In which the explanations begin, Chiron is done with this bullshit, we get some heartfelt reunions.
Replies:
Krypton Writes: I mean, it's not the worst I've ever written lol.
Undeath9087: Honestly there is certainly chaos in these reunions.
Ryan Fowler: It's a talent. I hope you enjoy.
Zephry0f8: Percy: It's cause I hosted Nepthys.
Chiron: That sounds wrong but it's been a long time and I'm not sure it's not because she hosted Nepthys. Surely things can't actually get that much crazier.
AsharaAyomide: See below lol.
Wisestriker: We get the Luke Annabeth reunion!
Guest: I mean, they're all there just like 'WTF?'
Percy was feeling fairly cheerful as she surfaced, gripping the edges of the dock and pulling herself up and onto it in a smooth motion as Bianca jumped back, a wide grin on her lips as she caught the shoe Percy tossed at her.
"You drop this?"
"Yeah." Bianca laughed. "Thanks for giving it back. Gods above Percy but it's good to see you."
"Good to see you too Bia." Percy's gaze shifted to the reason Bianca had signalled for them to surface- the group that was approaching the lake, led by Chiron, Luke and- Percy blinked. "Well that's weird. I thought she was a tree."
"Tell me about it." Annabeth huffed the words as she hauled herself onto the dock, Piper a moment behind her. "I spotted her earlier but I didn't have time to process."
"I guess the Golden Fleece was really good at it's job." Percy snickered as Annabeth shoved her shoulder.
"Shut up Seaweed brain."
"I love you too Wise Girl." Percy accepted Pipers hand, letting the other girl help her to her feet as Bianca helped Annabeth up. And it was a good thing someone was there to help because Percy did sway, grabbing at Piper's arm for balance.
"Woah." Piper grabbed her quickly, "Are you okay?"
"Still drained from fighting Atlas."
"Right. Of course.
"Are you up for this?" Annabeth asked softly, gripping her other arm carefully. "We can insist on doing it later if you're not-"
"What choice do we have? We can only delay for so long. Come on. Let's go say hello shall we." Percy hooked her arms through Annabeth and Pipers and the three girls turned to approach the crowd, meeting them halfway- and Percy saw the moment Luke's gaze focused on Annabeth, who was shooting him a withering glare as he swayed back in shock, his face draining of color.
"Annabeth-" Chiron's voice was stunned, "You-" his eyes widened in realisation. "The friends-"
"Wait Annabeth?" Thalia stepped forward, her eyes wide, "Annabeth? Oh my gods- you're so big now."
Annabeth stiffened, a hesitant look on her face and Percy gave a small smile, slipping her arm out from the crook of Annabeth's. "Go on Wise girl."
Annabeth faltered again for just a second before darting in and kissing Percy's cheek before taking off, rushing towards Thalia, who met her part way, the girls colliding in a tight hug. And Percy found herself noticing that Thalia, who must have once towered over Annabeth as her best protector was smaller- younger than the daughter of Athena now.
"Annabeth." Luke's voice was quiet, stunned, "You- you're- but-" his gaze swung to Percy "You-"
"I never actually outright said that she was-"
"But-"
"I was going to tell you-"
"... Fuck." Luke swallowed hard. "You saved her."
"Yes, she did." Annabeth was turning away from Thalia and whirling towards Luke, storming towards him. And he didn't even raise his hands to defend himself as her fist flew strong and true and smashed into his nose, sending him staggering backwards, blood instantly starting to drip down onto his tee. "You deserved that you son of a bitch."
"I did." Luke's voice was nasally and muffled. "I really did."
"The only reason I didn't non fatally stab you is the fact that you helped Percy." she shook her head before turning to Chiron. "Sorry about that. I needed to do it." because Chiron was looking very done with everything. Honestly Percy felt kind of sorry for the Centaur.
"I would like an explanation as to what exactly is going on Annabeth. Right now please."
"Well for that you'll mostly need Percy."
"That's me- but uh, first of all." Percy focused on Luke, "Where's Artemis?" that caused a stir amongst the onlookers and a girl stepped forward. She was pretty, tall with deeply tanned skin and long silky dark hair held in a braid, a silver circlet on her head.
"What do you know of our mistress."
"Ah! You must be one of Artemis' hunters. I'm a friend of hers. Kind of. I'd call us friends-can people stop looking at me like I'm crazy? I mean I am but I'm not actually being crazy right now." Percy could hear Bianca and Piper snickering and Annabeth was rolling her eyes fondly.
