Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Annabeth hugged her knees to her chest as she sat on the sand dune and stared out at the ocean by Long Island Sound. The sun was setting as the waves lapped onto the shore. As she wiped a fallen tear from her cheek, she took a deep breath of the salty air. Staring out at the water, she could almost imagine the colour of Percy’s eyes as they encompass and shine with the ocean within them. Percy had gone missing just over 6 months ago and still there was no word from him. None of the scouts had found anything and there was no indication that Percy was even alive, let alone at the Roman camp. All their plans were pinned on Percy being at Camp Jupiter, but what if he wasn’t? Or what if he was but he didn't remember anything? What if he didn't remember her?

Annabeth was startled out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to find Thalia, Rachel and Grover behind her. “You need to try to sleep. The Argo II is almost ready to go, and Percy is going to need you at your best.” Thalia said as she sat beside the girl she calls her sister. She has taken care of Annabeth when she was little, and Thalia had been struggling with watching Annabeth go through this depression she seemed to go through without her best friend and boyfriend. Since they were like sisters to each other - a bond that would never break - Thalia had only the slightest jealousy when admitting that Annabeth and Percy got each other in a way she never could, and it had seemed that with Percy missing, Annabeth had lost a part of herself.

“I can’t sleep,” Annabeth said softly with a slight crack in her voice, wiping her cheeks again as another wave of tears travelled down her face.

“Hey, there are still people looking. We will find him, and you’ll be able to see him soon.” Rachel said, as she lightly bumped her shoulder into Annabeth’s.

“I just keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong. You know Percy; he has the most rotten luck of any demigod I know, and if his memories are gone like Jason, how do we know he is okay? I remember when he first got to camp and he was hopeless, what if he got into trouble without us? How do I know he is safe with the Romans?” Annabeth exclaimed. She didn't want to admit that she was also worried that Percy may not remember her; that he may have found someone else. She didn't think she could bear it if she was forgotten by her best friend/boyfriend. She had a feeling that even though she didn't admit it, it had not gone unnoticed by her friends.

“You can't go thinking like that Annabeth. I know he is okay, I can tell that much. I know I haven't been able to talk to him, but I would feel it if he wasn't okay.” Grover said. “Plus, even at 12, Percy was already one of the strongest people I know, demigod or otherwise, in both heart and powers. Even if he isn't the smartest.”

Annabeth gave a little giggle. “You’re right, of course. I know he is fine. He just needs to stay that way for a bit longer. I just hope he can hold on to his silly ideas until we get there.”

“We both know that isn't going to happen Princess!” A voice declared, making Grover jump slightly, before the three girls and the satyr turned to the new speaker. A group of people were heading towards them. Clarisse and Chris were in the lead, followed by Connor, Travis, Katie and Will, with Jason, Piper and Leo. “But you know he will be fine. We just have to trust him. I know I do.” Clarisse finished. Everyone but Annabeth looked at Clarisse in surprise. “What?!” she demanded.

“Didn’t know you care, Clarisse.” Connor said with a laugh.

“Yeah, don't you hate Percy?” Travis added with a chuckle.

“When did I say I cared?” She asked

“You did just say you trusted him. Isn't that caring?” questioned Leo.

“I don't know what you’re talking about,” Clarisse replied.

Annabeth smiled. She knew that while Percy and Clarisse were Frenemies, they were more friends than enemies. Clarisse respected him and had been one of the first to offer Annabeth comfort when Percy first went missing, as well as one of the first to sign on as a scout. Annabeth knew that Clarisse missed Percy just as much as the rest of them. She remembered having comforted Clarisse, who may or may not have shed some tears when after the first two months, no signs had been found. Since then, Clarisse had stopped scouting and become irreplaceable as she helped Annabeth step up into the empty void of the Leader of Camp Half-Blood that Percy’s disappearance had left.

“I was wondering if we would be able to know more about Percy,” Jason asked the group. “All I really know about him is that he is considered a legend here, he has supposedly done amazing things and he is Annabeth’s boyfriend. I feel that we at least should know something about him before we go pick him up.” If he was being honest, Jason was already quite a bit jealous of Percy. He didn't even know that much about him; only four things. He didn't want to mention the last thing he knew about Percy Jackson. He didn't want to say that the final thing he knew about Percy Jackson was that everyone thought Percy better than him. He knew this because he couldn't get a compliment from anyone in Camp Half-Blood without being compared to Percy. Oh Percy does this better. Oh Percy does that better. Jason felt that the best way to not be blindsided by Percy was to figure out what exactly he had done and who exactly he was.

