So I had a crazy idea and went... Well why can't that happen? So I made it a thing. Enjoy the thing!

But first, I have this anger with people who just don't like Piper. Because I really like her. So I'm now trying to make Piper cool. Because again I really like her. I really like all of them but I feel like she and Jason get the brunt of the hate so here it goes. Me trying to make Pipes cooler don't hate a girl for trying, my love.

This starts in the middle of House of Hades right around the time where they get attacked by Khione.

So I know I'm not supposed to feel ungrateful or anything like that. I mean, seriously I'm a daughter of Aphrodite I'm supposed to have 'it all' you know looks talent, the whole works. I'm expected to want to have sleepovers, talk about boys all the time, and whatever else.

But I don't like those things and I do feel a bit ungrateful. It's stupid I know but it's ridiculous when you're surrounded by people who can do awesome things, and you're standing in the corner speaking French and getting people to do things for you.

I'm just kind of here on the Argo II. I feel pretty useless. Honestly my weapons are a seeing glass knife and a cornucopia, not the most efficient weapons for I don't know anything useful. Beware my cornucopia, I will lob your head off with food! Which is really cool and all, but shooting muffins at an enemy can only do so much.

I just want to be useful in battle. Which is why I've asked Hazel to train me. But I'm not that good and I'm really slow at picking things up.

I'm talking to Jason and Leo right now. It was almost like everything was normal. When I got this feeling again. This feeling of uselessness.

It's never going to go away. I've already decided that. So why does it feel different this time? Why do I keep questioning what I'll do about it?

That's when Festus freaks out. It must be a glitch or something, maybe a pocket of air. But suddenly the three of us are clinging to whatever's closest to us.

"Leo?" Jason asks.

"Festus?" Leo asks, "Status report." Festus makes some clicking and whirring noises. While Leo is taking his position as captain, Festus thrashes and sends me flying into the window directly behind me.

"Piper!" Jason shouts.

My spin tingles, "I'm alright!" I call back, however I can see the crack I've made in the glass. That's not good...

"What's going on!?" Hazel and Nico have appeared now clinging to the door frame.

I stand up and grab at the closest thing to me.

"Leo!?" I ask.

"I can't tell what it is. I'm trying my best!" He assures us and continues pressing buttons after strapping himself in.

"Is everything okay!?" Frank now calls from the door.

My grip loosens on the table and I'm thrown back against the window. I can hear it shattering again.

"Piper!" I try to shake it off. I try to stand and hold onto the table. Only now there's air leaking into the ship and the pressure is cracking the glass more.

"Piper!" I hear collective shouts as I'm thrown against the glass a third time. Only now I've broken through it. I grip the window frame even as glass cuts my hands.

"Leo! Get Festus under control!" I yell as loudly as I can fighting against the wind, trying to stay on board.

I hear a muffled response from Leo.

The winds are strong outside and with Festus rearing again, bouncing me against the deck of the ship, I feel windblown and bruised.

I see Jason nearing me, but he's even having trouble staying on board. Isn't air supposed to be his element?

"I can't get a hold of Festus! It's got to be magic!" Leo calls.

"Is that really!?" I call.

"Maybe that's why I can't control this wind either!" Jason calls. "Piper!" He reaches for me. I grip his hand and see only a trail of blood leaking off my hand.

Festus bucks like a horse trying to shake something off. My hand slips from Jason's, Festus sends me flying.

And somehow I ended up here... Um wherever here is.

It's kind of renaissance looking. A large castle made of stone. I seem to have fallen in the middle of a throne room. Complete with tall pillars, with floral arrangements decorating them. The scent of burning wax fills the air with candles acting as the only available light source.

"Hello, child of Venus."

Still on my hands and knees I turn my attention to the front of the throne room. There sits a queen in full armor with a sword in her hand. Beside her sits a helmet with a purple plume and a spear. Aside from all the weaponry I see mystifying brown eyes and a strong demeanor.

"You may stand." She says.

So I wipe my still bleeding hands off on my jeans, "Um... Hi. Where am I and why aren't I dead?"

"You ask foolish questions child of Venus."

"I think they're important." I say looking around in confusion.

"Do you know who I am?"

"... No."

"I am Bellona goddess of war."

My eyes grow, "You're Roman."

"Yes." She says, "You don't see me loosing my head over the war between Rome and Greece do you?"

"Well no but-"

"But what child? Can I not call upon heroes as the other gods do? Can I not choose my own heroes to represent me?"

"Not at all it's just... I'm just confused that's all. You see I have a quest-"

"Yes, you do. That's why I called you here. To help you on your quest."

"So, how did I get here? Where is here?"

"How is simple. I called you here. Where you ask, is my Academy, child."

"Your Academy?"

"Yes, my Academy. It is here that I train only the most worthy warriors."

I step back, "Oh, I'm not... I'm not a warrior, Ma'am."

