Archive of Our Own

Something bumped against Percy’s cheek, and he jumped to his feet from his bed, sword swinging and setting off dozens of loud pops. He looked around in confusion as his cabin was filled to the ceiling with balloons of all colors. For every balloon that he’d popped, glitter exploded and was still raining down over him and his bed. He sighed and wiped a hand over his face before he realized he wasn’t tired. He felt like he’d actually slept through the night. He jumped as his sword killed a few more balloons, which popped and startled him enough he tripped on his own feet and fell, causing more balloons to pop. He cursed as he swung at them, popping them all until his entire cabin was coated in glitter and he was coughing as it got in his mouth.

“Fucking Stolls.” He grumbled, spitting out glitter and shaking out his hair as much as he could. “Nice try.”

He flicked the shower on with a twist of his wrist and pulled the water through his room, collecting the glitter, even what was on him. Then he stood at the window and guided the water bubble to the Hermes cabin, winking at the Aphrodite kids who laughed, and set it over the door, so as soon as they opened it, everyone would be covered in wet glitter. Content with the set up, he went back to his dresser and grabbed a pair of jeans and camp t-shirt, tugging on his boots, because they weren’t Jason’s anymore, before heading to breakfast, grinning when Blackjack and Guido joined him. They playfully nudged him back and forth as he went to his table. He requested a bunch of donuts, tossing one in the brazier from his seat and nudging most of them to the pegasi, who dug in. 

“Finally.” Blackjack grumbled, finishing off his donuts. “Thought you forgot about us.”

“Nah, just been busy. You know I always get you when I make a promise, especially about food. Oh, why don’t I make you some of my brownies later? Huh?”

“No way!” Guido said, prancing around excitedly. “Oh, man, we’d definitely love you forever, boss!”

“Yeah, I know.” Percy laughed, patting them before they tugged him off the bench. Guido pushed him onto Blackjack and they took off for a little while, getting a great vantage point as the Hermes kids barreled out and were covered in glitter, shouting and yelling at each other. Percy whooped, and Guido and Blackjack both cheered with him, though he was sure everyone else just heard whinnies. He ducked as Connor threw a shoe at him, letting it fly past his head, laughing before they circled around to a different part of camp. Percy waved to his brothers as they spotted him when they came out of the water toward camp. 

He enjoyed flying around for a little while, before seeing everyone gathering in the amphitheater. He sighed and grumbled his agreement that they should join everyone, landing in the middle and hopping off, wondering where he would end up sitting. He didn’t really have time to decide, though, as Blackjack and Guido pushed him down and lay down around him as if they were his bodyguards. He rolled his eyes when Grover laughed at him. 

“What?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

“Nothing, man, nothing. Just always entertaining when they get all protective.” Grover bleated, sitting nearby.

“No brownies for him, boss.” Blackjack snorted, nosing his hair. Percy grinned and watched his friend, who’s smile dropped. 

“What? No, come on, guys! It’s great! Really! Means less work for me.” Grover corrected anxiously, looking at Percy pleadingly.

“Aw, come on, Blackjack. You made him all sad and stuff. He can have one, but we get the rest.” Guido said, snorting at Grover, who relaxed again.

“Thanks, guys.” Grover said gratefully.

“What’s so great about them?” Triton asked curiously, sitting behind Percy and the pegasi.

“Better make a big batch, boss, if the family hasn’t had any.” Blackjack sighed in annoyance. 

“Ty has, so has Amphitrite. It’s just dad and Triton who haven’t had them. But I’ll make a decent sized batch, don’t worry.” Percy grinned, patting Blackjack’s neck.

“Wait, what are you making?” Thalia asked, sitting up straighter. 

“Why, wanna help?” Percy asked, grinning when she actually looked ready to volunteer. 

“Will you share the recipes finally?” Phoebe asked, raising an eyebrow at him. It didn’t really matter what he was making, they bugged him for all of his recipes constantly.

“Don’t have it written down.” Percy shrugged. “If you wanna try and write it out while I make ‘em, that’s on you guys.”

“Deal.” Thalia said, nodding her head. “When we break for lunch, we’ll give you whatever extra hands you need.”

“Please try and leave the kitchen as you find it, Perseus.” Chiron pleaded.

“I always leave it cleaner than I find it.” Percy frowned.

“Yes, but you have two pegasi and at least two hunters extra, who are going to be involved this time. They must follow the rules as well.” Chiron corrected.

“We will.” Thalia promised, smiling brightly at him. 

“Now that’s settled,” Percy said, crossing his legs at his ankles, “should be time for our Great Prophecy, right?”

“Not quite yet.” The Fates intoned, and Percy’s eyes widened, as did Clarisse’s, Thalia’s, and Nico’s.

“Oh, schist.” They muttered as the Romans appeared. 

“Did we miss something already?” Reyna asked.

“Not at all, Praetor.” The Fates chuckled.

“We believe more is needed to be learned.”

“More is needed to be shared.”

“To show how dedicated Perseus is to his family.”

“These shall be short-”

“As each lasted less than a day.”

“Would you save a small batch for us, child?”

“Yeah, I’ll save you some.” Percy sighed, groaning when his high school appeared in the images, not needing Hecate to get them going, apparently. “Sorry, dude.”

“Not your fault.” Clarisse grumbled, dropping on the ground on the other side of Guido and handing him an apple, while tossing one to Blackjack.

As soon as his younger self’s voice was heard, talking about a dragon, Percy and Annabeth both groaned. 

“Forgot about this.” Percy whined.

“I was hoping since it wasn’t covered right after the labyrinth it wouldn’t be included.” Annabeth agreed petulantly. “I, mean, fuck we were all so awkward!”

“Tell me the dragon is who I think it is?” Leo pleaded, bouncing on his toes. 

“It is.” Percy and Annabeth answered with heavy sighs. 

“Guess you guys get a short reprieve.” Percy said, looking between Clarisse, Thalia, and Nico.

“We’d prefer if they were forgotten all together, actually.” Nico mumbled, crossing his arms.

A few of the older campers let out various noises of acknowledgment that this was after the battle of the labyrinth. Percy saluted Nyssa and the other Hephaestus kids who cheered when young Percy voiced he’d helped them win the previous game. The Athena and Ares cabins cheered when they were pointed out as bad news teamed up. Percy stuck his tongue out at Annabeth, who laughed, when his younger self said the reason he hated her nickname was because he didn’t have a comeback. 

Percy smiled as his younger self and Beckendorf chatted. He couldn’t help laughing when Beckendorf basically short circuited when Silena walked by calling him ‘Charlie’. The Hephaestus kids were laughing, even if they looked a little sad. Leo dropped what he was working on as his eyes widened when their armor was revealed. He looked at his cabin mates who quietly explained that they didn’t know the secret behind how it worked. He waved them off and started rattling off ideas that they jumped to write down they could try out later.

“Me and Ty can try to help with it.” Percy stated, raising a finger toward them. “We were there when he forged it, but I’m not sure what all the process was. I mostly just held things or gave him water to cool what needed cooled.”

“After this is over, we are so hitting the forges, aquaman.” Leo said excitedly, Harley bouncing with him. 

“Yes!” Tyson cheered, slapping hands with Percy enthusiastically. 

Percy shivered as they found the ant hill. Meg’s eyes widened and she dropped what she had been holding, looking at Lester, who had equally wide eyes. Everyone stayed quiet while young Percy described everything he saw. Leo yelped and hugged the suitcase when he spotted the ants hauling the bronze dragon head toward their lair. Annabeth was tugging on her ponytail as her younger self stopped young Percy from following Beckendorf. 

Percy felt his anxiety at watching Beckendorf be dragged into the tunnels by the ants ratchet up. He bit his lip and twiddled his pen in his fingers, Annabeth still tugging on her ponytail anxiously, her leg bouncing. Percy groaned when he felt sweat on his head as it started to bead up and drip down his face. Leo was still holding the suitcase protectively as he watched the young versions of his friends talk about Festus. 

Leo nodded fervently in agreement with young Annabeth about reassembling the haywire dragon. A few people laughed nervously at young Percy stating his confidence in young Annabeth at reattaching the head, but the Hephaestus kids all cheered their agreement. 

“He’d be proud you did it.” Nyssa said certainly.

“He still went haywire.” Annabeth groaned, biting her nails.

“It was the control disk, not anything you did.” Leo nodded with his cabin mates. “I’m sure you did amazingly to get him as functional as you could.”

“Thanks, Leo.” Annabeth said, losing some of the tension in her shoulders. Percy gave him a smile of thanks as well, but he didn’t loosen his hold on the suitcase. Annabeth laughed, barely covering her mouth with her hand when young Percy commented about twisting his eyes being an interesting wake up call. He shot her a grin, glad to have made her lose her nervousness. 

“Thanks, Seaweed Brain.” She said affectionately.

“Any time, Wise girl.” He promised, still grinning at her. She looked at him like she used to. Like she still loved him. It made his heart race and his hands sweat a little. 

The Hephaestus and Aphrodite kids all cheered when Silena commanded the dragon to rescue Beckendorf. Even Percy cheered, though he still felt a little tense. It wasn’t so bad, though. He felt the warmth of the bracelet Hestia had given him and remembered all the lunches and afternoons he spent with the two. He kept cheering when his younger self commented that he’d never followed a child of Aphrodite into battle. But he wouldn’t have traded it for anything. He loved Silena like an older sister and missed her fiercely. Her and Beckendorf. Both of them had accepted him easily and taken him under their wings. 