“Oh, I totally want to know more about the guy. I mean, the stories I have heard are insane and unbelievable. I mean wow! He fought in the Titan War and is apparently one of the best swordsmen from Camp, but what’s his story?” exclaimed Leo in a single breath.

“His story?” Annabeth asked.

“Yeh, like what type of guy is he? What has he done that made him so famous around here?” Leo asked.

“He has done a lot,” answered Grover.

“Probably enough to fill a book,” Travis said.

“Or two!” Connor suggested.

“Or five.” Katie said.

“Imagine if there were books for us to read,” Piper exclaimed. “Then we could all learn about his adventures.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Is this something you truly wish for?”

All heads turned quickly towards the unknown voice. There stood a tall woman with green eyes that were calculating and mysterious, and straight black hair that reached just above her shoulders. She was pale and beautiful, and had a way of looking ageless. She wore white robes that had ornate silver embroidered designs that when looked closely seemed to be runes or alchemy symbols that kept changing as she stood in front of them.

“Hecate?” Annabeth breathed.

“Yes?” she said, smiling.

“What are you doing here?” asked Thalia.

“I overheard your wish.”

“Our wish?” asked Will.

“To read and learn of Percy Jackson’s adventures? That is what you said, is it not?” she questioned.

“You can do that?” asked Annabeth, confused. Why would Hecate do this? Wasn’t Hecate on the other side of the Titan War last summer?

“I have power over time, sleep, dreams and prophecies. I can manipulate the Mist and darkness. I believe I can help achieve your wish, if it is what you want.”

“Oh, man, that would be awesome!!” Leo said.

“But isn't it an invasion of privacy,” Annabeth said. “I mean, it’s Percy’s life.”

“Oh, come on,” Connor whined.

“Leo’s right. It would be awesome!” added Travis.

“Wouldn’t we need Percy’s permission before digging into his life?” asked Will.

“Yeah, it doesn't seem fair without asking him first,” responded Rachel.

“Oh, quite right.” Hecate began. “It is Percy Jackson’s life. He would, of course, have to be present at the reading.”

“He would be there with us?” Annabeth asked, heart pounding at the thought. “Will we see him again?”

“Well, of course,” The goddess answered.

“And you would do this?” Piper questioned. “Why?”

“Other than as a bit of entertainment, I believe knowledge may be needed for upcoming events. I am happy to use this wish as a way to supply that knowledge."

“Sounds like fun!” Connor, Travis, Chris and Leo said.

Annabeth nodded in agreement. “Let’s do it!”

“Hold on a second, Annie.” Thalia said, placing a hand on Annabeth’s arm. “Let’s think about it first.”

“Thalia, I could see Percy again,” Annabeth said, her expression happier than it had been since Percy’s disappearance.

“We could learn about him and his quests. I’d love to see what the ‘Great’ Percy has done.” said Jason. He hoped no-one had noticed his sarcastic tone but surely Percy had not done as impressive stuff as him. I mean, sure Leo said that Percy had fought in the Titan War but while Percy was likely battling easy to kill monsters, he had been fighting a Titan. Despite this and the exaggeration by the others, (I mean 5 whole books? really?), he felt he needed to know about Percy to best help the quest. He knew that they were swapped because they are both supposed to lead this quest but Jason was the son of the King of the Gods. He was more powerful so he would end up leading, he just knew it. He knew how to lead Camp Jupiter, and he had led the quest to save Hera just fine (even if it was hit and miss for a bit) so the only unknown was how to lead Percy Jackson. Hopefully, this wish would help him find out.

Thalia sighed. She didn't know how to say no to both her brother and honorary sister. “You really want to do this?” she asked warily.

“Yes!” said everyone, but Clarisse, who was figuring out exactly why Thalia was so wary.

“You know these things aren't free,” Clarisse pointed out. “Everything has a cost.”

“Cost?” asked Annabeth, the excitement of seeing Percy dimming slightly.

“Δεν υπάρχει δωρεάν γεύμα.” Hecate said, “Όλη η μαγεία έχει μια τιμή να πληρώσει.”

“What?” said Jason, having trouble translating the Greek language.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Piper translated.

“All magic has a price.” Clarisse added.

“What’s the cost?” Annabeth asked.

“Nothing that would last forever,” Hecate answered cryptically. “I assure you all will be fine.”

Thalia and Clarisse shared a look of narrowed and suspicious eyes. Something was not sitting right about this, but Annabeth looked like she was going to burst from happiness at the prospect of seeing Percy again and they had to admit that it would be nice as they had missed him as well.

“I can see that you all agree. However, for me to grant this wish, I need someone to confirm that this is what you want.”

