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chapter seventeen ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
017. Another Pawn Comes Into Play

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ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END.

A quote most were aware of, especially when they're a half-blood. But it didn't all start off terribly.

Grover informed Percy that he'd be spending the rest of the summer at Camp. Afterwards he'd return to his quest for Pan.

That wasn't the bad news. Neither was the fact that Grover's search time had been extended and that he got new reed pipes.

It was the constant playing of said reed pipes that hurt everyone's ears.

He played "YMCA," and the strawberry plants went all out. They grabbed Percy, Annabeth, and Cassie's legs trying to strangle them.

If you heard Grover's playing you wouldn't blame them.

The satyr had offered to disconnect the empathy link between him and Percy, but the latter declined.

Percy wanted to keep it if that was alright.

Grover paused from his playing. "But, if I get in trouble again, you'll be in danger, Percy! You could die!"

"If you get in trouble again, I want to know about it. And I'll come help you again, G-man. I wouldn't have it any other way." The son of Poseidon explained.

Percy was pretty convincing because in the end, Grover ended up leaving the link be.

He went back to playing "YMCA" completely off pitch for the strawberry plants to enjoy.

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Later in the day, Cassie was busy at the archery range. She was helping some Apollo kids learn how to shoot better.

Will Solace was helping out too. He was more in charge of watching Cassie teach. Chiron may or may not have wanted a medic nearby.

Especially when the Stoll Twins would interrupt a couple times, waving around their bows.

That's when then centaur pulled Percy out to talk to him about Meriwether Prep.

Percy had told Cassie that that was the name of his school, which had the gymnasium he ruined.

But luckily, the school no longer believed Percy destroyed the gym and the cops didn't care anymore.

"How did you manage that?" The son of Poseidon inquired.

Chiron's eyes had a sparkle in them Percy didn't recognize.

"I merely suggested that the mortals had seen something different on that day-a furnace explosion that was not your fault."

"You just said that and they bought it?"

"I manipulated the Mist. Some day, when you're ready, I'll show how it's done."

"You mean, I can go back to Meriwether next year?"

Chiron held back a scoff. "Oh, no, they've still expelled you. Your headmaster, Mr. Bonsai, said you had-how did he put it? Un-groovy karma that disrupted the school's educational aura. But you're not in any legal trouble, which was a relief to your mother. Oh, and speaking of your mother . . ."

Chiron took his cell phone from his quiver and gave it to Percy.

"It's high time you called her."

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Percy least favorite part of the call was the "Percy-Jackson-what-were-you-thinking-do-you-have-any-idea-how-worried-I-was-sneaking-off-to-camp-without-permission-going-on-dangerous-quests-and-scaring-me-half-to-death" scold.

When Mrs. Jackson paused to take a breath her mood instantly switched. "Oh, I'm just glad you're safe!"

One of the things Percy love about his mom. No matter how hard she tried, she could never stay mad.

Maybe that's why Sally Jackson seemed to love Cassie Carter so much. The woman absolutely adored the daughter of Ares and Percy couldn't complain.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I won't scare you again." The son of Poseidon apologized.

"Don't promise me that, Percy. You know very well it will only get worse." Sally tried to sound unaffected but it was apparent she was shaken up.

Percy wanted to deny her but she was right. Being a half-blood meant he'd always be doing something that would scare her.

And as he got older the dangers got worse.

"I could come home for a while," Percy suggested.

"No, no. Stay at camp. Train. Do what you need to do. But you will come home for the next school year?"

"Yeah, of course. Uh, if there's any school that will take me."

"Oh, we'll find something, dear. Some place where they don't know us yet." Sally reassured but her heart wasn't in it.

Percy muttered an agreement before Cassie took the phone from him.

"Hey, Mrs. Jackson!" The brunette perked up.

"Hi Cassie. How are you doing hun? How's camp?"

"I'm doing fine, thanks. And camp's as chaotic as normal!"

