A/N: Thank you for all of the wonderful support! I really appreciate it. I would also like some reviews on how you like the story so far. Am I making things interesting enough? Constructive criticism, please... not destructive. :) This chapter should be an extra long chapter, ending at the midpoint for Percy's story.
Rising Storms
A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover
Chapter 39:
Percy
Nico excitedly looked around as he was led to the Big House. "So, this is Camp Halfblood?"
"Yep," Percy said. He watched Nico carefully, and noticed that when Bianca tried talking to Nico... the boy acted like she wasn't even there. Hmm... That was going to haunt her for a while. Apollo took off in his chariot, having said goodbye.
They spoke to Chiron and Mr. D, the later of which acted as if Annabeth wasn't important, and Chiron said, "While we discuss the situation, why don't you let everyone know that we'll have a friendly game of Capture the Flag tomorrow? It's a tradition every time the hunters visit."
"I'm sure it's friendly," Thalia said sarcastically.
Percy looked at Chiron. "I reserve the right to kick their butts if they cheat at the game and maim my fellow demigods." His expression was hard, showing how serious he was.
"Duly noted," Chiron replied as Nico came back from watching the orientation film.
"Wow, you're a centaur!" Nico exclaimed. He grinned at Mr. D. "You're the wine dude, Dionysius," he said. "I have your figurine in my Mythomagic game! You're awesome."
Mr. D looked like he didn't know what to say to that. He hmphed and left the big house.
Percy turned to Chiron. "I think we need another cabin, Chiron."
Chiron looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me that you don't see the resemblance," Percy looked at Nico briefly and then back at Chiron.
Chiron paled. He looked at Nico and swallowed hard. "How?"
Percy replied, "I think I have a very good idea about what's going on, but I don't have all of the details. Aunt Hestia said that my father and Zeus forced Uncle H into the oath, and that Uncle H was the only one to not break the oath. So, that means that Nico and Bianca were born before the oath, and were in the Lotus Hotel for a really long time. So, I think that means we need a cabin for Nico here to stay in."
Chiron was still staring at the confused ten-year-old, but he said, "Zeus won't like it."
"Zeus will have to get over it. Hades deserves to have a cabin here too, and a seat on the council. Speaking of cabins, it's not right that the minor gods and goddesses don't have their own cabins. And speaking of the council, Aunt Hestia should be allowed on it too." Percy scowled.
"I," Chiron said, looking at Percy. "I don't know how this will be received by Zeus and the council."
"I can guarantee that he won't be happy, but no one will like it if Aunt Hestia gets mad." Percy looked outside where a girl was tending the fire but was watching the big house. "I vote that Hades and Hestia get their seats on the council, and that the other gods and goddesses get cabins."
Chiron looked at Lady Hestia through the window and said, "I'll see what I can do. Please go around and tell the other campers about the Capture the Flag game tomorrow."
Percy and Thalia nodded, taking Nico and Grover out of there. Percy spoke up, "I'll take Nico to my cabin. I'm sure dad won't mind if my cousin stays with me until the issue with his dad's cabin is settled."
Thalia nodded. "I'll let everyone know about tomorrow."
"Okay, and Thalia? Maybe you should be leader of the campers in the game."
She looked sharply at him. "No, you've been here longer than me, and you just stood up to Chiron on Lord Hades's behalf."
When Percy was about to protest, Nico said, "Yes, Percy, please be leader! You did such a great job earlier with the manticore. And, apparently we're cousins, and you want to look after me. I'm all for you leading in the games." He grinned up at Percy.
Percy looked over at Grover to be the voice of reason, but the satyr was too busy laughing. Percy sighed. "Okay," he said. "I'll be team leader." He walked away, towards cabin 3, grabbing Nico's shirt sleeve on the way. "Come on, rugrat."
"Hey, I'm not a rugrat!" Nico exclaimed. He followed Percy to cabin 3, looking around as they went. "Where is everybody?"
Percy frowned. "Some of them are probably on quests, but most of the demigods are with their mortal parents."
"What about your mom?" Nico asked.
"She's doing well, but I had the mission to protect you, so I had to leave her." Percy smiled down at Nico. "Here we are."
"Wow!" Nico looked at the cabin in awe.
"Dad, please let Uncle Hades's kid stay here with me until we get him a cabin too." Percy waited for a moment. Then a small sea breeze came and ruffled Percy and Nico's hair.
"Hey," Nico said, smoothing his hair. "How did that happen?"
Percy smiled. "That was dad agreeing to let you stay here. Thanks dad." He stepped closer to the cabin.
Nico looked up at the trident near the door. "Thanks, Uncle Poseidon," he said in shock. "Wait up for me!" he cried as he ran after Percy. "I'm glad I have a place to sleep while I'm here," he said.
"I'm glad for the company," Percy responded. He waved his hand around the room. "Welcome to cabin 3."
