A/N: Days 22 and 23. 2394 words!

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Chapter 25:

Percy

He stepped into the big house behind Grover, cautiously looking around. Percy didn't know what to expect. Chiron was standing in the living room, picking at his nails. "You wanted to see me, Chiron?"

The centaur looked up at the sound of Percy's voice. "Ah, yes. We're offering you a quest."

Percy looked and saw Mr. D in the armchair almost hidden by the post in the room. "What quest, Chiron?" he asked.

"Well," Chiron seemed unsure of what to say next. "Something's been stolen…"

Percy nodded. "Hestia told me that Zeus's master bolt was stolen, and he blames my dad… even stating that Dad had me steal the bolt, not taking into account that I didn't even believe that gods were real until yesterday." He rolled his eyes. "Apparently, thinking just isn't done in Olympus… because how could someone that didn't even know that Olympus and the gods were real somehow make it to a place they've never been and stolen an item that he's never seen before?"

Grover looked torn between laughing and gasping in horror. "Percy," he said, looking out of the nearest window. Storm clouds were billowing over the camp, causing demigods to look up worriedly.

"Hestia told you everything then," Chiron said, also keeping an eye on the weather outside. "It's true, Zeus is a bit paranoid, perhaps, but with good reason."

"His only reason is because my dad and others trapped him in a golden net, right?"

Chiron nodded. "I'm glad you remembered that test. Yes, they trapped him in a golden net. Poseidon and the others involved say that it was just because they wanted Zeus to rule better, but Zeus is still distrustful when it comes to Poseidon." It started raining outside, drawing their attention.

"So, you want me to go find the thief, and the bolt, and return it to Zeus in eleven days?" Percy asked.

"Yes. If you agree to the quest, you'll need to get your prophecy." He looked back at Percy with worry in his eyes. "Go up to the attic and ask the Oracle."

"My dad needs me," Percy said. "Granted, he only needs me to clear my name and his, but he needs me. Of course I'm going to help him by accepting this quest." Percy scowled at the rain outside. He muttered something about big babies and temper tantrums as he walked up the stairs to the attic. Once in the attic, Percy stumbled upon an old mummy. 'Ugh,' he thought. "Will I find the Master Bolt?"

Green mist spilled out of the mummy, making Percy back away quickly. (Yes, I'm going to use the same prophecy…) "You shall go west, and face the god who has turned. You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned. You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend. And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end."

Percy was confused about what the Oracle said. He went back downstairs to tell Chiron what it said.

Chiron was a little worried. "I don't know what it means that you will be betrayed by a friend, or even what you will fail to save. All I know is that you need to spend some time training with a sword today. Then tomorrow you will go out on this Quest."

"You want me to spend one day training to fight with a sword?" Percy was in disbelief.

Chiron said, "It's not ideal, but it's the only time we can fit in. I only hope that you are trained enough tomorrow so that you don't get killed. Your father would kill me if you died."

"Hestia would kill you too," Percy said.

Chiron shook his head. "You are right."

Chiron took Percy down to the fighting field, where they would meet up with the person that would teach Percy how to fight with a sword. Chiron called out to Luke. "Luke, I have someone that I need you to teach to fight with a sword. Can you do it?"

Luke came out of the storage area where they kept the weapons, and nodded. "Sure I can teach swordplay. Is this him?"

Chiron nodded. "Yes, Luke. This is Percy. I'll leave you two to it. Remember, Percy, you need to pack tonight for a few days. I'll have someone drop some stuff off."

"Thanks, Chiron." Percy turned to Luke as the centaur left. "So, what's first.?" He had never really held a sword, except for the time he killed the fury.

Luke looked him over. "First, we find a sword that will work for you."

Under the canopy of the training arena at Camp Half-Blood, Luke leaned on a wooden post, his sword gleaming in the dappled sunlight. Percy, his expression a mix of determination and nerves, stood across from him, a practice sword in hand.

Luke's voice carried a sense of urgency. "Alright, Percy, listen up. You're leaving for your quest tomorrow, so we need to cover the basics fast. First, grip your sword like this." Luke demonstrated the proper hold, adjusting Percy's fingers until it felt right.

"Good. Now, your stance. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. You need balance," Luke instructed, watching as Percy adjusted his stance accordingly.

"Now, let's talk offense. Swing from your core, not just your arms. Your power comes from your whole body. Try it," Luke said, demonstrating a controlled swing. "Now you."

Percy swung the sword, a bit awkwardly at first, but he quickly adjusted. Luke offered a nod of approval. "Not bad. Now, defense. Keep that sword in front of you, angled slightly upward. Protect your vital areas."

They spent the next hour going through the basics—thrusts, parries, and dodges. Percy's movements gradually became more fluid as he absorbed the fundamentals.

Luke paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "Look, Percy, in a real fight, you won't have time for fancy moves. Keep it simple, stay focused, and watch your opponent. Got it?"

Percy nodded, determination in his eyes. "Got it."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the training arena, Luke offered a final piece of advice. "Remember, Percy, the sword is an extension of yourself. Trust your instincts, and may the gods be on your side."

With a firm handshake and a pat on Percy's shoulder, Luke left him in the darkening training grounds, ready to face the challenges that awaited him on his impending quest.

Percy went to take a shower before dinner. He was filthy. As the water hit his sore muscles, he felt his strength return. After a little while, he was back in his cabin putting his dirty clothes away so that he could hurry to dinner. He had the entire table to himself, but he found that he didn't mind so much. It gave him time to think.

