in "Pacific-Asian Immigrant and Refugee Women Who Kill Their Batterers: Telling Stories that Illustrate the Significance of Specificity" julia tolmie writes: the true significance of this evidence for the purpose of the accused's self-defence case is properly understood only when it is explicitly understood in light of her unique positioning.

this is an article written in 1997 and it details two trials - muy ky chhay, an immigrant woman from cambodia, and jai fong zhou, an immigrant woman from china. (if you're interested at all please give it a read, it's available for download if you search up the title) they were both put on trial for the murder or attempted murder of their husbands, their abusers. the article is compelling on a number of levels but one of the parts of this article that pierced me through was tolmie's centering of these women and their narratives and their testimonies. you can see throughout this article tolmie's commitment to foregrounding the stories of these women, you can see that she's done what she can to research and understand, to show them as individuals first. (i will never be sane about this, do you understand)

that is to say: riordan was much more radical twenty years ago.

i will not be comparing the cases of these women to sally jackson's fictional situation. that would diminish them, the reality of their cases.

but what i do want to do is use tolmie's methodology. i want to show the significance of specificity in sally jackson's case. tolmie organizes her article into sections, and i wanted to take a few of them to look at sally jackson. so. without further ado:

1. the accused's credibility

sally jackson has no family, no one to vouch for her. it is clear throughout the lightning thief that she's isolated - and this is in contrast to gabe, who is surrounded by his poker friends constantly. she got her diploma late because she couldn't finish high school due to needing to take care of her uncle with cancer, who then died leaving her with nothing. she was young when she had percy, and never married the man who fathered him.

in the eyes of this world, sally jackson would be often overlooked, dismissed, disdained. she wanted to be a novelist, she had passion and ambition, but these were beaten down by the world. she barely got her high school degree, there's no chance that she, a single mother, gets a high paying job, so she's working at a candy shop. a job that whether or not she enjoys was not what she'd worked towards. audre lorde speaks about the difficulty of working women to write novels in "age, race, class, and sex" because of the material demands of that process. sally jackson cannot write a novel - she's working a job that cannot possibly pay her enough for her and percy to survive in new york and she's a single mother caring for a child that the schools will often describe as "a troubled kid."

not only that - sally jackson finds it difficult to make friends, because percy is not a normal child. he's a demigod. those first few years, though we don't know much about them, must have been terrifying. she's in contact with camp, chiron probably advises her to give up her son so they can stop attracting monsters, but she refuses. she calls this choice selfish. but it is so increasingly clear that percy is one of the only bright and joyful parts left in her life, that percy is who she lives for.

she chose percy. chose to raise him, chose to protect him, chose to keep him close.

2. evidence of the deceased's violence

gabe ugliano (the name is on the nose and i'm living for it) is the manager of the electronics mega-mart in queens (i have no clue what this company is but ok) he clearly has more money than sally, and i would venture to assume that the lease for the apartment is also in his name (though i also assume that sally is paying for a good amount of that apartment). that is to say, gabe has significantly more power and "respectability" in the eyes of society than sally. he's probably the reason that they're financially afloat. despite all of this, despite the fact that gabe has a clearly expensive car, he does not ever offer to cover sally's financial situation. she's still working a likely minimum wage job even though it is probably that gabe could support all three of them with his.

it is evident, from percy's first interaction with him in the books, that gabe is financially controlling and greedy. he's not stupid (at least in this regard); he works out (with an ease that implies habit) exactly how much money percy likely has. and then he takes it. it is likely that gabe also does this to sally. it is likely that he knows exactly how much money sally makes and regularly attempts to control how much she can save (think: the money for montauk came out of sally's "clothes budget"). he restricts her movement ("my mom and I hadn’t been to montauk the last two summers, because gabe said there wasn’t enough money.")

when sally returns from the underworld, gabe forces her to work to make up for the month's salary she "lost."

this is also when percy realizes that gabe hits his mother. canonically, gabe physically abuses sally. can we assume that maybe sally has been taking hits for percy? perhaps. it is clear that percy didn't realize that gabe was physically violent towards his mother, so i assume that gabe never hit percy. we don't know the extent of his physical violence. we don't need to; regardless sally jackson is in a situation where that threat of physical violence is constantly hanging over her head.

3. the accused's options in dealing with the deceased's violence

sally stays with gabe because of a myriad of reasons, most relating to what i have described above in section 2 but also, crucially, because of the protection he offers percy due to his smell.

sally isn't weak-willed. she isn't irrational. she might plead with percy to not antagonize gabe, but that's survival instinct. she understands pretty clearly her situation.

she knows how difficult it is for a single mother to survive on her own with a child. she knows how impossible it would be to do so with a child of the big three, without combat skills, without the disguise of humanness. perhaps she's resigned herself to the fact that there is no other way. perhaps she thinks that this is punishment for keeping percy close.

she cannot divorce him; he'd oppose that, and he has the financial means to hire a lawyer. and after divorce, where would she go? without the means to support herself and percy, without a support network, what options does she have?

she cannot leave, cannot call the police. she still needs to take care of percy, she still needs a place to stay.

and yet, despite all of this, at the end of the book sally makes the choice to kill gabe. she takes back agency into her own hands, and despite the financial uncertainty, despite all of the reasons that she couldn't leave, she takes her life into her own hands. not only that, but his death leads to her financial liberation.

perhaps this was due to percy finally ending up at camp, finally having that concrete safety net to fall back on. perhaps this was because gabe threatened to call the police on percy, perhaps this was because gabe fueled the terrorist accusations, perhaps any number of things.

all this to say. somehow, riordan, a white cis man, twenty years ago, managed to capture in sally jackson something real. he managed to show the structural inequities that she faced, her lack of options, and gabe's abuse in a book meant for children. in a book meant for twelve-year-olds.

and this was without explicitly showing any physical violence from gabe.

sally jackson's story is engaging because we understand somehow, despite the majority of us condemning murder, why she killed her abuser. we understand that this isn't just a toxic relationship, that this isn't a situation that sally can just leave, that both real and fantastical forces combined compel her to stay, and we cheer for her.

i want to end this unfortunately long post with a quote from tolmie, from the article i started off with:

"It has been suggested that women rarely succeed in arguing self-defense because legal doctrines and notions of what is "reasonable" do not encompass the realities of women's lives."

Don't get me wrong, Percy is angry at the gods, especially after everything that happened in Heroes of Olympus. He understands Luke's hatred, and he knows that the gods suck.

No debate there.

But one aspect that is criminally underappreciated about Percy in this fandom, is that he is a genuinely kind and empathetic person; it has been fundamentally ingrained in his character ever since the first book. I’d go as far as to say that he is one of the kindest characters in all of Rick’s works. And he is protective of his fellow demigods, and especially his friends.

Even if he were to turn against the gods, which he first of all wouldn't, because he knows the consequences of that decision, there is no possible scenario, where Percy Jackson would ever be okay with killing or using other demigods to archieve his goals, especially if they are younger than him.

No matter how much he goes through, no matter how far he is pushed, there is no possible reality where he’d ever set a poisonous scorpion on a twelve-year-old child or trick a fourteen year old girl into holding the sky, and that is the biggest difference between Percy Jackson and Luke Castellan.

Like people can justify Percy's hate to Luke all they want, but that's not cause of his attempt of killing him or all this story with Annabeth, let's be real.

Not to Ethan, not to Alabaster, not really even to Luke (but to Hermes, one of the main factors of Luke becoming how he is). Not to Nico, not to Nemesis. Seriously, list people outside of his main group of friends and family that he shows any kindness, empathy, and understanding towards.

I know @justaneedle doesn't mean any disrespect, but I sorta do. What kindness? What empathy? Percy legit only genuinely cares about a handful of people and turns on others at the drop of a hat. He turns on Nico, he has no regard nor respect for Ethan or Nemesis, he sees no issue in Alabaster's unwarranted banishment, Percy has legit killed more demigods than supposed big bad Kronos and he sees nothing wrong with it, he doesn't even acknowledge it.

The one and only reason Percy won't turn out like Luke is because he doesn't actually care about his kind as a whole, he cares about his select group of friends and took no issue in slaughtering others outside his group. Percy isn't going to turn against the gods, the source of all the problems in their universe, because the people he actually gives a damn about are loyal to the gods. Sally, Annabeth, Grover, and Chiron won't turn on them, so why would Percy - that isn't a good thing what so ever.

Wanna know who the kindest character in all of PJO? Jason Grace. Kind, empathetic, cares about demigod kind and his friends in equal measure, and you won't see him treating someone like crap over surface level crap (Ethan, Nico, and every other demigod Percy has treated poorly despite being oh so empathetic and kind - where).

Okay. You asked for this.

So, I’m actually going to take this a step further.

Don’t worry. I am certainly going to list several instances where Percy has been kind, empathetic and understanding towards people outside of his close circle of friends and family, a list, that certainly also includes Luke, Ethan and especially Nico.

But I am also going to list instances, where he interacted with close friends or family members for three different reasons:

 the way you treat your friends and family, says actually a lot about your character

I’m not quite sure who exactly you’re counting as his “Main group of friends and family”

Percy wasn’t always friends with the characters I would personal now include in this close circle, like Annabeth, Thalia, Clarisse or Zoe, for example. At the beginning their relationships were quite strained.

And, I’m not only going to list these moments, but I’m also going to cite them.

Before that though, I should probably explain my personal understanding of the words kindness and empathy.

Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Kindness: The quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people. Examples of someone acting kind include giving someone your seat, offering to help carry bags, donating to charity, and showing gratitude. Other acts of kindness can involve saying kind words, giving compliments, volunteering, standing up for other people or simply being respectful. In the context of the Percy Jackson books, I would also include instances, where someone risks his own life, to protect someone else, or simply the desire to save someone else’s life.

You also said, he doesn’t actually “care about his kind as a whole”. I wasn’t quite sure if you meant humans, demigods, or beings related to the ocean, so I’ve decided to also include instances of Percy caring about all three of these groups at the end of this post.

This only goes until the end of the last Olympian, because, otherwise, this here would become way too long.

Grover:

All year long, I’d gotten in fights, keeping bullies away from him. I’d lost sleep worrying that he’d get beaten up next year without me. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 2)

My head felt like it was splitting open. I was weak and scared and trembling with grief I’d just seen my mother vanish. I wanted to lie down and cry, but there was Grover, needing my help, so I managed to haul him up and stagger down into the valley, toward the lights of the farmhouse. I was crying, calling for my mother, but I held on to Grover-I wasn’t going to let him go. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 4)

Grover was still sniffling. The poor kid-poor goat, satyr, whatever looked as if he expected to be hit. I said, “It wasn’t your fault.” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 5)

“Grover won’t get in too much trouble, will he?” I asked Chiron. “I mean … he was a good protector. Really.” Chiron sighed. He shed his tweed jacket and draped it over his horses back like a saddle. “Grover has big dreams, Percy. Perhaps bigger than are reasonable. To reach his goal, he must first demonstrate great courage by succeeding as a keeper, finding a new camper and bringing him safely to Half-Blood Hill.” “But he did that!” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 6)

I wanted to protest. None of what happened was Grover’s fault. I also felt really, really guilty. If I hadn’t given Grover the slip at the bus station, he might not have gotten in trouble. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 6)

The chances of you getting a quest… and even if you did, why would you want me along?” “Of course I’d want you along!” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 8)

“I can’t talk about it,” Grover said, and his quivering lower lip suggested he’d start crying if I pressed him. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 12)

She sacrificed herself to save us,” he said miserably, “Her death was my fault. The Council of Cloven Elders said so.” “Because you wouldn’t leave two other half-bloods behind?” I said. “That’s not fair.” (…) “It’s not luck that you found Thalia and me, Grover. You’ve got the biggest heart of any satyr ever. You’re a natural searcher. That’s why you’ll be the one who finds Pan.” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 16)

Clarisse and Grover tried to charge him, but the monster swatted them aside like flies. My anger swelled… Nobody was going to swat down my friends like that! (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 15)

This year, with Chiron putting all the satyrs on emergency duty to find half-bloods, Grover hadn't been able to continue his search. It must've been driving him nuts. "I've let the trail go cold," he said. "I feel restless, like I'm missing something really important. He's out there somewhere. I can just feel it." I didn't know what to say. I wanted to encourage him, but I didn't know how. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 7)

"Percy, I'm so sorry!" Grover said, sitting next to me on the bunk. "I didn't know they'd—that you'd—Honest!" He started to sniffle, and I figured if I didn't cheer him up he'd either start bawling or chewing up my mattress. He tends to eat household objects whenever he gets upset. "It's okay," I lied. "Really. It's fine." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 7)

He sniffled. "Do you think anybody else would be my best friend?" "Ah, Grover…" He wiped under his eyes with an oily cloth that left his face grimy, like he had on war paint. "I'm… I'm okay." But he wasn't okay. Ever since the encounter in New Mexico—whatever had happened when that wild wind blew through—he seemed really fragile, even more emotional than usual. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 14)

