Probably been done before but I've been planning this for a while. Anyway, I promise it'll get gayer. Just wait.
Piper hit the ground, freezing in place. A sword hovered at her throat, threatening to spill her life blood all over the floor. Her chest heaved up and down as she tried to gather her thoughts. What the actual fuck was happening?
Hazel stood over her, her golden spatha cutting the edge of her throat. Her friend stared down at her, lips curved in an uncharacteristic grin.
"Hazel, what's going on?" Piper begged. "Why are you attacking us? Why-"
Hazel lunged forward, grabbing her by the throat. Her fingers were tight, squeezing Piper's breath from her lungs. She didn't understand. What had gotten into Hazel? More like what had gotten into Camp Jupiter?
It had just been a normal day for Camp Half-Blood. She'd woken up, eaten and gone to train with Annabeth. That had been quite exhausting. It wasn't just sparring with her, they had to do the whole obstacle course thing. One thing Piper did not like in mornings was climbing the lava wall. No, not at all.
But almost just after she'd showered and dressed and been all prepared to relax, an attack come out of the blue. Well, halfbloods were always being attacked, it was nothing new. But this attack came from their allies, Camp Jupiter.
One minute it was all peaceful and training and the next a legion was marching on them. Piper had only her stupid knife on her which she would never dare use on Hazel. She didn't know what the hell she was supposed to do.
It didn't help that most of the powerful demigods were out of camp at the moment.
Jason and Percy were off on a quest together, beings bros as they were. She didn't even know. Sometimes she wondered if Jason was dating her or Percy. Seriously. Those two were so close, you really couldn't tell.
Leo, gods know what Leo was doing. He had gone to a volcano with Nyssa for some reason. Something about needing the right rock for an invention of his or whatever. She really didn't know and asking would just lead to a huge rant about rocks. So he was gone as well.
Nico and Will were off on a trip to Italy. Will had been pestering Nico to tell him about his country but the pale boy had refused. So naturally, Solace had decided to take matters into his own hands. He'd gotten them plane tickets and now Nico had to show him what Italy was like.
Not even Clarisse was in camp. She and Chris had gone to college and wouldn't be returning until next winter. And even then, it would only be for a few weeks before they'd be of for again.
So that had left herself and Annabeth mainly in charge of the camp.
"Silence, bitch," Hazel snarled. "Did I say you could speak?"
That's when Piper knew for certain that something was wrong. Hazel, her Hazel, would never have sworn like that. The poor girl had only just gotten over people saying stuff like crap and damn. No way would she have said that word ever.
She wanted to ask, to beg her. What was wrong with her? What had happened?
But with a sword at her throat, Piper knew it was best to keep her mouth shut.
Outside, the clang of swords and the cries of surprise rised and help racked through her ears. Camp Half-Blood was pretty much equal in strength to Camp Jupiter but no one wanted to hurt their friends. But the fighting still went on.
No one was going to give up their camp without a fight. Especially not when their opponent was looking for one. Piper tried to decide how she'd get past Hazel's blade. Palming the blade aside and lunging in for a tackle seemed the best bet but if that didn't work, Hazel would likely spear her-
"Stop!"
A commanding voice rang across the camp and Piper instantly knew who it was. It was Annabeth, standing atop the Athena Cabin. Her drakon-bone sword was out and pointing at the sky as she tried to get everyone's attention.
Amazingly, everyone did pause, turning their gazes to the blonde girl.
"Camp Half-Blood surrenders!" Annabeth announced. A ripple of opposition ran through the Greek demigods. Piper understood their distaste. They weren't cowards! They could fight the Romans and win with ease!
But she also understood that Annabeth was trying to keep the bloodshed low. Perhaps she hoped to reason with them, get a truce going. Piper herself hoped she could reason with them.
"Stop fighting! Greeks! Please," Annabeth begged, looking so worried. "This is not what we have to do!" Gradually, the Greeks begrudgingly set down their weapons, glaring at the Roman with an intense hatred. Every single Roman gazed back, a creepy grin on their faces.
Hazel's hand curled around her hair, the shorter girl laughing softly in her ear. "Wise move by Chase there," the dark skinned girl whispered with a snarl. "Though disappointing. Our Praetor was hoping for a few bodies to decorate our temples with."
Piper shivered in horror. What was this? Hazel would never have been like this in her right mind. Something must taken over her brain. That was it. That's what was wrong with all the Romans. Something like the eidleons or whatever had taken the seven over last time.
Hazel grabbed her by the back of her shirt and started dragging her away, surprisingly strong for her size. Piper stumbled and only managed to keep her balance. She twisted her torso, trying to see where they are going.
Annabeth had hopped off the cabin, only to be immediately surrounded by Roman demigods. She raised her hands in surrender, dropping her sword to the ground. She vanished from sight.
Piper finally managed to turn around, making Hazel readjust her grip.
"Relax," Piper said, her voice falsely calm. "We surrendered. I'll come with you. Just lead the way."
Hazel looked up at her, eyes narrowed in suspicion. She was trying to figure out if it was a trick or not. Piper dipped her head, respectively. Hazel gave her a curt nod then strode off. Her golden spatha sheathed where she hoped to the gods it remained.
Piper walked over her, touching her dagger. No way in hell would she ever hurt her friend but for self defence purposes, she was glad to still have it. Nothing about this situation was good.
