Percy Jackson: The Forgotten Son of the Sky

After arriving at the camp and being thrown into Hermes' cabin, Leander sighed, already missing his bed at home, instead of being crammed in with a bunch of people. The next day, as the newest camper, he was taken by the Stoll brothers, Connor and Travis—who looked almost like twins—first to watch the full orientation video, and then on a detailed tour of the camp. They explained the forges, the lava mountain, the sword arena, the archery fields, the basketball courts, the strawberry fields, the lake, the beach, the forest, the armory, the campfire, the amphitheater, and the twelve cabins.

Throughout the tour of the camp—which was actually pretty big on the inside—Leander kept stealing glances at Cabin One, the largest of the twelve, with its gleaming doors and a huge lightning bolt shining on them. He sighed in his mind.

After receiving the training schedule, Leander began exploring. He first went to the sword arena and pulled off his earring, transforming it into a hammer. He started training alone, practicing moves that were rooted in his body and instinct since he was four years old. With his divine strength, Leander was learning to compress that power into vibrations in the air, launching pressure attacks from a distance with his hammer.

Using alchemy, he transformed his hammer into a sword and began to train hard, fiercely, and with expert precision. It was like watching a master fight. Leander didn't notice anything else. His mind created a shadow of himself as he trained alone, striking powerful and skillful blows with his sword against his own shadow.

From afar, someone was watching his solo training. Percy Jackson was still upset with that idiot Tantalus chasing him around, and a bit shaken after having Tyson recognized as his brother for also being a son of Poseidon. He had come to blow off some steam with sword practice, but found the arena already in use. He stood there, mesmerized by the new camper Leander, who fought with a sword like a fierce and experienced warrior, like a master who had seen many battles.

At thirteen, Percy didn't really understand emotions—or himself—but as he watched the muscular boy with brown hair and blue eyes wielding a sword, he thought he'd never seen anything more magnificent, powerful, or beautiful, and felt his heart race without understanding why.

With an idea, Percy entered the arena with Riptide in hand and stood in front of Leander, snapping him out of his trance. When Leander realized Percy Jackson was standing there with a wide grin, he smiled and charged at the son of Poseidon, and they began a sparring match.

Percy immediately felt Leander's overwhelming strength and his skill with the sword. He realized how rusty he had become from not training while at home, and pushed himself to fight at full power. What felt like hours later, Percy was drenched in sweat. Finally, his sword was knocked from his hands, and he felt the sharp tip of Leander's sword at his throat, signaling the end.

"Okay, I lost," Percy said with a smile.

"You're good," Leander smiled, transforming his sword back into a hammer, then into an earring that returned to his ear. He sat on the floor next to Percy. "But I couldn't help noticing—you're kinda rusty?"

"Yeah, a bit. I wasn't here the whole summer, and I didn't train much at home," Percy said self-deprecatingly, lying down with his arms behind his head.

"It happens. But hey, Percy? You seemed worried and deep in thought during the training. Something wrong?" Leander asked, concerned for the green-eyed boy.

"Yeah… well, I guess I'm not dealing well with the bullying," Percy sighed, deciding to open up to someone who had no preconceived notions about him.

"What do you mean?" Leander asked, now serious and concerned, staring directly at him without hesitation.

"Last year, when I first got here…" Percy didn't know why, but he found himself telling his story—how he arrived, his dangerous quest to the Underworld, Luke's betrayal, Kronos, Poseidon's neglect, Zeus constantly trying to kill him, and how the other campers treated him at first, and now again for having a Cyclops as a brother.

"Man, sounds like you had a pretty shitty welcome, huh?" Leander said, his expression dark. For some reason, he hated injustice.

"Don't even get me started, man. I don't know what to do now," Percy sighed, somehow feeling better just for venting to someone he'd just met.

"Tell me something, Percy. Have you known Tyson for long?" Leander asked the son of the sea.

"I met him at the school I just got expelled from. I thought he was a homeless kid, picked on because of his size. The Mist kept me from seeing he was actually a baby Cyclops. But I became his friend, and very protective of him. I really don't have a problem accepting him as my brother. It's just that…" Percy spoke slowly, as if unraveling a knot in his heart.

"It's just that you started caring about those idiots who have tons of siblings to hang out with, compared to you who's alone—and your reputation. Maybe you need to look at it from another angle. What's more important to you? Taking care of, loving, and protecting your baby brother—or listening to idiots who accept or reject you depending on the day?" Leander asked seriously, staring into Percy's green eyes with his own blue ones.

Percy stayed silent, pondering the question. Deep down, his heart already had the answer. Family comes first. No matter the reason, motive, or circumstance—Tyson was his little brother. His friend. His baby brother who had suffered living on the streets alone, surviving as the scars on his back suggested. So Percy would ignore the others, and care for and love his brother.

"I know what I have to do now. Thanks, Leander. For pointing me in the right direction. I've been unfair to Tyson," Percy sighed, a bit ashamed.

"Everyone makes mistakes, Percy. Only the brave choose to admit and fix them. That's how you grow," Leander smiled, placing his calloused hand on Percy's warm shoulder. Percy smiled brightly, and in that moment, felt a strong connection with the blue-eyed boy who, though younger than him, seemed so wise.

"You're right. Want to be my friend?" Percy asked impulsively.

"Sure. I'd like that. Here—Leander Walker Richards," Leander smiled and extended his hand.

"Perseus Jackson, but call me Percy," Percy smiled brightly and shook Leander's hand.

Both boys sealed a friendship that would become a strong partnership in the face of the calamities to come.