How Fates Can Twist

Chapter 5

AN: The next few chapters will be like a rewriting of Son of Neptune, so most plot points belong to Rick Riordan (with some twists of course, since Percy is a god here)

Annabeth's POV

She was glad that Frank had chosen her as the third person for his quest. She didn't know what she would do if she was stuck in Camp Jupiter any longer. The people were bossy, the food was flavorless, and everything about it felt so wrong. Not that anything had really felt right since she could remember.

Annabeth followed Frank and Hazel as they made their way across the hills to where the Legion's boat, which they had been given permission to use by the senate, was docked. Though she had a feeling the vessel wouldn't be of much use, judging by the way Octavian was smirking after the meeting.

It was still a better shot than anything else they had. Annabeth had spent enough time running from monsters to know that if they tried to get to Alaska by land, the monster attacks would add at least a week onto their trip. That was a week they didn't have.

And a part of her was hoping that Percy would show up again. She hadn't seen him since they checked into that hotel a few nights ago, when she woke to a note the next morning apologizing for having to leave. It was so on par for godly behavior, Annabeth felt stupid for not seeing it coming.

But if he was the god of the tide, the ocean was likely the best place to run into him, and she knew the help of god could make or break a quest. Annabeth couldn't deny that his familiar face was another reason she wanted to find him. Being thrown into a world of roman gods and demigods, that little familiarity was all she had. A small part of her yearned for it as the three demigods approached the waterfront.

Aside from the boat, the only supplies the questers had was a spear and two vials of gorgon blood, both given to them by Mars, the god of war. Annabeth was used to the lack of resources. She had, after all, just survived two weeks on the street with no weapon or food. This was doable.

"That's it?" Frank asked no one in particular as he stared at the Legion's boat- a tiny row boat- in front of them.

It appeared to be on the verge of sinking, despite its hull being void of any weight. There was no way it could withstand a trip on the open sea holding all three of them.

"That bitch Octavian set us up for disaster, didn't he?" Hazel muttered under her breath.

Annabeth couldn't argue with that. Octavian would rather see the quest fail and New Rome fall than let someone else get praise, like the narcissist he is. They couldn't let him win.

"It's unethical, but we could steal a boat. I doubt we'd get caught," Annabeth suggested, looking around them at the marina.

The Romans both looked appalled at the idea. No stealing then, I guess, she noted mentally. Annabeth didn't understand their objections. Like anyone who owned a boat at a private marina didn't have the money to buy another.

"I can help you get the boat up and running," offered a voice from behind her.

Annabeth turned around to see Percy standing at the end of the dock. He was dressed in the same jeans, t-shirt, and black zip-up as before. He still managed to radiate power, despite his casual teen appearance, and he still had that look on his face that Annabeth knew in the back of her mind.

"That would be greatly appreciated, thank you," she replied before the other two could ask any questions. "I thought I might find you here."

He let out a deep laugh as he walked towards the row boat. As if he was controlling it with his mind, the boat began to tidy itself. Annabeth was relieved she wouldn't have to sit on all the dried seaweed that had been covering the bench.

"I do tend to find myself at the water quite often. I couldn't tell you why," he replied.

"It's a complete mystery."

"So who's this?" he asked, motioning towards her companions.

"Frank and Hazel of the 12th Legion. Roman demigods," Annabeth replied.

"And who are you, if I might ask?" spoke Hazel, looking between the two.

"I'm Percy," he said as the boat finished cleaning itself.

"He's someone I met recently. Hopefully he can help us on our quest," Annabeth explained.

Percy's demeanor suddenly changed and he turned away from them to look out at the water. Either he had spotted some sea creature, or she had said something to offend him. He didn't give any hints as to which it could be.

"So you can help us complete our quest, then?" Frank asked.

"Yep," Percy replied curtly. "Get in."

Hesitantly, the three demigods crawled into the rickety row boat. It managed to hold the three of them without sinking, but Annabeth decided it couldn't hurt to keep the mildewy life vest within her reach.

Hazel and Frank did the same, though Hazel looked much more worried than her friend. She was clutching the side of the boat like her life depended on it, and her face had an expression of utter dread on it. Annabeth guessed that the beach wasn't Hazel's happy place.

Percy stepped onto the very front of the boat as it began to glide away from the dock. Once they had left the marina, it began to pick up speed and waves splashed up against the wooden sides. Annabeth held her hand out to feel the cool water against her fingertips. The sensation caused a tugging at the back of her mind, a feeling she knew should remind her of something, but no memory came.