A/N: The year is 1989 as Harry is going to turn 9 years-old. That means that Luke is 2 years-old, and Thalia is to be born in seven months (as it's June right now in this story). I have recently been able to find more birthdates after more research. Here they are:

Harry Potter: July 31, 1980 (9 years-old)

Percy Jackson: August 18, 1993

Annabeth Chase: October 19, 1994

Luke Castellan: ? 1987 (if you know his birth date, please tell me) (2 years-old)

Thalia Grace: December 22, 1989

Nico di Angelo: January 28, 1914 ( still 9 years-old; due to be in the Lotus Casino)

Grover Underwood: June 5, 1976 (13 years-old)

Well, that's all I have so far (all the one that truly matter, at least). If you have any other information that you feel is necessary to the story, then please submit it in either REVIEW or PM.

Also, this chapter's title might be a bit of a stretch to understand, so I'll explain. Spider = Spied Her. Hope that helps some people understand the pun of the chapter. Like how the previous ones were, Sun = Son, and Farther = Father.

Now on with the show!

Chapter 4: Campers Spider Getting Kidnapped

"Whoa…"

"Do you see this?"

"Are you seeing this?"

"This can't be real…"

"Impossible… Just… Impossible!"

"Man, no wonder Lord Zeus was pissed yesterday…"

"Did you hear the thunder last night, though?"

"Thunder? I was more worried about the earthquakes!"

"Hey, those helped me sleep!"

"Yeah, but not me. At least Lord Poseidon stopped those two from declaring war over this."

"Yeah, but do you see this? Dude's pretty gettin' bold lately."

"So what? He's a God! Besides, he deserves it. Lady Hera has one when no one's ever gonna use it!"

"Yeah, true… But you're only saying that because you're into the dark and brooding types."

"Shut up, Castor!"

"No, you shut up!"

These were only some of the noises that Harry woke up to as he picked his head up from his sleeping bag. All throughout the cabin children and teens of all the camp were conversing as the door was wide open, allowing the sun's rays into the cabin.

"Harry, 'bout time you were up." a voice said.

"Yeah, we were worried that you'd died." another voice, almost exactly the same as the first said, "You don't make a peep or even move in your sleep. Like a vampire, or something."

"And what with you not waking up during the thunderstorm." the first said.

"Or even the earthquakes…" the second commented.

"Jester, Pester! Leave the kid alone!" another voice barked out as the two voices sniggered.

"Aye, aye, Captain Mike!" the two voice said in unison. Harry groaned softly as he finally opened his eyes two see a pair of twins standing over him while saluting someone.

"Potter, get up!" the voice from before snapped as Harry blinked his eyes, slowly rising from his sleeping bag.

As he fumbled around, looking for his glasses, his vision suddenly cleared up once again like the day before. Still, Harry took up his glasses, as he liked them, and put them on. His sight was blurred terribly for a second, but then went back to perfection as he adjusted the glasses. They were a comfortable and pleasant weight on his face, and he had felt so awkward and unbalanced without them yesterday.

"You wear glasses, Potter?" the stern voice that had barked out orders asked, "Your vision shouldn't be impaired."

Harry turned toward the side of the cabin and saw who was speaking. It was Mike Kayon, a son of Nemesis the Goddess of Vengeance, as Harry was told. Martin and the others in Cabin Eleven had always told him the guy was a bit intense and even sometimes cruel. From what Harry had learned of him during the introductions, Mike seemed to be a rather stern person, and though a little high-struck, was a good person. Mike had glossy black hair and stern dark eyes. He was tall, and had a lean build.

"Yeah, but I like my glasses." Harry admitted, "I've had them my whole life."

"Tsk. Whatever." Mike said, "Just get dressed, kid. We all saw you hanging out with Lord Hades and Lady Persephone yesterday, so there might be something you might wanna see outside."

"Yeah, Harry!" one of the twins chirped, grinning.

"It's definitely gonna be on the top of your list of things to see." the other twins said, smirking much like his brother.

Ah, there were the twins; Jester and Pester Roads. The twins had sandy brown hair and sly grins. Their blue eyes held much mischief in them. They were said to be the reigning pranksters of the entire camp. Filling pillows with shaving cream, stuffing ice cubes into beds so people think they peed themselves, taking undergarments and using them as flags of surrender, or even taking dairies and somehow making copies for everyone to find in the Dining Pavilion.

"Indeed, Harry Potter!" Martin's voice sounded from where he was pulling on his orange camp shirt, "It seems that you've won the Grand Prize!"

"Huh?" Harry said in confusion while he put on some jeans.

Martin Fisher, the game show addict of Camp Half-Blood. He had brow hair and grass green eyes. The guy was a good enough person, but he was just a bit too cheerful and smiled too much to be normal. Though Harry didn't care about that, as he liked Martin's antics. They were a bit funny. But, as the Roads twins and even Mike warned, Harry was never to get on Martin's bad side or get him angry. Apparently, it might have taken a lot to get Martin mad, but went he blew his top, he was freighting to behold. At least, that was what the Hermes cabin had warned Harry of while Martin only chuckled and dismissed the thought.

"Just get dressed, kid." Mike said sternly, "You'll see when we get out there."

And see Harry did, as his eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

"What the…?" was all that could escape Harry's mouth as he gazed upon the sight before him.

Standing tall and impressive, if not a little intimidating, before Harry was a large cabin built from really dark and really thick looking stone. There was a dark skull was mounted over the door. The cabin also had two torches burning on both sides of the cabin entrance. The torches burned green flames that did not seem natural at all.

