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-Flashback to Ch.14-

"Why can't you tell me where the bolt is beforehand?" Percy asked Chiron again

"Well, you would've been too afraid to accept the challenge at first, won't you?" I explained to him and he gulped. "Good reason, but how about you guys?" He said to us.

Grover nodded encouragingly.

"Well it's technically saving the whole world, so yeah." Crystal said.

"What she said," I said simply.

"All right." Percy said, nodding to himself, "It's better than being turned into a dolphin."

"Then it's time you consulted the Oracle," Chiron said and turned to me.

"Mika, go upstairs and lead Percy Jackson to the attic. When you both come back down, assuming Percy is still sane, he and I shall talk more. Crystal, I would like to discuss something to you." He somewhat ordered making me nod and go.

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Guiding Percy to Four flights up, the stairs ended under a green trap-door.

I pulled the cord and the square platform-like door swung down, and a wooden ladder clattered into place. The warm air from above smelled like mildew, rotten wood and the smell of...old stuff. "Well I'm not going there, so demigods first," I said to Percy who pinched his nose in disgust of the smell and soon climbed up to the attic while I waited for him.

"Croo?" A purr like chirp was heard making me look at an open window to see a grey pigeon, "What was that?" I heard Percy who might have still stared at some objects that might be there. "It's just a bird, nothing special." I said, the barrier surrounding this camp only kept monsters and non-demigods away unless they are allowed to enter by someone with access in the barrier. So I don't think animals aren't allowed to be here, though...

"Familiars can always be an ordinary animal." I mumbled and walked to the window, but the gray feathered creature still sat there as it preened its wing, unafraid and waiting.

When I was close to the window I stretched a hand out to the bird and it sat on my palm calmingly making me slightly smile, I always wanted to do this scenario.

Author, you did good this time.

I noticed a little cylinder capsule carrier attached to its back. Carefully taking out the capsule, I opened the little lid and took a note that was in it revealing a message:

Meet me in the forest tonight. You'll see me.

-Ana

I soon noticed the Pigeon now was sitting on my head.

Sighing, I gripped the note in my palm and when opening my hand there was ash instead, blowing it away, I placed the now empty capsule back on the pigeon who was now on my right arm. With a small flick of a wrist a small pouch appeared in my left palm, opening it with my right revealed bird seeds which the Pigeon quickly pecked/ate.

"Now go fly back to your sender, little guy." I said to the bird who cooed and flew away. As soon as it left, Percy climbed down the attic's ladder looking a little confused. (He didn't see the bird)

¸.•-'*•✿•*'-•.¸

That's what Percy told me with some other stuff when he had headed up to the attic to talk to the Oracle, I wasn't expecting her to be a mummy with a tie-dyed shirt.

A book or scroll? Maybe. Talking dead body? Nope, You'd never see it coming.

(Gosh dang it author. No Persona 5 songs. Please.)

Face the god who has turned? Betrayed by someone who's called a friend?

I thought while I walked downstairs with Percy who was also thinking of something.

What god turned from what? The rest of the gods?

Who will betray, and how will they do it?

The only line that mostly mattered was the last line, what is Percy going to fail to save?

His mother? I sighed mentally as I thought about it more.

Prophecies were confusing on what I learned about them from the Servants, thinking about a single Prophecy somehow reminds me of Asclepius when he was ranting about his dad with his stupid prophecy oracle making or when I was hanging out with Paris and one of the forms of Apollo who was a live stuffed chibi ram plushie that was on the boy's (or man's) head. That can actually multiply for some reason. I don't really know where those small thoughts came from to be very honest. They just do.

"Well?" Chiron asked us while we on a chair at the pinochle table with him, and Grover but no Crystal, she must've left. "She said I would retrieve what was stolen." Percy said which made Grover sit forward, chewing excitedly on the remains of a Diet Coke can.

"That's great!"

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed. "This is important."

"She...she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"I knew it," Grover said when Percy explained about it.

"Anything else?" Chiron said, looking unsatisfied. "No, that's about it." Percy said but I knew he was lying. "Very well, Percy. But know this: the Oracle's words often have double meanings. Don't dwell on them too much. The truth is not always clear until events come to pass." I got the feeling he also knew Percy was holding back.

"Now since we got the prophecy," I said, wanting to change topics. "Where will Percy go? Who's this god in the west? Please don't say it's like the journey to the west because that'll just be weird."

"Ah, just think," Chiron said, ignoring what I last said. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?"

"Somebody else who wants to take over?" Percy guessed and the Centaur nodded. "Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow powerful with the deaths of millions. Someone who hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath to have no more children, an oath that both of them have now broken." Ah yes, Ignore me while you can you two...males will be males after all...

"Hades."

