"All right wake up you brats," Martin yawned, "I booked us an early archery practice."

"You have fun with that."

"Yes. You go on and tell us how it goes."

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

The jibes continued to come from his brothers and sisters, some muffled by their pillows and others too incoherent from sleep.

"Scout," Martin snapped at the bed closest to them, "as one of the councilors you should be helping me—Scout?"

"For the love of the gods Martin its 5 am," she moaned, "I haven't seen what 5 am looks like since second grade."

"Maybe you all have forgotten but I haven't," Martin barked at them, "Parent's Day is coming up in a week you brats."

"So," growled Sylvester pulling his pillow tighter around his head.

"So what is it going to look like to Father when he sees you trying to shoot at a target and instead you hit a councilor."

"I think you are confusing us with Percy," Casey grumbled turning over in her bed.

"Be that as it may I will not have you all disgracing our Father by being too lazy to partake in archery."

"It is not lazy to want to get eight hours of sleep, Marty," Jasper sighed tugging his blanket closer.

"Scout," Martin began to plead, "tell them to get up."

"Why the heck are you so worried about Parent's Day Martin? I think what Mr. D meant by parents were our human parents," Scout tried reasoning, hoping to get in a few more hours of sleep.

"Exactly," Sylvester agreed, "the only time any of us half-bloods see our immortal parent is either when the camp is in danger or an occasional birthday."

"Father came to one of your birthdays?" Jasper asked indignantly, "how come he has never come to one of mine!"

"That's not the point Jazz," Sylvester sighed with exasperation.

"The point," Martin butted in, "is that we be prepared if he does come. We want him to be proud of us don't we?"

"When did you become such a daddy's boy," Casey quipped.

"I am not a daddy's boy Cassandra."

"Call me that again and let's see what happens," Casey warned her eyes still closed.

"Fine then Cassandra I—gah! Get off of me you brat!"

"Casey," Scout sighed slipping out of the warm comfort of her bed, "we talked about the biting thing."

"He had it coming," she defended wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Since we are all awake anyway," Scout said rubbing the back of her head, "we mine as well take advantage of the empty field. Even if we are not impressing anyone, we still need to stay sharp for the 'capture the flag' game tonight."

"If we must," Sylvester granted staring up at the ceiling his eyes halfway closed.


Scout took in a deep breath of air as they walked out toward the targets. Despite all her moaning and complaining she relished the crisp morning feeling. It reminded her of her mother somehow.

"All right kiddies," she called to her siblings, "be sure to stretch before you start. We really don't need another pulled muscle."

"Would you let that go," Sylvester grumbled under his breath.

Soon everyone was aiming at the straw targets, each of their arrows finding the mark. Scout's movements were relaxed and precise, each arrow gliding perfectly through the air. Her body, just like her siblings, was made perfectly for archery, slim and lithe with a perfect posture. Her arms were long, thin and strong and moved with quick reflexes.

"Hel-lo," Jasper breathed as seven of the Aphrodite kids glided over to them.

"Men," Casey sighed rolling her eyes.

"Good morning darlings," tinkled the leader moving gracefully up to Scout.

"Morning Fleur," Scout nodded confused, "you are all up awfully early."

"Well so are you my dear Scout," Fleur chirped, "we did not expect anyone to be out here so early. We came here to practice our new dance routine."

"You practice dancing on the archery field," Sylvester asked disgusted.

"It's the only place big enough," Fleur explained.

"Well I am afraid ladies-ahem excuse- and Jay and Mason—we are using the field," Martin said.

"But we have to practice," Anastasia pouted, "we are performing for the parents next week."

"Well so are we," Casey replied crossing her arms firmly, "deal with it."

"Now really Scout you must control that sister of yours," Fleur frowned, "rudeness is not very becoming."

"Oh I don't know. I think it's pretty cute."

Fleur scrunched her nose, "Scout there is really no hope for your sister but you at least have the chance to be pretty."

"Really? Only a chance," Scout asked in mock concern.

Jasper joined in, "Fleur's right Scout, you're too cool to be pretty."

"What a curse," Scout sighed.

Casey patted her back, "it could be worse Scout. You could be beautiful and then where would you be?"

"Honestly, you Apollo's never take anything seriously."

"Eh," Sylvester shrugged, "life's too short to be serious about it. I mean come on none of us are going to make it out alive anyway."

"I don't even know why I waste my time talking to you," Fleur sniffed.

"I think it's our cheerful disposition."

"Fine we're leaving," she stomped, "but I'm telling Mr. D."

"Why? Don't you have your own studio?"

"It's too small," she called walking away.

"That's what she said!" Jasper burst out giggling.

"You just couldn't help yourself," Casey sighed shaking her head.

Scout checked her watch, "looks like breakfast is about to start."

"Good I'm starving," Sylvester said rubbing his stomach.

"You haven't said much Martin," Scout said to her brother in concern as they walked, "is something wrong?"

"It's nothing," he said biting his thumb.

She did not get a chance to question him further as they sat down and the plates were filled.

"Morning Percy," she nodded getting in the offering line behind him. He turned to her with a smile.

"Hey Scout. What's up?"

"Not much," she shrugged giving him an evil smile, "just curious about your progress with Annabeth over the summer."

Instantly, Percy's cheeks turned a beat red, "how did you know?"

"I see things," she said mysteriously.

"Oh Styx you're not a prophet like your dad are you?" He asked weakly.

"Ha-ha. Nah I just see the way you look at her. Desperate wouldn't be the word I would use but it is pretty close."

"You know what," he said annoyed, "I think you are still just sore that I broke your bow last year."

"Bad move," Jasper side whispered as he walked past them, "she still hasn't gotten over that."