Then it dawned on me what he was saying, and my throat felt searing hot again. “Your deadline with the Council of Cloven Elders.” Grover put the TV remote in his mouth and crunched off the end of it. “I’m out of time,” he said with a mouthful of plastic. “As soon as I go back, they’ll take away my searcher’s license. I’ll never be allowed to go out again.” “We’ll talk to them,” I promised. “Make them give you more time.” Grover swallowed. “They’ll never go for it. The world is dying, Percy. What you did today— saving the ranch animals from Geryon—that was amazing. I—I wish I could be more like you.” “Hey,” I said. “Don’t say that. You’re just as much a hero—” “No I’m not. I keep trying, but…” He sighed. “Percy, I can’t go back to camp without finding Pan. I just can’t. You understand that, don’t you? I can’t face Juniper if I fail. I can’t even face myself.” His voice was so unhappy it hurt to hear. We’d been through a lot together, but I’d never heard him sound this down. “We’ll figure out something,” I said. “You haven’t failed. You’re the champion goat boy, all right? Juniper knows that. So do I.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 10)

Grover took a deep breath. “Percy, we’ll find each other again. We’ve still got the empathy link. I just…have to.” I didn’t blame him. This was his life’s goal. If he didn’t find Pan on this journey, the council would never give him another chance. “I hope you’re right,” I said. “I know I am.” I’d never heard him sound so confident about anything, except maybe that cheese enchiladas were better than chicken enchiladas. “Be careful,” I told him. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 11)

Grover stayed at my side. From time to time he would break down in tears. "So many nature spirits dead, Percy. So many." I put my arm around his shoulders and gave him a rag to blow his nose. "You did a great job, G-man. We will come back from this. We'll plant new trees. We'll clean up the parks. Your friends will be reincarnated into a better world." He sniffled dejectedly. "I . . . I suppose. But it was hard enough to rally them before. I'm still an outcast. I could barely get anyone to listen to me about Pan. Now will they ever listen to me again? I led them into a slaughter." "They will listen," I promised. "Because you care about them. You care about the Wild more than anyone." He tried for a smile. "Thanks, Percy. I hope . . . I hope you know I'm really proud to be your friend." I patted his arm. "Luke was right about one thing, G-man. You're the bravest satyr I ever met." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 20)

Sally

She turned toward the fire, and I knew from her expression that if I asked her any more questions she would start to cry. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 3

I looked at my mother. “Mom, do you want Gabe gone? “Percy, it isn’t that simple. I-“ “Mom, just tell me. That jerk has been hitting you. Do you want him gone or not?” She hesitated, then nodded almost imperceptibly. “Yes, Percy. I do. And I’m trying to get up my courage to tell him. But you can’t do this for me. You can’t solve my problems.” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 21)

"Percy, I… Paul and I—" "Mom, are you happy?" The question seemed to take her by surprise. She thought for a moment. "Yes. I really am, Percy. Being around him makes me happy." "Then it's cool. Seriously. Don't worry about me." The funny thing was, I meant it. Considering the quest I'd just had, maybe I should have been worried for my mom. I'd seen just how mean people could be to each other, like Hercules was to Zoe Nightshade, like Luke was to Thalia. I'd met Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, in person, and her powers had scared me worse than Ares. But seeing my mother laughing and smiling, after all the years she'd suffered with my nasty ex stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, I couldn't help feeling happy for her. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 20)

“Percy, I kind of feel bad giving you one more thing to think about,” Paul said. “But I wanted to ask you something.” “Yeah?” “Girl stuff.” I frowned. “What do you mean?” “Your mom,” Paul said. “I’m thinking about proposing to her.” I almost dropped my cup. “You mean…marrying her? You and her?” “Well, that was the general idea. Would that be okay with you?” “You’re asking my permission?” Paul scratched his beard. “I don’t know if it’s permission, so much, but she’s your mother. And I know you’re going through a lot. I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t talk to you about it first, man to man.” “Man to man,” I repeated. It sounded strange, saying that. I thought about Paul and my mom, how she smiled and laughed more whenever he was around, and how Paul had gone out of his way to get me into high school. I found myself saying, “I think that’s a great idea, Paul. Go for it.” He smiled really wide then. “Cheers, Percy. Let’s join the party.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 20)

Annabeth:

“At camp you train and train. And that’s all cool and everything, but the real world is where the monsters are. That’s where you learn whether you’re any good or not.” If I didn’t know better, I could’ve sworn I heard doubt in her voice. “You’re pretty good with that knife,” I said. “You think so?” “Anybody who can piggyback-ride a Fury is okay by me.” I couldn’t really see, but I thought she might’ve smiled. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 11)

I wanted to make Annabeth feel better, but I didn’t know how. “My mom married a really awful guy,” I told her. “Grover said she did it to protect me, to hide me in the scent of a human family. Maybe that’s what your dad was thinking.” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 13)

Tyson started bawling almost as bad as Annabeth. I tried to tell them that things would be okay, but I didn’t believe it. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 5)

I didn’t know what Luke was talking about, but Annabeth buried her head in her hands like she was about to cry. “Leave her alone,” I said. “And leave Tyson out this.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 9)

She threw herself down on the blankets and started going through her duffel bag. Her body language made it pretty clear she didn’t want to talk. “Um, Tyson?” I said. “Would you mind scouting around outside? Like, look for a wilderness convenience store or something?” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 10)

Once he was gone, I sat down across from Annabeth. “Hey, I’m sorry about, you know, seeing Luke.” “It’s not your fault.” She unsheathed her knife and started cleaning the blade with a rag. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 10)

She started to sob-I mean horrible, heartbroken sobbing. She put her head on my shoulder and I held her. Fish gathered to look at us-a school of barracudas, some curious marlins. Scram! I told them. They swam off, but I could tell they went reluctantly. I swear I understood their intentions. They were about to start rumors flying around the sea about the son of Poseidon and some girl at the bottom of Siren Bay. “I’ll get us back to the ship,” I told her. “It’s okay. Just hang on.” Annabeth nodded to let me know she was better now, then she murmured something I couldn’t hear because of the wax in my ears. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 13)

She turned with a start. “Oh…hi. Didn’t hear you.” “You okay?” She frowned at the scroll in her hands. “Just trying to do some research. Daedalus’s Labyrinth is so huge. None of the stories agree about anything. The maps just lead from nowhere to nowhere.” I thought about what Quintus had said, how the maze tries to distract you. I wondered if Annabeth knew that already. “We’ll figure it out,” I promised. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 4)

“I’ve wanted to lead a quest since I was seven,” she said. “You’re going to do awesome.” She looked at me gratefully, but then stared down at all the books and scrolls she’d pulled from the shelves. “I’m worried, Percy. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked you to do this. Or Tyson or Grover.” “Hey, we’re your friends. We wouldn’t miss it.” “But…” She stopped herself. “What is it?” I asked. “The prophecy?” “I’m sure it’s fine,” she said in a small voice. “What was the last line?” Then she did something that really surprised me. She blinked back tears and put out her arms. I stepped forward and hugged her. Butterflies started turning my stomach into a mosh pit. “Hey, it’s…it’s okay.” I patted her back. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 4)

She was shivering. “Chiron might be right,” she muttered. “I’m breaking the rules. But I don’t know what else to do. I need you three. It just feels right.” “Then don’t worry about it,” I managed. “We’ve had plenty of problems before, and we solved them.”  (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 4)

The color drained out of Annabeth’s face. “No…I don’t—” “Leave her alone,” I said. “Who are you, anyway?” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 6)

I picked up my bedroll and dragged it over to where Annabeth was sitting, keeping watch. I sat down next to her. “You should sleep,” she said. “Can’t. You doing all right?” “Sure. First day leading the quest. Just great.” “We’ll get there,” I said. “We’ll find the workshop before Luke does.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

“I know, I know. It’s just…” She looked at me hesitantly. “Percy, I was kidding myself. All that planning and reading, I don’t have a clue where we’re going.” “You’re doing great. Besides, we never know what we’re doing. It always works out. Remember Circe’s island?” She snorted. “You made a cute guinea pig.” “And Waterland, how you got us thrown off that ride?” “I got us thrown off? That was totally your fault!” “See? It’ll be fine.” She smiled, which I was glad to see, but the smile faded quickly. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

Tyson

Tyson was the only homeless kid at Meriwether College Prep. As near as my mom and I could figure, he’d been abandoned by his parents when he was very young, probably because he was so … different. He was six-foot three and built like the Abominable Snowman, but he cried a lot and was scared of just about everything, including his own reflection. His face was kind of misshapen and brutal-looking. I couldn’t tell you what color his eyes were, because I could never make myself look higher than his crooked teeth. His voice was deep, but he talked funny, like a much younger kid-I guess because he’d never gone to school before coming to Meriwether. He wore tattered jeans, grimy size-twenty sneakers, and a plaid flannel shirt with holes in it. He smelled like a New York City alleyway, because that’s where he lived, in a cardboard refrigerator box off 72nd Street. Meriwether Prep had adopted him as a community service project so all the students could feel good about themselves. Unfortunately, most of them couldn’t stand Tyson. Once they discovered he was a big softie, despite his massive strength and his scary looks, they made themselves feel good by picking on him. I was pretty much his only friend, which meant he was my only friend. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

Tyson started sobbing. He sat down on the jungle gym so hard he bent the bar, and buried his head in his hands. “Take it back, Sloan!” I shouted. Sloan just sneered at me. “Why do you even bother, Jackson? You might have friends if you weren’t always sticking up for that freak.” I balled my fists. I hoped my face wasn’t as red as it felt. “He’s not a freak. He’s just…” I tried to think of the right thing to say, but Sloan wasn’t listening. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

I had to promise to buy Tyson an extra peanut butter sandwich at lunch to get him to stop sobbing. “I … I am a freak?” he asked me. “No,” I promised, gritting my teeth. “Matt Sloan is the freak.” Tyson sniffled. “You are a good friend. Miss you next year if … if I can’t …” His voice trembled. I realized he didn’t know if he’d be invited back next year for the community service project. I wondered if the headmaster had even bothered talking to him about it. “Don’t worry, big guy,” I managed. “Everything’s going to be fine.” Tyson gave me such a grateful look I felt like a big liar. How could I promise a kid like him that anything would be fine? (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

He picked up another ball and aimed it at Tyson. “Stop!” I yelled. “It’s me you want!” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

But I’d just been attacked by cannibal giants, Tyson had saved my life three or four times, and all Annabeth could do was glare at him like he was the problem. “He’s my friend,” I told her. “Is he homeless?” “What does that have to do with anything? He can hear you, you know. Why don’t you ask him?” She looked surprised. “He can talk?” “I talk,” Tyson admitted. “You are pretty.” “Ah! Gross!” Annabeth stepped away from him. I couldn’t believe she was being so rude. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 3)

I hesitated. “What about Tyson?” I imagined escorting my giant friend into Camp Half-Blood. If he freaked out on a regular playground with regular bullies, how would he act at a training camp for demigods? On the other hand, the cops would be looking for us. “We can’t just leave him,” I decided. “He’ll be in trouble, too.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 3)

As soon as the last campers had filed in, I led Tyson into the middle of the pavilion. Conversations faltered. Heads turned. “Who invited that?” somebody at the Apollo table murmured. I glared in their direction, but I couldn’t figure out who’d spoken. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 5)

I said, “Come on, Tyson.” “Oh, no,” Tantalus said. “The monster stays here. We must decide what to do with it.” “Him,” I snapped. “His name is Tyson.” The new activities director raised an eyebrow. “Tyson saved the camp,” I insisted. “He pounded those bronze bulls. Otherwise they would’ve burned down this whole place.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 5)

“Leave us,” Tantalus ordered, “while we decide this creature’s fate.” Tyson looked at me with fear in his one big eye, but I knew I couldn’t disobey a direct order from the camp directors. Not openly, anyway. “I’ll be right over here, big guy,” I promised. “Don’t worry. We’ll find you a good place to sleep tonight.” Tyson nodded. “I believe you. You are my friend.” Which made me feel a whole lot guiltier. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 5)

I mean … I’m sorry, Percy, I didn’t expect Poseidon to claim him. Cyclopes are the most deceitful, treacherous-“ “He is not! What have you got against Cyclopes, any-way? Annabeth’s ears turned pink. I got the feeling there was something she wasn’t telling me-something bad. “Just forget it,” she said. “Now, the axle for this chariot-“ “You’re treating him like he’s this horrible thing,” I said. “He saved my life.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 6)

As we were turning in for bed, Tyson said, “You are mad?” I realized I’d been scowling. “Nah. I’m not mad.” He lay down in his bunk and was quiet in the dark. His body was way too long for his bed. When he pulled up the covers, his feet stuck out the bottom. “I am a monster.” “Don’t say that.” “It is okay. I will be a good monster. Then you will not have to be mad.” I didn’t know what to say. I stared at the ceiling and felt like I was dying slowly, right along with Thalia’s tree. “It’s just… I never had a half-brother before.” I tried to keep my voice from cracking. “It’s really different for me. And I’m worried about the camp. And another friend of mine, Grover … he might be in trouble. I keep feeling like I should be doing something to help, but I don’t know what.” Tyson said nothing. “I’m sorry,” I told him. “It’s not your fault. I’m mad at Poseidon. I feel like he’s trying to embarrass me, like he’s trying to compare us or something, and I don’t understand why.” I heard a deep rumbling sound. Tyson was snoring. I sighed. “Good night, big guy. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 6)

