Chapter 7: Wait… I Need to do a WHAT?

The days that passed, Percy was like an outcast; the only people who still spoke to him were Clarisse, Luke, and eventually Annabeth. Annabeth had walked up to him two days later and asked, "You know who my mom is, and you befriended me. Why?"

Percy replied with a question, "Why shouldn't I?"

Three words, three simple words confused Annabeth more than anything. She said, "But...but...our parents are rivals."

Percy asked, "What does this have to do with us?"

Annabeth felt like her mind had just shut down. Percy continued, "I get Athena doesn't like my dad, but you forgot Athena favors one of my brothers, Theseus. I digress; I have done nothing to hurt you, and you have done nothing to me. I see no reason to harbor any ill feelings toward you."

Annabeth reluctantly agreed and everything went back to normal for them. Grover came to Percy's cabin to pick him up for Mr. D and Chiron to talk to him. Mr. D said, "Perry Jameson, old Barnacle Beard's son, please have a seat and don't expect any royal treatment."

Percy asked, "So. Are we playing while talking or do you need my full undivided attention?"

Mr. D sighed and said, "I wish we could, but unfortunately your claiming has made things more complicated."

Percy said, "I understand, with the broken oath it would, but don't see why it would warrant this?"

Chiron said, "Normally, you would be right, but these aren't normal times."

Percy said, "I don't understand."

Mr. D said, "look, Janice, let me give you an idea of how bad this is. If it weren't for the fact that I sort of like you, I would be threatening to cause your molecules to erupt in flames. We'd sweep up the ashes and be done with it."

Percy's eyes widen at the full implications of his presence.

Percy asked, "What exactly warranted this kind of response?"

Chiron sighed, "At the winter solstice, Zeus and Poseidon are always arguing."

Mr. D said, "You know, like mothers love their children most. Air disasters are worse than sea disasters and so on and so forth."

Percy thought, "Enyo was right; they're just being childish."

Chiron continued, "Then all of a sudden, Zeus noticed his Master Bolt had been stolen."

Percy finished with an angry voice, "Zeus blames my father and believes I'm the thief."

Percy continued, "I'm putting an end to this nonsense now. Percy Jackson swears on the Styx that I did not steal the Master Bolt."

The thunder boomed, confirming his statement. Chiron said, "That's one way to solve the problem."

Mr. D said, "This whole thing could have been avoided if Poseidon had done the same thing."

Before anyone could say anything else, an eagle flew in with a message tied to its leg. Chiron read it aloud, "Perseus Jackson, Zeus, King of Olympus, has decreed that you must go to the Oracle at Delphi and retrieve my weapon. D don't forget, we have an emergency meeting scheduled."

Mr. D picked up his security pass and teleported out. Chiron gave Percy directions to the Oracle of Delphi; she was in the attic, which didn't look or smell too pleasant—it was filled to the brim with spoils from past battles and unused armor sets with weapons. There were leather steamer trunks plastered with stickers saying Ithaka, Circe's Isle, and Land of the Amazons. Jars for preserving claws, eyes, and other parts.

There were other things in there, but the most important one was the Oracle herself. She was a mummy, without the wrappings; she had a tie-dye sundress, a few beaded necklaces, and a headband on her long, black hair. The mummy started speaking, saying, " I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask."

Percy asked, "What must I do?"

The mummy released green mist and created an illusion; it created four figures, the first of which resembled Enyo. The figure spoke, " Four shall go west, and face the god who has turned."

The second line of the prophecy was given by his mother Sally, who said, " You will find what was stolen, and see it safely returned."

The next one looked like Nancy, she said, " You will be betrayed by someone you consider a Ally."

Gabe and True to his personalities delivered the best lines, " All for naught, the war still starts at the end."

At that moment, the green mist disappeared, and Percy walked back to Chiron and informed him of what he had been told. Chiron nodded after hearing this, saying, "Don't worry too much about what was said; most of the time, it has double meanings. Who are would you be taking?"

Percy said, "Grover is a must; Annabeth, you can take the hat, you're going. Get Luke; he's a potential member. I'll get Clarisse and meet me at cabin three, and we'll figure out who the final member of our group will be."

Percy went to the Aries cabin and knocked on the door; a boy was trying and failing to look intimidating as he asked, "What do you want?"

Percy said, "I would like to speak to Clarisse."

The boy said, "She's not interested."

Percy replied in mock disappointment, "Then I guess Luke gets to go on the quest by default."

The boy said, "Wait, what's the quest?"

Percy said, "Sorry, but that's for Clarisse to hear alone."

The boy went inside to get Clarisse; Percy explained the situation to her.

Meanwhile, on Mt. Olympus...

Enyo walked to the throne room, saying, "You wish to speak to me, Father."

Zeus said, "Yes, daughter. I wish to know why you took the son of Poseidon as your champion. You've never taken one before."

Enyo said, "One thing I've learned in my immortal life is you can't avoid fate; the best you can do is prepare for it. Since there was an option to save or raze, I decided to tip the scales toward saving."

Zeus asked, "And if you're wrong?"

Enyo said, "I told you before, you cannot avoid fate, but if it comes to it, I will end him myself. But I have full confidence it will not come to that."

Zeus said, "For your sake, you better hope you're right, daughter."

Enyo rolled her eyes and thought, "And he wonders why I keep my distance from everyone here except Aries."