Drew tossed a decorative dagger at him that he caught easily. He smirked at her, giving her a nod of approval before tossing it back so that she could catch it. Piper looked a little startled at the interaction, but smiled proudly at her sister. When they had found Beckendorf, the Hephaestus and Aphrodite kids all cheered again, as did the Athena kids when young Annabeth led the others out back into the woods. Leo nodded his agreement with Beckendorf’s statements about what needed to be done with automatons, but no one said anything. 

Leo whimpered when he saw what was happening to his dragon. Piper got up and came to comfort him, but he only tightened his hold on the suitcase. No matter what Calypso or Piper said, he wouldn’t loosen up. Campers cheered as young Percy and young Annabeth cleared the way with their weapons so that Silena and Beckendorf could reach safety. Percy frowned as his foot steamed like it had when his shoe melted originally. Thankfully, the boots hadn’t started melting. He knew his foot would be glowing if he took it out of the boot, but ignored Will’s scowl about it. Leo’s eyes widened as Beckendorf called out the command for defense and arcs of electricity hit all the ants in its vicinity. 

When young Percy pointed out that a rock outcropping they were running toward with a shock happy dragon after them looked like a skateboard ramp, Thalia nearly fell over laughing. Percy’s face felt warm and he knew he was blushing deeply. If they’d been sitting closer, he’d have shoved her. Instead, he resorted to flipping her off with both hands. Leo gasped when young Percy sliced off the bronze end of the dragon’s talon, holding the suitcase closely and looking at Percy with disbelief. 

“How could you?” He demanded, like a telenovela actor. Percy struggled not to laugh, knowing that the son of Hephaestus was playing it up.

“I had to distract him,” Percy said, equally dramatically, “his father wanted to speak with him!”

“No!” Leo shouted, dramatically dragging out the word and draping a hand over his forehead, before they were both devolving into laughing fits. 

Leo and the rest of his cabin cheered when Beckendorf got Festus shut down. The Aphrodite girls, most of them, anyway, cooed over Silena worrying over Beckendorf while young Annabeth fussed over young Percy in her own way. Percy pouted at his shoe being lost to the ants, but Blackjack huffed at him and rubbed his nose on his neck as consolation. It didn’t make him feel any better at losing a shoe, but it made him roll his eyes and laugh as the pegasi tried to make him feel better. 

Malcolm, and some of the other Athena kids, all groaned when he and a few others caught up to the group that was trudging back toward camp from the ant hill. Percy and Annabeth laughed, remembering how awkward it had been before they showed up. They laughed harder when his younger self was struck, thinking that she very easily could have planned the whole extra adventure, even though she hadn’t. 

Everyone started laughing when young Annabeth told young Percy she’d see him at the fireworks, but the younger man had only looked at Beckendorf in confusion. When he grunted saying he’d take a haywire dragon over girls, it was a lost cause calming everyone down. Clarisse had been fighting a fond smile the whole time, but couldn’t help laughing and smiling at Beckendorf and Silena smiling fondly at each other when the memory ended. 

“Sweet, that was shorter than I expected.” Percy cheered, feeling happy with the memory.

“Yeah, but did you have to damage his toes?” Leo whined, petting the suitcase. 

“It was a spur of the moment thing, dude. I promise, I won’t try doing anything else to him, as long as he promises not to attack me or camp again.” Percy countered, raising an eyebrow.

“Consider it done.” Leo agreed, nodding happily. They didn’t have long to talk about it as the next images started up again.

When young Percy was shown, pretending to clean out some science equipment, nearly dropping it as he saw birds dive bombing a young Clarisse, everyone looked between them with wide eyes. Percy and Clarisse both groaned and watched in annoyance at what was happening. A few of the kids took note of the best way to get out of class by saying they were going to get sick, laughing as young Percy ran out of class and went to help young Clarisse. 

Together, they were able to demolish all the birds attacking them. Both of them had little glowing lights where they’d been impaled or sliced by the feathers. Will nodded in approval as young Percy handed over some ambrosia, and they sat awkwardly beside each other on a bench eating it. Nico was too busy having a whispered argument with Thalia, until Percy flicked water at them, drawing their attention.

“Best just to accept it’s gonna show up, guys.” Percy said, rolling his eyes when they came and sat on the other side of Blackjack on the ground, looking unhappy. 

When young Clarisse said her brothers were playing a prank on her, Aphrodite and Ares both went very still. Percy found it curious that they hadn’t known what the two were up to. He also found it curious that Piper was frowning, looking as though she wanted to ask something. As soon as young Clarisse named her immortal brothers, the war god and goddess of love stood up, snapping their fingers and glaring at the two who appeared in the midst of everyone. Percy had his hand on his pen while Clarisse had her spear in hers. 

“Mother! Father!” Phobos said pleasantly.

“What can we do for you this fine day? Perhaps terrorize some of these demigods for you?” Deimos asked with a smile, looking ready to play his tricks, until they each were jumping back when Ares and Aphrodite appeared directly in front of them, looking extremely ticked off. 

“What, in our names, were you doing pranking Clarisse? Hm?” Ares growled. “She had a task that I assigned, and here I find out you two interfered.”

“What have we said about the rite of passage?” Aphrodite snarled. “It is sacred, and will not have outside involvement.”

“What involvement?” Deimos asked, trying to play dumb, but neither of the Olympians bought it.

“It just so happens that the Fates have deemed this necessary for us to watch. So you two will sit, you will not attempt to spread your aura to any of the demigods, and we will decide your punishment depending how Clarisse is able to accomplish this.” Aphrodite snapped, pinning both of them down with celestial bronze chains between her and Ares. “You better pray that Percy Jackson is able to assist here without doing that task for her entirely, or we will be having words.”

“I sure hope they don’t affect us like they did the first time.” Percy whispered over to Clarisse who grunted her agreement. 

“Yeah, but that right there,” She admitted, pointing at her half brothers, “was definitely better than what I thought would happen. Figured they’d find a way to blame it on us again.” 

“The rite of passage is not offered or even presented, unless Ares has a child that he sees capable of great and incredible things.” Aphrodite explained to the other campers who were watching curiously. “The last son who even had a chance was a child in the, when was it? 1970’s?”

“Sounds right.” Ares agreed, still glaring at his sons in distaste. “I gave her the chance because I saw the leader she could become. Her fighting spirit.”

“Awesome.” Sherman said, with a wicked grin, echoed by the rest of the Ares cabin. They all cheered for Clarisse, and she gave them a small smile of appreciation. Percy thought it curious that Aphrodite was sitting with Ares again, even if it was to watch their unruly immortal children. It wasn’t that she had forgiven him, he could tell that much. It was more that she wanted to know that Clarisse succeeded.

Clarisse grunted at young Percy’s thoughts before she frowned when Phobos showed up. A few kids cheered when Phobos made the mistake of appearing next to young Percy, who pressed his sword to his neck immediately. As soon as young Clarisse told Phobos his name, though, the god looked as surprised as he remembered. Percy grinned at the god who was chained and winked at him, chuckling when he growled. 

Clarisse stiffened, but sighed in relief when she wasn’t actually experiencing what Phobos was showing her. She cracked her neck and sat back, ready to enjoy the show of what Percy would do to them. Percy fist-bumped Clarisse when she said Deimos was uglier, making the other god turn and scowl at them, just as his brother had. Aphrodite forcibly turned their heads toward the memory, her nails digging into their hair. 

Percy ignored the surprised looks he got from some of the older campers, including Annabeth, when he deduced that the chariot was most likely at the Staten Island zoo. She quickly schooled her face and gave him a proud smile.

“Good reasoning, Seaweed Brain.” She said quietly, but it made his face feel hot and he ducked his head down in embarrassment at the compliment. 

Annabeth cheered when young Percy rattled off facts about the Statue of Liberty as they passed, making him blush even more. A few of the younger kids gasped when the sea creature emerged by the ferry. Young Percy just scowled at it, looking completely unimpressed. Percy held his hand out and allowed water to swirl in his palm, because he was feeling as angry as he remembered feeling. 

“I don’t. Like. Bullies.” He said calmly, glaring at the two gods who grimaced and hurriedly looked away from him after glancing his way. 

Nothing else was said as everyone watched the younger Percy and Clarisse charge after the god and serpent like a well-oiled machine. None of them had ever seen Clarisse follow someone else’s orders so quickly and without argument. Once they were on shore, Clarisse turned and frowned at Percy who gave her a sheepish smile. 

“I know how to do it, now. I just didn’t then.” He defended, but she rolled her eyes at him. 

The walk around Staten Island to find the zoo was annoying. Percy huffed at how long it took to find it. He knew the general location, at the time, but it wasn’t helpful. Percy frowned at the horses once they found the chariot. Thankfully, the memory didn’t relay what the horses had said to him. Percy winked across the amphitheater at the little girl sitting with the Hebe cabin who cheered.

“That’s me!” She said excitedly. 

“Yeah it is.” Percy chuckled, bumping her fist as she ran over to them excitedly. Clarisse grunted  but bumped it, too, before she ran back to her seat. 

Percy twirled his pen in his hand as he ran when Phobos and Deimos appeared in the chariot and came after him. The Ares cabin cheered for young Clarisse when she jumped Deimos and they rolled away. A few of the younger kids screamed when the chariot became a tank and continued going after young Percy. Leo’s hair actually caught fire as he watched in morbid fascination, his hands moving quickly before he looked down and saw he’d made a tiny replica of the tank and smashed it. When young Percy’s thoughts said it was great being a celebrity to squids, his friends all laughed and clapped. Triton reached forward and ruffled his hair, which just bounced back up how Aphrodite had blessed it. 

