I AM OFFERED A QUEST
Poseidon groaned from his seat. "Of course, you are."
"Maybe we'll finally know what's going on." Hades says.
The next morning, … listen to anybody else.
"Awesome." Travis, Connor, and Leo say.
"Wish I had my own cabin." Leo says.
"No, you don't." Percy says.
"Why not it sounds amazing." Travis says.
"Your own schedule and lights out." Connor continues. "The dream."
Percy just shook his head.
And I was absolutely miserable.
Percy looked down, feeling sad again. It had sucked the first few days there.
Annabeth rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. He gave her a small smile.
Just when …some rare disease.
Poseidon winced. That was the drawback of being his son. There weren't many and they were usually alone.
"Ah." Leo sighs. "That's why."
"Yeah." Percy confirms.
"Sorry Percy." Came from a few of the campers.
"Don't worry about it." Percy waves them off, even if he was still feeling down. It was four years ago, nothing to worry about now.
Nobody mentioned the hellhound, but I got the feeling they were all talking about it behind my back.
Katie blushed. "People were."
Percy just nodded.
All the demigods that had been present back at that time felt bad as they actually saw how Percy had felt then.
The gods watched as well, maybe finally seeing that their children were that, children. Not tools for their plans.
The attack had … been considered safe.
"It was frightening." Clarisse said. "That had never happened before."
The other … me up in the process.
"Sometimes he's lucky he's not around anymore." Thalia whispers. "Hurting my friend that way."
"Probably was on purpose." Nico whispers back. Thalia nods.
"You're going … Fifty more repetitions."
Everyone winced. That was rough for a newbie, Percy Jackson or not.
"I was so sore after training with him." Percy comments.
"Don't blame you." Athena says. "That's a lot. Especially if he's pushing you hard."
Annabeth still … make a plan ..."
Percy slumped a little more, not looking at anyone.
"I love you." Annabeth whispered quietly.
Even Clarisse kept … than be ignored.
"You could have just told me." Clarisse says. "I'd beat you up gladly."
"Next time I will." Percy says.
"Please y'all just did that don't do it again." Will says shaking his head.
I knew somebody … the angrier I got,
Percy felt the anger rising in him again. Annabeth pulled him to her and whispered in his ear.
"It's alright Percy. This was a long time ago. You're okay."
He just listened to her, trying to quell the anger in him.
the more the … feet before exploding.
"I still can't believe you managed to survive that." Hazel says.
"I can't believe we didn't hear it." Travis says. "It was right outside of camp."
The others looked to each other realizing he was right. Why hadn't they heard it?
Dionysus also looked confused as well. Usually they heard monster attacks that were outside camp. Why hadn't anyone come out to help this time?
Mother and son … tendencies in the past.
"That's so stupid." Annabeth says. "You only protect yourself. If only the mortals could actually see what went on."
"If they did though there'd be mass panic all the time." Piper points out.
Annabeth nodded, accepting the point.
Police would not … crime-stoppers hotline.
"Oh that's bullshit." Clarisse hisses. "As if Prissy would hurt his mother."
"I would never." Percy says horrified at the thought.
"Anyone who does is a monster themselves." Thalia adds.
The demigods who knew the sweet lady nodded. Anyone who hurt Sally Jackson had the wrath of Camp Half-Blood coming their way.
"Why is this mortal so special?" Zeus asks.
"She's a safe house on the way to camp." Katie explains. "Any demigod needing to get back to camp can always stop at her place and heal up, eat some food, shower. She even has extra clothes if they're needed."
"Everyone loves her." Will says.
Percy smiled, glad that people like his mom. She really did so much for them.
The phone … worst dream yet.
"Hah I wish." Percy said spitefully, remembering last night. Last night was definitely up there.
"Your dreams really do suck don't they." Apollo says.
"Yeah they do." Percy tells him. "Constantly sleep deprived me."
"You do always seem to be having some kind of dream." Jason comments.
I was running … and the wind rose.
Everyone looked to Zeus and Poseidon.
"It's something with you two." Artemis says.
I had to stop … in the sand.
"Oh, that always sucks." Travis says.
"The absolute worst." Connor finishes.
Over the roar … fighting over a toy.
Everyone smothered snickers. The two really were like children.
"Something was stolen." Athena points out. "Something important. Of course, we knew that but what could cause this?" she thought for a moment before it clicked. "Oh Styx."
Annabeth nodded at her mother, who had figured it out.
"That doesn't sound good." Hazel says looking at the gods. They hadn't heard this story.
The waves got bigger…my blood to ice.
