Last Resort

JENNIFER

Hecate vanished not even a second after she told the siblings to pack their things, leaving them behind with their wands, a sealed roll of parchment they didn't feel like reading, a whirlwind of information to process and a lot of explaining to do. 

After some debate, the first thing they did (Percy thought they should tell their friends first, but Jennifer convinced him to tell them later, since it would take more time), was go back to Chiron and inform him about their situation. 

Chiron wasn't shocked by the news of a hidden wizarding society that had nothing to do with any gods at all. After a couple centuries alive, it must have been really hard to be surprised about anything. Chiron wasn't pleased with the news about the quest, but like the siblings, agreed that there wasn't much they could actually do. A goddess had requested their help in person and given them a prophecy, so Percy and Jennifer had no choice but to comply. 

“At least you won't be missed here” he said, in a failed attempt to make them feel better. “We might not even notice your absence. Not for long, at least. And you'll come back even more experienced and powerful than ever before.”

“You know we don't care about that” Percy spoke. “I won't deny it might be fun, but... Seven years is an incredibly long time.”

The centaur nodded slightly and smiled, though sadness lingered in his eyes. 

“This magic of theirs... If it's unrelated to the Mist or anything godly... You'll have to be careful. It'll be completely new territory.”

“We've faced the unknown before” Jennifer tried to smile. “You don't have to worry about us. As you said, you'll barely even notice we are not here.”

After a few more questions and advice, Chiron let them go. He said he'd announce the quest that night during the campfire, but that Jennifer and Percy should notify their friends first and start packing. First, they went to their cabin to gather their thoughts. 

Not a second after Percy had closed the door, Jennifer jumped on her bed and let out a frustrated groan into her pillow. 

“So much for a peaceful Easter weekend” she muttered . “They are unbelievable.”

Her eyes were starting to get watery, but she didn't want to cry. Percy sat down next to her, and gently pulled the pillow away from her face. He smiled a bit at her, but it didn't felt genuine. He had told her, not so long ago, that it broke his heart a little bit whenever he saw her cry, so Jennifer bit the inside of her cheek and put on a brave face. 

“You don't have to put up any fronts with me” he reassured her. “I know you were playing your stoic card back at the beach.”

“I know” she sighed, sitting up. It was true; Percy was more volatile than her. When Annabeth wasn't around to keep them both in check, Jennifer felt compelled to be the composed one. “It's just... It hasn't even been a year since Gaea. And then that weird stuff with the Kane siblings happened, which I'm still worried about. I thought we might finally get some more peace. Especially you. You've been through enough.”

Percy sighed and nodded. “We both have been through more than enough, but Chiron is right one thing. No one will miss us here. And if that freak Voldemort dude ever decides to attack, we'll be prepared to kick his butt.”

“But what about us? We will feel those seven years, Percy.”

“I know” his wavered just a bit. “Trust me, I know. I'm not thrilled about it, but at least we'll be together, right?”

Jennifer managed a small smile. “We haven't been on any quest together before. Not important ones, at least.”

“Recovering Aphrodite's perfume was a big deal” Percy smiled back, making Jennifer laugh. 

“Sure. And to think we were actually having a nice, quiet weekend that time.”

“What are you talking about? We had lots to study!”

“Better than hunting around for some lost perfume!” They burst into laughter as they recalled the details of their foolish quest back in December.

“Oh man, as long as this quest is fun, I think we'll be okay” Jennifer spoke after some time. “We can figure out the rest as we go.”

“We should hold on to the good stuff or we might finally go insane.”

“You're right” Jennifer agreed. She stood up, let out a long sigh and looked back at Percy. “I'm going to tell Nico first, because I honestly don't know how he will take the news.”

“And I'll find Annabeth. Then we can gather up everyone else and give them more details.”

“Great minds think alike” Jennifer said as she walked to the door.

Percy chuckled. “See you in about two hours?”

“Sounds good.” 

    •••

Training with the son of Hades was always guaranteed to be both tiring and entertaining. Nico liked mixing sword skills with his powers, which usually made his attacks unpredictable and kept Jennifer on her toes. 