"Ooh! Greek fire!" Jester pointed out as Harry had no clue how he was telling the two twins apart, "You gotta admit, Lord Hades has style."

"That he does, oh brother of mine." Pester agreed with a nod, "The obsidian walls are a nice touch. They're probably tougher than normal obsidian is, too, if he used them for the walls."

"But the Greek fire torches are best." Mike said, frowning at them, "Normally it's very dangerous, so it's not allowed at camp. But, Chiron can't take it away from a God's cabin as it's a gift to his children… or child, as is." Mike said, casting a glance at a still shocked and surprised Harry, "It can be used to make bombs, burns underwater, and is second to none. It burns with heat near that of the sun."

"And the Hephaestus cabin would be more than happy to have a sample of it…" a voice behind them all said as they turned to see a rather timid looking giant of a boy, "Th-That is… if Harry Potter is willing to give it."

"He can't just yet, Jim." Martin said, a hand to his mouth as though he were holding a microphone, "He still needs to prove himself a son of the Richest of all Olympians in order to win this beauty." Martin finished, gesturing to the intimidating cabin.

Harry said nothing, barely paying attention to those around him, as he gazed up at the near-haunted looking cabin that he would be staying in alone should he prove himself his father's son.

The problem was… would he be able to? And if he did… would he be made as dark as the cabin before him?

"Harry!" Christine said as she wrapped her arms around him in a big hug, "I see you've found your dad's little gift, huh?"

"Yeah…" Harry said, glancing back at the plainly visible Cabin Thirteen. Even from where they were, walking to go eat breakfast with Harry's cabin… for now.

"It's a great one." Christine said, nudging him, "It's just like Lord Hades, ya know? All dark and intimidating, but really nice once you learn to appreciate the inner beauty, or in this case, outer beauty."

"I suppose…" Harry muttered. He did think the cabin was cool, but why did it have to seem so… creepy? His dad wasn't creepy, at least not to him, but the cabin…

"Yo, Gus!" Mike called out from behind Harry, "Come here!"

"What's up?" a guy asked as he rushed over. The guy had brown hair and grey eyes while the same mischievous smile that the twins played on his face. Harry had noticed that all the Hermes' kids had that sneaky smile, upturned eyebrows, and sharp noses.

He wondered if those were all just common traits they acquired from their father… Probably so…

"You met Harry last night, right?" Mike asked as Gus nodded, reaching out a hand as Harry took hold of it and they shook, "Well, you and Christine can help him get step up later for Capture the Flag."

"Cool with me, bro." Gus said as Mike gave him a look while crossing his arms.

"You've been reading those surfer magazines from the Apollo cabin again, haven't you?" Mike asked, his frown deepening when Gus chuckled and rubbed at the back of his neck in guilt.

"Guilty as charged." Gus said as Mike suddenly smiled. It was a bit creepy, and made Harry even more wary when Christine, Gus, and Martin all paled collectively.

"Don't worry." Mike said, still smiling, "All guilty parties get their just desserts. I should know as the son of the Goddess of Karma."

"Ya know, you scare me sometimes, man…" Gus said, swinging an arm over Mike's shoulder.

"Good." Mike muttered, though his smile changed in nature. It was genuine and sweet.

"Now onto the food!" Martin shouted, pointing toward the Dining Pavilion.

The pavilion was framed in Greek columns on a hill that overlooked the sea, or at least that was what Harry had been told by Mike. There were no walls, or a roof that cover the mess hall. Torches blazed from the columns and a central fire burned inside a bronze brazier the size of a bathtub. Each table had a white cloth with purple trim.

Green girls with leaves in their hair, or as Gus corrected him; wood nymphs, served them breakfast. It was a portion of apples, strawberries, grapes, cheese, eggs, sausage, and pancakes topped with syrup. Harry had to admit, it was more of a breakfast he had ever eaten at the Dursleys.

However, as they received their breakfast, Harry took notice of how the other kids around were all walking up to a fire in the middle of the pavilion, table by table. He was a bit surprised and confused when he saw how they had taken some of their food, and thrown it into the flames while muttering things.

"What are the doing?" Harry whispered to those that sat at the Hermes' cabin table.

"They are making offerings to the Gods, mostly just to their parents." Martin said, his voice and the look on his face serious.

"When it's your turn, be sure to offer some of it to them all in general." Jester said as Pester nodded across from him.

"Especially to your dad and ours." Pester finished as Gus elbowed him in the ribs, "Ow! What?"

"Be quiet, dimwit." Gus whispered harshly before turning to Harry, "Offerings to your own dad are cool. You can offer them to any God and/or Goddess you want. They like the smell. Weird I know, but hey; they're Gods, they ain't normal to begin with."

Harry nodded while he thought, his eyes wandering as he did.

"Harry, are you listening?" Gus asked as Harry snapped out of his stupor.

"Sorry…" Harry muttered as Gus shrugged.

"It's okay. You're new, and it's all so different and exciting, huh?" Gus said as Harry nodded.

"That's just what I was thinking." Harry admitted, "It's really really different. Should I go up and make offerings now?" Harry asked as he saw a few of the people from their table go to make offerings.

"It's breakfast, so you don't have to do it right now. We were just telling you for dinner tonight. That's when you absolutely have to make your offerings. The only reason the pit is lit now is because we have new campers. You and a few others from the day you were unconscious." Mike said, his hands folded in front of his face.

