the thunderbolt theft

Flying was bad enough for a son of Poseidon, but flying straight up to Zeus's palace, with thunder andlightning swirling around it, was even worse. We circled over midtown Manhattan, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. I'd only beenthere once before, traveling by elevator up to the secret six hundredth floor of the Empire State Building.

This time, if it was possible, Olympus amazed me even more. In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty differentcolors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were fullof demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carriedby Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here. I caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmineand roses and even sweeter things I couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the softsounds of lyres and reed pipes. Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods. Our pegasi set us down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before I could even think toknock, the gates opened bythemselves . Good luck, boss , Blackjack said. "Yeah."

I didn't know why, but I had a sense of doom. I'd never seen all the gods together. I knew anyone of them could blast me to dust, and a few of them would like to. Hey, if ya don't come back, can I have your cabin for my stable? I looked at the pegasus . Just a thought , he said. Sorry . Blackjack and his friends flew off, leaving Thalia, Annabeth, and me alone. For a minute we stood thereregarding the palace, the way we'd stood together in front of Westover Hall, what seemed like a millionyears ago. And then, side by side, we walked into the throne room. Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins atcamp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoe the Huntress, makingher way across the heavens with her bow drawn. All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall, and I'm telling you, ifyou've ever had a dozen all-powerful super-huge beings turn their eyes on you at once… Well, suddenly, facing monsters seemed like a picnic. "Welcome, heroes, " Artemis said. "Mooo!" That's when I noticed Bessie and Grover. A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimminghappily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. Heseemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble. Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw us, he cried, "You made it!" He started to run toward me, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked forpermission. "Go on, " Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staringintently at Thalia. Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marblefloor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled. I looked nervously at my father, Poseidon. He was dressed similar to the last time I'd seen him:

beachshorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. He had a weathered, suntanned face with a dark beard and deepgreen eyes. I wasn't sure how he would feel about seeing me again, but the corners of his eyes crinkledwith smile lines. He nodded as if to sayIt'sokay . Grover gave Annabeth and Thalia big hugs. Then he grasped my arms. "Percy, Bessie and I made it! Butyou have to convince them! They can't do it!" "Do what?"

I asked. "Heroes, " Artemis called. The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectlyat ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward us, her silver robes shimmering. Therewas no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight. "The Council has been informed of your deeds, " Artemis told us. "They know that Mount Othrys is risingin the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We havevoted to act."

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods, as if they weren't all happy with this plan, butnobody protested. "At my Lord Zeus's command, " Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerfulmonsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shallpersonally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. LordPoseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise shipPrincess Andromeda andsend it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…" She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Wouldany here deny that?"

She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-stripedsuit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautifulwoman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacockfeathers.

The Lady Hera. On Zeus's right, my father Poseidon. Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, amisshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus. Hermes winked at me. He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceusmobile phone. Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, so I wasn't sure he was even listening, but he gave me a thumbs-up. Dionysus looked bored, twirling agrape vine between his fingers. And Ares, well, he sat on his chrome-and-leather throne, glowering at mewhile he sharpened a knife. On the ladies' side of the throne room, a dark-haired goddess in green robes sat next to Hera on athrone woven of apple-tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. Next to her sat a beautifulgray-eyed woman in an elegant white dress. She could only be Annabeth's mother, Athena. Then therewas Aphrodite, who smiled at me knowingly and made me blush in spite of myself. All the Olympians in one place. So much power in this room it was a miracle the whole palace didn'tblow apart. "I gotta say"—Apollo broke the silence—"these kids did okay."

He cleared his throat and began torecite:

" Heroes win laurels—" "Um, yes, first class, " Hermes interrupted, like he was anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry."

All in favor ofnot disintegrating them?"

A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite. "Wait just a minute, " Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and me. "These two are dangerous. It'd bemuch safer, while we've got them here—" "Ares, " Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."

"Nor my daughter, " Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."

Thalia blushed. She studied the floor. I knew how she felt. I'd hardly ever talked to my father, much lessgotten a compliment. The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But thereis a security risk here with the other two."

"Mother!"Annabeth said. "How can you—" Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that Ifind ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods… such as Thalia andPercy… are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."

"Right!"Ares said. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin'—" He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down. "Oh, please, Ares, " Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later."

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want toprotect these brats?"

Dionysus gazed down at us wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest todestroy them?"

"I do not pass judgment, " Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."

"I will not have them punished, " Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who dous a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."

"Calm down, sis, " Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."

"Don't call me sis ! I will reward them."

"Well, " Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement onthat?"

A lot of nodding heads. It took me a second to realize what they were saying. Then my heart turned to lead. "Bessie? You wantto destroy Bessie?"

"Mooooooo!" Bessie protested. My father frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"

"Dad, " I said, "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him."

