"So this is the scene," I said, standing in the middle of my mom's living room, clutching a script page. In front of me stood Alice, my almost-five-year-old sister, looking up with the most serious expression a five-year-old could possibly manage. On the couch, Mom watched us with that quiet amusement.
Season 2 of Percy Jackson was just three and a half months away from release. It had been two years since the first season aired, and fans were practically rioting online, desperate for the next one. I had planned it that way two years between the first two seasons so we could make the next three back-to-back and release them one after the other: Season 2 in 2016, Season 3 in 2017, and Season 4 in 2018.
There was a small role this season a younger camper Percy interacts with briefly in episode two and we needed a voice for the character. A tiny part, just a few lines. And because my little sister had decided she wanted to be an actress, I figured I'd indulge in a bit of harmless nepotism.
For almost a year, Alice had been obsessed with acting. That was mostly Margot's fault she had become Alice's absolute favorite person in the world, dethroning even me. (Mom held steady at number one, of course.) Alice had done a couple of plays at her preschool, and honestly, she wasn't bad. Having Margot as an impromptu acting coach didn't hurt either.
Mom wasn't thrilled about her dear daughter wanting to be a child actor, though. She called it a phase Alice would grow out of. So, to compromise, I promised this would be a "one-time thing" just a little voice-over gig to satisfy Alice's dream.
To Alice, this was serious business. Her first choice of acting coach Margot was away shooting Birdman, so she summoned the next best thing: me.
"I read out, 'So, Percy Jackson is helping a six-year-old camper to shoot a bow. She's struggling with it.'"
As I read, Alice mimed pulling back an invisible bowstring, her little face scrunched in fierce concentration.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"And your line is," I said, glancing down at the page, "'I think the bow's broken.'"
Alice straightened her back, put on her best serious face, and said, "I think it's broken."
"No, it's 'I think the bow's broken.'"
"My version is better."
"You have to follow the script, Al."
"But Margot said actresses can change it if they think it's better."
I sighed. "Fine."
"Your version was good too."
"Of course it was," she replied imperiously, chin tilted up like a tiny diva.
Mom burst out laughing from the couch.
"What is this new attitude?" I asked, mock-scolding.
Alice crossed her arms and said, "Next line."
I chuckled. "Alright, alright…" I skimmed down the script.
"Don't make me wait," she added, tapping her foot for effect.
Mom was laughing harder now.
"Okay, okay!" I said, shaking my head. "Next line you say it with excitement because you just hit the target. Ready? 'I hit it!'"
Alice said it perfectly, beaming. "I hit it!"
"Good job, Allie." I smiled. "Okay, your final line 'Thanks, Percy!'"
"Thanks, Percy!" she said proudly, then looked up expectantly.
"Perfect. That's it! You just have to do exactly that when we go to the studio this afternoon."
Alice didn't respond. She just stared at me, lips pursed in thought.
"Al?" I asked, suddenly worried. "What is it? You getting cold feet?"
She shook her head solemnly. "I want to re… renoga…"
Mom helped her out. "Renegotiate, honey."
Alice nodded. "Yeah. That. I want to do that to my contract."
I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, really? The fifty dollars isn't enough for you?"
I mean, I thought it was a fair amount for her first payment. Mom and Nathan thought so too.
She shook her head firmly. "No."
Suppressing a grin, I walked over to the couch and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. I gave her my professional Hollywood look.
"Well then, Miss," I said, steepling my fingers. "Let's discuss terms."
"So that's what you want?" I asked.
Alice looked down and then up at me. "I want to spend a week with you and Margot at your apartment. Like you promised."
Her lower lip jutted out, and she looked genuinely upset.
"Oh…" I said, guilt washing over me instantly. She was right. She was supposed to stay with me and Margot last month, but with John Wick's release and everything else going on, I got too busy. Mom had told me Alice was really disappointed, though I tried to make it up to her by spending a whole day together and surprising her with this voice-acting gig.
"Okay," I said softly. "You're right, Al. I'm sorry about last month."
Her frown melted into a bright smile as she jumped forward and hugged me tightly.
"So it's a deal then?" I asked.
She pulled back and added, "And I want to eat ice cream all day when I'm there."
Before I could reply, Mom's voice came from the couch. "What was that?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, leaning down to whisper to Alice, "Deal."
She giggled triumphantly.
"Alright then," I said, standing up with a grin. "So, are the two of you coming to see Alice Adler's big performance later?"
Nathan, who had been quietly flipping through some papers, looked up. "Adler? Why aren't you using my last name?"