Harry nodded, resolving to make his offerings then, just in case he messed up and offended someone. Harry had already learned just how petty and easily offended some of them could get. He had heard the stories, and meeting Zeus and Dionysus didn't much help.

Harry looked down at his clothes, noticing how the rest of his cabin wore similar hand-me-down clothes which were nearly in rags. However, the other campers didn't seem to notice this. For that, Harry was glad. Back on Privet Drive, Dudley's friends had always taunted and teased him for where his cousin's cast-away clothes. Harry began eating, looking around at the other tables, seeing that some were full (like Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Athena) while others were all but empty (like Demeter and Dionysus), and some table were actually empty; like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Artemis.

"Checking out the competition, aye Harry?" Martin asked, as he slung an arm around Harry's shoulder.

"Huh?" Harry said in confusion. They were at a summer camp, it wasn't really that much of a competition… was it?

"Leave him alone." Mike barked, "He's just looking around. I remember when I did it some years back."

"Yeah, man." Pester said, "Remember when we saw Zeus' table empty for the first time?"

"Oh yeah!" Jester exclaimed, "That was a shocker. Especially with all those tales of how the big guy would woo ladies left and right."

"Creating many wonderful hero babies." Pester finished, him and his brother's grins growing.

Before Harry could further the conversation, the sound of metal for clanking silence met his ears. Looking to where the sound had come from, Harry saw Chiron in his wheelchair at the staff table with a rather gloom looking guy. It was only when he saw blood-shot eyes did Harry realize the man beside Chiron was Dionysus, the God of Wine, who had been punished by Zeus yesterday.

"Okay campers, we have a few morning announcements to make." Chiron said gazing around before he gestured to Dionysus, "I would like you all to welcome Mr. D to our lovely camp. He will be the new camp director for the next hundred years while I shall only hold the job of activities director."

The camp exploded into cheers and whistles as the grumpy looking Dionysus held his head.

"Be quiet!" Dionysus shouted, his voice loud and echoing as the pavilion silenced in record time, "Loud mouthed brats… I am Lord Dionysus, God of Wine. You shall address me as Mr. D while I am here, and you shall behave."

His demands were met with silence as he glanced around, looking over everyone before his eyes landed on Harry, giving the young boy a critical look before he sighed, and let his head meet the table with a thump.

"Thank you for that, Mr. D. Now then, onto our newest campers… or should I say, camper." Chiron said, gesturing to Harry, "His name is Harry Potter, an unclaimed member of Hermes cabin."

There were a few nods around the place as they saw Harry, but seeing that was the end of Chiron's announcements, people returned to their eating their breakfast in peace while Dionysus muttered under his breath. Harry looked around, catching a few appraising looks, but it seemed that overall, nobody was worried about him.

"You haven't touched your breakfast." Martin observed seriously, "Eat. You're too small to say you're eight years-old."

"He's eight!" Gus exclaimed, "I thought he was like six, maybe even five. But eight!"

"Yes, eight." Mike said, shaking his head with a frown before giving Harry a pointed look, "Eat… and fill your goblet. You haven't even touched it."

"Yeah, man." Jester said, grinning as he and his twin always did, "The pavilion's goblets are enchanted, so all you have to do is say whatever drink you want, and they'll be filled with it. It's awesome!"

"Yeah." Pester answered, "The very best part is that they never run out. Meaning no need for refills when the goblets never empty."

The twins slapped each other high-fives as Harry looked down at the golden metal cup.

"Uhh… Water…" Harry probed, and to his amazement, the cup was instantly filled with the clear liquid. Harry gave it an experimental taste, and found it quite refreshing. It must have been some of that fancy mineral water stuff his aunt had always talked about.

"Give me that." Gus said, shaking his head as he snatched Harry's goblet, "We tell you anything. Anything to drink, and you pick water?"

"I don't know a lot of drinks… All I know is water, sweet tea, and milk…" Harry admitted as Gus grinned.

"What about juices? None of those?" martin asked, his cheery persona gone in the face of the topic.

"I've never really been allowed juice when I lived with my relatives…" Harry admitted, "Only water from the tap."

"Then try this on for size." Gus said as he gazed down at Harry's cup in his hand, "Holy Cow cola."

Instantly, the liquid inside the cup darken and fizzed as Gus handed Harry back the goblet. Harry took an experimental sip, and found that it was unlike anything he had ever had in his like. It wasn't a sweet taste like tea, but it was tangy and flavorful. It bubbled and tickled his mouth and throat as he guzzled it down. It was the best drink in his entire life!

"BERP!" Harry belched, long and loud as the entire pavilion quieted. Even Mr. D looked up from his headache in awe as Harry flushed in embarrassment to see the entire mess hall looking at him. Then, the kids of Hermes, Apollo, and Ares al began to clap and cheer loudly for him until Mr. D called for silence. Though Harry noticed a guy at the Ares table giving him a look as he clapped reluctantly. It was the same guy as the day before.

"Samson Hicks." Mike growled out, "He's looking this way."

"Oh no." Jester said.

"Here we go again." Pester finished.

"What?" Mike asked as the others sighed while Harry was confused, "He was glaring at Harry."

"Yeah, and you don't like him." Gus pointed out as Mike's cheeks tinted pink.

"Shut up!" Mike barked out of embarrassment, "That's not the point! The point is that he was looking this way for Harry, not me. I think he has a problem with the munchkin here."

"How can he?" Martin pointed out, his cheery game host persona back, "Harry and Samson have yet to meet and obtain the status of bitter rivals for the lovely Chrstine's heart."