That night, Percy found himself dreaming about the goddess Artemis. She was shackled by her wrists, and she looked rather angry as she spoke with someone. Percy couldn't see who she was talking to, but Artemis must have felt his presence, because she glanced in his direction out of the corner of her eye.
"What are you doing here? I was trying to get a hold of Zoe," she whispered.
"I'll tell her what I see," Percy promised her. "Now, what's going on here?"
"That's Atlas," she said, grudgingly. "He's not supposed to be free. I can't talk anymore or it will look suspicious. Watch closely."
Percy nodded. He watched as Atlas grabbed Artemis and dragged her to a different area. He was glad that Artemis's gasp covered his own when he saw what was there. Annabeth was holding up something that looked like it was trying to crush her into the ground. There was a lock of white in her hair that wasn't there before.
"What have you done," Artemis asked in horror. "She's just a girl. No demigod can hold up the sky for too long. Their bodies aren't meant for it."
Percy watched as Artemis was given the choice to take Annabeth's place or let her die. As Artemis was freed from the shackles to make her choice, Percy hoped that Annabeth would recover from this, knowing that Artemis would take Annabeth's place to protect the demigod. He bit his lip as he watched what happened. Annabeth sluggishly rolled out of the way as Artemis held up the sky. Atlas chuckled.
Artemis looked over to where Percy stood. "Hurry," she said. Then Percy woke up with a gasp.
"Are you okay, Percy?" Nico was standing over him. "You looked like you were having a bad dream."
"One of the worst," Percy replied, rubbing the sweat off of his brow. "Lady Artemis and Annabeth's in trouble, and I have to let the others know."
Nico nodded. "I'll head out to eat breakfast, then."
"Remember we have Capture the Flag later today." Percy hurried to get dressed and ran out of the cabin. He made his way to the big house, and found Zoe arguing with Argus, Camp's security guy.
"I need to see Chiron," she said. "I have a bad feeling that something's wrong with Lady Artemis."
"I know something is wrong with Lady Artemis," Percy said, getting her attention.
"How would you know that, boy?" Zoe asked.
"I had a dream about her being shackled and being led to where Annabeth was holding up the sky. She voluntarily took Annabeth's place."
"Why would you dream of her?"
"To be honest," Percy said. "She did say that she was trying to reach you."
"Let's take this inside," Argus said, letting them into the big house.
Chiron was just getting ready to head to breakfast, but he sighed when he saw Percy and Zoe. "What happened?"
Percy recounted everything that he had seen in the dream, and said, "I need to go after them and bring them back."
"She said Atlas," Zoe asked, going pale.
"Well," Chiron stated. "Perhaps tomorrow we find out what the prophesy will say for the quest, and see who will go on the quest."
"Zoe and I should go for sure," Percy said, shocking the huntress. "Why can't we go now to hear the prophesy?"
"No," Chiron said. "Well have Capture the Flag tonight and Percy will get the prophesy tomorrow morning."
"Why the boy?" Zoe asked. "I am Lady Artemis's second in command."
Percy sighed at her attitude. "It's because it was my dream."
"Now that that is settled, let's have breakfast." Chiron led the way outside and didn't leave them any room for arguing.
Percy walked over to the table for Poseidon and saw Nico sitting there. "Hey, Nico."
"Hey, Percy. They said that since I'm staying in your cabin, this is where I'd sit." He looked around before whispering to Percy. "They don't know who my dad is yet."
Percy nodded. "That's okay." Percy gave a portion of his meal to Poseidon as thanks for letting Nico stay with him, and a portion to Hades to please be patient and let Percy work on getting the other gods to accept him and Nico. Then he sat down to eat. "We're having Capture the Flag tonight, as you know. Please stay where I tell you and be very careful. I don't trust that the hunters will fight fair."
Nico nodded. "I'll do as you say."
Percy smiled. "Good. I want you to be safe. If you want, you can spend time with the Hephaestus cabin, learning about their mechanical work, or with any of the other cabins. I have to have a talk with Grover after breakfast. Then, after lunch, I want to spend some time with Aunt Hestia."
"Can I join you after Lunch? I want to meet her." Nico beamed with excitement.
Percy chuckled. "Of course. She'd love to meet you."
"What did you want to talk about," Grover asked later.
"About my dream," Percy replied. "It started out with Lady Artemis in wrist shackles and talking angrily to someone. She felt my presence and looked at me out of the corner of her eye. She said that she had been trying to reach Zoe, but I said that I would tell Zoe what I saw."
Grover was sputtering over the fact that the goddess had been shackled. "What?!"
"Lady Artemis said that the person she was talking to was Atlas, and then we moved to another area, where Annabeth was struggling to hold something up. Artemis said that a demigod can't hold up the sky for long, and then she took Annabeth's place." Percy sighed, having gotten it all out. He was worried about the two females.