Percy froze as he accidentally locked eyes with Phobos in the memory. He gripped his pen, but he was lost in it. It was hard to breathe as he saw, not only Camp Half-Blood, but also New Rome, in flames; cabins and businesses were demolished, people were running scared and injured, all still pleading with him to save them, but not from Kronos. From Tartarus. The being stood over everything, holding him in chains as he forced him to watch what he was doing to everything he loved. He gasped as the memory moved on, breaking him free of Phobos’ hold, but he couldn’t get his breath back, and he was having a hard time recognizing where he was. 

“Percy!” Clarisse yelled at him, and he barely stopped from swinging his sword at her as she touched his arm.

“Everything was on fire.” Percy gasped, unable to get his breath. “Camp, New Rome, all of it.” He gasped, clutching his sword as if it were his lifeline. “Tartarus- he- I-” he wheezed, clutching at his neck with his free hand, before Clarisse put his inhaler in it, putting it to his mouth and nodding at him to take a breath. He held it in for a little while, falling against Blackjack shakily once he could breathe again. 

“You could have talked to me about any of that, dumbass. Then or now.” She grumbled, taking the canteen that Will tossed to her and handing it over, waiting until he took a drink. “We both saw a lot of shit from them that day, and I know that no one ever knew before now. You carry too much crap around. It’ll weigh you down.”

“Yeah, starting to see that.” Percy croaked, handing the canteen back. “Was a stupid kid, and I should have said something. Nothing to do about it now.”

“Don’t do it again.” She growled, sitting back down and glaring at anyone who was looking at her. 

“Oof. Knew that was gonna be rough, but kinda forgot about it. Not to mention horrific additional life experiences added in for funsies.” Percy said, clearing his throat and sitting up again, before looking at Phobos, letting him experience the full force of his wolf-stare. “Try that shit again, I’ll cut your head off and feed it to Mrs. O’Leary.” 

“Who’s Mrs. O’Leary?” Phobos asked, looking wary. 

“My pet hellhound.” Percy smirked. “She’s hanging out with Cerberus, or she’d be here to say hello. Of Course if she were here-”

“If she were here,” Nico cut in, “she’d have eaten him whole for doing what he did, without your input.”

“Which would be rather uncomfortable for an immortal; being digested and crapped out.” Will said, grinning wickedly at the chained gods. “Gods but it would be hilarious.”

“Hard pass.” Phobos said, looking back at the memory and away from the maniac grins aimed his way. 

Percy had seen the worry, though, before he’d looked away. He grinned when he saw how awful of a fighter Phobos was, while Ares just looked at his sons in disappointment. Watching Percy kick their asses must not have been what he wanted. Even if it was in defense of Clarisse. The campers all cheered when Phobos was beaten, cuts and bruises obvious. Clarisse clenched her hands together as young Percy rode the motorcycle to find her facing off against Deimos. And she was losing. Ares put a hand on his son’s shoulder in a grip that would have probably broken a mortal’s bones, but his son only grimaced at the pressure. 

The war god gave Percy a grudging nod of approval at not getting involved in Clarisse’s fight. Percy whispered the words so only Clarisse could hear him again. She gave him a short nod and a hum of agreement, but didn’t look at anyone else. No one else commented as Deimos was dealt with before they arrived at the pier in the chariot, young Clarisse starting to look frustrated at not making it back in time to try and take the ferry. Percy winked at Triton, grinning as he held another whirlpool in his hand while his brother raised a questioning eyebrow before grinning sharklike as he realized what he was about to do. 

“Bold move, Perseus.” He chuckled. 

When they got to the pier, and young Percy was leaving, after taking the chariot over the water, every eye was glued to the memory. The pair basically admitted to being friends, to each other, but having a silent agreement that no one would ever know. Young Percy had told her broad strokes of what he’d seen, but not details. Well, not aside from Clarisse being a friend. When it ended, Percy and Clarisse stood up and approached Phobos and Deimos, while Aphrodite and Ares stood, dragging them up to their feet by their hair. 

“Boys.” Aphrodite growled, glaring at the backs of their heads. 

“We apologize for our interference.” Phobos said through gritted teeth.

“And?” Ares growled, his anger evident at their interference.

“And you are both great fighters. Olympus is lucky to have you leading their mortal forces.” Deimos grumbled. 

“You’re lucky I don’t hold grudges.” Clarisse said, her arms crossed. “You’re also lucky Jackson was in a forgiving mood that day.”

“Forgiving? Forgiving!?” Phobos shrieked. “I still have a scar from that-”

“Good.” Percy snarled, glaring at them, making them take a step back as much as they could, caught by their parents, as he let his anger and irritation show. “I don’t care if you are gods, I don’t care if your domains are meant to cause fear and panic. You try anything like that shit again, directed at demigods, and I find out? You better hope someone else is around to stop me. I didn’t survive fucking Tartarus to have you dickwads fuck with my family. You may be immortal, but I don’t think you want to find out just how many times I can stab you before you can’t put yourselves back together again.”

“Tartarus?” Deimos whispered, looking at Percy with wide eyes, as Phobos looked at him more curiously. 

“Yet you still have the same basic fears.” Phobos commented, studying Percy. “Curious.”

“Go ahead.” Clarisse said with a smirk, looking mischievous. “Test him. Me and my real brothers and sisters will roast what’s left of you over the campfire when he’s done with you. And laugh.”

“Perhaps another time.” Phobos chuckled nervously. “But not for a long, long while.”

“We do not come out to test demigods often.” Deimos said slowly, watching his brother before looking back at Percy and Clarisse. “Your generation is too hardened by war and have seen too many true horrors. Perhaps in a few dozen generations we’ll see what you’ve taught them.”

“But not during a rite of passage.” They said simultaneously.

“I take it you’ll ensure this?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow at Ares and Aphrodite, almost daring them to challenge his request.

“Undoubtedly.” They agreed, making their sons gulp. 

“You can remain, if you want. But I get a hint that you’re spreading your auras-”

“You won’t.” They cut in.

“Well, fuck.” Travis swore, and several of the older campers tossed drachma and candy to Will and the rest of the Apollo cabin.

“Stop betting on my relationships.” Percy sighed, as he sat back down with the Pegasi who were snickering at him, while Clarisse sat between Chris and Sherman. 

“Nice control, Perseus.” Amphitrite said, smiling at him proudly.

“Thanks.” Percy accepted, ducking his head. It was still weird when he was complimented. He wasn’t used to it, and doubted he ever would be.

“Let’s get this over with.” Thalia groaned, laying back across Blackjack’s other side and patting his neck.

“We’ll do this one then break for a long lunch.” Percy agreed. He met Clarisse’s eyes, she rolled them but nodded, ignoring the questioning looks from everyone looking between them. “Also, I will not be taking questions. Write it down and we’ll figure out the answer some other time. Otherwise be prepared for a lot of ‘I don’t knows’ for a response.”

“Agreed.” Thalia and Nico said, bumping fists.

Percy sighed heavily as his younger self voiced his thoughts before the memory showed him sitting in an auditorium during a school test. 

“Um,” Grover said nervously, “Perce, bud, um, those aren’t all actual things that happened? Right?”

“Can’t answer that, G-man.” Percy said, pointing at him without looking. “Spoilers.”

“It wasn’t my idea, either, if that’s any consolation.” Hades said, with a raised finger.

“Perseus, please, stop giving me gray hair.” Poseidon grumbled, rubbing his temples, but Percy just grinned at him unrepentantly. 

Rachel cheered when she was shown in the auditorium with young Percy, doodling on her test, while he was rubbing his eyes trying to read. Percy chuckled, having forgotten that she was in that test with him. Everyone snorted as Mrs. O’Leary showed up and began terrorizing the Christmas display on the stage. Young Percy watched her with a confused expression, which didn’t change when his teacher asked about the poodle. 

“He really was boring.” Rachel snickered, distracting from the shocked, wide-eyed expression from her younger self as she looked across the room at young Percy.

“Completely.” Percy agreed.

Percy shivered as he remembered how cold it was chasing after his dog in the snow without a coat. Before he could do anything about his teeth that had started chattering, a blanket wrapped around him. He looked up and saw Demeter, of all people, watching him closely. He bobbed his head in thanks and snuggled into it, even though he knew it probably wouldn’t do any good. Not since he wasn’t actually cold; it was just the memory of it. 

Artemis raised an eyebrow at Thalia as the deer made its appearance, being chased by Mrs. O’Leary while young Percy still stood ready for a fight. Thalia just sighed in annoyance, but she managed to keep her eyes on the memory instead of flitting to Persephone, even briefly, as Nico’s did. Percy and Thalia bumped fists at their reunion, ignoring the snickers as young Percy tried to keep Mrs. O’Leary from sniffing the deer. Even Artemis appeared to be amused by it, with a small quirk of her lips.

“You still owe me that burger.” Percy said, pointing at Thalia without looking.

“I still can’t believe you bought that I didn’t have my wallet.” Thalia smirked. 

“I hadn’t seen you in a year, jackass. I didn’t know you had all those cool hidden pouches and things. We only saw what Zoe let us see on that quest, and the few things when Artemis and everyone showed up at Westover Hall. I think you’ll remember I was a tad distracted in both instances.” Percy grumbled, huddling more into his soft blanket. 

“I’ll give you that. I’ll make it up when we get out of here, how about that?” She offered.

“Better late than never, I guess.” Percy huffed, grinning when she snorted at him. 

When young Nico dropped in, a few of the gods started to look nervous.

“All three of you?” Triton asked, looking anxiously between them. 

“Yup.” They agreed together, all popping the ‘p’s’. Well, Thalia popped her gum, but same, same.

“That can’t be good.” Will muttered, tapping his fingers on his cheek with his chin in his palm, his brow furrowed. 

“Asshole.” Nico said, shoving Thalia as the memory showed her calling him Bianca’s little brother. 

“Sorry about that, kid.” Thalia laughed, ruffling his hair and locking her arm around his neck.

