AN: Here's chapter 5. This is a longer chapter than the previous ones. The Minotaur fight. I see the Minotaur as Percy first real test. Mrs. Dodds wasn't really a struggle. She was defeated in one swing while here, Percy struggled and had to watch his mother get 'killed'. At least Percy's mom didn't die in this chapter. I ended this chapter with a cliffhanger. It was originally going to end with Percy going unconscious but I just couldn't resist the urge to leave it hanging. Listen, the story's tagged as Mystery. I gotta put in Mystery. Hope you enjoy.
Replies:
Robotdoctor: I guess I just posted it too soon. Well, doesn't matter. To my knowledge, Chiron and Grover didn't tell him because your scent gets stronger once you know you're a demigod. Here, they don't know that she already knows what she is so they still do it. As for Chiron being tactless, I don't understand it either. The officers will not be important to the plot. They'll basically be just there for cameos unless I change a part of my plan for this story.
I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. All credit goes to Rick Riordan.
Chapter 5: Camp Half-blood, Here We Come
We spent a few more hours in the station since we still had to iron out the required paperwork and I said goodbye to the officers that took me in.
"Bye Percy! Come visit us sometime!" Yelled an officer.
"Yeah bye!" I replied as we walked away from the station.
While waiting for a taxi, Mr. Brunner spoke. "Percy, I'm sorry for what I said during the finals. That wasn't what I meant. I didn't-"
"It's fine Sir." I cut him off. "I know I'm a half-blood. I belong nowhere."
"That is not the case Percy."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I'm taking you to a place where demigods do belong. Where they are kept safe and trained to protect themselves." He explained.
There's a place like that? It seems unbelievable. In my very long life, I have never encountered a place where I felt completely safe except with my mom and I'm not ready to go back to her yet. The idea of a place for children like me was mind-boggling.
"Really? This isn't some elaborate plot by some monsters to make me feel safe then attack me?"
He chuckled fondly. "No it is not, child. You're safe now."
I'm gonna be honest, I teared up a little bit at that. But I'm not telling them that. After years on the run, I will finally find a home.
I was gonna say so many things. Thank you. What's it called? Where is it? How have I never found it? But a taxi pulled up and we hopped in.
We got off at a seemingly random place near the woods. The sun set a few minutes ago.
"Are you sure this is where I should drop you off?" The driver asked.
It's natural. You don't just drop off a disabled man and two kids in the middle of nowhere.
"Yes, this is where we're getting off." Mr Brunner assured him. "We thank you for your service."
The driver still gave him a skeptical look then drove off.
We faced back to the woods.
"So, where do we go now?" I inquired.
"Come on, Camp's not too far from here." Grover called out. I realized they already went without me. I ran to catch up.
"Camp?" I asked.
"Camp Half-blood. Home." Grover responded dreamily.
The winds started to pick up so we hastened our pace in case of a storm.
As we trekked through the forest, Grover explained all about camp. Meanwhile, Mr. Brunner– or Chiron as Grover told me– was constantly looking alert for monsters as if this wasn't the first time a monster attacked kids while getting to camp.
"... and there's also a canoe la-" Grover was interrupted by a loud bellow
The ground rumbled and a few droplets of rain started to pour.
Grover froze in his tracks. "Oh no." He muttered.
"What was that?"
"It seems like they have caught up somehow." Mr. Brunner said seemingly knowing what was happening.
"What caught up?"
"Oh you know, just the Lord of the Dead and his blood thirstiest minions." Grover said.
"WHAT! WHY?" I shrieked.
"Grover." Mr. Brunner scolded. "You're scaring the poor girl."
"Sorry Chiron." Grover apologized. Another bellow echoed through the night. "We should run."
I didn't know how Mr. Brunner would keep up with us but Grover pulled me into a run. I turned back to see Mr. Brunner riding a horse. Where did he get that?
Wait, no. His upper body was same old Mr. Brunner. But his legs were replaced by a horse from the neck down.
"What?" I asked.
"Come on Percy." Grover kept pulling me until I kept pace with him.
The ground rumbled and the bellow sounded closer.
I caught a glimpse of a figure approaching us. He was a hulking beast. Easily over 7-feet tall. His hands were raised over his head.
I turned back and continued running.
"Grover!" Mr. Br- Chiron yelled. "Lose the pants, they're constricting your movements."
WHAT? Lose the pants? What kind of order is that?
Grover followed the order while continuing to run. Impressive. Once he threw the pants away, I tried not to look at his lower body and focused on running. As Grover was next to me, I felt some ticklish feeling rubbing my legs. I scratched it only to touch a furry object. I looked down to find Grover having the lower half of a barnyard animal.