I blinked, genuinely forgetting for a second what his last name was.
"Because I'm Danny's sister," Alice announced proudly.
Nathan stood, walking over with mock offense. "If you really want to be a big actress like Margot, wouldn't it be better not to use your famous brother's name?"
"Why would I want that?" Alice asked, giving him a confused look. "I love Danny." She hugged me again for emphasis.
Nathan chuckled and shook his head. "My own daughter forsakes my name," he said dramatically.
I laughed, scooping Alice up in my arms. "Nothing can stop the Adler siblings," I declared.
Alice threw her arms in the air and cheered, "Yeah!"
Alice continued her very serious practice, even though she had already nailed every line and gesture.
Meanwhile, Nathan, Mom, and I sat outside by the pool. We had iced tea in hand, and we were talking about the small cameos I had planned for them in The Witch; they'd appear as background extras, the many puritans in the opening scene, the one where the family is banished from the village.
Mom looked uneasy. "I'm not sure about this," she said, her tone uncertain.
Nathan chuckled. "Mary, we just stand in the background."
"Yeah, Mom," I said with a grin. "It's not like you have to deliver a monologue or something."
She shook her head. "I don't want to ruin it. What if I laugh or do something stupid and ruin the scene for you?"
I chuckled. "No, you won't, Mom."
Nathan leaned forward. "Come on, it'll be fun! And when the movie comes out, people will be like—oh look, that's Daniel Adler's mom in that scene!"
Mom sighed but smiled faintly. "I don't know…"
"If you don't want to, Mom," I said gently, "you don't have to."
She hesitated a moment, then smiled wider. "No, I'll do it. I just… don't want to ruin it."
I reached over and squeezed her hand. "Mom, you'll ruin nothing for me."
That finally made her laugh.
Nathan nodded. "So when do we do it?"
"It'll be one of the first scenes we shoot," I said. "Early April."
"Can't wait," Mom said, her tone softening.
Just then, we heard the quick patter of little feet. Alice appeared, her tiny face determined. "It's time! We have to go!"
I looked at my watch. "Oh yeah, you're right let's go."
"Yaaay!" she cheered, sprinting ahead.
Nathan, Mom, and I exchanged amused smiles before following her inside.
=========
Percy Jackson Season 2—Episodes List
Episode 1: My Best Friend Shops for a Wedding Dress
Synopsis:
A year after the Battle of The Lightning Thief, Percy's life at Meriwether Prep seems peaceful until a dodgeball game turns into a deadly brawl with Laistrygonian giants. After Tyson, Percy's new friend, helps save the day, the two flee to Camp Half-Blood. But when they arrive, they find the magical borders failing, Thalia's tree poisoned, and Chiron dismissed.
Episode 2: Tyson Plays With Fire
Synopsis:
As the campers scramble to defend the weakening borders, Percy learns the shocking truth about Tyson: he's a Cyclops and even more shocking Poseidon's son, making him Percy's half-brother. Meanwhile, Clarisse is chosen for the quest to find the Fleece, and Percy, Tyson, and Annabeth decide to take matters into their own hands.
Episode 3: Demon Pigeons Attack
Synopsis:
The trio sneaks away from camp and heads into the mortal world, where Hermes provides them with supplies and cryptic advice. Their journey takes a turn when they're attacked by Stymphalian birds, whose feathers slice through steel.
Episode 4: We Board the Princess Andromeda
Synopsis:
Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson hitch a ride on a luxury cruise ship that turns out to be anything but ordinary.
Episode 5: Clarisse Blows Up Everything
Synopsis:
Reunited with Clarisse, Percy learns that she's been sent on an official quest to retrieve the Fleece, and she's not happy to see him. Together, they must survive the treacherous journey through the Sea of Monsters.
Episode 6: Annabeth Tries to Swim Home
Synopsis:
After a catastrophic shipwreck, Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson are separated. Annabeth awakens alone on an island ruled by the sorceress Circe, who turns men into guinea pigs. Meanwhile, Percy struggles to find her, guided by Hermes's cryptic advice.
Episode 7: Nobody Gets the Fleece
Synopsis:
The heroes finally reach Polyphemus's island, where the Fleece lies guarded by the giant Cyclops. Clarisse reappears, Tyson makes a daring return, and an all-out battle ensues.
Episode 8: The Fleece Works Its Magic Too Well
Synopsis:
Back at Camp Half-Blood, the Golden Fleece restores Thalia's tree and renews the camp's protection. Peace returns briefly. But as Percy and Annabeth reflect on their journey, the Fleece's magic takes an unexpected turn.
