The Lightning Thief

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover fly to New York, where Percy goes up to Mount Olympus by himself. After riding the Empire State Building elevator to the 600th floor, Percy finds a shining city of mansions atop a snow-capped mountain. He traverses the road to the god’s palace on the mountain’s peek, where Zeus and Poseidon wait in a tense silence, “as if they'd just finished an argument” (340).

Percy tells Zeus about his quest, including the voice from Tartarus and how Ares was also being used. The thing in the pit is Kronos, father of the Titans, as well as of Zeus and Poseidon. Zeus forbids further discussion on the topic and disappears. Percy tries to tell Poseidon that Kronos aims to return from his imprisonment, but Poseidon shuts down the conversation. He tells Percy to go home and that Hades sent Percy’s mother there. Percy will find a package in his room and must make a decision. With the beginnings of a tentative relationship with his father, Percy leaves Mount Olympus.

At home, Percy tearfully reunites with his mother. Gabe, his stepfather, threatens Percy and raises a hand to Percy’s mom. In his room, Percy finds the box he sent to Mount Olympus containing Medusa’s head. He offers to turn Gabe to stone, but his mother refuses. She wants to deal with Gabe her way for the same reason she didn’t stay with Poseidon: “If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself” (352). Percy agrees and leaves for Camp Half-Blood, unsure if he’s going forever or just for the summer.

Camp Half-Blood celebrates Percy, Annabeth, and Grover’s successful return with a huge party. Percy moves back into his cabin. With his new friends and father’s approval, the cabin doesn’t “feel so lonely anymore” (355). The rest of the summer is one of the best Percy’s ever had. When fall comes, he still can’t decide whether to stay for the entire year. He goes to the practice arena to clear his thoughts and finds Luke demolishing the practice dummies in an incredible show of swordsmanship. Luke takes Percy into the forest to hunt monsters. Once they are alone, Luke reveals he stole the lightning bolt and helm. Luke serves Kronos and has turned on Camp Half-Blood. He leaves Percy with a poisonous scorpion bite and flees camp.

Percy falls unconscious. When he wakes, he’s in the camp hospital with Chiron and Annabeth. He explains Luke’s betrayal and how Kronos is working toward regaining his power. Chiron starts to tell Percy about another prophesy, but a rumble of thunder from Olympus stops him. Chiron advises Percy to rest and goes to Olympus. When he’s gone, Annabeth tells Percy she’s going home for the year to give her family another chance. She leaves, and Percy makes his decision. With a final look at Camp Half-Blood, he promises Poseidon he’ll “be back next summer” and packs to go home (375).