Alaster POV

So Tyson was discovered to be a child of Poseidon. So naturally he was put into Percy's cabin.

I'm glad that he doesn't have to share a cabin with me. I feel bad for Percy. Sharing a cabin with a monster.

The next few days I was training, breaking in my new weapons. I'm going to miss my old spear and dagger but my new spear and my new bow made things so much better.

Only yesterday I discovered the name of my bow. It's name is Lightning Caster. That was probably guessable.

My new spear though, I discovered that it's WAY more durable than my old spear was. It was also much sharper, it can cut through almost anything with no problem, but it can still clash with other weapons.

Anyway, I had been forced into participating in the chariot race. This would be the first time the Zeus Cabin would enter a chariot race in decades.

Unlike everyone else who had their cabins helping them and Percy and Annabeth who were going to be helping each other, I would be completely alone in this. Not to mention I'm not that good at designing things, so you can imagine how long it took me to finally get the idea to try and ask my dad for a chariot.

I sat down on the ground and crossed my legs. I pressed my hands together and closed my eyes shut.

"Oh, great Zeus. I need your help to grant me a chariot to enter in my camp's chariot races. I know that you're busy as always, being a god and all. But I'd appreciate it if you lended me this gift in order to bring honor to my cabin and yourself and let Zeus cabin takes its rightful place at the top."

I know I sound a little weird, but my Dad has a big head, all I had to do was inflate it some more so that I can actually get the chariot.

I waited..

One second, two seconds, three seconds, four seconds...

I rolled my eyes. "Father of the year."

But only a couple seconds later, lightning rained down in front of me. I jumped up at this sudden act.

Once the smoke cleared I saw it...this would be my chariot.

The chariot was amazing to say the least. It looked as though it was made by nothing but the purest of golds and was adorned with tiny little faces of my father that sparkled.

What was I expecting considering this is a chariot he gave me?

On the back of the chariot were two large golden lightning bolts. Pulling the chariot were two Pegasus.

The manes of the two Pegasus crackled like it was made of lightning, their hooves that they ran across the ground looked to be made of gold also, and their metallic wings looked as though they were made of gold as well.

An all gold chariot with golden Pegasus...seems appropriate for something Zeus has.

I grew a smirk on my face. "Man, the other cabins won't know what hit them."

For the most part, I've been working out in the arena against some of the Athena and Ares kids. Let's just say that I might've left them with some injuries that just might leave them out as possibilities for the chariot races.

I tried to go up against Annabeth in a spar but...that didn't go so well. At least it didn't go the way I wanted to.

Annabeth and I clashed weapons. I slashed my spear at her, but she ducked and kicked me in the chest. I stumbled back and blocked her knife with Aegis just in time.

I maneuvered myself and before I knew it, the tip of my spear was at Annabeth's neck. I grabbed Annabeth by the arm and flipped her onto the ground, my spear still at her neck.

"You yield?" I said

Annabeth wrapped her legs around my neck before flipping me onto the ground as well.

We both got back up quickly. We circled one another before I started running at her. As I got closer I started slashing my spear at her. While I slashed at her I spun spear around, looking to confuse her a bit.

I swung my spear at her head, she ducked beneath it. I thrusted my spear at Annabeth who would continue to block with the blade of her knife.

I continued slashing and thrusting but Annabeth would eventually get in close. She hit me hard in the stomach with the butt of her knife. She would then wrap her arm around my head and flip me over her shoulder.

I landed on the ground, but I wasn't down yet. I launched my leg up and kicked her in the face before spinning around and kicking her in the stomach.

I pushed myself back up as Annabeth stumbled back. I ran at Annabeth and spun my spear around again, this time going for her legs. Annabeth dodged my spear but I eventually slashed her shin and swept her leg.

Annabeth fell on the ground. I placed my spear tip under her chin and placed my knee on her stomach.

"Do you yield?" I asked

Annabeth growled lowly. "Fine."

I helped her up and crossed my arms across my chest. "You weren't doing your best. You know I'd actually enjoy it if I beat you while you're giving it your all."

"Sorry," Annabeth said, "it's just..."

