a.n: Happy New Year! Here's the next chapter to celebrate. I am soooo sorry that it took so long. I wish that there was some important reason it took so long, but… there isn't. So my New Years resolution is to write more and update more often. Without further ado, enjoy.

My father was the first to recover. "The… the lost spring of Hermaphroditus?!? But that would mean…" he didn't finish, but he didn't need to. Everyone in the throne room knew what it meant.

Annabeth questioned her mother. "Isn't… isn't there anything that can be done?"

"I'm afraid not. Curses, such as the one on the lake young Perseus fell into, are very serious things. They can only be lifted by the one who placed them or direct descendents of the one who placed them."

I had a sudden burst of hope. "Then all we have to do is call Hermaphroditus in here and ask him to cure me, right?"

"Percy," my father began. "It's not that simple. After what happened to him, Hermaphroditus felt betrayed. Hermaphroditus vowed never to return to Olympus and chose to instead wander the Earth forever. No one has seen him since."

That little burst of hope from earlier? Yeah, it burst into flames. "So I'm stuck like this?"

"For the time being, yes. But do not think for an instant that we will not be attempting to find a way to reverse this."

Later at camp…

Annabeth and I were sitting on the beach talking when Chiron trotted up. "Perc-, er, Andromeda, I know this may not be the best time, but dinner is approaching and I was wondering if you would want to get the 'introduction' done tonight."

"Might as well. There's no point in delaying it."

Annabeth piped up. "I've actually been thinking about that. Maybe it would be better if Chiron just called a meeting of the cabin heads and told them there."

"What are you talking about? You were the one to come up with this plan in the first place!"

"I know, Seaweed Brain, but that was before we met Alex and told him that both of us had been going to camp for years now. It would look kind of odd to him to introduce you as a new camper to everyone, wouldn't it?"

Did she have to think of everything? "Fine, fine. We'll introduce me to the cabin heads. I can't wait to hear what Clarisse has to say about this."

"Very well. I'll go and call the meeting. You two might as well start heading to the Big House."

Chiron trotted away leaving us alone once more.

* * * * *

"… And that's basically what happened." The rec room was silent. The air was filled with curiosity and disbelief. Connor Stoll was the first to voice his disbelief. "How do we know that you're actually Percy? Prove it."

I sighed. "What do you want besides the words of both Annabeth and myself?"

"What was the one thing Percy had with him when he came to stay in Cabin eleven?"

I took a second to think. "It was the Minotaur's horn. I'd broken it off when I was fighting him."

Travis and Connor started whispering among themselves. Then Travis spoke up. "We're convinced. But it still seems pretty unreal."

Clarisse objected. "You two may be convinced, but I'm not. What happened when Jackson and I first met?"

I answered without hesitation. "You and a couple of your siblings mocked me and tried to dunk me in the toilet. I made the pipes burst and soaked you, washing you out of the bathroom."

Several of the counselors laughed at the memory. Clarisse's face flushed with color and she sat back down. "Any other questions? Or are you all satisfied?"

There was silence. And then… the room burst into laughter. It was my turn to have my face color. With the recognition that it was indeed me, Percy, came the realization that Percy Jackson, hero of Olympus, had been turned into a girl. Even Clarisse, who had been humbled just moments before, had started to roar with laughter like her father had. Figuring that there was nothing I could do to help the situation, I let them continue to laugh. And laugh. And laugh. Finally, the laughter died down. I let Annabeth speak because I was afraid if I spoke, the laughter would start up again. "The gods are looking for a way to cure Percy's, ah, problem. You can inform your cabin mates, but it would probably be better if you didn't unless they ask. We're trying to prevent word from spreading."

Katie Gardener spoke up. "If you're trying to keep it a secret, then why tell any of us? It probably would've worked better if you just introduced 'her' as a new camper."

"We thought of that, but it would have made Alex distrustful of the entire camp"

The others were confused "Who's Alex?"

I decided to speak up. "He's the new camper we recruited. We've become friends with him and we'd rather it stay that way."

"That's right. Also, we've started referring to Percy as 'Andromeda', so try to remember that."

Chiron cleared his throat. "Alright then, if that is all, I believe it is time for dinner."

* * * * *

Dinner was… interesting to say the least. Campers kept pointing to my table and whispering among themselves. I tried to ignore it but it didn't make any less awkward. Mr. D introduced Alex and purposely called him Alec Shiverman. He waved and I waved back, which set off a fresh wave of hushed discussion. I prayed to whatever god would listen that he didn't notice. Chiron then stood up. "Ahem. I am pleased to announce that this year we will be holding the first annual Camp Half-Blood Olympics."

That was unexpected. After that, I don't think I saw a single glance my way. Everyone was too excited about the news. Heck, I was excited about the news. "The teams will be made up of each cabin. However, cabins that have five or less are allowed to pair up with other cabins. Also, unclaimed campers from the Hermes cabin are allowed to choose which team they are on."

There was a chorus of groans from the Hermes table. They must've been planning on having the advantage of numbers. "The events will be archery, canoeing, volleyball, wrestling, pole vault, the 100 meter dash, sword fighting, chariot racing, javelin throw, discus, hammer throw, 4x100 relay, and 400 meter hurdles. The events will start one month from now. Until then, I suggest you all practice if you want to win. That is all. Return to your meals."

Nobody could eat after that. Everybody was too busy planning how they would train. I was busy thinking which cabin I would team up with. Athena was my first choice, in order to team up with Annabeth. But I'm not sure how well her siblings would take to teaming with Poseidon. Ares was another no-go, as Clarisse would probably kill me if I even suggested it. Hermes or Apollo might be an option. I sighed. This was going to be difficult…

So what do you think? I have plans to bring in Nico or the Huntresses in the next chapter. Send me a note if you have a preference. 'Till next time (which hopefully won'tbe too long). Bye!