"Wow!" Grover said, his eyes wide. "How are we going to find and save them?"
"Tomorrow morning, I'll get to hear the prophecy for the quest." Percy looked around the camp.
They spoke a little while longer, before Grover said, "Come on. It's lunch time."
"Yeah, I'm starving."
"You're always starving," Grover replied.
"True." Percy laughed. They had a quick lunch, partly because they were trying to get away from the hunters, and partly because Nico was bouncing around because he was excited to meet Hestia. "Alright, Nico," Percy said. "Let's go talk with Aunt Hestia."
"Yay!" Nico yelled. He jumped to his feet and hurried Percy along.
Percy laughed. He led Nico over to the campfire that always burned. Beside the fire sat a young girl that looked up as they arrived. "Hey, Aunt Hestia," Percy said with a wave.
"Hello, Percy." Hestia smiled. "How has your day been?"
"It was okay so far. Except for the demigod dream I had last night. Annabeth and Lady Artemis were captured." Percy looked over at Nico. "Aunt Hestia, this is Nico di Angelo."
"Hey, Aunt Hestia," Nico said, waving.
"Hello," Hestia looked at him with a small smile. "Hades's kid. I'm glad to meet you, nephew."
Nico was a little wary at first, hearing his dad's name coming from a goddess. "Does everyone know that?" He asked.
"Any of the gods who look at you closely," Hestia assured him. "I won't say anything if you don't want me to."
"I'm trying to get you and Hades on the council, and Hades a cabin here," Percy said. "I didn't know if you would want one here, since it would be empty... but I can ask for one anyway," he hurried to add.
Hestia smiled. "I don't need a cabin, Percy. Like you said, it would be empty."
"Hera has one," Percy scowled. "As does Lady Artemis, although hers gets used by the Hunters sometimes. You deserve one too." He smiled at her.
Nico spoke up from where he had been thinking. "Aunt Hestia, I suppose you can tell the others. If Percy gets them to accept my dad, then it would only help them if they accept me and my sister too. Right?"
"I hope so," Hestia smiled at Nico. "Has anyone explained to you how you are here, but your father didn't break the oath?" Nico shook his head. "Okay, then." She took a deep breath. "Since Hades never broke the oath, you would have been born in the '50s, since the oath happened in the '60s. My guess is that you were hidden in the Lotus Hotel shortly after the oath, due to Zeus's paranoia. Your father wanted to protect you and your sister."
"What about our mom," Nico asked.
Percy got a bad feeling. "Zeus killed her, didn't he, trying to force the destruction of Bianca and Nico?"
Hestia shrugged. "I don't know. Neither of my brothers will speak to me about the situation."
Nico looked down at the ground... thinking about everything he had just learned and what had possibly happened to his mom. He wasn't sure what to think about the situation. Was he supposed to be confused, glad that his parents didn't abandon him and his sister, sad about the possible death of his mom, or angry at the possibility that Zeus had something to do with it? He didn't know how long he was lost in thoughts until Percy's voice drew him out of them. The sun was much lower in the sky.
"Back with us?" Percy asked, reaching down to help Nico up. "It's dinner time."
"Oh, thanks." Nico to the hand and stood. He looked at Hestia. "Sorry. I was thinking about all of the information I got today."
"It's okay," Hestia said. "I completely understand. Percy and I had a nice chat in the meantime." She stood up to hug her boys. "Good luck with Capture the Flag." She kissed them each on the cheek.
"Thank you, Aunt Hestia," they said together. Then they waved as they headed to eat.
The demigods gathered together after dinner to go over the plan on how to win against the hunters. "Okay everyone," Percy said. "I want the Hephaestus cabin and half of the Ares cabin to set traps for the Hunters. You're good at it." He smirked at their enthusiasm. "I want two Ares kids protecting our flag, because you will protect it fiercely. The rest of the Ares cabin, the Hermes cabin, the Athena cabin, the Demeter cabin, the Dionysius cabin, and the Aphrodite cabin will be positioned between the traps and the flag, spread out to cover the sides as well." The groups nodded so far. "Apollo cabin will be up in the trees, ready to fire their arrows in the general direction of the hunters. Remember, we're not allowed to intentionally maim them."
"What about me?" Nico asked.
"Are you a good climber?" Percy asked.
Nico nodded. "Much better than Bianca."
Percy smiled. "Then you'll be with the Apollo kids." He called for some throwing knives, and gave them to Nico when they were passed over. "Take these. I know you don't have the training for them yet, but that means that they will be able to dodge the throws and you won't hurt them." He was trying to give Nico something to do while keeping him safe.
"Thanks for trusting me, Percy," Nico said.
Percy smiled. "Any questions?" He asked the other campers.
"What will you be doing?" Asked one of the Ares kids.
