We have made several big changes to this story. If you know, you know. If you don't, you're gonna find out. ;)


Theseus stood outside the camp's defenses, a backpack slung over his shoulder. His face held an expressionless look as he peered over the hill and down at the puny camp. "Tsk," his lip twitched, "This is where he stays for months?" he muttered, unable to comprehend why someone would willingly stay at a camp for the summer. He fixed his backpack and continued his journey down the hill until he came across the camp entrance. It was a large archway with the words' Camp Half-Blood' carved into a wooden piece at the top. He grit his teeth as his eyes glance over the name several more times.

Theseus strode into the camp. He noticed there weren't many campers around until he looked at the time and realized they would probably be eating lunch right about now. He sighed and put on a smile that looked a bit too friendly. He then made his way around the camp and found the dining pavilion. He marched up the steps to find every camper stop their conversations, turn their heads, and stare at him. Theseus brought up his left hand and gave a small wave, "Uh, hey," he started, the silence making him uncomfortable. He looked through the crowd of kids until his gaze made contact with Percy's sea-green eyes. He smirked, "My name is Theseus."

Annabeth's keen eyes narrowed as she observed the newcomer. Her gaze flickered between Percy and the stranger who called himself Theseus. It was uncanny how similar they looked, almost like mirror images. The same unruly dark hair, the same sharp jawline, but there was a subtle yet crucial difference - Theseus had eyes that were a shade deeper, a rich emerald green that seemed to hold secrets of its own.

This distinction did little to ease Annabeth's unease. It was as if fate was playing a trick on them, presenting a doppelgänger in their midst. Her mind raced, analyzing every detail, searching for any sign of deception. This wasn't a mere coincidence; it couldn't be.

As Theseus introduced himself, Annabeth's grip on her plate tightened. Her voice, calm but tinged with suspicion, cut through the tension. "Percy?" Her eyes never left the two figures before her, her mind racing to unravel the enigma that stood at the heart of this unsettling encounter.

The sight of Theseus, his resemblance to Percy uncanny yet somehow different, sent ripples of disbelief through the camp. Hushed whispers broke out among the other campers, like leaves rustling in a sudden gust of wind. These were the same friends who had stood side by side with Percy in countless battles and who had looked up to him as their hero. Now, confronted with this stranger who bore the face of their savior, they were hesitant to trust their eyes. It took them a moment, a beat of collective astonishment, to shake off the surprise and acknowledge Theseus' presence. The atmosphere crackled with uncertainty, the air thick with unspoken questions.

Annabeth left her plate of food behind and made her way through the still-murmuring crowd to Percy's side at the Poseidon table. She leaned in closer to Percy and, her voice low and measured, asked, "Percy, do you have any idea who he is?" Her eyes flickered briefly toward Theseus, who was observing the scene around him.

Percy had stopped eating as soon as the stranger entered the pavilion; PB&J raised half to his mouth, frozen in place. The others were right; the newcomer did look remarkably like him – same green eyes and athletic frame, if slightly older. Annabeth's question roused Percy from his state of confusion, and he looked up at her, replacing his sandwich on the plate in front of him.

Percy had been enjoying the peace of daily life at camp after the traumatic rollercoaster that was the past few months. Finally, he could feel safe and at home among his friends without having to worry about any of the weird or dangerous situations that had become commonplace in his life. His intention had been some peace and relaxation, an opportunity to rest finally. Still, he knew from years of previous experience that his intentions rarely aligned with reality.

Percy met Annabeth's gaze. His brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "I have no idea, Annabeth. Should I say something?" Percy's voice held a note of caution, echoing Annabeth's unease.

Annabeth turned to stare at Theseus, unsure if he was staring directly at Percy or if it was just her imagination. "You don't have to, but maybe because he looks so much like you, you should. It feels creepy looking at him," she answered, perplexed how someone could just stride into camp looking like he's Percy 2.0. "I wonder where he came from," she mumbled, taking notice of Theseus' clean attire, no injuries, scratches, or bruises, and the lack of a weapon or armor. Annabeth began wondering how this kid managed to get to camp without being attacked or chased by monsters.

"You're telling me," Percy chuckled. "I feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience." He stood and swiped his hands on the legs of his pants, brushing any crumbs away. "I'll go introduce myself, I guess. Watch my back," he joked and gave Annabeth a quick kiss on the cheek.

Percy crossed the pavilion toward the stranger, forcing himself to maintain eye contact with him despite the surrealist nature of the encounter. Although Annabeth was right, he put on a friendly smile – something seemed off.

He stopped in front of the newcomer and held his hand for a shake. "Hey, man. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. I'm Percy."

Before the other boy could respond, Chiron trotted over from the counselor's table, where he had been enjoying a beautiful Caesar salad. His brows were pinched together in concern as he eyed the newcomer, glancing uncertainly between him and Percy as though trying to piece together a particularly stubborn jigsaw puzzle. (A pastoral scene, 500 pieces.) Finally, he stopped pacing and addressed the newcomer. "We normally have a guard stationed at the entrance; I'm sorry no one was there to greet you. I'm Chiron." Chiron cleared his throat. One of his back hooves tapped against the ground anxiously, but he maintained his composure. "We have not heard about any new demigods coming to us. Who are you?"