“At least Percy called me by my name.” Nico huffed.

“Cause he’s your protector, like I’m his.” She said quietly, winking at Percy.

“Sounds right.” Percy chuckled. 

A few kids gasped as young Percy made the connection that all the kids of the Big Three had been brought together. Rachel sighed as she scribbled something down. Percy yelped when he felt like he’d been dropped through a hole again. He leaned his head on his knees. He really hated that feeling. No one laughed as the three appeared in a garden, on solid ground, screaming for another few seconds before they realized they weren’t falling anymore. 

“Alright, Harry Potter.” Leo snorted, after young Percy said he’d been there before. Percy saluted him. When Nico announced they were in Persephone’s garden, albeit angrily, Percy and Thalia both looked at each other before face palming. 

“How the fuck did we miss that?” Nico asked incredulously, looking stunned and annoyed.

“Exhaustion?” Percy groaned, waving his hand and shaking his head as if he wasn’t sure of his own answer. Which … he wasn’t.

“Disorientation?” Thalia offered with a groan.

Persephone raised an eyebrow at young Percy’s description of her. 

“My restrictions can be unkind to my appearance at times, I’ll admit.” Persephone commented.

“Your restrictions are bullshit.” Percy retorted. “As are Uncle Hades’. Would it not better serve him, as lord of the Underworld, to see the above world and the rate it is growing to better prepare him for what will, even eventually, be heading his way? What good is it to have you above ground only for Spring, not allowed to see your husband? What do you imagine that does to your mood? Does your mood not affect the season you represent? How can the world expect a cheerful Spring when you are forced to be apart from the one you love, not choosing to come here and return there at night as you wish?”

Percy looked around and saw the proud look from Aphrodite, Demeter, and Persephone, as well as the surprised look from Hades. He frowned and turned to Thalia and Nico, unsure if he’d said something wrong. They were grinning, though. 

“Is there still some donut on my face?” Percy whispered quietly, wiping around his mouth just in case. Thalia snorted, while Nico sighed and shook his head defeatedly.

“You just keep surprising everyone, dumbass.” Thalia said. “You make good points.”

“Oh. Right. I knew that.” Percy cleared his throat, sitting back up. “Anyway, Persephone chose Hades. She didn’t trick him, he didn’t trick her, none of what the rest of you were, and sometimes still are, known for. She wanted someone classy, not a fuckboy.”

“Oh my gods.” Thalia burst out laughing, hiding her face and leaning heavily against Blackjack, while Nico was trying not to be amused since they were talking about his dad. 

“Thank you for that, nephew.” Hades said, his lips twitching to fight a smile, but his eyes were still bright with amusement.

“Dad kind of is one of those.” Jason sighed, looking resigned about the whole thing, but grinning when more kids started laughing. 

“I was chosen to rule.” Zeus growled, thunder clapping overhead, startling some of the younger kids.

“Yeah, because of something you did millenia ago.” Nico grumbled. 

“With help.” Thalia agreed.

“Even though you take the credit for yourself.” Percy added.

“And what would you know of ruling, Perseus Jackson?” Zeus sneered, ignoring the growls from both camps. 

“I know it is not a job meant for one person.” He answered, raising an eyebrow. “If that were the case, there would be no need for a council. There would be no need for a Queen, only a King. But your family wanted to support you, and so gave you the council to lead, offering their perspectives in their areas of expertise. Or did you think strategy and battle tactics, along with prophecy, should have stayed with my father alone; he, who already commands the oceans and seas? Do you think you would be better off without three vastly different, but warranted outlooks on battle and war as you currently have with Athena, Ares, and my father? Do you think that Aunt Hestia should not have yielded, should not have stepped down, to allow another of your children, a demigod who ascended, a place on the council while she lost her voice amongst you?”

“Perseus.” Hestia said gently, sitting beside him. “I do not mind.”

“I know. And I’m not angry on behalf of someone who isn’t angry themselves, I promise. I’m not angry at all, actually.” He smiled. “I’m just pointing out that without a strong support system, a ruler would fail. I’ve learned to yield control, when necessary, multiple times, just like you showed me. And I’m only 17. He should have learned the same by now. Rome has two Praetors, but they also have the Senate. We Greeks have our head counselors, who are a rough equivalent to a Centurion, but we don’t have just one ruler to make decisions. We make them together. We have teams. Even on quests, they are groups of three, and all are vital to the success or failure. Persephone and Hades support each other more than almost any other godly couple I’ve seen. Amphitrite is there when dad starts acting like a dumbass, too. We all have a balance.”

“Well said.” Hestia nodded, looking as though she were fighting a laugh. “Let’s continue.” She said, going back to the hearth after hugging Percy, then Thalia and Nico. It was a little embarrassing, but worth the snacks that were thrown their way. Percy snatched what he could away from the pegasi, and only lightly wrestled Guido to get a pack of unopened M&M’s out of his mouth. 

He dumped the candy in his mouth quickly, stuffing the wrapper in his pocket, not really paying attention anymore, since he already knew what happened. He had a mouthful of skittles when Thalia zapped him and drew his attention again. 

“What?” He asked, trying not to let the skittles fall out.

“You gave a decent speech, a few minutes ago, and then you were thinking about how she must resent living with Hades.” Nico supplied. “Care to explain?”

“Oh, sure. Um. Hades, at one point, and sometimes still, was and is synonymous with the Underworld, yes? People have been known to say ‘go to Hades’, and shit like that, when they really mean the Underworld, not Uncle H specifically. So I figured she must be somewhat resentful being forced to live there, in Hades, as in the Underworld, for half the year.” Percy shrugged as he tucked the remaining candies into his pocket. 

“Reasonable.” Persephone said, giving him a curious look that he fought not to squirm under. 

“I have my moments.” Percy conceded, leaning back against Blackjack’s haunches. 

“I still don’t have designs against them.” Hades stated, looking between his brothers. Poseidon rolled his eyes, but Zeus was grumbling under his breath.

Everyone kept looking between Nico, Thalia, and Percy and their younger selves in the memory. Several people’s eyes widened when the keys were mentioned, let alone when young Percy got an angry look in his eyes, clarifying they were supposed to get the sword back. As in, it had already been stolen. Percy was surprised when some granola bars landed in front of the three of them. 

“Sweet.” He exclaimed, grabbing one and eating it right away, while Nico did the same. Thalia looked at them curiously before trying one, leaving the rest for the boys. 

“He’s always been weirdly good with plants, even if he never noticed.” Grover said, winking at Percy, who didn’t understand what just happened. He saw the carnation in the memory, but didn’t really know what his best friend was talking about it for. 

Percy snickered and tipped a small salute to Hades, who was just sighing in resignation at young Percy thinking he was hard to love. 

“Didn’t say it out loud, can’t be mad.” Percy stated because of the few glares he was getting. 

“Stop mothering me.” Nico groaned, when young Percy had the thought that he was not about to let Nico do something like this on his own. Percy flipped him off.

“Letting Thalia have the fight?” Clarisse asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“She was pissed about being there, well, about the whole thing, really. Might as well let her work out her aggression.” Percy shrugged, bumping fists with his cousin. “Besides, if someone was dumb enough that the three of us were called together, they deserved to get beat up by Thalia. She doesn’t like people messing with her family, less than I do.”

“True dat, cuz.” Thalia snapped her fingers at him, making Nico roll his eyes.

Hades snorted when young Percy thought that he preferred to threaten demigods in person. He gave Percy a nod, sighing when Percy smiled brightly at him. 

“Wait,” Jason said, holding a hand up and looking at his sister, “were- were you looking for me?”

“Yeah.” Thalia sighed. “I was sure you hadn’t died when you disappeared, but I didn’t know if you’d made it anywhere safe. Let alone, how long you lived. Percy tries to guess who I’m looking for, but he wasn’t far off the mark. I, uh, never actually talked about you.”

“I understand.” Jason said, giving her a small, thankful smile. Percy stared at him for a little while, before Jason looked at him and frowned. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” Percy asked, curious what he meant, his head tilted to the side.

“Stop with the mind-reading, profiling shit you do. Yes, I thought she’d abandoned me. No, I never thought I’d see her again. I can feel you analyzing me from here, knock it off.”

“Yeesh, someone’s got their toga in a twist.” Percy said, blowing a raspberry. “Won’t get me to stop once you’re here, dude. Just keep that in mind.”

“Why did I agree to that?” Jason groaned, tilting his head up and ignoring Hazel, Frank, and Reyna giving him knowing grins.

“It’s worse in person.” Nico stage whispered, making everyone laugh. 

“What’s wrong with 1980’s music?” Lester asked, looking completely offended.

“Nothing, really.” Hades said. “But there are some who abhor it, and it makes a wonderful … addition to punishments.”

“Nope.” Percy said, holding up a hand to stop the questions he saw in some people’s eyes. “Still not going to tell any of you what we saw there.”

When young Nico called the name of who they’d met, several people ‘oh’d’ or smacked their head as they remembered who he was. Nico snickered when young Percy asked him for a translation of the crazy coming out of Sisyphus’ mouth. Thalia high-fived Nico when his younger self called him ‘Sisy’. Will beamed proudly when the dude was clearly afraid of the younger version of his boyfriend. As soon as Sisyphus said ‘go to Hades’, Percy waved a hand so everyone could see what he had meant earlier. 

“Fuck.” Percy grumbled, when memory-Thalia called for weapons. 

“This won’t be pretty.” Thalia said, biting her thumb anxiously. 

