Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Percy knew that something was going to happen today, he could feel it, he just didn't know what.

It was morning on the first day of summer break. Percy had, of course, gotten himself expelled from his last school. But it wasn't his fault that Yancy was terrible about learning disability accommodations, it wasn't his fault that the literature teacher decided to make him read an entire page of shakespeare aloud in front of the whole class, and it definitely wasn't his fault when kids started snickering because he was stumbling over words.

Honestly, he's impressed that it took him that long to snap, he’d called the teacher an “old sot”, which wasn't even that bad compared to the things he heard in the hallway, but apparently even that was “unacceptable behaviour that won't be tolerated at this establishment”.

Luckily both his mom and their neighbour Abigale agreed that it was for the best that he didn't go back. Abigale even bought him ice-cream afterwards. Abigale lived across the hall from them and was really close to both Percy and his mom. She would spend Christmas with them and even used to look after Percy sometimes when he was younger.

All in all Percy was fully prepared to start his summer break, that was until his mom called him into the living room. She had sounded really distressed, that didn't help the rising feeling of dread in Percy's stomach.

He hopped off his bed, navigated around the still packed suitcases on the floor, and made his way to the living room. There he found his mom sitting on the armchair with a cup of tea in her hands, looking very stressed. To his surprise he also saw Abigale frantically running around the room locking windows and drawing curtains. Once she closed the last window she quickly made her way to the door. Just as she was about to leave she turned to his mom and asked, “Are you sure you don't need me for this? It's kind of a delicate conversation.”

Still with her eyebrows furrowed, Percy's mom replied “No that's alright, I should be the one to tell him, you just stand guard.” Abigale then gave a nod and took her leave.

Just as the door closed, Percy’s mom noticed him peeking from the hallway, “come in,” she said waving him over, “sit down I have something to tell you”. Percy of course, did just that, making his way into the living room and plopping down on the couch, now only slightly more stressed at the thought of what could possibly warrant such secrecy.

“Hi mom,” he said, trying for a smile.

“Hi Percy,” his mom responded, returning both the greeting and the weary smile. “There’s something I need to tell you,” she continued, “Something I've been meaning to tell you since your 12th birthday, but of course you were at boarding school at the time so I couldn’t.” Percy sat up straighter now, itching with anticipation.

“What do you know about Greek mythology?”

Okay, now Percy was confused, what did Greek mythology have to do with anything right now? “Well, I know they're the gods, they control different aspects of the world and society, they're other creatures like nymphs and satyrs, and obviously they're demigods as well, those guys go on quests and stuff right? At Least that's what Abigale said”.

Percy's mom blinked in surprise for a moment, then she sighed fondly, “of course Abigale would teach you that, she's always wanted you to be prepared”. Then she shifted in her chair so that she was properly facing him. “There's no easy way to say this…” Percy shifted in his seat.

“Percy, you're a demigod”

Percy blinked. Him? A demigod? The fictional species? “What?”, he said in utter bewilderment. Sally continued, “The reason I didn't tell you earlier is because once you know then they start coming after you. I just wanted you to be safe.”

Percy’s mom paused, waiting for a reaction, but Percy just stared at her with a look that conveyed shock, confusion, and concern all in one. Sally let the information sink in for a minute before continuing, “I know this might be hard to hear butt-”

“Mom, are you okay?”

Percy’s interruption seemed to have startled her but he continued on anyway, “Any dizziness? increased temperature?”. Before Sally could even respond he continued spiralling, “If you've been experiencing hallucinations you have to tell me. Do I need to get you to the hospital? How many fingers am I holding up?” With that last sentence he shoved his hand in her face, holding up three fingers.

Before Percy could finish his panicking or call 911 Sally caught his hand, turned to him, and announced in a calm but firm tone, “Percy, I'm fine, I'm not crazy, and I have proof”.

With that she set down Percy’s hand and lifted up an object that was on top of the coffee table but that Percy hadn't noticed before. “What is this?” she asked Percy. When Percy looked at the object, he saw what was undoubtedly a blue yankees baseball cap. “A hat?” He replied, still considering ways to get his mom to a hospital, maybe Abigale would drive them so he wouldn't have to call an ambulance?

“It’s not just a hat Percy,” she announced and without any hesitation plopped it on her head. The moment that the cap made contact with her scalp, she disappeared, vanishing from sight as if she had never been there. Now Percy was concerned for a different reason.

