Disclaimer - I own nothing, It all belongs to Rick Riordan, the lovely man.

What if Annabeth wasn't taken at the start of the book. But what if Percy was still blamed for the Manticore escaping and for nearly killing Annabeth. This is what i think could have happened.

The Titans Curse, My way.

As I opened my eyes groggily, I ignored the pain rushing through me and sat up. I was in the infirmary at Camp Half-Blood, which can never be a good thing. Last time I woke up here, I was greeted by a worried Annabeth, this time though, there was nobody in sight. Frowning, I tried to remember what caused me to end up here.

I remembered being jealous how Grover and Annabeth looked towards Thalia for leadership and advice, how she just returned and both my best friends, my only friends followed her like I wasn't even there. I remember thinking I was strong enough to fight the Manticore. That went well. I thought I was strong enough to fight it and my mistake almost cost Annabeth her life. She fell, off the cliff, I dived, prayed to pass most of my water powers to her and I took the fall. Maybe if the powers stayed with her they'd all be better off. I knew it wouldn't be easy for me to trust myself around them.

I was brought out of my self-confidence draining remembering session by loud voices outside the door.

"IT WAS HIS FAULT!" The voice of Thalia screamed at someone. I assumed said person had tried to keep her from coming to fry me.

"He acted in a way he thought was best." Chiron replied, gently. "Annabeth received no harm."

"IT'S STILL HIS FAULT WE NEVER DEFEATED THAT THING IN THE FRIST PLACE!" Thalia shouted again. "HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR US. YOU KNOW HE'S NOT AS POWERFUL AS EVERYONE SAYS HE IS."

Luckily, or unluckily, depending on your view of the situation, my bed was the one closest to the door so I could hear even the quiet part of the conversation. I want to point out that I thought it was unlucky. Nothing better than hearing the only people you care about say your worthless and a liability, eh?

"He has power." Chiron replied. "He could beat almost anyone in this camp."

"Only when he's near water!" Thalia snapped back. "Otherwise he's a liability. I'm not going to lose Annabeth or Grover because of a fool like him."

Okay. I wont lie. That one hurt.

"I'm not happy he's hurt." Annabeth's voice began. My hopes started to reignite. "But I will admit it's his fault in the first place. He should of let us handle it. He's not as good as he thinks he is."

And my hopes were put out again. Her words seemed to feel more like physical blows, rather than just words. I wasn't sure why Annabeth's words hurt me more than Thalia's, but at that moment I had to leave. But before I could fully climb out the window, Grover spoke.

"They're right. He should have waited." He seemed to pause as I felt my heart slow. I prayed to all the gods I could name that his empathy link could be cancelled. "We nearly died. Annabeth would have..."

"If Percy had not saved her." Chiron put in, but I could feel he was only arguing to save what little reputation I had left, even if we all felt I didn't deserve it. "Stop him coming with you on quests and in activities if you wish. But give the boy some peace. You don't know how hard he's taking this."

"Why would he take this hard?" Thalia snapped. "What's he got to lose?"

"Annabeth." Was all Chiron replied with a sigh before I heard his hooves walking away.

I quickly jumped out the window and made for the beach, the only place I could be alone and think. The last thing I heard was the door opening and Annabeth's voice, I like to think she sounded worried.

"He's gone."

I walked straight down to the beach, passing the Pegasus stables and wondering if word had gotten to Blackjack about my failures.

Yo boss. Blackjack called out, swooping down and falling into stride next to me. I heard what happened. Don't worry, your still the number one in my eyes.

I decided in that moment to not speak. Why? I'm not totally sure, but if people didn't want to talk to me, I wouldn't reply. I don't know why my mind only pictured Annabeth when I thought that.

I simply raised my hand and stroked Blackjack a few times before we reached the sea. I sat down in the surf, me knees in front of me, supporting my arms. I knew this would be one of the first places they looked for me, but I needed the sea. Blackjack, bless his soul, seemed to know I needed to be alone and took off after a quick nuzzle.

What ever physical injuries I had remaining were soon washed away with the tide, leaving me alone with my guilt. I don't know how long I sat there, I wasn't even sure of the date, yet is was dark when the first voice spoke to me.

"Return to your cabin, child." Chiron said gently. "You will have peace there."

I don't know how long he was there for. I didn't care, but I was grateful for him leaving me in peace, he seemed to know I tried, I didn't want any harm to come to the new kids. But that didn't stop me failing to do any of that. I knew I messed up. I knew the camp would look upon me as a failure.

