.||Subject Five||.

~*Chapter Five*~

- - Annabeth's POV - -

Percy pulled me into a hug before I could comment about his new appearance. He sighed into my shoulder as I brushed tears out of his eyes. Suddenly, we were enveloped in a blinding light. When the light ended, we were sitting on the floor of the throne room, still in a warm embrace. We both blushed and got to our feet quickly, meeting the eyes of the gods. Thalia awkwardly stepped back from us just as the throne room doors opened to reveal my friends. "I knew it! He's back! I sensed him as soon as he left the mist!" exclaimed Hazel. They started to run over to us but stopped short when they saw Percy.

Poseidon was the first to get down from his throne. "My dear boy.. What happened to you..?" he said, gesturing to his new appearance. Percy raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Sure I may have a few new scars, but there's nothing else that is new.." he said.

Apollo quickly leaped off his throne and towards Percy, studying his scars. He then touched the white streak in his hair and sighed. He snapped his fingers and a mirror appeared in front of Percy. Percy's face paled as he realized what he now looked like. He brought a hand up to his mouth and shuddered.

I walked towards him and comforted him, hugging him tight. "I'll love you no matter what you look like Seaweed Brain."

He smiled weakly down at me and hugged back. A chair appeared behind us as a gust of wind pushed us onto it. Percy sighed and relaxed, putting his head back. "Percy... would you mind telling us what you've gone through?" questioned Athena.

Percy opened his eyes back up and glared at the floor. "C'mon Percy.. tell us... please?" I said, playing with his hair. He sighed, then started to explain. He explained the serums they had injected him with, the pain he had to go through, how he couldn't use his powers, and how horribly the scientists had treated him. He escaped when there was a brief moment he was able to use his powers. He vapor traveled to a lake then passed out.

I could tell he was leaving something out, but decided not to ask because of the tears building up in his eyes. The gods and our friends looked at him sympathetically, while some of them cried. When he had finished he stared at the floor, tears running down his face. I pulled him close and and brushed the tears out of his face.

"I-I've not noticed any unusual mutations, except for my hair and eyes." he said. Everyone sighed in relief. Percy rubbed his temples then got up from the chair. "I'm exhausted you guys.. see you in the morning." He then started off to his room.

- - Percy's POV - -

Whew. I thought I would never get out of there. Most of it was true, though I tried my best to fudge up my escape. I can't let them know about my wings I thought. I'm sure that someone might've caught on that I was not telling the full story. As soon as I reached my bedroom I took another look at myself in the mirror. I quickly glanced away, because my reflection reminded me so much about MRL and what they have done to me.

I groaned and threw myself onto my bed, fearing for when the day would come when everyone would find out.

~*T I M E S K I P*~

I woke up at around 1 am. I slowly sat up and ran a hand through my hair. I tried falling back asleep, but I couldn't. Why not go for a fly? I thought with a smile. No one could see pitch black wings in the dark.

I stepped out of bed and willed my wings to appear. As my wings unfolded they accidentally knocked over some furniture. I winced and hoped that no one heard. I slipped through my window and shot into the sky.

The night breeze was cool and refreshing as I soared through the sky. I flew over the beach and then over the palace. I then flew over to the collage that me and Annabeth were attending together and then to the town. I landed on a large tree and sat down on a branch. I watched the civilians of Olympus bustling around from store to store, with not a worry in the world. Even at this hour it was busy. I sighed and closed my eyes. It's good to be home I thought. A shriek that tore through the night and made me almost fall out of the tree.

I looked back at the town and saw a horde of laystrigonian giants plowing through the beautiful scene. My instincts told me to go and help but people seeing me with wings held me back. I sighed and ignored the fact and hoped that people wouldn't be able to recognize me. My wings carried me to the scene as I uncapped Riptide.

The giants raised an eyebrow and grunted when they saw me hovering over a building. I shrugged and landed right in front of the giants. "Hey everyone, it's nice to see you and all but you're disrupting my town." I said with a glare. The head giant lifted his club into the air and grunted, causing the others to do so. "You don't scare me, little bird" he boomed in a russian accent, causing my wings to twitch in response.

Before the giants could even react, I zipped over their heads and onto the ground behind them and stuck my sword into the ground. Cracks appeared under their feet, and slowly those cracks got farther and farther apart, causing the giants to fall straight to their deaths. Their furious shouts echoed throughout the town.

I removed Riptide from the ground and the cracks mended as if nothing had happened. I turned around and then froze when I noticed the gathering civilians look at me in awe. I expected them to recognize me, but it didn't seem so. Clapping and cheering erupted from the crowd as my wings lifted me back into the sky.

I flew back to my bedroom in the palace and slipped through the window carefully. I closed it and then willed my wings to disappear. I checked my reflection to make sure that they were gone. Sure enough, they were!

However, my face was hard to concentrate on. After a few minutes of trying to look at my face, I came to the conclusion that I am able to manipulate small amounts the mist. I then allowed people to recognize me and then I was able to see my face.

I sighed in relief and pumped a fist into the air. This could actually work out for me! I thought before jumping back into bed.