"Grover? What happened to your legs?" I asked him.
"It doesn't matter."
"Right, 'cause it doesn't matter if my bestfriend is half-donkey?!" I asked incredulously.
He let out a loud "Blaah-ah-ah".
"GOAT!" He yelled.
"What?"
"I'm half goat from the waist down." Grover explained.
"You just said it didn't matter."
"There are satyrs who will temple you for that insult."
Ah, I remember now. Satyrs are half-man, half-goat. First time I have seen one though. From what I heard, they are simps for nymphs and extremely protective of nature. I know Grover loves nature but I just can't see him falling head-over-heels for a nymph. Maybe when he's older.
I was jolted from my thoughts by lightning striking a tree in front of us. I didn't even notice the storm got this bad.
The tree fell and blocked our path ahead. We swerved to the side but that gave the monster chasing us enough time to catch up.
"GO! I'll distract it." Chiron reached into his back like drawing a bow only to stop. He cursed in a language I somehow understand. He then pulled out the pen that he gave me during the museum and flicked its cap off. In its place suddenly sprang out the beautiful bronze sword I used to slay Mrs. Dodds.
He charged at the monster. Now that I got a closer look, raised hands turned out to be horns. Instead, his arms are huge with bulging muscles that look like they can crush me without effort.
Chiron danced around the monster. On closer inspection, Chiron was doing pretty well but he seemed uncomfortable with using a sword.
"Let's go." Grover said. "That tree at the top, that's the boundary line. We'll be safe once we get there."
I looked at where he was pointing to see a tree at the top of the hill. I didn't know how a tree would protect us. Maybe it's a super-powerful nymph that can shoot lightning and maybe fly. I doubted it but I know how scary nymphs can be so it wouldn't surprise me.
Grover and I ran towards it when the monster passed Chiron and charged at us. Apparently, it decided we were easier prey. Chiron tried to get its attention to no avail.
"Grover! Percy! Dodged to the side! It can't turn very well!" Chiron instructed.
When the monster was behind us, we dodged to opposite sides. The monster refocused on me but Grover tried to stand in front of me. The monster just swatted him aside like an annoying insect and he crashed into a tree.
I looked to make sure he's okay. His head was bleeding and knocked unconscious but otherwise fine.
I looked back to the Minotaur stalking towards me.
"Percy! What ho!" Chiron yelled. Just like last time, he threw the pen at me. I guess he wasn't comfortable with throwing a sword at a child.
I caught it and uncapped it to see the shiny bronze blade.
I faced the Minotaur as it charged at me. I sidestepped and swiped with my sword. The monster tried to swat me with its hand but I ducked under it. I stabbed my blade to the beast's side.
It released a boneshaking sound. That made me trip and fall. I luckily rolled out of the way when he came to crush me though I lost my sword now. My back was to the pine tree.
It readied to charge at me and I prepared to dodge. When it came at me, it didn't go as planned. Instead of sidestepping, I jumped over 7-feet into the air and landed on his back. How did I do that?
The monster tried to shake me off but I held on to a horn for dear life. When it stopped, I pulled on the horn with all my might.
SNAP! The horn broke off and I landed on the ground. The beast screamed into the air.
I picked up the horn and stabbed the Minotaur in the back. With a final scream, the Minotaur dissolved just like Mrs. Dodds.
I looked towards Grover to see he was still unconscious. I approached him but I was more tired than I thought. I stumbled and would have fallen flat on my face if Chiron didn't catch me.
He lifted me onto his back.
"You did well Percy. Great job." Chiron whispered.
Chiron picked up the unconscious Grover as well and went to the pine tree.
I tried to stay awake but I spent too much energy. I drifted off to sleep.
I was in a city. It was a stormy night.
I was facing an apartment complex that seemed oddly familiar.
I looked around to see the familiar structures of Manhattan.
I turned back to the apartment complex and unconsciously entered.
I walked through the building when suddenly, I heard a loud crash.
I turned to the source of the sound and saw something that brought tears to my eyes.
AN: That's the end of the chapter. Chiron tried is best but just like in TLO, he isn't used to using a sword and like Kronos said, he's a teacher not a fighter. This is displayed here by him coaching Percy and Grover on how to act and being overall support instead of being the one to defeat the Minotaur. We also see Grover being the brave satyr that he is. Also, did you catch that nudge to Thalia? It's pretty obvious. Next chapter, we will be at camp(or will we). What could have made Percy tear up at the end though? Review your thoughts and thanks for reading.
