy who appeared conflicted. Come on brother give me the chance I need, I swear I'll bring your mother back if you do.
Percy looked at both of them, "I think Chris would be better. He is a great fighter and with two sons of Poseidon doing it maybe Zeus will see the sincerity in it?" He could tell his brother was trying to form a logical answer as the blonde girl stared at his brother in a mixture of disbelief and anger.
"I'll accept," he said quickly doing his best to hide his enthusiasm.
"Great glad to have you," Percy said with a smile.
"Then it's settled Percy you, Chris, and Grover shall leave tomorrow," Chiron said folding his arms.
"No!" Annabeth protested. "Chiron I need to go on this quest, I know I need to. I've waited my whole life for a quest this big. I've been here for so long, this is my ticket out."
Percy avoided her gaze as Chiron sighed, "Annabeth dear Percy has a right to choose his companions and he chose Chris, don't worry there will be another chance in the future."
"Chiron I've worked years to get my own quest I need to go," Annabeth said before turning to Percy. "Chris maybe your brother I know more about Greek mythology and can fight too. You need me, you need Athena's wisdom."
He resisted the urge to laugh, good thing he wore a face mask. Girl I grew up in Greek Mythology. Do Athena's kids always have egos this big? Sadly he knew the answer.
"Um yeah but he did take down all those guys from the Ares cabin," Percy said shifting uncomfortably. "We worked ok together and I think it would be good for all of us if two sons of Poseidon returned the master bolt. Zeus would probably see more sincerity in it." The daughter of Athena stared at Percy in shock and frustration her body shaking as she glared at Percy.
"You are supposed to be my way out," Annabeth said her body rigid as she stared his brother down. "Why don't you choose me?"
"Annabeth dear lets talk about this later," Chiron said as he touched her shoulder.
"You'd be a fool to not accept me," she said glaring at her brother. "This quest needs me I know it." She then turned to him with a cold gaze, "Lets see who is the better fighter outside right now."
He raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure you want that? Didn't you see what I did to those Ares kids? Why not just accept that Percy chose me and go back to your books." To be honest he didn't have a high opinion of Athena's children but he still would give this girl a way out.
"Yes lets just all calm down," Chiron said stepping in between both of them. "There is no need to fight."
"Pankration outside first to concede loses," Annabeth said. "I'm also strong. I've trained my entire life for this quest and I'll prove how capable I am."
Oh foolish girl I've done Pankration since before you were born. Pankration was basically Ancient Greek free style fighting and wrestling. Like hell I would give this opportunity up.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Percy said carefully.
"Yes I agree with Percy. Annabeth you can always go on another quest," Chiron pleaded. "Please dear don't do this."
The daughter of Athena locked eyes with him and shook her head, "No I want to prove here and now that I am worthy of this quest. I'll show you what a child of Athena can do."
"Fine lets go," he said standing up. "Don't say I didn't warn you though." He didn't really like the children of Athena for various reasons but this girl was really starting to piss him off
"Oh gods," Chiron sighed as Annabeth stormed outside.
"Don't worry I'll go easy on her," he said as they walked outside. "I'll allow you to call the points."
"Fine please be gentle," Chiron begged. "Her temper gets the best of her at times."
"Yeah I can see that," Percy muttered. "She is going to get destroyed."
He went to the grass where Annabeth had assumed a fighting stance, "This is your last chance to give up," he warned as he got into a fighting stance. I've done this with more people than you can imagine.
Annabeth shook her head, "I won't back down. I'll show you how qualified I am for this quest." A small crowd had formed around them waiting to see whatever action would be happening.
He sighed. "Fine don't say I didn't warn you."
Annabeth charged at him, she was quick but he fought faster people in his life. He quickly grabbed her arm and flipped her to the ground and put her in a chokehold. The daughter of Athena tried to struggle but he held her tightly on the ground in a grip around her neck. She tried to break free but he prevented her at every opportunity.
"Do you yield?" He asked as her face turned red with anger as she tried to break free from his grip. A group of campers came and watched in curiosity as he held her down.
After about a minute Chiron stepped forward, "Alright Annabeth I'm giving this point to Chris you can't break and him holding you in that lock any longer would cause you to pass out."
He released her grip and the daughter of Athena glared at him as she caught her breath, "I warned you," he said as she got back up and the second round began.
This time Annabeth was more cautious, she threw a few punches which he easily blocked but kept her distance. Alright you want to do it this way fine. He jabbed with his right hand, she managed to block it but his left hand came quickly and hit her square in the jaw throwing her off balance. I won't be giving up this opportunity that quickly. Besides I should look after my brother not the daughter of our father's rival. He didn't even want to think what Triton or his father would think if he lost to a child of Athena.
He quickly closed the space between them, hit her a few times in the face, and threw her to the ground putting her in another lock. Annabeth tried to break free but he punched her in the face and held the position firmly. I may be weaker but I still have my knowledge and fighting prowess, sorry daughter of Athena but I won't go down that easily.
"Do you yield?" He asked as Annabeth tried to break free.
The crowd around them whispered in surprise as Chiron stepped forward, "Alright Annabeth I'll give this point to Chris you can't break free."
"She lost two times," A few campers muttered. "First Luke, then Clarisse, now Annabeth? This must be the strength of a child of the Big Three."
He and Annabeth both got up, "I won't give up," she muttered her eye was bleeding from where he hit her. "I need this quest more than you do. This quest needs the wisdom of Athena more than anything." She spat out some blood and stared at him defiantly, "This is my ticket out of here, I've waited for this opportunity for a long time, I won't give it up now, I could do this all day."