“You lose. Again,” he stated, pressing his sword lightly against Jennifer's lower back. 

“I'm still a point ahead of you” she pointed to the blackboard where they've been keeping their scores for over six months. A sticky attached note to it read «Erase this and face the wrath of the son of Hades and the daughter of Poseidon» in Ancient Greek, with a smiley face drawn next to it.

“Yeah, well, we're not training at the beach again until I have at least a five points advantage.”

“You're such a wimp” Jennifer smiled as she added a new line under Nico's name, but her smile faltered as she remembered that she wouldn't be training with Nico at the beach for a very long time.

“And we've been here for more than an hour, and you still haven't told me what you're so obviously hiding, Goldie” Nico stated, peering at her while removing his armor. “What did Chiron want?”

Jennifer let out a long sigh. She had forgotten that Nico had been the one to tell them Chiron needed something, and that he was freaking good at reading her emotions.

“He gave us a quest” she mumbled as she turned around to look at the son of Hades in the eyes.

“Do you guys need a third?” Jennifer couldn't help but smile briefly at Nico's offer. He was a sweetheart.

“No, it'll be just the two of us. But...” Jennifer's voice broke. As she stared at Nico, the realization downed that that she didn't just not know when they would train together again, but she also had no idea how long it would be until she could see him again. A weird pressure settled in her chest, and she felt like she was about to start crying. 

“Woah, what did he tell you? What's the quest about?” Nico asked, his voice now worried. He quickly helped Jennifer with the last pieces of her armor and then hugged her. “C'mon. You know you can tell me.”

“Can we go to the oak?” she whispered. 

“Of course. Hold tight.”

Jennifer grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly as the shadows swallowed them. The next thing she knew, they were standing in their favorite hideout spot, under a large oak tree in the middle of the forest, not far from Bunker 9. 

“What happened?” Nico asked again, as he sat on the grass and forced Jennifer to do the same. 

The daughter of Poseidon told him about Hecate and the Wizarding World. She explained that there was some British creep named Voldemort that was causing trouble, and that America was his next target, but Hecate couldn't allow that to happen. 

“Okay. So you're going to the UK to fight him or something?”

“Yes, but it's not that simple. Hecate is sending us back in time to help the dude that is meant to stop him. Some guy named Harry Potter.”

Nico nodded, but his eyes had turned sad. “Back in time, that's a new one. How far back in time are we talking about?”

Jennifer felt her eyes starting to get itchy. “About seven years. We're enrolling as students in a wizard school to be with Harry through it.”

Nico was silent for a while. 

“And you won't come visit?” he spoke.

“You won't notice we're gone. Percy and I will live through those seven years, until we catch up with our timeline. Worst case scenario, we come back in two or three months from today.”

“And what about us visiting you two? What if you need help?” 

“Hecate didn't mention anything about that...”

Nico was silent again. Jennifer simply stared at him, unsure of what to expect.

“Why just the two of you? Why not three, or seven? Why not any of Hecate's kids?” Nico protested. 

Jennifer explained what Hecate had told her and Percy, but Nico looked skeptical. To be honest, Jennifer didn't buy it either. Hecate wanted Jennifer and Percy, and they had to live with that.

“So just because she thinks you two won't go crazy with power and stab them in the back.” Jennifer let out a small laugh. She loved when Nico's and her own thoughts seemed to be synchronized.

“Well, yeah. That's another way to put it.”

“I hate them so much sometimes, and yet... there's nothing we can do about it, is there?” he looked at Jennifer, who shook her head. 

They fell back to silence. After a few seconds, Nico grabbed Jennifer's hand and squeezed it tightly. “How are you feeling? You're the one she's sending away.”

“I don't care about magic or going to England. That actually sounds kinda cool. But Percy and I will be alone. For seven years.”

“Well, not entirely alone. I'm sure you will meet some nice people there.”

Jennifer raised an eyebrow at him. 

“Look at you, Mr. Silver Lining.”

“Hey, I'm just trying to make things easier for you.”