Tyson didn’t answer. Instead he made a whimpering sound in the back of his throat. “Annabeth doesn’t like Cyclopes. You … don’t want me along?” “Oh, that’s not it,” I said halfheartedly. “Annabeth likes you. Really.” He had tears in the corners of his eye. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 7)

“Daddy always cared for m-me,” he sniffled. “Now … I think he was mean to have a Cyclops boy. I should not have been born.” “Don’t talk that way! Poseidon claimed you, didn’t he? So … he must care about you … a lot….” My voice trailed off as I thought about all those years Tyson had lived on the streets of New York in a cardboard refrigerator box. How could Tyson think that Poseidon had cared for him? What kind of dad let that happen to his kid, even if his kid was a monster? “Tyson … camp will be a good home for you. The others will get used to you. I promise.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 7)

Tyson can stay behind and tell them-“ “I want to go,” Tyson said. “No!” Annabeth’s voice sounded close to panic. “I mean … Percy, come on. You know that’s impossible.” I wondered again why she had such a grudge against Cyclopes. There was something she wasn’t telling me. She and Tyson both looked at me, waiting for an answer. Meanwhile, the cruise ship was getting farther and farther away. The thing was, part of me didn’t want Tyson along. I’d spent the last three days in close quarters with the guy, getting razzed by the other campers and embarrassed a million times a day, constantly reminded that I was related to him. I needed some space. Plus, I didn’t know how much help he’d be, or how I’d keep him safe. Sure, he was strong, but Tyson was a little kid in Cyclops terms, maybe seven or eight years old, mentally. I could see him freaking out and starting to cry while we were trying to sneak past a monster or something. He’d get us all killed. On the other hand, the sound of the harpies was getting closer…. “We can’t leave him,” I decided. “Tantalus will punish him for us being gone.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 8)

Get the other boat.” I threw Annabeth the thermos. “I’ll get Tyson.” “You can’t!” she said. “The heat will kill you!” I didn’t listen. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 11)

“I’m sorry I lost the shield,” I told him. “You worked so hard to repair it.” Tyson looked up. His eye was bloodshot from crying. “Do not worry, brother. You saved me. You wouldn’t have had to if Briares had helped.” “He was just scared,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll get over it.” “He is not strong,” Tyson said. “He is not important anymore.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

Clarisse

Normally, rushing to Clarisse’s aid would not have been high on my “to do” list. She was one of the biggest bullies at camp. Still, she was in trouble. Her fellow warriors were scattering, running in panic as the bulls charged (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 4)

“What’s wrong?” Annabeth asked me. “Another dream?” I nodded, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to think about what I’d seen downstairs. It bothered me almost as much as the dream about Grover. Clarisse came up the stairs right after me. I tried not to look at her. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 11)

“I’ll rush him,” I whispered to Clarisse. “Our ship is around the back of the island. You and Grover-“ “No way,” they said at the same time. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 15)

Clarisse slumped down on the pavement. “How are we supposed to do that?” Her voice trembled. “We’re hundreds of miles away. No money. No ride. This is just like the Oracle said. It’s your fault, Jackson! If you hadn’t interfered-“ “Percy’s fault?!” Annabeth exploded. “Clarisse, how can you say that? You are the biggest-“ “Stop it!” I said. Clarisse put her head in hands. Annabeth stomped her foot in frustration. The thing was: I’d almost forgotten this quest was supposed to be Clarisse’s. For a scary moment, I saw things from her point of view. How would I feel if a bunch of other heroes had butted in and made me look bad? I thought about what I’d overheard in the boiler room of the CSS Birmingham-Ares yelling at Clarisse, warning her that she’d better not fail. Ares couldn’t care less about the camp, but if Clarisse made him look bad … (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 17)

Clarisse said, “You’d let me-“ “It’s your quest,” I said. “We only have enough money for one flight. Besides, I can’t travel by air. Zeus would blast me into a million pieces. That’s what the prophecy meant: you’d fail without friends, meaning you’d need our help, but you’d have to fly home alone. You have to get the Fleece back safely.” I could see her mind working-suspicious at first, wondering what trick I was playing, then finally deciding I meant what I said. She jumped in the cab. “You can count on me. I won’t fail.” “Not failing would be good.” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 17)

I made the rounds, telling everybody about capture the flag. I woke up some Ares kid from his midday nap and he yelled at me to go away. When I asked him where Clarisse was he said, "Went on a quest for Chiron. Top secret!" "Is she okay?"  (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 5)

And Clarisse’s tenderness—it had never even occurred to me that she might like someone; but the way she said Chris’s name…She’d known him before he changed sides. She’d known him a lot better than I realized. And now he was shivering in a dark basement, afraid to come out, and mumbling about someone named Mary. No wonder Clarisse didn’t want anything to do with the Labyrinth. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 4)

“Chris Rodriguez, our guest…” I remembered what I’d seen in the basement, Clarisse trying to talk to him while he babbled about the Labyrinth. “Is he dead?” “Not yet,” Chiron said grimly. “But he’s much worse. He’s in the infirmary now, too weak to move. I had to order Clarisse back to her regular schedule, because she was at his bedside constantly. He doesn’t respond to anything. He won’t take food or drink. None of my medicines help. s He has simply lost the will to live.” I shuddered. Despite all the run-ins I’d had with Clarisse, I felt horrible for her. She’d tried so hard to help him. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 13)

I heard about Chris,” I said. “I’m sorry.” Clarisse paced a circle around the arena. When she came to the nearest dummy, she attacked viciously, chopping its head off with a single blow and driving her sword through its guts. She pulled the sword out and kept walking. “Yeah, well. Sometimes things go wrong.” Her voice was shaky. “Heroes get hurt. They…they die, and the monsters just keep coming back.” She picked up a javelin and threw it across the arena. It nailed a dummy straight between the eyeholes of its helmet. She had called Chris a hero, like he had never gone over to the Titan’s side. It reminded me of the way Annabeth sometimes talked about Luke. I decided not to bring that up. “Chris was brave,” I said. “I hope he gets better.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 13)

He left me alone to think about that. And as I watched Clarisse and Chris singing a stupid campfire song together, holding hands in the darkness, where they thought nobody could see them, I had to smile. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 19)

I had no idea what she was doing on the Upper East Side in the middle of a school day, but she was obviously in trouble. She wouldn’t last much longer. I did the only thing I could. “Mrs. White,” I said. “Can I go to the restroom? I feel like I’m going to puke.” (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Clarisse sheathed her sword and brushed off her denim jacket. “Well… see you.” “Hold up,” I said. “You can’t just run off.” “Sure I can.” “What’s going on? What are you doing away from camp? Why were those birds after you?” Clarisse pushed me, or tried to. I was too accustomed to her tricks. I just side-stepped and let her stumble past me. “Come on,” I said. “You just about got killed at my school. That makes it my business.” “It does not!” “Let me help.” (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

She looked like she was about to lose it. I didn’t blame her. I’d seen her dad, Ares, get mad before, and it was not a pretty sight. If Clarisse failed him, he would come down hard on her. Real hard. “I’ll help you,” I said. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

She scowled. “Why would you? I’m not your friend.” I couldn’t argue with that. Clarisse had been mean to me a million times, but still, I didn’t like the idea of her or anybody else getting beat up by Ares. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Phobos’s eyes glowed bright red. Clarisse screamed. She swatted the air as if she were attacked by invisible bugs. “Please, no!” “What are you doing to her,” I demanded. Clarisse backed up not the street, swinging her sword wildly. “Stop it!” I told Phobos. I dug my sword a little deeper against his throat, but he simply vanished, reappearing back at the telephone pole. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Finally, I kicked him backward against the water fountain. His sword skittered into the ladies room. I grabbed the strabs of his armor and pulled him up to face me. “You’re going to disappear now,” I told him. “You’re going to stay out of Clarisse’s way. And if I see you again, I’m going to give you a bigger scar in a much more painful place!” He gulped “There will be a next time, Jackson!” And he dissolved into yellow vapor. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

I wanted to charge in and fight deimos, but somehow I knew it wouldn’t help. Clarisse had to do it. This was her worst fear. She had to overcome it for herself. “Clarisse,” I said. She glanced over, and I tried to hold her eyes. “Stand up to him!” I said. “He’s all talk. Get up!” “I…I can’t.””Yes, you can. You’re a warrior. Get up!”She hesitated. Then she began to stand. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Clarisse looked at me cautiously. She wiped the straw and sweat off her face. “You didn’t see that. You didn’t see any of that.” I grinned. “You did good.” (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

She wrapped the reins around her hand. “About what you saw, Percy. “what I was afraid of, I mean-“ “I won’t tell anybody.” She looked at me uncomfortably. “Did Phobos scare you?” “Yeah, I saw the camp in flames. I saw my friends all pleading for my help, and I didn’t know what to do. For a second, I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed. I know how you felt.” She lowered her eyes. “I, uh… I guess I should say…” The words seemed to stick in her throat. I wasn’t sure Clarisse had ever said thank you in her life. “Don’t mention it,” I told her. I started to walk away, but she called out,” Percy?” “Yeah?” “When you, uh, had that vision about your friends…” “You were one of them,” I promised. “Just don’t tell anybody, okay? Or I’d have to kill you.” A faint smile flickered across her face. “See you later.” (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Nico:

Maybe I could defend myself if I could get my shield activated. All that it would take was a touch of my wrist-watch. But defending the di Angelo kids was another matter. I needed help, and there was only one way I could think to get it. I closed my eyes. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 2)

As anxious as I felt about Annabeth—all I wanted to do was search for her—I couldn't help feeling sorry for the di Angelos. I remembered what it was like for me when I first learned I was a demigod.

Nico laid out a bunch of figurines in the snow—little battle replicas of Greek gods and heroes. I recognized Zeus with a lightning bolt, Ares with a spear, Apollo with his sun chariot. "Big collection," I said. Nico grinned. "I've got almost all of them, plus their holographic cards! Well, except for a few really rare ones." "You've been playing this game a long time?" "Just this year. Before that…" He knit his eyebrows. "What?" I asked. "I forget. That's weird." He looked unsettled, but it didn't last long. "Hey, can I see that sword you were using?" I showed him Riptide, and explained how it turned from a pen into a sword just by uncapping it. "Cool! Does it ever run out of ink?" "Um, well, I don't actually write with it." "Are you really the son of Poseidon?" "Well, yeah." "Can you surf really well, then?" I looked at Grover, who was trying hard not to laugh. "Jeez, Nico," I said. "I've never really tried." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 3)

"Bianca, this is crazy," I said. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 3)

Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. I could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt. I couldn't help thinking how selfish it was of her, abandoning her brother like that. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 4)

The Hunters piled into the van. They all crammed into the back so they'd be as far away as possible from Apollo and the rest of us highly infectious males, Bianca sat with them, leaving her little brother to hang in the front with us, which seemed cold to me, but Nico didn't seem to mind. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 4)

"And now you're thinking about following them on the quest," I guessed. "How did you know that?" "Because if it was my sister, I'd probably be thinking the same thing. But you can't." He looked defiant. "Because I'm too young?" "Because they won't let you. They'll catch you and send you back here. And… yeah, because you're too young. You remember the manticore? There will be lots more like that. More dangerous. Some of the heroes will die." He shoulders sagged. He shifted from foot to foot. "Maybe you're right.” (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 8)

The air was cool and dry, but the nice weather just seemed like an insult after losing Bianca. My hand closed around the little figurine that had cost her life. I still couldn't even tell what god it was supposed to be. Nico would know. Oh, gods… what was I going to tell Nico? I wanted to believe that Bianca was still alive somewhere. But I had a bad feeling that she was gone for good. "It should've been me," I said. "I should've gone into the giant."  (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 14)

Nico screamed. "You brought these… these things?" "No! I mean, yes, they followed me, but no! Nico, run. They can't be destroyed." "I don't trust you!" The first skeleton charged. I knocked aside its blade, but the other three kept coming. I sliced one in half, but immediately it began to knit back together. I knocked another's head off but it just kept fighting. "Run, Nico!" I yelled. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 20)

Annabeth and Grover helped me search the woods for hours, but there was no sign of Nico di Angelo. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 20)

We have to tell Chiron," Annabeth said, out of breath. "No," I said. She and Grover both stared at me. "Um," Grover said nervously, "what do you mean… no? I was still trying to figure out why I'd said that, but the words spilled out of me. "We can't let anyone know. “ (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 20)