“Mom?!”

“Don't worry,” he heard her voice, still coming from the armchair she had been fitted on, “I'm still here.” Then she blinked back into existence, Yankees cap still in hand. Percy stared in shock, “How did you do that?”

“I told you, it's-”

Before she could re-explain, the apartment entrance swung open, there stood a slightly panicked looking Abigale, “They're here!” She announced, “I can't hold them back much longer without drawing even more attention to ourselves.”

Sally muttered a curse word under her breath before leaping off the armchair and issuing orders. “Abigale, hold them off as long as you can, Percy, grab whatever backpack you can and meet me at the fire escape” Percy was too confused to argue so he did as he was told, quickly sprinting to his room and back now with a backpack in hand.

He found Sally frantically waving him through the now opened window that led to the fire escape. Without thinking he rushed through and began his descent, only briefly looking back to ensure that his mom was still following him. “Where are we going?” He asked as they sprinted towards their rented old car. “I'll explain on the way, let's go!”

They pilled into the car and Percy thought he heard a roar in the distance just as the door slammed shut. Sally pulled out of the parking lot and hastily began driving. They were clearly being pursued by something, and by the sound of it, they didn't have time to waste.

Chapter Text

Annabeth carefully wove through the tangle of trees in the woods, she would have taken the much more easily traversable path had she not been attempting to someone. More specifically, she was trying to follow Chiron and Luke.

Had it been anyone else Annabeth probably wouldn't be trying this hard to remain unseen, but Luke was the head counselor of the Hermes cabin, which contained the stealthiest and most mischievous demigods in camp, and Chiron had been the activities director for centuries, meaning he’s definitely had to deal with kids much sneakier than herself. So Annabeth resigned herself to sneaking through the undergrowth and trying to remain undetected.

The two walked on in silence, seemingly oblivious to her presence, until they settled at a clearing slightly off the path. Annabeth took this as her cue to find a good vantage point from which to watch from. She leaped into a nearby tree, using a maneuver that she’d seen the Hermes kids use a million times, and she crouched down to hopefully catch some snippets of conversation.

“... was really hoping you perhaps knew something?”

That was Chiron’s voice, she was sure of it, but what did he think that Luke knew? There was something in Chiron's voice as well, was it… desperation?

Too late Annabeth realised that she was too caught up in her own thoughts to pay attention to Luke’s response

“... thing everyone else doesn't already… know where it could have gone… keep an eye out…”

She kept missing snippets of conversation to both the surrounding leaves and to her of wandering thoughts. In an attempt to rectify this she leaned in towards the clearing, but she slipped and fell off the branch that she was perched on, landing with a distinct thud and a soft crunch.

Even through the thick shrubs on the forest floor Annabeth could see that both Chiron and Luke’s heads had snapped in her direction and both had drawn their weapons. Now Annabeth's concerns shifted from getting caught snooping to getting shot by a centaurs crossbow.

“I’ll go check it out,” Luke announced in a much clearer tone than the one he had been using before. He quietly and slowly crept towards her location and she held her breath in anticipation. Luke made it to a point directly in front of the bush she was hiding behind, but before he could come any closer he stopped, looked around, then turned back to Chiron.

“All clear,” he said, “whatever it was must have run off”

Chiron nodded solemnly at the explanation before replying, “Then we best be off, before it returns with more confidence”.

“Sure,” Luke agreed, “but you go on ahead, I'll look for clues about what it might have been”

“Alright then, be careful”, and with that, Chiron trotted off back towards camp, just barely missing Annabeth's hiding spot. Thinking she was in the clear, Annabeth let out a sigh of relief.

She started thinking about how to get back to camp but then she heard a rustling in the bushes.

“You should really stop with this investigation Annabeth, it's dangerous.”

The words momentarily startled Annabeth until she looked up to see Luke standing over her, offering an outstretched hand. Annabeth took it begrudgingly. “I'm fine,” she huffed.

Luke raised an eyebrow, “You fell out of a tree”.

Annabeth felt her cheeks turn red. “Like I said, I'm fine” she said while trying to get up. Unfortunately for her though, she had landed on her ankle so she felt a jolt of pain as she tried to stand on it. Though she tried to keep a straight face, Luke undoubtedly noticed.