"That's good! Haha, when is it not?" Sally remarked.

"Is that sarcasm Mrs. Jackson?" Cassie smirked.

"Cass, how many times have I told you to just call me Sally? And how's Annabeth doing."

"Oh, shit- sorry Sally! Blondie's alright. She's staying for some of the year thankfully. I don't think I could deal with your son without her." Cassie's face flushed a little remembering the kiss Annabeth had given her.

"Cassie, dear maybe try not to... you know what nevermind!" Sally gave up trying to fix the girl's language.

"Hm?"

"Nothing don't worry about it! Shouldn't you get going? As much as you know I love talking to you, i hear . . . um, screaming in the background."

Cassie hadn't been paying attention. Talking to Sally Jackson was like speaking to the mom she always wanted but never got.

The daughter of Ares turned around. Somehow, Travis and Connor had shot an arrow into Chiron's hind.

The centaur got startled and dropped his bow which was pretty large compared to most. It hit a kid and now Will was frantically trying to check their pulse.

The brunette sighed, "Yeah I have to go. The Stoll Twins are being idiots as normal. Bye Mrs. Jackson! I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye Cassie, and do try and stay out of trouble!"

"No promises!"

Cassie hung up and Sally shook her head, smile playing on her lips.

The daughter of Ares rolled her eyes before rushing over to the now huge crowd of campers.

Half of them were panicking over the injured girl and the other half were helping Chiron pull out the arrow.

Cassie resorted to joining neither groups and confronting the dumbasses who started this whole mess.

"And what did you two do this time?"

Connor glanced to Travis, who glanced to Cassie then back to Connor.

Travis shrugged. "Well to be fair, we were just holding the bow not planning to shoot when someone bumped into us and made us lose our grip."

"And your bow just so happened to be pointed at Chiron?" Cassie deadpanned.

"Yep!" Connor nodded.

"Yeah sure." Cassie sighed.

She threw her arms around both of the boys' shoulders, yanking them down. Cassie ruffled their hair as the Stolls tried to get away.

"Li! Let us go." They cries out in unison.

"You two shits are such-"

"Carter!" Annabeth called out.

Cassie let go of the boys and whipped around. Annabeth was walking towards her.

The brunette couldn't help but glance down to the daughter of Athena's lips a few times.

They were so soft and brought back memories of the kiss. Cassie's face turned bright red and the Stolls noticed.

"Ooooo, what's got you blushing Cas-"

She elbowed them and smiled sweetly at Annabeth.

"What's up Chase?"

The blonde didn't give her any explanation and just took a hold of her collar, dragging Cassie with her.

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After a while, Cassie started to question where she was being taken.

"Where exactly are we going? Also you know I can walk right?"

Annabeth didn't reply. She just released Cassie's collar making the girl almost fall backwards.

Grabbing Cassie's hand, Annabeth continued tugging the girl with her. Except this time Cassie could tell they were going to the beach.

Grover was somewhat behind them, struggling to keep up with Annabeth's fast pace. Maybe being dragged wasn't a bad thing.

"Hey, Percy." The three called out when the son of Poseidon came into view.

Percy turned around, he was blinking back tears.

The other three on top the sand dune were sending him small reassuring smiles.

"Tyson . . . He had to . . ."

"We know, Chiron told us." Annabeth put softly.

Cassie's eyebrows furrowed. Chiron didn't tell her nothing. But the sad look on Percy's face made her assume it and something to do with the Cyclops leaving.

"Cyclopes forges. I hear the cafeteria food there is terrible! Like, no enchiladas at all." Grover exclaimed.

Cassie chuckled before gesturing for Percy to loop his arm in hers. "Vamanos Kelp Head! Dinner waits for no one."

Percy chuckled a breathy laugh and looped his arm with hers.

Annabeth shook her head in amusement as they basically skipped back to camp together.

'What idiots.'

