Percy Jackson's Twin Sister

Pandora's Vase

Percy was in the infirmary with Annabeth. I was sitting outside the door when Travis finds me. I hadn't seen him in about two hours.

"Where have you been?" I ask, "you had me so worried!"

"I stole some medicine from multiple stores," says Travis.

"I'm just glad your ok. Percy's in there with Annabeth," I say.

"Wait! What's wrong with Annabeth?" Asks Travis.

"She got shot with a poison arrow," I say, "but she going to be ok."

Travis gives me a kiss. We pull apart and he looks me in eyes. He ruffles my hair before pulling me back in. I hear the door open and Travis and I pull away awkwardly. Silena runs by us but not before she gives us a quirky smile.

"By the way, your dad said to tell you he really does love you," I tell him.

I turn and see Conner turn the corner. I pat the seat next to me signaling him to sit down next to me.

Travis grasps my hand and Conner puts his arm around me.

"We're all going to be fine," I say trying to convince myself.

"Percy's going to be fine Pheebs. And if he does die he's ok with it," says Conner.

"But I'm not. I can barely be away from him knowing I'll see him again," I say with a tear.

Percy runs out of Annabeth's room.

"Pheebs, something's up with grover," says Percy, " come on."

I look at Travis and Conner.

"I love you two so much. I have to go I'm sorry," I say.

"Its ok. You didn't choose this," says Conner.

"I don't deserve you two," I say running away towards my brother.

I get outside and see grover dressed in armor.

"I did what you said. I collected forces and went after Morpheus. We ran into packs of giants at fort Washington. The river spirits drowned the giants in the end but losses were heavy. Twenty satyrs died," says Grover with a tear.

"It gets worse," says Thalia.

I don't even know where she came from.

"Thalia? The hunters of Artemis are here?" I ask.

"You didn't think we'd miss the fun did you? We sealed the subway tunnels into Manhattan, but Kronos's forces are still gathering. I think he's waiting for a night attack. Most of his monsters are powerful at night," Thalia says.

"And the way Kronos showed up at Williamsburg bridge, it's like he knew where our weakest point would be. His spy is still sending him info," I say.

"There's a spy?" Asks Thalia.

"Someone inside camp half-blood. It could be any of us. But we can't obsess about that now. If we're suspicious of each other we'll tear each other apart," says Percy.

"Phoebe, Percy, there's one more thing. On our way here there was a titan who wanted to talk to you two under a truce of a white flag," says Thalia, "he has a message from Kronos."

We approach the titan. He's tall and has dark red sunglasses on.

"Its a great honor to meet you two. I am Prometheus," the man says.

"The fire stealer? The chained to to a rock with vultures guy?" My brother says.

"Yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors. In return the the ever merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock to be tortured for all eternity," Prometheus says, "Hercules freed me. So you see, I have a soft part for you heroes. Some of you can be quite civilized. That is why I have come to end this bloodshed. Your piston is weak. You know you can't stop another assault. We know your numbers. We outnumber you twenty to one. And our forces grow. Tonight, Kronos will attack and you will be overwhelmed. You will retreat to the Empire State Building where you'll be destroyed. I've seen this. It will happen. I'm the titan of forethought."

"He's also the titan of crafty counsel. Emphasis on crafty," grover whispers.

"The hunters of Artemis will fight to our last breath. You two aren't seriously going to listen to this slime ball? Are you?" Asks Thalia.

"None of you need to be my enemy. I have always been a helper to mankind, whispering in your ear since the beginning of your existence. I represent your curiosity, your sense of exploration, your inventiveness. I gave you fire and mankind thrived. The gods punished me for it. They wish you to remain low," says Prometheus.

"Percy... he's playing with your mind. He's trying to get you angry," I tell him.

"Am I? Think about it. The gods know what is to come, and yet they do nothing, even for their children," Prometheus says.

I ball up my fists and look at him with anger and furry. He was good at playing with people minds and he's playing in my brothers fatal flaw. Which I guess also happens to be my fatal flaw but Percy has more at stake here.

"Did Hermes warn your friend Luke about his future? Not even with May Castellan's gift that became a curse. How long did it take them to tell you the prophecy?" Asks Prometheus.

I clench my fist tighter. I quickly realize that he wasn't just playing with my brothers fatal flaw but mine. He's messing with my twin which messes with me. He's playing on my loyalty to my own twin brother. I undo my fists and take breath.

"Kronos offers you a better deal. Surrender and he will spare this city. Kronos wants Olympus and nothing more," Prometheus says.

"Yeah?" Says Percy, "I'll give you a deal. Tell Kronos to call off his attack, leave Luke's body, and return to Tartarus. Then maybe I won't have to destroy him," Percy says.

"Your obstinance is regrettable. If you change your mind I have a gift for you. This belonged to my sister-in-law. Pandora," says Prometheus.

Prometheus makes a flash of light before holding a vase.

"As in Pandora's box?" I say.

"I don't know how this box business got started. It was never a box. It was a pithos or a storage jar. But yes she did open this jar, which contained most of the demons that haunt mankind to this day. Fear, death, hunger, and only one remains," Prometheus says.

"Hope," my brother mumbles.

"Very good. Elpis, the spirit of hope, would not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without permission. She can only be released by a child of man. I give you this as a reminder of what the gods are like. Keep Elpis, if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough futile suffering then open this jar. Let Elpis go, give up hope, and I will know you are surrendering. I promise Kronos will be lenient. He will spare the survivors," Prometheus says.

My brother looks at me then back to Prometheus. Prometheus begins to walk away.

"Where are you going? I don't want this thing!" Percy says.

"To late. The gift had been given and it can't be taken back," Prometheus says, "we will se you two again soon. One way or another."

He walks away and we walk back to the building.

"What if Prometheus is right? What if the gods could've warned Luke and stopped all of this from happening?" Percy says.

"Perc, you can't start feeling sorry for Luke. All demigods have problems. Our parents are hardly ever there. Luke made bad choices on his own. Nobody forced him to change sides. To give himself to Kronos," I tell Percy.

"You're right. Grover, take the vase to mount Olympus. Give it to Hestia," says Percy.

"Why?" Grover asks.

"Because hope survives best at the hearth," Percy says.

"With Hestia guarding it we won't be tempted to give up," I say.

Grover runs off with the jar to take it to Hestia.

"It'll be night soon. Maybe our last night. Round up every warrior we have. We'll make our stand at Central Park," Percy says.

Thalia runs off to round people up.

"Percy, I love you so much," I say throwing my arms around his neck in a hug.

"It'll be ok Pheebs," he says hugging me back.

People keep telling me that but I just don't believe it.