He sighed, then said, “Let’s get you to the infirmary”.

Annabeth didn't resist as he took her hand and guided her back towards camp. She leaned on him and they walked in silence for a bit. Then, because Annabeth wanted something to come out of this trip, she asked Luke, “Soooo… what were you and Chiron talking about?”

“Annabeth,” Luke sighed and pinched his nose between his fingers, “You were spying on us in the forest by yourself without supervision, then you got caught and are most definitely in a world of trouble, and you're STILL trying to figure out the thing I told you to stop investigating weeks ago?”

He said this with such distress and disbelief, that Annabeth almost hesitated before saying, “So you know what was stolen during the solstice right?”

Luke sighs again.

“Annabeth,” he starts, “I know that you've been wanting a quest for a while now, but you know the rules uncl-”

“Unclaimed demigods can’t lead quests I know,” Annabeth finishes, “But I've been training just as long as you! I can do it! I can-”

“No!”

“But-”

“Annabeth, I was years older than you when I went on my first quest and I still failed, there’s no way I'm letting that happen to you!”

They fell silent after that, the only thing audible being the rustling of branches as they walked past. I t was Luke who broke the silence, he spoke in almost a whisper and said, “Listen, Annabeth, even if Chiron broke his unofficial quest ban, and you figured out what's going on, and you got claimed, and you were approved for a quest, the oracle would still have to choose you. It’s ultimately up to fate to decide”.

Annabeth didn't respond, instead staring looking down at her feet as they trod on the dusty path. When they finally arrived Luke said, “I won't turn you into Chiron, just go to the infirmary for your ankle.”

“Thanks,” Annabeth murmured despondently, and she began to walk away.

“And Annabeth,” Luke called before she was out of earshot, “Promise me you'll stop looking into this.”

Annabeth hearted him. She didn't promise. She didn't turn back. She wasn't going to stop until she had answers.

Chapter Text

Percy sat in the backseat as his mom sped down the road. The sky was shrouded in a slate of gray clouds.

His mom had been explaining mythology and driving like a maniac for the last hour and a half and was only now starting to slow down in both driving and talking speed. Her explanation had been adequate as far as he knew, she'd explained mythology, how the greek gods migrated with the heart of the west, and most importantly, about camp. She’d explained that now that he knew about being a demigod he would likely need to spend his summers there, when pressed for more details about camp she admitted that she had never been and thus couldn't tell him much of anything besides what Athena taught her,

That’s another thing, apparently his other parent, the one his mom never talked about and always looked nervous at the mention of, was Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and battle strategy. When Percy inquired about how exactly that works? Sally had explained that since Athena is a virgin goddess all her kids are formed from thought. Percy found this very weird but he didn't voice this out loud.

Even after all this explanation, there was still something bothering Percy, it wasn't until they entered the forest that he realised what it was. “Hey mom,” he said, “Does Abigale know? About all this I mean”.

His mom went silent for a second and Percy turned to look at her expression. She looked conflicted and her lips were pressed into a line. Then, just as she was about to open her mouth to say something, the car was flung into the air.

Percy grips his seat and lets out a yell as the car flies into the air and lands on its side at the edge of the road. He’s jostled around when it lands with a crash. He turns to look at his mom, who has already jumped into action and is unbuckling her seat belt. Percy, who has never been one to be overly stunned by surprises, quickly leaps into action to do the same. Both he and his mom quickly scramble out of the exposed door and he follows her as he ducks behind the car, facing away from the road.

Percy, still breathing heavily, tries to ask, “What was tha- ” only to have a hand clamped over his mouth. Percy takes the hint and shuts up. His mom pauses for a second as if listening for something, then both of them hear what sounds like giant footsteps thundering through the trees. Percy’s mom slowly looks over the car and then gestures for Percy to do the same. When he does he’s shocked to see a giant bull headed bipedal creature in nothing but white boxers shambling out of the trees and onto the road. Both he and his mom duck back down behind the car when it looks like the creature might look their way.

“What was that!” He whispers urgently, “is that the minotaur!”

Before his mom could respond the creature let out a roar and seemed to walk towards them, Percy was terrified but his mom, thinking quickly, grabbed a nearby rock and threw it across the street, sufficiently distracting it so that it continued its search for them in the other direction.