It was just like old times, the four of them. Cassie and Percy being dumbasses, Grover's consistent music playing, and Annabeth exhaustion.

It didn't help when Percy got Cassie super excited over the greek style art Tyson carved onto his shield.

Cassie's favorite was the one with Annabeth killing one of the Laistrygonian dodgeball players.

Other scenes of Percy fighting the bronze bulls, Tyson riding Rainbow, Cassie slicing the Hydra, the CSS Birmingham shooting cannonballs at Charybdis.

It really made Cassie miss the cyclops.

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That night, a massive storm pelted around the valley. Of course Camp was dry and protected thanks to the magical borders.

Still Cassie wondered what had made the oh-so-great-and-powerful Zeus angry. She would never call him that out loud because she was more than certain he would strike her dead.

The daughter of Ares tossed and turned in her sleep. Her head rang as she heard Kronos calling out to her from Tartarus.

'It's not to late young hero. Join the winning side. Do you really want to end up like Polyphemus. He sits blindly in his cave believing he has won a great victory. Are you any less deluded?'

Kronos laughter echoed in her dreams.

Then the scene changed. Cassie saw a irritating face, one she desperately wanted to punch.

Leaning against his stupid motorcycle, was her ass of a father. All decked out in black leather with precious red flame sunglasses on his face.

Cassie wanted to cry out and tell him to give them back, but she couldn't speak.

Ares raised an eyebrow and took the glasses off. He put them on her head and spoke familiar words.

'Brace Yourself. You're more important than you think.'

Cassie jerked awake before she could ask why. This whole thing was getting on her nerves.

And now the banging on her cabin door. Grover burst through without permission. "Cassie! Annabeth . . . on the hill . . . she . . ."

Her annoyance was replaced with concern. Something was wrong. Really wrong.

Annabeth was on guard duty last night for the Fleece. Cassie swore to all the gods that if something had happened to the blonde . . .

The daughter of Ares rushed from her bed, not caring that she was wearing her sleep clothes. She tugged on her muddy old converse and hurried out the door, not bothering to tie them.

"She's lying there . . . just lying there . . ."

Cassie marched across the central yard as Grover left to get Percy. The sun was just peaking over the mountains.

Word was spreading fast and campers were hoarding toward the hill. Satyrs and nymphs as well.

But no one got there faster than the brunette. By the time Percy had even gotten up, Cassie was already by Annabeth's side.

The son of Poseidon was walking with Grover when Chiron clopped over.

"Is it true?" He questioned Grover.

The satyr only nodded, not able to process words right now.

Before Percy could ask what was true he was placed on Chiron's back.

Together the son of Poseidon and the centaur made it to the small crowd at the top of Half-Blood Hill.

Percy thought the Fleece would be missing but it was still there. The storm was gone but the sky was blood red.

"Curse the titan lord. He's tricked us again, given himself another chance to control the prophecy." Chiron mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked.

"The Fleece. The Fleece did its work too well."

Everyone moved out of the way for the two. At the root of the tree there was an unconscious girl,

Beside her was another girl in Greek armor resting her head on the shoulder of a brunette in red plaid sleep clothes.

The brunette's sword was discarded on the ground nearby. Percy heard sniffling and anger rose through him.

Had Annabeth been attacked? But then why was the Fleece still there?

The tree looked the exact same.

"It healed the tree. And poison was not the only thing it purged." Chiron informed, anger in his tone.

That's when Percy took a minute to think. Annabeth wasn't the one on the ground. She was crying into Cassie's shoulder.

The daughter of Athena saw them and ran towards Chiron, Cassie close behind.

"It . . . she . . . just suddenly there . . ."

Annabeth's face was streaked with tears and Cassie wrapped her arm around the girl's waist in a side hug.

Percy didn't understand and his brain was too scattered to think properly. He jumped from Chiron's back and dashed over to the unconscious girl.

"Percy, wait!" Chiron tried.

Percy knelt on the ground, looking at the girl.