Percy started shivering, feeling extremely cold. Annabeth pulled him into her side and rubbed a hand up and down his arms.
Come down, little hero, the voice crooned. Come down!
The gods were silent.
"It cannot be." Hades whispers.
"No." Zeus says. "We will not even consider the possibility."
Percy, Annabeth, and Nico were trying to not react to the allusion to Tartarus. Their friend's scooted closer knowing better.
The sand split beneath me, opening up a crevice straight down to the center of the earth. My feet slipped, and darkness swallowed me.
Percy started shivering, remembering his own, real fall.
"Percy, you're in the throne room." Annabeth whispers, sounding like she was trying to remind herself.
The other members of the seven were watching them carefully.
"I know." Percy whispers strained.
I woke up, sure I was falling.
Percy jumped as the feeling came over him for a second. At least he was warming up now. He just focused on Annabeth's hand which was holding his.
I was still in … let him tell you."
"You better not hurt my son." Poseidon threatens Dionysus.
He just got a hand wave in response.
Nervously, I got dressed and followed, sure that I was in huge trouble.
Percy's leg started bouncing as the same nervousness started to settle over him again.
For days, … deliver their verdict.
"You really are a pessimist Percy." Katie says.
Percy shrugged. "No real reason to be optimistic in my life."
The demigods were silent but realized he was right. He'd been thrown into this world and immediately accused of stealing an important object. Then he was dragged across country and into oceans for quest after quest, trying to stop Kronos but unsuccessful. Fought in a war and lost so many friends. And then kidnapped, memories erased, and now thrown into Tartarus. He really didn't have a reason to be optimistic.
Poseidon looked worried about his son, who just smiled at him.
Over Long …weather always does."
"Why do I have a feeling this one won't." Frank says.
"'Cause you're right." Grover tells him.
"That is impossible." Zeus says.
He just got a bunch of raised eyebrows in response.
I realized he … one was huge.
"What is going on with you?" Hera asked her husband.
"How am I supposed to know this is the future." Zeus grumbles.
At the volleyball pit… eyes on the storm.
"I remember that." Will said. "I think it's one of the weirdest things to happen at camp. "
Grover and I walked …"Our little celebrity."
Harry Potter much? Clarisse thought but didn't dare say aloud. No one was going to catch her admitting she'd read that series. It'd shatter her image. Percy just smirked at her and she glared at him. Not like they had read it together. Nope.
I waited… Beard is your father."
Poseidon pouted at the nickname.
"Hey that's a good one!" Apollo laughs.
"Don't you dare."
"Too late!"
A net of … brats safe from harm."
"You will not harm the children." Hera glared at the wine god.
"They wouldn't feel a thing." Dionysus shrugged.
"You will not harm my son." Poseidon glared at him.
Dionysus swallowed but still looked nonchalant.
"Spontaneous … you back to your father."
Everyone started chuckling. Dionysus didn't change.
"Mr. D-" … feels you must do."
"I could just change him back." Poseidon mentions.
"Blah blah." Dionysus waved his hand, flipping a page of his magazine.
Dionysus picked up … grapes lingering behind.
"I wonder what scent we leave." Apollo thinks.
"Ocean." Poseidon says.
"Ozone." Zeus says.
"Whatever someone's favorite scent is." Aphrodite smiles.
"Hmmm." Apollo thought. Hermes started reading before he could continue talking.
Chiron smiled … made me shudder.
Percy shuddered again. The recent re-attack going through his mind. It wasn't any more fun the second time around. It almost seemed worse.
Chiron probably … feel like lying.
"Good." Poseidon says watching his son closely.
"It scared me…before you're done."
"Oh no."
"It's fine dad."
The demigods look to each other. Yeah. 'Fine'.
Will snorted. "Is after Helen's what you call fine?"
Percy blushed.
"Done ... with what…what it is yet."
"They never do." Thalia says grumpily.
"Quests aren't that bad." Hera sniffs.
The demigods glared at her with such ferocity she had to turn away.
Chiron grimaced. … were boiling together.
"I have a feeling we're about to find out what's happened." Athena says.
"I hope so." Artemis agrees.
"Poseidon and Zeus," … you know that?"
"Dreams." Percy sighed. "Always dreams."
My face felt hot. … "It must be!"
"You were really excited for this quest." Annabeth says to Grover.
"Yeah I was. Before I knew where we had to go." Grover says. "Then I was less thrilled."
"Understandable." Percy tells him, remembering all that happened on their first quest.
"Only the Oracle can … a lightning bolt."