"Percy Greek gods don't usually act like friends to demigods-"
"Well they're stupid."
"She's probably still at the border." Luke spoke up. "We got the Gray sisters to bring us here. It was the fastest way and you were dying- which… I would like to know how you're not dying anymore but I guess that can wait. She told me to get up here as fast as I could, told me to get you in and to Chiron as fast as possible. She said she'd deal with paying them. It got a little crazy and right now she can't get in without an invite because of what Alina did. And she probably had to try and negotiate with the Gray sisters since I'm not sure we had enough for the trip."
"Fuck Alina." Percy scowled to herself at that, "Uh, hunter girl. Can you give Artemis permission to enter the camp. And Chiron. I'm guessing we need to talk." the girl was nodding and taking off quickly, clearly eager to fetch her mistress.
"Yes. I assume so also. Preferably in a more private area. Luke called you Percy Kane yes? And when Miss DiAngelo arrived she mentioned the Kane family-"
"Yes Chiron, I am in fact a Princess of the Per Ankh. My older brother is the Pharaoh, my uncle is the Chief Lector."
Chiron looked a little pale at all that, staring at her for a long moment, clearly weighing up his options before he gave a low bow which made Percy blush.
"Welcome to Camp Half-Blood Princess. Can I ask how you've healed so well? When you arrived here you were on the brink of death."
"I am a water Elementalist. And I was the Eye of Nephthys for a time. Certain gifts can be expected if the goddess favors you." Well, not any specifically to do with water but, well it was close enough right? Percy saw Piper, Annabeth and Bianca clearly trying not to laugh at the half truth.
"I see." Chiron didn't exactly look convinced, but he clearly decided now wasn't the time to press the issue. "We should gather in the Big House where we can talk properly your highness-" his eyes flicked to Luke, "But the traitor-"
"The traitor is with me." Percy spoke the words firmly, ignoring the ripple of whispers and the annoyed look that flashed across Chiron's face. "Sorry but he's under the protection of the House of Life now. As the second in line for the throne I'm allowed to make a decision like that. I am aware of his crimes but I have information that you don't have yet. Besides, I still need him for the prophecy. So you can't lock him up."
"Prophecy?" Chiron blinked, "What prophecy what are you talking about?"
"The Big House then?"
"Right. Of course. Follow me."
And soon enough they were gathered in the Big House-in a large room with some comfortable looking chairs dotted around the room, which centred around a large ping pong table.
Percy insisted on waiting until Artemis had been led inside.
And once everyone was gathered Percy looked around the gathered people. Herself, Piper, Annabeth, Bianca, Luke, Artemis, Chiron, the hunter girl, and Thalia.
"Well. " Chiron broke the silence, "I think now is the time for explanations." his gaze focused on Annabeth. "I assume that the reason you refused to tell me anything about where you were is because you were in fact with the Egyptians?" Annabeth nodded. "And I would also like to know what happened to Lady Artemis."
"I was on a hunt with Apollo. We were attacked by a powerful magician." Artemis spoke up. "She captured us and drained me of my godhood."
"That- I was unaware that there were spells that could do that. Spells to capture and seal a god yes but to drain them-"
"Apparently there are." Percy spoke up. "Though not many would dare to use them. Before we discuss anything else I want to assure you that the Magician who captured Artemis and Apollo is not working with the Per Ankh. And the Magicians who attacked your camp were undoubtedly sent by her."
"I will need to know more if you want me to trust your word for that your highness, I mean no offence but-"
"I understand." Percy took a deep breath. "Why don't you start with your questions."
"How exactly did an Egyptian Magician come to be involved with Greek demigods."
"I met Piper at an audition." Percy stated smoothly. "She was there with her dad and I was there auditioning. We became friends pretty quickly. I was the one who figured out Piper was a demigod. I've been aware of the existence of the Greek pantheon since I was a little girl. Most Magicians... it's not really a secret as such but we keep to ourselves. We have our own problems to deal with. We don't want to get too involved with your issues generally."
"I see." Chiron was watching her carefully.
"Percy told me I was a demigod after I used my Charmspeak." Piper spoke up. "I'm fairly certain that my mother is Lady Aphrodite."
