Percy Jackson vs Polybotes

CHAPTER ONE

"What do you mean they took her?" I growled.

Piper flinched. Jason looked down ashamedly at his hands on the table.

We were gathered around the main deck of the Argo II, around the dining table, where we had gathered for so many meetings in the past few months. Now, Piper, Jason, Leo, Hazel, and Frank were gathered around the table. I was on my feet, Riptide – as pen form – in my hands. Only Annabeth was missing.

Jason, Piper, and Annabeth had left the ship two hours ago to look for Celestial Bronze to repair the ship. Last night's venti attack had resulted in unusual casualties to the hull of the Argo II. Now, the stupid chunk of bronze lay on the floor next to Leo while Annabeth was missing.

"W-we came across Cyclops," Piper sobbed, tears streaming from her eyes. "Jason managed to k-kill them with lightning b-but..."

"Dracaena," Jason explained. His face was a white mask.

"And you did nothing?" I asked.

Hazel stood up and strode over to me. She put her hand on my shoulder. It took all my willpower not to uncap Riptide and chop her hand off.

"Percy, be sensible," she told me. "Jason was probably trying not to pass out from summoning lightning."

Jason shook his head. "But still, it was my fault. I was too slow."

"Who took her?" I asked.

"P-Polybotes," Piper said.

A few of the crewmates gasped. The water glasses on the table exploded. Below decks, I heard the faint sound of the plumbling exploding. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leo's eyebrow burst into flame, but he did nothing to stop it.

"Polybotes took her?" I growled. Piper nodded, trembling.

"Annabeth put up a good fight," Jason said. "But you know how it is. A god and a demigod have to work together. We didn't have a god. Every time Annabeth managed to stab the giant in the gut, it healed instantly."

"What did he do to her?" My voice was a ragged whisper.

"H-he knocked her out," Piper said. "Told us that you have to come f-find him."

"So it's a trap," Leo said, his left eyebrow still on fire. As I watched, the flames reached his hair. Frank nervously leaned away from him.

"I'm going," I said.

"I'm coming with you," Jason said firmly. "It was my fault, and now I'm gonna fix it."

"No, bro," I said. I was surprised to find my voice calm. My heart had other ideas. It felt like it was trying to punch its way right through my ribcage and fly up Polybotes' nose.

"It's not your fault," I told him. "And this is going to be a solo mission."

"No way," Frank stood up. Leo also stood up, finally batting away the fire on his face.

"I'm coming too," Leo said. And, as if to prove his point, he held up his right hand which burst into inferno.

"No," I said firmly. "Leo, you have fixing to do. Piper and Jason didn't fight their way here for nothing. Frank and Hazel – you can help him. Jason, get some rest if you like, or guard the ship with Piper. At least have some ambrosia."

"Percy-" he started to say but I was already on my way to the upper deck.

We were anchored at Athens, but the initial surprise and sightseeing was over. We had arrived at our destination. Job done. All was left to kill some giants.

The sea churned beneath me, its salty air a huge relief after being below decks. The breeze ruffled my hair. But the insight of losing Annabeth ruined the scenery. Waves battered the ship's hull as if sensing my pain and reacting to it – which was probably the case, seeing as I was the son of the sea god, Poseidon.

Jason and Piper followed me. As they reached me, Jason grabbed my arm.

"Percy, please," he said.

"No, Jason," I said, looking him directly in his blue eyes. They were exactly the color and shape as Thalia – his sister, daughter of Zeus – but that was the only resemblance of the siblings. I wished Thalia were here – annoying, yes, but also resourceful. She had a lot of experience fighting monsters, perhaps even more than Annabeth, which was saying a lot.

"They need you here," I told him. "Besides, Polybotes is my enemy. I want to kill him myself. You need to stay here. If any giants attack the ship, they won't be able to defend themselves without you. Without me and Annabeth, you're the most experienced and powerful fighter we've got."

"Yeah," he grumbled. "After you and Annabeth."

"Bye," I told him, and leapt off the side of theship, uncapping Riptide.