"Exactly." Mike said as the others looked confused, but none more so than Harry, "He must have seen that Christine was taking an interest in Harry. You know how Hikes gets when "his girl" is around other guys, no matter the age gap. He bitterly refuses to be like his father, Lord Ares; stuck in an affair."

"That could be true…" Gus sighed out.

"Well young Harry, you had best sharpen your scythe." Martin said, once again taking a hold of his shoulder, "Because you're about to go head-to-head with the toughest Ares kid there is to date: Samson "Hit-n-Mix" Hicks!"

And Harry could do nothing but gulp down the food he had shoveled into his mouth to stop himself from looking back at the Ares table. How was he supposed to go up against a guy twice his age and height in anything? Especially over this huge misunderstanding?

Those were questions in which he proposed to himself, and Harry had no answer for…

"So, you think Samson has a problem against you… because I hung out with you yesterday?" Christine said, leaning against the volleyball net-pole.

"Yeah…" Harry replied, "At least, that's what Mike and Gus think."

"Mike would think that." Christine said, her face darkening before she waved it off, "But Gus, too… This wouldn't be the first time someone's come to me about this, though… Listen, I'll tell Samson to back off, 'kay?"

"Thanks." Harry said as Christine hugged him.

"Aww, you're just so cute!" the girl gushed as she squeezed his head between her plentiful breasts, "And it's no problem. That's what a big sister is for."

"Big sister?" Harry said, blinking as Christine smiled at him.

"Yeah. I told you; I have a feeling about you. From the moment I saw you unconscious, I felt worried about you. I only ever have that feeling from my brothers and sisters, though I've only had one brother so far in this camp, and he left my first year."

"Okay." Harry said, not sure what else to say, "I've never had a big sister. My dad said I had a twin brother back home somewhere, but I've never met him. I don't even know what he's like."

"Oh, you poor thing!" Christine said, hugging him.

"Stop it!" Harry shouted, his features darkening as he scowled harshly, "I am not a charity case! I hate it when people feel bad for me! I don't need pity!"

Christine backed away, shocked and more than a little surprised at the dark turn Harry had made. His emerald eyes had been bright, but when he got angry, they darkened like toxic poison. His the shadows from his hair darkened his face, and Harry seemed to radiate fear and death.

"Umm… Harry, you're starting to scare me…" Christine said, trying to remain calm because she and just about everyone else knew Harry was Hades' son, but he really was freaking her out a bit with the way the shadows around him seemed to bend and warp like they were going to rise up and drag her to the Underworld.

Harry's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He hated when others looked down on him. He hated pity with a passion. Pity breathed only weakness, and to be pitied was the ultimate sign of weakness in Harry's eyes. His uncle and aunt would never allow such weakness as pity, and neither would he. He would not be pitied!

But then, the look in Christine's eyes. It wasn't pity. It was… fear, concern, worry? Harry had never been good at reading people's eyes, but those emotions seemed so strong in her that he calmed himself, feeling ashamed that he had snapped at her. It wasn't her fault.

"I… I don't like being pitied…" Harry mumbled, staring at his shoes.

"Harry, you're eight. How do you even know the concept of pity?" the sixteen year-old asked as she placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.

"My relatives always said that pity was weakness. I'd always hear them talking about how they had taken me in after my parents died. How I was some poor helpless case. I'd be forced to sit there as they said that stuff to company. Forced to look into the people's eyes and see that they felt nothing but pity for me. Like I was below them." Harry said, his temper rising as he recalled such memories, "Like I was some animal that was put on display for charity. They would look at me, and talk to me, their eyes and their tones saying everything. Saying how I was lower than them, and how they felt sorry for me. How they felt sorry for my mere meager existence."

Christine couldn't say anything. When he had started, Harry spoke like any other kid would. But then, something in his tone changed as he practically spat out the words like a grown man recalling some bitter war he had fought in.

It was slightly unnerving. The way his jaw sat clenched tight. the way the muscles in his young shoulders tensed under her touch. The way his face darkened and his eyes hardened with the recollection of his past memories. It was all a little more than slightly unnerving.

"Come on, Harry. Gus is waiting for us at the armory." Christine said softly.

"I'm sorry…" Harry said as she hugged him again.

"It's okay." she said, still so softly as Harry this time responded to the hug, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"C'mon. Let's go." Christine said, guiding Harry onward.

"There we go!" Gus said, standing back, "Size three armor for the little tyke."

"Don't call me that…" Harry mumbled as he checked himself in the mirror.

"You don't look half bad in that, Potter." Mike's voice said from the doorway to the metal shed that was the camp armory.

"Thanks." Harry replied, his face flushed as he didn't think Mike was the type to hand out compliments lightly or untruly. Mike sauntered into the armory, walking clear pass Harry as he made his way for Gus. He whispered something in Gus' ear that had the normally laidback boy blushing red while Christine snickered by Harry.

"Shut up…" Gus muttered while being dragged away by Mike, hand in hand.

"I'm stealing him away. No problems with that, I hope." Mike said, though he didn't seem to be asking as he gave Harry one last look, "You really do look good in the black, kid."

"Thanks!" Harry said, shouting a bit to be sure Mike had heard him while Christine shook her head at the pair.

"Those two, they'll be the death of each other." Christine said as Harry had a weird vibe from her words. It was like something in his head clicked at those words.

"Yeah…" Harry said without thinking, "Maybe…"

"Something wrong?" Christine asked as Harry shook his head.