I don't think Nico understands who he is. But we can't go telling anyone. Not even Chiron. If the Olympians find out—""It might start them fighting among each other again," Annabeth said. "That's the last thing we need." Grover looked worried. "But you can't hide things from the gods. Not forever." "I don't need forever," I said. "Just two years. Until I'm sixteen." Annabeth paled. "But, Percy, this means the prophecy might not be about you. It might be about Nico.We have to—" "No," I said. "I choose the prophecy. It will be about me." "Why are you saying that?" she cried. "You want to be responsible for the whole world?" It was the last thing I wanted, but I didn't say that. I knew I had to step up and claim it. "I can't let Nico be in any more danger," I said. "I owe that much to his sister. I… let them both down. I'm not going to let that poor kid suffer any more." "The poor kid who hates you and wants to see you dead," Grover reminded me. "Maybe we can find him," I said. "We can convince him it's okay, hide him someplace safe." Annabeth shivered. "If Luke gets hold of him—" "Luke won't," I said. "I'll make sure he's got other things to worry about. Namely, me." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 20)

“So the Nico boy is gone now?” “I—I guess. I tried to search for him this spring. So did Annabeth. But we didn’t have any luck. This is secret, Tyson. Okay? If anyone found out he was a son of Hades, he would be in danger. You can’t even tell Chiron.”  (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 2)

Tyson and I took our plates to the bronze brazier and scraped a portion of our food into the flames. I hoped the gods liked raisin toast and Froot Loops. “Poseidon,” I said. Then I whispered, “Help me with Nico, and Luke, and Grover’s problem…” There was so much to worry about I could’ve stood there all morning, but I headed back to the table. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 3)

 Now, six months later, I hadn’t even come close to finding him. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 3)

“Nico,” I said. “He was summoning the dead again.” Tyson whimpered. “Ghosts were here. I don’t like ghosts.” “We’ve got to find him.” I don’t know why, but standing at the edge of that pit gave me a sense of urgency. Nico was close, I could feel it. I couldn’t let him wander around down here, alone except for the dead. I started to run. “Percy!” Annabeth called. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

I turned to Annabeth. “Didn’t Hera say something about a ranch? We need to check it out. Nico might be there.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

“You could have him clean the stables,” Eurytion suggested innocently. “I’ll do it!” I said. “If I fail, you get all of us. Trade us all to Luke for gold.” “Assuming the horses don’t eat you,” Geryon observed. “Either way, you get my friends,” I said. “But if I succeed, you’ve got to let all of us go, including Nico.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

“What about the Titans?” I asked. “Did you Iris-message them about Nico yet?” “Nope. Geryon was waiting until after the barbecue. They don’t know about him.” Nico as glaring at me. I wasn’t sure what to do about him. I doubted he would agree to come with us. On the other hand, I couldn’t just let him roam around on his own. “You could stay here until we’re done with our quest,” I told him. “It would be safe.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 9)

“Percy has been worried about you, Nico.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 10)

“Nico, you could come with us,” I blurted out. I guess I was thinking about my dream, and how much the young boy Perdix reminded me of Nico. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 10)

Annabeth looked queasy, as if she’d slept even worse than me. “Bad dreams? I asked at last. She shook her head. “An Iris-message from Eurytion.” “Eurytion! Is something wrong with Nico?” “He left the ranch last night, heading back into the maze.” “Nico was gone before he woke up. Orthus tracked his scent as far as the cattle guard. Eurytion said he’d been hearing Nico talk to himself the last few nights. Only now he thinks Nico was talking with the ghost again, Minos.” “He’s in danger,” I said.

“No indeed,” Kelli said. “But we already have what we want from you, and we have other agreements to honor. Minos required something else from us, in order to turn over this fine young demigod.” She ran a finger under Nico’s chin. “He’ll be quite useful. And all Minos asked in return was your head, old man.” Daedalus paled. “Treachery.” “Get used to it,” Kelli said. “Nico,” I said. “Are you okay?”

“Thanks for coming after us,” I told him at last. Nico’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t seem as angry as he used to—just suspicious, careful. “I owed you for the ranch, Percy. Plus…I wanted to see Daedalus for myself. Minos was right, in a way. Daedalus should die. Nobody should be able to avoid death that long. It’s not natural.” “That’s what you were after all along,” I said. “Trading Daedalus’s soul for your sister’s.” Nico walked for another fifty yards before answering. “It hasn’t been easy, you know. Having only the dead for company. Knowing that I’ll never be accepted by the living. Only the dead respect me, and they only do that out of fear.” “You could be accepted,” I said. “You could have friends at camp.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 16)

“Nico…you, uh, kind of gave yourself away.” “What do you mean?” “That wall of black stone? That was pretty impressive. If Kronos didn’t know who you were before, he does now—a child of the Underworld.” Nico frowned. “Big deal.” I let it drop. I figured he was just trying to hide how scared he was, and I couldn’t blame him. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 17)

Before she could say more, Tyson called, “Percy, come quick! It is Nico!”  There was smoke curling off his black clothes. His fingers were clenched, and the grass all around his body had turned yellow and died. I rolled him over as gently as I could and put my against his chest. His heart was beating faintly. “Get some nectar!” I yelled. One of the Ares campers hobbled over and handed me a canteen. I trickled some of the magic drink into Nico’s mouth. He coughed and spluttered, but his eyelids fluttered open. “Nico, what happened?” I asked. “Can you talk?” He nodded weakly. “Never tried to summon so many before. I—I’ll be fine.” We helped him sit up and gave him some more nectar. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 18)

The only thing that bothered me was Nico, hanging in the shadows at the edge of the pavilion. He’d been offered a place at the Hermes table, and even at the head table with Chiron, but he had refused. After dinner, the campers headed toward the amphitheater, where Apollo’s cabin promised an awesome sing-along to pick up our spirits, but Nico turned and disappeared into the woods. I decided I’d better follow him. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 19)

 “We missed you at dinner,” I said. “You could’ve sat with me.” “No.” “Nico, you can’t miss every meal. If you don’t want to stay with Hermes, maybe they can make an exception and put you in the Big House. They’ve got plenty of rooms.” “I’m not staying, Percy.” “But…you can’t just leave. It’s too dangerous out there for a lone half-blood. You need to train.”

 “When will you go?” I asked. “Right away. I’ve got tons of questions. Like who was my mother? Who paid for Bianca and me to go to school? Who was that lawyer guy who got us out of the Lotus Hotel? I know nothing about my past. I need to find out.” “Makes sense,” I admitted. “But I hope we don’t have to be enemies.” He lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry I was a brat. I should’ve listened to you about Bianca.” “By the way…” I fished something out of my pocket. “Tyson found this while we were cleaning the cabin. Thought you might want it.” I held out a lead figurine of Hades—the little Mythomagic statue Nico had abandoned when he fled camp last winter. Nico hesitated. “I don’t play that game anymore. It’s for kids.” “It’s got four thousand attack power,” I coaxed. “Five thousand,” Nico corrected. “But only if your opponent attacks first.” I smiled. “Maybe it’s okay to still be a kid once in a while.” I tossed him the statue. Nico studied it in his palm for a few seconds, then slipped it into his pocket. “Thanks.” I put out my hand. He shook reluctantly. His hand was as cold as ice. “I’ve got a lot of things to investigate,” he said. “Some of them…Well, if I learn anything useful, I’ll let you know.” I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I nodded. “Keep in touch, Nico (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 19)

 “Our family is safe,” Hera insisted. “Those others are better gone, my dear. I am proud of you.” I balled my fists. I couldn’t believe she was saying this. “You’re the one who paid Geryon to let us through the ranch, weren’t you?” Hera shrugged. Her dress shimmered in rainbow colors. “I wanted to speed you on your way.” “But you didn’t care about Nico. You were happy to see him turned over to the Titans.” “Oh, please.” Hera waved her hand dismissively. “The son of Hades said it himself. No one wants him around. He does not belong.” “Hephaestus was right,” I growled. “You only care about your perfect family, not real people.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 20)

Nico tapped at his silver ring. “But that’s not the real reason I’ve come. I’ve found out some things. I want to make you an offer.” “What?” “The way to beat Luke,” he said. “If I’m right, it’s the only way you’ll stand a chance.” I took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m listening.” Nico glanced inside my room. His eyebrows furrowed. “Is that…is that blue birthday cake?” He sounded hungry, maybe a little wistful. I wondered if the poor kid had ever had a birthday party, or if he’d ever even been invited to one. “Come inside for some cake and ice cream,” I said. “It sounds like we’ve got a lot to talk about.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 20)

I glanced at Thalia. She didn’t seem too enthusiastic about the whole track-a-thief-with-a-flower-thing. Then I looked at Nico. Unfortunately, I recognized the expression on his face. I knew what it was like wanting to make your dad proud, even if your dad was hard to love. In this case, really hard to love. Nico was going to do this, with or without us. And I couldn’t let him go alone. (The Demigod Files: The Sword of Hades)

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” I asked. “Persephone will make your life miserable.” “I have to,” he insisted. “I have to get close to my dad. He needs a better adviser.” I couldn’t argue with that. “Well, if you need anything-“ “I’ll call,” he promised. (The Demigod Files: The Sword of Hades)

The scene shifted. Now I was outside the pavilion, hiding in the shadows of a Greek column. A boy stood next to me, eavesdropping on the Titans. He had dark silky hair, pale skin, and dark clothes—my friend Nico di Angelo, the son of Hades. (The Last Olympian)

And Hades—" "Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed. "No, my lord," I said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. (The Last Olympian)

Rachel:

“I am senior empousa,” she growled. “No hero has bested me in a thousand years.” “Yeah?” I said. “Then you’re overdue!” Kelli was a lot faster than Tammi. She dodged my first strike and rolled into the brass section, knocking over a row of trombones with a mighty crash. Rachel scrambled out of the way. I put myself between her and the empousa. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 1)

Rachel didn’t respond right away. She’d become quieter since the arena. Now, whenever Annabeth made a sarcastic comment, Rachel hardly bothered to answer. She’d burned the tip of a stick in the fire and was using it to draw ash figures on the floor, images of the monsters we’d seen. With a few strokes, she caught the likeness of a dracaena perfectly. “We’ll follow the path,” she said. “The brightness on the floor.” “The brightness that led us straight into a trap?” Annabeth asked. “Lay off her, Annabeth,” I said. “She’s doing the best she can.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 15)

“The workshop is that way. The heart of the maze. We’re very close now. I don’t know why the path led through that arena. I—I’m sorry about that. I thought you were going to die.” She sounded like she was close to crying. “Hey, I’m usually about to die,” I promised. “Don’t feel bad.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 15)

I hauled myself up and helped Rachel to her feet. “You did good back there,” I told her. She managed a weak smile. “Yeah, well. I didn’t want you to die.” She blushed. “I mean…just because, you know. You owe me too many favors. How am I going to collect if you die?” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 17)

“Thanks, Rachel,” I said. “We couldn’t have done it without you.” “I wouldn’t have missed it. I mean, except for almost dying, and Pan…” Her voice faltered. “He said something about your father,” I remembered. “What did he mean?” Rachel twisted the strap on her backpack. “My dad…My dad’s job. He’s kind of a famous businessman.” “You mean…you’re rich?” “Well, yeah.” “So that’s how you got the chauffeur to help us? You just said your dad’s name and—” “Yes,” Rachel cut me off. “Percy…my dad’s a land developer. He flies all over the world, looking for tracts of undeveloped land.” She took a shaky breath. “The wild. He—he buys it up. I hate it, but he plows it down and builds ugly subdivisions and shopping centers. And now that I’ve seen Pan…Pan’s death—” “Hey, you can’t blame yourself for that.” “You don’t know the worst of it. I—I don’t like to talk about my family. I didn’t want you to know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” “No,” I said. “It’s cool. Look, Rachel, you did awesome. You led us through the maze. You were so brave. That’s the only thing I’m going to judge you on. I don’t care what your dad does.” Rachel looked at me gratefully. “Well…if you ever feel like hanging out with a mortal again…you could call me or something.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 18)

 Rachel flung her arms around him, and her father seemed surprised, like she'd never hugged him before. "I'll make it up to you, Dad!" He smiled, but his expression was chilly. He studied her like he wasn't seeing his daughter—just the young lady he wanted her to be, once Clarion Academy got through with her. "Yes, Rachel," he agreed. "You most certainly will." The scene faded. I mumbled in my sleep: "Rachel, no!" (The Last Olympian, Chapter 12)

Medusa:

It was a little unsettling, having someone stare at me when I couldn’t see her face, but I was feeling satisfied after the burger, and a little sleepy, and I figured the least I could do was try to make small talk with our hostess. “So, you sell gnomes,” I said, trying to sound interested. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 11)

Animals in the Zoo transport:

“This is kindness?” Grover yelled. “Humane zoo transport?” He probably would’ve gone right back outside to beat up the truckers with his reed pipes, and I would’ve helped him, but just then the trucks engine roared to life, the trailer started shaking, and we were forced to sit down or fall down. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 16)

I found a water jug and refilled their bowls, then used Anaklusmos to drag the mismatched food out of their cages. I gave the meat to the lion and the turnips to the zebra and the antelope. Grover calmed the antelope down, while Annabeth used her knife to cut the balloon off his horn. She wanted to cut the gum out of the zebra’s mane, too, but we decided that would be too risky with the truck bumping around. We told Grover to promise the animals we’d help them more in the morning, then we settled in for night. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 16)