Nico tapped his hand on his sword, showing his own anxiety. A few of the kids snickered at young Percy’s internal monologue about killing monsters before they could answer a question. Percy hissed as his left side felt ice cold. It was better than pain, but he’d hoped that there would just be the golden lights again, not anything additional. Will pulled the blanket down and tugged his shirt half off as he looked over where he’d been wounded. He was muttering under his breath as young Percy was held up between his cousins and passed out while they were dressing the wound in the memory. 

“That hurt like a bitch.” Percy stated flatly, ducking when he heard Will growl near his ear as he checked the extent of the injury.

The amphitheater was nearly silent as young Nico explained what a Keres was and why it was so bad that young Percy had been caught by one. The Romans were watching in confusion for a little while, as young Percy talked through what was most likely going on.

“Can we get that in English?” Hazel asked hesitantly.

“What do you mean?” Percy asked, frowning.

“You kept switching between English and Ancient Greek, Perce.” Thalia said hesitantly. “You’d start in one, then finish in the other.”

“I did?” Percy was confused as to how he could do that and not realize it.

“He basically just said that the Keres were expecting more chaos and evil if Kronos won.” Nico translated. “And he asked who Melinoe was. Again.” 

Will’s hands tightened on his arm when Percy’s younger self struggled to his feet in the memory. Percy raised an eyebrow at him, but Will glowered right back. 

“You shouldn’t have been moving.” Will said stubbornly. “I don’t know how you didn’t lose your arm after this.”

“Got healed.” Percy replied, trying to shake Will off of him. Thankfully, Nico grabbed his boyfriend and dragged him back to sit beside him, but weirdly, Hades came over and inspected his scar.

“You weren’t injured when I saw you.” He said quietly, touching the scars gently. Percy hissed as he felt heat race through it, gritting his teeth as it felt like something was cutting it open again. “This will be uncomfortable, Perseus, so try and stay put. You see, the Keres,” Hades said, as if trying to distract him, “should have been beholden to my son and his commands, as they are to me.” Percy tried to pull away, but his Uncle held him firmly in place without any real effort. As suddenly as the heat was there, it was gone, and he collapsed forward, away from his Uncle, who was now holding a strange globe in his hand that had some sort of blackish-green residue in it. “The fact they acted against him, against me, greatly displeases me. I shall enjoy planning their punishments.”

“What the shit is that?” Percy asked, looking at the orb, shaking his arm out. 

“As Nico said, the Keres are battlefield spirits, as well as spirits of disease and pestilence. When you were healed, all of the residue was not cleaned from the wound; it was merely blocked from spreading. Your shoulder should not bother you as much as it did, now it’s been fully removed.” Hades said, vanishing the globe and retaking his seat. 

“You pulled that shit from a wound that’s years old?” Percy asked, feeling gross. 

“Essentially, yes, that is what I did.” Hades said reluctantly, shifting uncomfortably at Percy’s full attention.

“Thank you, Uncle Hades.” Percy said gratefully, rotating his arm some, surprised at how the stiffness he’d gotten used to was gone. 

“You are welcome, nephew.” Hades said quietly. He looked happy, actually, at the gratitude.

No one else said anything, all equally anxious, as the trio made their way further along in the Underworld. Young Percy looked pale and, well, dead on his feet, as he trudged along. Will kept grumbling under his breath about Percy being hurt, but Nico kept him mostly calm. Percy yelped when Thalia shocked him pretty good, both her and Nico glaring at him when his younger self thought of himself as useless. 

“I wasn’t useless, ok? Jeez, dicks, it was a passing thought. I did feel a bit useless at the time, but I know I wasn’t.”

“As long as you understand how utterly fucked we’d have been without you.” Thalia challenged. 

“Yeah, I know.” Percy replied, flicking water at both of them. 

The sea family was leaning forward more anxious than anyone aside from Annabeth and Chiron. Poseidon’s hair was streaked with white again, as the trio came up to the Lethe. Percy looked up and met Annabeth’s eyes for a second. She breathed a sigh of relief, apparently understanding that he was about to do something crazy that he shouldn’t be able to do, before she refocused on the memories again. 

Triton choked on air as young Percy said it was water, and he would have to control it. Even his father and Amphitrite looked shaken. Triton and Tyson gave up on sitting where they were and shoved their way next to Percy, Triton more or less pulling Percy into his lap and holding onto him. Young Percy’s eyes glowed eerily as he grit his teeth and lifted the river up. Percy clenched his fists as he felt his powers stir, reaching out for water to lift as it was doing in the memory. He groaned when he spotted the water from the creek rising above the treeline. 

He gasped when his younger self lost his hold and the water crashed down over him, the creek water doing the same. Everyone breathed a small sigh of relief as young Percy noticed the layer of air covering him. When he finally came out of the river and collapsed on the bank, the little kids cheered, while the older campers, the ones Percy had known for a few years now, let out shaky breaths. Percy did his best not to pass out against his brother as his memory self did repeatedly while young Nico and Thalia tried to heal him and bring him around

“Yeah,” Percy chuckled when his younger self talked about the cave sarcastically, “more proof that when I get severely stressed I sort of overdo it on the sarcasm.”

“It’s great.” Leo squeaked, clearing his throat before giving him a thumbs up. 

Thalia did her best not to tense up, but as soon as her mother appeared, her eyes went wide and she clenched her fists. She flinched slightly when the wine glass was thrown, but otherwise she sat tall. Jason was sparking a little on the Roman side while Hazel tried to calm him. When young Nico defended her, it was his turn to stiffen. Nico turned his face into Will’s shoulder, not looking at the spirit of his mother. Percy growled with his younger self as he stepped forward, defending his cousins. 

“I’ve made my peace with them.” Percy said with his younger self. He was really glad that he hadn’t seen anything different this time; that he still saw Melinoe as Melinoe, not some spirit that was haunting him. 

“Incredible.” Persephone said, a little in awe. 

“It was not my fault they died.” Percy said quietly. “And the best thing I can do is remember them for all the good times we had together. Not dwell on the life they could have had. They were heroes.”

“There are very few people in the world, Perseus, that could look on Melinoe and not see some ghost or another. Much like with the sirens, it either hasn’t happened, or if it has, it was very seldomly. You’ve a strong heart.” Persephone said, smiling at him softly. 

Percy just nodded, unsure what exactly he was meant to say. Will and the hunters seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when the other two were no longer caught in Melinoe’s spell. A few people shouted when Iapetus charged straight for young Percy, but a few only groaned. 

“Hey, it wasn’t me charging the Titan that time.” Percy complained, scowling at Grover and Annabeth, who were both looking at him anxiously. 

“No, but for some reason they always hone in on you.” Grover bleated nervously. 

“That’s … fair. Also, not my fault.” Percy conceded. 

“Nico di Angelo!” Will shouted, before glaring at Percy. 

“Don’t look at me, I didn’t do anything!” Percy defended. 

“He charged that Titan, just like you did Atlas.” Will said angrily.

“He wasn’t there for that.” Percy countered. “I never even told him about it. We were all doing what we needed to do to keep the sword from Kronos, as well as stay alive.”

“I had to protect him.” Nico said quietly, drawing Will’s attention. “He was already nearly dead because of me. He agreed to this quest because of me. Percy and Thalia both could have left and not done this at all, but Percy knew it was important to me to do this. He was hurt, and, gods, Will, I’d already lost a lot of people. I wasn’t going to lose him. Not Percy, too.”

“You better get out of this alright.” Will grumbled, letting Nico take his hand and hold it in his lap. “All of you.”

Percy ignored the concerned looks as most of his body lit up with golden light, highlighting his injuries as Iapetus slammed his spear into him, sending him to the edge of the river. Percy leaned back against his brothers, feeling lightheaded and annoyed. Iapetus has zeroed in on him for some reason. He wondered if Ethan had told the Titan about him at some point. He felt like he was passing out, just like he had in the memory, when he finally got ‘Bob’ out of the river and renamed him. He sighed in relief as his head cleared when he’d been healed.

“Bob says hello.” Percy muttered, jolting upright when he realized it was still morning technically, and people were watching him. He cleared his throat and swatted Triton’s hands away as best he could, but his brother was still a god and pulled him back against him, not letting him pull away. 

“THAT’s how you should be explaining things.” Grover said grumpily. He was laying across his seat with his head in Juniper’s lap. “Nico didn’t leave shit out that he thought was unimportant.”

“Only left out a little about Melinoe because I couldn’t remember it clearly.” Nico shrugged.

“If I say I’ll work on it, will you accept it?” Percy asked in exasperation.

“I’ll help him.” Nico sighed, giving Percy an annoyed look. “We’ll figure out some way to help you remember everything, even if you don’t think it’s important.”

“If you say so.” Percy grumbled. 

The gods looked between Hades and Persephone in confusion as they argued in the memory but sat comfortably together, even holding hands. Hades raised an eyebrow, but none of them said anything. Percy, Thalia, and Nico bumped fists as young Percy threatened to drop Persephone in the Lethe with the help of a brainwashed Titan. When the three parted ways, everyone gathered seemed to collapse against each other. 

“That was amazing and horrific.” Connor said, standing up. “I’m so glad none of you took us along on any of these.”

“Agreed.” Nearly everyone replied. 

“Everyone is going to head to lunch,” Triton said, holding onto Percy, “while my family has a little chat.”

“But-” Thalia started to argue, but Triton must have had an impressive expression because she didn’t utter the rest of her rebuttal. She just pursed her lips and looked away.

“It won’t take long. He’ll meet you at the Big House.” Triton stated. Even Blackjack and Guido left, not wanting to be there for the family discussion. Thalia and Nico lingered the longest, but Phoebe and Will pulled them both away, once all the other gods were gone. 

“Alright, what’s got you all so upset or concerned, or whatever?” Percy asked, running a hand through his hair. 

“So many things.” Poseidon said in a raspy voice. “You should not have been able to connect with the Lethe, for one.” 

