Hello, my amazing readers! I'm back! So, someone asked what group Phoenix is in, because I didn't list her in Mika or Leila's group. It's a good question, (and you'll have to read to find out why) but let me assure you I didn't forget about our icy demigod. She wasn't listed for a reason. Hopefully this chapter will help explain why. :) Also, I haven't been doing shout outs like I usually do- sorry 'bout that! Shout outs:

Myusernameisorigional- Haha, I'm not sure why, but that story just MADE MY DAY… is that weird?

Wisdoms daughter- Yup, Julia got a bit bullied by Rose last chapter, didn't she? Sorry 'bout that… it's for a good reason…. -.-

Linnea-chan- Thank you! :)

Guest- You. Are. My. Sister. Therefore I will do whatever I want to your character. MUAHAHAHA!

Disclaimer: Me: *cough* Iownnothing *cough*

Readers: What was that, Qwerty?

Me: I said Iownnothing.

Readers: A bit slower…

Me: Fine! I own nothing! Happy now?

Readers: Very… *evil smirk*

Phoenix's POV

I stared at the lake, wondering if I'd done the right thing. The moment people had begun picking teams, I'd quickly snuck out of the cabin. After all, I didn't belong here. I was Roman. No Greek would want me on their team- it was a miracle they tolerated me here at their camp at all, although they'd barely done even that.

I wasn't stupid. I saw the looks the Greek demigods gave me; I knew what they thought of me. They didn't know what to make of me. A snow demigod? It was unheard of.

I'd left the room because I didn't want to be on a team of people who would barely talk to me. But now… maybe I needed to get to know them, and maybe that contest was my chance.

Getting to know people that are nothing like me. I snorted at the thought, and the light snowfall around me turned heavier, so that it was more like a small blizzard. A nearby camper shot me a strange look, probably baffled by the sight of a girl in a T-shirt and shorts sitting in the middle of a small snow storm that followed only her around. I don't belong here, I mentally groaned, flopping back on the grassy hillside.

Lupa said- the sensible part of me began, but I tuned it out. Lupa. Lupa had sent me here- did she know I would be rejected? At least at home I'd had my blissful solitude. Here… surely she hadn't known. She must have made a mistake.

"She was wrong," I told myself aloud. I knew what I had to do- go to Lupa, and fix this mistake. "Channie!" I called, whistling for my Pegasus. Almost immediately Barchan (or, as I called him, Channie) landed next to me.

"You're my friend, right?" I muttered, stroking Channie's snow-white nose gently.

I feel more like your father, Channie snorted. Being half-snow (a rare gift from my mother) Channie could telepathically communicate with me. It could be nice, unless he wanted a sugar cube. Then I couldn't get him to stop talking.

"Can you take me to Lupa?" I asked, already mounting the pegasus. Channie hesitated before answering.

Of course I can. But… you're not giving up already, are you? You haven't been here very long, and Lupa said-

"I know what Lupa said!" I snapped, before taking a deep breath to calm myself down. "But Lupa was wrong."

Lupa is never wrong, he muttered.

"Channie," I begged. "Please."

Fine… Spreading his wings, Channie leapt into the sky, carrying me to the wolf who had started it all.

"Phoenix."

The voice echoed through the stone building, even though I hadn't told Lupa I was there.

"Lupa," I muttered, dipping my head respectfully.

"I thought you went to Camp Half-Blood?" Lupa asked, but her voice was firm, as if she was scolding one of her pups.

"I did, but they don't want me there."

"Did they kick you out?"

"Well, no, but-"

"But you left anyway," Lupa said. Her voice wasn't accusing, she was simply stating it as a fact, but I still felt shame flood me.

"Yes, ma'am," I muttered, staring intently at the floor.

"You must go back," she told me. I looked up in shock.

"What?" I gasped. "But they're so different."

"Would you rather return to Khione?" Lupa asked, narrowing her eyes at me. I gulped, looking away. Had anyone else but Lupa mentioned my mother, I would have been furious. But I couldn't get angry with Lupa- she'd practically raised me.

"No," I muttered. I knew what my Mom would say. She'd press her lips into a firm line and narrow her eyes, pointedly not looking at me. Then she'd say, "I thought you went to those Greeks", like I was a horrible plague she couldn't quite get rid of. If I fulfilled my destiny- whatever it may be- maybe I would finally make her proud. And Lupa insisted that my destiny lay with the Greeks.

"Then you must return to the Greeks and fulfill your part of the prophecy," Lupa declared, seeming to consider the matter closed.

"The prophecy?" I asked, freezing. "Part of that prophecy is about… me?"

"Yes," Lupa said dryly, as if it were obvious. "And I think you know what part." My mind immediately flashed back to the first line of the second part to the prophecy- A bridge's journey is rough and alone.

"I'm not a bridge between anything," I protested weakly. "I don't connect anything."

"Not yet," Lupa said, turning away. "It's time you were heading back." From the doorway, Channie whinnied uneasily.

"What? But I still have questions!" I protested. "The prophecy said something about a grave- who's going to die?"

"Your mother is coming to pay me a visit, and unless you want to talk to her…" Lupa trailed off, but I got the message.

"No, I'll leave," I said, backing back to Channie quickly, panic spreading through me at the thought of my Mom. For a minute Lupa's eyes flashed with sympathy, and she walked toward me, touching her muzzle to my hand gently. Giving me her blessing.

"I know," she said gently. "You must try to understand- Khione had a rough time when you were born. It's not your fault." I turned away, my eyes stinging dangerously.

A rough time when you were born… yes, Mom had always made it obvious that she was ashamed to have given birth to me. The reminder really hadn't been necessary.

"I'll be leaving now," I choked out, hopping on Channie's back. "Tell Mom… tell her I won't let her down. I will fulfill my part of the prophecy. And then… maybe she won't have to hide me anymore."

Lupa's reply was lost in the wind as Channie leapt into the sky and carried me away.

Ugh, this chapter was SO depressing to write. :( Poor Phoenix- things get better for her, though. I just wanted to introduce her character a bit more, show what she's going through. She'll make some friends soon, don't worry. As always, don't forget to let me know if I'm doing ok! Until next time!