Percy Jackson is a girl?!

Chapter 15

   Percy's POV

   So, yeah, I guess I'm okay. Annabeth and I, well, we're obviously not dating anymore, but we're getting along fine. I can't say that there aren't sort of awkward moments between us, that would be a lie, but it's not that bad. After all, we were best friends before starting dating and that didn't go away. We spend a long time together as friends and that's awesome.
   Also, to my relief, everyone started calling me "Percy" again. I feel better, more like myself. My appearance may have changed but I, myself, haven't.
   I'm not trying to be someone I'm not. If this might be permanent, I don't want to live a lie when I don't have to, here in camp, my home, having a different name, and acting all girly and wearing make up or whatsoever. I'm gonna be myself here and that's settled.
   Well, anyways.. I was training with Annabeth at the sword arena the next day and she was kicking my butt. We were in the middle of a fist-fight.
   "C'mon Seaweed Brain! You can do better" she told me before punching me in the nose.
   I felt the pain as some blood dripped from it. I tried punching her back but she dodged and twisted her leg around mine. I was on the ground before even realizing what had happened.
   "And you won another one. What a surprise" I say sarcastically and she laughs while helping me get up.
   "Let's get some water to refresh, and, in your case, help you heal that." She points to my nose.
   "Yeah, it hurts a little." I say as I pour water on my face. I instantly feel as good as new. I feel I could take down an army. But I know the feeling will go away as soon as we start fighting again.
   "Okay, let's go! Next round" Annabeth clenched her fists and is motioning for me to get back to the arena. She has a mocking grin on her face, reminding me that I lost the last three rounds. I stick my tongue at her playfully.
   My fighting skills are still great, but Annabeth's stronger than me and fighting her is harder than I could imagine. Even though I'm still kind of muscular and all, I have like half of my former muscles. And Annabeth's the strongest girl I've ever known and she knows how to win a good fight.
   She noticed that I would need some extra training to become physically stronger and she's helping me with that. Mostly by beating me up and showing me how much I have to improve.
   But I'm sick of losing. It's not nice. I know I'm still strong. I know I can do it. I take a last sip of water and prepare for the fight.
   We round each other and I try to focus on her weak spots. I analyze where to hit my punch and try to create a nice strategy. All this in a matter of seconds. She punches me in the stomach and I retreat a few steps. I pretend I'll punch on her right side and then go for a kick on her leg. 
   "Ouch!"
   Before she recovers, I take her left arm and twist it to her back, and then I press a nerve on her neck and she falls to the ground. She turns around to look at me as a satisfied smile grows on my lips. I help her get up.
   "That was the fight I was expecting from you!" She gave me a high five.
   "Well, what can I say? What better than losing to make you want to win?"
   She laughed. "Maybe we should fight more so that I can take this cocky grin off your face"
   "You can try!"
   We were about to start our next round when we hear a loud thud on the camp barrier. We look at each other worried and run outside. Most of the campers are looking at the woods, bewildered.
   There were two major options for me to chose. I could be smart and wait for Chiron so that he could tell us what to do if there was any threat. Or, I could act without thinking and run straight into danger. Needless to say that I chose the last one.
   I ran to the woods before anyone could stop me and I could her Annabeth telling the campers to be calm, that there was nothing to worry about. I hope she's right.
   As the sunlight became lower because of the trees, I uncapped Riptide and move deeper into the woods. I heard the thud again and a loud cry. I followed the sounds, not knowing what to expect.
   That's when I see it. Or better, him. The Minotaur. The ground trembled slightly on each of his steps. He looked huge and I could feel his nasty, filthy breath from behind the tree, giving me nausea.
   I prepared myself and stepped out of my hiding.
   "Hey you dumb bull!" I call out.
   He turns to me and smoke comes out of his ears, just like those animations of bullfighting. He's preparing to attack.
   I sort of expected that he would recognize me of our previous fight, but he doesn't show any signs of recognition. Well, what can I do. That disappointed me a little, but, on the bright side, it would be like he lost yet to another demigod.
   As he charges towards me, I don't try to use the tactics of launching myself to the side, because I know he's probably expecting it. So I make only a slight movement to the right, and, as he trembles to the side after trying to change directions, I jump on his head and try to stick my sword at his neck. Everything was going fine. Until it doesn't. The sword slips and falls to the ground. He shakes his body until I fall as well. I hit my head and my vision gets a little blurry. When I got to focus again, I can see him coming in my direction. Fast. I manage to throw myself on the ground before he hits me completely, but I cut my face during the process. The blood drips to my mouth and I can taste the sweetness of it as it touches my tongue.