"No, though I think I'm done with armor for today." Harry replied taking off the black helmet and chest plate, "What else do I have to do today?"

"Your first lessons in Greek, kid." Christine aid, ruffling his already untidy black hair, "Come one. I'll introduce you to your teachers."

"Teachers?"

"Teacher." Mr. D said as a chalkboard appeared behind him, "I am Mr. D, and it was bequeathed to me that I teach you both Ancient Greek the language and Greek Mythology. Are you ready for your first lesson?"

"I suppose…" Harry said as the wooden pointer in Mr. D's hand rapped at his desk.

"There is no "I suppose…" Either you're ready at a moment's notice, or not. Now what do you say?" Mr. D said as Harry sat up straight.

"I'm ready, sir!" Harry said, having no clue where the salute came from.

"Good." Mr. D smiled, "Because that brings us to our first lesson in history. In the beginning, there was nothing, but then came forth Chaos, the first primordial God…"

And so the lesson went.

"… and then you draw the arrow back… Good, good! You're practically a natural at this, Potter! Are you sure you ain't a Son of the Sun?" asked Dawson Creek, a son of Apollo and leader of the cabin.

"He is shooting from the shade. I've heard tale that children of Hades are stronger in the darkness and shadow." another son of Apollo said as Dawson shrugged.

Harry didn't know what to make of what he was doing. When he had first come onto the archery field, he had at first been made to watch what the others were doing. Then, Dawson came up to him and began pointing out what to do while the kids were practicing. Harry had to admit though, Dawson seemed a little over-the-top about archery, as when he saw kids making mistakes, he'd yell right next to Harry's ear while correcting their technique when needed. Harry noticed that the kids from the Apollo cabin seemed to shoot the best, even the youngest ones.

Then it was his turn. He had been given a bow and a few arrows by Dawson, who was still looking after him. Dawson, though, was also incredibly honest as he admitted to Harry that the only reason he was personally instructing him was to see "what a son of the Brooding One could do."

Harry was very nervous about it all. He had never done anything like it before a day in his life! He had heard tale from Dudley how the chubby boy could shoot arrows like an Indian, but Harry had never gotten the reference and still didn't to date. But he wasn't a coward. That was one thing he would never be.

So, with that in mind, Harry gripped the wooden part of his bow firmly in his right hand while threading a yellow feather, was apparently was the color of the Hermes cabin, into his bow clumsily.

"Relax, Potter. You got this." Dawson had assured as Harry took a deep breath, suddenly feeling calmer as a cloud passed overhead, shading him. Harry pulled back his index and middle fingers, stopping his breathing for the spilt second the arrow was released. Harry and Dawson, along with the others who were on the ranger, watched as the arrow flew towards the target. Harry was only relieved when he saw he hit the target at all.

The others, and Harry when he took a good look, were shocked and surprised when they saw that it had the bull's eye; dead center.

Harry blinked a few times as he felt the calm confidence and power leave him for a moment when the gap in clouds passed him overhead. One of the sons of Apollo noticed this when Harry's second arrow barely reached the target, and then, when back in the shade of the clouds, the third hit the bull's eye.

"Yeah, so what if he is better in the shade?" Dawson asked as he dropped down to be at Harry's level, "The kid's just as good as we are when he is."

And Harry felt good when they had moved him back to the shade of a tree. He felt the cool darkness around him, lapping at his skin like a dark mist. Like they were alive. Harry always did feel better in the darkness of his cupboard when he was small, but had never understood why and simply accepted it.

"The kid is good, but it's a handicap. Teach him to shoot out of the shade, Daw." the guy said as he crossed his arms.

"Yeah, maybe you're right." Dawson said, forgetting his excitement in the face of what could become a serious problem.

"Why aren't you guys… avoiding me…?" Harry asked as Dawson continued to instruct him. He was getting better, being able to actually hit the target and get within the circles.

"Huh? What do you mean, Potter?" Dawson asked as Harry looked up at him, lowering the bow and arrow.

"I mean, I like darkness, you guys like light. We're different." Harry explained, frowning as he saw Dawson and the other guy exchange curious looks, "Besides, the Gods on Olympus hate my father, and he said others wouldn't like me when I got here. But so far, just about everyone has been really nice or not at all interested in me."

"Oh don't worry, kid." Dawson assured, ruffling Harry's hair, "Plenty of people here don't like you."

"That is true." the other guy said with a sigh, "They just don't act on their dislike. You're the son of the Loner, the Brooding One, the Jaded One. They think you might try something here on behalf of your dad."

"True." Dawson pointed out, "But as for the rest of us; we're curious. When you got here, you didn't act like your dad. Ya know; brooding, scowling, dark. All that good chizz."

"And you did get here with your dad in tow. That's something the rest of us can't say." the guy said, "Plus, if the Hermes cabin likes you, you can't be all bad."

"So… people don't like me, but are willing to give me a chance?" Harry asked, hoping he summed it up right. He was glad when Dawson and the other guy nodded.

"We're not all stupid, naïve kids who believe everything they're told, Potter." Dawson said, smiling brightly, "We know that Lord Hades might be a bit of a party-pooper, but he's not out to kill anyone. He doesn't mess with anyone, and he does his job; unlike some Olympians."

"That's right." the other guy nodded, "The point is, Potter; here at camp, it's us against the world of monsters and mortals out there. If we can't band together, we'll lose everything."

"But I'm guessing others don't see it that way." Harry said, scowling in thought when Dawson nodded.

