Michael's POV

I was sitting on the plane, Taylor leaning her head on my shoulder. If she hadn't been sleeping I bet she'd have read all of my fear for the oncoming mission. I still don't understand it. Why would Quentin, Tara, and Torstyn rebel against Hatch? It didn't make any sense. But, here we were, on a plane, trying to save some of my worst enemies from my worst enemy. Yippee.

I started ticking as we hit some turbulence. I guess I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Michael Vey. Until months ago, I had a nice, quiet life with my mom. Then it all went kinda funky. Like seeing Ostin in his clogging outfit. That was hilarious. Taylor, the cutest girl in school, saw me use my powers against the bully, Jack, and his cronies. Then she hung out with me and was kidnapped. Just my luck. The same day, my mom was kidnapped. Gee, you sure have a great streak, Michael. I know. Later, Ostin, Jack, Wade and I were driving across the country, then to Peru, later to Mexico, and our most recent escapade was Asia. All against Hatch and his Glows. Hmm. Anything else? Oh yeah. I'm electric. I travel around saving the world with other electric people. And I have Tourette's. Makes me tick and gulp and lots of other embarrassing things. Whatever.

I felt the plane going down and Taylor's head shot off my shoulder, a panicked look in her eyes. "Michael," She looked a little desperate, "What's happening?"

Everyone else was looking around, confused. I watched, strapped into my seat as we crashed through the trees. There was no way to explain how we weren't being hurt. Maybe our luck was getting better. Then everyone screamed as half of the plane was ripped and lost in the canopy of the rainforest. Maybe not. We landed on the ground and we all groaned, getting up. 

Ian suddenly shouted, "The Elgen are coming!"

He was only just too late. A dozen soldiers had us surrounded. McKenna flared at three of the soldiers trying to grab her while Zeus took out the rest. We had no time to make sure if they were unconscious, or dead. McKenna looked like she could pass out at any moment. Ostin and Jack were keeping her upright and they started to run, "We need to get her water. And fast!"

Ian led us through the rainforest. "This way, guys! I see a river. There's someone else there too. He's not Elgen, but it's still a little risky. Michael?" 

Everyone looked at me. I hated how they always looked at me for answers. Like, What if I choose wrong and get them all killed? I shuddered at the thought. Taylor gripped my hand tighter. Ugh. I've got to work on remembering I've got a telepathic girlfriend. She shot me a smirk. Dang it.

I made up my mind, "I say we check it out. McKenna's not looking too good." It was true. She was pale and barely had enough energy to stand. On that happy note, we approached the camper.

We stopped at the edge of the forest. He'd made his tent on the flat area near the riverbank, clear of shrubbery. I couldn't see him, but I knew Ian could. I leaned over to him and whispered, "What's he look like?"

Ian took a while to respond, "Well, he's got black hair and sea green eyes. He's also really fit, but lean. Like he works out."

I take a moment to think that over. Ian had just enough time to whisper, "He's coming out," before the figure exited the tent. The girls gasped. I could see why. The dude was really good looking. Don't you dare take that the wrong way. He looked like the popular jock type. What was he doing alone in the rainforest? It didn't matter. What mattered was that he was here, and he had water. 

He ran a hand through his messy, jet black hair. He looked at us, and his eyes narrowed. What did he see? He spoke in a deep voice, "Who's there?" 

None of us responded. We were all staring at him. His eyes were like a never ending storm, swirling around in internal turmoil. I'm so proud of myself. That was deep.

He spoke again, a little more threatening, "I know you're there. You might as well come out. And all of you."

I sighed. We had no choice. I stepped out of the shadows and everyone else followed suit. He scanned us with his eyes. When they landed on McKenna, he drew in a breath. She'd fainted and was in Jack's arms. She was dehydrated. She needed help.

He moved forward while we took an involuntary step back. We didn't know who he was. He stopped and nodded at us. He pointed at Jack. "Put her down over there. Make sure her head is slightly elevated. She looks like she's in no condition to keep moving."

I watched in fascination as the stranger took in McKenna's situation and responded accordingly. He went into his tent and I looked at Ian. He noticed me staring and mouthed, "Nothing dangerous,"

I nodded. We watched as he came out with a canteen of water and a roll of bandages. What were those for? I looked at McKenna. She was fine. I took in the rest of the group. Nichelle was the only one bleeding. I felt responsible. I should have noticed. Taylor put her hand on my shoulder and as I looked over at her, she said softly, "It's not your fault."