Her short black hair was all choppy and a mess. She had freckles on her nose and a lean tall build. Her clothes were a mix of punk and Goth.

A black t-shirt paired with black ripped jeans. Her leather jacket had buttons of bands Percy didn't know of.

She definitely wasn't a camper. He'd never seen her around, but he had the strangest feeling that he had.

"It's true. I can't believe it." Grover let out through his panting.

Cassie refrained from a sarcastic reply. None of the campers dared to move forward.

Percy placed his hand on her forehead and she was really cold. Yet he felt this tingle in his fingers.

"She needs nectar and ambrosia." Percy said.

She was a half-blood no doubt about it. He just didn't understand why everyone was so scared or shocked.

Percy lifted her by the shoulders into a sitting position. Her head was resting on his shoulder.

"Come on! What's wrong with you people? Let's get her to the Big House." Percy cried out.

No one helped. Not even Chiron. They were too busy staring in shock.

Percy's eyes moved to Cassie who's knuckles were tuning white from grasping her sword so hard. Annabeth still had tears trickling down her face as she clung to the brunette like a lifeline.

That's when the unconscious girl took a gasp and coughed, eyes flying open.

They were a startling electric blue. Almost
like lightning strikes.

The girl stared up at Percy in confusion. She shivered, slightly cold.

"Who are you?"

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

"Strangest dream . . ."

"It's okay."

"Dying."

"No. You're okay. What's your name?"

But Percy didn't need her answer. That's when it finally donned on him.

The whole Golden Fleece quest. Luke's poisoning the tree.

All of it was done for a reason. To give Kronos another chance at controlling the prophecy.

Even Chiron, Annabeth, and Grover were too shocked to celebrate. And Cassie was too confused to even move.

Her heart was pounding and this time it wasn't because of the pretty blonde who she had her arm around.

Percy was holding the one person would could be his best friend, or possible worst enemy.

"I am Thalia. Daughter of Zeus."

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note

Y'all's we have made it!!!!! Act Two is complete!!!

I can't wait for Act Three but I'm having mixed feelings.😒

I'm super excited for the, let's just say ReALizAtIOnS in this Act but Annabeth is gone 😭😭😭

There won't be that manyyyy direct Cassibeth moments when they're actually together (except in the beginning and end but stilllll 😢)

Because of that, there might be a bit of procrastination on my end but the chapters will be out!

Speaking of chapters being out, i'm thinking of changing the update schedule to just sundays. This is my first time writing on wattpad so i wasn't prepared when school got busy.

Sadly, i haven't been able to get chapters done in time. Surprise updates might happen on wednesdays and if it takes me two sundays to get a chapter out don't worry! 😄👍🏼

Anyways, enough of the sad stuff! I wanna thank you all for helping me make it this far! 🥳🥳🥳

Y'all are a huge inspiration other than my absolute LOVE for Annabeth. 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

Also, I want to give some special thanks to a large group of people who have voted a bunch and commented/read.

Some of you have been here from the start and i'm amazed at your dedication/patience to wait!

Thank you so much to . . .

@OvertFish @Julx_bks @PatriciaFernando9 @npiqnp04 @TooSoonTooBe @iwillburnyour_family
@Joselyn-Fernanda @MariaCesar974 @MatthiasBrown @AnimeLover67529 @qxvthwic @trix_ax @NOOBakaGAMER @XS_POISION @red09119 @Avpviana @Calm_Your_Boobies @hedidnotpleaseme @mxxnstxrsiii @Googabum @Ivonnero6 @girlreadingbook

YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!!

(if you vote/comment every time and i didn't put you on there i'm sorrryyyy!! there's too many people so i stopped adding to the list at one point! i'll try and put you guys next act promise <33)

Thanks to all you ghost readers too!! ❤️❤️

But that's all i have to say. I hope you enjoy and i hope to see you in Act Three!!! 😎

Adios 👋🏼

-Just Another Overthinker