"Some of them think that when they leave here, it'll easy. But we, the counselors and older campers, know it won't. Fighting monsters and living in a summer cap, that's easy. Adjusting to the real world while fighting monsters, that's hard. Most of us don't want to live, because we know we might not even live to the age of 35 years-old."

"We're… We're afraid…" the guy admitted, his head hung as Harry saw they were giving him an honest talk and no lies.

"Why not stay at the camp if there's nowhere else?" Harry asked as Dawson laughed.

"Sounds easy, right?" Dawson asked as Harry nodded, "It's not so. Most of us have families out there in the real world. They need our help, our support. Moms, Dads, little siblings, cousins, grandparents, or even close friends."

"Besides," the other guy started, smiling brightly as well, "some of us get lucky. Sometimes, our Godly parent will give us a job with them, working for them in their domains. Most, if not all, of the Hephaestus kids go to work for their dad in the forges. Demeter's kids go to work as gardeners or professional landscapers. Ares' kids go into the military or some faction of the armed forces."

"But some don't get lucky." Harry said, his scowl growing deeper as the conversation went on.

"No, right." Dawson said, "Some of us end up dead not even a few weeks out of this place. Thankfully, and this is another reason why most people here won't mess with you, Lord Hades has a special place in the Fields of Elysium reserved for all those who die during or after attendance at Camp Half-Blood."

"I think I get…" Harry said, his brows furrowed as he thought, "Some guys are afraid to go out in the world, but most get lucky and get a job with their Godly parent. The ones who die end up in a good place, and it's one of the reasons no one is messing with me. That must be because they fear my father will stop kindness to the camp. The others, the ones who are curious, are helping me. But why help me?"

"Like we said earlier, Potter; we're not stupid, nor are we naïve." the other guy said, almost sneering, but able to completely, "If we help you, then you'll help us when you're older. It's us against the world, and having an Underworld Prince on your side helps a bit."

"So… you're using me?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes as Dawson shrugged.

"You can think of it however you want to, but realize this is camp; everyone uses each other. Me and Tim here, we like you, kid. We're helping you, and in return, all you have to do is help us when we ask."

"That still doesn't set right with me." Harry admitted as Dawson ruffled his hair.

"You don't have to think about it like that, because we sure as hell aren't." Dawson said, "You're a young camper, just like all the others. We, the older campers, look out for the young. You guys only got a taste of the danger you're all in when getting here. We know years of it. Not to mention the quests."

"Yes, let's not mention those. Thank you." the other guy, Tim, said with a faint smirk.

"The point is, Potter, if it wasn't you, then it'd be some other kid we'd be helping." Dawson admitted, hand still on Harry's head as he dropped to get eye-level with him, "But you'll have it even worst than most as the son of Lord Hades while you're this vulnerable. You're just a kid, just like any other. We're here to help train, and guide you little tykes. So don't take it so personally."

"Okay." Harry said as Tim chuckled.

"Come on, back to training. You're shots in daylight suck." Tim said as Harry looked indignant.

"Hey!" Harry shouted as Dawson turned back to him while they came out of the shade of the giant oak.

"What? They do!" Dawson said as Harry scowled at them

"Are you two always so honest?" Harry asked as the two exchanged looks before grinning at Harry.

"Blame our dad." the two said in unison, much like the twins.

"I think I will." Harry deadpanned as he setup for another shot in the daylight.

He wondered just how long the special treatment would last. His father would claim him, that much Harry knew was certain once he proved himself. Then he'd be cut off from the others by way of large dark and spooky cabin. It would only serve as a reminder that he wasn't like the other young members of the Hermes cabin.

So when would it end? Until he was claimed? Until he had settled into camp life? Until there was another new young member of the camp to guide?

Harry wasn't sure exactly when it would end. But as Dawson put a fir hand on his shoulder, beaming down at him with a bright smile and brotherly guidance in his eyes, Harry didn't care one bit. He was gonna enjoy the time while it lasted.

Harry was very much in awe when Dawson had Christine drag him to the arena for his first sword fight, which both teens wanted to watch along with half of Hermes cabin and some of the others. He didn't have much time to gaze about as a sword was thrown to him and he was made to fight another eight year-old. The sword was light in his hands, but he didn't get much time to think about his weapon before the other kid began to slash at him like a wild animal.

Harry had lost in the end, the kid's swings just too crazy to fight against. Afterward, the kids said that he had never had a sword before, and that the others in his cabin (which was the Hephaestus cabin) told him to "wing it".

Dawson made the comment that no one was surprised that Harry had lost.

"Nope." Dawson said, "Especially with the way that kid was swinging like someone had broken into his house. In fact, the kid cut himself up more than you cut him and he cut you."

Tim, apparently the only Apollo kid who wasn't "floating on the clouds" according to Mike, said that if their had been any darkness, then Harry would have certainly done better.

"What do you mean?" Mike asked, his brow raised.

"Harry does better in the darkness. In shade, and shadows, and night." Tim said as Mike stared at Harry.

"Let's get him another opponent from the age group." Mike said, "Then we can truly assess his skills."

Harry groaned in protest as he was forced to pick up his sword again and fight another boy, though this one from the Hermes cabin. The fight was better, much better as Harry found himself in a daze of parrying, blocking, slashing, and repeating the cycle. He wasn't good, neither of the two eight year-olds were as Dawson blatantly told them with a bright smile. But, Tim and Mike both said that they'd get better with age.

Somewhere in-between Harry's sixth match against a ten year-old, Chiron had called for a break where he took the time to speak to the age group of ten years-old and below.