The teen held McKenna's mouth open from her place on Ostin's lap. He trickled water down her throat and she coughed, then began greedily slurping at the flow. She started to sit up but he just pushed her back down. "Not so fast," he said, "Don't stand up until I'm sure you're better." 

For someone who looked like he spent most of the time beating up the new kid, he really was gentle. He continued to let McKenna drink from water flow. It seemed like it just kept refilling. There was no way that much water could fit in the bottle.

Finally, he moved over to the rest of us. He stopped in front of Nichelle. "Hold your arm out. It's bleeding, and I need to clean it. It might hurt." 

Abigail stepped forward and put her hand on Nichelle's back. I get it. We can't tell him about our powers until we can trust him. And trust that he's not Elgen.

As he rinsed out Nichelle's wound, I asked him about himself. He looked at me strangely, "Names hold power. Why don't you go first?"

I was a little puzzled but complied. He helped us and I was grateful, "Alright. I'm Michael, this is Taylor, Ostin, McKenna, Nichelle, Ian, Abigail, Tessa, Jack, and..." I trailed off as he finished wrapping up Nichelle's arm. I couldn't see Zeus. Finally, I pointed at him, "And that's Zeus."

The stranger burst out laughing. I thought it was a little rude. It's his name. "What's so funny?" Zeus asked indignantly.

The teen just kept chuckling but responded, "Nothing, nothing. What's your real name?"

Zeus frowned, "That is my real name."

The camper just raised his eyebrow. Zeus sighed, "Fine. My name is Leo Frank Smith."

Surprisingly, he just laughed more. I would never understand this kid.

He straightened out, "Alright. I'm Percy Jackson." He shot us a grin and I swear Tessa almost melted. I smirked. Mental note. If this guy turns out alright, I'm gonna tease her for that.

He helped McKenna to her feet and returned to the group. "You guys hungry?"

As if on cue, Ostin's stomach rumbled. The dude was always hungry. He smiled sheepishly, "Yeah."

Percy smiled at him, "Hang tight, and I'll be right back." He ducked into his tent again.

"So," Jack started, "What do you think of this guy?"

Ian concentrated. "He's preparing food. I say we should trust him. He's done nothing but help."

Nichelle scrunched her eyebrows together, "It could all be an act. It's only been a couple of minutes."

Suddenly Percy burst back into the open. He had plates of food stacked up his arms and even had one on his head. He wobbled a little before everything balance on top of him. It looked like he had plates for armor.

"I am the Food Knight! I serve the hungry and act like a waiter but I'm not!" He belted out in a ridiculously low hero voice.

We all laughed as he slid a plate in front of each of us. The food was blue. That was more than a little strange. They were blue chocolate chip pancakes. Literally everything was blue.

Taylor poked at hers, "Um... why's it blue?"

Percy smiled like it was the best question ever, "Cuz blue is the best color ever! Everything tastes better when it's blue." He said in a 'duh' voice. As if to prove his point, he downed a whole pancake in one gulp.

Ostin was the first one to try it. He took a bite and his eyes lit up. He wolfed down the rest of his stack and sighed in delight, "That was so good! Dude, they're like, better than your mom's."

I looked at him in disbelief. My mom was the best cook ever. I tried a bite, and everyone else did too. My eyes widened. It was like eating a cloud. A fluffy cloud of gooeyness. It was like heaven. 

Percy smiled as everyone gulped down the rest of their plates. "It was my pleasure! For I am the Food Knight, and I serve the hungry and the strange group of travellers who happened to gain the blessing of the awesomest Food Knight in the rainforest!"

We laughed again and thanked him for the meal. When he'd put the plates back in his tent, he asked us a question, "What are you guys doing in the rainforest, anyway?"

We looked down. Ostin replied in his smarty pants voice, "We could ask you the same question."

Percy snickered, "Well I asked first so shoot." He leaned back on the log that was his chair.

We all stood up nervously, "Maybe we should get going."

Percy's eyes narrowed in suspicion before widening in panic. He tackled Tessa and Taylor to the ground as a bullet struck a tree behind where they'd been standing. My mouth was hanging open. He just saved our lives. We'd known him what, twenty minutes?

He ran over to a bush faster than my eyes could follow and knocked out an Elgen sniper with a punch to the temple. He looked back at us, 

"Spill."