“I figured that out, actually.” Percy said slowly.

“Perseus,” Amphitrite said gently, kneeling in front of him, “the Lethe is similar to the Styx. It has its own entity, like a deity, that controls it. You described it fighting you, and that was accurate. You wrested control of it away long enough for it to attune to you. It’s how you were able to stay safe in it.”

“Makes sense.” Percy agreed, still not seeing why they were so worked up.

“What other bodies of water have you controlled?” Triton asked softly.

“Sort of managed to get Porky’s water from him in Atlanta when he and Keto tried to kidnap me and Frank. I mean, uh, Phorcys.” Percy admitted. “Otherwise, it was mostly rivers of the Underworld and … lower. All the rivers went through that place, you know? And they converge where we found the doors. Called most of them forth to help us fight against the army of monsters between us and the doors, wiping a lot of them out. I’m connected to the waters here at camp because I’m here so much, but I think those are pretty much it.”

“You’re very special, Perseus.” Amphitrite said, taking his hand in hers. “And I do not think all of that comes from your father or mother. Those entities are all as old or older than your father. You did very well, protecting your family.”

“So why do I feel like someone sitting on their deathbed while their family tells them goodbye?”

“Because you have a lot of power, son.” Poseidon stated. “We are worried, you see. All that power, trapped in a mortal body …”

“We are worried you’ll burn up or ascend, even unwillingly or unknowingly.” Triton said quietly.

“No, I passed on immortality, I don’t want it.” Percy argued. “I plan to grow old, as a mortal.”

“You may not have a choice before long, brother.” Triton sighed. “We will not trouble you with it further for now. If you feel anything change or shift, if you feel something with your demigod powers, please let us know?”

“Uh, sure. I can do that.” Percy agreed, glad when Triton let go of him so Amphitrite and their dad could pull him to his feet. “I’ll, uh, see you guys in a little while, then.” Percy waved them off, doing his best not to take off running.

Thalia watched her cousin. He moved slowly so that Phoebe could copy down what he was mixing and when, while oddly enough, Clarisse helped him. They moved around each other in the kitchen much like they did in a fight. Always seeming to know where the other was, handing implements over without looking, and not saying anything. Like, it was almost creepy quiet aside from the mixing and stirring. The pegasi had their heads in through the window, watching Percy with interest and nickering or whinnying now and again, which had Percy rolling his eyes.

“Now we just chill for a bit while that bakes.” Percy said, wiping his hands, nodding his head to Clarisse who backed out of the kitchen a bit. “Might want to stand back for this part.” Percy grinned crookedly.

She’ll admit it, when he started washing dishes with a flick of his wrist and twist of his fingers, each surface getting cleaned and scrubbed while the dishes were set back in the cabinets with a tendril of water, her jaw was hanging open. She felt like she was inside Fantasia and the stupid apprentice was attempting to clean with magic before he became overwhelmed. But that didn’t happen with Percy.

“That has to be cheating.” She said finally.

“Nah, just a handy trick I picked up.” Percy chuckled, shutting off the water when the kitchen was practically sparkling. He grabbed a coke from the bottom of the fridge and set one out for each of them. 

“Why’d you make so much, anyway?” Clarisse asked, leaning against the counter, already drinking her soda.

“Promised Blackjack and Guido their own batch earlier. I always make Thals and the hunters their own, Triton asked what was so good about them, so had to have some for him and dad, if not the whole dam sea fam.” Percy shrugged. “Then the Fates asked for some, so have to set aside a few for them. Since I was already making enough to fulfill all those requests, figured I’d just do enough for everyone since we’re all stuck together watching the bullshit that is my life.”

“At least our mini adventure was just going to the zoo.” She grunted.

“I think I’d have preferred that as well.” Thalia stated, leaning her elbows on the counter.

“Oh shit, I’m gonna call Jason real quick.” Percy exclaimed, digging out a drachma and making a rainbow of water vapor with just a wave of his hand. “Oh Fleecy, do me a solid, show me Pontifax Jason Grace at Camp Jupiter.”

“Who the Hades is Fleecy?” Thalia asked, frowning and looking at Clarisse who shrugged.

“Yo, Jackson.” Jason called, sitting by Hazel and Reyna, Frank leaning around to see him and wave.

“‘Sup, Grace.” Percy nodded. “Wanted to call and say sorry for not warning you about that last one.”

“Thalia, please shock him for me since I can’t do it myself.” Jason sighed. Thalia grinned and shocked her cousin as she came to stand beside him to see everyone from the same point of view. He grinned at her. “Thanks. Wasn’t your fault, dude. I barely remember her, and Thals had to deal with her shit for a long time alone.”

“I guess.” Percy shrugged, frowning at Thalia as she raised an eyebrow, preparing to shock him again. “I know it couldn’t have been easy seeing her again, though, after you nearly died and everything.”

“She was an insane ghost who became a Mania.” Jason said, crossing his arms. “Wasn’t prepared to see her then, but it wasn’t so bad this time.”

“Aside from him being pissed that his sister went through a lot of the same things you did as a kid.” Hazel said, frowning at Jason.

“In our defense,” Thalia said, sighing heavily, “neither of us ever planned to have our pasts aired out. We both got out and found better lives.”

“What she said.” Percy agreed, jumping when she reached over and shocked him again. “Dick.”

“Bitch.” She retorted immediately. 

“Oven.” Clarisse said, pointing behind Percy, who turned quickly and started pulling pans out and setting them on the counter with his bare hands. “Use the mitts, dumbass.”

“Don’t know where they are.” Percy shrugged, pulling the last pan out and turning the oven off.

“Those look good.” Frank said, looking at the pans of brownies with wide eyes. “How do you get them to be blue?”

“I’d say trade secret, but I think the hunters are going to have it now.” Percy said unconcernedly. “I’ll show you when you all come out and you can see if you can figure out how I do it.”

“Sweet!” Hazel exclaimed excitedly. 

“How’s the prank war going?” Reyna asked, changing the subject.

“Pretty good.” Percy tilted his head thoughtfully. “Woke up to a cabin filled with balloons that spewed glitter everywhere this morning. Just used water to clean it all up and drop it on the Hermes cabin when they came out for breakfast.”

“They really thought they had you with that one.” Clarisse snorted, cutting one pan of brownies and putting them on a platter. 

“I’m really hoping all of this stops after the whole Gaia thing.” Percy grumbled, cutting his own pan of brownies. 

“Why?” Jason snickered. “Don’t want us to know about you getting involved in things with Egyptians or Norse demigods?”

“Hey, I think you’ll all recall I didn’t go looking for Roman, either.” Percy said, pointing his knife at the water message. “I was dropped into that one and … well,” Percy’s head tilted like a confused puppy’s, “huh. Found Carter on the subway and fought an alligator with him in a suburb before teaming up with his sister and Annabeth on Governors Island. The Norse, well, I think it’s more to do with the Chase family. I mean, Annabeth’s dad has a daughter with a Greek goddess, and her Aunt has a son with a Norse god? It’s as weird as Zeus and Jupitor going back to your guys’ mom to have you two weirdos. Don’t think I’ve been involved with anything else, though. At least, not to my knowledge.”

“Will we get to meet these people?” Hazel asked curiously, licking her lips as she watched Clarisse and Percy cut and set out the brownies.

“Not sure.” Percy shrugged. “Don’t really know if the whole crossing pantheons thing will make it more complicated getting them to camp.”

“Go hand those out, Praetor Jackson.” Reyna said with a heavy sigh. “That way we can get through more of your insane life before everyone gets too distracted to pay attention.”

“Sure thing.” Percy chuckled, rolling his eyes when Thalia stole a brownie before he could set it aside. “See you in a bit!” 

“How many more side adventures have you gone on, anyway?” Thalia asked between bites. 

“Aside from these three,” Percy tilted his head and stuffed an entire brownie in his mouth while he thought, “um. Three more before the great prophecy, I think. No, that’s not right. One more before, and two after. Or … maybe two more before and one after? Whatever, I wonder if they’ll show us Sadie and Annabeth meeting? That’s gotta be better than me and Carter. If they do, that’ll be another one before dirt face. Could be after, I don’t really remember.”

“We were hella busy that whole time.” Phoebe added, stealing a brownie as they each grabbed a couple trays to carry out, Percy setting one on the window for the Pegasi. 

Thankfully, there was a table for them to set the trays on when they got to the amphitheater. Percy took a plate and held it over the hearth, nodding when it vanished from his hands. He took a couple and handed them to his family personally, before sitting down. The hunters descended on the brownies before sitting around Percy again. Thalia nodded at them approvingly. She was not about to let anyone hassle the little brother she’d gained through all of this. 

They even saved room for her and Nico to sit by him. 

“Oh us.” Amphitrite groaned, closing her eyes as she ate one of the brownies. “I almost forgot how good these were.”

“What the Hades …” Triton said with wide eyes. “These are almost better than-”

“Don’t you dare say that.” Frank said sternly, as the Romans showed up, but his face went red in embarrassment. “Sorry. But his brownies are amazing, so don’t say that Percy’s are better when we haven’t tried them yet to compare, too.”

“Fair enough, Frank Zhang.” Triton chuckled, finishing his brownie.

“The peach preserves really made those, though.” Percy added, pointing at Frank who tilted his head.

“They added a little something, that’s for sure.” Jason agreed, nodding his head, but looking longingly at the brownies everyone else was eating.

“I’ll make them again when you guys visit.” Percy said, sighing in resignation as the Romans perked up. “We kind of went a little long this morning, so we can keep doing the short shit, and lead into the actual last year stuff, or take a long break this afternoon. It’s whatever everyone wants to do.”