"I have watched over your matches." Chiron declared as he smiled at them all, "And while now you lack skill and experience, these things will come with time and practice. For all of you, I can say that the most common flaw I have witnessed here today is in the way you hold your swords that needs to be improved upon. For some, the way you hold it doesn't leave much room for movement. For others, your grip is too lax, and it allows your opponent to knock it from your hand. I will now demonstrate the proper hold and explain. Please, take up your blades and follow along."

"Like this?" a six year-old from Ares' cabin asked as he tried.

"Yes, that's it." Chiron smiled down at the kid as everyone turned to him and shifted their holds, "Do not worry, your cabin counselors are here to help you. Conselors, please go through the group, and instruct where you can. Do not simply help your own cabin, but wherever you see error."

"Yes, sir." the teens chorused as they moved from the sidelines and began walking and moving through the crowd of small children, some barking out instructions while others guided the young calmly.

"Now we shall move through the basics. Children, follow my movements, and listen to my voice. Counselors, help and chime in where you can."

Harry found himself smiling at just how easy it felt to flow with the movements as he followed Chiron's teachings. He wasn't a natural, as Martin pointed out as though Harry had answered a question wrong on a quiz show, but he was getting it. By the end of the session, he and his fellow age group members had improved noticeably. He wasn't as good as some of the Ares and Athena kids, but luckily Dawson said that in a month, he would be able to fight them no problem.

"You know," one of the teens from the Athena cabin said to Harry as she walked up, "It was said that in battle, Lord Hades wielded a staff with great power, both mystical and his own physical skill with it. It was also said that he could wield almost any weapon that was given to him or he picked up in his hands during the First Great Olympian War."

"The Titanomachy?" Mike asked as the girl nodded, "That is true. Lord Hades and the others were deadlocked against the Titans for a good ten years. He must have been in the front lines of battle most of those days."

"Yeah, it's true!" Christine exclaimed, "I once spoke to my mom about it. She said that he even claimed the Ancient One's soul during one of the battles, but it was stolen back later."

Everyone turned to Harry, who looked both highly confused and yet greatly interested in what they were saying. The only problem was-

"What are you trying to say?" Harry asked as the Athena girl looked annoyed that he wasn't getting it.

"It means that you'll be good with just about any type of weapon when the situation calls for it. Bow and arrows, sword and shield, whip, scythe, magic…"

But Harry felt a shiver run down his spine at the mention of a scythe. He felt both thrilled and frightened at the thought of wielding one. Almost as though it would bring him great power and yet great sorrow…

"Harry? You get it?" Christine asked, seeing the eight years-old far-away look.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I understand." Harry said, "Just need practice, right?"

"Right." the Athenian teen said, "Well, see ya later."

"Right." Mike said, "See ya, Shelley."

Harry ate his lunch in silence. He was trying to think about which Gods he was going to make offerings to later during dinner. He would have to make offerings to his father. Then there was mothers Persephone and Hecate, along with his unknown mother. Then it was Apollo, Hermes, Nemesis, Athena, and Aphrodite; all of whose children were helping him get ready quickly for the game of Capture the Flag. Then there was Hestia, who Dionysus said was the Goddess of the Hearth and got a part of all offerings. Then Dionysus himself… It was all making Harry's head hurt and spin.

Harry glanced up from his plate to see his friends in Cabin Eleven. They sat around, eating and talking about nothing in particular while they enjoyed the food. Harry sat beside Gus, who was seated directly across from Mike. It was only then that Harry had noticed they sat across or next to each other for everything. It was almost like they liked each other. Oh well, it wasn't his business, and he had been asking too many questions as it was. His aunt and uncle always did tell him not to ask questions. He was sure that he might offend them if he asked them, and Harry didn't want to lose any friends over his own curiosity.

Harry found that he was fast becoming really good friends with those in the Hermes cabin, along with Christine, Dawson, Tim, and Shelley. Mike, Gus, Martin, and the Roads twins Jester and Pester were almost like family to Harry with the way they treated him as though he were one of their brothers. In fact, Harry wasn't sure he could do anything to repay them and the others who were helping him.

He'd find a way though, somehow…

"Aye man!" a young voice, even younger than Harry's own voice, called out to him as Harry looked up to see a six to seven year-old satyr looking up at him nervously, "I need your help!"

"Me?" Harry asked as the young one nodded hurriedly. Harry had been about to go see the strawberry fields when the satyr had come running from that direction.

"Yeah! Diana's been taken into the forest by one of the monsters! You've gotta help her!" the little half-goat person said as Harry blinked, bouncing on his feet as he weighted countless choices and decisions.

"Come on!" Harry said, grabbing the satyr by the arm and hurrying back toward the cabins.

"What are you doing?" the little half-goat boy asked, "She needs help now!"

"But I still don't know how to fight monsters!" Harry yelled back as they continued to run, "We'll get one of my friends, and they'll help us!"

"Harry!" Gus called out as he saw the young cabin member running toward him and the others as they hung out.

"Emergency!" Harry yelled, like he had the one time the kitchen back at the Dursley's had been on fire. Though this time, there was no small fire to douse out. A person's life was in danger of being eaten.

"Whoa there, young Potter!" Martin said, "What is this emergency you speak of?"

"No time!" Harry said, feeling his lungs burning from the full out sprint, "Girl. Taken. Monster! Forest."

"Girl?" Mike said, arching a brow as he exchanged looks with Gus.

"Taken?" Christine said as she sat down her cards while looking at Harry.