“Percy, listen to me,” Sally whispered, “Yes, that monster is Pasiphae’s son but you’re not supposed to use their names, remember?”

Percy did remember, even if he didn't have an eidetic memory the urgency with which his mother spoke had burned the phrase into his memory, but he had thought it was a respect thing, not a “saying a monster's name will make them aware of your exact location” thing.

“Yes I remember,” he replied.

“Good,” his mother nodded, “Now take this”. She pulled out the Yankees cap from before and shoved it into his grip. “Put it on and run to the top of that hill”. She pointed towards a hill with a large pine tree at the top, he recognised it as the border for camp half blood.

He looked up at her in disbelief, “But… mom what about you?”

“I’ll be fine,” she says hurriedly, “The monster is looking for you not me, just get to the hill.”

Before he could argue that the minotaur had a known history of eating non demigods, the minotaur let out a roar that shook the nearby trees. Taking this as a sign that they didn't have much time, Percy put on the cap, turned, and ran towards the hill.

Fortunately, the invisibility hat seemed to succeed in removing him from the minotaur's sight. Unfortunately, it did not remove him from its other senses. This bécane very apparent when the minotaur turned in Percy’s direction, seemingly alerted by the sound of movement.

Percy froze as the minotaur slowly began to march in his direction, apparently still unsure of his exact location. Percy knew that more movement would just alert the minotaur further, but that by staying still he would ensure that the minotaur finds him eventually, so the only option was to srun. He would hopefully make it to the top of the hill before the minotaur could pinpoint him.

Then in his efforts to make a swift get away, he tripped. Now not only had he increased his noise output and decreased the rate that he'd get to the border, he had also in the process dropped his invisibility cap. Now, fully visible, on the ground and unarmed, he made for a perfect target.

The minotaur, stalked towards him, snarling and baring its teeth that while not sharp, looked perfectly suited for grinding human flesh. His back pressed against a tree, Percy shool like a leaf, terrified. Before he could resign himself to his fate as minotaur lunch, the creature was suddenly struck in the back of its head.

The strike wasn't hard and it didn't injure the minotaur in the slightest, but it seemed enough to get its attention. The creature turned, to see Percy’s mom standing atop the sideways car holding a handful of rocks.

“You like that minotaur!” She yelled, “Cause I've got a lot more where that came from!”

The minotaur once again roared, irritated by this new distraction, and it charged towards her. She managed to jump out of that way at the last second resulting in the minotaur running straight into the car and getting its horns stuck. This seemed to be what she was hoping for because she displayed a triumphant grin before turning to Percy with a more serious but still determined expression and shouting, “Cross the border! Get help”

Percy didn't need to be told twice, all though he didn't feel great leaving his mom alone against that thing, he knew that they couldn't take it alone. So, while exhausted and terrified, he ran for the hill.

It seemed to take forever, but eventually he touched down at the base of the pine tree on the hill. HE looked over to see the magnificent, sunlit landscape of what he assumed to be camp halfblood, but he had a mission and he intended to succeed. He scanned the area for someone who could possibly help him, anyone at all, until his eyes landed on someone.

The person looked to be about seventeen and was tall with short blond hair, and most importantly, he was holding a sword. Percy stood and waved his arms in an effort to get the older boy's attention.

“Hey! HEY! OVER HERE! I NEED HELP!”

Luckily the boy saw him and rushed up the hill with urgency, when he reached the top of the hill Percy didn't even need to explain the situation before the other boy's eyes grew wide and he ran down the hill to help. Percy turned back to watch the scene and immediately understood why the other boy looked so horrified.

The minotaur had his mom in its clutches, literally, his she was in his hands and struggling to get free. The boy with the sword was still too far away to help and it didn't look like he was going to get there in time.

Percy watched in horror as the minotaur His mom in its grip and the light left her eyes. Percy doesn't remember whether or not he screamed, though he probably did. All he remembers after that is the sword boy lifting his sword towards the murderous creature and the world fading to black.

Chapter Text

Annabeth was deep in thought, Luke had caught her during her snooping session, but not before she managed to get some useful information about what was going on.

Her investigation started right after the winter solstice field trip to olympus. They had been before as it was an annual trip, but something weird happened immediately after they left. On the way back, through the windows of the camp van, you could see a swarm of black storm clouds circling the top of the empire state building, a sure fire sign that the king of the gods was pissed.