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably. "Percy, the monster's power is considerable. If the Titans were to stealit, or—" "You can't, " I insisted. I looked at Zeus. I probably should have been afraid of him, but I stared him rightin the eye. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus isinnocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as… as Kronos eating his children, justbecause of something they might do. It's wrong!" Zeus seemed to consider this. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia."

And what of the risk? Kronosknows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroyus. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says."

"You have to trust them, " Annabeth spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them."

Zeus scowled. "Trust a hero?"

"Annabeth is right, " Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward.

My faithful companion, ZoeNightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear. A feeling of panic seized me. "Annabeth, " I said under my breath. "Don't."

She frowned at me. "What?"

"Look, I need to tell you something, " I continued. The words came stumbling out of me. "I couldn't standit if… I don't want you to—" "Percy?"

she said. "You look like you're going to be sick."

And that's how I felt. I wanted to say more, but my tongue betrayed me. It wouldn't move because ofthe fear in my stomach. And then Artemis turned. "I shall have a new lieutenant, " she announced. "If she will accept it."

"No, " I murmured. "Thalia, " Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"

Stunned silence filled the room. I stared at Thalia, unable to believe what I was hearing. Annabethsmiled. She squeezed Thalia's hand and let it go, as if she'd been expecting this all along. "I will, " Thalia said firmly. Zeusrose , his eyes full of concern. "My daughter, consider well—" "Father, " she said. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy bemine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again."

She knelt before the goddess and began the words I remembered from Bianca's oath, what seemed likeso long ago. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men…" Afterward, Thalia did something that surprised me almost as much as the pledge. She came over to me, smiled, and in front of the whole assembly, she gave me a big hug. I blushed. When she pulled away and gripped my shoulders, I said, "Um… aren't you supposed to not do thatanymore? Hug boys, I mean?"

"I'm honoring a friend, " she corrected. "I must join the Hunt, Percy. I haven't known peace since… sinceHalf-Blood Hill. I finally feel like I have a home. But you're a hero. You will be the one of the prophecy."

"Great, " I muttered. "I'm proud to be your friend."

She hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. Then she even hugged Grover, who lookedready to pass out, like somebody had just given him an all-you-can-eat enchilada coupon. Then Thalia went to stand by Artemis's side. "Now for the Ophiotaurus, " Artemis said. "This boy is still dangerous, " Dionysus warned. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if wespare the boy—" "No."

I looked around at all the gods. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him underthe sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him."

"And why should we trust you?"

rumbled Hephaestus. "I'm only fourteen, " I said. "If this prophecy is about me, that's two more years."

"Two years for Kronos to deceive you, " Athena said. "Much can change in two years, my young hero."

"Mother!"Annabeth said, exasperated. "It is only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boy."

My father stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed, if I can help it. And Ican help it."

He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it:

a twenty foot long bronze shaft with three spear tipsthat shimmered with blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus."

"You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip inyour possession."

"Brother, please, " Poseidon sighed. Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, a shaft of electricity that filled the whole room with the smell ofozone. "Fine, " Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. Thecreature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for thison my honor."

Zeus thought about this."

All in favor?"

To my surprise, a lot of hands went up. Dionysus abstained. So did Ares and Athena. But everybodyelse… "We have a majority, " Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes… I imaginewe should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!" There are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties.

If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian. The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, and I realized the music was whatever you wanted it to be:

thegods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, and it was all thesame sound track. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up. Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walkedwith him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time. Nectar and ambrosiaoverflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowded the banquet tables. Goldengoblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans andenchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like anincantation:

"Pan! Pan!" Gods kept coming over to congratulate me. Thankfully, they had reduced themselves to human size, sothey didn't accidentally trample partygoers under their feet. Hermes started chatting with me, and he wasso cheerful I hated to tell him what had happened to his least-favorite son, Luke, but before I could evenget up the courage, Hermes got a call on his caduceus and walked away. Apollo told me I could drive his sun chariot any time, and if I ever wanted archery lessons— "Thanks, " I told him. "But seriously, I'm no good at archery."

"Ah, nonsense, " he said. "Target practice from the chariot as we fly over the U.

S.

? Best fun there is!" I made some excuses and wove through the crowds that were dancing in the palace courtyards. I waslooking for Annabeth. Last I saw her, she'd been dancing with some minor godling. Then a man's voice behind me said, "You won't let me down, I hope."

I turned and found Poseidon smiling at me. "Dad… hi."

"Hello, Percy. You've done well."

His praise made me uneasy. I mean, it felt good, but I knew just how much he'd put himself on the line, vouching for me. It would've been a lot easier to let the others disintegrate me. "I won't let you down, " I promised. He nodded. I had trouble reading gods' emotions, but I wondered if he had some doubts. "Your friend Luke—" "He's not my friend, " I blurted out. Then I realized it was probably rude to interrupt. "Sorry."

