Fall Of The Eldest - Percy Jackson

Chapter 26 - Gone Wrong

Percy's P.O.V

It's been three days now, my wounds were almost healed and so were Koda's. They were now up and awake, every wound in their system healed except for their wing. Which sadly, was preventing them from flying for another couple of days and would make it slower for us to return home.

Jason, Hazel and Nico have been pulling their weight around the camp, helping the Dryaids and woodland spirits with their duties.

But one day, Juniper, Grover's girlfriend, came charging into our resting area. And the energy she emitted wasn't a good sign.

"They're gone!" She cried, panting as if she ran a marathon.

I was assisting Grover in reapplying Koda's bandages when I shot up and eruptively stopped.

"What do you mean 'They're gone?'" I demanded. The others rushed in from the commotion, looking disturbed.

"Y-your friends. Annabeth, Piper, Leo, Frank, Will. They left the camp!" She proclaimed, sitting down on one of the chair for support, burying her green face and red hair in her hands.

"What? Why!" Nico sputtered. We rushed over to Juniper and circled the chair she was sitting in, ignoring Grover's pleads for us to calm down.

"I -I don't know!" She moaned "Some sort of plan that was supposed to happen at Camp Jupiter. I think they went to kill Ronan."

This all hit me like a ton of bricks, my stomach twisting into knots from the expense. We were too slow. If we hadn't of spent our time here relaxing and rebuilding, we could have gotten to camp before our friends made an assassin plan.

"We have to go. Now." I concluded, turning on my heal to grab supplies in a backpack.

"Whoah, wait, Perce!" Grover came over and clasped his hands over mine. "You're not ready. You still need to heal."

I knew he was concerned. He was probably my oldest friend, he stuck with me ever since I was twelve. From traveling across the U.S. to save mom mom, getting stuck on a Cyclops island, coming with me on another trip across the U.S. to save Annabeth, getting lost in the Labyrinth with me, fighting Kronos with me, and so much more.

But I knew I couldn't stay.

"They are going to get themselves killed doing this." I spoke sternly, meeting his eyes. "I'm not about to let them go through all of this for us."

Grover hesitated, twisting his mouth into a frown. Finally, he conceded "Fine. But at least take this."

He handed me a dog whistle. Similar to the ice one I had when I was fourteen in the Labyrinth. I stared at it in shock.

"I- is this?..."

"Yes," Grover finished my thought "I found a way for you to call Mrs. O'Leary whenever you can. You can use the whistle whenever you'd like. She might be more help than I ever could be."

I felt a pained smile stretch on my face as I grabbed my friend's shoulders. "You have done so much for us Grover. I couldn't ask for anything more."

He smiled back, some freckles showing on his nose "Then let me ask this: be safe. Don't throw yourself into danger. I don't want to lose another friend."

I voice sounded as if it was on the brink of cracking. I knew he would start crying soon.

"Yet you keep trying!" Chimed in Koda. I sent a glare at then, telling them to shut up. They did.

I turned back to Grover "I'll try."

It wasn't the most reassuring promise, but I managed.

The departure was sad, but I called my massive hellhound to give us a ride. I had never seen Koda so petrified. I think they were afraid the large black mastiff would use them as a birdie chew toy.

Koda's wing would take another day to heal, about half the trip to get from here to California. Just as long as it would heal before we got there.

We ran off, all of us riding on Mrs.O'Leary's back as we traveled west too California.

All I could do was pray. Pray to my dad, the twelve olympians and the fates that we would reach New Rome in time.

                                       oÔo

Piper's P.O.V

It was difficult, but the rest of the group and I were able to steal some Pegsi and travel to New Rome.

The plan was to first stop by at Fenner's place and drop two of us off to continue. We decided that it would be Leo and I so we could extinguish the idea of Fen as a traitor.

The kind Praetor gave us a spare key to her restaurant, so it was easy to get in. But the site sent my mind into a aural of confusion and panic.

The store was trashed. Tables broken, display cases broken into, windows shattered. This obviously wasn't a friendly view.

"Di immortals!" Swore Leo, his mouth agape. Without a second thought, I rushed into the building, worry for Fen traveling through me.

"Fen!" I called out, hoping that this wasn't the worst situation. I ran up to her living areas on the floor above, hoping that it would calm my nerves. If anything, it made them worse. The second floor was practically worse than the first.

Holes in the walls, cracks in the foundation, plants knocked over. I bolted to her room to find everything wreaked as well. Every cushion, furniture, painting, vent, basically anywhere someone could hide something was torn open and in shreds. Even the mattress had stuffing pulled out of it like guts.

All I could do was stand in the middle of the bedroom, shellshocked.

How? How could we let this happen? We were supposed to keep our friends and family safe!

Self doubt and worry clouded my mind about the mission. But I had something else to worry about now.

"Uh Pipes?" Leo called for me, his voice quivering with a little bit of fear, or worry. "Y-you might wanna look at this."

I turned to find him at Fen's bedroom doorframe, pointing to a piece of paper taped to the door.

Because I had dyslexia, it was hard to understand it, but giving myself some time, I deciphered the message; and it didn't make anything better. 

With actions, there are consequences. Fenner MacWay is in violation of espionage. The once thought to be loyal Praetor has sacrificed what could have been to help you. And now, she will die for your actions. See you at the execution.   I will tell her to send the message that you said hello to your fellow big three friends.

My nerves violently shook. Thankful for my dyslexia that I couldn't read it again. Disregarding Leo, I ripped the note from the door and sprinted out of the store.

"Annabeth!" I cried, rushing towards her as she sat on the Pegasus. When her eyes first met mine, she was masked with confusion. But soon, it morphed to worry.

"We have a problem."I panted one by her side. I have her the note, and after a few seconds, her face paled and her hands shook like mine.

Frank and Will shared a Pegasus together as they looked toward us worryingly. Behind me, Leo stood awkwardly, scratching his curly hair.

The muscles in Annabeth's jaw seemed to grind with themselves as she jerked her attention to us.

"Looks like we need a change in plans. We're saving Fenner and killing Ronan. This is going to end, tonight."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

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Wooo!

Okay, so today marks the first day of VidCon, and my friend is picking me up in two hours. I have a long drive to Anaheim.

There will be a long delay with the chapters, so I apologize that I'm gonna have to keep you guys waiting.

Once I update, I'll give you a description of the convention.

Sorry for grammar and pronoun errors, hope you enjoyed!

So for now, until the next update: comment, vote and follow!

Hydro fury