Percy headed down to breakfast. He was late but only when you looked at the clock. If you compared the time he was coming down to the time he would have come down last go-round, he was early. His younger body ached from the training he put himself through but that would not last long. Being a demigod had several perks and one of them was how quickly your body could adapt to Greek warrior training. He came into the cafeteria and found Grover in their usual spot.
He collected his food and went and sat down next to younger Grover. Grover looked at him like he had sprouted a second head. Percy felt a little bad for not telling Grover where he was going. After all, the status of Grover's request to become a Searcher depended on his survival after all. He pushed that feeling down, however. If he trained and got stronger, Grover was more likely to get his license faster.
"Percy, where were you this morning? It was unusual for you not to be in bed when I woke up. Penny is out looking for you."
Percy blinked, there had not been a girl named Penny in their year last time. So things in this world could differ from the other. That was something important to note. He remembered to act twelve though.
"Why would a girl be looking for Percy Jackson, the uncoolest boy at Yancy?" He asked Grover in his best, girls are yucky voice. He silently begged Annabeth's forgiveness for his sin. He thought about asking Artemis for forgiveness as well but was worried she would actually hear her prayer and come running.
Grover gave him a look like he was a rusted tin can, a look he had seen way too often on his best friend over the years. "Ha, ha, very funny Percy. I know you were upset at her for standing up to Dodds for you and making you look back in front of the class, but you shouldn't make her life more difficult. Gods know you will have a life hard enough anyways, both of you."
Percy sighed. Grover had just said gods, plural. He wondered how many times his goaty sidekick had slipped up back in the first timeline. Something about his words though snapped the son of the sea god back to reality though. Why would this 'Penny' stand up to Dodds for him and why would she have a hard life? He knew he would have done it due to being a demigod. Was Penny an extra demigod that Grover had discovered? Then a tray clattered to the table across from him.
"I swear to God, Perseus, your little disappearing act is going to get me in big trouble. I get in enough trouble already with my ADHD and Dyslexia." A girl his age sat down across from him. He was drawn to her wild-blown black hair that went down to her waist, her tanned skin, and most of all, the same sea-green eyes that his father had. That he himself possessed. It was looking in a mirror, except reversed.
If he had suddenly gained a twin sister in the original timeline, he would have freaked out and done something stupid, like attack her assuming she was a monster. Percy had learned to be subtle from Annabeth and how to read people from the two months he had walked California. If he needed to he could use his Wolf Eyes to scare away lesser monsters and mortals. Lupa's lessons were tough but they made him stronger for it. What he read in those Sea Green eyes was anger, worry, and love. This was no impostor, this was a daughter of Poseidon, a full-blooded sister he never had before. Is this how Thalia had felt when she first looked at Jason? He knew he needed to answer her.
"Sorry, I was out doing a run around the school. After my poor performance in the gym recently, I want to work on my stamina some, that's all."
He hoped he was just as bad at the Yancy gym lessons in this world as he had been in the last, and Penny's reaction was a relief.
"You shouldn't let those things Nancy and her robots say get to you. I get you feel like you need to protect me and Grover, but you don't have to take everyone on alone. Why don't I come run with you?"
Percy could not think of a reason to deny her, though he was going to do a lot more than running. His mind was shaken by the sudden reveal of Penny Jackson. He guessed her name was short for Penelope. He was glad his mother did not name her Andromeda. That would have been weird given his namesake.
"Sure, though I might expand my workout. I'm going to talk to Mr. Brunner about getting access to some exercise equipment."
Penny raised an eyebrow. "You're really going in on this, huh? I'm impressed, little brother."
Percy turned to Grover. "Was she born first?"
Grover shook his head. "Nope, you were by five whole minutes."
Percy smirked at his blushing sister. "Looks like that is big brother, little sister."
She got up and picked up her tray. "You're impossible, Percy. I'll see you later. Don't be out late or Mrs. Dodds will give us both detention again. I swear, it's like she is out to get us."
She had no idea how right she was. Percy felt bad for what he would have to do to Alecto, but there was no other option. She had her duty, and he would protect himself. He added Penny to that list now. He would need to tell Annabeth about this development. This could cause a wrinkle in the plan.
Penny watched as Percy left breakfast and took off towards the dorms. She sighed, she understood him better than she liked to admit. Studying was hard for both of them and sitting still was even worse. She hated to be restrained or contained in any fashion and a classroom that made her sit and be still was like hell.
She followed her brother at a distance, something was not right with him. She had grabbed Grover as they passed and both of them snuck along. She had been worried Grover's bad legs would give them away but they seemed alright for now.
She watched Percy enter the room and did not close the door completely. She can Grover creeped up to it and looked in. Her brother had filled a bowl with water and was muttering something to it.
"Wonder what he is saying, it's all Greek to me."
Grover gulped. "That's because it is Greek. Ancient Greek to be exact. 'Open, oh eye of the sea, and show me the one I desire.' That is what he chanted."
Penny felt her skin crawl. How did Grover, whom Percy had to protect from bullies know ancient Greek? More importantly, how did her brother? Then, a female voice came from the bowl and Penny had to clamp her mouth shut to keep from screaming.
'Seaweed Brain!' The voice exclaimed happily. "Why are you calling again so soon? You didn't go and dust Dodds early did you?'
If her blood was cold before, it was icy now. This girl her brother had somehow magically called was talking about killing their admittedly awful teacher.
"I have more control than that, Annabeth." She heard Grover stifle a gasp at the name. "The Kindly One will be fine until the field trip. Unless she attacks me early. Then I will send her to Tartarus, though with great regret."
She heard the female voice chuckle. "You know, we always used to tell monsters 'go to Tartarus.' Not quite the same after you've been there and survived. Anyways, what is the call about?"
Percy looked around but failed to notice the eavesdroppers. "There is a complication to the plan, Wise Girl. It appears the me of this universe has a twin sister."
There was a sharp intake of breath from the bowl but Penny barely registered it. Her brother had just spoken about her like he was surprised to meet her. What was going on?
"That's a complication, alright. I'll try and see if the great Prophecy has changed. Hopefully, it still refers to you. Percy, be careful. She does not know what she is yet. I'll try to come and survey the situation any way I can."
"Thanks, Annabeth. I love you, my Wise Girl." He touched the water's surface.
"I love you too, Seaweed Brain. See you soon. By the way, use the Mist on your sister and Grover. I can see them standing outside your door."
Penny had been lost in the conversation but saw Percy rise, his sea-green eyes trained on them.
Grover spoke up. "Wait, Percy, how do you know what you are? How do you know Annabeth?"
The voice of 'Annabeth' came back from the bowl ."Sorry, G-man. It's too early for all this. Percy will help you forget."
Percy snapped his fingers and Penny lost consciousness.
Percy picked up the fallen Penny with some difficulty. He really needed to gain some strength.
"We're gonna need to be a lot more careful." He said as he took her to the common room. He would be ready with a story when she came too.
Thank you all for reading this chapter. NaNoWrMo is almost over so I'm starting my updates for December. This is the first fic to get an update. I hope you enjoyed the twist. See you in 2024 if not before for another chapter!