Percy Jackson-

"The time draws nearer."

"I know, I know. But I can't control time-that's my dear old grandpa's- you know, the one in a million pieces-gig. Since I can't control time, we'll have to wait it out."

"Don't get snarky with my, half-blood." Hecate scowled. "You can't tell me that you're not nervous."

"I'm not."

"Liar.

"Honest. IM Apollo, see what he says. I'm not nervous."

"Oh? Why would that be? Everyone gets afraid. As much as I'm sure that the Olympians would never admit this-even gods get scared."

I was silent for a moment, thinking about how to answer her. Why should it scare me? The only things in life to be afraid of was my girlfriend and female demigod cousins/Piper/Ginny. Otherwise, nothing seems to be able to get to me. I guess I haven't given it really much thought. Why wasn't I scared? Why wasn't I afraid? Soon enough, I was going to come face-to-face with my deranged grandpa, who is a mass murder. I'd have to some-what reveal myself. Harry, Ginny, and everyone might find out that I knew about Sirius' death months prior to the event, and didn't do a think to stop it. They'd hate me. So why did I feel nothing? No butterflies, no nervous tingling...nothing.

"I guess...when the worst happens to you...there isn't much left the earth or the gods can throw at you that phases you. And they've both thrown quite a lot, at me in particular. Besides, I've been to hell...I don't even know how many times. I've swam in a river of acid that made me invulnerable, but hurt like Hades. I've carried the sky, I've wandered an endless maze, and I've led an army at the age of sixteen. I've fought monster and immortals, and killed at bunch of both. I've even, though I've tried to avoid it, killed demigods in Kronos' army. (Andromeda explosion, in case you guys were wondering.) Part of me already feels like I've lived too long, and my life has barely started. I'm not even afraid of death. I don't really care what happens to me. I just care about the people I love. And as much as I think Harry's a good guy, a good friend...he isn't my top priority. This will help keep my family safe. I'm not going to let there be a possibility that either Camps are involved in another war for a really long time. For that to happen, the natural order has to be carried out. Sirius has to die. Harry has to grieve. He has to feel that pain. He needs a reason to want Voldemort dead...even more than he already does. He needs motivation. Besides...if I stopped everyone from dying, Hades would come after my ass about his paperwork, and we wouldn't want that."

Who knew, when I got into the demigods life of killing monsters and and saving a bunch of Immortals that act like three year olds, I'd also develop a thing for monologues?  Didn't see that coming.  I think I almost put myself to sleep, there.

Hecate looked at me strangely. "You've grown up, haven't you?"

"Oh. Well, I thought I'd gotten taller since I was twelve, but I guess that might have been just me..."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know what you meant."

"Fine. Let's get back to your training, then."

She handed me two items. A sword and a pistol.

"What the Hades, Hecate? This is about my energy. Why are you giving me weapons? Besides, I suck I guns and archery.  You know that. Everyone knows that." I gave her an exaggerated look, widening my eyes at her. "Everyone."

"Good thing you aren't aiming at a target."

"Huh?"

A sly smirk slid onto her face. "You're going to do two things. First, you are going to use your energy to destroy a weapon, and then to enhance one."

Huh...ohhhh. See. Now it makes more sense. Sort of.  Maybe.  Okay...I'm still confused.

I gave her a blank stare, and her head dropped as she groaned in frustration.

"Gun go boom. Sword make other things go boom." She said like she was talking to a child. But it did help, honestly.  It really cleared things up.  I just don't get why she didn't say that in the first place.  A whole fifteen seconds of my life that I'll never get back.  Ironic, because my evil grandpa that I already sent packing to the depths of Tartarus is The Lord of Time...huh, maybe if he was the one I was fighting, I could beat those fifteen seconds out of him.  That would solve my problem nicely.