“Now would be a good time to leave,” Annabeth said. “The other animals first,” Grover said. I cut the locks with my sword. Grover raised his hands and spoke the same goat-blessing he’d used for the zebra. “Good luck,” I told the animals. The antelope and the lion burst out of their cages and went off together into the streets. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 16)

“Will the animals be okay?” I asked Grover. “I mean, the desert and all-“ “Don’t worry,” he said. “I placed a satyr’s sanctuary on them.” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 16)

Cerberus

I wasn’t sure about that. I thought maybe Annabeth and I had both had the right idea. Even here in the Underworld, everybody-even monsters needed a little attention once in a while. I thought about that as we waited for the ghouls to pass. I pretended not to see Annabeth wipe a tear from her cheek as she listened to the mournful keening of Cerberus in the distance, longing for his new friend. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 18)

Polyphemus island:

“If we take it away, will the island die?” Annabeth shook her head. “It’ll fade. Go back to what it would be normally, whatever that is.” I felt a little guilty about ruining this paradise, but I reminded myself we had no choice. Camp Half-Blood was in trouble. And Tyson … Tyson would still be with us if it wasn’t for this quest. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 14)

Widget, the sheep:

I dropped off my ride, patted Widget on the head, and apologized. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 14)

Polyphemus:

He began to sob. I had won. All I had to do was stab-one quick strike. “Kill him!” Clarisse yelled. “What are you waiting for?” The Cyclops sounded so heartbroken, just like … like Tyson. “He’s a Cyclops!” Grover warned. “Don’t trust him!” I knew he was right. I knew Annabeth would’ve said the same thing. But Polyphemus sobbed … and for the first time it sank in that he was a son of Poseidon, too. Like Tyson. Like me. How could I just kill him in cold blood? “We only want the Fleece,” I told the monster. “Will you agree to let us take it?” “No!” Clarisse shouted. “Kill him!” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 15)

Polyphemus yowled in pain. Tyson tackled him, pulling him down. I landed next to them-sword in hand, within striking distance of the monster’s heart. But I locked eyes with Tyson, and I knew I couldn’t do it. It just wasn’t right. “Let him go,” I told Tyson. “Run.” With one last mighty effort, Tyson pushed the cursing older Cyclops away, and we ran for the surf (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 16)

Athena cabin

Annabeth and I agreed that if we won, the prize of no chores for the rest of the month would be split between our two cabins. Since Athena had more campers, they would get most of the time off, which was fine by me.. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 19)

Chiron

I knew it had been difficult for Chiron to tell me. I didn’t want to push him with more questions. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 19)

Thalia:

I was too freaked out to make sense of it all. I leaped off Chiron’s back and ran toward the unconscious girl. Chiron said: “Percy, wait!” I knelt by her side. She had short black hair and freckles across her nose. She was built like a long-distance runner, lithe and strong, and she wore clothes that were somewhere between punk and Goth-a black T-shirt, black tattered jeans, and a leather jacket with buttons from a bunch of bands I’d never heard of. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 20)

Nobody else came close to the girl. I put my hand on her forehead. Her skin was cold, but my fingertips tingled as if they were burning. “She needs nectar and ambrosia,” I said. She was clearly a half-blood, whether she was a camper or not. I could sense that just from one touch. I didn’t understand why everyone was acting so scared. I took her by the shoulders and lifted her into sitting position, resting her head on my shoulder. “Come on!” I yelled to the others. “What’s wrong with you people? Let’s get her to the Big House.” No one moved, not even Chiron. They were all too stunned. Then the girl took a shaky breath. She coughed and opened her eyes. Her irises were startlingly blue-electric blue. The girl stared at me in bewilderment, shivering and wild-eyed. “Who-“ “I’m Percy,” I said. “You’re safe now.” “Strangest dream …” “It’s okay.” “Dying.” “No,” I assured her. “You’re okay. What’s your name? (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 20)

"Percy, everything is unfair," Thalia muttered. "Sometimes I wish…" She didn't finish, but her tone was so sad I felt sorry for her. With her ragged black hair and her black punk clothes, an old wool overcoat wrapped around her, she looked like some kind of huge raven, completely out of place in the white landscape. "We'll get Annabeth back," I promised. "I just don't know how yet." "First I found out that Luke is lost," she said. "Now Annabeth—" "Don't think like that." "You're right." She straightened up. "We'll find a way." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 5)

"There's a path," Grover said. "We could get to the river." I tried to see what he was talking about, and finally noticed a tiny ledge winding down the cliff face. "That's a goat path," I said. "So?" he asked. "The rest of us aren't goats." "We can make it," Grover said. "I think." I thought about that. I'd done cliffs before, but I didn't like them. Then I looked over at Thalia and saw how pale she'd gotten. Her problem with heights… she'd never be able to do it. "No," I said. "I, uh, think we should go farther upstream." Grover said, "But—" "Come on," I said. "A walk won't hurt us." I glanced at Thalia. Her eyes said a quick Thank you. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 14)

Thalia pulled me aside as we were getting the oars. "Thanks for back there." "Don't mention it." "Can you really…" She nodded to the rapids. "You know." "I think so. Usually I'm good with water." "Would you take Zoe?" she asked. "I think, ah, maybe you can talk to her." "She's not going to like that." "Please? I don't know if I can stand being in the same boat with her. She's… she's starting to worry me." It was about the last thing I wanted to do, but I nodded. Thalia's shoulders relaxed. "I owe you one." "Two." "One and a half," Thalia said. She smiled, and for a second, I remembered that I actually liked her when she wasn't yelling at me. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 14)

Thalia kept her eyes closed the whole way. She muttered to herself a lot, like she was praying. "You did good back there," I told her. "Zeus listened." It was hard to tell what she was thinking with her eyes closed. "Maybe," she said. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 15)

"Excellent," he said. He glanced at the apparition in the mist and snorted. "Alone, without any real help. Wonderful." "You could ask for help," Mr. D murmured to me, as if this were an amusing thought. "You could say please." When wild boars fly, I thought. There was no way I was going to die begging a slob like Mr. D, just so he could laugh as we all got gunned down (…) Zoe readied her arrows. Grover lifted his pipes. Thalia raised her shield, and I noticed a tear running down her cheek. Suddenly it occurred to me: this had happened to her before. She had been cornered on Half-Blood Hill. She'd willingly given her life for her friends. But this time, she couldn't save us. How could I let that happen to her? "Please, Mr. D," I muttered. "Help." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 15)

"Wait, Thalia. About what happened back on the pier… I mean, with the manticore and the sacrifice—" "I don't want to talk about it." "You wouldn't actually have… you know?" She hesitated. "I was just shocked. That's all." "Zeus didn't send that lighting bolt at the car. It was Kronos. He's trying to manipulate you, make you angry at your dad." She took a deep breath. "Percy, I know you're trying to make me feel better. Thanks. But come on. We need to go." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 16)

Bianca

"As I was saying, I will take Phoebe. And I wish Bianca to go." Bianca looked stunned. "Me? But… I'm so new. I wouldn't be any good." "You will do fine," Zoe insisted. "There is no better way to prove thyself." Bianca closed her mouth. I felt kind of sorry for her. I remembered my first quest when I was twelve. I had felt totally unprepared. A little honored, maybe, but a lot resentful and plenty scared. I figured the same things were running around in Bianca's head right now. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 7)

"So… how do you like being a Hunter so far?" I asked. She pursed her lips. "You're not still mad at me for joining, are you?" "Nah. Long as, you know… you're happy." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 12)

Nico didn't understand my decision," Bianca murmured. She looked at me like she wanted assurance it was okay. "He'll be all right," I said. "Camp Half-Blood takes in a lot of young kids. They did that for Annabeth." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 12)

"So you've been raising Nico pretty much all your life?" I asked. "Just the two of you?" She nodded. "That's why I wanted to join the Hunters so bad. I mean, I know it's selfish, but I wanted my own life and friends. I love Nico—don't get me wrong—I just needed to find out what it would be like not to be a big sister twenty-four hours a day." I thought about last summer, the way I'd felt when I found out I had a Cyclops for a baby brother. I could relate to what Bianca was saying. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 12)

Bessie, the ophiotaurus

I uncapped Riptide, and the sword grew to full length in my hands, its bronze blade gleaming in the dark. The cow serpent freaked out and started struggling against the net, its eyes full of terror. "Whoa!" I said. "I'm not going to hurt you! Just let me cut the net." But the cow serpent thrashed around and got even more tangled. The boat started to tilt, stirring up the muck on the sea bottom and threatening to topple onto the cow serpent. The hippocampi whinnied in a panic and thrashed in the water, which didn't help. "Okay, okay!" I said. I put away the sword and started speaking as calmly as I could so the hippocampi and the cow serpent would stop panicking. I didn't know if it was possible to get stampeded underwater, but I didn't really want to find out. "It's cool. No sword. See? No sword. Calm thoughts. Sea grass. Mama cows. Vegetarianism." I doubted the cow serpent understood what I was saying, but it responded to the tone of my voice. The hippocampi were still skittish, but they stopped swirling around me quite so fast. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 8)

It took forever—I mean, it was worse than the time I'd had to untangle all my video game controller wires. The whole time, I kept talking to the cow fish, telling her everything was okay while she mooed and moaned. "It's okay, Bessie," I said. Don't ask me why I started calling her that. It just seemed like a good cow name. "Good cow. Nice cow." Finally, the net came off and the cow serpent zipped through the water and did a happy somersault. The hippocampi whinnied with joy. Thank you, lord! "Moooo!"The cow serpent nuzzled me and gave me the big brown eyes. "Yeah," I said. "That's okay. Nice cow. Well… stay out of trouble." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 8)

“This is the beast we are looking for." "Bessie?" I looked down at the bull serpent. "But… he's too cute. He couldn't destroy the world." "That is how we were wrong," Zoe said. "We've been anticipating a huge dangerous monster, but the Ophiotaurus does not bring down the gods that way. He must be sacrificed." "MMMM," Bessie lowed. "I don't think he likes the S-word," Grover said. I patted Bessie on the head, trying to calm him down. He let me scratch his ear, but he was trembling. "How could anyone hurt him?" I said. "He's harmless." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 15)

"We have to protect him," I told her. "If Luke gets hold of him—" "Luke wouldn't hesitate," Thalia muttered. "The power to overthrow Olympus. That's… that's huge." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 15)

"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?" A lot of nodding heads. It took me a second to realize what they were saying. Then my heart turned to lead. "Bessie? You want to 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 (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 19)

Now for the Ophiotaurus," Artemis said. "This boy is still dangerous," Dionysus warned. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—" "No." I looked around at all the gods. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the 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."

Zoe:

The snake lady released the scarf and it fluttered down toward the General's hand. As soon as he gave it to the warriors, they would hunt Zoe and the others until they were extinct. I didn't have time to think. I ran and jumped with all my might, plowing into the warriors and snatching the scarf out of the air. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 9)

Take it," Zoe told me. I stared at her. "What, the lion's fur? Isn't that, like, an animal rights violation or something?" "It is a spoil of war," she told me. "It is rightly thine." "You killed it," I said. She shook her head, almost smiling. "I think thy ice-cream sandwich did that. Fair is fair, Percy Jackson. Take the fur." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 10)

"The security guards are not our biggest worry," Zoe said. "Look." Through the glass walls of the museum, I could see a group of men walking across the lawn. Gray men in gray camouflage outfits. They were too far away for us to see their eyes, but I could feel their gaze aimed straight at me. "Go," I said. "They'll be hunting me. I'll distract them." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 10)

"What happened to Bianca wasn't your fault," I told her. "It was my fault. I let her go." I figured this would give Zoe an excuse to start yelling at me. At least that might shake her out of feeling depressed. Instead, her shoulders slumped. "No, Percy. I pushed her into going on the quest. I was too anxious. She was a powerful half-blood. She had a kind heart, as well. I… I thought she would be the next lieutenant." "But you're the lieutenant." She gripped the strap of her quiver. She looked more tired than I'd ever seen her. "Nothing can last forever, Percy. Over two thousand years I have led the Hunt, and my wisdom has not improved. Now Artemis herself is in danger." "Look, you can't blame yourself for that." "If I had insisted on going with her—" "You think you could've fought something powerful enough to kidnap Artemis? There's nothing you could have done." Zoe didn't answer. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 14)

 "Percy," Grover said. "Are you sure? That lion skin… that's really helpful. Hercules used it!" As soon as he said that, I realized something. I glanced at Zoe, who was watching me carefully. I realized I did know who Zoe's hero had been—the one who'd ruined her life, gotten her kicked out of her family, and never even mentioned how she'd helped him: Hercules, a hero I'd admired all my life. "If I'm going to survive," I said, "it won't be because I've got a lion-skin cloak. I'm not Hercules." I threw the coat into the bay. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 16)

Blackjack:

As we got closer to Washington, Blackjack started slowing down and dropping altitude. He was breathing heavily. "You okay?" I asked him. Fine, boss. I could… I could take on an army. "You don't sound so good." And suddenly I felt guilty, because I'd been running the pegasus for half a day, nonstop, trying to keep up with highway traffic. Even for a flying horse, that had to be rough. Don't worry about me, boss! I'm a tough one. I figured he was right, but I also figured Blackjack would run himself into the ground before he complained, and I didn't want that. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 9)

