Annabeth marched away from Percy with purpose. Most of her conversations with him were going to be like that from now on. Disconnected and full of frustration. She might even be training with him less as time goes on. It was all getting to be just too much.

She did her best to smile and laugh at jokes made by her friends, and even though she could tell no one thought something was amiss, it all felt forced. Besides Percy. If their conversation just now was anything to go off of, he could tell something was gong on. If he knew, eventually the others would too.

It didn't matter. Soon she couldn't have to pretend with them anymore. Pontus needed unrequivocal proof she was on his side and she knew just how to give it to him.

First Annabeth needed to get someplace private. Not the forest; as the dryads there are incorrigible gossips. Not the beach, because she could run into Percy or the fish could listen in and tell him. There was only one place that was private enough for what she was about to do. Outside camp.

She took the Grey Sisters cab. It was the only mode of transportation that no one could notice. They dropped her off at the closest monster donut chain to camp, which happened to be in Manhattan. Her contact was supposed to meet her in the parking lot. She waited outside on a bench for what felt like an hour but it couldn't have been more than ten minutes.

"Annabeth Chase." The familiar voice sent chills crawling up her back.

She turned to see Pontus himself. "I thought—"

"I sent Kelly on a different errand today." The primordial waved his hand. "I wanted to hear your idea first hand."

Her idea on what she had to offer him. Something that would mark her as a traitor to Olympus forever.

She swallowed nervously. "I have a couple ideas." She said, making sure to maintain eye contact. Pontus only raised his eyebrows in anticipation. "I could openly turn on Olympus in the form of fighting with your forces during a raid." she paused, analyzing his reaction.

He nodded thoughtfully, but it was clear he thought it wasn't enough.

"And," she paused again, making it clear to him she was willing to do both options she presented, "I will tell you the prophecy."

"Prophecy?" Pontus said, not quite able to mask his surprise. "I was under the assumption that there has not been a prophecy told."

Annabeth shook her head. "The oracle told it in front of only two witnesses." She told him. "She does not even know what she prophesied."

"I assume you are one of these witnesses? Who is the other?"

"Percy Jackson."

Pontus nodded. "Understandable. Very well, I accept your offers." The deity smiled in what he probably assumed was a kind, grandfatherly way, but it was more like a predator. "What is this prophecy?"

"A long forgotten Father of the Sea shows his face. Guidance in sleep is gone and water life give loyalty. Son and Fathers of the seas set the world to waste, only one to rule the sea." Annabeth spoke the prophecy quietly, as if there were eavesdroppers. So long she kept this secret. And now she finally tells it to someone other than Percy, setting in motion events she can never take back.

"Interesting." Pontus said thoughtfully. "I will have to give this some contemplation. Kelly will be along in a week at this time with your instructions. Have you told anyone else this?"

Annabeth shook her head. "But Percy likely will after I openly turn."

Pontus nodded. "For this, you will be more than just a soldier of mine." He assured. "You will be my General."

Elation filled Annabeth's chest, though she only smiled. "Thank you, my lord." She bowed.

"Let's keep this between us for now, Annabeth, dear." Pontus said. "I would like to present you to my army myself."

Annabeth bowed again. "Of course, my lord."

—- —- —-

Annabeth blinked the memories away, focusing instead on the giant map on the wall. She was in the middle of a strategic meeting, now was not the time to be strolling down memory lane.

"Have the teams for our next raid been briefed?" Annabeth asked.

Polybotes nodded. "Kampê is not happy to be on the field." He said. "She wants another shot at Jackson."

"And she knows why that won't happen." Pontus said coldly. He stood at the head of the long black table. Monsters of all kinds gathered around the other sides. Annabeth stood to his right. "Since we are on that topic, however," he continued, "have we gotten anything new from him?"

"No, my lord." Annabeth spoke. "We have had many try their hand at cracking him with no luck."

Pontus didn't say anything. This made the monsters present even more nervous than if he had screamed his head off. Annabeth was sure she saw a serving mermaid quietly leave the room. Everyone at the table but Pontus and Annabeth had taken a shot at Percy Jackson. He has stayed stubbornly on topics other than what they wanted to know.

Pontus spun sharply towards the doors. "General Chase, come with me."

Trying not to show how her heart was beating in her throat, she obeyed. Despite what she portrayed, being the one to actually cause Percy harm is going to be more torturous for her than it will be for him. Over a decade of feelings for someone doesn't just go away.

Further into the dungeons, Pontus said, "Do you have the list of information we need from him?"

"I do."

"Good. There is a reason I had you write it down." The deity threw a smile back at her. "My old mind isn't what it used to be."

Annabeth didn't know what to say to that besides, "Yes, my lord."

They were silent until they reached the dungeon door to Percy's cell.

"Wait." Pontus put a hand on her elbow. "I won't make you do anything. Fates know I could never harm my lover even after several millennia." He gave her what Annabeth assumed was supposed to be a reassuring smile, but instead ended up being mocking.

Annabeth only nodded. She knew just watching might have been the only thing that could have been worse. Pontus knew that. He seemed to get a kick out of taunting and causing his underlings emotional harm while seeming completely innocent.

