Rick Riordan

“Doughboy," I said. "What is this scroll?""A spell lost in time!" he pronounced. "Ancient words of tremendous power!""Well?" I demanded. "Does it tell how to defeat Set?""Better! The title reads: The Book of Summoning Fruit Bats!”

“Now the tattoos," Zia announced."Brilliant!" I said."On your tongue," she added."Excuse me?”

“Facinating." He broke into a wide grin. "I've discovered something, Khufu. This is not Memphis, Egypt."Khufu gave me a sideways look, and I could swear his expression meant, Duh."I've also discovered a new form of magic called blues music," the man continued. "And barbecue. Yes, you must try barbecue.”

“Isis and Horus," he said. "I see you've found new bodies.”

“Fair means everyone gets what they need. And the only way to get what you need is to make it happen yourself.”

“It takes strength and courage to admit the truth.”

“My brother broke into a toothy grin. "Yay! Your brain works!”

“The main courtyard was filled with warriors - mermen with fish tails from the waist down and human bodies from the waist up, except their skin was blue, which I'd never known before.Some were tending the wounded. Some were sharpening spears and swords. One passed us, swimming in a hurry. His eyes were bright green, like that stuff they put in glo-sticks, and his teeth were shark teeth. They don't show you stuff like that in "The Little Mermaid.”

“I felt like one of Apollo's sacred cows- slow, dumb, and bright red.”

“that's me. ancient history."[Poseidon to Paul]”

“My mother made a squeaking sound that might of been either "yes" or "help".Poseidon took it as a yes and came in.Paul was looking back and forth between us, trying to read our expressions.Finally he stepped forward."Hi, I'm Paul Blofis."Poseidon raised an eyebrow and then shook his hand."Blowfish, did you say?""Ah, no. Blofis, actually.""Oh, I see," Poseidon said. "A shame. I quite like blowfish. I am Poseidon.""Poseidon? That's an interesting name.""Yes, I like it. I've gone by other names, but I do prefer Poseidon.""Like the god of the sea.""Very much like that, yes""Well!" My mother interrupted. "Um, were so glad you could drop by. Paul, this is Percy's father.""Ah." Paul nodded, though he didn't look real pleased. "I see."Poseidon smiled at me. "There you are, my boy. And Tyson, hello, son!""Daddy!" Tyson [shouted]...Paul's jaw dropped. He stared at my mother. "Tyson is...""Not mine," she promised. "It's a long story.”

“Charlie …" Silena’s eyes were a million miles away. "See Charlie.”

“So, yeah. Our cat was a goddess.What else is new?”

“Die, enemies of Ra!" Sekhemet yelled. "Perish in agony!""She's almost as annoying as you," I told Horus."Impossible," Horus said. "No one bests Horus.”

“Evil is easy to fight. Lack of wisdom...that is very hard indeed.”

“It's like I was connected to the plumping system.”

“I'm calm," Rachel insisted. "Every time I'm around you, some monsters attack us. What's to be nervous about?""Look," I said. "I'm sorry about the band room. I hope they didn't kick you our or anything.""Nah. They asked me a lot of questions about you. I played dumb.""Was it hard?" Annabeth asked.”

“A Vampire!" I stammered. Then I noticed her legs. Below the cheerleader skirt, her left leg was brown and shaggy with a donkey's hoof. Her right leg was shaped like a human leg was it was made of bronze. "Uhh, a vampire with-""Don't mention the legs!" Tammi snapped. "It's rude to make fun.”

“He pinched the name tag and ran his fingers under the letters. "Can you read this, mate? It says C-H-A-R-O-N. Say it with me: CARE-ON.""Charon.""Amazing! Now: Mr. Charon.""Mr. Charon.""Well done.”

“I am never, ever, going to make things easy for you, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.”

“Annabeth hesitated. "Then we'll all go." "No," I said. "It's too dangerous. If they got hold of Nico, or Rachel for that matter, Kronos could use them.You stay here and guard them."What I didn't say: I was also worried about Annabeth. I didn't trust what she would do if she saw Luke again. He had fooled her and manipulated her too many times before."Percy, don't," Rachel said. "Don't go up there alone.""I'll be quick," I promised. "I won't do anything stupid."Annabeth took her Yankees cap out of her pocket. "At least take this. And be carful.""Thanks." I remembered the last time Annabeth and I had parted ways, when she'd given me a kiss for luck in Mount St. Helens. This time, all I got was the hat.”

“But you'll be killed!""I'll be fine. Besides, we've got no choice."Annabeth glared at me like she was going to punch me. And then she did something that surprised me even more. She kissed me.”