Since then Annabeth has been investigating both Chiron and the Camp counselors to find out what was going on. When Luke had caught wind of this he had discouraged her from continuing, but if Annabeth stopped trying every time someone told her to then she’d never get anything done.

So far she’s figured out that something happened during the winter solstice, Zeus is not happy about it, the gods are taking sides, and if it’s not fixed by the Summer solstice then there will probably be a war in olympus. Most recently she had come across the information that something had been stolen, presumably from Zeus since he was the one kicking up the biggest fuss.

She turned over this new information in her head, she would note it down in her investigation notebook later, but right now her ankle was killing her. She limped into the infirmary to find it mostly empty save for an 11 year old kid with curly blond hair.

“Hey Will,” Annabeth greeted as she entered the room and plopped down on one of the beds.

“Hi Annabeth!” Will said excitedly, “Good to see you! Is anything wrong?” He asked this as he had already begun rushing around the room for ambrosia squares.

“Nothing much,” she reassured, “just twisted my ankle”. By the time she had finished answering Will had already gathered his supplies and started wrapping her ankle. He then handed her a very dilute mixture of ambrosia and told her to drink up.

“Thanks,” she said.

“No problem, you’d need to stay off it for a couple of minutes though, maybe 12?”

“Yeah, twelve sounds about right,” she responded. She decided that since she had nothing better to do she might as well wait it out in the infirmary.

She sat for about 5 minutes before Luke burst in.

His hair and clothes were caked in blood and golden dust, his movements were frantic and his eyes were wild with panic. So much so that Annabeth didn't notice that he’d had a kid slinked over his shoulder until he plopped him on one the other beds.

“Who's in charge right now,” Luke said in a booming voice that sounded more like a command than a question.

“Ugh, it’s just me right now,” Will stuttered out as he tried to get his bearings.

“Alright, I need you to check this kid for injuries,” Luke then ran to the cabinets, presumably to get some medical supplies. Meanwhile Will had rushed over to the kid and started checking him over.

It was another five minutes before Luke a will had finished patching him up, apparently he hadn’t had a concussion but had instead passed out from exhaustion, because of that all they had to do was close up a few cuts and leave him to rest.

Now that he wasn't being crowded Annabeth could get a better look at the kid. He was a boy that looked to be about her age, he had messy black hair (though she reasoned that it could have just been messy because he had passed out in a probably life threatening situation).

Luke had explained how he’d found him,. He’d heard his shouts for help and rushed over to see him exhausted at the border, Luke had then looked down the hill to see a flipped to its side car and the minotaur crushing a woman to death. He’d gone as fast as he could but he’d been unable to save her in time, though he had managed to slay the minotaur. Luke then left a severed minotaur horn on the bedside in case the kid wanted it when he woke up.

Will looked emotionally and physically drained by the experience of what Annabeth thought might have been his first actually serious medical case. Considering this Annabeth offered to watch the patient
While he took a break, at least until the next shift came in. He had protested but eventually given in.

So Annabeth got cozy on her own bed, and she waited for the new kid to stir.

Chapter Text

Percy’s eyes slowly blinked open to the sight of bookshelves and fluorescent lights, he propped himself up and looked around the room. At first glance he appeared to be lying on a wooden table in a large library, but the closer he looked, the more dreamlike his surroundings felt. The shelves didn't seem to have a top and instead kept going higher and higher until they disappeared from view. The hallway he was in was much the same, seeming to go on forever.

A few feet away from him he could see what looked like a straight haired blond lady in bronze armor, she was perusing the book options and had a bronze helmet tucked underneath her arm. She was facing away from him so couldn't see her face, but she didn't appear to notice him either, so after some deliberation, Percy decided to alert her to his presence.

“Hello?” He said questioningly. This promptly caused her to drop some of the books she was holding and turn to him. “Oh!” She exclaimed, “you're finally awake, it’s been a minute”

Percy wanted to respond, maybe ask where he was or how he got there, but he found that the words died in his throat. Because when the stranger turned around to look at him, he saw a familiar face.

“Abigale?”

“The very one!” The stranger nodded, “but you knew that already, your Mother has probably told you everything by now”.

At that statement Percy suddenly remembered what he had been doing before he got here. “I was at the camp, we were attacked,” He started slowly, “how did I get here? Where's mom?”