But not Chiron.

I assumed I must not be the first demigod to be a failure.

I didn't get that much sleep that night. My dreams kept repeating the mission over and over. Annabeth kept falling, I kept diving, only in the dreams I was either too slow or she would die upon impact with the water.

It turned out, the next day wasn't much better.

Before the mission, I was always met at my cabin door by Annabeth. Ever since Thalia returned, she nearly always seemed to meet us there too, or she would arrive a few minutes later. I knew they wouldn't be there today. I was slow, I admit, but I wasn't stupid.

Opening my cabin door, I noticed Thalia and Annabeth walking out of Annabeth's cabin, straight towards the dinner tables. Not even a glance in my direction. I began to wonder if they even knew I was here, they probably thought I was missing. But Chiron would have told them differently.

I walked slowly to the tables. I knew I wouldn't have to speak to anyone, the joys of being the only demigod of Poseiden. But as I walked, my mind couldn't help but wonder whether the camp would hate me, or just be disappointed in me, lose what little trust they had in me to begin with.

Arriving at the camp fire, I again thanked the gods that the Poseidon table was on the outside. Already feeling the eyes and whispers, I sat with my back to the camp. Something I had only done on my first day at this table.

I was the first to finish breakfast. I had finished and offered my thanks to my father before most of the other campers had even started and headed straight towards the sea. My first thoughts were the beach, but I knew I wouldn't be left alone, that's where everyone would expect me to be. My next thoughts were under the sea, or taking Blackjack out for a fly. But I wouldn't be able to hear the horn for the activities. So I settled for the cliff edge on the other side of the forest.

I didn't get much thinking done at the cliff edge, I was too unfocused to do any. So I settled for messing around with the waves at the bottom of the cliff edge.

"Your abilities are coming along well." Chiron's voice called out from behind. I know I had came up with the idea not to speak, but Chiron didn't seem upset with me, not even disappointed. I felt obliged to reply.

"It's just natural." I replied without emotion as I climbed to my feet, my back still to the Centaur.

"There's a game of capture the flag about to happen." Chiron said sadly.

"And I haven't been picked?" I asked, already knowing the answer as I turned around to face Chiron.

"I'm afraid not, child." He said sadly. "I can find someone for you to train with, if you wish?"

"Don't put them through it." I replied, turning back to the sea. "I'll train myself." I finished before walking straight of the edge of the cliff.

The water responded to my fall. A huge typhoon rose out of the water, catching me and directing me straight towards the beach.

The rest of the day passed without incident. Although that may be because I spent the rest of the day under the ocean. I hadn't returned to land since I spoke to Chiron, and although I have perfect vision underwater I could already see it getting dark. I was tempted to stay there until the morning, before a Hippocampus approached.

My Lord. The creature bowed. The centaur asks you to return to your cabin for the night.

I just nodded and prepared to swim away, but the Hippocampus apparently had different ideas as it approached, motioned me to hold on and before I knew it we were at the beach. Nodding my thanks to the Hippocampus, I began walking up the beach, towards the large form which I new to be Chiron.

"There will be a game of Capture the Flag tomorrow." He begun as I approached. "The Aphrodite and Apollo cabins are asking for your help."

Chiron turned, revealing Michael Yew standing behind him.

I nodded at him as I stopped next to Chiron.

"Its not the Aphrodite or Apollo cabins." Michael started. "It's just me. Beckendorf was the only other not to disagree with me asking you." He paused and turned the bow around in his hands. "You'll be our surprise weapon. Ares, Athena, Hermes and Thalia and joined forces, so we got our buts kicked."

Chiron chuckled, but both Michael and I ignored him.

"I don't believe you messed up on your mission." He said, trying not to act awkward. "I just thought you and Annabeth had a big argument, and I didn't want it to get worse, so I didn't fight the decision to leave you out." He finished with a grin, causing me to fight my starting blush.

"We did." I replied, amazed there were people who weren't disappointed with me.

"I'll warn you now, though." Michael said seriously. "The rest of the camp doesn't share the same opinion I do." I nodded, already expecting this. "Don't be surprised to be attacked by your own team after."

I just nodded and held my hand out for Michael to shake before we both turned, leaving Chiron standing there with a small smile.

Give me a heads up on what you guys think :)