"YOU STOLE MY MASTER BOLT!?" Zeus rumbled loudly, glaring at Percy.
Percy just looked at him. "Maybe if we read you'd know what happened."
Zeus just sputtered, lightning dancing around his body.
Hermes started reading before he got to angry.
"He has no fear." Frank whispers to himself, Hazel nodding next him.
I laughed nervously. … "Oh."
"It's a much bigger deal than 'oh' boy." Zeus glares.
"I'm aware." Percy deadpans.
"How does he do it" Hazel thinks. "I could not backtalk the gods, especially the king."
Most of the others had a similar thought.
"Zeus's master bolt," … like firecrackers."
Zeus nodded, agreeing with the description of his master bolt. A weapon of deadly power.
"My trident is better." Poseidon mutters to himself.
"And it's missing?" … "By you."
Zeus jumped up glaring at the demigod. "I KNEW IT!" He started forward, the demigods backing up slightly terrified.
Percy just stood up and glared right back, taking a protective stance in front of his friends. "Don't you dare try and hurt my friends. Go after me all you want by all means. But don't you dare hurt them in the process."
"Brother."
"Son."
The two stood glaring at each other for a good few minutes. Zeus deciding if it was worth it. This demigod was radiating power, a great amount of power. Not once did Percy back down.
Finally, Zeus shook his head deciding bringing his brother's wrath onto himself wasn't worth it. He sat back down next to Hera, still glaring at Percy.
Percy just nodded and sat down next to Annabeth, who immediately grabbed his hand.
"Don't you do that again." Annabeth said, voice shaky.
Percy kissed the top of her head.
Everyone was staring at him. He had just stared down the king of the gods.
And won.
Hermes started reading again, desperate to move on.
My mouth fell open…. liked you best,'
Poseidon grumbled. "She did like you best."
Zeus looked smug. "At least you're right about something for once."
Poseidon looked at him with an offended look on his face and then turned it towards Percy who was snickering.
"My own son."
Air disasters are more spectacular than sea disasters,'
"They are!"
"Nope!"
"Would you two stop. We all know the zombie apocalypse is the worst and I can start that."
The room was silent for a moment before the reading continued
et cetera. Afterward, … human hero to take it."
Zeus was glaring at Poseidon.
Poseidon just smiled at him. He had no desire to take his brother's place as king. Too much work.
"But I didn't-" …arsenal of illegal copies,
With every sentence Zeus glared at his brother harder, who was trying not to meet his eyes.
The other gods didn't know whether to laugh or be scared.
which might … Zeus is crazy!"
Zeus glared harder at the demigod across from him.
Percy just stared him down, not letting anything get through to the god.
"We did just read about how he didn't do it." Athena says. "The boy was at school."
Zeus grumbled and sat back in his seat.
Chiron and Grover …like a coffin lid.
"Pessimist." Nico mutters.
"Er, Percy ...?" … question thirty-eight.
"As if." Thalia laughs.
Percy just smirked. "Are you sure about that?"
"Of course!" Thalia says. "You could never."
How could …"Correct,"
"You… actually remembered." Thalia said flabbergasted.
"Don't doubt me." Percy says.
"I would never." Thalia says.
"You just did."
Chiron said. …"But I'm just a kid!"
"That hardly matters to them." Leo mutters bitter. He was remembering Hera and Gaea and how they'd messed with him his whole life. Taken his mom.
Piper rubbed a hand on her friend's shoulder. He'd had it rough growing up.
The demigods looked upset, thinking about how that statement was true. Most demigods having to come to camp before even entering high school, some not even making it. The gods didn't care.
The gods looked ashamed as they watched their children. Is this what they really thought of them?
"Percy," Grover cut …bolt stolen, did he?"
"I wouldn't put it past him." Zeus muttered.
"Once was enough brother." Poseidon says with a smile.
Zeus hmphed.
"That was fun." Hephaestus said, looking up for a moment.
Chiron sighed. .."Bad?" I guessed.
"It would be catastrophic." Athena says.
"Imagine the world … water-balloon fight."
"And stopping this was your first quest!?" Frank asked eyes wide.
"And our easiest." Percy says, now that he thinks about it.
"How in the world…" Frank stutters. "How!?"
Percy just shrugged.
"At least we know that you're up for the challenge." Hazel says.
Percy smiles at her. "You got that right."
"Bad," I repeated. …. silence at the sky.
Most people and gods were stunned now. It never rained at camp. Zeus must be extremely mad for that to happen.
I had brought ….I was furious.