Chiron nodded. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

A scrap of aluminum dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron reminded him. "She watched the young man until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

"But why is he so interested in Zeus' master bolt? Didn't Hades also hate Poseidon? So why work together now?" I mumbled out accidentally then felt Grover and Chiron's eyes on me. Chiron seemed lost in thought and he looked at me as if he's waiting for me to explain the whole thing. "Or maybe Hades knew Poseidon has the master bolt and he wanted it for himself, you know. To be a leader, but then again...doesn't Hades have enough things to take care of? I know he's in charge of the Underworld but he doesn't seem like the type want more people to watch over, and Poseidon clearly has a kingdom of his own like that guy in the justice league series. So why expand his rule?" I asked.

Chiron studied me and contemplated "That's maybe the case. But since three of them always fight, they barely get along" He then paused for a moment "But I assumed since Hades is the oldest one, he thought he should be the one who lead the gods, and not stay in the underworld, and he didn't even get a throne in the Olympus."

"But, I didn't steal it!" Percy argued.

"The gods are almost at war Percy" Chiron continued "Hellhounds can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. There must be a spy here. Hades, or at least someone else must have suspected Poseidon will try to use you to clear his name. He would very much like to kill this young half-blood before he can take on a quest."

"Great," Percy muttered. "That's two major gods who want to kill me with one bull of a quest that might end badly too." He muttered making me huff in amusement from his supposed curse word.

"On a side note." I piped up after I cleared my throat, the three male species all looked at me (no offence, I'm bad at jokes and insecure af inside.) "Even if we know it could be Hades, why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and maybe kick some arses(butts)."

"Suspecting and knowing are not the same Mika," Chiron said.

"Besides, even if the other gods suspect Hades—and I imagine Poseidon does—they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule. Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"

'Because they are lazy? To play their own silly game of the Sims 4 but in real life??'

I wanted to say but Grover and Chiron gave me a 'Don't you even say anything about it' look which made me grin instead.

"You're saying I'm being used." Percy said in a while.

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you." Chiron said to my friend.

"So let me get this straight," I said. "Percy, and possibly a few others. Are supposed go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check."

"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solistice, in ten days."

"Its solstice. But that's about right."

I looked at Grover, who gulped down the ace of hearts.

Geez, who'll explain that to Mr. D?

"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" He asked weakly.

"You don't have to go," Percy told him. "I can't ask that of you."

"Oh ..." He shifted his hooves. "No ... it's just that satyrs and underground places ... well..."

He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his T-shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. Even Mika and Crystal as well if it counts. If ... if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

I silently awwed at the Bromance moment.

Grover, one of the few friends that I'd ever had for longer than a few months. I wasn't sure what good a satyr could do against the forces of the dead, but I felt better knowing he'd be with Percy in this (possibly dramatic and sassy) quest.

"All the way, G-man." Percy said to him and turned to Chiron. "So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go west."

"The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, of course, it's in America."

"Let me guess...Los Angeles because it means 'the Angels'?"

I asked Chiron who told me I was correct...I was going to guess California or the other 'states of gold' though. But after everything, I don't really think it's weird to still believe in heaven.

"Oh," Percy said. "Naturally. So we just get on a plane—"

"No!" Grover shrieked. "Percy, what are you thinking? Have you ever been on a plane in your life?!" Shaking my head, I spoke up before Chiron. "So just because he's the son of a Sea God who's brother is Zeus, and both hate eachother, Percy can't go on a plane now?" I said and he nodded making me groan and look down starting to let my head meet the table, cursing all the while.

Overhead, lightning crackled and thunder boomed,

"Ah Shut up! Thunder beard! I don't care! That's one of the most stupidest thing to do to a child!" I shouted, standing up and look to the sky as it rumbled like it was arguing with me.

"Yeah!? Well rain is cloud pee and thunder is just the sound of your farts! At least care for your wife, Hera for once! She deserves your attention more than others you man whore! Consequences be dammed!!" I finished and Percy was now trying to calm me down while Grover just baa-ed worryingly and Chiron was facepalming but looked sad for me.

"So, I'll travel overland then." Percy spoke after calming me down.

"That's right," Chiron said. "Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered, if you will accept her help."

"Gee," I said, feigning surprise. "Who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?"

"I do," The air shimmered behind Chiron and Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket. Of course it's her. "I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said to Percy. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"If you do say so yourself," I said and Percy spoke. "I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

Annabeth's cheeks were now coloured, someone has a crush~!

"Do you want my help or not?"

"A trio," Percy said. "That'll work."

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own." Lightning flashed and rain poured down on the meadows that were supposed to have violent weather. "No time to waste," Chiron said. "I think you should all get packing."

I guess I should sing a special one tonight.

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