Chapter Text
Percy was so bored right. He was trying really hard to stay focused on what Mr. Brunner was talking about, but his ADHD was going crazy. He felt an elbow jab him in the side. He glanced over and saw one of his best friends, Grover, trying to get him to focus once more. He let a commiserating grin that Grover shared with him. He looked to his other side and saw that at least Aaron, his oldest and best friend, was paying attention for both of them. He also had the best handwriting out of the trio, so he handled the notetaking for them.
Aaron was on the tall side for being thirteen years old, about five feet two with golden blonde hair that he always kept short. His bright blue eyes would glance up to Mr. Brunner, sparkling with interest. He always enjoyed learning about mythology, especially Greek and Roman Myths, the giant nerd. Despite his ADHD, he somehow managed to keep some of the highest grades in the school. He was the only reason that Percy wasn't failing literally every class.
"Who can explain what is occurring in this relief? Mr. Jackson?" Mr. Brunner asked. He seemed to enjoy pushing for Percy to be the best despite everything.
Percy looked up and studied the image for a few moments, spotting Aaron giving him an encouraging look.
"It's an image of Kronos eating his children." Percy answered confidently. Mr. Brunner gave him a small smile and a nod.
"Why did Kronos eat his children?" Mr. Brunner said, ignoring the disgust from the other students in their group. Aaron raised his hand, certain about the answer.
"Kronos was the King of the Gods..." Percy started before he grimaced.
"The Gods?" Mr. Brunner questioned.
"Sorry. Titans. He got a prophecy that one of his children would eventually overthrow him. He did it to avoid his fate but one of his children escaped, Zeus. Zeus eventually tricked Kronos to throw up his siblings still in Kronos' stomach. He gathered the gods and fought against him, overthrowing him and fulfilling the prophecy." Percy replied. Aaron gave him a beaming smile, proud of his answer despite his mistake.
"Good and why is this important to know?" Mr. Brunner asked, something gleaming in his eyes. Percy frowned as he thought about it, seeing that Aaron was also slightly annoyed with Mr. Brunner picking on Percy it seemed.
"Because the more Kronos fought against his fate, the more he made it happen." Percy said, not nearly as confident with this answer as his others.
"Hmm. Close but not perfect I suppose. Well on that happy note, I think it is time for us to head outside and have lunch." Mr. Brunner said. The rest of class walked quickly out of the museum, Percy spotting Mr. Brunner looking at what was a grave marker of some kind. He had a sad expression, almost like he knew the girl depicted in the marker.
The whole group was spread out around the large fountain in front of the museum. Aaron, Grover, and Percy all sitting together, talking about their plans for the summer break that was just a few months or so away. Percy's and Aaron's plan was to spend as much time away from Percy's place as they could. They both hated Smelly Gabe as did Aaron's dad Tom. Grover was vague about how he would be working at a summer camp, which annoyed Aaron.
Aaron would talk about how he thought that Grover was keeping a lot from them. Percy agreed but would also point out that they didn't talk about Gabe much either. Aaron would let the subject drop for the time, returning to focus on their sword practice.
Aaron and Percy had bonded instantly when Percy saw Aaron and his dad practicing in Central Park one day, three years ago. Percy and his mom, Sally Jackson, had been in the park, avoiding Gabe and enjoying the beautiful day. Percy had been so enthralled with watching the father and son practicing that he had walked over and asked if they could teach him how to do that. From that day on, Percy and Aaron were in-separatable. Tom would have Percy over so often that he considered Tom his uncle, teaching everything about how to fight, heal, and everything that a father should have taught Percy.
Percy was knocked out of his mussing when he heard the cruel laughter of Nancy Bobofit as she dumped her half-eaten lunch on Grover's head. She constantly would pick on the trio with Grover being her main target due to him needing crutches to get around. Percy and Aaron both made to get up before Grover grabbed both of their arms.
"Don't. You'll only get in trouble." Grover muttered as he glanced at the other chaperone on the trip, Ms. Dodds. The ancient Algebra teacher that seemed to hate Percy instantly but praised Nancy like she was saint. Aaron, who normal was respectful and polite, would simply glare at the teacher during class and ignore if she called on him.
"Yeah. Best listen to your little friend. Not like you can afford more detentions." Nancy taunted the two. Aaron could probably handle the detentions on his records, but Percy would most likely be blamed. Percy glared at her as he felt some sort of tug in his gut. One second Nancy was taunting them, the next she was splashing in the fountain.
Aaron turned a confused looked at Percy before reaching over to grab Nancy out of the fountain.
"What is going on here?" Ms. Dodds questioned, seemingly appearing from the other side of the courtyard in an instant.
"They pushed me into the fountain." Nancy wailed. Aaron looked tempted to shove her back into the fountain.