—- —- —-

They had been at it for hours. Annabeth had taken to training her eyes on Pontus' beard as he tortured her former boyfriend. So far, Pontus has been unsuccessful in getting informative information out of Percy. He's tried things Annabeth had only heard of and other things she'd never imagined.

"You are more formidable than I thought a son of Poseidon's would be." Pontus admitted grudgingly.

Percy coughed and spat out some blood—which floated in a small cloud in front of his face. "Thanks. I try. Actually, I don't need to try; it comes naturally."

"Not from your father." Pontus said. "He is a weakling that has never had to work for a thing in his life. His other son, Triton, is no better."

Percy narrowed his eyes. "You're trying to get me to open up about my dad's defenses in his palace."

Pontus smiled menacingly. "Was I that obvious?"

"I saw it coming a mile away." Percy said easily. "It's not like you haven't had every monster that comes in here ask me the same questions. You've been trying for weeks. What makes you think you'll be able to get me to slip this time?"

Pontus' grin grew—if that was even possible. "I can guarantee that your demigod friends will be sending a rescue team." He said. "I can't promise I will be as courteous with them as I have with you."

Percy glanced up at his hands, still shackled to the ceiling, then to the rest of his body, covered in bruises and lacerations. "This is courteous? My arms are dead." Pontus didn't react. Just smiled. "And why would they send a rescue? The gods would never allow that."

"I never said the gods would have sanctioned it."

"Our sources say the twins and a few nymphs from the lake are planning on a rescue mission." Annabeth spoke up. "They plan to leave within the month." Percy's eyes snapped to her for the first time since she entered. "If you want to stop them, you're running out of time."

Percy's eyebrows went up. "Are you saying you'll let me go?"

"If you give me the information I want." Pontus said smoothly.

"Let me get this straight." Percy said. He turned back to the primordial, dismissing Annabeth. She let go of a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "You will let me go, and in doing so, give your opposing side an advantage over you if I tell you about my father's defenses."

Pontus grinned in a way that showed he thought Percy was slow. "What advantage? You have seen my forces; you cannot hope to prevail against me."

Percy's finger pointed at Pontus from its shackles by the ceiling. "Exactly. I've seen your forces, and I know your plan. If you set me free, you give me the ultimate advantage." Percy paused. "But for a prophecy."

"Oh, I know the prophecy." Pontus said. He waved his hand dismissively.

"Then it's not really an advantage, is it?" Percy said immediately. "Besides, there's no point to us continuing this conversation, I'm not telling you anything."

Pontus growled and struck Percy in one of his many wounds. His scream echoed around them. "What else can we ask him, General Chase?"

Annabeth glanced at the paper in her hands, though she had lost her need for it long ago. She'd memorized the list already. "That was all we had prepared, my lord. But I suppose we could ask him who he's told about the prophecy."

Pontus crossed his arms and stared expectantly at Percy.

The son of the sea god looked between Pontus and Annabeth. "What? That's it? All the Olympian Council knows, I don't mind telling you that. You didn't expect for me to keep it secret, did you?"

Pontus looked over at Annabeth who smiled. "No, I suppose not." She said. Looking over at Percy, she continued, "Shall I set up the audio and visual?"

"One moment." Pontus punched Percy in the nose. It instantly started gushing blood. "Yes, go ahead, Annabeth dear."

Percy watched as Annabeth moved around the cell warily. Annabeth avoided eye contact now. She knew he'd try to have a conversation that would just be awkward.

"It's ready, my lord." She said once a large circle of glowing water appeared.

Pontus had been staring at Percy in thought. "Excellent." He said as he spun around. "Do you like it, Jackson? It is like your Iris messages but of my own invention."

"Impressive." Of course, it sounded sarcastic.

Pontus grabbed Percy's hair and yanked it sideways. "Show me..." he glanced at Annabeth.

"The campfire at Camp Half-Blood." She supplied.

"Ah, yes. Show me the campfire at Camp Half-Blood."

The glowing circle of water flashed brightly before settling on an image of the amphitheater. From its direction, it looked to be over the fire itself.

"Demigods!" Pontus said cheerfully but without warmth. "I assume you recognize this man?" Pontus jerked Percy's face toward the glowing circle. Murmurs erupted in the stands. Annabeth heard a few familiar voices call out Percy's name. "I will keep this short. You do not need to fight. My quarrel is not with you. My raids on your camp were just to keep you occupied. I want the gods. If you vow on the—what's it called again, General Chase?"

"Styx." Annabeth fought to keep her tone neutral. She knew Pontus didn't need the reminder. It was a strategic move; to remind her and the campers of her choice.

"Yes, vow on the styx not to fight me and you will be spared. If not, I will consider you in my way."

No one came forward and Percy's face broke out into a grin. "Try to come get me, and I'll kill you myself."

Pontus laughed. "You won't make it anyways."

"Mr D, not yet. And tell Dad to change everything." Percy said just before Annabeth swiped her hand through the circle.

Pontus jerked on Percy's hair again. "You will pay for that last bit, Jackson. It was a foolish move as that makes you practically useless to me."

"Not completely." Annabeth said with a smirk.