Of Shocks and Seashells

Of Friends and Enemies

Disclaimer: I do not on Percy Jackson and the Olympians or anything that comes with it, including hyperactive dim-witted party-loving centaurs, Rick Riordan does.

Percy's Point of View

I knelt by her side. She had short black hair and freckles across her nose. She was built like a long-distance runner, lithe and strong, and she wore clothes that were somewhere between punk and Goth-a black T-shirt, black tattered jeans, and a leather jacket with buttons from a bunch of bands I'd never heard of.

She wasn't a camper. I didn't recognize her from any of the cabins. And yet I had the strangest feeling I'd seen her before...

"It's true," Grover said, panting from his run up the hill. "I can't believe..."

Nobody came close to the girl.

I put my hand on her forehead. Her skin was cold, but my fingertips tingled as if they were burning.

"She needs nectar and ambrosia," I said. She was clearly a half-blood, whether she was a camper or not. I could sense that just from one touch. I didn't understand why everyone was acting so scared.

I took her by the shoulders and lifted her into a sitting position, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Come on!" I yelled to the others. "What's wrong with you people? Let's get her to the Big House."

No one moved, not even Chiron. They were all too stunned.

Then the girl took a shaky breath. She coughed and opened her eyes.

Her irises were a startling blue-electric blue.

The girl stared at me in bewilderment, shivering and wild-eyes. "Who-"

"I'm Percy," I said. "You're safe now."

"Strangest dream..."

"It's okay."

"Dying."

"No," I assured her. "You're okay. What's your name?"

That's when I knew. Even before she said it.

The girl's blue eyes stared into mine, and I understood what the Golden Fleece quest had been about. The poisoning of the tree. Everything. Kronos had done it to bring another chess piece into play-another chance to control the prophecy.

Even Chiron, Annabeth, and Grover, who should've been celebrating this moment, were too shocked, thinking about what it might mean for the future. And I was holding someone who was destined to be my best friend, or possibly my worst enemy.

"I am Thalia," the girl said. "Daughter of Zeus."

Thalia's Point of View

"Grover, take Annabeth and Luke and run. Run until you are safe. Don't come back. I promise that I'll be fine. I promise, " I command the frightened satyr.

"But-but...Thalia, there are too many-" Grover bleats.

"Exactly. Luke and Annabeth are hurt. You're all injured and you need help. Now. I'm not. I can take them, I know it Grover," I insist.

"Thalia, I promised I would get you safely over that border-" Grover begins.

"And you will! But I'll hold off the monsters until you guys are safe," I say, gesturing towards the hordes of monsters that are slowly but surely climbing up the hill. "Grover. Luke and Annabeth mean more than anything to me. They're like the family I never had. I'd rather sacrifice myself then let them get hurt."