"It's about Tyson, isn't it?" I asked, she nodded. "I've been thinking about it too. I don't trust him."

"Percy does," she replied.

"Look, I don't trust monsters as far as I can throw them. I don't trust that cyclops. For all we know he could be planning on attacking the camp or whatever. I know he seems harmless but you and I know from experience that no one is truly harmless, that includes monsters like him,"

Aside from training, I also participated in border patrol. Although Tantalus had said that it wasn't necessary, some of the campers including Percy and I, were quietly keeping it up.

On the day of the chariot races, I flew in on my chariot, compared to the other teams who had entered the track as though they were driving some sort of car.

I saw some of the campers staring at my chariot in awe, and I'm not going to lie...I enjoyed this moment of glory.

I hopped off my chariot. I went to Annabeth to ask her what she thinks of my chariot but Percy came up to us at the same time.

He started talking to us about how he had a dream with Grover in it...and that he was wearing a dress. He told us about how Grover was in trouble and it involved a cyclops named Polyphemus. He also told us about how he was a shepherd...that would probably mean he had the Golden Fleece, which could help us save Thaila's tree.

My mind got stuck. Like the moment he said that my mind was on repeat until Annabeth finally spoke.

"You're trying to distract me," she said

"What? No I'm not!" Percy said

"Oh, right! Like Grover would just happen to stumble across the one thing that could save the camp." Annabeth sais

"What do you mean?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Go back to your chariot, Percy."

"I'm not making this up. He's in trouble. Alaster, tell me you believe me."

"I...I don't know. Listen, this is a big thing you're bringing up. This is very serious. I don't think we should talk about it now, especially with...specific beings here. We can talk about it later,"

I walked back and boarded my chariot, ready for the race to begin.

"Charioteers!" Tantalus called. "To your mark!"

The Chariot was not comfortable. Sitting on solid gold isn't as good as it sounds. It doesn't really make your feel important, just uncomfortable. I guess that's why kings and queens have cushions on their thrones.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw loads of shiny-eyed pistons that were screeching very loudly.

"Charioteers!" Tantalus shouted, not paying any attention to the birds. "Attend your mark!"

He waved his hand and the staring signal dropped. The chariots roared and hooves thundered against the dirt as the crowd cheered.

Crack!

The Apollo chariot flipped over. The Hermes chariot had rammed into it—most likely on purpose if I do say so myself.

But I wasn't too focused on what was going on with everyone else, I was more focused on what I was doing. The Aphrodite chariot rode up next to me and slammed into my chariot.

My chariot was almost lifted off the ground but I wasn't about to go down so easily. I slammed by chariot into the Aphrodite chariot before blowing a powerful blast of wind out of my mouth, knocking the chariot over.

I brought out Lightning Caster to shoot a lightning bolt at the Demeter Chariot when I was interrupted by screaming.

There were pigeon like creatures—there were thousands of them attacking the spectators that were in the stands. The Hephaestus chariot was mobbed and eventually veered off course and plowed through the strawberry fields.

The next thing I knew these creatures were attacking me. But as I got a better look at them I realized what they were. Their eyes were beady, beaks made of bronze and razor sharp.

"Stymphalian birds!" I yelled. I put away Lightning Caster and brought out my spear and began slashing at the Stymphalian birds while at the same time trying my best to keep my chariot steady.

I was able to slice some of them into dust and feathers, but I was still having some trouble steering.

I was so focused on the Stymphalian birds that I didn't notice that I was right next to the Ares chariot. I slashed at the birds. The Ares chariot had the net over as the Stymphalian birds pecked hopelessly at the empty eye sockets of the skeleton horse.

I was beginning to get worn down a bit. But then I heard something...was that the All-Time Greatest Hits of Dean Martin?

The air filled with violins and a bunch of people moaning in Italian. The Stymphalian birds began to go crazy. They ran into each other, looking like they wanted to commit suicide. They left the track and flew to the sky.

"Now!" Annabeth shouted. "Archers!"

The Apollo archers shot a plethora of arrows, nailing down almost all of them with no problem. The rest flew away in what looked like a trail of smoke.

