Percabeth Oneshots

The Katobleps

Annabeth was starting to wonder why she ever wished for a quest. Her silly 12-year-old self had wished for action like a kindergartner hoped for the end of naptime. Now, her older, wiser, and much more tired self wished for less action AND a nap.

At least Percy was with her. He was driving the camp truck as they sped through upstate New York to answer reports of a raging Katobleps. Usually, they were docile creatures, but Chiron suspected this one had been illegally imported with an insufficient amount of the poisonous tubers they loved to graze on. 

Like many of the younger campers, Katobleps became very angry when not given their favorite treat. 

"I wish Frank were here," Percy said with a sigh. One hand was steering while the other was surfing the wave of air outside of the vehicle. "You know, 'cause he poofed like a billion of them back in Italy when Nico was a plant."

Annabeth grinned. "Good company and a Katobleps exterminator? What's not to love?"

The two of them continued the casual conversation until they got closer to the outskirts of the small town with "an angry, smelly cow" and "people mysteriously falling ill." Then, the pair switched to talking strategy. 

"You remember the things to watch out for, yeah?" Annabeth said while munching on her granola bar for energy. Always better to eat while you can. Years of being on the run and a rather unfortunate vacation to the birthplace of monsters had taught her that.

"Their creepy poison gaze, their creepy poison breath, and probably their hooves and teeth," Percy answered with his mouth full of MnMs. "Basically, kill it without looking at it and hold your breath. Easy peasy, we should be back at Camp by dinnertime."

Famous last words. The truck rattled along the unkempt road and eventually arrived on the outskirts of a small city sandwiched between two lakes. The reports had come from hikers and campers in the local forest  within walking distance. 

"Let's go save some mortals," the black-haired boy said while cutting the ignition. "Cause that's what heroes do."

Annabeth snorted and opened the door to smell the breeze from the lakes. It wasn't cold enough yet to warrant a jacket, but just enough to raise the hair on her arms. Perfect monster-killing weather.

She pulled the armor out of the trunk and felt the familiar twinge of sadness without her celestial bronze knife. Instead, she would have to do with a lance to compliment Percy's sword, Riptide. 

The two demigods suited up and set off toward the patch of forest. Percy whistled nonchalantly, but his shoulders were up, and his eyes darted toward every movement. 

"I wonder how far in this big guy is," he wondered aloud. "I don't wanna be too tired from walking when we find him."

Annabeth nodded and continued walking deeper into the thicket. "Maybe he finds us first." Then she stopped short of a small hill and sniffed the air. "Do you smell that?"

Percy cleared his throat, and his girlfriend turned around to see his embarrassed face. "My bad," he said with a sheepish grin.

"Oh gods," Annabeth grumbled and rolled her eyes. She continued up the hill, keeping her lance up the best she could in the rough terrain. 

The pair continued along for half an hour, taking water breaks intermittently until a truly horrible scent wafted toward them. This was nothing to be mistaken with passing gas. It was the reek of a dead skunk mixed with a sickening feel of famine. 

Annabeth held up a clenched fist, and the two of them stopped and listened. In the distance, bellowing moans echoed between the trees.

Percy nodded grimly. "Found him."