Riptide

Riptide or Anaklusmos (in Ancient Greek, Αναζήτηση) is the prized sword of Percy Jackson and his Primary Weapon, that is forged of celestial bronze, a material that is effective only on gods, demigods and monsters. When used on mortals, the sword passes through them as if non-existent. Mortals, at least once, saw Riptide as a rifle. It is unknown if this is what mortals always see it as.

In its dormant form, it is a disposable ballpoint pen that reads "Anaklusmos" on the side when not in use. Once the pen is uncapped, it transforms into its true sword form. Riptide is 3 feet long and weighs about 5 pounds with perfect balance; so Percy can wield it very well. It is almost impossible to lose, as it is enchanted to appear in Percy's pocket if it is somehow lost. However, if Percy doesn't have pockets, it doesn't return, this has led to a disadvantage, such as when the cannibals attacked in the Sea of Monsters. Riptide is only wielded by a certain few in the series; Percy uses it multiple times, Chiron used it at Yancy Academy, Hercules used it, and since it was given to him by Zoe Nightshade it's possible that she wielded it as well. In The Sea of Monsters, when Percy was a guinea pig, he thought Annabeth was going to draw it, but instead she used Hermes' vitamins.

History
Riptide was formerly owned and used by Hercules and Pleione . The sword's dormant form was originaly Zoë Nightshade's hairclip, which she gave to Hercules to help him fight Ladon. Riptide draws its power from the ocean, which is why it works well for ocean spirits like Percy. Hercules did not give Zoë any credit for bypassing Ladon, leaving her to face the wrath of her father and sisters alone. This betrayal was the basis for her later hatred of male demigods.

The Lightning Thief
Riptide was given to Percy by Chiron in The Lightning Thief to fight Mrs. Dodds and was a gift from his father Poseidon. When Chiron gave Percy Riptide, he said that Riptide had a sad and painful past.

The Titan's Curse
Percy has a dream in The Titan's Curse that shows Zoë giving her hairclip (which turns into Riptide) to Hercules . Chiron tells Percy the sword has a tragic history, which includes Hercules leaving Zoë to the wrath of her family, who are Atlas and Zoe's sisters.

The Last Olympian
Due to the line "A hero's soul cursed blade shall reap" in the Great Prophecy, Percy thought that the cursed blade was his own sword (it turned out it was Annabeth's dagger, given to her on a promise by Luke that he and her would be family. When he betrays her, the blade is cursed).



Use
Riptide is used in close combat, and is light and balanced in its wielder's hands. Riptide can destroy monsters and hurt immortals. But, since it is made out of Celestial bronze, it cannot hurt or kill mortals, as "they aren't important enough". In The Titan's Curse Percy swings Riptide at a mortal named Rachel Elizabeth Dare and nothing happens. When accidentally or even intentionally swung at mortals, the blade simply passes through them.

Riptide is used at least twice as a throwing knife, though that was for more of a distraction than an actual attack. In the books Riptide is summoned when uncapped, and stored away by recapping it on the tip, but in the movie it is summoned when clicked open. It is unknown how Percy stows back the sword in the film. Riptide also reappears back into the pocket of whoever had it last whenever lost, misplaced, or even thrown.

In The Lightning Thief Percy defends himself against a gang of youths with Riptide, simply acting on instinct, but the blade simply passes through them, which infuriates the gang leader and causes him to chase Percy, Annabeth, and Grover down.

Film
Riptide appears in the film, although the storyline is slightly altered. After Chiron scares the Fury out of the museum, he gives Percy the pen before he and Grover leave for Camp Half-Blood. Thus, he already has it when he fights the Minotaur. The pen is a click-pen, so that you 'click' it instead of taking the cap off. Interestingly, the name 'Riptide' is never mentioned at any point in the film.