She would have gone into a long rant on his irresponsibility and clumsiness had he not side stepped to show her it was her turn to make an offering.

With a sigh a she pushed in a slice of toast, "Apollo please accept my offering" she said.

Not that I care either way.

She knew it was not very original to feel bitter toward her immortal parent, but she didn't care. He didn't have to sit there during Thanksgiving and listen to her grandparent's rant on her mother. He didn't have to go home every winter and live under the same roof as her stuck-up, model citizen step-father and his miniature clone Alexander, her older step-brother. And he certainly did not have to watch her mother handle it all with a brave face even though she was practically dying inside.

Truly, the only thing she could thank him for was her half-siblings. Martin was the oldest at fifteen, and while she often gave him hell, she loved him. Sylvester and Jasper was twelve, both a year younger than her (Dad had gotten busy that year). Casey was the youngest of them at eleven and she was such a tomboy you just couldn't help but love her.

It was funny but all, save Scout, had the trade mark golden curls. Her tresses were long and dark like her mother's and she shared with her the same amber eyes. She took pride in looking like her mother, it in some way made her feel less attached to Him.

"Ahem good morning to you all," Mr. D greeted half-heartedly, " I would like to start off by saying—WOULD YOU SHUT UP YOU PUNKS—right where was I? Oh yes I would like to announce some rules about next week's Parent's Day." He said the word like he was announcing that was the day the world would end.

"First off all of your parents have been informed of the date although why anyone would want to visit you leeches is beyond me. A majority of your parents are unaware of your status as mutts—excuse me 'half –bloods'-- it is to remain that way. The Mist should keep most of the bumbling sacks of skins—excuse me your parents—in the dark. However, though it is a shame, I have no control over your mouths and so for once in your miserable lives THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. I will not have any of you indicating the presence of gods in the camp. For all some of your parents know this is a happy, care-free summer camp." He waived his hand and sat down signaling that they were once again allowed to talk.

"I really hope my parents don't bring my sisters," Jasper said setting his chin on top of his folded arms, "there are nine of them now."

"Zeus," Sylvester said in surprise, "how the heck do you get nine sisters?"

"I would have thought your parents would have explained it to you by now Sly," Jasper smiled, "but if you really want to know…"

Sylvester waved his hands dramatically, "No I'm good. But you have nothing to complain about. I'm an only child, my parents expect me to be perfect. They will be watching my every move."

"Ha," Casey said puffing out her chest, "I've got you both nailed. I have two moms watching me."

"Euw," the two boys said wrinkling their noses.

"You have no idea."

"Well I don't know what you are all complaining about. I can't wait to have my parents over and my little sister," Martin smiled, seeming in a better mood then before.

"Yeah. Yeah Martin," Sylvester sighed waving a hand, "no need to go sticking your perfect childhood into our faces."

"I wouldn't call it perfect," Martin said slowly.

"How about you Scout? Are you excited for your parents?"

Scout looked up from her eggs and thought about it for a moment, "well I can't wait to see my mom but I could go a lifetime without seeing Marcus and Alexander."

Casey was finally the one to speak about the elephant in the room, "so do you think he will come?"

"I don't see why he would," said Sylvester pushing away his Fruit Loops.

"Don't be stupid, Sly, of course he is coming," Martin growled.

"What makes you so sure?" Jasper asked bitterly.

"Because he is our father," Martin answered firmly.

"Being our father has never affected him before," Sylvester pointed out, "I doubt he even knows our names. The guy has hundreds of kids, why would he concern himself with us?"

"Because I am going to make him come to see us," Martin revealed leaning in closer to them ,"I have a plan."

"It sounds stupid already," said Jasper propping his head on his hand.

Martin chose to ignore the comment and continued on, "he can't ignore us if we have something that he needs."

Casey looked him over confused, "what could we possibly have that the Sun God would need?"

"His car. I'm going to steal it."

"You're not very original are you," Scout deadpanned.

"What? It's perfect! He needs that car," Martin explained.

Scout let out a deep sigh waiting for some kind of patience. It didn't come.

"Martin let me tell you a story. Stop me if you've heard it before. There once was an incredibly stupid boy who found out he was the son of the Sun God. One day he begged his father to let him drive his sun chariot and so then yaddah-yaddah-yaddah the boy loses control of the chariot, burning up the Earth and forcing Zeus to turn him into lightening barbecue."

"Hmm I think I have heard it before, however, it was a little less crude."

"But I think you got the gist."

"Very well then," Martin stood looking unperturbed, "it is on to plan B!"

"You're kidding," Sylvester mocked, "and Plan A was so encouraging."

"Enough Martin," Scout ordered, she was getting a headache and it wasn't even noon, "we're not stealing anything. We are just going to have to wait and see what happens on Parent's Day."

"Hey did Artemis suddenly give up on the whole virgin stint," Casey asked staring at the table next to them.

"No why do you—," Sylvester turned behind him, "Oh."

Sitting at what was usually an empty table was at least twenty girls talking among themselves.

"Wow," whistled Jasper, "she must really be making up for lost time."

Suddenly the girl sitting at the head of the table looked up catching Sylvester's eyes. Immediately, she frowned and turned back to talking with the girl beScoute her.

"Geez you would think they would me more friendly to their cousins."

"Well it is not exactly like Father and Artemis are the best of friends."

"Can you blame him?"

"Man you guys are thick," Annabeth sighed, walking past them, "those are the members of the Hunt. Artemis's pure maidens."

"That makes more sense," Martin nodded.

"Come on," Scout stood, "we have music in ten minutes."

"Perfect," Martin smiled, "I can tell you about plan B on the way there."

It was going to be a long day.


Hey I hope you enjoyed. I would love to write more but I am going to need some feedback so REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW