The Warrior of the Hunt

I Take a Flight with St Nick

"Here comes Santa Clause. Here comes Santa Clause, right down Santa Clause lane..."

"So, Percy." Peter slid up next to me on the balcony of Tony's top floor. The tower was decorated to the nines and was the brightest building for miles. I was enjoying the city of New York being transformed into a winter wonderland before it got too dark.

"Since you are part of the mythological world that actually lives on Earth and not some other planet...."

"Yes?"

"We were wondering if you could tell us if Santa is officially real or not." Ned came up on my other side, finishing the thought.

"Don't be stupid, of course he's not." MJ said, completing the ambush. "If he were, don't you think Stark would have found him by now?"

"MJ, everyone knows all the adults are sworn to secrecy if they find out." Ned turned on her. "So that way they keep the magic alive."

"Then what makes you think he's gonna tell you?" MJ asked. Obviously this was an old argument. "He's centuries old!"

"It's different with him! He's part of the mythological world!"

"So can you tell us, Percy?" Peter asked eagerly, interrupting the argument his friends probably started for the hundredth time.

I blew out a breath, puffing out my cheeks and crossed my arms over my chest. I had turned around when MJ appeared and leaned against the glass railing. Eyeing the trio carefully, I considered my answer.

Being the son of Chaos came with the knowledge of all other pantheons and even the immortals not part of a pantheon. And while some I grew up with did in fact exist, others did not. I didn't want to set a precedent for either way.

"What will you do with the information I give you?" I asked.

"What?" Ned blinked in surprise.

"Whatever I tell you, it's big information. What will you do with it?" I repeated.

"Uhhhh." Ned's face when blank.

"Obviously, we'll keep it to ourselves." MJ said. "I mean, we know how to keep a secret." She gestured to Peter.

I contemplated that. She has a point I suppose. "Are you telling me you can keep this secret from Tony?" I said finally. "Or Nat?"

"What—can't they know too?" Peter asked curiously, and a little disappointed.

I shook my head. "Not even the Olympian gods on the Council are aware of the information you're asking for. They don't even know if other pantheons besides the Norse and the Egyptian exist. I'm afraid some mysteries are best left alone."

"Awwwww, c'mon, Percy." Peter said. "Please?"

Shaking my head, I leaned backwards over the railing. My wings unfurled, pulling me all the way over and away from the conversation. If only I could do that all the time.

"Your silence says he's real!" MJ shouted after me.

"Does it?" I replied mentally in an amused tone. I heard some frustrated groans as they faded out of earshot. My poker face fell away into a smirk and I shook my head. Messing with them in the future is going to be hilarious.

"Getting yourself on the naughty list this year, Percy?"

I turned my head to the right and saw the big fat man with the long white beard we all know and love. (AN: this was a reference to Michael Buble's Christmas song, 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town')

"Of course not." I scoffed, angling slightly to keep pace with this sleigh. "You, yourself, once said it was nearly impossible for me to find myself on the naughty list. Though I still don't see how that's even possible. Everyone is bound to find themselves on that list from time to time."

Santa Clause only smiled a knowing smile that brought a mischievous twinkle to his eye. "That's a bit different than being a naughty person. It all comes down to logistics I don't even understand myself, but in essence, who you are actively trying to be is more important that the amount of good deeds vs your bad deeds. Who are you trying to be, Percy Jackson?"

I smiled to myself but didn't answer. Just enjoyed the view of New York City from the sky with St. Nicholas until he made another stop. That's a question that is difficult to answer even given time to think on it. Never mind being put on the spot.

Who are you trying to be?

And what are you doing to become that?

This was short and sweet but it was all I had time for. Hopefully it was enough, as even though I know today is a day for spending time with family, sometimes you need to take a couple minutes to retreat and recuperate.

Happy Holidays, my friends! Be safe, and remember sometimes the only time you see these people is once a year. Whether that is sad (unfortunate because they live so far) or happy (they be crazy and don't need to see them more than that), they are still family. Enjoy it while it lasts.