I looked at Blackjack. "I want you to go back to camp. Get some rest. Graze. I'll be fine." Blackjack cocked his head skeptically. You sure, boss? "You've done enough already," I said. "I'll be fine. And thanks a ton." A ton of hay, maybe, Blackjack mused. That sounds good. All . right, but be careful, boss. I got a feeling they didn't come here to meet anything friendly and handsome like me. I promised to be careful. Then Blackjack took off, circling twice around the monument before disappearing into the clouds. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 9)

Ordinary people & unnamed characters

Ares handed her a few gold drachmas. She looked nervously at the coins. “But, these aren’t…” Ares pulled out his huge knife and started cleaning his fingernails. “Problem, sweetheart?” The waitress swallowed, then left with the gold. “You can’t do that,” I told Ares. “You can’t just threaten people with a knife.” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 15)

The clerk looked so lonely, I bought a rubber rat. Then we headed back outside and stood on the porch. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 12)

On the shore was a canoe rental operation that was closed for the season, but I left a stack of golden drachmas on the counter and a note saying IOU two canoes. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 14)

"Thalia's right," I said. "We need a car. But there's nobody to help us here. Unless we, uh, borrowed one." I didn't like that option. I mean, sure this was a life-or-death situation, but still, it was stealing, and it was bound to get us noticed. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 16)

Finally we found an unconscious courier leaning against a brick wall, still straddling his red Vespa. We dragged him off the scooter and laid him on the sidewalk. "Sorry, dude," I said. With any luck, I'd be able to bring his scooter back. If I didn't, it would hardly matter, because the city would be destroyed. I drove with Annabeth behind me holding on to my waist. We zigzagged down Broadway with our engine buzzing through the eerie calm. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 10)

I scrambled away, breathing heavily. The satyr who’d gotten trampled wasn’t moving. I rushed over to check on him, but then I heard Grover’s voice: “Percy!” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 18)

Chris rodriguez

Clarisse brought him back to her mom’s house so the mortals wouldn’t institutionalize him. She tried to nurse him back to health. Chiron came out and interviewed him, but it wasn’t much good. The only thing they got out of him: Luke’s men have been exploring the Labyrinth.” I shivered, though I wasn’t exactly sure why. Poor Chris…he hadn’t been a bad guy. What could’ve driven him mad? (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 3)

Naiad at the range

“Oh, save it, sea boy. You ocean-god types always think you’re soooo much more important than some little river, don’t you? well let me tell you, this naiad is not going to be pushed around just because your daddy is Poseidon. This is freshwater territory, mister. The last guy who asked me this favor—oh, he was way better-looking than you, by the way—he convinced me, and that was the worst mistake I’ve ever made! Do you have any idea what all that horse manure does to my ecosystem? Do I look like a sewage treatment plant to you? My fish will die. I’ll never get the much out of my plants. I’ll be sick for years. NO THANK YOU!” The way she talked reminded me of my mortal friend, Rachel Elizabeth Dare—kind of like she was punching me with words. I couldn’t blame the naiad. Now that I thought about it, I’d be pretty mad if somebody dumped four million pounds of manure in my home. But still…” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 9)

“My friends are in danger,” I told her. “Well, that’s too bad! But it’s not my problem. And you’re not going to ruin my river.” She looked like she was ready for a fight. Her fists were balled, but I thought I heard a little quiver in her voice. Suddenly I realized that despite her angry attitude, she was afraid of me. She probably thought I was going to fight her for control of the river, and she was worried she would lose. The thought made me sad. I felt like a bully, a son of Poseidon throwing his weight around. I sat down on a tree stump. “Okay, you win.” The naiad looked surprised. “Really?” “I’m not going to fight you. It’s your river.” She relaxed her shoulders. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 9)

Calypso:

Still,” I said hesitantly, “it’s not fair to punish you for what your father’s done. I knew another daughter of Atlas. Her name was Zoë. She was one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 12)

“There it is again,” I said. “What?” “You keep pulling away, like you’re trying not to enjoy yourself.” She kept her eyes on her glass of cider. “As I told you, Percy, I have been punished. Cursed, you might say.” “How? Tell me. I want to help.” “Don’t say that. Please don’t say that.” “Tell me what the punishment is.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 12)

Then I patted my shirt pocket and felt a small lump. I hadn’t even realized it, but I was wearing the white cotton shirt Calypso had given me on Ogygia. I brought out a little piece of cloth, unwrapped it, and found the clipping of moon lace. It was a tiny sprig, shriveled up after two months, but I could still smell the faint scent of the enchanted garden. It made me sad. I remembered Calypso’s last request of me: Plant a garden in Manhattan for me, will you? I opened the window and stepped onto the fire escape. My mom kept a planter box out there. In the spring she usually filled it with flowers, but now it was all dirt, waiting for something new. It was a clear night. The moon was full over Eighty-second Street. I planted the dried sprig of moonlace carefully in the dirt and sprinkled a little nectar on it from my camp canteen. Nothing happened at first. Then, as I watched, a tiny silver plant sprang out of the soil—a baby moonlace, growing in the warm summer night. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 20)

Behind her at the kitchen window, silvery moon lace glowed in the flower box. I'd brought the magical plant back from Calypso's island last summer, and it bloomed like crazy under my mother's care. The scent always calmed me down, but it also made me sad because it reminded me of lost friends. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 6)

"And the minor gods," I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe —they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. (The Last Olympian)

Mrs. O’leary

Before dinner I stopped by the sword arena. Sure enough, Mrs. O’Leary was curled up in an enormous black furry mound in the middle of the stadium, chewing half-heartedly on the head of a warrior dummy. When she saw me, she barked and came bounding toward me. I thought I was dead meat. I just had time to say, “Whoa!” before she bowled me over and started licking my face. Now usually, being the son of Poseidon and all, I only get wet if I want to, but my powers apparently did not extend to dog saliva, because I got a pretty good bath. “Whoa, girl!” I yelled. “Can’t breathe. Lemme up!” Eventually I managed to get her off me. I scratched her ears and found her an extra-gigantic dog biscuit. “Where’s your master?” I asked. Her. “How could he just leave you, huh?” She whimpered like she wanted to know that, too. I was ready to believe Quintus was an enemy, but still I couldn’t understand why he’d leave Mrs. O’Leary behind. If there was one thing I was sure of, it was that he really cared for his megadog. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 13)

The next morning I made sure Mrs. O’Leary had enough dog biscuits. I asked Beckendorf to keep an eye on her, which he didn’t seem too happy about. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 13)

Then I realized something else: Mrs. O’Leary was gone. I didn’t know when she’d disappeared. I didn’t know of she’d gotten lost or been overrun by monsters or what. My heart turned to lead. She’d saved our lives, and I hadn’t even waited to make sure she was following us. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 15)

Then he turned toward me. “One last favor, Percy Jackson. I cannot leave Mrs. O’Leary alone. And she has no desire to return to the Underworld. Will you care for her?” I looked at the massive black hound, who whimpered pitifully, still licking Daedalus’s hair. I was thinking that my mom’s apartment wouldn’t allow dogs, especially dogs bigger than the apartment, but I said, “Yeah. Of course I will.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 18)

Silena

Only Silena Beauregard didn't pay any attention. She sat beside Clarisse and stared vacantly at the Ping-Pong net. Her eyes were red and puffy. A cup of hot chocolate sat untouched in front of her. It seemed unfair that she had to be here. I couldn't believe Clarisse and Michael standing over her, arguing about something as stupid as loot, when she'd just lost Beckendorf. "STOP IT!" I yelled. "What are you guys doing?" (The Last Olympian, Chapter 3)

Finally I got up the nerve to walk over. "Hey, Silena, I'm really sorry." She sniffled. Clarisse glared at me, but she always glares at everyone. Chris would barely look at me. He'd been one of Luke's men until Clarisse rescued him from the Labyrinth last summer, and I guess he still felt guilty about it. I cleared my throat. "Silena, you know Beckendorf carried your picture. He looked at it right before we went into battle. You meant a lot to him. You made the last year the best of his life." Silena sobbed. "Good work, Percy," Clarisse muttered. "No, it's all right," Silena said. "Thank . . . thank you, Percy. I should go." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 4)

Silena pressed a cool cloth to Annabeth's forehead. "This is all my fault." "No," Annabeth said weakly. "Silena, how is it your fault?" "I've never been any good at camp," she murmured. "Not like you or Percy. If I was a better fighter . . ." Her mouth trembled. Ever since Beckendorf died she'd been getting worse, and every time I looked at her, it made me angry about his death all over again. Her expression reminded me of glass—like she might break any minute. I swore to myself that if I ever found the spy who'd cost her boyfriend his life, I would give him to Mrs. O'Leary as a chew toy. "You're a great camper," I told Silena. "You're the best pegasus rider we have. And you get along with people. Believe me, anyone who can make friends with Clarisse has talent." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 12)

She stared at me like I'd just given her an idea. "That's it! We need the Ares cabin. I can talk to Clarisse. I know I can convince her to help us." "Whoa, Silena. Even if you could get off the island, Clarisse is pretty stubborn. Once she gets angry—" "Please," Silena said. "I can take a pegasus. I know I can make it back to camp. Let me try." I exchanged looks with Annabeth. She nodded slightly. I didn't like the idea. I didn't think Silena stood a chance of convincing Clarisse to fight. On the other hand, Silena was so distracted right now that she would just get herself hurt in battle. Maybe sending her back to camp would give her something else to focus on. "All right," I told her. "I can't think of anybody better to try." Silena threw her arms around me. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 12)

Connor and Travis Stoll met us by the elevators. "Is it true?" Connor asked. "About Silena?" I nodded. "She died a hero." Travis shifted uncomfortably. "Um, I also heard—" "That's it," I insisted. "End of story." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 17)

May Castellan

 Suddenly Ms. Castellan collapsed. I lurched forward and caught her before she could hit the edge of the table. I managed to get her into a chair. "Ms. C?" I asked. She muttered something incomprehensible and shook her head. "Goodness. I . . . I dropped the cookies. How silly of me." She blinked, and her eyes were back to normal—or at least, what they had been before. The green glow was gone. "Are you okay?" I asked. "Well, of course, dear. I'm fine. Why do you ask?" (The Last Olympian, Chapter 6)

"But you can't leave!" Ms. Castellan got shakily to her feet, and I backed away. I felt silly being scared of a frail old woman, but the way her voice had changed, the way she'd grabbed Nico . . . "Hermes will be here soon," she promised. "He'll want to see his boy!" "Maybe next time," I said. "Thank you for—" I looked down at the burned cookies scattered on the floor. "Thanks for everything." She tried to stop us, to offer us Kool-Aid, but I had to get out of that house. On the front porch, she grabbed my wrist and I almost jumped out of my skin. "Luke, at least be safe. Promise me you'll be safe." "I will . . . Mom." That made her smile. She released my wrist, and as she closed the front door I could hear her talking to the candles: "You hear that? He will be safe. I told you he would be!" (The Last Olympian, Chapter 6)

"I can't just . . ." I could tell I'd have to push her harder if I wanted her to agree, but I didn't want to. I remembered poor Ms. Castellan in her kitchen, waiting for her son to come home. And I realized how lucky I was. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 6)

I wanted to yell at May Castellan to stop. I knew what was about to happen. I finally understood how her life had been destroyed. But I couldn’t move or speak. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 14)

They hadn't realized that by trying to take the job, May would be driven mad, plagued with fits in which her eyes would glow green and she would have shattered glimpses of her child's future. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 14)

“Friends”

(This is just generally, when Percy describes a group of people as his friends. This can be either specific people or the entirety of camp halfblood)

"Why do you hate me so much? What did I ever do to you?" Purple flames flickered in his eyes. "You're a hero, boy. I need no other reason." "I have to go on this quest! I've got to help my friends. That's something you wouldn't understand!" (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 9)

"Hey!" I yelled. I don't know what I was thinking, but I charged the beast. I just wanted to get it away from my friends. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 10)

I needed time to think. I had to save Bessie. I could dive into the sea, but how could I make a quick getaway with a five-hundred-pound cow serpent? And what about my friends? (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 15)

 “You would be immortal on this island,” she said quietly. “You would never age or die. You could leave the fight to others, Percy Jackson. You could escape your prophecy.” I stared at her, stunned. “Just like that?” She nodded. “Just like that.” “But…my friends.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 12)

I could live with Calypso, with invisible servants tending to my every need. We could grow flowers in the garden and talk to songbirds and walk on the beach under perfect blue skies. No war. No prophecy. No more taking sides. “I can’t,” I told her. She looked down sadly. “I would never do anything to hurt you,” I said, “but my friends need me. I know how to help them now. I have to get back.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 12)

. A few dracaenae threw flaming javelins at me. I knocked them aside. A hellhound lunged, and I sidestepped. I could have stabbed it, but I hesitated. This is not Mrs. O'Leary, I reminded myself. This is an untamed monster. It will kill me and all my friends. It pounced again. This time I brought Riptide up in a deadly arc. The hellhound disintegrated into dust and fur. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 11)

