To say Percy was upset would be an understatement, but at least he wasn't about ready to sink an island or two. His father on the other hand…. He hadn't Percy was sure (he'd asked) but there may be a couple of nasty freak storms on the sea tonight. The god paced back and forth inside his temple on Olympus while Percy sat on a chair he'd conjured, watching him. At least his father had erected a barrier so no one with less power than him could listen in without a serious and obvious attempt. Kronos still could, probably, if he could get enough power together, but it was something.

"Dad, come on," he finally said. "It had to happen anyway."

"Next year!" his father said back. "You said it happened next year. So why now?"

Percy sighed. "Because I want to be in a position to be able to help Bianca if I can. And Thalia."

His father paused. "Help Bia… Percy, getting back from one quest is hard enough. Taking on responsibility for her quest could kill you!"

"So?" Percy asked tiredly. "Then I'll ascend. If she dies, she dies. And I can't let that happen to her again."

"Again?" Poseidon looked confused for just a moment before his expression cleared. "She died in the previous timeline, didn't she." Percy looked down, remaining silent. He took that as assent. "Did she mean something to you?"

Percy blinked, surprised. "What? Mean… no. I mean, other than the fact that she died on my watch, and is my cousin, but… she means something to one of my best friends. Also," he sighed, "I'm a—was a god of demigods. It hurt me whenever they died. It hurt me before I ascended. I… can't just do nothing."

Poseidon, in a very human motion, rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Percy, I am more than pleased to have another child join me for eternity. Especially one of my demigods. But the Fates told you your ascension would happen, correct?" Percy nodded slowly, wondering where his father was going with this.

"More or less. There is a chance I won't…"

Poseidon took another breath. "That's still very straightforward for them. They're not usually that clear and open. I fear we are missing something."

Percy opened his mouth to argue, but then closed it again. His father had a point. Was there another meaning to his ascension? The Fates had used that exact word, so…

Maybe he should be a little more careful until they figured that out.

Still…

"I can't just leave her, Dad. I can't. I couldn't live with myself if I did."

His father just looked frustrated. "How would you help her, then? Your quests go in opposite directions."

"Just like how I helped Erin: water travel to where she is."

"And if she's not by water connected to the sea?"

Percy frowned, but felt his spine straighten. "I have to try, Dad. Only then will I know I did the best I could to help her. Right now I can get involved in quests without all those godly rules getting in my way. I'm going to take advantage of it."

Poseidon sighed again, "Percy…" he started, but faded off when he met his son's gaze. "I can't talk you out of this, can I." It wasn't a question.

"I'm sure you could find a way, but it would likely damage our relationship."

His father looked at him, concerned, but didn't say anything.

Percy let out a long breath. "It's a three-century-old regret, and I have a chance to fix it. I know I can change things so that they're different—for better or worse—but I wouldn't be myself if I didn't try."

Poseidon's expression grew sad and his shoulders slumped. "Where did you get that from? I don't think you got it from me."

The time-traveler smirked. "There's this really amazing woman, I think you've met her. Her name's Sally Jackson."

His father laughed, sadly for some reason, but it was a genuine laugh. "Ah yes, the queen among women. That makes sense."

Percy's own smile widened. "I'll be fine, Dad. I know what I'm doing." It was nice, this time, to talk to his Dad like this, especially as a demigod. He still remembered their awkward first interaction in his last timeline, when his father had basically called him a mistake. He'd explained himself later, saying he hadn't thought of Percy as a mistake, but as the result of Poseidon's mistake—the one who would carry the punishment he did not deserve. Apparently, the way Percy took it hadn't even crossed the god's mind this time.

Currently, Poseidon's smile dimmed at Percy's words. "You say you'll be fine… and I hope so, but I fear you're biting off too much. That can have dire consequences."

The time-traveler nodded firmly. "I can do it, though. I have so much more knowledge and exponentially more resources this time. I can do it." He had to. There was no other outcome.

Another sigh from the god. "Very well, son. Just… be careful. It's been a long time since I had prophecy as one of my domains, but I foresee rough waters in your future."

Percy snorted. "What else is new?"

His father's brow furrowed, whether in worry or confusion, Percy didn't know. Finally, his father snapped his fingers. Something long, ivory, and curved fell into his hands. Percy could see intricate carvings of two-tailed merpeople going about their daily lives carved into the outside of it.

He blinked. "Dad?"

"For you," he held it out to him. "It is a horn made from the tusk of one of the oldest and most loyal walruses that has ever lived. He gave his tusks to me upon his death, though only one was still intact enough to be made into this."