"That'll help you get through the quest." Ares says, to some people's surprise. "Spite. Use it."
"Oh, trust me." Percy says. "I do."
"So I have to find the stupid bolt," I said. "And return it to Zeus."
"'s not stupid." Zeus mumbles.
"Sure dear." Hera tells him.
"What better peace … where is the thing?"
"Disrespecting my master bolt like this." Zeus muttered to himself. "The audacity."
"I believe I know… counsel of the Oracle."
"Hate that thing." Percy, Clarisse, Annabeth, and Thalia say.
"Why can't you …Zeus wanted to kill.
"Sorry." Grover blushed.
"Nah you're all good g-man." Percy smiled.
"All right," I said. … we will talk more."
"Still sane?" Hazel asked.
"You'll see." The Greek demigods tell her.
Four flights up…The smell of snakes.
Anyone who had been up there shivered. That was not a fun room to be in before Rachel.
I held my …. CIRCE'S ISLE,
Annabeth started laughing as Percy glared at her.
"What's so funny?" Hermes asked, confused.
Annabeth just laughed harder.
"It's not." Percy grumbles. "Stupid island. Always wanting lettuce."
Annabeth couldn't breathe at this point. Grover had started laughing remembering the story Annabeth had told him.
Everyone looked at them like they were crazy until the two calmed down.
and LAND OF …WOODSTOCK, N.Y., 1969.
"That was awesome." Apollo said, high-fiving Hermes and Dionysus. Who surprisingly went through with it.
By the window… dead a long, long time.
"I still don't know what went wrong." Apollo frowned.
"It's all good now." Clarisse says.
"Really!?" Apollo says happily.
Hades smiled. That means his kids were accepted now in the demigod camps.
Looking at her …Approach, seeker, and ask.
"That's why." Hazel said paling.
"Yeah wasn't fun." Clarisse said.
I wanted to say, No thanks, wrong door, just looking for the bath-room.
"What would happen if someone did do that?" Leo asks.
"Usually the oracle would follow them." Apollo says. "But considering the circumstances…"
Thalia snorted.
But I forced myself … "What is my destiny?"
"So dramatic." Thalia laughed.
"Shut up." Percy said. "I didn't know what I needed to ask so I went classic."
"Of course, you did."
"A simple 'what do I need to do' would suffice." Apollo tells them.
The mist swirled … Gabe and his buddies.
Most people in the room glowered when the man was mentioned. Most people in the room wanted to see this man dead.
My fists clenched, … who has turned.
Everyone looked to Hades automatically.
"Hey!"
His buddy … safely returned.
"Good." Zeus says nodding.
The guy … you a friend.
The room was silent. Who could it be? Surly it wasn't Annabeth or Grover.
Percy wasn't meeting anyone's questioning eyes. Not many people knew what happened the end of that summer.
Finally, Eddie, our … most, in the end.
"Excuse me my master bolt matters the most." Zeus says offended.
"Maybe not to the boy." Demeter chimes in.
Zeus quieted down at that.
The figures began … What will I fail to save?"
"Wish we could've asked more questions." Annabeth said. "Might have saved us the casino."
The tail of the … Oracle was over.
"Time for your quest!" Apollo said happily.
"Yay." Percy, Annabeth, and Grover said sarcastically.
"Well?" Chiron asked … "This is important."
"Just tell him the whole thing." Piper says confused.
"Didn't want to at the time." Percy says. "I probably should have though."
My ears were still … didn't want to tell him.
"You should." Apollo says. "Prophecies are finicky things. It may not mean what you think it means."
The gods stared at him. Maybe Apollo wasn't an idiot?
"I wonder what the sun would look like pink." Apollo muttered to himself, unaware the others could hear him.
Nevermind.
What friend would betray me? I didn't have that many.
Annabeth and Percy looked down sadly, wishing they could have done something differently.
And the last line-I … you'll fail.
"That sucks." Leo says.
"It all worked out in the end." Percy says.
"That's good." Piper says.
"Yeah, works out." Annabeth says. "You almost died."
"What?" Poseidon asks, overhearing.
"Nothing!"
How could I confess … come to pass."
"Very true." Apollo says. "Wording is very tricky.
I got the … who stands to gain?"
Everyone looked to Hades again. Who just huffed.
As if he'd want to take over and deal with this lot.
"Somebody else who … the only possibility."
"Turns out he was wrong." Percy laughs.
"He has his moments." Annabeth says back.
A scrap of aluminum dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"
"And there goes that enthusiasm." Katie teased.
"A Fury came …son of Poseidon... ."