Theseus had his eyes on Percy while Chiron introduced himself. Only when the centaur finished speaking did Theseus look up at him. He smiled, "Oh, please. There's no need to apologize. I should've waited by the gate." He extended his hand forward, "Theseus…" he took a brief pause to conjure up a last name until his eyes laid upon Percy once more, "Theseus Jackson."

You could hear Annabeth choking on the water she was sipping inside the dining pavilion. Everyone else remained dead silent, and no one dared to move. No one knew what to say, where to look, or what to do. After quickly composing herself, Annabeth made her way through the tables and stopped outside at the steps of the building. She faltered, unsure of what to say in a situation like this one. Was this guy related to Percy? Annabeth felt her stomach churn, not wanting to know the answer to that.

Percy was so taken aback that he had no idea how to respond. Instead, he burst into a fit of laughter. This Theseus Jackson, Percy's apparent body double, was too incredible to reconcile within the moment.

Chiron, too, seemed shocked by the answer to his question, and Percy's sudden outburst threw him even more off balance. "Well, um," he mumbled. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

After a few moments, Percy calmed down, "What are the odds, right?" he chuckled. "I'm a Jackson too."

"I would be happy to give you the customary orientation talk if you would accompany me to the Big House, Mr. Jackson." He closed his eyes momentarily when Percy's head jerked towards him in response. "Theseus," he corrected, sending Percy into a renewed round of chuckles.

"Right," Percy nodded, chuckling.

Annabeth's eyes tracked Theseus as he adjusted the straps on his backpack. "I'd be happy to, sir," he replied, his tone oddly deferential. With a final glance at the assembled campers, he fell into step with Chiron, leaving Annabeth and Percy behind.

As Theseus passed Percy, he shot him a quick wink and a smirk. "See you around, Percy," he called, his words hanging in the air like a lingering question. Annabeth's brow furrowed in confusion, her gaze flickering between Percy's retreating doppelgänger and the genuine concern etched on Percy's face.

She descended the steps of the building, coming to stand beside Percy. "What was that..." She shook her head. "This is disturbing. So much for hoping for a bit of normality," she sighed, her arm instinctively finding its way around Percy's, seeking comfort in their shared uncertainty.

"When have our lives ever been normal?" Jason's voice carried from the steps of the dining pavilion, drawing him nearer to Percy and Annabeth. He joined them, offering Percy a reassuring clap on the shoulder. "What do you make of all this, man?"

Percy let out a heavy sigh. "Honestly, I'm not sure what to think. It feels like some kind of test, but maybe I'm just being paranoid." His gaze lingered on the Big House, where Theseus had disappeared. "It's got to be a coincidence, right? A crazy one, but still..."

Annabeth shook her head, her expression troubled. "I don't know, Percy. The similarities are too striking to dismiss. You should try reaching out to Poseidon. He might have some insight. If not, maybe your mom. I can't imagine her forgetting about birthing another son, let alone neglecting to tell you about a brother."

Jason chimed in, a note of skepticism in his voice. "Coincidence? Maybe. Weird? Definitely. I think we would've known by now if Percy had a brother." He folded his arms across his chest, "Let's not worry too much. He's just another demigod."

"True, but he does look older than us, and he's clearly managed to evade danger for a long time to reach camp now," Annabeth added, biting her lip.

Jason considered her words. "Maybe he's just a naturally good fighter. Look, we know next to nothing about this kid apart from his name. Let's hear his story before we jump to conclusions."

Annabeth agreed, "You're right. It has to be a coincidence. We can talk to him later tonight. Hopefully, his godly parent will claim him by then, and we can put this to rest."

Percy nodded, his tone resolute. "I don't have a brother. I'd know. Someone would've told me, right?" A tiny flicker of doubt grazed the edge of his thoughts, but he pushed it away. There was nothing to be done before he got to know this new kid better. "Whoever he is, he must be pretty powerful to have survived this long without coming to camp. I am curious about his parent, even if it isn't Poseidon."

Chiron led Theseus to the Big House to introduce him to the camp lifestyle. He only halfheartedly gave his presentation while considering the situation at hand. Who was this kid? Where had he come from, and who was his godly parent? And, above all, why did he bear such a striking resemblance to Percy? Chiron could not come close to answering any of his questions, and the uncertainty concerned him.

When the orientation was over, Chiron led Theseus to the Poseidon cabin to meet back up with Percy. "Percy will be able to help you out with any other questions you might have. It seems you already have a lot in common." Chiron gestured Theseus toward the cabin. "I have some things I must attend to."

"Thank you, Chiron. I'll handle it from here. I think Percy and I are going to be great friends." He shook Chiron's hand and watched as he left the cul de sac of cabins. He turned to face the cabin door, contemplating what he should say to Percy before knocking. In a quick decision, he knocked on the door before he thought otherwise.