"But what can we do?" Grover asked. "Frisk every demigod until we find a scythe charm?" They all looked at me, waiting for a decision. I couldn't afford to show how panicked I felt, even if things seemed hopeless. "We keep fighting," I said. "We can't obsess about this spy. If we're suspicious of each other, we'll just tear ourselves apart. You guys were awesome last night. I couldn't ask for a braver army. Let's set up a rotation for the watches. Rest up while you can. We've got a long night ahead of us." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 12)

Now I’ve got to tell you, I’ve met a lot of godlings and monsters I didn’t like, but Phobos took the prize. I don’t like bullies. I’d never been in the “A” crowd at school, so I’d spent most of my life standing up to punks who tried to frighten me and my friends. The way Phobos laughed at me and made Clarisse collapse just by looking at her… I wanted to teach this guy a lesson. I helped Clarisse up. Her face was still beaded with sweat. “Now are you ready for help?” I asked. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Ethan:

 I put the tip of my sword on his chest. “Get it over with,” Ethan groaned. I looked up at Antaeus. His red face was stony with displeasure, but he held up his hand and put it thumbs down. “Forget it.” I sheathed my sword. “Don’t be a fool,” Ethan groaned. “They’ll just kill us both.” I offered him my hand. Reluctantly, he took it. I helped him up (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 14)

I looked at Ethan. “When you see your chance, run.” Then I turned back to Antaeus. “Why don’t you fight me yourself? If you’ve got Dad’s favor, come down here and prove it!” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 14)

 Ethan struggled to his feet. “I’m not going to argue with you. Thanks for the help, but I’m out of here.” “We’re going after Daedalus,” I said. “Come with us. Once we get through, you’d be welcome back at camp.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 15)

I grabbed his arm. “You’re just going to head off alone into the maze? That’s suicide.” He looked at me with barely controlled anger. His eye patch was frayed around the edges and the black cloth was faded, like he’d been wearing it a long, long time. “You shouldn’t have spared me, Jackson. Mercy has no place in this war.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 15)

Ethan ran, straight into the cave of Melinoe. Thalia took aim at his back, but I said, “No. Let him go.” She frowned but lowered her bow. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to spare Ethan. I guess we’d had enough fighting for a day, and in truth, I felt sorry for the kid. He would be in enough trouble when he reported back to Kronos. (The Demigod Files: The Sword of Hades)

"You said your mom is the goddess of balance," I reminded him. "The minor gods deserve better, Ethan, but total destruction isn't balance. Kronos doesn't build. He only destroys." Ethan looked at the sizzling throne of Hephaestus. Grover's music kept playing, and Ethan swayed to it, as if the song were filling him with nostalgia —a wish to see a beautiful day, to be anywhere but here. His good eye blinked. Then he charged . . . but not at me. While Kronos was still on his knees, Ethan brought down his sword on the Titan lord's neck. It should have killed him instantly, but the blade shattered. Ethan fell back, grasping his stomach. A shard of his own blade had ricocheted and pierced his armor. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 19)

. I could have power and eternal life. Who could refuse that? Then I looked at Annabeth again. I thought about my friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, Silena Beauregard, so many others who were now dead. I thought about Ethan Nakamura and Luke. And I knew what to do. "No," I said. (…) . "From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All the children . . . of all the gods." (The Last Olympian)

Even Ethan Nakamura was given a shroud—black silk with a logo of swords crossed under a set of scales. As his shroud went up in flames, I hoped Ethan knew he had made a difference in the end. He'd paid a lot more than an eye, but the minor gods would finally get the respect they deserved. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 22)

Daedalus:

Quintus seemed nice. So concerned. And Mrs. O’Leary liked him, which had to count for something. She dropped the slimy shield at my feet and barked excitedly. I felt ashamed that I could even think about mistrusting Quintus. But then again, I’d trusted Luke onceBattle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 4)

I thought about Grover and Tyson, still down there somewhere. And Daedalus…even though he’d done some terrible things and put everybody I cared about at risk, it seemed like a pretty horrible way to die. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 16)

Luke:

They were staring at Luke's broken form on the rocks. Despite how much I hated him, I couldn't stand to see it. I wanted to believe he was still alive, but that was impossible. The fall was fifty feet at least, and he wasn't moving. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 17)

The water revitalized me, breaking the time spell, and I lunged forward. I struck at Kronos, but I was still too slow. I made the mistake of looking at his face—Luke's face—a guy who was once my friend. As much as I hated him, it was hard to kill him. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 1)

Luke was so kind," Ms. Castellan murmured. "He left to protect me, you know. He said if he went away, the monsters wouldn't threaten me. But I told him the monsters are no threat! They sit outside on the sidewalk all day, and they never come in." She picked up the little stuffed Medusa from the windowsill. "Do they, Mrs. Medusa? No, no threat at all." She beamed at me. "I'm so glad you came home. I knew you weren't ashamed of me!" I shifted in my seat. I imagined being Luke sitting at this table, eight or nine years old, and just beginning to realize that my mother wasn't all there. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 6)

And Hermes . . . why had he abandoned Luke? Why hadn't he at least warned Luke, or tried to raise him better so he wouldn't turn evil? Maybe Prometheus was toying with my mind. But what if he's right? part of me wondered. How are the gods any better than the Titans? (The Last Olympian, Chapter 13)

Thalia frowned. "You can't be sure of that. Remember Prometheus was manipulating what you saw, Percy, showing you what happened in the worst possible light. Hermes did love Luke. I could tell just by looking at his face. And Hermes was there that night because he was checking up on May, taking care of her. He wasn't all bad." "It's still not right," I insisted. "Luke was just a little kid. Hermes never helped him, never stopped him from running away." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 14)

Another cough. He gripped my sleeve, and I could feel the heat of his skin like a fire. "Ethan. Me. All the unclaimed. Don't let it . . . Don't let it happen again." His eyes were angry, but pleading too. "I won't," I said. "I promise." Luke nodded, and his hand went slack. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 19)

 I turned and faced the Olympians. "We need a shroud," I announced, my voice cracking. "A shroud for the son of Hermes." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 19)

Pollux:

I found Dionysus's son Pollux propped up against a tree. He had a broken arm, but otherwise he was okay. "I can still fight with the other hand," he said, gritting his teeth. "No," I said. "You've done enough. I want you to stay here and help with the wounded." "But—" "Promise me to stay safe," I said. "Okay? Personal favor." He frowned uncertainly. It wasn't like we were good friends or anything, but I wasn't going to tell him it was a request from his dad. That would just embarrass him. Finally he promised, and when he sat back down, I could tell he was kind of relieved. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 17)

The flying monster sow:

The massive pink pork monster landed with a thud, cracking the sidewalk. The lions stared at it, not believing their luck, and pounced. At the same time, a very beat-up Hermes statue leaped onto the pig's head and started banging it mercilessly with a caduceus. Those lions had some nasty claws. I drew Riptide, but there wasn't much for me to do. The pig disintegrated before my eyes. I almost felt sorry for it. I hoped it got to meet the boar of its dreams down in Tartarus. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 14)

Briares:

“What exactly do you mean, they faded?” I asked. “I thought monsters were immortal, like the gods.” “Percy,” Grover said weakly, “even immortality has limits. Sometimes…sometimes monsters get forgotten and they lose their will to stay immortal.” Looking at Grover’s face, I wondered if he was thinking of Pan. I remembered something Medusa had told us once: how her sisters, the other two gorgons, had passed on and left her alone. Then last year Apollo said something about the old god Helios disappearing and leaving him with the duties of the sun god. I’d never thought about it too much, but now, looking at Briares, I realized how terrible it would be to be so old—thousands and thousands of years old—and totally alone. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 8)

Animals at the range:

 “Maybe you can change things,” I said. Eurytion narrowed his eyes. “How?” “Be nice to the animals. Take care of them. Stop selling them for food. And stop dealing with the Titans.” Eurytion thought about that. “That’d be all right.” “Get the animals on your side, and they’ll help you. Once Geryon gets back, maybe he’ll be working for you this time.” Eurytion grinned. “Now, that I could live with.” “You won’t try to stop us leaving?” “Shoot, no.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 9)

Beckendorf:

Beckendorf pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. I thought it was a map or something. Then I realized it was a photograph. He stared at it in the dim light—the smiling face of Silena Beauregard, daughter of Aphrodite. They'd started going out last summer, after years of the rest of us saying, "Duh, you guys like each other!" Even with all the dangerous missions, Beckendorf had been happier this summer than I'd ever seen him. "We'll make it back to camp," I promised. For a second I saw worry in his eyes. Then he put on his old confident smile. "You bet," he said. "Let's go blow Kronos back into a million pieces." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 1)

Now, moving on towards the "he doesn't actually care about his own kind comment":

Demigods:

I had brought this storm to Half-Blood Hill. Zeus was punishing the whole camp because of me. I was furious. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 9)

I couldn’t stand the idea that something might be wrong at camp. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

“Why?” I asked. “I want to do something! I can’t just let the borders fail. The whole camp will be-“ “Overrun by monsters,” Chiron said. “Yes, I fear so. But you must not let yourself be baited into hasty action! This could be a trap of the titan lord. Remember last summer! He almost took your life.” It was true, but still, I wanted to help so badly. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 5)

I looked at my friends. This wasn't good. I needed to find Artemis, and I needed to figure out what the doomsday creature was. I also needed to know if Annabeth was still alive, and how to rescue her. How could I ask that all in one question? A voice inside me was screaming Ask about Annabeth! That's what I cared about most. But then I imagined what Annabeth might say. She would never forgive me if I saved her and didn't save Olympus. Zoe would want me to ask about Artemis, but Chiron had told us the monster was even more important. I sighed. "All right, Nereus. Tell me where to find this terrible monster that could bring an end to the gods. The one Artemis was hunting." (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 15)

I ran toward the fortress, my pulse pounding in my ears. I didn’t want to get anywhere close to that horrible black mausoleum, but I knew what I had to do. I had to stop Kronos from rising. This might be my only chance. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 16)

A forest fire had started. Flames roared within ten feet of Juniper’s tree, and Juniper and Grover were going nuts trying to save it. Grover played a rain song on his pipes. Juniper desperately tried to beat out the flames with her green shawl, but it was only making things worse. I ran toward them, jumping past duels, weaving between the legs of giants. The nearest water was the creek, half a mile away…but I had to do something. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 18)

I raised my own sword, determined to face him, but then phobos’s eyes glowed brighter, and I made the mistake of looking into them. Suddenly I was in a different place. I was at Camp Half-blood, my favourite place in the world, and it was in flames. The woods were on fire. The cabins were smoking. The dining pavillion’s greek columns had crumbled, and the Big House was a smoldering ruin. My friends were on their knees pleading with me. Annabeth, Grover, all the other campers. Save us, Percy! They wailed. Make the choice! I stood paralyzed. This was the moment I had always dreaded,: the prophecy that was about to come about when I was sixteen. I would make a choice that would save or destroy Mount Olympus. Now the moment was here, and I had no idea what to do. The camp was burning. My friends looked at me, begging me to help. My heart pounded. I couldn’t move. What if I did the wrong thing? (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

As I was running up the stairwell, a kid charged down. He looked like he'd just woken up from a nap. His armor was half on. He drew his sword and yelled, "Kronos!" but he sounded more scared than angry. He couldn't have been more than twelve—about the same age I was when I'd first arrived at Camp Half-Blood. That thought depressed me. This kid was getting brainwashed—trained to hate the gods and lash out because he'd been born half Olympian. Kronos was using him, and yet the kid thought I was his enemy. No way was I going to hurt him. I didn't need a weapon for this. I stepped inside his strike and grabbed his wrist, slamming it against the wall. His sword clattered out of his hand. Then I did something I hadn't planned on. It was probably stupid. It definitely jeopardized our mission, but I couldn't help it. "If you want to live," I told him, "get off this ship now. Tell the other demigods." Then I shoved him down the stairs and sent him tumbling to the next floor (The Last Olympian, Chapter

Tied around the base of each blade were lots of bead necklaces. I realized they were Camp Half-Blood beads—necklaces taken from defeated demigods. I was so mad, I imagined my eyes glowing just like the Minotaur's. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 11)

The Titan lord's men drew their swords and charged. The hooves of their skeletal horses thundered against the pavement. Our archers shot a volley, bringing down several of the enemy, but they just kept riding. "Retreat!" I told my friends. "I'll hold them.'" (The Last Olympian, Chapter 11)

I tried to wound his men, not kill. That slowed me down, but these weren't monsters. They were demigods who'd fallen under Kronos's spell. I couldn't see faces under l heir battle helmets, but some of them had probably been my friends. I slashed the legs off their horses and made the skeletal mounts disintegrate. After the first few demigods took a spill, the rest figured out they'd better dismount and fight me on foot. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 11)

"We have to land where they need us most," I muttered. That's everywhere, boss. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 15)