“Totally what we want!!!” Connor, Travis and Leo said. “Ow!” They exclaimed as Katie and Piper slapped them around the head.

“You guys don't think that this should be Annabeth’s choice?” asked Katie.

Annabeth scanned the eager faces around her before looking at Thalia. Thalia watched her for a whole minute, until she seemed to find whatever she was looking for and nodded. Annabeth turned towards the goddess and spoke respectfully. “Hecate, please grant us this wish.”

“Very well. If this is your wish, I will set out to fulfil it.” Before anyone could say anything else, she disappeared, leaving behind a cloud of green mist. The mist settled around them, and before long, everyone yawned in unison. Eyes became heavy. The yawning grew. Finally the demigods, oracle and satyr curled up on the sand and fell into a deep slumber.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Percy, Hazel and Frank were on their way to Hannibal the elephant as Bobby had told them that he would give them a ride to the Camp’s borders, when they heard a voice. Turning, they found themselves facing a boy, dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans with an aviator’s jacket hanging loosely on his frame. “Percy, Hazel, wait up!”

“Nico? What are you doing here?” Hazel asked. She was glad to see her brother though as she thought she might have to leave without saying goodbye first.

“I wanted to wish you luck on your quest,” Nico said. He was having a hard time with the concept that Percy was once again taking his sister on a quest. He trusted Percy completely, and knew that Hazel wasn't Bianca. He even knew that this isn't even remotely the same situation as the previous quest, but he could shake the feeling that something strange was about to happen and he wanted to make sure they would be okay.

“Thanks Nico,” Hazel said, pulling her brother in for a hug.

“Yeah, yeah, um, just… be careful,” Nico said, blushing slightly from the unexpected contact.

“We will. Don't worry! We will look after each other,” Percy said, trying to reassure the boy.

Nico nodded then yawned. Hazel and Frank yawned. Percy yawned. Hold up. What was going on? PErcy looked around and saw green mist falling in around them.

“HAZEL!! FRANK!!!” Percy shouted before yawning again. Hazel and Frank had collapsed and curled up on the ground. As far as Percy could tell, they had just fallen asleep, but before he could take a step towards them to check if they were alright, he heard Nico.

“Percy?” Yawn. “Percy? What’s…” Yawn. “What’s going...?” and suddenly Nico was down and snuffling in his sleep.

Percy didn’t know what was going on, but he didn't like it. Thinking of the time Morpheus put everyone in Manhattan into a deep sleep, Percy bit back another yawn, reached into his pocket and withdrew Riptide, uncapping it so he held a three-foot bronze sword in his hand.

“Who’s there? Who’s doing this?” Percy demanded, trying to shake off the heaviness in his eyes and the feeling that he should just curl up and go to sleep. They weren't even out of camp yet, how were things going wrong already?

“You really are a strong one, aren't you?” a voice said. “Just relax. I am only doing what your friends asked for. Sleep now. Your quest will wait.”
The mist grew, stretching upwards. “Yeah right,” Percy slashed at the mist but was sluggish. He fell. The ground felt so comfortable. He couldn't fight off the next yawn. Or the next. The last thing he heard before he drifted away was the voice full of mystery saying, “Dream well, hero.”

Chapter Text

Eyes opened to see a ceiling of blue, glittering with constellations. After a moment, it was remembered. He had been about to start his quest from Camp Jupiter with Hazel and Frank. They had stopped as Nico wished them luck and then the mist, and that voice too. He wondered who that voice belonged to.

“Percy?”

His head bolted up. Now that voice he knew! Sure enough with a turn of his head, he saw her. As beautiful as ever, with her blond hair in a messy ponytail and her striking grey eyes growing wet. “Annabeth?”

A hand moved to cover her mouth. Maybe to cover the sob that followed as she stared like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Percy got to his feet and smiled at her. He saw others behind her and could only assume (as he had yet to take his eyes off her) that Hazel, Frank and Nico were behind him.

He took a step towards her and it seemed to snap her out of her daze. Soon Annabeth was running towards Percy, who opened his arms out wide.

Closer and closer, she came and then BAMM!

Judo-flipped. She had judo-flipped him. She had judo-flipped him and it was so completely Annabeth that he laughed. A great big HA! He lifted them both back to there feet, and cupped her face in his hands, wiping a stray tear away from her cheek. "Gods, I missed you!!” Percy chuckled.

He moved one hand to her waist and the other to her back. Pulling her closer, he lowered his head and kissed her. As they pulled back, she laughed giddily. “You’re here! Don’t every leave me again! Oh my Gods! You’re really here!”