Percy smirked. "I will be getting their flag. I also told Chiron that if the Hunters maim us and/or cheat, I would kick their butts." The other demigods smirked in response, knowing Percy's temper and protectiveness. Some of the demigods might not like him, but they respected his skills. "Alright, then. Let's get started on our plan. Ready?" They yelled out in sync. "Go!"
Once the two teams were ready, and hidden, a few minutes later, Chiron made his speech. "Let's have a clean game. A friendly game. No intentional maiming, or there will be consequences."
Percy got ready. This was it. When Chiron said they could start, everything happened at once! Percy was off, running towards the Hunters' camp, and traps were going off as the Hunters tripped them. Percy laughed joyously as he ran through the creek. He saw no one on his way to where the opponents' camp was, until he ran into Bianca. "Oops, sorry Bianca," Percy said, helping her up. He grabbed the flag and ran away before she knew what was happening. He could hear other demigods yelling and cursing the hunters, so he slowed to a stop and put the flag inside his shirt to hide it.
Percy moved closer to the noise, and saw a few of the Hermes kids lying on the ground, bleeding slightly, and glaring up at the hunters who had bows pointed at them. Percy saw red. Especially when he heard one of the demigods speak up.
"We were just going back to our camp to get healed from your attacks!" It was Travis. Conner was lying next to him with a bump on the head.
"There's no way you could beat us anyway," Phoebe said, smugly.
Percy was about to step forward when he saw Zoe running towards the creek, heading his way. She briefly glanced at her fellow hunters, but kept running. Percy growled as he stepped out of the woods. The water swirled as he stepped into the creek. His eyes blazed with hatred. Every conscious person in the area looked at Percy in surprise and a little fear. Even Zoe stopped running on the Camp Halfblood side of the creek. Her eyes were wide as she stared at Percy. Percy's growl tapered off just enough for him to speak. "How dare you hunters bully the demigods because you think you are better than us! You attacked my friends and then kept them from getting healing?!" The water of the creek rose around him sharply and swiftly.
Zoe attempted to say something as she stared at his power. Hercules never had this much power behind his voice, much less used this much power! "Jackson," she said.
He snapped his head to look at her. His eyes seemed to glow with the power of the sea. "Don't even try to excuse them, Zoe. You were just going to let them do whatever."
Phoebe scoffed. "Jackson, stop acting so high and mighty! You're just a boy. You can't do anything to us."
He turned hateful eyes on her. "I told Chiron that I would kick hunter butt if you cheated or intentionally maimed any demigod." He smirked, making shivers run down the hunters' backs. Finally Phoebe's eyes widened as the creek water shot forward and threw her away from the Hermes boys. She landed with a hard crash. Percy turned to another of the hunters and she started to run before he made her fall into another hunter. They crashed into the ground, the breath knocked out of them. Percy looked back at Zoe who was attempting to get past him in the creek. He shot water at the wrist holding the flag, and she dropped the fabric with a shocked yelp. Percy smirked as he walked over to the Camp Halfblood side. "Looks like we won," he said.
"You don't have our flag!" Zoe exclaimed.
"I don't?" Percy reached into his shirt and pulled out the flag. The demigods cheered as they won Capture the Flag against the hunters for the first time. Percy let the water spout fall back into the creek with a grin on his face. He was still mad, but he was letting it go for now.
"Camp Halfblood wins!" Chiron said, both happy and worried. Just how powerful was Percy? And what if he couldn't control his powers in the future?
Percy turned and helped Travis half carry Connor to the medics. Will was taking care of Nico who had a cut on his arm. "What happened?" Percy demanded of Will and Nico as he hurried over. Travis laid Connor on a temporary bed.
"I'm fine," Nico said. "One of the hunters wasn't being careful, and she shot an arrow at me. It scraped me and I fell off of my branch. I'm okay, though!" He tried to convince Percy, whose face was darkening. "Will's brother Michael caught me, which pulled his arm out of socket, but he pulled me onto his branch... which was the lowest branch of the tree." Nico placed his uninjured hand on Percy's arm. "I'm okay."
"But you almost weren't," Percy replied. He looked over at Michael, who had his arm in a sling, and nodded to the Apollo kid in thanks. Michael grinned and nodded.
"But he is," said Will, looking up at Percy with a serious frown on his face.
Percy nodded. "Fine, I'll let Chiron deal with Zoe and her hunters."
Will nodded. "Good. Now, I'm done here. I'll go check on the Hunters that you threw." He gave a wry grin to Percy, who looked sheepish.
"Sorry," Percy said. He looked at Nico. "I am glad that you are okay. I put you with the Apollo kids so that something like this wouldn't happen!"
Chiron came over to them and pulled Percy away. "Are you okay?"
Percy sighed. "I was so angry that they were keeping demigods on the ground after attacking them, and laughing about it. Then Zoe just looks at them and keeps going!" He ran his hand through his hair. "Phoebe even said that since they were boys there was no way that we could beat the Hunters."