"Don't we all," he said with a small laugh. I need it more than you'll ever know. I'll end this here daughter of Athena.
This time he went on the offensive, he quickly covered the distance between them and punched Annabeth in the gut causing her to recoil. She tried to lunge at his stomach but he delivered another punch to her other eye and lunged at her. In one move he picked her up and threw her to the ground knocking the wind out of her.
Annabeth looked like she was trying to stay conscious, "Stubborn girl yield already," he said as he held her arm to prevent her from moving.
"I won't give up," she murmured as he pulled her arm to make her yield. "I've waited for this moment my entire life."
"He has a right to choose his companions not to be pressured into taking them," he retorted. "Why don't you just accept it and move on already?"
"Alright this is enough Chris you won this match," Chiron said.
He nodded and released the daughter of Athena. "Next time yield," he said as Annabeth glared at him while Luke came and helped her up and take her away.
I won't blow this chance and like hell would I give it to a daughter of Athena. Percy and him were brothers, it was natural he look after him, especially from those that wanted to take advantage of him. He walked up to Percy who was stunned by the fight, "Don't worry I swear we'll get your mother back if it's the last thing I do."
Percy looked at him and smiled, "Looking forward to working with you."
He smiled at his brother as Chiron approached them, "Well thank you for holding your punches but now I suggest you both get ready for bed. Chris may I speak with you in private?"
"See you later," he told Percy as he followed Chiron into his office. "So let me guess you wanted her to go?"
"Sort of but you going helps more," Chiron said as he sat across from him. "Two of Poseidon's sons bringing back his bolt a fitting offer after what you did to his sacred places."
"True a win for everybody," he said shrugging his shoulders. "Don't worry I swore to my father on the Styx to keep Percy alive, I'll do all in my power to see victory."
"I was told of your circumstances by your older brother," Chiron said folding his arms. "A lot of people have no reason to trust you."
"I know of numerous bounties on my head but don't worry I always wanted my own glory and this is my chance to get it," he said smiling beneath his mask. "Like I said everyone wins. If all goes well we get the lightning bolt and the world doesn't end, Percy gets his mom and I get the glory I always wanted."
"Is glory all you care about?" Chiron asked with a frown. "There is more to a hero than just getting the glory."
His eyes narrowed beneath his glasses, "I never got to a chance at glory back in Greece. No stories were made about me, I won't give this chance up for anything." He leaned over to look the centaur in the eyes, "Don't worry we will succeed at all costs. I won't betray Percy, if I did my father would do unspeakable things to me before sending me to Zeus. I'll help him and we'll get the bolt back mark my words."
"Just be careful you aren't immortal anymore," Chiron said resting in his chair. "I figure your battle prowess and knowledge of travel will be of great use, you've sailed your entire life and lived through many things. Your experience will be most helpful."
He took out his gold pen and played with it in his hand, "Don't worry I'm prepared for anything. I'll do my best to try and teach Percy when I can."
The centaur sighed and rested in his chair, "Fine but remember you are mortal now and with mortality comes things like emotions you wouldn't normally face."
"I'll do my best," he said frowning beneath his mask. It was true that since he became mortal time felt slower and he felt less blood thirsty than usual.
"Well get some rest you'll need it. You'll have your own trials during this quest," Chiron said. "I'll give you both backpacks and supplies tomorrow."
He nodded and got up, "When I'm gone send some sugar cubes to my nieces and nephews in the stables for me. I've been meaning to visit them."
"I thought you didn't like your sibling or his children?" Chiron asked curiously.
He smiled at the centaur from beneath his mask, "It may be the effects of being mortal but I don't mind sending some love to my extended family."
Chiron shrugged, "Fine will do. Will you tell Percy about your identity?"
"Maybe," he said with a shrug. "I haven't put much thought into it to be honest."
"Well it's your secret do as you please," Chiron said. "Just make sure you bring Percy and Grover back in one piece."
"There there it's alright," Luke said softly as he wrapped an arm around Annabeth's shoulders. They were in a secluded spot of camp, he brought along a few medical supplies and some sodas to cheer her up.
Annabeth sobbed as she pressed an icepack against her swollen eye, "This was supposed to be my chance. How could I not go? On top of that, I was humiliated in front of everyone like that."
He could hear the resentment fall off of her tongue like venom, "Don't worry there will be other quests. You would make a great member of any trio." He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her, "We both have each other don't forget that we are a family."
Annabeth looked down her body shaking as tears fell from her face, "Why Luke? Why wasn't I good enough to go? I trained my whole life only for it to be taken from me."
"What can I say sometimes the gods don't care about our feelings," he said carefully. "The gods pass over many good people like you. You should've had a quest by now, I know you would've done very well on it."
She looked up at him, her face red with tears, "Thank you Luke that means a lot."
"I'm always here for you don't forget it," he said as he hugged her. "We are a family don't forget that. I'll protect and look after you don't worry."
He heard a small sob from her as she hugged him back. Looking down next to her he saw her baseball cap and a smile spread across his face. Annabeth I'm sure you'll see the truth of how this world works
AN: Reminder that this isn't a bashing fic. While writing this chapter I reread parts of the Lightening Thief and Annabeth really wanted to go on this quest. So in a way I could see her reacting negatively to not getting chosen to go. So if it came off as me bashing her now it wasn't intended. Basically her pride got in the way here.
Also remember that Chrysaor still has his skills and abilities from when he was immortal and Percy is still just a brand new demigod. Don't worry Percy won't be too overshadowed in this story.