Of course, he was harder to defeat...mainly because he couldn't ever actually be killed, and he was a true sociopath.  Eating your kids?  Now that is just plain wrong.  Of course, the mustard and wine my uncle used to get him to barf up my dad and my other uncle and aunts doesn't sound particularly appetizing, either.

Him being a thousand-something year old deity doesn't really help matters, either.

But, I'd like to think, after we put his mom back to sleep, he'd at least wait a few millennium before showing his ugly face again...make him some other generation of demigods' problem.  So long as he isn't mine.  I've had enough of estranged relatives.  On my godly, and mortal side.

Speaking of my mortal side- I haven't really brought myself to think about this much lately...I haven't even told my cousins.  Annabeth is the only one who knows that I am about to be a big brother. 

I haven't brought myself to think about it for several reasons...I know I already have one close sibling...but, he's a cyclops, and although I love the guy, it's not the same as having a mortal, normal sibling.  My mom and Paul are so happy...but, how am I supposed to go home?  How can I put my little sister in danger?  How can I be a part of her life, and always be able to keep her safe?

That's partly why I agreed to leave with Alby Dumblsnore so easily.  Me being in a magical boarding school basically ensures that my mom is safe and won't be attacked by monsters for the rest of her pregnancy.  My presence is a wildcard.  It is the outlier...it makes everything complicated, and complicating things for my family is the last thing that I want.

I haven't really shared these fears with anyone besides Annabeth.  I feel guilty about it, but what can I do?  This is my unborn baby sister...there is no room for mistakes.  No chances I am willing to take.  As much as it pains me, more half-bloods invested in her will only put a target on her back.  It'll only put her in danger...

My mom's been toying with the name Andromeda.  She claims it is to follow the Greek Theme of people who have gotten a reasonably happy ending with basically everything against them.  I think that the name would be a little weird, considering that my mom would never chain her to a rock to sacrifice to a sea monster if she ever pissed off my dad.

Then again, my dad still loves her, and my mom probably still loves him on some level...so she probably wouldn't piss him off, and he would never send sea monsters after her.  So, there is that.

My ramblings were cut off by a blow to the head.  I fell back, wincing.  My ears were ringing and my vision felt a little fuzzy.  When it cleared, I glared at the culprit.

"Pay attention," Hecate scowled.  "I don't have all day, you know."

I rolled my eyes.

Gods would always be gods.  And to think, I'm worried about my mortal family.

Immortals are way more troublesome.  All powerful, and they still needed us to defend them.  My little sister will probably face up to more than they do when she gets her first vaccinations.

No mental disrespect, of course...

I raised the gun, and closed my eyes as I threw it...a huge explosion following seconds after.

...

The next week or so was incredibly boring.  Once I got the basics of using my special power with weapons, it got boring...really fast.  Contrary to popular belief, explosions aren't the most interesting things in the world...especially when you are setting them off repeatedly.  Every.  Single.  Night. 

Also, Harry's lessons were quite boring as well.  I had to take a backseat and let Harry fully run the show.  Otherwise, he wouldn't be credited with being the leader of the D.A.  Also, he needed to have a feeling of responsibility, what with Ron and Hermione being prefects and everything.  Also, I had to make sure that snot-nosed-brats, like Zach-Attack followed his authority. 

Those reasons, and Thalia and I bet Fred and George that we would be able to play poker continuously behind Harry's back, without him or the rest of the class realizing that we weren't doing the exercises, but playing a 'muggle card game'.

Not our most daring work, but we cannot blame the Weasley Twins for being simple minded.  They were only Wizards, after all, and no creature or species are as awesome as demigods.

Ginny doesn't count.  She an honorary demigod.  Her magic just makes her more badass.

Speaking of my honorary sister, she is actually really kickass when it comes to fighting demigod-style.  She is decent with archery, much to Thalia's pleasure.  Her knife and hand-to-hand skills have definitely improved, although nothing more than her sword fighting.  I finally graced her with my awesomeness and relented in teaching her, rather than having Nico do all the work for me.  Not to boast, or anything, but she has more or less grown in leaps and bounds since I took the wheel with her training.  She still has a long way to go, but she could potentially best a good percentage of the children of some of the less battle-oriented gods. 