Chiron nodded. "It's un-sportsmanship, yes, and I will deal with it." He looked back at Percy. "But, are you okay after using so much power?"
Percy looked down at the ground. "I'm okay, but I'm really hungry."
Chiron laughed. "You used a lot of energy. It's only natural that you need to fill that energy in one of two ways: either eating a lot, or sleeping a lot."
After that talk, Percy got a second supper and then went to cabin 3 with Nico, who looked a little uncomfortable. "What's up, Nico?"
"You are really powerful!" He sounded like he was in awe. "The way you made the water swirl like that! But, were you really going to hurt them?"
Percy looked down. "I thought about it, but mostly I just wanted to teach them a lesson. Are you scared of me now?" He bit his bottom lip.
Nico ran over to hug Percy around the waist. "No! I'm not scared of you! Not even if you did hurt them. I was just worried about what others would do... and if you were run out of camp, I would follow you."
Percy looked down at the smaller boy. He felt his heart swell with emotion. He swallowed and wrapped his arms around Nico. "Thanks, man. I hope it won't come to that." He gently squeezed Nico before they both let go.
"Okay, goodnight," Nico said. He hurried to his side of the room.
Percy smiled. "Goodnight." He went to his bed and got changed before crawling into bed. For once, he didn't dream.
The first thing Percy did after getting dressed the next morning was head to the Big House. He was anxious to get the prophecy right away so they could save Artemis and Annabeth. A hurried trip up the stairs to the attic later, and Percy was standing in front of the mummy. "How do we save Artemis and Annabeth?"
Green mist flowed out of the mummy's mouth as she spoke eerily, "Campers and Hunters together unite, go to rescue the goddess in chains, one will die along the way, and one must carry the weight; from five to three, the champions say goodbye to the Huntress in the night sky, and come back victorious." Then the mist was gone and Percy was alone.
Percy walked back downstairs and startled Chiron who was going outside for breakfast. "I have the prophesy," he told the centaur. His face was pale.
Chiron looked Percy over. "It's not good, is it?" Percy made the hand sign for 'sort of'. Chiron sighed. "Okay, I'll call the council."
The War Council, which was made up of the head councilors, and the Hunters were soon standing around the war table in the Big House. Dryads had brought lots of food for their breakfast meeting. Percy didn't really grab any food as he stood before his fellow councilmen. He just wasn't hungry enough at the moment. "The prophecy goes like this: 'Campers and Hunters together unite, go to rescue the goddess in chains, one will die along the way, and one must carry the weight; from five to three, the champions say goodbye to the Huntress in the night sky, and come back victorious.' It's obvious from the words that five will go to free Lady Artemis and Annabeth, but only three will return."
Silence. They were all processing his words. "The hunters get to find Lady Artemis," Bianca said excitedly.
"'Campers and Hunters together unite'," said Thalia. "You hunters don't get to do it alone. Besides, this is Percy's quest." She stepped up beside Percy, arms crossed over her chest.
"Thanks, Thalia," he said. After being turned into a tree, she should be about his age at thirteen, but as far as Chiron figured, she had still aged as a tree... just slowly, so she was just a week shy of her sixteenth birthday. He could see it, actually, with the way she held herself and the way she spoke.
"What are friends for?" She smirked at him.
Percy turned to the council. "So, who do we send?" He swallowed. "Just know that two will die on the quest. Zoe and I are going, for our respective friends." Again, Zoe looked at him, shocked. Especially after last night. He ignored it.
"I'll go," said Thalia. "I've known Annabeth the longest, and I know that she's a fighter and will hold up until we get there."
Percy nodded. "Thanks, Thalia."
"I'll go too," Grover said. "I can do some good tracking." He grinned at Percy. "Besides, you're not leaving me behind."
Zoe spoke up. "The other hunter going will be Bianca."
"Me?" Bianca asked shocked and happy all at once.
"Are you serious?" Percy asked. "She hasn't even trained for a day! She's not ready!"
"I believe she is," Zoe shrugged. "Besides, didn't you go on your first quest at twelve after your first game of Capture the Flag?"
Percy scowled at her. How did she know that? "At least I got some sword fighting training. A brutal lesson, at that. You're sending her out there with no real training after she stood guard in the games with no fighting." He glanced at Bianca in a silent apology about basically calling her weak.
"She's ready, and that's final." Zoe glared at Percy.
Chiron sighed sadly. "Then it is settled." He looked at Bianca like he was already picturing her not coming back. The council spread out to finish eating their breakfast, until only Percy and Thalia were standing at the war table.
"What are you going to do?" Thalia asked gently.
Percy sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I have to tell Nico." He started walking out of the Big House.
"Percy, you need to eat more!" Thalia called after him, but he was gone.
Percy found Nico talking to the Hermes kids. "Nico, may I speak to you privately?"
Nico looked up and frowned at the look on Percy's face. "Sure, is everything okay," he asked as he stood up.
