Percy Jackson's Twin Sister

Kekrops

We dock in Piraeus, on the outskirts of Athens. Somewhere nearby we would find the acropolis. Today, one way or another, our journey would end.

You'd think giants would be enough. But no first there had to be snake people.

"Um.... Percy, Annabeth," I say.

The two come to my side.

"Oh great," Percy says.

"Dracaenae?" I ask.

"I don't think so," says Annabeth, "At least not like any I've seen. Dracaenae have two serpent trunks for legs. These guys have one."

"You're right?" Says Percy, "These look more human on top. Not all scaly and green and stuff. So do we talk or fight?"

My first response was fight. They stop a few feet away from the Argo ll. Their leader looks up and studies us.

"Permission to come aboard," says a raspy voice.

"Who are you?" I ask.

His eyes become fixed on me, "I am Kekrops, the first and eternal king of Athens. I would welcome you to my city," he holds up a covered platter, "Also, I brought a bundt cake."

I look at my friends, "A trick?"

"Probably," Annabeth says.

"At least he brought dessert," says Percy smiling down at the snake guys, "Welcome aboard!"

Kekrops agreed to leave his guard above deck with Buford the table, who ordered them to drop and give him twenty. The guards seem to take this as a challenge.

Meanwhile, the king of Athens was invited to the mess hall for a get to know you meeting.

"Please take a seat," Jason offers.

Kekrops wrinkles his nose, "Snake people don't sit."

"Please remain standing then," says Leo. He eats a piece of cake before any of us can warn him against us, "Dang! Snake people know how to make cake! Kind of orangy, with a hint of honey. Needs a glass of milk."

"Anyways," Hazel says, "King Kekrops, what brings you here? How's you know we arrived?"

"I know everything that happens in Athens. I was this cities founder. It's first king. I am the one who judged the dispute between Athena and Poseidon, and chose Athena to be the patron of my city," he says.

"No hard feelings though," Percy mutters.

I elbow him in the side.

"I've heard of you," says Annabeth, "You we're the first to offer sacrifices to Athena. You built her first shrine."

"Correct," says Kekrops bitterly, "My people were the original Athenians- the gemini."

"Like your zodiac sign?" Says Percy, "We're Leo's."

He practically set Leo up for a joke.

"No stupid," says Leo, "Your a Percy, I'm a Leo."

"Will you two stop it?" Asks Hazel, "I think he means Gemini like doubled- half man, half snake. That's what his people are called. Geminus, singular."

"Yes...." Says Kekrops, "Millennia ago, we were driven underground by the two legged humans, but I know this city better than any. I came to warn you. If you approach the acropolis on foot you will be destroyed."

"You mean.... By you?"I ask.

"By Porphyrion's army," says Kekrops, "The acropolis is filled with siege weapons. Onagers. That isn't all though. The air is filled with storm spirits and gryphons. All roads to the acropolis are patrolled by the Earthborn."

Frank drums his fingers on the table, "So... we should just give up? We've come so far."

"I offer you and alternative," the snake says, "Underground passage to the acropolis. For the sake of Athena, for the sake of the gods. I will help you."

The offer sounded legit and he his words sounded sincere, but there was something in his voice. It was sharp, like it was ready to mane a sharp cut.

"What's the catch?" Asks Piper.

Kekrops turns to her, " only a small party of demigods- no more than four- can pass undetected by the giants. Otherwise your scent will give you away. Once your there, you can disable the siege weapons by stealth allowing the rest of your crew to come. We gemini are your best chance."

"Any objections?" Asks Percy.

"A few," says Jason, "We're on our enemies doorstep. We're being split up. Isn't that how people get killed in horror movies?"

"Also," I say, "Gaea wants us to reach the Parthenon. She wants our blood to water the stones and all that other psycho garbage. Won't we be playing right into her hands?"

Piper studies the snake man. The next thing she dies seems to surprise all of us.

She begins to sing.

The snake stares at her with wonder. The rest of us listen transfixed. She stops after a verse.

"Pipes," says Jason. "O had no idea."

"That was seriously beautiful," I say.

Piper looks back to the snake king, "What are your true intentions?"

"To deceive you," says the snake still swaying, "We hoped to lead you into the tunnel and destroy you."

"Why?" Asks Piper.

And in the end we get the usual speech about how the Earthmother promised them something better. And we respond with the usual she lying to you. You know, all the usual stuff.

The snake raises his staff but Piper launches into another verse of her song. The snakes arms go limp and his arms glass over.

"The giants defense?" Asks Piper, "and the underground passages. How much was true?"

"All of it," says Kekrops says, "The acropolis is heavily defended. Approach above ground would be impossible."

"So you could guid us through the tunnels and ask your people not to attack us and they would obey?" Asks Piper.

"Yes," says the snake, "But only four of you at most could go without attracting the giants."

"Piper," says Annabeth, "You'd be crazy to try it. He'll kill us first opportunity he gets."

"Yes," the snake says, "Only this girls music controls me. I hate it. Please sing more."

Piper gives him another verse.

"Me, Percy, and Phoebe," suggest Annabeth.

Why she includes me is a mystery. Not that I have a problem with it. I want off this boat.

"Um...." Percy says raising his hand, "just gonna through this out there. That's exactly what Gaea wants- one of us three specifically- watering the stones with out blood and et cetera."

"I know," says Annabeth, "But it's the most logical choice. The oldest shrines in the acropolis are re-educated to Athena or Poseidon. Would that mask our approach?"

"Yes," the snake kings admits, "Your... your scent would be difficult to discern.  The ruins radiate the powers of those two gods."

"And me," says Piper, "you'll need me to keep our friend here in line."

"It's our best shot," says Frank, "The four of them can sneak in and disable the onagers, cause a distraction. Then the rest of us can fly in."

"Yes, that plan could work," Kekrops says, "If I don't kill you first."

"I've got an idea," Annabeth says, "Frank, Hazel, Leo.... Let's talk." Piper can you keep our friend company?"

Piper starts to sing a new song. Then the four of them go off to talk strategy.

I'm still standing by my brother. He gets up and offers his hand to Jason.

"Well," Percy says, "Until we meet again, bro. I'll be the one killing giants."