Demigods are naturally more inclined towards fighting.  Well, most of us.  Children of Aphrodite, although proven to have the potential to be incredibly powerful and fearsome (Piper), for a long time they didn't always have a fearsome reputation, and rightfully so.  Verse Demeter kids in the arena?  Not the most exciting battle.  Face a Demeter kid in a forest, or in an environment surrounded by plants?  Pray, my friend.  Face Leo using swords or knifes?  You'd kill him.  Let him use his hammer?  Let him have his toolbelt?  With those, his fire abilities, and his unpredictability and extreme creative talent?  Boom.  Golden dust galore. 

Although it isn't fair to put demigods into categories, especially concerning their parents, or their parents' status, naturally, the children of the minor gods, or Aphrodite or Demeter aren't especially powerful.  It is a fact.  But, if they are strong willed, have a specific talent, or just really don't want to die, the possibilites are endless.  As endless as my love of blue cookies.  Or of Annabeth.  Although, saying that might make me sound like a sap...

Anyway, so training my little protege was by far the most fun thing to do.  Of course, I could've made it better by fighting with my cousins, or messing with the Toad Lady.  But, the truth is, even I need to take a rest from mayhem every now and then.  My brooding this week hasn't helped matters, but truthfully, that is no one's fault but my own.  What did I expect from dwelling on everything that can go wrong with my baby sister's birth?  I've been acting like Nico.

Even Nico has been disturbed by my behavior as of late. 

Now that was saying something.

...

Annabeth Chase-

As the last monster crumbled into golden dust, I pulled my sword out, and wiped my brow.  I turned to look at the slightly wounded, yet widely smiling young demigods. 

"Wow!  That was incredible!" Five year old Oedipus (Edd-ih-pus)  grinned cheerfully.  He preferred being called Eddie, and it suited him more than Oedipus, if you ask me.  Although I respected Oedipus' wisdom, killing your father and marrying your mother is kind of a turn-off.  Just saying. Even for a girl who was born in a way that literally defied biology and reason—basically, by my mom's dirty thoughts.

"This isn't a game, Eddie!  This is serious." Violet, nine, frowned at him disapprovingly.

They weren't the youngest demigods that we had in camp, as unfortunate as it was.  It keeps getting younger, the ages where a demigod is in danger.  Soon enough, they'll be raised here from infancy.

Eddie and Violet came here (here being Camp Half-Blood) only a few months ago— staying as year-rounders because they didn't have anywhere else to go.  They were dysfunctional brother and sister, meeting at an Orphanage, where they were attacked and found by a satyr, before being brought here.  Eddie thought being a demigod was great.  He loved the idea of being a demigod, fighting monsters, and sneaking into the Ares cabin for the sole purpose of trying to dodge the land mines.  Violet, on the other hand, was quite apprehensive to the prospect, and although she had accepted it, she still was very serious (and kind of uptight) about it.  Although, she admittedly had the right outlook on our lifestyle—it's terrifying, it's dangerous, and if the land mines don't get you, Clarisse will, so sneaking into Cabin Five was basically certain death either way.  Especially for newbies.

"It was awesome!" Eddie insisted.  "Right, Ms. Chase?  Wasn't that totally awesome!  They were all like, wham!  And you were all like, pow!  And I was all like, boom!" He nodded proudly.  "We kicked ass."

"Eddie!  Who taught you that word?" Violet demanded, ignoring his excited jabber. 

"Uh, Connor."  Eddie said, before furrowing his brows in deep thought.  "No, it was Travis.  It was totally Travis.  Or, wait...it could've been Connor...no!  Definitely!  It was Travis."

"When I see either one of the Stolls, they're dead." Violet seethed.  Eddie shrugged and grinned.

