𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝐶𝑟𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

PERCY, ANNABETH, AND GROVER quickly packed for their quest. It didn't take long for them grab their essentials, and other campers helped them prepare for their journey. Even, Chiron lent them drachmas and ambrosia. As the three were readying themselves, Astoria waited with Argus and Chiron to send her friends off.

"This is Argus," Chiron told Percy. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things." Astoria snickered. More like keep eyes on things. Percy was little weirded out, understandably, but it made it even more amusing.

Astoria kinda wished she could have gone on the quest, but she knew that the plot was law. There was nothing she could do, and being human would hold them back. She scowled. Behind Percy was Luke, who came running up the hill carrying the cursed shoes.

"Hey!" he panted. Glad I caught you."

Annabeth blushed, and Astoria's frown grew more prominent. For gods' sake, there was a perfectly perfect person right next to her! And they happen to not be in leagues with a primordial villain!

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told Percy. "And I thought... um maybe you could use these." He handed Percy the sneakers.

"As if." Astoria muttered.

"Maia!" White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels, startling Percy. He dropped the pair of shoes that began to flap around on the ground until the wings folded up and disappeared.

"Awesome!" Grover's eyes shone with interest.

Luke smiled. "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days..." His expression turned sad. It made Astoria feel unpleasant. She definitely doesn't like him, but there's no denying that he's been hurt. No matter how bad of a person he was, his sacrifice deserved recognition and reconciliation. He made amends, but that would be later in the future.

"Hey, man," Percy said. "Thanks."

"Listen, Percy..." Luke looked uncomfortable. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just... kill some monsters for me, okay?" They shook hands. Luke patted Grover's head between his horns, then gave a good-bye hug to Annabeth, who looked like she might pass out. Then he left.

"You're hyperventilating." Percy told Annabeth once Luke was out of sight.

"Am not."

"You let him capture the flag instead of you, didn't you?"

"Oh..." Annabeth threw her hands up in exasperation. "Why do I want to go anywhere with you, Percy?"

Cuz you love him~ Astoria thought in a sing-song tone. Annabeth stomped down the other side of the hill, where a white SUV waited on the shoulder of the road. Argus followed, jingling his keys.

Percy picked up the flying shoes and his expression went ill. He looked at Chiron. "I won't be able to use these, will I?"

He shook his head. "Luke meant well, Percy. But taking to the air... that would not be wise for you."

Percy nodded, disappointed. Astoria was about to offer in taking the shoes, but Percy had other thoughts. "Hey, Grover. You want a magic item?"

The satyr's eyes lit up. "Me?"

Percy kneeled and laced the sneakers over his fake feet. "Maia!" Grover shouted. He hovered over the air, but fell over sideways. His backpack dragged through the grass as the winged shoes kept bucking up and down like tiny broncos.

"Practice," Chiron called after him. "You just need practice!"

"He might want some life insurance with that." Astoria grimaced.