“I know. I appreciate it,” she smiled. “But still, that's not what I meant. It will be seven years without you, without my stepmom, without Emily and Sam, without Annabeth, Reyna, or...”

“Hey” Nico interjected, moving to sit in front of her. “I'm sure we'll see each other before the seven years are up. You'll have a lot of leverage with Hecate if you manage to keep that Potter dude alive and in one piece. You could ask her to let us come visit for a little while, maybe spend some summers with you.”

“Maybe” she agreed, but she wasn't convinced. “Thanks, Skully. You always know how to cheer me up.”

“What are best friends for, right?” he smiled. Jennifer knew he was probably angry, but he was hiding it to make things easier for her. Jennifer smiled back at him. 

“Right” she pulled his hand and hugged him. 

“Have you told Emily? Sam? Reyna? Your stepmom?”

“No, just you. Percy's telling Annabeth. We agreed that we would tell everyone else at the same time, and I'll deal with my stepmom after dinner. She's probably working now.”

“Well, that will be fun.” Nico stood up and extended his hand. “C'mon. I'll help you pack.”

•••

PERCY

Percy didn't have to go looking for Annabeth. She knocked on his cabin's door about five minutes after Jennifer had left. 

“Hey, Seaweed Brain” she said, giving him a quick peck on the lips. 

“Wise Girl” he smiled. 

“Is Jennifer here?”

“She just left.”

“Where have two kelp heads been all day? I've been looking all over camp for you two” she asked, sitting on Percy's bed. 

Percy stared at her for a few seconds, and that silence was enough to tell Annabeth that something was going on.

“What happened?” she asked, her smile fading.    

Percy sat next to her and grabbed her hand. “Jennifer and I are going on a quest.”

“Oh” Annabeth nodded. “Okay. Do you guys need a third?”

Percy smiled at his girlfriend. “Nah, it'll be just the two of us this time.”

“Why?” Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “That's usually not a good omen, and-”

“Trust me, I know. But we were seven on the Argo II,” Percy cut her and paused for a little while, simply staring at her stormy eyes. “And besides, Hecate wants it to be just the two of us.”

“Hecate? Did you guys talk to-?” Annabeth started, but stopped herself as Percy nodded. “I can't believe it! What on Olympus did she want?”

Percy got the letter and his new magic wand from his nightstand, and after Annabeth read the letter, he explained everything to her.

“I can't believe them!” Annabeth exclaimed, still staring at the wand. “She wants to send just the two of you back in time to solve something that's clearly not our business?”

“In short, yes,” Percy smiled slightly at his fuming girlfriend.

“Don't smile! You have no reason to smile! You should be furious!”

“I'm sorry, I just can't be furious when you're so cute and worried about me” he kept smiling. Annabeth's frown turned to small smile as she pushed his shoulder. 

“I just can't believe they would do this to the two of you, of all people” she hugged him. “And you're taking it so lightly!” 

“It's not like I'm happy about it, you know? But what else are we supposed to do?”

Percy could practically see the gears turning inside Annabeth's head, trying to come up with some clever solution so he wouldn't have to leave. He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. 

“There's no way out of this, Annabeth. Jennifer and I understand that, and I know you do too.”

“I know” Annabeth accepted. “Doesn't mean it's fair.”

“Yeah. But I'll get through it. Before you know it, you'll have me back here again, right next to you.”

After a moment of comfortable silence staring at each other's eyes, Annabeth smiled a bit. 

“Do you think you'll come back with a sexy British accent?” 

Percy couldn't control his laughter. “What's wrong with my New York accent?”

“It is just not as sexy as a British one.”

Percy laughed again and kissed her briefly. “I'll see what I can do.”

Annabeth laughed and kissed him again. “C'mon. Let's go to the beach until Jennifer is finished with Nico.”

“How did you-?”

“Daughter of Athena, Seaweed Brain. Never forget that.”

Hand in hand, they walked to the beach. Percy couldn't help the rush of emotions that swirled around his body. Since they'd met, he had never been away from Annabeth more than a year. He didn't know if he'd be able to cope. 