"Well, Leo was the one who taught me fu—"

"VALDEZ!"

I rolled my eyes.  "You two!  What was the point of this lesson?"

Eddie and Violet blinked and looked at each other, blushing a little but from embarrassment, each holding a shiny, gold-dust-covered weapon. 

"I forgot," Violet admitted looked down.

"Uh...same." Eddie said innocently.

I sighed.  "The lesson was to always be aware if your surroundings.  That way, if you find yourself fighting a monster, not only won't you be blind-sighted, but you would be able to make a plan, or use your surroundings to trap, or even help fight the monster.  You guys weren't keeping a close watch on your surroundings, and a monster snuck up on us.  If I wasn't here, you two would have died."

"We wouldn't be wandering the Forest alone." Violet countered.

A sheepish looking Eddie raised his hand.  "I probably would," he admitted.

"You idiot!" Violet smacked him on the head, and he pouted at her while nursing the back of his skull.

I sighed in exasperation as the two bickered as we made our way back to camp. 

"How'd you do it, Seaweed Brain?" I muttered under my breath.

Somehow, Percy was a natural with the younger demigods.  He could make them laugh, he could make them somber, and he could make them drop and give him fifty.  I don't know how he got all of them to listen to him the way he did.  I wasn't bad at it, it was just that I had to fight them, drill the lesson into their heads a hundred times before it sank in, and when it came time to practice, they completely ignored my lectures— almost getting themselves killed, or even mauled half of the time.

Where was he, anyway?  He IMed me a few times, told me he was on a personal quest, and wasn't something he could tell me over mystical rainbows.  But he never mentioned a location.  I knew he was coming back for Christmas.  I knew Nico and Thals were with him, causing mischief, and most likely many people migraines.

I missed him.  I wished he were back at camp— back home. 

But I also understood the need to follow your instincts, and if that led you to a secret quest, so be it.  I did the same thing in Rome.  He might've complained, but he didn't stop me.  I had no right to interfere.  And so, I had no plans to. 

I just wished he'd get back soon.  It didn't feel the same without my dumb boyfriend around.  His goofiness was practically the heart of the camp.  And I loved him, and it hurt to be apart for so long.

Besides, he was the only person in the camp who could give me a decent fight.

...

Thalia. Just Thalia-

"Have any threes?" I asked my dark and broody cousin.

Nico scowled and shoved the playing cards off the table.

"This stupid game is rigged!" Nico complained.

"No it isn't." I defended patiently. "Your luck just sucks."

Nico glared at me before scratching his head. "Whatever." He grunted. "Where is everyone?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. Of course I knew. I just didn't feel like enlightening him.

"Yes you do."

"What makes you think that?"

He gave me a weird look. "You are Thalia."

Well...I suppose he had me there. Being Artemis' lieutenant meant that I was the best Hunter she had...naturally. That meant that I was also a fantastic tracker. That meant that I always knew where everyone was. It was kind of in the job description.

"Okay, I know."

"Are you going to tell me?"

I thought about it.  Really, I did.  But, really, when would I actually make things easy for my dear cousin?  Hades hasn't frozen over yet.  And we weren't in the middle of a war.

I guess he'll just have to suffer.  Poor Nico.

"No, I don't think I will."  I said innocently smirking at him.  He scowled at me in response and opened his mouth to speak when he was doused in water.

"You!" He spat at our mutual cousin, who quite literally came in from no where.

"How did you get in here?" I asked.  Here, being the Room of Reflection.  Ginny opted against a beat-down, I mean training, today.  Until now Percy had been MIA.  We didn't know where Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, or George was, so naturally, we were incredibly bored.  It's strange how, in life, you don't realize just how much you enjoy terrorizing people until you can't find them.  An important life lesson.

"I just walked in here.  You guys were just too distracted antagonizing each other."

"Oh," I said.  Nico was seething.