"Oh, I don't hate all heroes." Hades waves his hand. "Only the ones that bother me."
"That's almost all of them." Poseidon says.
"A hellhound got … within the camp.
"Who would do such a thing?" Hazel asked.
The Greek demigods looked sad.
"Someone desperate and angry." Thalia mutters.
Hades must have a … to kill me."
"It's been like, a month." Frank says astonished.
"You saw how fast Mars got on my nerves." Percy shrugged. "Happens a lot."
"Should I be worried?" Poseidon asks.
"No." Percy says.
"Yes." Said everyone else.
Poseidon just shook his head. These books were going to kill him.
"But a quest to ..." … and reveal the truth."
"Reveal the truth all right." Grover laughed
"What happens?" Athena asks curiously.
"Can't tell!" Percy, Annabeth, and Grover say too happily.
A strange fire … desire for revenge.
Percy sat up straighter and got that look in his eye when he was thinking up a plan. Annabeth grabbed his hand gently and stroked his knuckles. The side effect really was something.
Hades had tried … take him on.
Hades laughed. "You think you can take me on?"
Percy smirked. "I do."
Nico snorted and covered a laugh with a cough, ignoring the confused looks from the demigods. They had never told anyone what happened in the underworld that day.
"We're having this fight soon boy." Ares points at him.
Besides, if my … Hades is a god.
"That's right." Hades nods.
Percy just smiles at him.
"You're going to get yourself killed." Will mutters. "And I have to deal with it."
Grover was trembling… bust some heads."
"Wish it was that easy." Jason says.
"Don't we all." Percy nods.
"Suspecting and knowing …operate through humans?"
"Stupid rules." Leo mutters.
"All rules are stupid." Travis and Connor grin.
"You're saying … He needs you."
"Oh Chiron." Annabeth sighs. "That's not the right wording."
My dad needs me…suddenly he needed me.
Percy looked to his hands, emotions again out of his control. He knew he loved his dad and his dad loved him, yet he was feeling angry and upset all over again.
I looked at Chiron. … back information too.
"He definitely was." Clarisse says looking towards the Romans.
"So let me get …Chiron said.
"Simple." Leo says.
"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."
"Check."
"So easy." Frank adds sarcastically.
"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, in ten days."
"That's about right."
"Easiest quest." Hazel finishes. "How."
"Maybe if we quit interrupting we'd know?" Dionysus says from behind a new magazine.
Hazel blushed and closed her mouth.
I looked at Grover…places ... well..."
"The Arch." Grover mutters.
"Not your fault." Percy and Annabeth say together.
Percy winced though. That wasn't going to be fun on him. He had never told anyone what had happened up there.
He took a deep breath, …I wanted to cry,
Percy discreetly wiped his eyes. Stupid effect he thought.
though I … he'd be with me.
"I'm glad I went too." Grover says thinking of Medusa and flying shoes.
"All the way, … in Los Angeles."
"Of course it is." Hades says. "All the people there, Hollywood. It's great!"
"That's a few hours north of us!" Hazel says.
"You were so close." Jason says. "I wonder if you passed anyone from our camp."
"I don't think so." Annabeth says, thinking back.
"Oh," I said. "Naturally. So we just get on a plane-"
"Not the best idea." Surprisingly, it was Hephaestus who said this.
"No!" Grover shrieked…down again alive."
"So that's why we didn't fly to Alaska." Hazel whispers.
"ALASKA?! Poseidon shouts.
"Whoops."
Poseidon turned to Percy. "You went to Alaska?"
Percy just shrugged. "Yup."
Poseidon collapsed in his chair. He hoped Percy hadn't gotten hurt there, he couldn't protect him there.
Overhead, lightning …accept her help."
"Of course, you did." Clarisse smirked.
"I don't regret a thing." Annabeth says back.
"Gee," I said… from messing up."
"We still messed up." Percy said.
"Shut up."
"If you do say so yourself," I said. "I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"
"We had to deal with this for four years." Clarisse moans.
"It wasn't that bad." Percy says.
"Yes, it was." Says everyone who was there.
Her cheeks colored. … "That'll work."
"The best trio in camp." Percy says.
"Nah, those three are in for the running." Will says pointing to Jason, Leo, and Piper.
Percy gasped and held a hand to his chest. "They betrayal."
"Excellent," Chiron said. … all get packing."
"This will be interesting." Hermes says, folding the corner of the page down. "Who next?"
"I'll read." Percy says, "Might as well get my turn over with."
Hermes passed him the book and Percy opened it to the next chapter.