The Nightshadow Alliance

Chapter 1 || Percy becomes a Pancake

Percy waved goodbye to his mom and Paul as he left for another summer at Camp Half-Blood, and sadly, his last. He bounced on the balls of his feet at the thought of seeing his friends again, but most importantly, Annabeth again.

When it came to getting to camp, Percy's first choice would be Blackjack, but the Pegasus was still recovering from the wound Orion gave him, and he didn't want to put more strain on his buddy. He scrunched his nose at the thought of what he'd have to do. He wiped his hands on his jeans at the very thought of how slimy that eyeball had felt.

'Anokoche,' he said. 'Harma eptribeios!'

He threw a drachma into the street. It sank right through the ground and disappeared. The area where the coin landed darkened. Then, the smoky-grey taxi appeared, completely in contrast when compared to the other yellow taxis on the road.

'One for Camp Half-Blood,' he said, getting into the taxi.

He drummed his fingers against his legs and stared at the window as the scenery blurred, turning into a flurry of colours.

The Giant war had taken a toll on them all, but they were all recovering and better now. The nightmares had lessened, so had the phantom pains. But best of all, as soon as he graduated from school, he would go to New Rome University with Annabeth.

He strolled over to the Big House, soaking in the sunlight. A few of the younger kids ran up to him to greet him, their small, bright eyes filled with admiration and adoration. Percy ruffled their hair and sent them to their classes, chuckling.

He found the two he was looking for: the centaur, seated in his magical wheelchair under a parasol, playing pinochle with a fat man dressed in an overly flashy Hawaiian floral print shirt.

'Hey Chiron! Hello Mr. D! How's everything going? And how's camp?'

The cheerfulness in his voice was genuine, for he was back at the place he called his second home, with his friends and family, no matter how crazy they may be. He was determined to spend his last summer at camp with everyone, just relaxing, and having a normal life, or at least as normal as a demigod could have.

Oh, if only he knew how wrong he was.

'Peter Jhonson. Back again, are you?'

Typical Mr. D.

Though said god smiled at him, nevertheless. Chiron gave him a much more enthusiastic welcome.

'Hello Percy. Good to see you again, my boy. I'll mark your presence this summer. Any problems getting here?'

Percy shook his head. He then set off to drop his stuff at his cabin. He was tackled to the ground by a blob of blonde hair. He looked up and the person looked into his eyes. Stormy grey eyes met sea-green ones, before both people burst into laughter.

'Oh Gods, your face!' Annabeth said, getting up.

'You've practically squashed me into a Percy Pancake, what do you expect? Also, a little help?' He asked, sticking out his arm.

Annabeth took it, lifting him off the ground, before hugging him tightly. Though not tight enough to rival Tyson's, but still tight.

She pulled away after a minute, before pecking him on his cheek. 'I missed you.'

He smiled. 'I missed you too.'

When Annabeth finally let him go, he made a beeline to the Poseidon cabin. Entering, he drops his bag, breathing in the slightly musty, salty air.

It felt like years had passed since he had last come here. It reminded him of the cabin at Montauk he and his mother went to. He hadn't been there for years. He put his stuff in the cabin before walking out. He knocked into someone on his way to the beach, where he was about to meet up with Annabeth.

'Sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going.' Percy said.

He held out a hand to the person who he had knocked over, and the 15-year-old boy looked up.