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"Thank you for bringing me, Danny," Henry said as we were driven through the quiet streets of Nottingham toward the Games Workshop headquarters.
"Henry," I replied with a grin, "I would've taken you with me anyway."
The car hummed along as I glanced out the window. After months of negotiations, discreet share acquisitions, and a little strategic pressure, my hostile takeover was finally complete. I now owned 48% of Games Workshop.
Technically, I could've gone further, bought more stock, taken the company private, and restructured it entirely but my advisors insisted this was better. "Keep it public," they said.
They were right. Within hours of the news breaking, Games Workshop's stock had skyrocketed over 40%.
Hollywood Mogul Daniel Adler Buys 48% of Games Workshop.
That headline made the investors ecstatic. I was a hot commodity, after all.
Then there was how the community reacted to this. Half of them hailed me as the savior of Warhammer someone who would finally bring fresh life to a universe that had stagnated for years. The other half thought I was the antichrist. I even got a few death threats after the news came out. The Warhammer fandom is passionate and sometimes terrifyingly so. There are also plenty of weirdos in it, some a little too extreme.
This takeover was part of a whole new venture for me.
I had created a new company called Aurum Games Holdings. It would have three divisions.
Aurum Games Publishing — the tabletop and card-game arm. New tabletop titles and card concepts would be released through this. Cards Against Humanity didn't exist in this world, so I was working on recreating it here. I was also in the process of trying to acquire Trench Crusade, which was still in very early development.
Aurum Media & Animation — this division would bring Warhammer and all the strong IP that would later become famous through Aurum to life via TV, film, and animation. Henry would serve as an executive producer here, working on a Warhammer project like he wanted.
Games Workshop — a strategic subsidiary of Aurum, continuing to do what it has done well for years.
I had some money left over from the takeover, and that would fund all of this—including an overhaul of Games Workshop.
Henry leaned toward me. "So what are these big plans you have, Danny?"
I smiled. "Well, you're the fan here, my friend. Tell me what do you want to see happen?"
Henry didn't hesitate. "I want something to happen. Just… shake things up. Nothing big has happened for a while."
I grinned. "Well, from what I was told, they were planning something big before I came in with my little takeover."
Henry's eyes lit up. "What kind of big?"
I paused for dramatic effect, then said, "I think… they were planning to destroy Cadia."
"What?" Henry almost shouted, genuinely shocked. "No way."
"Yeah," I said casually, "you said you wanted something to happen."
"Yeah, but Cadia?" He looked like I'd just told him they were canceling Christmas.
I shrugged. "It sucks, I know. But honestly? It's a good narrative move. The galaxy's gotten too static. You need stakes. But I don't want to do it the way they were going to I want to take it slow. Build to it. Make it mean something more."
Henry thought about it, nodding reluctantly. "Yeah, that's a good idea. But still… Cadia."
I chuckled. "Hey, we'll make up for it. Maybe bring some of the Primarchs back."
Henry instantly perked up. "Now that's what I'm talking about! We need the Custodes doing something too I mean, I play them, so I'm biased… Oh, and bring back Vulkan."
"Vulkan?" I nodded. "Well, he's a Perpetual, it fits."
Henry leaned forward, enthusiasm in full swing now. "And Russ! Khan! Guilliman! The Lion! You could build whole arcs around each one. The Imperium fracturing, maybe the brothers fight…"
He kept going, firing off ideas faster than I could process them. And damn most of them were good. I actually wanted to take notes.
We arrived at Games Workshop HQ. The building was crowned with a massive golden Aquila. Inside, we were met by a small welcoming party of executives and staff, led by Kevin Rountree, the new CEO. Tom Kirby had stepped down not long after my takeover, and Kevin now carried the mantle of heading the company in its new era—my era, technically.
The tour was professional but enthusiastic: large statues of Space Marines guarding the halls, display cases filled with dioramas of epic battles, and design rooms where sculptors and artists worked on upcoming miniatures. Henry, predictably, vanished halfway through likely lured into some basement workshop by the promise of unreleased models.
I let him go. He was in his own heaven.
Eventually, I was escorted into a sleek, glass-walled boardroom. The company's senior leadership was already gathered.
I took my seat at the head of the long oak table, adjusted my jacket, and let the room settle before I spoke.
"You already know who I am," I said, smiling lightly.
A ripple of laughter went around the table nervous but good-natured.
"But for those who don't," I continued, "my name is Daniel Adler, and I believe we have a lot to talk about."