“Let’s keep going and see what happens.” Reyna said diplomatically. 

“Three short adventures so far,” Nico shrugged. “What else could happen?” 

“Gods, don’t say shit like that.” Percy groaned, covering his face.

Percy buried his face in his hands as the memories started up again. His face was hot with embarrassment as his younger self monologued about being stuck on a billboard in Times square without pants on. 

“It had to be this one.” Grover bemoaned, covering his own face. 

“What did you two get into?” Annabeth asked curiously, a grin tugging at her lips. 

“Nothing purposefully.” Percy grumbled. “Was just trying to celebrate G-man’s birthday.”

“And it went horribly sideways.” Grover agreed, moving to sit beside his best friend. “Tell me your thoughts aren’t scattered during this?”

“Dude, you know me too well to ask that.” Percy complained, frowning at Grover. 

“I know, but a satyr can hope.” He sighed. 

When Apollo was mentioned, no one looked at Lester, aside from Percy and Grover. Lester looked a little confused, but his cheeks were pink. As if he either remembered or was picturing Percy in his underwear. Neither one really boded well, as far as Percy was concerned. He didn’t want gods hitting on him, or asking him to do quests for them, or anything, really. He snagged another of his brownies, handing one to Grover, and they both chewed grumpily, ignoring the interested looks sent their way. 

Juniper perked up when the park was mentioned, apparently remembering when this happened and they’d had to leave her for a little while. 

“This didn’t take too long.” She said somewhat cheerfully.

“No, but it didn’t mean it was fun.” Grover grumbled, eating the paper plate the brownie had been on, accepting Percy’s as he wordlessly handed it over. 

Percy and Grover bumped fists at the mention of his present of aluminum cans. Percy could feel how happy his friend had been that he’d gotten him anything and had a hard time not smiling about it. Percy felt his cheeks get warm when Apollo showed up, looking like he’d stepped out of a photo shoot. He shoved Grover who was snickering and flipped Thalia off, who had started laughing as well. His friends in the Apollo cabin gave him concerned looks as he described their dad pretty attentively. 

Everyone groaned when the god said young Percy could help him with a problem. It was clearly not what he had been wanting to deal with that day, but Apollo merely pulled them away so he could explain what was wrong and what he needed help with. 

“Three?” Hephaestus asked, frowning before he grunted. “Told you you’d need that warranty.” 

A few kids snickered at young Percy’s questions about what they were, but otherwise everyone was watching curiously. The more Apollo talked in the memory, the more Lester held his head as if he were getting a headache. Like a memory headache. Percy remembered what those felt like and stood up, nudging his shoulder lightly. 

“Maybe you should sit this one out?” He offered, nodding his head out of the arena. “Memory headaches suck balls, and I don’t think remembering any of this will help you with anything for your quests.”

“I feel like I remember this.” Lester groaned, rubbing his temples. 

“Don’t sweat it, man.” Percy said gently. “Go take a walk, maybe go lay down in your cabin. Someone can come get you when it’s over. Mortal brains are weird, I’m sure you’ve figured that out. But we tend to compartmentalize and prioritize memories that are important to us over things that won’t do anything for us. This won’t help anything or hurt anything if you do or don’t remember it. I promise. Go take a break and rest a bit. Once this shit is over … well, you have a lot that’s gonna happen.”

“Which I told you you can’t tell me about.” Lester said sternly, glaring as best he could at Percy.

“And I won’t. You and Lady Artemis were right. I see too much sometimes. And I already told you I wouldn’t say anything, as much as I want to. Unless you want to stick around just to see me in my underwear hanging from a billboard, you should take a break.”

“Tempting offer.” Lester said, his cheeks and ears pink. “But I think I will take that break. William, you’ll come get me when it’s over?”

“Of course.” Will agreed easily, smiling at Lester.

“We’ll tell you all about PJ in his underwear, dad.” Kayla agreed, smiling brightly and ignoring Percy’s scowl. 

“Alright, I’ll be back when it’s done, then.” Lester said, getting to his feet and leaving the amphitheater. Percy watched him go, half wanting to go with him, half wanting to stay and see this whole thing through. 

“He’ll be ok, Perce.” Will said quietly, once he sat back down again. “He will.”

“Maybe.” Percy conceded. “But it’s not going to be an easy year for him.” 

“What do you mean?” Paolo asked, and Percy looked at the Apollo cabin kids and was really tempted to answer.

“He cannot say.” Artemis said firmly, watching Percy’s indecision with a knowing and sympathetic gaze.

“Percy sees more than he should.” Rachel agreed. “He can’t tell you because then you’d want to tell your dad, and he’d be upset because he’d know where the information came from.”

“If he doesn’t want to hear it,” Percy said hesitantly, biting his lip, “then there’s no reason for me to blab it around. Just … be there for him. He’ll succeed, I’ll tell you that much. But it’s going to cost him. More than he expected.”

“Ok, Percy.” Austin said thankfully. “We trust you.”

“If you don’t think we should know, we won’t bug you.” Kayla agreed.

“Even if it won’t stop us from worrying.” Will added, looking after their dad concernedly. 

Piper, Leo, and Jason were all fighting not to laugh when young Percy referenced Aeolus. Juniper didn’t look mad, though, when young Percy thought that he was glad she wasn’t there to see Grover so struck by the sound and beauty of the weird automatons. She actually looked pretty happy that Grover had gotten to see them for his birthday. Hephaestus grunted as Apollo mentioned the warranty and how the one had gone wild. He laughed when young Percy thought that he hadn’t wanted to be in the middle of their argument, giving him a knowing smile.

Austin sighed dreamily when Apollo mentioned Broadway and auditions. Percy tried not to make any noise, but he figured he must have chuckled or laughed, even quietly, to warrant the glare from the son of Apollo. 

“I should drag you to an audition.” He said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at him. “Make you do a duet with me.”

“Please don’t.” Percy whined, frowning at Grover who was really excited and happy if the empathy link were anything to go off of. 

“Just one?” Grover asked, batting his eyes and looking at him pleadingly. He knew that Percy could never turn him down with that look. 

“Grover.” Percy complained, not wanting to fold. Mostly because he didn’t want to hear anything about his singing. 

“We can even do the Hudson clean-up after.” He stated, still looking at Percy pleadingly. 

“We’ll help too.” Kayla added, giving Percy her own innocent look. 

“I don’t want to be on stage.” Percy whined, pouting at them. 

“You’re just going to help Austin.” Will said, apparently catching on to what his siblings were doing. “Nico will even come along to add security.”

“Sure.” Nico agreed, shrugging at Percy as he saw his resolve start to crumble. 

“I’m not answering while you all are looking at me like that.” Percy argued. “How about I’ll think about it?”

“I’ll take it for now.” Austin nodded, bumping fists with Kayla under his arm, as if he didn’t think Percy could see it.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing, Grover,” Percy said a little irritably, “you know what I’m gonna do.”

“Yeah, and I can’t wait.” Grover said excitedly, no matter how hard Percy frowned at him. “Hope you’re brushed up on songs from ‘Chicago’,” Grover stated, looking at Austin who tilted his head curiously, “it’s gonna be almost like a riff off, dude. You want Perce to sing with you? He’s gonna make you prove it’s worth his time.”

“So is it a riff off or songs from ‘Chicago’?” Austin asked, his brow furrowed. 

“To be determined.” Grover shrugged. “Depends what he’s in the mood for the day you call in the challenge. But you better make sure you’re prepared. He knows a lot more shit about Broadway than he lets on.”

“Dude.” Percy practically growled. 

“Let’s move on.” Thalia cut in, sensing Percy’s annoyance wearing thin as she put a hand on his wrist gently. “Otherwise Percy will snap at someone accidentally and then feel like shit for hours afterwards.”

“And we’ll have to deal with it.” Nico nodded, glaring at his boyfriend, who looked as if he wanted to keep arguing. “Solace.” He growled lowly.

“Don’t get on my case.” Will argued, frowning at Nico. “I’m just supporting my brother, I’m not gonna push anymore. I’ve seen that look on Percy enough to know not to keep going. So don’t growl at me unless you mean it, di Angelo.”

“Oh gods, just keep going.” Grover said in exasperation. Percy relaxed a little more seeing his cousin ready to fight his boyfriend for cornering him. He didn’t want to do it, he really didn’t, but he felt backed into a corner with the request. Percy really hadn’t wanted to do another quest, either, but he couldn’t leave the people of Manhattan at the whim of an insane automaton. He felt his resolve harden, as it had when Grover explained the situation for him. 

“That would be very bad.” Several people agreed, once young Percy sighed in resignation at having to do the quest. 

When Apollo said that he wanted young Percy to do it because he liked him, Triton scowled unhappily and muttered under his breath. Amphitrite didn’t look particularly happy either. However, as soon as the lyre was mentioned, the amphitheater went quiet. Artemis and Hermes had the widest eyes, the most surprised he’d ever seen the gods look. When Apollo announced it was his personal lyre, even some of the Apollo kids fell out of their seats, looking shocked. 

“Ok, what gives?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow and looking around for someone to answer.

“He never lets anyone touch that.” Hermes practically whispered. “Not anyone. I gave it to him and he never even likes me being in the room with it.”

“He’s more protective of that than the sun chariot.” Artemis agreed.

“He didn’t act like it was a big deal giving it to Grover.” Percy stated, frowning.

“He must have seen something.” Rachel said, her head tilted curiously. 

“He said it was to make Percy’s job of catching her easier.” Grover bleated anxiously. “I was insanely nervous the whole time.”

When Apollo put an arm around young Percy, telling them to be careful with it and snapping his fingers before disappearing with the Celedons he still had, Poseidon had started growling.