Chiron nodded. "It makes a certain level of sense. Though I must ask how have you avoided detection-"
"My dad is too busy for me half the time anyway so I live in Brooklyn House- the 21st Nome with Percy and her family. I probably stink of Egyptian to most Greek Monsters-"
"Hey! I resent the implication that we Egyptians are smelly-"
"You are-"
"Annabeth Chase I will strangle you-"
"No you won't." Annabeth gave a smug smirk, "You love me too much for that-"
"I- oh that is low."
"Oh that is gonna be fun." Piper grinned slightly.
"Excuse me." Chirons voice was sharp. "What about Annabeth?" his eyes focused on Annabeth, who shifted awkwardly.
"I met them after I followed Luke out of camp."
"There was a prophetic dream." Percy spoke up. "Piper and I went off following the orders of the dream and we caught Luke after he stole the Bolt and the Helm-" she saw Artemis twitching and Luke shrunk in on himself, an embarrassed look on his face.
"You-" Chiron blinked, "You had the Bolt and Helm? By the gods that alone could have caused an inter-pantheon war."
"Oh I know." Percy snorted. "I actually forgot I had them under my bed-"
"You always have something if mythological significance under your bed Percy." Piper huffed the words, "I swear it's a bad habit-"
"Rude. I do plan on returning those home it just- was complicated. Anyway. When we realised what we had we dealt with it. We took the stuff to Lord Hades who thanked us and agreed to return Zeus' bolt to him-"
"You-" Chiron blinked, "You- Hades?"
"Yep." Percy nodded, "He seemed likely to be the most reasonable." that made Thalia scowl, though Bianca was beaming. "And- my father, Julius Kane is the eye of Osiris. I am a lot more comfortable with Underworld deities than I am with air related deities if I'm honest."
"I see." Chiron took a deep breath, "So you prevented Mr Castellan from giving the weapons to Kronos." I suppose we owe you thanks for that. Though it doesn't explain how you came to know Annabeth."
"Luke was looking for us. Or for Percy. She kind of sticks out."
"It's my glorious hair." Percy grinned, flipping the damp hair over her shoulder, "It stands out. I am stunning."
"You're annoying." Luke grumbled.
"He spotted us." Piper snorted, "After we returned the stuff. He chased us, we hid and Annabeth.." Piper's gaze focused on Annabeth, who took a deep breath of her own.
"I tried to find out what Luke was doing. It didn't go well, I figured it out and Luke..."
"Annabeth-" Luke's voice was barely a whisper, "Annabeth I know I can't ever apologise enough."
"No. No you really can't." Annabeth rubbed at her hand absent-mindedly. She had her bracelet on. Percy wondered how long she'd been wearing it. She'd need to keep an eye and make sure her friend didn't hurt herself by keeping it on for too long. "If Percy hadn't been so quick as she was I would be dead-"
"What?" Thalia took a small step forward, "What- Luke what did you do?"
"I-" Luke swallowed hard, and Percy saw him take a small step back. "I thought Annabeth would listen I didn't- it was supposed to be an empty threat-"
"What. Did. You. Do?" Thalia snarled the words, "Tell me right now Luke-"
"I summoned a pit scorpion."
And Percy was impressed, the battle cry Thalia let out was truly chilling, especially when she practically flew across the room, launching herself at Luke, fingers attempting to claw at his face while Annabeth lunged and grabbed her, dragging her backwards.
"Thalia stop!"
"You son of a bitch you swore! You swore to protect her! You swore you bastard Annabeth was our little sister you swore! I'll kill you I'll kill you!"
"I like her." Percy stage whispered the words to Piper, who giggled as Annabeth shot them a disapproving look.
"Thalia. Stop it right now!"
"No, no I deserve it-"
"Luke maybe you do deserve it." Annabeth snapped the words, "I sure as Hades haven't forgiven you yet but right now is not the time for personal arguments. Now is the time to deal with our current problems. Besides you're under the protection of Percy. Thalia attacking you could be seen as-"
"Oh come on." Percy waved a hand, "It's not that bad. And it was entertaining. She didn't even touch him."
"You are such an idiot."
"And yet you love me."
"Hmmm, Piper do I love her-"
"Yes. You have done since the first day-"
"Okay good point but I challenge any child of Athena in my situation not to fall in love. And you've loved her since day one too. She's very lovable." and Percy was blushing and grinning as Bianca snickered under her breath.
"Well, moving on from how lovable I am." Percy rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "We saw what happened. And I managed to use my magic to stop the venom from spreading through Annabeth's system."
"You saved her life." Chiron said the words slowly, his eyes flicking to Annabeth's hand, to the bracelet, "I think I see. But we need to know more."