"Follow me." Percy led the way to cabin three, and the two sat on Percy's bed. "Nico, this isn't easy for me to do, so please bear with me. I'm going on a quest to save Artemis and Annabeth, and Thalia and Grover are going with me. You can continue to stay here while I'm gone." He smiled slightly at Nico, but it was forced. "Zoe is also going, because she's one of Artemis's hunters, and she ...she chose Bianca as the fifth member of the group." Percy looked warily at Nico's face. "I tried to stop it, but Zoe was adamant."
Nico was pale. His sister was going on a quest without him? He gripped Percy's arm tightly with both hands. "Please bring her back safely!"
"Nico," Percy said.
"Promise me that you will bring her back safely!"
"I can't promise that," Percy said. "I can, however, promise to look out for her if I'm able to. It's a dangerous mission, but I will do my best." He pulled Nico into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Nico. I did try to keep her out of this."
Nico moved until his arms wrapped around Percy. "I know you did," he said, his voice getting choked up.
They stayed like that until a knock was heard at the door. The two boys pulled away and Percy called out, "Come in."
The door opened and Thalia stuck her head in. "Hey, Percy. Chiron says to get ready to go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can come back." Her lips twitched and she looked at Nico. "We'll try to look after Bianca, but she's really Zoe's responsibility."
He nodded sadly. "Thanks," he told her.
Percy got up from his bed, and started packing a bag. "Nico, I'll be back as soon as I can."
Nico nodded. "Okay." He was still quiet.
Travis and Connor poked their heads on either side of Thalia's. "We grabbed you a lot of money, both mortal and drachmas." Travis held out the bag to Percy.
"And thank you for protecting us," Connor added. "We got Phoebe back for what she did to us." He grinned mischievously.
Percy shook his head with a grin. He came over to take the bag. "Thanks for this." He quickly finished packing and saw the saltwater fountain. No, there was no time to make a call. He had to leave now. He put the money bag in his backpack and put his backpack on his shoulder. As he walked to the door, he said, "See you, Nico. Like I said, feel free to continue staying here. I'll be back soon."
Nico rushed over and wrapped his arms around Percy's waist when Percy turned to look at him. "Come back safely, please." His voice was muffled by Percy's stomach.
"I'll do my best, Nico." Percy wrapped an arm around Nico and gently squeezed. "I need to go."
Nico nodded and let go of Percy, running to his own bed. Percy stepped outside with Thalia, Travis, and Connor who were all looking at him amusedly. They started walking away, when Travis smirked and said, "Looks like little Nico has a crush on you, Percy."
Percy frowned. "Travis, he's just worried about the person that let him stay in the cabin and helped save him and his sister."
"Right," Connor said, chuckling.
Thalia shook her head at Percy's inability to see that he was that likeable. "Come one seaweed head," she said. "We have to meet up with the others."
"Yeah," Percy said, following her out of camp and to the car. Zoe was already in the driver's seat. "Are you old enough to drive?" he asked, curious.
She looked over her shoulder at him. "I've been driving since cars were invented."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "Okay, then." He got into the car. Then everyone else piled in. "Let's go."
Zoe took them away from camp, ignoring the fact that Percy had just said something and she had followed it. She drove West.
Percy watched her. It looked like she knew exactly where to go... which should have been impossible, but Percy was used to impossible by now. Things just seemed to happen when they shouldn't be able to. As he watched her, she had a hard look on her face. Something was bothering her. Something about the place they were going, perhaps. Her eyebrows furrowed as she drove for what seemed like forever. They pulled into a gas station to fill up the tank and the others went inside to grab snacks or use the restroom, he stepped toward Zoe, "How do you know where to go?"
She looked startled at the question before she said, "Well, I knew when you said 'Atlas'." She looked away from Percy. "Atlas holds up the sky in only one location. My home."
Percy noticed the look on her face. "I'm sorry you have to remember something terrible." Her head jerked in his direction... eyes wide. "It's written on your face," he said as Thalia came out of the gas station.
"I just paid for fifty dollars worth of gas," Thalia said. "You're good to go." She had snacks in her arms and she looked between the two. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Percy said with a smile. "Everything's good. I'm going to head inside."
Zoe put the gas pump in the opening for the tank and starting filling up the car. She didn't look at Percy as he left, or at Thalia.
"Okay," Thalia said, putting her snacks in her seat in the back of the car. She stood outside the car to finish stretching her legs.
By the time Percy had finished using the restroom and buying some snacks and drinks, the others were hanging around the car. He looked over as he stepped out of the store and walked over.
"Bianca!" Thalia yelled.
Bianca let loose an arrow, and Percy saw a lion dodge it. Where did the lion come from? "Dang it!" Bianca yelled.
Then the lion saw Percy, and ran at him. "Boy, run!" Zoe yelled as she attempted to kill the lion. "It's the Nemean Lion."