   I hear some movement on the trees but I don't give it much attention. It's like we're in a bubble. The Minotaur and I. Life or death, just the two of us.
   I felt quite tired after the training and the fall to the ground made me feel numb. I could hear my heart beat in my head.
   Riptide was a few feet far from me (behind the monster) and I know I'm not likely to get it. I look at the Minotaur and try to think of something to do. He's standing over me with his feet apart. That gave me an idea. Quickly, I slide between his legs and get my sword. While he's still confused about where I went, I press the celestial bronze blade into the monster's leg. He flinches in pain and I take it out just to press again. I do it multiple times until he dissolved into golden dust that sticks to my now long hair. I fall to my knees exhausted and breathing heavily. I hear again the movement on the leaves and a tap on my shoulder. Out of reflex, I swing Riptide at the throat of whoever is standing behind me.
   "Woah, calm down there!" I hear the most unexpected voice of all. As my vision clears more I can see her. With a black jacket, sparky blue eyes and an out of sync silver tiara in the middle of her black spike hair, my cousin Thalia was standing there right in front of me. Behind her, the rest of the hunters came closer.
   I was about to open my mouth to say something when she pointed to me.
   "You!" She said. "That fight. Wow. Amazing. I must say many of us thought you wouldn't make it. But thank goodness we were wrong! We've been hunting the Minotaur for days, and when you show up, you simply kill him, right here, in front of us. Incredible indeed!"
   "Well.." I give a nervous laugh. I'm not completely recuperated and I'm still breathing heavily. And now, I'm pretty sure Artemis didn't tell her. She definitely does not recognize me. At all.
   "You, girl," she continues, "is one of the most skilled fighters I've ever seen. We could use you in the hunt, yes."
   What?! Is Thals inviting me to the hunt? I cough out of surprise.
   "Do you know about the hunt? Immortality, hunting monsters, only girls, all this?" She asks.
   "No, uhm, yes, but- " I'm sorta confused whether I really would be able to join it if I wanted to or not. After all, it's only for girls and I'm still a boy on the inside right? Not that I want though.
   "Look, it's a pretty good deal. My name is Thalia. I'm the lieutenant of Artemis. It would be awesome to have you in the hunt, you were great! What do you say?"
   There's was something in this situation that I found incredibly funny. Thalia, the most competitive girl ever, who would never, by any means, lose her time complimenting me, was here saying how much she would like to have me in the hunt. It was so unexpected that it made me laugh.
   "Thals,..." I started, still laughing.
   "What are you laughing at?" She snapped. And she raised an eyebrow. "What did you call me? It doesn't matter if you have good skills, we're not that close for you to call me by that."
   "Wait, cuz,-"
   "Cuz? Are you- "
   "A child of the Big Three? Yes! Let me explain the dam problem for gods sake!" I said.
  "Dam?" She looked like her head was about to explode trying to figure it out.
   "Yes Thals! Dam, cuz, c'mon!" I tried to make her see it! The answer was right under her nose!
   "I- I don't understand!" She sighted bewildered.
   I laughed some more. "Now you now how Zoe felt that day"
   She looks at me like I'm crazy. "How do you know about that?!"
   "Thals, c'mon, I was there! Besides Grover and Zoe?"
   Then it hits her. Her face when she figures it out is priceless! I'm almost rolling on the floor laughing.
   "Percy?!" She exclaims.
   "It took you long enough"
   "But- what? How? You're a girl!"
   "Thanks for noticing" I laugh. "It was Circe's spell, I can explain the details later."
   "Ughh I can't believe I invited you to join the hunt!" She says. "Even though you technically can, considering the circumstances"
   I laugh. "It wouldn't be this bad, right?"
   She punches me friendly in the arm.
   "You kelp head!"
   "Good to see you too Pinecone Face!" And we hug. I don't know where that came from, we never really hugged before, but it didn't feel weird at all.
   She laughs more at me. "Look at you! Oh my gods. At least you're not a guinea pig."
   "C'mon! Can't you forget that? You were a tree!"
   I hadn't laughed this much for days, and it felt good. Thalia is really a good cousin, and I missed her.
   "Let's go find Annabeth, Thals! She'll love to see you, and everyone else too. Why don't you guys stay for a few days?"
   "I don't know if that's possible, but I'll see what I can do." She winked at me.
   As we came down to camp, I felt really, really happy for that unexpected visit.

   A/N
   Guys, I'm SO sorry for taking so long to update, but I was really out of ideas. I hope you liked the chapter and I will try to update soon! <3