I started to write this in class when I was bored and done taking notes. This takes place a year after TLO, right before Percy is kidnapped. There will be Percabeth so don't get excited. Ariana and Percy are only friends. Just so my loyal followers (click that button) know, I'll be updating only after I get my homework done, which shouldn't be too hard. Also, could you guys do me a favor and check out the author KatofFlorida and read her fic on what would happen if all the Olympians gathered together-to take a road trip? It's really funny! Enjoy this chapter of Archer of the Sun!

Chapter One: The Distant Smell of Smoke

Ariana's POV

There's nothing quite like going for an early-morning pegasi ride while practicing archery. I love the feeling of the wind whipping my hair back, the steady whump, whump, of my pegasus, Sandy's wings, and the rush when I nock my arrow, aim it, and hit a bulls-eye in mid-flight. Another thing I love about Camp Half-Blood at this hour is the thousands of animals and birds greeting the day at dawn and bidding it farewell at dusk. Until one week ago, everything seemed to be perfect.

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I walked into the Apollo cabin, striding over to the head counselors' bed, which happened to be mine. Because I was head of the cabin. Get the picture yet?

Flopping onto my golden yellow comforter, my half-brother, Aaron walked over, sat down, and asked, "Something bothering you?"

I nodded and replied, "Yeah. Ever since last year when we defeated the Titans, I've had this weird feeling. Like the peaceful time right now is just the calm before the storm. And now, when I went into the forest this morning to practice shooting, everything was really quiet, instead of extremely loud, like it usually is."

I guess I should explain that. Since the camp's woods are full of monsters and normal animals, they always cause a ruckus at dawn and dusk. Although, for the past few days, all the animals seemed to be disappearing or leaving. Not a good sign.

"I know what you mean. Also, Fifi's been acting- I don't know, high-strung- lately, like she feels something."

Fifi is the mascot of the Apollo cabin. She's a little brown mouse who we adopted when the nymphs found her in the Mess Hall. She's lazy and spends most of her time napping, but everyone in the cabin loves her anyways.

"Should we tell Chiron?" I questioned.

Aaron shrugged and replied, "Well, I guess you could bring it up during the head counselor's meeting today."

"That's today?! I thought it was tomorrow!" I yelled, facepalming.

I ran out the door, ordering the two new campers to wake up and shouting at everybody else to clean their bunks. I didn't want to take any chances that the cabin inspection was today, too.

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I burst through the cabin door to come face-to-face with Percy.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, a little surprised.

Percy grinned and replied, "Chiron told me to come see if everything was alright, since you didn't show up at the meeting."

I scowled and replied, "I got a little distracted. I'm coming, and I'm going to get there before you do!"

With those words, I started sprinting towards the Big House, taking Percy by surprise. Still wearing that stupid grin of his, he began to run after me in a futile attempt to win the race. I pulled ahead of him easily, leaving him in the dust. Approaching the Big House, I slowed down and calmly walked inside. Everyone was already seated, and appeared to be waiting. There were two chairs that were unoccupied, on opposite sides of the table. I took the one closest to the door, as always. Percy then pushed the door open, gasping for breath. Everyone at the table except for Chiron and Mr. D. snickered, since they all knew what had happened.

"Alright, now that we're all here, let's let the meeting commence. Have there been any events that should be brought to our attention?" asked Chiron.

Clarisse, while glowering at the Stolls, said, "Well, this week Connor and Travis have gotten creative. Do you want to know what they did? DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW?!"

Everyone at the table looked like they were holding back laughter, the Stoll brothers especially. Connor looked like a constipated sea lion (I've seen one. Don't get me started on why I hate SeaWorld.), and Travis' face was turning a lovely shade of lilac mixed with tomato red. Clarisse, now infuriated, continued, "THESE TWO DUMMIES WRAPPED MAIMER-WAIT A MINUTE. WHO SAID LAMER? WHOEVER DID BETTER SHUT YOUR f-CENSORED- TRAP AND LET ME FINISH! THESE TWO DUNCEBUCKETS WRAPPED MY SPEAR IN PINK INSULATOR TAPE SO MANY TIMES IT TOOK ME TWO WHOLE HOURS TO PEEL OFF ALL THE f-CENSORED- TAPE AND SCRUB OFF ALL THE GLUEY s-CENSORED- SO I CAN ACTUALLY USE LAMER. I MEAN MAIMER. WHO CARES? THE POINT IS THAT THEY PRACTICALLY WRECKED MY SPEAR!"

We were all roaring with laughter now. From the absurdity of the prank, Clarisse's CyberChase reference, to her angry rant, even Chiron busted up laughing. Clarisse then tried shout at us, probably with some more choice words, but her voice cracked and it came out as a ridiculous-sounding squeak. And Clarisse does not squeak. Right now, I think we all had a 99.99% chance of dying from laughter. We were all struggling to catch our breath while Clarisse fumed and Mr. D. played pinochle with an invisible partner, occasionally cussing in Greek and English.

It took five minutes for everyone to settle down. The occasional giggle still erupted every ten seconds, earning a death glare from Clarisse that would have made Nico jealous. "Now, back to business." began Chiron. "Are there any serious matters that we need to discuss?"

I raised my hand. "Chiron, during my early-morning archery practice this past week, I've noticed that all the animals seem to be missing. Do you think it means something?"

Annabeth frowned, looking thoughtful as always. "It could. I remember reading that animals sometimes can sense if an impending disaster was approaching, like an earthquake. I suppose here it wouldn't be an earthquake, though, because of the magical borders. Probably something far worse."

"Thank you, Miss Optimistic." said Lou Ellen sarcastically. "Now we have even more things to worry about."

Butch, now with a suspicious look on his face, leaned forward and asked, " What do you mean, more? I thought we didn't have anything to worry about for a while after the war?"

Lou Ellen looked nervous, like she had made a mistake and said something that she shouldn't have. Maybe, in fact, she had.

DUN DUN DUN! Cliffhanger! Well, sort of. I hope you like this chapter. I had a LOT of fun writing Clarisse's rant. Now, I need some help around here. I need a male demigod (can be OC or canon) to go on the quest PMed to me or sent in a review, a villain idea, and I want you to send in as many ideas as your twisted little minds can! Nah, you guys aren't twisted. Unless you want to be. Then you definitely are. It took me a while to write this chapter, but break is coming so it'll be Fanfiction all the time! YAY!

R&R? I have blue cookies, and you only get them if you review…