Freeing one hand, Percy uncapped Riptide, or tried to, before he was knocked to the side by Grover. Both of the boys hit the ground as the lion leapt past. Percy's bags landed beside him as his pen/sword flew in the opposite direction. "Well, no opening the bottles for a little while," Percy said. He looked up at the lion that had turned around. "Hungry kitty?" He grabbed one of his snacks, a Twinkie still in its wrapper, and threw it.
The lion's mouth had been open, and it swallowed the snack, wrapper and all, but choked. Coughing and hacking, the lion froze and disintegrated in gold dust. All that was left was a golden pelt.
"What just happened?" Percy asked, shocked.
Grover scoffed in surprise. "I think you just killed the Nemean Lion with a Twinkie."
Thalia helped the two boys up while Bianca picked up Percy's two bags. Zoe came over and picked up the pelt, saying, "This is your spoil of war."
"Thanks, Zoe," Percy said, taking the pelt. It immediately became a jacket. "Wow, cool!" He put it on and patted the pocket of his jeans when he felt the pen return to it. Percy turned to Bianca. "Thanks for picking up the bags, Bianca."
"You're welcome." She handed them over, looking worried. "Did you talk to Nico before we left?"
"Yes," Percy said. "Why are you only now asking?"
She tried to play it off, "I was just wondering how he was."
Percy scowled. "He wants you back safe," he said as he walked back to the car. They clambered into the car and took off again. Percy was lost in thought about all that had happened at the gas station. He had to wonder though... what was so bad about Zoe returning home? He could tell that she had remembered something horrible when thinking about her home, but he couldn't tell what it was. Maybe it had to do with her family? Just how old was she anyway, if she was driving since cars were invented?
A few days later, they were in California. Percy had gotten separated from the group when they were chased by skeletons, and he was running through a park. 'Where were the others when you needed them?' he thought. The skeletons were getting closer, but no one seemed to notice anything off. Not that there were many people in the park. Percy stumbled a few times on the uneven ground and even fell over a redheaded girl that was sitting and sketching. "Sorry," he said, getting up. "Are you okay?" He looked behind him and saw that the skeletons were closer. "Dang it! They're getting closer. Sorry, I have to go."
The girl looked behind him. "Are they skeletons," she asked in shock.
Percy looked at her abruptly. "You see them for what they are?"
"Yes!" She looked up at Percy. "Just what is going on?"
"I can't explain... um?" He said.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare," she said.
"Well, Rachel Elizabeth Dare," Percy said with a small smile. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Please act like you don't see them. They might hurt you if they realize you see them." He turned and ran. He was passing a pond when he saw it. There was an aquatic animal caught at the shoreline in a bit of trash. He cursed and ran towards the animal. "It's okay," he told it. "I'll get you out of here. Keep still." He pulled the plastic and ropes, untangling as he went. "Come on, you're doing great," he told the animal, what looked like a sea cow. "Good cow." He barely freed the sea cow before he had to run again. "Bye girl." He gave her a quick wave as she dove back into the water.
The skeletons were on him again, dogging his steps as he left the park. He crashed into a familiar figure... only really knowing her by her voice, since he closed his eyes from exhaustion. "Dang it, seaweed head! Where have you been?" Thalia asked as she pushed him off of her.
"Being chased by skeletons through the park," he told her.
"They're here?!" Bianca asked.
"Yep," Percy said, opening his eyes. He watched as the others took their turn fighting the skeletons. He was waiting here till his sword returned to his pocket. It was taking a while, probably because of all the running. He sat up to watch the fight, hoping that his travel companions did okay.
Bianca was trying to do the 'lucky stab' thing that she had done before, and as he watched... things seemed to slow down as she worked through the skeletons until only one was left. She stabbed it, but Percy's gaze was locked on the spot of red on the back of her hunter's uniform.
"Bianca! No!" Percy yelled, getting up and running over to her as the last skeleton disintegrated. He caught Bianca's body as she fell. "No," he said. "You can't die. Nico will kill me!"
Bianca gave a weak chuckle. "Tell him that it wasn't anyone's fault. Tell him that I fought well, and with honor." She pulled something out of her pocket and placed it in his hand. "Please give this to Nico. He doesn't have this one. I saw it in a store, and had to buy the only one he doesn't have."
Percy shook his head. "You can't die," he repeated.
"It's okay," Bianca said. "You're not so bad, Percy. I had wondered." She looked up and sighed. She didn't breathe in again. Then her body faded away.
Percy was in shock. How was he going to face Nico now? He looked at the figure in his hand, and let out a scoff. Hades. Their father's figure in that Mythomagic game. He didn't know that tears were running down his cheeks until Thalia put a handkerchief in his line of sight. He took it without thinking and looked up at her. She was crying too, and had another handkerchief in her other hand. Percy hurriedly wiped his eyes and cheeks before standing and looking anywhere but at his companions. He put the Hades figurine into his pocket. Then he felt his pen return to his other pocket. Finally. When it was already too late. "Come on," he said, his voice hoarse from crying and trying not to break down further. "We don't want to hang out here any longer. We need to keep going."