"Your former friend Luke, " Poseidon corrected. "He once promised things like that. He was Hermes'spride and joy. Just bear that in mind, Percy. Even the bravest can fall."

"Luke fell pretty hard, " I agreed. "He's dead."

Poseidon shook his head. "No, Percy. He is not."

I stared at him. "What?"

"I believe Annabeth told you this. Luke still lives. I have seen it. His boat sails from San Francisco withthe remains of Kronos even now. He will retreat and regroup before assaulting you again. I will do mybest to destroy his boat with storms, but he is making alliances with my enemies, the older spirits of theocean. They will fight to protect him."

"How can he be alive?"

I said. "That fall should've killed him!" Poseidon looked troubled. "I don't know, Percy, but beware of him. He is more dangerous than ever.

And the golden coffin is still with him, still growing in strength."

"What about Atlas?"

I said. "What's to prevent him from escaping again? Couldn't he just force somegiant or something to take the sky for him?"

My father snorted in derision. "If it were so easy, he would have escaped long ago. No, my son. Thecurse of the sky can only be forced upon a Titan, one of the children of Gaia and Ouranous. Anyone elsemust choose to take the burden of their own free will. Only a hero, someone with strength, a true heart, and great courage, would do such a thing. No one in Kronos's army would dare try to bear that weight, even upon pain of death."

"Luke did it, " I said. "He let Atlas go. Then he tricked Annabeth into saving him and used her toconvince Artemis to take the sky."

"Yes, " Poseidon said. "Luke is… an interesting case."

I think he wanted to say more, but just then, Bessie started mooing from across the courtyard. Somedemigods were playing with his water sphere, joyously pushing it back and forth over the top of thecrowd, "I'd better take care of that, " Poseidon grumbled. "We can't have the Ophiotaurus tossed around like abeach ball. Be good, my son. We may not speak again for some time."

And just like that he was gone. I was about to keep searching the crowd when another voice spoke. "Your father takes a great risk, youknow."

I found myself face-to-face with a gray-eyed woman who looked so much like Annabeth I almost calledher that. "Athena."

I tried not to sound resentful, after the way she'd written me off in the council, but I guess Ididn't hide it very well. She smiled dryly. "Do not judge me too harshly, half-blood. Wise counsel is not always popular, but Ispoke the truth. You are dangerous."

"You never take risks?"

She nodded. "I concede the point. You may perhaps be useful. And yet… your fatal flaw may destroyus as well as yourself."

My heart crept into my throat. A year ago, Annabeth and I had had a talk about fatal flaws. Every herohad one. Hers, she said, was pride. She believed she could do anything… like holding up the world, forinstance. Or saving Luke. But I didn't really know what mine was. Athena looked almost sorry for me. "Kronos knows your flaw, even if you do not. He knows how tostudy his enemies. Think, Percy. How has he manipulated you? First, your mother was taken from you.

Then your best friend, Grover.

Now my daughter, Annabeth."

She paused, disapproving. "In each case, your loved ones have been used to lure you into Kronos's traps. Your fatal flaw is personal loyalty, Percy. You do not know when it is time to cut your losses. To save a friend, you would sacrifice theworld. In a hero of the prophecy, that is very, very dangerous."

I balled my fists. "That's not a flaw. Just because I want to help my friends—" "The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation, " she said. "Evil is easy to fight.

Lack of wisdom… that is very hard indeed."

I wanted to argue, but I found I couldn't. Athena was pretty darn smart. "I hope the Council's decisions prove wise, " Athena said. "But I will be watching, Percy Jackson. I donot approve of your friendship with my daughter. I do not think it wise for either of you. And should youbegin to waver in your loyalties…" She fixed me with her cold gray stare, and I realized what a terrible enemy Athena would make, tentimes worse than Ares or Dionysus or maybe even my father. Athena would never give up. She wouldnever do something rash or stupid just because she hated you, and if she made a plan to destroy you, itwould not fail. "Percy!" Annabeth said, running through the crowd. She stopped short when she saw who I was talkingto. "Oh… Mom."

"I will leave you, " Athena said. "For now."

She turned and strode through the crowds, which parted before her as if she were carrying Aegis. "Was she giving you a hard time?"

Annabeth asked. "No, " I said. "It's… fine."

She studied me with concern. She touched the new streak of gray in my hair that matched hersexactly—our painful souvenir from holding Atlas's burden. There was a lot I'd wanted to say toAnnabeth, but Athena had taken the confidence out of me. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I do not approve of your friendship with my daughter. "So, " Annabeth said. "What did you want to tell me earlier?"

The music was playing. People were dancing in the streets. I said, "I, uh, was thinking we got interruptedat Westover Hall. And… I think I owe you a dance."

She smiled slowly. "All right, Seaweed Brain."

So I took her hand, and I don't know what everybody else heard, but to me it sounded like a slowdance:

a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too.

to be continued....