Summers, he thought. If they did a good job during school periods, he could always bargain summers with Hecate. 

With new resolve, he smiled widely and grabbed Annabeth by the waist. 

“What do you-” the blonde girl started, smiling at him. 

“Nothing. I just love you very much. And I'll see you soon.”

“I love you too, Percy” Annabeth smiled sweetly. They kissed for a while, but then Percy tossed her over his shoulder and ran into the ocean. Water washed over them completely, and Percy created a large bubble around them. 

“Seaweed Brain!” the daughter of Athena laughed. 

“Not sorry” he smirked, before kissing her again, and again, and again.

•••

The group meeting went as well as it could've been expected. Jason and Piper were quite pissed. Emily wanted to kill Jennifer for not telling her earlier. Sam wanted to kill her too, but he was better at controlling his emotions and it wasn't as obvious. Will immediately started giving them First Aid advice, completely forgetting that the siblings could heal themselves with water. Frank and Hazel seemed sad over the IM, and Reyna wasn't pleased at all with the news that the closest thing she had to a little sister was being forced to leave her home behind for seven long years. 

They had to wrap it up for dinner. Hazel, Frank and Reyna promised they would try to be there in the morning. 

Dinner wasn't that bad, but the campfire afterwards was tense. As the first round of s'mores was being eaten, Chiron announced the quest to the rest of the campers, and the general response about a new threat was not enthusiastic. 

“Don't you guys have a prophecy or something?” Malcolm asked. 

“Uh, yeah, we do, actually. We just... Haven't read it yet” Percy scratched the back of his neck. 

 “What?” their friends turned to them. A few of them, especially Annabeth and Nico, appeared to be contemplating murder.

“We can read it now, if you want” Jennifer offered, as she stood up and walked next to Chiron to face everyone. She had told Percy she would take the roll with her, since she had been expecting questions about it. There was a collective «Do it» from a bunch of campers.

«Do you want me to read it?» she asked Percy, staring at him. 

«Does it really make a difference?» he shrugged. 

“Okay. Here it is” she announced. She unrolled the parchment paper and read out loud. 

«The children of the sea shall travel East and aid those in need. They shall master a new form magic to help regain peace. For seven years, they shall prepare themselves and their new allies for the battle ahead. They shall face new enemies as the past hunts as well. Their own fears and weaknesses they must beat in order to succeed.»   

Silence took over Camp Half-Blood for a moment, as everyone processed the information. As far as prophecies went, it actually wasn't that bad. It definitely wasn't the worst one Percy had been given. There also wasn't a lot to guess, except for the last two lines. Of course, it still wasn't good. No one liked battles, facing enemies, or overcoming fears and weaknesses. That meant they would have to go through some stuff.

“That wasn't ominous at all” a guy from the Hermes cabin spoke.

“Yeah, how can you only get that for a seven years quest? It's vaguer than anything we've heard before!” a kid of Ares added.

“Well, it's true it's vague” Percy agreed, rising to his feet and joining his sister. “But at least we will always have an upper hand.” He looked at Jennifer to continue. 

“Well, duh” she agreed and smiled, trying to look confident. “I mean, we will be the only wizard demigods. That has to beat any ordinary wizard.”

“And if this Voldemort guy thinks he can do anything to us, well, he better think again, right?” Percy smiled. 

Several campers responded with cheers. 

“In a few weeks, we will be back here celebrating yet another victory” he continued. “I know we will be missed, so what do you think about saying goodbye with a friendly Capture the Flag?”

Now, everyone cheered loudly, standing up and looking excited. 

“Percy and I have plenty of bonding time ahead of us, so in the spirits of not getting bored of each other, I think tonight's team should be Team Percy versus Team Jennifer” Jennifer suggested, turning back to Percy and smiling wickedly. “What do you think?”

Once again, everyone cheered. If Percy and Jennifer were good at something, it had to be rallying up the troops. Percy turned to Jennifer and smiled back. 

“I think you're just got yourself into a whole lot of trouble.”

“We'll see about that” Jennifer held up her sword and the campers cheered.