"You must have just tripped." Aaron said, his eyes saying that he didn't believe that.
"I see. Mr. Jackson. Mr. Morgan. Follow me." Ms. Dodds demanded, turning on her heels to head back towards the museum.
"They didn't do anything. It was all me." Grover spoke up, pale and glancing nervously towards Mr. Brunner who was engrossed with his book.
"That I doubt, Mr. Underwood. Mr. Jackson and Mr. Morgan. Follow me, now." Mrs. Dodds said harshly. Nancy sneered at the two who glared at her.
"Come on. Let's just get this over with." Aaron muttered as he stuck his hands in his pockets. Grover was still begging with Percy to go get Mr. Brunner.
"It'll be fine Grover. The worst she'll do is just give us detention. If you're really that worried, just let Mr. Brunner know what happened." Percy said as he pulled his arm out of Grover's tight grip. The two looked up and saw that Mrs. Dodds was already waiting for them at the front of the museum. They traded a look, surprised at how fast the old teacher could move so quickly.
The duo quickly jogged up to the front, following Ms. Dodds, expecting to have to get a new shirt for Nancy at the gift shop. Imagine their confusion when they continued to walk back to the Ancient Greek section, Mrs. Dodds stopping in front of the relief of Kronos, not looking at the two. Aaron's eyes narrowed, confused on what was going on and why she left so many students unattended with just one teacher.
"You two have been causing us quite a bit of trouble." Mrs. Dodds said simply, still not looking at them. Aaron and Percy looked at one another, frowning.
"Yes ma'am." Percy said after the silence began to get awkward.
"Did either of you think you would get away with it for so long?" Mrs. Dodds asked, finally looking away from the relief. Both Aaron and Percy got the feeling she was talking about something else than pushing Nancy into a fountain.
"Um. What are you talking about?" Aaron asked, starting to get really freaked out by the questioning.
"Don't play stupid. If you return what has been stolen, your punishment will be that much kinder." Ms. Dodds said. Aaron and Percy's rage began to boil. They might be a lot of things, but they are not thieves.
"We didn't steal anything!" Percy shouted at her, eyes darkening like the sky on the seas before a storm.
"I see. I had hope to give you a fair chance, but since you have refused, you will both suffer." Ms. Dodds sneered as her form began to morph into some kind of winged monster. Her fingers changed into long talons, her leathery wings lifting her up in the air.
The two young boys stood there, frozen in shock, not able to understand what was happening. Ms. Dodds, or rather the monster that was Ms. Dodds, began to fly towards them, claws outstretched to tear them apart.
"Tally ho, Percy!" Mr. Brunner called out, throwing the sword that he commonly brought out for his tournament days in class. Percy plucked the sword easily, twirling the sword and shifting into his typical sword stance. Ms. Dodds forward momentum prevented her from dodging the sword that cut through her body, turning her into a cloud of golden dust that vanished.
"What the hell was that?" Aaron questioned as he collapsed to the floor, panting now that the immediate danger had passed. Percy looked down and saw that he was now carrying a pen that you could get from some novelty store.
"Hell if I know. Let's get back to the group." Percy said as he helped pulling Aaron up. The two swiftly returned to the front of the museum, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.
"I hope Ms. Kerr threw the book at you." Nancy sneered at them. Both Percy and Aaron shared a confused look.
"Who?' The two questioned.
"Ha. I knew you two were dumb but not that dumb. Our Algebra teacher since the winter break." Nancy said as she walked away to join the other students gathering.
"Ah. Mr. Jackson. There you are. We are going to be leaving soon. Ah, if I could perhaps have my pen returned. Do be sure to remember to bring your own." Mr. Brunner said as he plucked the pen out of Percy's numb fingers. Aaron was glaring at the man, opening his mouth to demand some kind of answer. Percy stepped on his foot, realizing that demanding anything wouldn't get them anywhere.
"You two ok? I hope Ms. Kerr wasn't too hard on you?" Grover said as he hobbled up to the two. He still seemed pale and shaking. Aaron narrowed his eyes once again, something telling him that Grover knew more than he was telling just like Mr. Brunner.
"What happened to Ms. Dodds, our Algebra teacher?" Percy questioned. Mr. Bruner's poker face was excellent but Grover's sucked.
"Who? I think you two have been out in the heat for too long. Ms. Kerr has been your Algebra teacher since the winter break. We really do need to getting back to the school buses now." Mr. Brunner said as he turned his wheelchair around and heading towards the rest of their group.
"Come on guys before we get into anymore trouble." Grover said, not meeting either of their eyes.
The two locked eyes, realizing several things at once. They weren't crazy, Grover and Mr. Brunner knew the truth, and something big was going on. Aaron always did enjoy a good puzzle to solve. They came to a mutual agreement.
If nobody would tell them the truth, they would just have to solve it themselves.