At that the stranger (Abigale? But it couldn't be, she didn't wear battle armor) got a confused and worried look on her face, “I don’t know,” she admitted, “I temporarily shrunk my sphere of awareness to avoid detection, why did something happen before you made it to camp?”

“Yeah, “ Percy said, “We were attacked and… wait, who are you?”

“Me?” She questioned, “I'm Abigale, like I said, ”

“If you're Abigale then how are you here? And what are you wearing?”

“This is a dream space and I'm wearing battle armor,” she answered, “This isn't complicated stuff, didn't your mom explain anything?”

“No she didn't!” Percy exclaimed, very fed up with the lack of explanation, “We were attacked before we even got to the camp!”

This gave the stranger pause, she stood still for a moment before saying, “oh, hold on a minute”. Then her eyes flashed a bright blue before returning back to their usual colour, when they did a look of understanding crossed her face.

“I see,” she said, her voice wavering, then the waved her hands and two wooden chairs magically appeared on either side of the wooden table. “Take a seat and I'll explain everything”

Percy was hesitant at first, but upon seeing the stranger sit down he felt awkward being on the table so he sat down as well. The stranger cleared her throat and began “I am Athena, goddess of wisdom and battle strategy, but you may know me better as your neighbour Abigale. I took on a mortal form upon your mothers request in an attempt to keep you safe, your mother did not tell you this for the same reason that she didn't tell you everything else, that is to prevent monsters from attacking you. Any questions?”

Percy sat stunned for a moment, his neighbour and sometimes Bobby sitter, the one who was practically family, was an immortal Greek goddess? And even more pressingly… “Wait, so you're my mom!?”

“Yes,” she replied

“But you're also Abigale?”

“Yes”

“And you've been protecting me how?”

“Though not as innately powerful as children of my father and his siblings, my demigods offspring still have a fairly powerful scent,” explained the not-stranger, “While you were unaware of your parentage I was able to mask your scent without attracting attention, and because I had taken on a mortal form I could defend against any monsters that did find you and have them believe that I myself am a demigod”.

Percy sat and processed this information for a solid five minutes, he found it hard to believe, but after everything that had happened it did seem possible, eventually Percy got out of his head enough to ask a very important question, “So, what should I call you now?”

“You may continue to refer to me as Abigale when we are alone or I am in mortal form, however I do request that you refrain from doing so when we are in the presence of others so as to not expose my breaking of sacred laws, in those situations you should refer to me as Lady Athena, or perhaps mother? But that may be a bit familiar for that context”

It hadn't occurred to him that Athena had been breaking the ancient laws to be Abigale, when his mom had explained them to him Percy had seen them as final and un-bending, but it made sense that no rules could truly govern the activities of the gods.

“So, if you have no further questions then- “

“Wait no I have one more question,” Percy said, “Where’s mom? Is she okay?”

At that, Athena gave him a sad look, “that will be revealed upon your awakening from this dream, goodbye PErcy.”

BEfore Percy could press her for information the room suddenly started to disappear and fade ro black and Athena along with it. Soon he was falling through a black void as he faded into unconsciousness.

_____

Percy woke up slowly, his eyes lazily blinking open to see the bright lights of a sterile hospital room. He sat up, ignoring the slight pounding in his head and saw that he was indeed in some sort of hospital-like setting with bandages and medicines carefully placed on top of shelves mounted on the walls.

He was still contemplating this new environment when he heard a distinctly female voice saying to him “You drool in your sleep”. He turned towards the voice and saw that it was coming from someone on the bed next his. She was sitting cross legged on top of the blankets, her blond hair was done up into a ponytail and her skin was noticeably tanned.

With a welcoming smile on her face she introduced herself, “Hi, I’m Annabeth Chase,” then she extended her hand for a hand shake. Percy took it and replied, “Nice to meet you, I'm Percy Jackson”.

Chapter Text

Annabeth was incredibly suspicious of this new kid. Chiron and the camp counselors start panicking about something and then a new kid shows up at the same time. Coincidence? Maybe, but she still thought it was at least worth considering the possibility that this kid had something to do with it.

After she introduces herself and learns the new kid's name, she decides to cut to the chase (no pun intended).

“So Percy,” she begins, “how long have you known that you were a demigod?”

“Since this morning,” he answers, “ by the way, what time is it? How long have I been out?”