“Unless you stop him. Perhaps next we meet.""You'll be just as annoying?" I guessed.He fixed my with those warm brown eyes. "Or perhaps you could bring me up to speed on those modern courtship rituals."I sat there stunned until he gave me a glimpse of a smile-just enough to let me know he was teasing. Then he disappeared."Oh, very funny!" I yelled.”

“Bessie?” I looked down at the bull serpent. “But… he’s too cute. He couldn’t destroy the world.”-Percy Jackson”

“I'm afraid not." Hades sighed. "My son here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies." He glared at me with distaste. "As much as I dislike certain upstart demigods, it would not do for Olympus to fall. I would miss bickering with my siblings. And if there is one thing we agree on - it is that you were a TERRIBLE father.”

“Percy: Don't I get a kiss for luck? It's kind of a tradition, right?Annabeth: Come back alive, Seaweed Brain. Then we'll see.”

“With great power... comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later.”

“Race you to the road?" I said."You are so going to lose." She (Annabeth) took off down Half-Blood Hill and I sprinted after her.For once, I didn't look back.”

“The world was collapsing, and the only thing that really mattered to me was that she was alive.”

“I picked up Pandora's jar. The spirit of Hope fluttered inside, trying to warm the cold container."Hestia," I said, "I give this to you as an offering."The goddess tilted her head. "I am the least of the gods. Why wouldyou trust me with this?""You're the last Olympian," I said. "And the most important.""And why is that, Percy Jackson?""Because Hope survives best at the hearth," I said. "Guard it for me,and I won't be tempted to give up again.”

“He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically. “Green grass breaks through snow. Artemis pleads for my help. I am so cool.” He grinned at us, waiting for applause. "That last line was four syllables.” Artemis said. Apollo frowned. “Was it?” “Yes. What about I am so bigheaded?” “No, no, that’s six syllable, hhhm.” He started muttering to himself.Zoe Nightshade turned to us. “Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I’d had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a godess from Sparta-" “I’ve got it!” Apollo announced. “I am so awesome. That’s five syllables!” He bowed, looking very pleased with himself.”

“The real story of the Fleece: there were these two children of Zeus, Cadmus and Europa, okay? They were about to get offered up as human sacrifices, when they prayed to Zeus to save them. So Zeus sent this magical flying ram with golden wool, which picked them up in Greece and carried them all the way to Colchis in Asia Minor. Well, actually it carried Cadmus. Europa fell off and died along the way, but that's not important.""It was probably important to her.”

“I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to kneel or buy stamps from him or what.”

“Sanchez looked at me and we locked eyes a second too long. There was nothing I could do about it. The signal went out. A moment of clear, silent hostility passed between us as hotly charged and unintentional as a thousand-volt arc through a squirrel.”

“Then there were the shabti, magical figurines that were supposed to come to life when summoned. A few months ago, I’d fallen for a girl named Zia Rashid, who’d turned out to be a shabti. Falling in love for the first time had been hard enough. But when the girl you like turns out to be ceramic and cracks to pieces before your eyes—well, it gives “breaking your heart” a new meaning.”

“Makes us appreciate blessing, not be greedy and mean and fat like Polyphemus.”

“I left him in his wheelchair, staring sadly into the fireplace. I wondered how many times he’d sat here, waiting for heroes that never came back.”

“Don't feel bad, I'm usually about to die.”

“That was so completely unfair that I told Tantalus to go chase a donut, which didn't help his mood.”

“Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy"Percy... Chiron's collection!”

“Holy mother!""Hmph. More like holy father. I'd think you'd know the difference."-Hephaetus”

“Love conquers all," Aphrodite promised. "Look at Helen and Paris. Did they let anything come between them?""Didn't they start the Trojan War and get thousands of people killed?""Pfft. That's not the point. Follow your heart.”

“A truly great artist has many talents.”

“I can't get through the year without getting kicked out or blowing something up.”

“Dreams like a podcast,Downloading truth in my ears.They tell me cool stuff.""Apollo?" I guess, because I figured nobody else could make a haiku that bad.He put his finger to his lips. "I'm incognito. Call me Fred.""A god named Fred?”

“We did all the standard camp numbers: "Down By The Aegean," "I Am My Own Great-Great-Great-Great Grandpa," "This Land is Minos's Land.”

“Um, dad?" I called "How's it going?""Percy!" Annabeth whispered. "We're in a hurry!”

“I told Tantalus to go chase a doughnut. ”

“Tyson," I said "We're turning around!"Going the wrong way?" he asked. Always," I grumbled, but I steered the chariot towards the stands.”

“I nodded, looking at Rachel with respect. "You hit the Lord of the Titans in the eye with a blue plastic hairbrush.”