Gently, Percy took the horn, noting how the carvings seemed to move out of the corner of his eye. It was, honestly, gorgeous. He turned his gaze back up to the god of the sea. "For me?" His father nodded. "But… you didn't give this to me last time."

"I must not have sensed it would be needed," Poseidon shrugged. "If you blow on this, especially when in the water, it will strengthen your allies, and only your allies. All who hear it."

"But…" Percy said slowly.

His father smiled, amused. "But that strength will come from you. The more people you share it with, the faster it will drain you."

Percy stared at the textured horn. "I…" He swallowed and looked back up. "Thanks, Dad."

Poseidon just nodded, but it was enough.

xXx

Mr. D was supposed to flash him back to camp once he was finished speaking with his father, but more than one god was waiting outside for some reason. Zeus himself, even. He'd gone on about why did they have a shield up if they didn't have anything to hide and how dare they hide things from him. His father just rolled his eyes and said not even the King of the Gods was entitled to private talks between a father and son. Then, of course, they'd started bickering.

Thankfully, Mr. D told Percy in a condescending voice to follow him away from Poseidon's temple and away from the arguing siblings, so they could get back to camp. Percy followed, but glanced over his shoulder with a shake of his head. He didn't remember things being so… volatile in the future. To be fair, between the rising of a strong enemy and all of the prophecies suddenly being fulfilled, it wasn't unexplained or unexpected at this point in time, but it was still childish. And kind of embarrassing that his father still took part in it. The Olympians were thousands of years old. More than once, Percy had felt like a babysitter trying to keep a bunch of kids in line with no real power to do so. Despite his current status, it still kind of felt that way.

The time traveler and camp director had just stepped out of sight of the bickering gods when someone called out to them.

"Brother! Percy Jackson! Just the pair I wanted to see." Percy and Mr. D turned to see Apollo hurrying towards them in all his sun-touched glory. No, really, he literally glowed in the darkness and otherwise beamed happily. Percy had to fight to not look away. He could tone it down and not blind the mortal in their midst.

Dionysus snorted. "Really?"

"Well, I did want to say something to Percy here."

"Naturally. Whyever would you want to talk to me? We're only family. Have been for how long?" Yeah, that exile was really getting to Mr. D.

"If you want me to stop by more often I'll be happy to!" Apollo assured his brother, clapping him on the shoulder.

Dionysus reached up and removed the arm almost disdainfully. "And what would we do now that I can't drink?"

"Well we could…" Apollo started, but then faded off, puzzled. Percy withheld a snort of his own. "You like games."

"You're terrible at Pinochle."

"Not bad at poker, though."

"I'll pass. Say what you will to Parker, here. Just hurry. I would like some beauty sleep tonight."

With that, he strode away.

"What's with him?" Apollo asked. "I'll have to find a good game, I guess. Anyway, Percy!" the blond turned to the demigod with straight, white teeth showing. "I have to say thank you for what you did for Erin earlier this year."

In the original timeline, that would have taken Percy back; well, before the whole Triumvirate debacle (was that something he should look into now? Hmm, he'd have to think about it). Now, though, he knew Apollo better. The guy wasn't usually malicious (although when he was he could be mean, though Percy thought Artemis had him beat there) and tended to come off as more flaky than he really was. Percy thought he donned that persona so people wouldn't expect so much of him. It only worked so well, but any success meant it was worth it to Apollo. Still, he knew the god cared for his children. Right now, almost as much as he cared for himself. Hey, the guy was narcissistic. But then, name a god other than Hestia who wasn't. He'd wait.

"Oh, er, you're welcome," Percy said, noting how real the god's smile looked for once. Yeah. He cared. And it was nice to see that every now and then. "I mean, I would have done it for anyone I could have, but yeah."

"I know how much work you put into making sure there was a way to Colorado from New York," the Sun-god said. Percy didn't wince, but he had to hold himself awfully still to pull it off. Right. He'd prayed to Apollo, who would have sensed the dedication and preparation behind his actions, even if he didn't know details. It was something any god could hear regarding their domain, or in this case, Apollo's child.

"Well… she told me where she lived. Not many others did. I… wanted to make sure she had backup if she needed it."

The blond shook his head. "You're too modest. Not something I understand, but to each their own. In any case, about your quest… you're going to have to go through some pretty tough trials in the near future." Didn't he know it. "And to pay you back for helping Erin, I spoke with Hermes. It's likely you'll need these."

