Chapter 6: Things We Don't Tell Zeus

Some things were just better left unsaid.

This was something Percy had quickly learned while training under Apollo. The Sun Chariot was powerful, ancient, and held together by divine magic and the occasional roll of cosmic duct tape. Things went wrong. Sometimes because of mechanical issues. Sometimes because of dumb luck. And sometimes… because of Percy and Apollo.

Whatever the case, one lesson became very clear over the years:

Never tell Zeus!

The Incident (Or One of Many)

Percy—now ten years old and a little more experienced—was speeding over the Atlantic during his daily driving lesson when the Chariot sputtered.

Not a good sign.

"Apollo?" he asked nervously, gripping the reins. "Why does it sound like that?"

Apollo, lounging in the passenger seat with sunglasses on, slowly sat up. "Huh. That's weird."

The chariot lurched.

"Uh. That's really weird."

Percy's heart leapt into his throat. "What do I do?!"

Apollo squinted at the controls. "Okay, okay. It's fine. Probably just a minor—"

The left-side stabilizer broke off.

The sun gave a shuddering pulse, sending out a solar flare that knocked out radio signals on Earth.

Percy and Apollo stared.

"Okay," Apollo said. "We might need to fix that."

(The Cover-Up)

Once the Chariot was safely back in the Sun Garage, Apollo let out a long sigh.

"Alright, kid," he said, turning to Percy. "Time for an important lesson."

Percy, still shaken from almost yeeting the sun into the ocean, just blinked. "What?"

Apollo clapped him on the shoulder. "How to lie through your teeth and make up a solid excuse."

Percy squinted. "Wait. Shouldn't we just, y'know, tell Zeus—"

"NO." Apollo grabbed Percy's shoulders. "We never tell Zeus."

"But—"

"Percy," Apollo said seriously. "Do you like lightning?"

Percy frowned. "I mean, it's cool, but—"

"Do you like being struck by lightning?"

"...Less cool."

Apollo nodded. "Exactly. Zeus would electrocute us both if he knew we almost crashed the sun. So! We blame it on something else."

Percy hesitated. "Like… what?"

Apollo grinned. "Let me introduce you to the tried-and-true excuses."

The Art of Excuses (According to Apollo)

Hermes.

"Hermes is missing? Suspicious."

"Who really knows what he's up to? He's a god of Mischief."

'Strange Weather Phenomenon.'

"Mortal scientists are always confused about the weather. Just say it was a rogue storm."

"It's not a lie if they can't prove you wrong."

Interference.

"Satellites are everywhere. Who's to say one of them didn't knock into us?"

4.Blame Divine Interference.

"Ares probably threw a tantrum again."

"Dionysus might've been playing with constellations while drunk."

"Nyx. Just say it was Nyx. No one questions Nyx."

5.Blame 'Solar Flares.'

"They happen! It's science! Who cares if we accidentally caused it?"

Really Confident.

"Even if Zeus knows you're lying, if you say it with enough confidence, he'll let it slide."

"It's all about conviction, kid."

(Putting It to the Test)

Sure enough, the next day, a thunderous voice boomed through Olympus:

"APOLLO. WHY DID THE SUN GLITCH YESTERDAY?"

Percy froze in place. Apollo, however, didn't miss a beat.

"Ah, yeah! That was wild, huh?" Apollo said, way too casually. "Weird weather patterns lately. Pretty sure it was Hermes' fault."

Zeus narrowed his eyes. "…Hermes is missing."

"Exactly!" Apollo spread his hands. "How convenient."

Percy had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

Zeus huffed. "Very well. But next time—"

"Of course, of course," Apollo said quickly. "No problems here! Everything is totally under control!"

Zeus gave them one last look before disappearing in a flash of lightning.

Percy let out a breath. "Did he buy that?"

Apollo grinned. "Nope! But he let it slide. See? Conviction."

Percy shook his head. "You're ridiculous."

"Thanks!" Apollo ruffled Percy's hair. "Now, next time we actually break something, you're handling the excuse."

Percy groaned. "Great."

He had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time they had to lie through their teeth