Then Piper realised that Hazel was leading her towards the Big House. That was weird. Why? She'd assumed that Hazel would take her to whoever's really in charge. A sickening feeling bubbled in her stomach. Maybe they were already here.
Hazel nudged her forward, indicating for her to enter. Piper stepped up and pushed the door open cautiously. It creaked open easily. She walked in, looking around.
"Declare yourself," a cold voice echoed across the hallway.
Piper's heart almost stopped in her chest. No. No not her too.
Hazel stepped up behind her, pushing her way deeper inside. "Hazel, Daughter of Pluto, returning with my captive."
"Enter," the voice said.
Hazel nudged Piper forward and she stumbled, catching the wall to prevent her from falling. Hazel sniggered. Piper ignored her friend and ventured deeper into the house.
Reyna stood just inside the doorframe, facing into the room, not even sparing her a look. Frank stood behind her, glancing back at her. Piper was shocked by the cold look in his eyes. The Frank she knew wasn't even there.
"Chiron," Reyna smirked. "We're taking over here. Stand down unless you want a fight." She slowly drew her sword, taking time to let the metal scrape of the sheathe.
Chiron stood at the other side of the room, out of his wheelchair and staring at Reyna. He didn't look angry or worried, just disappointed. He was probably used to things like this. He had trained so many heroes he must have given up on his expectations.
"Bloodshed isn't necessary, Praetor," Chiron sighed, rubbing his forehead. "None of this is necessary. All you had to do was talk to us."
Reyna's lip twitched. "Bloodshed is alway necessary when it comes to Greeks, Chiron," she snapped. "It's the only thing you fools understand."
She looked back at Frank. "Watch him. He isn't to leave this room," she ordered. Frank crossed his arms over his chest, making his muscles bulge. He nodded and Reyna strode out of the room.
Reyna stopped beside Piper, the taller woman gazing down at her. Piper was taken back. No. They couldn't have got Reyna too. She was Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano. Basically the female dark skinned version of Superman. No dark force could take her down.
But one had, resulting in the completely changed person in front of her. Gone was her old personality replaced with this snarky figure. But she wore the same face and it terrified Piper.
Reyna sniffed and walked past her, snapping her fingers to Hazel. "Good. Now where's Annabeth? I believe I asked for them both to be brought here."
Hazel tapped her foot from behind her. "She should be on her way. She led the surrender."
Reyna let out a cold laugh as they all entered another room. "Of course they gave up. Such cowards. If New Rome went to war these idiots would be crushed within days. Maybe they were right to bow to our might. Insects have no need to fight."
"We're not cowards." She shouldn't have said it, Piper knew that. But the loathing, the disgust in Reyna's voice made her feel angry. Camp Half -Blood was equally as good as Camp Jupiter. Less organised but just as strong.
The dark skinned woman spun around to face her. There was a gleam in her eye, a hunger for blood. This wasn't the Reyna Piper had grown to care about. She was something darker entirely.
"What did you say."
Reyna's voice was softer than a whisper but it promised her pain if she answered wrong. One hand ran along the hilt of her sword, caressing the metal like it was soft fur.
But Piper was in no mood for being cowardly. She'd prove that woman wrong. Even just being a child of Aphrodite made people think she was weak. Her siblings were seen as prissy makeup gurus that only cared about their faces.
Piper was not that. None of them were. She wasn't going to be judged for whose daughter she was or what camp she belonged to. She was going to fight for herself and them.
"I said we're not cowards," she repeated, looking her straight in the eye. "We are brave and strong and you will do well to remember that."
Reyna slapped her.
It wasn't just a friendly slap, or even the slap of a master punishing a subordinate. No, Reyna hit her with enough force to send her skidding to the cried out, her check red and stinging. She started swearing at the top of her lungs.
"Oh I remember why I liked you," Reyna purred, kneeling down next to her. "So much fire for such a tiny flame. I think you'll be a fun plaything."
"The daughter of Athena is here," Hazel said, lingering in the doorway.
Piper's gaze slid away from Reyna to where the blonde woman stood in the doorway. A dark bruise was already spreading across her face. Annabeth stared at the scene in front of her.
"Reyna what is going on?" she gasped. "Why are you attacking?" She closed her eyes and composed herself. "Where is this coming from? What's wrong with you?"
Reyna tilted her head with an interest gleam in her eyes. "Oh you'll do fine as well. Such a pretty face and so smart too. Daughter of Pluto, knock her out."
Annabeth barely had time to register the command before Hazel struck the hilt of her spatha into the blonde's temple. Piper stared in horror as her friend crumbled to the ground without a word. The dark skinned girl sheathed her sword again.
"Hmph. Take her to my new room," Reyna ordered. "She will be most entertaining."
"Yes Praetor," Hazel said without hesitation. The small girl leaned down and lifted Annabeth as though she was weightless. And then they were gone out the doorway.
Reyna let out a soft purr like noise before running a hand down Piper's cheek. Piper winced and the Praetor let out a mewl. "I'm most sorry about that, McLean," she whispered. "I promise I'll make it up to you."
Piper had had enough of this. Enough of whatever the heck was going on. She glared at her. "What do you want?"
Reyna's eyes shone like torchlight. "I want everything." A smirk. "Including you."
Piper opened her mouth to object but a fist thudded into her temple and it all went black.