The sun god held out a familiar bottle, small but sturdy, with small pills in different shapes inside of it: yellow Minotaurs, purple harpies, green Hydras, etc. On the front, it said: Hermes Multivitamins. Percy stared at them. Right. He really was going back to the sea of monsters. It hadn't really hit him before, but… di immortales.

After several seconds, he took a deep breath and reached for them. He almost expected Apollo to snatch the bottle away, but he didn't. Percy's hand closed around the bottle.

"Thank you," he said quietly, sincerely.

And this time they shouldn't be running from Luke and the other traitors. Hopefully that would make it easier. Easy enough to run to Bianca's aid if she needed it. Or whoever else went on that quest.

"Also," Apollo added on, still serious (which was always creepy), "I know you already have the quest, but when you get back, go to the Oracle. Chiron will know what I mean when I say that. Hades' kid needs to, too."

Percy eyed his cousin dubiously.

"I know not many people like prophecies, but they often do lead to the best outcome possible. Not always, but usually. They can be a road map as much as…" he faded off, looking for the right word. A trap? A prison? A death sentence? Percy didn't say any of that. Not when Apollo was helping him like this. "Well… a fate," the god finished, shrugging.

That was still nicer than Percy would have said, but he wasn't wrong. The time-traveler considered the suggestion for a moment before nodding. "I will. Thank you."

"No problem, kid," Apollo said. "I pay my debts."

Debatable. But Percy, again, wasn't about to say that aloud at that point.

"Will you two ever finish, or are you going to take him back to camp, Apollo?" Dionysus called over, obviously annoyed.

"I'm done!" the sun god called back, then clapped Percy on the shoulder. "Good luck."

Percy managed a small smile. "Thanks."

"Now, Paxton!"

"Is that even a name?" Percy muttered as he shot an apologetic look at Apollo, bowed a little (because that deserved acknowledgment at the very least) and jogged over to the much older-looking god.

"What was that?" Mr. D asked dangerously.

"Nothing," Percy sighed.

"Better not be. Now that you're finally here, let's go." With that, he grabbed Percy's arm roughly (it took all of his will to not attack back, that had not been remotely how a god should treat a demigod) and they flashed back to camp, landing on the porch of the Big House.

"Now, go off and—"

"I need to see the Oracle. So does Bianca." Because Percy highly doubted Bianca would let Nico go on this trip, and if she did, Percy would probably step up. "Apollo said so."

Mr. D rolled his eyes and strode inside. "Whatever. She's upstairs. Go on, drive yourself mad. Don't expect me to save you."

Percy shook his head, then glanced up towards the attic. He'd tell Bianca in a moment. Right now, he needed to see a mummy.

xXx

Once he'd become Camp Director, Percy had made sure to clean out the attic, falling back on the skills his mother had taught him, designating places for everything he could and generally organizing it all. He'd made a point to try and keep it that way, even if some of the history connected to these relics were… painful.

He missed that organization. A lot. Currently, the attic smelled of must, dust, and a little rot. He wrinkled his nose and picked his way through the maze of objects.

Finally, he reached the mummy by the window.

It only made him grateful that he hadn't had to deal with a cursed oracle during his time over camp. Although, according to the vision he'd had before the Battle of Manhattan, that should be broken soon. As long as Hades' children were outcasts and as long as he labored under the Great Prophecy, the curse would remain. He couldn't help but think Hades didn't really intend for the Oracle's spirit to die with all the obvious loopholes in that. Still, it had caused a lot of problems.

The biggest problem would be to find a proper body to house the spirit now. Rachel had loved being the spirit of Delphi (and hated it in equal measure at times), but should they wait for her? Or would the spirit simply move on as soon as Nico and Bianca were accepted? It hadn't last time.

Well, either way, he'd like to get his prophecy and get out.

So he swallowed, stuck his chin up, and stalked forward.

Just as before, the mummy sort of jerked, turned to Percy, and opened her mouth. Familiar, green smoke poured out, surrounding both of them. Instead of Smelly Gabe and his poker buddies this time around, he saw something that made his heart skip several beats. It hurt.

Annabeth, Grover, Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel, and Frank sat around the cabin of the Argo II. They were all older, in their late 20's or early 30's… except for Jason, of course.

Grover, at his peak of being Lord of the Wild, turned a blank look on Percy first, "I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask."

Shaken, Percy swallowed his fear and pain as best he could, and forced words out of his mouth: "Right. Yeah. How do I get the golden fleece back to save Thalia?"