“What?” Percy asked, feeling annoyed. It was amplified by how annoyed he felt at getting a quest when he was meant to be celebrating Grover’s birthday.

“He was trying to claim you.” Triton said through gritted teeth.

“What?” Percy asked, still feeling confused.

“He was trying to claim you as his.” Poseidon answered, the ground shaking a little. This time, Percy knew it wasn’t because of him. “When he is himself again, I’m going to have a talk with him.”

“I don’t really understand what all that’s about,” Percy said hesitantly, feeling his father on the verge of a dangerous and somewhat destructive mood swing, “but he won’t be the same when he’s himself again. Things will be different. He will be different. He’ll probably remember this, but he also won’t have the same goals or desires for distractions. If he was claiming me, whatever the hell that means, then it was probably more to do with you all saying I have a tendency to see things I shouldn’t in my dreams. Not because of anything else.”

“That … might actually be correct.” Rachel agreed, biting the end of her pencil. “Even once he has his oracles back, he is still the Greek god of Prophecy. Percy has been involved in a lot of prophecies, directly and indirectly, not including his dreams and understanding of-”

“I’m not prophetic!” Percy exclaimed, still feeling agitated. “Look, I know you all want to discuss this, but I was annoyed when this shit happened the first time, and if we keep stopping to talk it out, I’m going to be as annoyed or more, during the additional conversations. Please, can we just get it over with and you can ask your questions later? That or write it down to talk about at the end?”

“Ok, Perce.” Thalia said calmly, letting her lighting trail over his arm lightly. He appreciated her glaring down a few who looked as if they wanted to keep arguing, but wisely shut their mouths and turned toward the images. 

Grover scowled at him when he thought about using the lyre to essentially play guitar hero to trap the rogue automaton. Percy raised an eyebrow at his friend, who merely grumbled under his breath and refocused on the images. Percy pursed his lips, though, when he thought of the songs by Justin Bieber that gave him headaches, not daring to glance at his friend, who he could feel glaring at him somewhat murderously. Thalia snorted and tried not to laugh, as Grover’s glare moved to her. 

Thankfully, no one interrupted as young Percy and Grover made their initial attempt to corner the rogue Celedon. Percy grumbled under his breath about running into a brick wall, but Grover only bleated in an annoyed manner. Percy frowned when his face was glowing slightly and his ears hurt. Having wax melt out of them wasn’t a pleasant feeling. He was pretty grateful he wasn’t feeling the pain again, even if he still had people watching him anxiously as his injuries were highlighted. 

His friends were watching nervously as he and Grover attempted to pin down the Celedon, but she kept basically shoving him aside and continuing her attempts to sing. Percy sighed as he pulled his shirt away from his body, feeling hot. He tried to clear his throat, but he felt sweat building on his face and other bits anyway. It had been a hot spring when they went out for Grover’s birthday, his spring break from school. Paul had been complaining about the school not turning on the air conditioning yet, but it wasn’t the same heat he was feeling now; the heat that was generated by the automaton. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, feeling sweat trickle down his back. He was glad he chose a short sleeved shirt that morning, but it didn’t help his current situation any. He still felt overheated, like he was walking through that place again.

“Hey.” Grover said gently, taking his hand and placing it on his chest, forcing him to look him in the eyes. “Look at me, ok? You aren’t wherever you think you are. You’re at camp. I know it’s hot, but it’s just beginning of summer hot at the time. It’s just the memory of my birthday, ok?”

“Beginning of summer hot.” Percy agreed, nodding as he refocused and noticed that around them there was still a little green around since they didn’t let the snow in this year yet. Green meant he wasn’t in Tartarus. He took a few deep breaths, copying Grover and leaning against his friend, not caring that some of his muscles were still shaking. 

Grover didn’t even acknowledge the insult from the younger version of his best friend in the memory about the enchiladas. Percy leaned his head on Grover’s shoulder as he calmed down, practically sagging against him. He didn’t know why heat always reminded him of that place and not the hundreds, or maybe it was thousands, of good memories he had of summer. Percy snorted his agreement about the stupid ‘New York, New York’, song. It really was awful to a majority of people from the city. 

When young Percy’s thoughts devolved into comparing riding the Minotaur to riding the Celedon, they had to pause the memory so people could laugh. Percy was even chuckling. It was a really stupid comparison, but it was what went through his mind at the time. Looking back, it was kind of funny. When his memory self lost his grip, though, and he began sliding down the billboards, there was a collective gasp from everyone. Thalia’s grip tightened around his wrist and she looked faintly green. 

Percy kept his face against Grover’s shoulder, feeling as if he were falling all over again. Feeling himself get caught on the rung and flipped around before he caught himself, wasn’t doing great things to his stomach. He didn’t have a weak stomach, but they did just eat lunch, and he had to deal with getting flipped around a lot. Thankfully, he just burped, and didn’t actually throw up, like Thalia looked ready to do. He was glad that no one was laughing too much about him hanging from the billboard in his underwear. Instead, everyone looked anxious and agitated at how he could get out of this. The heat pressing in on him was back, only it was solely on his front side, instead of all around, so that helped with keeping his panic at bay.

“Really hating this.” Percy muttered quietly.

“Me too.” Grover agreed, squeezing his hand that he hadn’t given back after helping keep him calm earlier.

Percy felt himself growing weary, before he startled and thought of Annabeth. He wondered what she would think of him using her as his strength to fight the song, but also couldn’t get himself to look around. He grinned when Thalia and Grover both snorted as the memory narrated how she would never forgive him for dying because of a song when he’d helped her fight one before. When he thought of his next plan as ‘Stupid Plan Version 2.0’, he grinned as everyone cheered. They were all becoming strangely reliant and expectant of his stupid plans made in the heat of the moment.

“Dam right, best satyr ever.” Thalia cheered, and Percy could feel Grover’s pleasure at having his closest friends feel that way about him. 

“Hell yeah, he is.” Percy agreed, taking his arm and putting it around his friend’s shoulders instead of leaning against him like he had been.

Grover huffed in slight annoyance as young Percy complained about him being able to play the lyre now that the dangerous parts were over and they’d captured the Celedon. He couldn’t be too upset, though. The rest of the camp was still cheering for their trick that worked out. Grover let out a sigh of relief though, when young Percy talked Apollo out of smiting them for scratching his personal lyre. Artemis and Hermes were back to looking at them with wide eyes again. Once they were done, and heading back to camp, the memories faded and Percy felt like he could finally relax.

“That was awful.” He announced, sitting back. “Made me not like music for a bit.”

“Which was annoying.” Grover huffed. “There were a lot of good songs that came out while you were in your ‘no music’ era.”

“Probably.” Percy shrugged. “But I needed that break, G-man, or I’d have never wanted anything to do with music ever again. Then where would our weekends be?”

“Definitely not at karaoke.” Annabeth said, looking unhappy at the idea. 

“That’s four extra quests,” Jason said, looking at Percy curiously, “pretty sure you told me your extra side adventures were between three and 10.”

“There’s still a few more, but they happen after the Titan war.” Percy stated. “There was that thing for Hermes, me and Annabeth each had a solo thing with one of the Kane’s before a joint thing, which is four more.”

“Five if you count when we went to Boston for Magnus’ funeral.” Annabeth added.

“That should be it, though, right?” Percy asked, looking at Annabeth and Grover.

“I mean,” Grover said, biting his lip, “are we counting the recommendation letters thing?”

“Oh gods.” Percy and Annabeth both groaned. Percy put his forehead back on Grover’s shoulder while Annabeth put her head in her hands. 

“What did you need recommendation letters for?” Frank asked curiously.

“College.” Percy groaned. “Apparently, because my existence is so trying for Thunderpants, because he let me continue to live, their words, not mine, I have to collect recommendation letters to get into New Rome from three separate gods. Got one with Annabeth and Grover, but was really hoping that-”

“That’s bullshit.” Reyna said, standing up and looking quite murderous. “We do not have that requirement, and it is not the decision of the Greek gods on who we accept and do not accept into our school. He already has a scholarship for the swim team, not to mention his guaranteed acceptance as a former Praetor. It is not for them to decide whether Rome accepts Percy Jackson or not, since they were the ones who sent you to us to begin with. Rome already accepts Praetor Jackson, completely.”

“Seriously?” Percy asked, feeling his anger start to rise.

“You want to discuss interference in demigod lives?” Reyna asked, her eyes burning through the message toward the gods, “ that is direct interference. You all should be grateful to him for fighting for you. For keeping you alive and not imprisoned or trapped for eternity. If not for Percy Jackson, and those who are loyal to him, you would not exist. I will not apologize for my outburst, nor will I acknowledge it moving forward. We are taking a break and will continue once we have all had time to calm down.”

Percy stared at the message that had disappeared, where the Senators were all on their feet and looking, not quite as murderous as Reyna, but still pretty dangerous. The silence that followed was pretty amazing as the demigods all looked at the gods in various states of annoyance, disgust, and anger. 

“That was incredible.” Thalia said, her head tilting thoughtfully.

“She’ll make a good hunter.” Percy said quietly, standing up and stretching. He winced and rubbed his temple because of a sudden sharp pain in his head.

“Oh? You know this how?” Thalia asked, raising an eyebrow at him, but Percy couldn’t remember what he’d just said. 

“Know what?” He asked, rubbing his temple still. He knew he’d said something, but couldn’t remember what it was. “What did I say? Something about Reyna, right?”

“Don’t worry about it, Perce.” Grover said, throwing an arm around him and walking him out of the amphitheater. “Not really something meant for you.”

“If you say so.” Percy huffed, walking through camp with his best friend for a bit. It was actually nice just hanging out with Grover again, not worrying about a ridiculous quest. Just spending time with his best friend.