I DO NOT OWN THE PJO/HoO SERIES!!! ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO RICK RIORDAN!!

Chapter 1

"Happy Birthday!" Sally Jackson cried to her two children, gathering them in a hug.

Both Celeste and Percy Jackson were smiling stupid grins.

"4 years old. I can't believe you two are all grown up!" Sally said.

Together, Percy and Celeste blew out the candles on the blue birthday cake.

Their presents were even better.

"This one's for Percy." Sally said, handing her son a big box with a blue bow on the top.

Percy dove into the present. Wrapping paper flew everywhere and the ribbon whacked Celeste in the face.

She laughed as her brother mumbled, "Sorry."

Then, he pulled out an action figure out of his box. It was a ninja wearing a tight, black suit and a mask. It even came with a mini plastic sword.

Percy jumped up and down and rammed his mother into a hug.

"Alright, your turn Celeste." Sally said, handing Celeste a similar box.

Celeste held the box to her face and studied it. She noticed Percy's look of anticipation.

Quickly, she unwrapped her present.

Inside, was a seashell.

It was pearly white with tiny blue diamonds bedazzled onto it. The diamonds spelled out the letter 'C', for Celeste.

Celeste gasped. "Mommy, I love it!"

Sally squeezed Celeste into a hug and smiled. "I'm glad you like it honey. Now, who wants to watch Finding Nemo?"

Percy's hand shot up as he jumped up and down on his chair, shouting, "I do! I do! I do!"

•••

Later that night, Celeste found herself snuggled beside Percy in a sleeping bag.

They watched the movie while eating blue popcorn.

Percy, of course, kept shouting at the screen. "Just keep swimming! Look out for the whale! Jump! Swim, Nemo, swim!!"

Celeste tried not to laugh at him.

Even though they were both four years old, Celeste still felt older and more responsible for Percy.

The movie had almost reached the credits when Celeste saw Percy, fast asleep. Saliva was coming out of the corner of his mouth and Celeste had to laugh.

She brushed a kiss on his forehead and ruffled his black hair, making him stir and mutter in his sleep.

Closing her eyes, Celeste let herself fall asleep as well.

•••

When Celeste woke the next morning, she was ankle deep in water.

Percy was still asleep beside her, the water constantly lapping at his face as he lay on the floor.

"Mommy!" Celeste cried out.

Sally ran into the room immediately. Apparently, the water had flooded the whole house.

"What happened?" Celeste asked.

"I think-the sink came on and didn't stop. Leaky pipe or something." Her mom said. "Wake your brother up and get a mop please."

Celeste did as she was told.

"Percy. Wake up." Celeste mumbled. She shook Percy's shoulder until his eyes fluttered open.

He blinked sleepily at her and sat up groggily.

"What time is it?" He mumbled.

"I don't know. Now get up, we had a leak." Celeste explained.

Percy nodded and went to help Celeste to mop up the water.

As they worked, Celeste could overhear her mother in the other room.

"I understand you're busy, but she's getting out of control. She's too powerful. I thought you said their powers weren't supposed to come in until about 12 or maybe even 10 years old at the earliest, NOT FOUR YEARS OLD!" Sally's voice screamed.

A man's voice answered, "Sally, I understand the girl is powerful, but that's no reason-"

"She flooded my house! I-I don't want Percy living around her if she keeps doing this. I know she can't control it, but she's going to get herself, me, and Percy hurt one day. She has to go!"

"Sally-" the man said calmly.

"Don't Sally me! It's either you get her or she goes out on the streets! Your choice!"

"She's a child!"

"She's a monster!"

There was an abrupt silence. Celeste didn't know what the conversation was about, but one glance at Percy told her that he couldn't hear any of it.

"Sally," the man said quietly. "Wait a few more years, then maybe we'll see. She's still young."

"No. She has to go now. I wanted them both to have a normal life, but it's obvious Celeste can't. It'll just have to be Percy and me." Sally said.

Celeste nearly fainted.

"Percy?" Celeste called to her brother, fighting tears.

"Hmm?" He asked, looking up from his mopping job.

"I don't think mommy wants me anymore." Celeste said.

Percy cocked his head in confusion, his sea green eyes large and full of curiosity.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean-" Celeste began.

"Celeste." Sally interrupted from behind them.

Celeste looked up at her mother quickly and begged herself not to cry.

"Get your things, you have to go somewhere." Sally said.

"Where am I going?" Celeste asked.

"You'll find out." Sally said sadly.

Celeste ran to the room she shared with Percy, flopped on the bed and let the tears flow.

•••

Later that evening, there was a knock at the door.

Celeste and Percy had been playing Go Fish.

When the knock came, Celeste stiffened.

"Hey," Percy said, putting an arm around Celeste's shoulder. "It's okay. I'm sure you'll be home real soon."

Celeste nodded solemnly.

For four year olds, Percy and Celeste were very mature.

Sally ran up behind the two kids and answered the door.

Celeste smelt cookies in the oven. It made her heart clench in agony.

When the door opened, a man stood there.

He looked young, but had age in his eyes. He was smiling down at Celeste.

"Hello there." He said, crouching down so he could be eye level with her.

Celeste recognized his voice as the man her mom was talking to earlier.

The recognition made her take a step back in fear.

"Where is she going, mommy?" Percy asked.

Sally looked at Percy and smiled. "Don't worry Percy, you won't even know she's gone."

This seemed to reassure Percy, but it made Celeste explode with anxiety.

"Well, I think you should say goodbye to your mother and your brother, Celeste." The man said.

Celeste nodded, still not saying a word.

She wrapped her small arms around her mother and muttered a goodbye.

When she reached Percy, tears threatened to spill out again.

Then she tackled him, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly and hoping to never let go, to always be with her little brother.

"I swear Percy, I will always be there for you. I will always protect you. Only death will keep me away from you." Celeste whispered into her brother's ear.

Percy flinched in surprise. "You make it sound like you're not coming back." Percy said, trying for a smile.

One of Celeste's tears splattered onto Percy's shirt.

"I'll miss you, Percy. I'll call you as much as I can." Celeste said.

Percy blinked as if now realizing the truth in Celeste's words.

"Let's go, Celeste." The man at the door said.

He pulled Celeste out by the arm, dragging her outside.

"Wait!" Percy called.

But the door was already closed.