He'd only received a prophecy from this oracle directly once. He remembered it—how could he forget it—but had forgotten just how unnerving it had been. And this time was far worse.

Grover nodded once, blankly. "Leave to find the golden fleece, Revive the Thunder child of Greece." Percy wondered why the Satyr had spoken so much? Because Percy met this Grover? No, he'd also met this universe's Annabeth. Perhaps he should wait until he knew what this shade of her would say, but maybe it was because his relationship with Grover currently resembled their old one the most? He'd have to think on it… later, as Leo spoke next, looking completely stone faced, nothing like the energetic demigod Percy remembered.

"But child of pantheons; times,entwined…"

Then Hazel, her normally expressive, empathetic amber eyes dull—like she was dead all over again. "Two ideals and quests shall bind."

Piper was the worst one yet, her eyes a flat gray instead of her normal kaleidoscope of color. "Indecision shall be thy bane."

A stoic Frank who looked more like a statue. "Rely on others once again."

Jason didn't even look at Percy. He wasn't sure if that was better or worse than meeting his old friend's gaze. "One you've saved will turn on you."

Then, finally, Annabeth, as he remembered her in her prime, gorgeous and amazing and… yet, her eyes lacked a spark. This… doll was not his Annabeth. "Your consequences, overdue."

The vision faded as the smoke sucked back into the oracle. As soon as it disappeared altogether, her mouth closed and the mummy collapsed again. Percy swallowed, standing in the space where he'd seen his oldest and dearest friends, all of whom had moved on without him. His chest hurt, as if someone had grabbed his ribs and squeezed.

Eventually, he managed to turn and hurry towards the door, half stumbling over junk in the way. He wasn't running. He wasn't. It was just…

Painful. His friends so blank-faced and uncaring—unable or unwilling to recognize him.

No, he shook his head. Follow the real Hazel's advice and find something positive. It could have been worse. He nodded to himself. It could have been his daughters. Of course, that brought up images that he did not want to think about. Just about then, Percy remembered that the 'positive view' method had worked far better for Hazel than it ever had for him.

He met Chiron at the bottom of the stairs. He didn't plow into the trainer, but he had been hurrying faster than he probably had any right to. The Centaur looked both immensely worried and relieved at the sight of him.

"Percy! What did you… why did you go up there?"

He took a deep breath. "Apollo told me to see the oracle."

The centaur didn't seem surprised about that, just confused. "How did you know where the oracle was? Who told you?"

"Uh… Mr. D said to go upstairs, so I went up until I couldn't anymore and looked around." He made sure to make his eyes as big and innocent as he could, then adding a touch of confusion. Hopefully that masked some of his pain. He'd be the first to admit that he wasn't the greatest actor ever, but he could pull this off.

Chiron let out a sigh and if he knew Percy wasn't telling the whole truth, he didn't let on.

"Okay, Percy, tell me about this prophecy. Please."

He didn't have to. It wasn't a rule, but Chiron did not like that fact. The thing about Chiron was that while Percy respected him, had worked with him for a long time, the centaur had his biases. He didn't like discussing difficult topics that dealt with his own involvement and had particularly negative or positive opinions of certain gods, taking that bias and placing it on their children as well. It wasn't a conscious thing, but… he also knew to take Chiron's opinion with a grain of salt.

Which was why he decided to tell him the prophecy.

"Leave to find the golden fleece,

Revive the thunder child of Greece.

But child of pantheons, times entwined,

Two ideals and quests shall bind.

Indecision shall be thy bane,

Depend on others once again.

One you've saved will turn on you.

Your consequences, overdue."

Chiron didn't speak for several seconds, which thankfully gave Percy the time he needed to finally get his emotions under control. He wouldn't be surprised if a storm had popped up outside. Annoyed, but not surprised.

After a while, he finally decided to speak up. "I had a dream… about a sea of monsters and the Bermuda Triangle."

Silence still.

"You'll need a boat," the centaur finally said. Percy nodded emphatically, relieved his old mentor had spoken.

"Do you know the kinds of obstacles you'll face in the sea of monsters?"

Percy blinked, then nodded. "I've read the Odyssey."

"What's recounted there may not be all you'll meet there in today's world," Chiron warned. Percy bit his lip, but didn't say anything, and the older being sighed. "Do you know who you'll take with you?"

Before, he'd gone with Clarisse (whether she wanted him to go or not) but… that didn't seem right this time. Which sucked because that had been a huge part of her own story and growth, as both a demigod and a person.

But this… this would be personal. There really were only three people he could choose from: Annabeth, Luke, and Grover. And he was pretty sure the demigods would demand to go.

