A Son From Lands Unknown (PJO x Male Reader)

Set Sail for Florida

"(Y/N), you're on the top deck," Clarisse said, donning full Greek battle armor. The sun was just starting to shine over the horizon, painting the sky pink and orange along with the water. Less than a mile from them, the waters of Chesapeake Bay shimmered, full of tourists and locals fishing or cruising on the bay. "I want you watching out in case anyone falls overboard, or incoming threats."

"Aye aye, cap'n," (Y/N) responded, making his way to the roof of the highest deck of the ship. A crow's nest would have been preferable, but the steamship had no such thing. So instead, he stood at the back of the ship, binoculars in hand. That was all he would do for the next couple of hours.

Eventually, they were passing by Virginia Beach, when (Y/N) heard a commotion on land. Looking over with his binoculars, he saw a massive hydra battling three figures that (Y/N) couldn't quite make out. He zoomed in to try and make out who it was. Leaning forward, he could make out a bronze sword in one of their hands, another that was much larger than the others, and one with blonde hair. What a minute...

"Hydra off whatever the fuck is the right front side!" (Y/N) called. "Heroes engaged, three of 'em!"

"There! Prepare the thirty-two-pounder!!" Clarisse called.

"They're too close, m'lady!" the skeletal captain replied.

"Damn the heroes!" Clarisse announced. "Full steam ahead!"

"Aye, m'lady."

"Fire at will, Captain!"

(Y/N) saw the three figures hit the deck, diving for the ground as an earth-shattering BOOM echoed from the boat. There was a flash of light, a column of smoke, and the Hydra exploding into a misty green slime that vaporized as soon as it hit, the way monster guts tend to do.

"Captain, turn us downriver," Clarisse said. "Unfortunately, they're going to need us, and that's our best hope to get them." The ship complied, sailing down the river to meet up with them. (Y/N) pulled out Tentazione in its semi-auto form, ready to give Percy the chewing out of a lifetime if he was there.

"Losers," Clarisse shouted to them. "But I suppose I have to rescue you. Come aboard."

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"You are in so much trouble," Clarisse said. She had just finished giving them a tour of the ship, one that they clearly didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. They'd been shown the coal bunker, the boilers and engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute. They'd seen the pilothouse and the powder magazine and the gunnery deck (Clarisse's favorite) with two Dahlgren smoothbore cannons on the port and starboard sides and a Brooke nine-inch rifled gun fore and aft, all specially refitted to fire celestial bronze cannon balls.

Everywhere they went, dead Confederate sailors stared at them, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia. They were interested in Percy, too, since his last name was Jackon, but he ruined it by saying he was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees. They asked (Y/N) the same question, though they were just left confused when he told them he was from Nevada.

Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Annabeth hold his hand, which she didn't look too thrilled about.

Finally, they were escorted to dinner. The CSS Birmingham captain's quarters were about the size of a walk-in closet, but still much bigger than any other room on board. The table was set with white linen and china. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, and Dr. Peppers were served by skeletal crewmen. Percy didn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but his hunger overruled his fear.