After the relief washed over me I noticed that the wreckage was pretty severe. Almost all of the chariots were completely destroyed, almost everyone was bleeding from the attack. Some of the kids from Aphrodite were screaming their heads off because their hairdos were ruined.

"Bravo!" Tantalus said, but he wasn't congratulating anyone who helped fight off the birds. "We have our first winner!" He walked to the finish line and awarded the golden laurels for the race to Clarisse, who looked paralyzed in surprise.

He then turned to Percy. "And now to punish the troublemakers who disrupted this race."

As punishment Tantalus gave Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson kitchen patrol. I know it's a little unfair but that gave me the perfect opportunity to tease them for it. Now they know how it feels to try your best not to burned alive while washing dishes.

Tantalus had ordered a special luncheon banquet in honor of Clarisse's chariot victory. A meal that consisted of fried Stymphalian birds.

As time went on I would get the chance to talk to Percy about his dream with Grover. If Grover found the Golden Fleece then we can save Thalia's tree. I could tell Tantalus about this, but he'd care even less than Mr. D does about this place.

That night at the campfire the Apollo cabin led the sing-along. They were trying to get everyone's spirits up, but after the attack of the Stymphalian birds no one was in that much of a mood. But eventually everyone's moods would raise.

Once the last song was over, Tantalus said. "Well, that was lovely!"

He came forward with a toasted marshmallow on a stick, which he tried to pluck off. Before he could do it, the marshmallow flew off the stick. He made a grab for it but the marshmallow dove into the flames.

He turned back to us with a cold smile. "Now then! Some announcements about tomorrow's schedule."

"Sir," Percy said

Tantalus' eye twitched. "Our kitchen boy has something to say?"

Some of the Ares campers snickered, but that didn't stop Percy. "We have an idea to save the camp."

There was a dead silence, like this place all of a sudden became a graveyard…wrong choice of words but accurate.

The campfire turned bright yellow.

"Indeed," Tantalus said blandly. "Well, if it has anything to do with chariots—"

"The Golden Fleece," Percy said. "We know where it is."

The flames burned orange. Percy blurted out his dream about Grover and Polyphemus' island. Annabeth reminded everyone of what the Fleece could do.

"The Fleece can save the camp," she concluded. "I'm certain of it."

"Nonsense," Tantalus said. "We don't need saving."

Everybody stared at him until he began looking uncomfortable. "Besides, the Sea of Monsters? That's hardly an exact location. You wouldn't even know where to look."

"Yes, I would," Percy said

Annabeth leaned over to him and whispered. Percy nodded. "30, 31, 75, 12."

"Ooo-kay," Tantalus said. "Thank you for sharing those meaningless numbers."

"They're sailing coordinates," Percy said. "Latitude and longitude. I, uh, learned about it in social studies."

Annabeth looked impressed, which was definitely something. You don't see that often I'll tell you that. "30 degrees, 31 minutes north, 75 degrees, 12 minutes west. He's right! The Gray Sisters gave us those coordinates. That'd be somewhere in the Atlantic, off the coast of Florida. The Sea of Monsters. We need a quest!"

"Wait just a minute," Tantalus said

It was too late though. The campers began chanting. "We need a quest! We need a quest!"

The flames began to rise higher.

"It isn't necessary!"

"WE NEED A QUEST! WE NEED A QUEST!"

"Fine!" Tantalus' eyes burned with anger. "You brats want me to assign a quest?"

"YES!"

"Very well," he agreed. "I shall authorize a champion to undertake this perilous journey, to retrieve the Golden Fleece and bring it back to camp. Or die trying."

I smirked. Tantalus didn't scare me one bit, he's just a mortal. Not that I have anything against mortals, only mortals who are jerks. But I was excited that I'd get to go back out there and help Thalia's tree…and maybe on the way get to see Luke…and end him.

"I will allow our Champion to consult the Oracle! And choose two companions for the journey! I think the choice of champion is obvious. The champion should be one who has earned the camp's respect, who has proven resourceful in the chariot races and courageous in the defense of the camp. You shall lead this quest…Clarisse!"