"What the hell?" Nico asked angrily.  "I'm going to send you to my father!"

I'm curious how people who didn't know that his dad was The Lord of the Underworld would react to that statement...I'm willing to bet it would be hilarious.

"Oh, don't get your knickers in a twist," Percy said casually as he tapped Nico on the shoulder, drying him instantly.

"Knickers?" I snorted.  "By Olympus, you've been spending too much time with our British counterparts."

Nico snickered, his anger gone now that he was dry. 

Percy shrugged.  "Fred and Ginny have been giving me insight on magical pranking styles."

"And George?"  I asked.  Fred and George were never without one another.

"George was kindly giving a poor American an insightful lesson on British and magical swear words.  Not to be confused with actual cursed words."

"Whoa!" Nico said.  "When was this?"

"About ten minutes ago."

"Well, thanks for inviting me," Nico pouted grumpily.

Percy blinked. "You are...welcome."

"I was being sarcastic," Nico deadpanned.

Percy gave Nico a half shrug in response. "Honestly, with you, I can never really tell."

I snickered silently. Okay, so now, either two things would happen.

One, Nico would go into Prince of the Underworld, make-you-my-subject mode.

Two, he would pout and sulk in a way only someone with puppy dog brown eyes can pull off. Unfortunately, my pale cousin happened to fall into that particular category.  It was so annoying.  You just wanted to insult him...but then he'd pull out the puppy-dog eyes, and made it impossible.  I was rooting for option one.  At least it would give me a good show.

Unfortunately, he opted for option two, making me look away.  I would not get sucked into the adorableness.  Percy was on his own.

"Don't—don't look at me like that!" I heard Percy whine pathetically.  Honestly?  Why exactly was my surrogate sister dating this lame-ass?  I know he's my cousin and all...but really, what does she see in that?

This is why I became a hunter.  Not to escape the whole prophecy debacle, of course...it was because boys are...boys!

So there.  Setting the record straight.

"Apologize," I practically heard the pout in Death Breath's voice.  Man, was he laying it on thick.

I'm still not looking.

"Sorry," Percy grumbled, and I immediately felt the overwhelming power of the puppy-dog eyes reside, and I chanced a glance at the second and third most important boys in my life.  (I only had three.)

"See, that's better." Nico grinned cheekily and I resisted the urge to punch him in the face.

I struck him with lightning instead.  So much more effective, but not nearly as satisfying.  (Don't ask where the lightning came from, Daughter of Zeus here.  Come on.  I gotta have some secrets.  Some being how I can electrify my idiotic cousins while indoors.  Life gives you small favors like that.)

"What did I tell you about the puppy-dog eyes?" I growled as Nico shot across the room, and shuddered violently.

"Not to do it," he croaked weakly.

"And what did you do?" Right now I honestly felt like a parent scolding a misbehaving child.  Is this really what its come to?

"I...used my puppy-dog eyes..."

"And will you do it again?"

"No...sorry..."

With that, the idiot lost consciousness.  That's what happens when you are struck by lightning, and fly back and hit your head on a mirror in a room of mirrors.

Hey! All good chapters should end with Nico losing consciousness. Haha. It's what happens when you piss off a daughter of Zeus.

Sorry it took so long. And I know this chapter doesn't have much to say for actually plot, but it is an important chapter. Now you know what Annabeth is up to. She won't come to Hogwarts, but I'm sure she'll come into the picture again. Aren't the newbies adorable?

And more of Percy's inner turmoil. There is always room for that.

Warning— this chapter, like all of the chapters it is following, are in fact, unedited. So don't hold it against me, all right?

The next chapter will follow more along the lines of the plot of Order of the Phoenix, and I am hoping things will heat up soon.

(Action wise, to any perverts out there who though differently.)

I'll try and update soon—I'll have more time to write during the break.

Comment and vote! Love you guys—you're all awesome!

Have a good one. Until next time,

~Paige :|)