She was right. The next hour was a blur. I fought like I'd never fought before—wading into legions of dracaenae, taking out dozens of telkhines with every strike, destroying empousai and knocking out enemy demigods. No matter how many I defeated, more took their place. Annabeth and I raced from block to block, trying to shore up our defenses. Too many of our friends lay wounded in the streets. Too many were missing. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 15)

"I'll take the drakon." My voice came out as a timid squeak. Then I yelled louder: "I'LL TAKE THE DRAKON! Everyone else, hold the line against the army!" (The Last Olympian, Chapter 16)

As Grover planted the laurel sapling, Annabeth and I went around trying to cheer up the wounded. I passed a satyr with a broken leg, a demigod who was bandaged from head to toe, and a body covered in the golden burial shroud of Apollo's cabin. I didn't know who was underneath. I didn't want to find out. My heart felt like lead, but we tried to find positive things to say. "You'll be up and fighting Titans in no time!" I told one camper. "You look great," Annabeth told another camper. "Leneus turned into a shrub!" Grover told a groaning satyr. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 17)

Grover and I cared for the wounded, and once the sky bridge re-formed, we greeted our friends who had survived. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 20)

I could avoid all that. No aging, no death, no body in the grave. I could be a teenager forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving my father. I could have power and eternal life. Who could refuse that? Then I looked at Annabeth again. I thought about my friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, Silena Beauregard, so many others who were now dead. I thought about Ethan Nakamura and Luke. And I knew what to do. "No," I said.(The Last Olympian)

The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made. "From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All the children . . . of all the gods." The Olympians shifted uncomfortably. "Percy," my father said, "what exactly do you mean?" "Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason." Zeus's royal nostrils flared. "You dare accuse—" "No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive." "Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll. "And the minor gods," I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe —they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—" "Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed. "No, my lord," I said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. (The Last Olympian)

Hermes stared at the fountain. "I'll give you a list of my children. There's a boy in Wisconsin. Two girls in Los Angeles. A few others. Will you see that they get to camp?" "I promise," I said. "And I won't forget." (The Last Olympian, Chapter 21)

Humans

 “What? I can’t-“ “Look, do you want her turning more innocent people into statues?” She pointed to a pair of statue lovers, a man and a woman with their arms around each other, turned to stone by the monster. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 11

I ended up next to the family and the park ranger, who were all screaming now, trying to pry open the emergency exit doors. I couldn’t let them get hurt. I uncapped my sword, ran to the other side of the deck, and yelled, “Hey, Chihuahua!” (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 13)

I glanced at the park ranger and the family. The little boy was hiding behind his father’s legs. I had to protect these people. I couldn’t just … die. I tried to think, but my whole body was on fire. My head felt dizzy. I had no sword. I was facing a massive, fire-breathing monster and its mother. And I was scared. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 13)

If I died, would the monsters go away? Would they leave the humans alone? (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 13)

Why had Poseidon saved me? The more I thought about it, the more ashamed I felt. So I’d gotten lucky a few times before. Against a thing like the Chimera, I had never stood a chance. Those poor people in the Arch were probably toast. I couldn’t protect them. I was no hero. Maybe I should just stay down here with the catfish, join the bottom feeders. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 14)

Survivors. I felt a surge of relief. Maybe the park ranger and that family made it out safely. I hoped Annabeth and Grover were okay. (The Lightning Thief, Chapter 14)

I desperately wanted to sacrifice myself and use the last pearl on her, but I knew what she would say. She would never allow it. I had to get the bolt back to Olympus and tell Zeus the truth. I had to stop the war. She would never forgive me if I saved her instead. I thought about the prophecy made at Half-Blood Hill, what seemed like a million years ago. You will fail to save what matters most in the end. “I’m sorry,” I told her. “I’ll be back. I’ll find a way.”

Raj and some of the other kids banged on it desperately but it wouldn’t budge. “Let them go!” I yelled at the giants. (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

“Corey!” I screamed. Tyson pulled him out from behind the exercise mat just as the ball exploded against it, blasting the mat to smoking shreds. “Run!” I told my teammates. “The other exit!” (The Sea of Monsters, Chapter 2)

“Time to greet our visitors!” Kelli bared her fangs and ran for the doors. I charged after her with Riptide. I had to stop her from hurting the mortals. “Percy, don’t!” Rachel shouted. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 1)

Even the meat scraps between their teeth had been washed out. We won’t eat you! the horses wailed. Please, lord! no more salty baths! “On one condition,” I said. “You only eat the food your handlers give you from now on. Not people. Or I’ll be back with more seashells!” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 9

Hephaestus switched it off. “You caused quite an explosion.” I stared at the blank bronze screen. Half a million people evacuated? Injuries. Illness. What had I done? (,,,) “Not that powerful, eh? Could have fooled me. You’re the son of the Earthshaker, lad. You don’t know your own strength.” 79 79 That’s the last thing I wanted him to say. I hadn’t been in control of myself in that mountain. I’d released so much energy I’d almost vaporized myself, drained all the life out of me. Now I found out I’d nearly destroyed the Northwest U.S. and almost woken the most horrible monster ever imprisoned by the gods. Maybe I was too dangerous. Maybe it was safer for my friends to think I was dead. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 12)

Back on my first visit to the Princess Andromeda, my old enemy Luke had kept some dazed tourists on board for show, shrouded in Mist so they didn't realize they were on a monster-infested ship. Now I didn't see any sign of tourists. I hated to think what had happened to them, but I kind of doubted they'd been allowed to go home with their bingo winnings. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 1)

I lifted Hades's robe. I could still see the tormented faces shimmering in the fabric. I walked to the edge of the river. "Be free." I dropped the robe in the water and watched as it swirled away, dissolving in the current. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 8)

Our progress was slow. Every so often we'd come across pedestrians who'd fallen asleep right in front of a car, and we'd move them just to be safe. Once we stopped to extinguish a pretzel vendor's cart that had caught on fire. A few minutes later we had to rescue a baby carriage that was rolling aimlessly down the street. It turned out there was no baby in it—just somebody's sleeping poodle. Go figure. We parked it safely in a doorway and kept riding. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 10)

"Percy," Annabeth said, "let me come with you." "Too dangerous," I said. "Besides, I need you to help Michael coordinate the defensive line. I'll distract the monsters. You group up here. Move the sleeping mortals out of the way. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 11)

Far away, I could hear a car alarm echo through the streets. A plume of black smoke curled into the sky somewhere over Harlem. I wondered how many ovens had been left on when the Morpheus spell hit; how many people had fallen asleep in the middle of cooking dinner. Pretty soon there would be more fires. Everyone in New York was in danger—and all those lives depended on us. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 12)

All I'm saying . . . don't you fall into the same trap. Luke has given himself to Kronos now. We can't afford to be soft on him." I looked out at the fires in Harlem, wondering how many sleeping mortals were in danger right now because of Luke's bad choices. "You're right," I said. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 14)

The monster roared. Tourists screamed and scattered. I don’t know exactly what they saw. The Mist usually prevents Mortals from seeing monsters in their true form, but whatever they saw, they were terrified. “Leave them alone,” I yelled. (The Demigod Files: The Stolen Chariot)

Beings related to the ocean:

"Old sea spirits making trouble. Aigaios. Oceanus. Those guys." I sort of knew what he was talking about. He meant the immortals who ruled the oceans back in the days of the Titans. Before the Olympians took over. The fact that they were back now, with the Titan Lord Kronos and his allies gaining strength, was not good. "Is there anything I can do?" I asked. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 5)

Exactly. Listen, we got another little sea friend needs your help. "Again?" Yeah. I told the hippocampi I'd come get you. I groaned. Anytime I was anywhere near the beach, the hippocampi would ask me to help them with their problems. And they had a lot of problems. Beached whales, porpoises caught in fishing nets, mermaids with hangnails—they'd call me to come underwater and help. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 7)

A dark shape—some kind of animal—was wedged halfway under the boat and tangled in a fishing net, one of those big nets they use on trawlers to catch everything at once. I hated those things. It was bad enough they drowned porpoises and dolphins, but they also occasionally caught mythological animals. When the nets got tangled, some lazy fishermen would just cut them loose and let the trapped animals die. (Titan’s Curse, Chapter 8)

The old gods of the sea, who’d ruled during Titan times, were starting to make war on our father. When Tyson had left, battles had been raging all over the Atlantic. Hearing that made me feel anxious, like I should be helping out, but Tyson assured me that Dad wanted us both at camp. (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 2)

Unfortunately, I have other problems of my own.” I remembered what Tyson had told me at the beginning of the summer. “The old sea gods?” “Indeed. The battle came first to me, Percy. In fact, I cannot stay long. Even now the ocean is at war with itself. It is all I can do to keep hurricanes and typhoons from destroying your surface world, the fighting is so intense.” “Let me come down there,” I said. “Let me help.” (Battle of the Labyrinth, Chapter 20)

Finally we scrambled over the embankment to the shore, and I let out a loud whistle. I hated doing it. Even with the sand dollar I'd given the East River for a magic cleaning, the water here was pretty polluted. I didn't want to make any sea animals sick, but they came to my call. (The Last Olympian, Chapter 22)

if you want to answer to my post like an asshole, and explicitly say that you mean disrespect, please do me a favor and first actually read the books you're talking about.

And I'm not saying that Percy always acted 100% perfect. While I understand why he was angry at Ethan, considering that the guy tried to kill Percy and has stabbed Annabeth, his comment about Nemesis in The Last Olympian certainly was very petty and uncalled for, and, while Percy tried to avoid killing demigods, it's highly probable that he did kill some during the battle of manhattan (but then again, that's a weird criticism, considering that that's the case for every demigod, who fought in Manhattan.)

If you're actually curious on why I think Luke doesn't deserve Elysium, I kind of already talked about that topic here in this post:

percy has every reason to expect the worst, but he doesn't. he wants to give up, but he can't. i think abt that scene in ttc, where percy says the music sounds "a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too," bc i think that's percy's entire character. he's realistic, he knows the odds are grim, he knows that he should be expecting the worst, he sees and responds to the harm others do, but he can't stay cold and bitter. bc no matter what he does, he can't stop finding the world beautiful.

(I wanted to repost their post originally, but my text became a bit too long, and I know that some people think it’s annoying in regards to reposts, when large amounts of texts are added, so I didn’t want to risk being irritating. I’m still confused at times about fandom etiquette on tumblr :’))  

I also think that Zeus actually being a nuanced individual and not a completely one-dimensional  and irredeemable jerk, as he is portrayed to be in the latter books, added a lot to one of the themes of PJO, which is the hope and possibility for a better future.

Like, one of the core reasons why Percy makes that demand at the end of The Last Olympian that they acknowledge and claim their children and that the minor gods get their cabins and respect, was a manifestation of his belief ( and one of the messages of PJO) that the world and the gods can do better. This is literally what he says shortly afterwards:

"You have other children. Honor Luke by recognizing them. All the gods can do that." Hermes's shoulders sagged. "They'll try, Percy. Oh, we'll all try to keep our promise. And maybe for a while things will get better. But we gods have never been good at keeping oaths. You were born because of a broken promise, eh? Eventually we'll become forgetful. We always do." "You can change." Hermes laughed. "After three thousand years, you think the gods can change their nature?" "Yeah," I said. "I do." Hermes seemed surprised by that. "You think . . . Luke actually loved me? After all that happened?" "I'm sure of it." Hermes stared at the fountain. "I'll give you a list of my children. There's a boy in Wisconsin. Two girls in Los Angeles. A few others. Will you see that they get to camp?" "I promise," I said. "And I won't forget." George and Martha twirled around the caduceus. I know snakes can't smile, but they seemed to be trying. "Percy Jackson," Hermes said, "you might just teach us a thing or two." (The Last Olympian, chapter 21)

The characterization of (most of) the gods in general in PJO is that they are deeply flawed individuals, but that they are not completely irredeemable.

Dionysus starts out as a complete jerk, who barely values the lives of the demigods at camp, yet he gets humanized with Ariadne’s backstory and with the death of his son.

Hermes is portrayed as a very flawed father, who left Luke to fend for himself when he was very young and was one of the reasons why he turned out the way he did, yet he gets portrayed as one of the more sympathetic gods throughout the books and the love he has for Luke and May is very obvious.

Apollo starts out as a very aloof individual, who cares little about anything, and is the reason why Halcyon Green suffered such a cruel fate, but his determination to save his sister in titan’s curse is very genuine and actually makes him break the rules of Olympus.

Hades is one of the antagonists of The lightning thief, says some pretty terrible things to Nico, was the reason why Thalia died, was the one who imprisoned Percy in a cell, which might have suffocated him and refused initially to help in the war in any way, yet you empathize with his banishment from Olympus, you see that he does care about Nico, he gets humanized through his backstory with Maria di Angelo, and, in the end, he does get convinced by Nico to fight for Olympus.

Zeus is one of the primary dangers of the lightning thief and is portrayed as an arrogant ruler who relishes his power, yet he is portrayed as caring about Thalia and being proud of her in Titan’s curse and even has a moment where he acknowledges Percy’s deed at the end of the Lightning Thief.