“We’re here too, just so you know!”

Percy turned around to see Grover with his hand in the air, and Thalia, while looking thoroughly grossed out by the PDA that had just happened in front of her, waved. Wait just one moment.

“Grover!! Thalia!! I remember you guys! I have my memories back!! Clarisse, looking as ugly as ever!”

“Right back at you, Prissy.”

“It’s good to see you guys!”

A loud cough. Everyone turned. Oh. No.

“Who are you? How did you get in? And why are you here?” said Zeus.

Percy and the others took in the room, finally realising exactly where they were - The Hall of The Gods, which was currently occupied by said Gods. Ahh. Percy was pushed to the front. “Wait!! Why do I have to be the one who speaks?”

“Because you’re you. Just try not to make them angry! I know it will be tricky!” said Thalia.

“Ha ha.” Percy stuck out his tongue at Thalia before turning to face the Gods. “Hello?”

While most of the Gods and Goddesses looked confused at the current state of affairs, Zeus looked angry, Apollo and Hermes looked excited, and Hestia and Poseidon looked welcoming. What was strange was that none of them seemed to have the faintest idea who he was, which is made even weirder by the fact that half of Gods and Goddesses in the room had tried to kill him before.

“I’m afraid I have no idea what is going on or what we are doing here.” Percy said, glancing over at Annabeth, who was holding tightly to his hand. It had not taken Annabeth long to realise that this was not the Olympus that she had designed. She stepped forward, in line with Percy.

“Hecate did this.” she said.

“What? What did she do? What is going on?” Zeus demanded and thunder shook the room. Percy would place a strong bet that if he didn't get answers soon, it was only a matter of time before the King of Gods decided to blast them to dust. “Speak or declare your lives forfeit.”

Woohoo! Percy thought dryly, I win!

“You cannot harm them here.” There was the voice Percy had heard before.

“You are all dreaming. Do not worry, time does not pass as you sleep. As I am sure some of you have worked out by now, you are not all from the same time. For the Gods, the demigods and such come from the future. For the demigods and such, the Gods come from the past. I have placed you all into a slumber and gathered your minds into a shared dream. Time will remain frozen until you wake up. I have placed you together for a reason but I cannot share that reason at this point. Read these books,” 10 books appeared in a pile in front of the hearth. “and when you are finished, you will awake.”

“Hecate, you are messing with time. You should not be doing this!” said Athena.

There was no answer. Nothing changed.

“Very well, if we must be here then I suppose you should introduce yourselves.” proclaimed Zeus.

Once again, Percy received a nudge forward, so with a sigh, he stated, “I am Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon.”

“And who is your godly parent?” asked Zeus. Poseidon looked confused and Percy sent a questioning look at Annabeth, who shook her head, obviously puzzled.

“I am a Son of Poseidon.”

“Speak, boy!” boomed Zeus, “I have asked you a question!”

“I’m sorry, but I have answered you twice now.”

“Nonsense boy, you haven't said anything other than your name. Now answer my father!” chided Athena.

“Hmmm…” Annabeth hummed so quietly that only Percy and Hestia noticed. Hestia tilted her head and sent a small smile. Annabeth turned and saw everyone from the Camp’s looking confused. “Would you raise your hand, if you heard Percy please?” Everyone but Hazel and Frank, who had gone from looking confused to looking at the others with concern, raised their hand. “Hmmm…” she hummed again. Turning to Percy, she asked quietly, “Do Hazel and Frank know about your parentage?”

“My memories are still gone in our time,” he said, under his breath, beginning to pick up on Annabeth’s brainwave, “They only know me as the Son of Neptune.”

Annabeth smiled at him, nodded and turned towards the Gods. She met Poseidon’s eye and asked a silent question, to which she got the barest of nods. Smiling again at figuring it out, she spoke aloud to the Gods, “I believe that, other than our names, only the facts you already know can be heard or talked about, until you read it in the book. So you won’t know our parentage until the book tells you, unless it was something you knew before the dream. So I should say that I am Annabeth Chase and a Daughter of Athena, and most of you Gods and Goddesses wont have heard me declare my parentage.”

Athena scanned the room to see if anyone else had heard that this was her child, but it appeared her Annabeth was correct. “That is excellent reasoning! Perhaps you should all introduce yourselves anyway so we can begin reading.”

“Okay then, I am Thalia Grace, Daughter of Zeus.”

“Grover Underwood, Lord of The Wild.”

“Rachel Elizabeth Dare, The Oracle.”

“Jason Grace, Son of Jupiter.”

“Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades”

“Hazel Lavesque, Daughter of Pluto.”