"He's right," Zoe said, trying to hold back her own tears.
A little while later, Thalia said, "Annabeth's dad! He can let us borrow one of his cars."
'That's right,' Percy thought, shaking off the fog of grief. He'd grieve more later. They had lost the car when the skeletons had forced them into driving into a tree. "You know where he lives?"
"Yes," Thalia said. "Annabeth told me." She smiled at being able to help.
Percy nodded. "Lead the way."
"It's not that far, actually. Maybe an hour or two?" Thalia led them through the streets of San Francisco, until they were able to take a cab.
The house was a nice place when they reached it. Mr. Chase seemed like a good person, if a little flighty, and Annabeth's stepmom seemed more understanding. Mr. Chase let them take one of his cars, and they were off. Zoe drove them up to where the cave was.
"Be careful and do exactly what I say. The dragon won't like us getting close if he awakes."
"Dragon?" Percy asked.
"Ladon."
They drove just a little farther before lightning hit the car, and they went sliding towards a fog bank. "Not again," Percy groaned.
"Okay, everybody out and stick close to me," Zoe said. They got out of the car and Zoe explained. "The fog bank is the mist hiding my home from the mortals. Just stick close to me and think of following me to my home."
She stepped into the fog and disappeared. Percy and the others followed swiftly, not wanting to be left behind. They passed through the mist to a path bracketed by lush grass.
Percy looked around and saw a garden ahead. It was a nice garden with a large tree in the center with large golden apples hanging from the branches. It would have really tempted Percy, if it wasn't for the dragon curled around the base of the tree.
"Sisters," Zoe said as three gorgeous ladies appeared.
"We see no sister," one of them said.
Percy saw how lovely they were, and now realized how beautiful Zoe was. The other girls, Zoe's sisters, were speaking to her... and saying that they weren't much of a threat. He placed a hand on Zoe's shoulder. "Zoe, if they don't see us as a threat, then they wouldn't mind letting us pass. Right?" He looked at the three maidens with a risen eyebrow.
The Hesperides, nymphs of the sunset, Zoe's sisters, looked at each other and then back at Percy. "Very well, son of Poseidon, the four of you may enter our garden and pass through up the mountain. But, be warned, one of you will die." They disappeared into the shadows.
Zoe looked at Percy in shock. "You got them to let us into the garden." She blinked. "Come on, follow me." She led the other three around the edge of the garden to the other side. When they got to the cave, Zoe said, "We need to be careful. We don't know what will happen next."
They stepped into the cave and Percy gasped at the sight of Artemis struggling under the weight of the sky and Annabeth sitting on the ground and tied up. "Annabeth! Lady Artemis!"
Luke and Atlas turned at Percy's voice. "Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite cousin," Luke said with a grin. "You're just in time."
"For what, Luke?" Percy asked.
Luke's grin widened. "For the grand plan to start." Luke grabbed Annabeth and pulled her to her feet.
"What are you going to do with her?" Percy asked, stepping forward.
"Well, Percy," Luke said with a smirk. "We are going to take a little trip."
Percy looked at Annabeth and then at Artemis. What was he going to do? His mind raced as he looked at his companions. If he didn't save Annabeth and Artemis, then they could both die. "Thalia," he said. When she looked at him, he continued, "You go after Annabeth and get her to safety. Protect her from Luke."
"I hope you know what you're doing," Thalia said with a nod.
"Zoe," Percy turned his head to look at her. "When you get a chance, work with Lady Artemis to take down Atlas." Zoe warily nodded, and Percy faced Luke again. "It's over, Luke."
"I don't think so," Luke said. Then something hit him from behind and he fell forward with a cry.
"Thanks, Grover." Percy said. He nodded to Thalia. She moved forward and grabbed Annabeth while Percy turned to Artemis. He ran over to her as a figure stepped out of the shadows. Atlas. Percy saw Zoe step towards Atlas, and he looked at the goddess before him. "Lady Artemis, let me take the weight. We need a goddess's help to defeat Atlas and put him back where he belongs."
"You can't hold the sky for long. Your body won't be able to handle it." Artemis was looking at him in shock.
Percy grinned wryly. "Your brother would probably kill me if we don't save you."
"No," She said. "You'd be surprised. He seems to really like you." She seemed reluctant, but she slowly moved to the side as Percy slid under the sky.
"Go!" Percy said, suddenly feeling the weight crushing him. Pain was shooting down his back and his arms and legs. Percy opened his eyes to watch what was happening. Zoe and Artemis were fighting Atlas. Thalia and Grover were protecting Annabeth, who was watching everything around her in shock.