What was going on in Olympus? Was his dad and Hestia talking to Zeus? Percy heard someone order a drink, and that jerked him out of his thoughts. Once he had his food and drink, Percy got up and walked over to the fire. "For Hestia and Poseidon," he whispered. He dropped in a bit of food and got a heavenly scent from the smoke. Percy smiled as he walked back to his seat. He could almost feel the presence of the two gods.

Bag packed with food, emergency supplies like Nectar and Ambrosia, clothes, and money (both godly and normal), Percy briefly stepped out of the cabin to speak to Grover before bed. "Grover, would you like to go with me on the quest tomorrow?"

"Sure," Grover answered. "The elders are going back and forth over whether I completed my mission to bring you here, or not. According to some of them, when you left the barrier, it nullified my completed mission. They're just being stupid."

"Well, with this quest, they've got to say that you've completed the mission." Percy grinned. "I'm going to head to bed now. Good night."

"Night."

…

Percy and Grover were standing by Chiron on top of the hill when Annabeth came walking over to them with a backpack on her back. Percy groaned, drawing Chiron's attention.

"I'm coming with you," Annabeth said to Percy. "I can be useful on the quest."

Percy's eyebrow rose. "Are you seriously telling me that you are coming?"

"Yes," she said, nodding.

"You're not going to, I don't know, ask Chiron for permission?" Percy scoffed.

Annabeth said, "I need this quest." She looked at Chiron after she said that, as if that would get her permission.

"No," Chiron said. "You don't need the quest. You want the quest." He looked disappointed in her. "Why do you want to go on the quest?"

"We come here to train and learn how to survive. How do we know that what we are learning is working if we don't go out on quests?" Annabeth stared up at him.

Percy turned his back on her. He was frustrated with her 'I'm better than you' attitude. He started walking down the hill, with Grover by his side, and got into the car where the driver was waiting. Grover looked back at Chiron and Annabeth before he got into the car, too.

A few minutes later, Annabeth came over and slid into the car beside Grover. "Chiron said I could come, but that it's your quest and not mine." She looked around Grover at Percy as she spoke.

Percy just glanced at her before looking back at the driver's seat. He was not looking forward to the quest now. What would his dad say in a situation like this? "Fine," he said.

"Oh," Annabeth said, pulling a pen out of her pocket. "Chiron wanted me to give you this. He said that if you uncap the pen, it'll turn into a sword. It's a gift from your father." She handed it over to him.

"Thanks," Percy said, looking at the pen in his hand. They were driven into town and left with only their backpacks. Argo, the driver, wished them luck before he drove away. They made their way through town to a bus stop. "Let's get day passes on the bus. That way, we can get on another bus if the first one doesn't go any further." He looked at the others. "I'm not sure if they work across states, though."

Annabeth nodded slowly, looking a bit impressed. "Good idea."

Grover was looking a little nervous, so Percy grabbed an apple from his bag and the two played hackysack with it while they waited for a bus to arrive. When it did arrive, the apple was gone, eaten core and all, by the hungry satyr.

They paid for a day's pass and moved to the back of the bus. Percy put his backpack between his feet as he sat down and looked out of the window. Everything seemed to be going well, but Percy was braced for any eventuality.

Three ladies got onto the bus a couple of hours later and Percy sat up straight in alarm. One of them was an older version of Mrs. Dodds. The three ladies sat down around the middle of the bus, two of the ladies crossing their legs over the aisle.

The Greyhound bus rumbled down the highway, carrying Percy, Grover, and Annabeth towards their next destination. The atmosphere was tense, knowing that the Furies were on the bus with them.

Percy leaned over to Annabeth and whispered, "We need a plan to ditch the Furies without causing a scene. Keep your backpacks with you, no matter what."

Annabeth nodded, her eyes focused on the road ahead. Grover, nervously tapping his hooves, chimed in, "All three of them? What do we do?"

"We'll figure it out, Grover. Just follow our lead," Percy reassured him.

The bus continued down the road and Annabeth suddenly whispered to Percy, "Use my hat. It'll turn you invisible and you can get past them. We'll get away from them somehow."

Percy wasn't sure that it was a fool-proof plan. "How about we go with that, but we avoid fighting if we can help it. I don't want to attract any attention from the regular mortals."

The Furies, sensing an opportunity, approached them. Percy and Annabeth exchanged a quick nod and Percy took the hat Annabeth handed him. Percy clutched his backpack, determined not to lose it. He put the hat on and disappeared. He snuck down the aisle of the bus and ducked into one of the seats as the Furies passed him.

He made his way to the front of the bus and used his power over water to overheat the bus, making the driver curse and pull over to the side of the road. Percy turned to look back at Annabeth and Grover. They were talking to the old ladies, trying to tell them that Percy wasn't there.

"Where is it?" One of the Furies asked. It? Percy wondered what they meant by that.

"Alright, everyone," the bus driver said. "Everybody off the bus. We've overheated somehow and I need to work on it."

Percy stayed hidden amongst the other passengers as they all got off the bus.

Just as they thought they had successfully diverted the Furies, a sudden flash of lightning split the sky. The bolt of lightning struck the bus and the resulting explosion drew gasps from the mortals around them.

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover seized the distraction. Percy whispered, "Let's get out of here before the Furies realize what happened." He handed Annabeth her hat back. "Thanks for the loan."

"You're welcome."

They melted into the chaos, leaving the Furies amidst the bewildered mortals. The trio walked away, but Grover suddenly whined about the destruction of his cans and Annabeth winced as she told them that she had accidentally left her bag on the bus.