“Frank Zhang, Son of Mars.”

“Will Solace, Son of Apollo.”

“Clarisse La Rue, Daughter of Ares.”

“Chris Rodriguez, Son of Hermes.”

“Connor…”

“... and Travis…”

“...Stoll, Sons of Hermes.”

“Katie Gardner, Daughter of Demeter.”

“Piper McLean, Daughter of Aphrodite.”

“Leo Valdez, Son of Hephaestus.”

Many of the Gods and Goddesses minds were spinning with the revelations they had heard, unaware that the others were going through much the same thing. These children were babies and toddlers in their time and yet here they were mostly grown up. Some were wondering why Romans seemed to be alongside the Greeks. Was there going to be another war? Zeus was hoping that his twice breaking of the Oath would not be put in the light and was glad that none of the other Gods knew. Apollo and Hermes grinned at the kids, but Hermes wondered where Luke was. He would be about the same ages as the kids in front of them, so why wasn't he with them? He supposed Luke must be off doing something very important. Hades was looking at his kids and wondering many things. First, Nico was still supposed to be in the Lotus Hotel and Casino, so why was he here? Second, Hazel was supposed to be dead in the Underworld, so how was she here? And Third, if Nico and Hazel were here, despite them being Greek and Roman respectively, where was Bianca?

Poseidon had been watching Percy since he had arrived. He had already known who he was. How could he not when Percy seemed to be a mini version of himself, all the way from his messy, black hair to his sea green eyes that hinted at a great power behind them. He wouldn’t be surprised if Percy had many girls after him. However, based on his arrival, it seemed that Annabeth was someone important to him, and with those stormy grey eyes, he thought he could accurately identify her godly parent. From the lack of rage on Athena’s face, he guessed she was a step behind him and had yet to realise that their rivalry had not stopped their children from entering into a relationship, and yet, Percy seemed so happy to be with her. Poseidon decided that, unless it turned, he would support his son in his relationship endeavours.

Percy looked around at the other demigods, as well as Rachel and Grover, around him. They were standing around, mixed between watching the Gods or talking amongst each other. He glanced down at his hand, still intertwined with Annabeth’s, following up her arm until he set his sight on her face and her beautiful eyes. She was staring at him, eyes darting all over his face, seemingly drinking in the fact that he was beside her. Percy smiled at her, lifting their joint hands to his mouth and kissing her knuckles, before letting go and stepping away from her, towards the hearth. He knelt down in front of the young girl that he knew was one of the most important of the Olympian Gods.

“Hello, Lady Hestia.” He said, as he bowed his head.

“Hello Young One. You know me?” she asked, her red eyes warm, cozy but also questioning and calculating as she smiled at him. It was as if she was amused, but not confused by the fact that he had come to talk to her.

“I know enough, My Lady,” replied Percy, smiling warmly back at her. “I hope it does not trouble you for us to join you by your hearth. It sounds as if we may be here for a while and your lovely hearth is definitely calling to me.”

Hestia tilted her head and considered Percy for a full minute and a half, before smiling kindly and saying, “Of course Perseus Jackson, all are welcome at my hearth.” With a wave of her hand 4 five-seater sofas appeared.

Percy once again bowed his head and thanked her, before standing up and calling the others over. “Hey guys, Lady Hestia has graciously allowed us to join her at her hearth and brought these sofas for us to sit on. Please take a seat and get comfortable.”

Jason tugged gently on Piper’s arm to guide her to a sofa. Leo sat beside them. He searched for Thalia to join him, only to see her taking a seat beside Annabeth, laughing at something Percy was saying. He put it down to her not having seen him in a while, but he couldn’t deny the sliver of spite that went through him as he realised she had picked Percy over her own brother. Also on Thalia’s couch sat Grover, next to Percy and Rachel, on the other side of Thalia. On a third couch, Will was sitting next to a pale boy in an aviator's jacket (didn’t he introduce himself as Nathan? No. Nico. That was it!), who was smiling slightly and blushing as Will talked to him. The two Roman demigods, that Jason faintly recognised, sat next to Will and Nico, and Nico seemed to turn to introduce Will to the girl, and vice versa. On the final couch sat the Stoll brothers, with Travis’ arm around his girlfriend Katie, Clarisse and Chris.

As they finally settled into their seats, Zeus seemed to remember why they were there. He got up and went over to the pile of books. The book on top had a blank blue cover with only a large, indented, gold number 1 in the middle. He picked it up and went back to his throne. “Shall we get started?” He asked, raising his voice above, and cutting off the chatter within the room. “I will read first.” He claimed, opening the book onto the first page.