"Annabeth and Luke," he finally said quietly.

Chiron closed his eyes for a moment, then sighed. "Do you think that is the best for the quest, or are you choosing them based on their association with Thalia?"

Percy frowned. "It's their association with Thalia that makes them the perfect choice. They'll have more reason and motivation to complete the quest."

"You do not think they're too close to the situation?" Chiron asked. It was a fair question.

The time-traveler sighed. "Luke… maybe. Annabeth? No. She's methodical and logical. She'll keep a cool head."

Finally Chiron just nodded. "It is your quest. Why don't you go and inform your questmates and I'll find and discuss the situation with Hades' children."

Percy frowned at the way Chiron had said that, not with disdain—nothing nearly so blatant—but with something negative.

"They're good kids," he said. "They deserve to be safe and welcome here."

The centaur paused, looking surprised. "Of course they do, as do all demigods."

"People will be scared of them, because of their dad, right?" Percy asked.

Chiron's expression softened as he nodded. "It's… not unlikely."

"Is there anything you can do to counter that?" Percy asked.

His old mentor blinked down at the time-traveler thoughtfully for several seconds before he nodded. "I will do the best I can."

It wasn't much, but it was something, so Percy nodded. "Thank you. One of them will be left behind. Probably Nico, if I've read them correctly. He'll need support."

"Of course," Chiron said, nodding.

They stood there for a couple more seconds before the older being put a hand on Percy's shoulder. "Go. Get as much rest as you can tonight. I'll see what I can do about getting a boat for you. The campfire is over, and it's almost curfew. You have enough time to tell your questmates before you have to be in your cabin."

As if the harpies could hurt Percy. Still, he nodded.

"I'll head to the Hermes' cabin first."

"Then I will accompany you," Chiron said.

Percy smiled.

Soon they were striding down the hill towards the cabins. It had gotten dark and Percy looked up at the stars above them. It was lovely. They had always been there. He didn't see Zoë up there. That thought had him smiling.

"By the way," Chiron said quietly, drawing Percy's attention. "I've been meaning to give you something your father left here a while back."

Percy's heart leaped and Chiron extended his hand with a smile, holding out a familiar pen. Percy grinned.

"This is Anaklusmos. It has a long, bloody history, but it will return to its owner whenever you lose it or it is taken from you. You can only give this weapon away willingly."

"Riptide," Percy said, taking the pen and uncapping it.

"Be careful," Chiron warned, but Percy'd long since known how to hold this weapon. It felt like seeing an old friend again, and one that knew him just as intimately as he knew it. He gave it a few experimental swings, reveling in the feeling of a balanced weapon for once.

"Well, it seems like you're taking well to it."

Percy just grinned. "Thanks. I think this is the first weapon I've ever held that felt right."

"Hmm," Chiron said thoughtfully. "Have you tried wielding a trident?"

Yes. He had. And yes, it felt right in his hands too. But he'd always preferred Riptide. Trident's… weren't his thing. Still…

"I'll think about it," he said. He always felt strange with a trident, because no matter how right it felt, that was his father's weapon, and his brother's.

They didn't speak for the rest of the trek to the Hermes cabin.

Once there, Chiron called for Nico, Bianca, and Luke, who all came outside. Once there, Chiron left with the Di Angelos. Percy couldn't meet their eyes. He knew what it was like to just get to camp and then be shoved onto a quest. They kept glancing nervously at him as Chiron led them away to the big house.

After they were out of hearing range, Luke turned to Percy. "What was that all about?"

The time-traveler took a deep breath. "The gods decided that one of Hades' children needs to go and find the Master Bolt."

Luke blinked, surprised. "I thought that was supposed to be you."

"It was. But we have another quest."

More blinking, and then Luke's eyes narrowed. "We?"

Percy nodded. "Luke, will you help me find the golden fleece so we can save Thalia?"

xXx

AN: Yup. That's it for this week! *cackles* :)

It's a little late this week because things have been hectic. Putting out your own book takes a LOT of effort. I knew that, but still didn't think I knew quite how much. TT . TT

A special thanks to my beta readers, discord helpers, and tier 3 and 4 readers: Berix, The Shadow Slayer, Asterius Daemon, Quathis, Harlequin, Speedster, Snow, Starlightluv, Squirps, and The Chronomancer! Also, all of my discord peeps and my readers here! Thank you! (If I've missed anyone, PLEASE let me know!

Discord: discord. gg/xDDz3gqWfy