“It's about…” she glanced at the clock, “ 1:30, you've only been out half an hour or so”.

At this Percy looked inquisitive and muttered something under his breath. “Alright,” he finally stated, “I’m new so I'm supposed to meet with the head of camp right? Mind showing me where they are?”

Annabeth thought for only a second before saying, “sure this way”.

She figured that even though he might be lying about not knowing he was a demigod, he might admit something to Chiron, after all he was the camp activities director. As they hopped off the beds Annabeth handed him the severed minotaur horn, he looked at it in confusion.

“Is this for me? What is it?”

“Minotaur horn,” she replied, “I know you technically didn't slay it but Luke thought you might want it”

“Luke?” he asked

“The guy who slayed the minotaur and brought you to camp,” she clarified.

Percy nodded in consideration, “I’ll have to thank him,” he decided. After that they continued to walk in silence until they reached the room most likely to be inhabited by Mr D. Annabeth opened the door to conveniently find Mr D playing pinochle with Chiron.

“Hello Mr D,” Annabeth greeted, “Sorry to interrupt but we have a new camper and-”

“Yeah yeah,” Mr D replied, not even looking up from his cards, “ new kid can sit down, he knows how to play pinochle right?” Percy nodded and sat in a chair in-between Chiron and Mr D.

Chiron then gestured towards himself and said, “I am Chiron the camp activities director and you may refer to him,” he pointed and Mr D, “as Mr D, he is the head of camp half blood”

“Percy,“ Percy responded, “Percy Jackson”.

Chiron nodded and said, “Percy, do you know why you're here?”

“Here at camp?” Percy clarified, Chiron nodded and Percy continued, “Yes, I'm here because it’s a safe place for demigods to learn to fight monsters, right?”

“Yes that's quite right, you will be separated into your cabin based on who your godly parent is and you will do your activities mainly with them.”

Percy nodded and indicated that Chiron should continue.

“You'll have to be shown around camp, Annabeth,” Chiron called. Annabeth’s head turned to face him as she stood in the doorway, she had expected to be called on to give Percy a tour, after all, she was an experienced camper and was already available.

“Annabeth, please call in Luke to give Percy a tour,” Chiron finished. Annabeth visibly deflated at this, “But-”

“Go!,” yelled Mr D, who had said nothing up to this point, “I don't want to have to deal with you brats for any longer than I have to!”

Annabeth flinched back at the noise, then she nodded and turned around to leave. Of course he would want Luke, even though they had been at camp for the same amount of time, Luke was claimed and she wasn’t. Of course Chiron wouldn’t want the unclaimed twelve year old to give the new kid a tour he never did.

Annabeth made her way to the sword training grounds where she found Luke sparing the training dummies. He was supposed to be at lunch but these days he seemed more focused on training and could often be seen skipping lunch, Annabeth had added this fact as evidence that there was something going on.

She told Luke that Chiron needed him for a tour and then she made her way to the docks. She decided that it was fine that she didn't get to give Percy a tour, because she had other things to do anyway, namely her meeting with Grover.

The previous day they had agreed to gather intelligence and to meet up at the docks after lunch, and while it was technically still lunch time, Grover had a tendency to show up early to things. Just as expected, she found Grover sitting on the pier and dangling his fuzzy goat legs above the water.

Taking a deep breath, she shoved down her feelings of anger and approached Grover.

“Did you find anything?” She asked. Grover flinched forward and almost fell into the water, he had evidently not noticed she was there and was surprised by her sudden appearance.

“Hello to you too,” he said, his voice still shaky.

“Hi Grover, sorry about that,” Annabeth said as she sat down next to him, “So, you got anything?”

Grover nodded, “Yeah, it’s not much though, all I heard has some of the council satyrs whispering about ‘missing lightning’ ”. Annabeth stocked her chin and processed the information.

Right now she knew that something was stolen, probably from Zeus, and that it was something important or else Zeus wouldn't be kicking up such a fuss over it. If Grover heard something about “missing lightning” then it could be that someone had stolen lightning? But that didn't make sense, Zeus has plenty of lightning as he was displaying in his storms all over the world. Unless, Annabeth thought, maybe someone stole one specific lightning bolt…

“Grover,” she whispered as the realization struck her like lightning, “I think someone stole the master bolt”.