"I know you're not. You're a child of Venus."

"So why am I here?"

"To train, to work. I will turn you into a proper warrior. A warrior worthy to fight in my name."

"But I'm a Greek! You're a purely Roman goddess. Why would you call upon me? Why would you ask me to fight in your name?"

She looks at me intently, "Your Grecian allegiance is a fact you will not mention to the other pupils child. You affiliate yourself with Greece, however your mother does not suffer as the other gods simply because love does not change, no matter the culture.

"As to why would I call upon you? Why, yes, an excellent question. Your fellow demigods are far superior to you in all arts of war." I think I'm shrinking with each word she speaks, "Which is why I chose you. The most unlikely of the seven. You, a child who has a gilded tongue and nothing more. A challenge. I chose you for the challenge you present. You are no warrior you know this, but I can change that. The challenge of transforming you from a songbird to a falcon is why I have called for you."

"That's intimidating."

"You will succeed. The road will be long and most certainly difficult. But you will succeed. You will find the heart of a soldier inside of you."

"Um..."

"Look at me child of Venus. This is an opportunity rare to all beings. Not just anyone can become one of my warriors. I have hand picked you as my representative. I have chosen you because you have the most self doubt, and you are the only one willing to learn how to do things my way. It's no secret you cannot hold your own."

"What does that mean?" I defend myself.

"Have you not noticed the only reason you've survived is because of those boys who protect you? That you do not belong in a quarrel? Your only use is to provide for your friends. Don't you want to fight along side them rather than grab the refreshments?"

I'm irked by how calm she's remaining. I hate how she keeps her cool even as she reminds me of everything... I already knew.

"You know these things to be harsh truths. You know I'm right."

"So?" And now I sound like a seven year old.

"So, you know that I can help you. I can make you into a world class fighter, skilled in all aspects of war. If only you are to answer the call I have sent."

I look down wearily, "But..."

"Child, answer me this who founded Rome?"

"Aeneas." I answer through instinct.

"And where was Aeneas from?"

"Troy."

"And he was also a child of Venus or as you claim Aphrodite. Even those who were born from your mother have become great heroes from Greece and Rome alike." Bellona steps down from her throne, "Do not fail me, I would not have chosen you to train under me if I did not see potential in you."

"But my quest. I have to help my friends."

"Time does not pass normally here. It is my own sanctuary. Here what may be weeks will only be hours in your world." She waves off my question as if it is merely a passing thought. I nod slightly hoping my skepticism is not peeking through the surface, "Will you take on my teachings? Will you become a pupil in the arts of war?"

I don't have time to make a pros and cons list so I ask one question. Can I really pass up an opportunity like this? I really can't say no... She's a goddess of war for crying out loud. That would not end well for anyone involved. Plus, how many times does a war goddess offer to train you?

"I will." I hope I don't regret this...

"Then follow me." So I do. She leads me through the castle.

"So um... Renaissance?" I ask.

"The painter Rembrandt portrayed me in a way I quiet liked. I've taken to their architecture as well." I nod as she leads me down the hall, "And one more thing. My school is mainly composed of male warriors. I haven't had a woman walk these halls in centuries."

"Centuries in the mortal world or in your world?" I ask.

"The mortal world of course." I think I make a sound between a sigh and a grunt. But I know it means my immediate dissatisfaction.

This will be a trip.

She leads me into a dining hall filled to the brim with tables, food, servants, and boys. Lots and lots of adolescent boys who stop in their feast to stare at their patron.

"Heroes. Rise." She commands. Everyone drops what they're doing and stands to greet her. They line up and stand at attention. I'm intimidated. "I have brought a new pupil to study the ways of war."

There are cheers for a new recruit.

"I'm sure she'll fit right in." They stop at the use of a pronoun, "Piper McLean. Hero to the human realm."

The cheers begin again.

"Nathan, welcome the newcomer." Bellona presents me to a man who must be nineteen.

He takes my arm and raises it to the other boys in the room.

"Brothers! The goddess has blessed us with a new recruit! Praise Bellona!"

"Praise Bellona!" They shout in unison.

I look around me, everything in here screams warrior. What should I have expected?

I don't know.

Nathan takes me down to the feast. There I hardly eat. It's funny how your mind can make you less hungry when there's so much to think about.

Am I really here? Is this really happening? Am I just crazy?

Nathan introduces me to some of the guys. Evan, Greg, and Phil hold quick conversation. But then there are a few with nicknames like Squirm, Fly, and Air who also hold my attention long enough to have been mentioned.

I'm led through the barracks to my own room after dinner. Nathan tells me I have an hour before bed. When I ask about the schedule he laughs.

"You'll learn soon enough. When you wake up, dress for a work out." And he closes the door to my room.

I take a shower and crawl under my covers. Sleep doesn't come; only thoughts of what lies ahead and what I left behind.