"The forest?" Dawson said, looking to Tim, who was already grabbing their bows and arrow sleeves from inside the Hermes cabin, where they had been placed until Free Time was over.

"Monster!" Martin wailed, looking quite comical as he slapped both hands to his face.

"Monster?" at that, everyone had jumped up and were scrambling for their things.

"Dawson, our bows!" Tim said as he threw a bow and a set of arrows to Dawson, who didn't look like a sunny person with the look on his face. No, he looked like a warrior.

"Where in the name of Hades is my sword!" Gus shouted as he dug through his things.

"Check your truck!" Mike shouted as he shrugged on a long sleeved shirt.

"I'll go alert Chiron." Christine said, "Name of girl?"

"Diana!" the little satyr shouted, looking close to tears.

"Right, and yours?"

"I'm Grover Underwood."

"Good. I'm off." and off she was. Harry didn't know the Barbie-like girl could sprint so quickly.

"Gus, let's go!" Dawson shouted, both him and Gus being cabin counselors along with Christine.

"I can't find my sword." Gus shouted as he came bursting out of the Hermes cabin with a metal armband on, "But I got the shield. We'll go with Plan Delta, then."

"Right." Dawson agreed quickly, "Everyone, move quickly."

And quickly they did. Harry could only just barely keep up with them, and even Grover was falling behind.

"Harry, stay just outside the forest in the shade." Dawson ordered as Harry nodded, wanting the girl to be saved and not caring by who.

"Tim, stay with him and little Grover." Gus said as Tim nodded, "Anything that isn't us or good, you shoot to wound."

"Roger that." Tim said professionally, skidding to a stop just outside the forest. He power-slid to one knee and had readied his bow and arrow so quickly, that Harry had nearly been stabbed in the eye while he skidded to a stop behind the teen.

They waited, hearing far-off battle cries and roars that made Harry worry. Tim beside him didn't seem to move at all from his readied position, almost like a statue Harry had seen of Apollo getting ready to shoot-off an arrow. Grover's knees shook and his teeth chattered while he rung his hands.

"How did she get taken?" Harry asked, trying to stop the boy from dying of nerves.

"We we picking strawberries on the far side of the field, near the forest. We were talking about how she was liking camp, as it was her third month. Next thing I know, she was grabbed by something and dragged away kicking and screaming. I froze up… Then I ran for help as fast I could."

"You did the right thing." Tim said, still not moving anything more than his mouth, "You're only about 13 years-old. Still extremely young for a satyr."

"They'll get her back." Harry said, patting Grover's shoulder.

"Whose kid was she?" Tim asked as Grover looked up.

"Athena's." Grover answered as Tim made an understanding sound.

"It must have been the giant spiders." Tim said as Grover lost all color in his face.

"The sp-spiders?" Grover said, his goat legs failing him as he fell on his butt, "Oh no…!"

"Spiders?" Harry echoed in confusion.

"Yeah. Spiders hate the children of Athena, and Lady Athena herself." Tim said, as still as a statue, "It all stems from a rivalry Lady Athena had with a mortal woman named Arachne a long time ago, back in the Greek years. Arachne challenged Lady Athena to see who could make the best tapestry. Lady Athena went to the mortal woman disguised as an old crone, trying to warn Arachne of her hubris and insults of the Gods. But Arachne said if she lost she would accept any punishment. Lady Athena was enraged at the woman's attitude, so she took off her disguise, and accepted the challenge, as she invented weaving."

"Whoa…" Harry said as Tim went on.

"In the end, they had each made a magnificent tapestry. Lady Athena's was of the gods together in glory and joy. Arachne's showed the gods making fools of themselves. Lady Athena was so angry by the deliberate insult to herself and the others gods that she destroyed the tapestry in rage and was declared the winner."

"Well, that's not fair." Harry said as Tim shrugged, though still had his bow and arrow trained on the forest.

"Life back then wasn't exactly fair, and it still isn't today. Now then, back to the story. Arachne was filled with guilt, and hung herself. Athena after seeing this felt responsible for her death and decided to do her a favor. She turned Arachne into a spider so that her and all her children would be expert weavers forever. However, ever since then, Athena's children have had a deep fear of spiders and whatever looks like them, paranoid that every spider they see is out to get them and avenge their mother, Arachne the Mother of all Spiders." Tim finished as Harry sat down beside.

"So, they think spiders are out to get them?" Harry asked, just to be clear.

"Yeah. Normally, to get them to play Capture the Flag with us, we have to tell them we sprayed for spiders right before the game starts." Tim said, chuckling to himself as Harry joined in.

"This isn't funny!" Grover said, "A spider actually got Diana! That means the spiders are after Lady Athena's kids!"

"Maybe…" Tim said, "But all I did was repeat what I learned here at camp. The true story, well, no one probably knows."

"Maybe the story isn't the problem." Harry said, feeling a tingle in his brain as he remembered a quote he had once heard as a younger child, "Maybe it's the difference of a point of view?"

"You just might be right, Potter." Tim said, glance at Harry in respect for a second before they both heard screaming. Particularly Martin and Gus' girly screams.

"Shoot the spiders! Shoot the spiders, dammit!" Gus and Martin yelled in unison as the two came rushing from the forst and blurring past the three watchers.

"You heard them! Shoot the damn spiders!" Mike yelled with a small blond girl on his shoulder while Dawson brought up the rear, his bow shooting arrows off into the forest as he strung them second by second.

"Harry, get out! Tim, shoot to kill!" Dawson ordered as Tim's face became stone serious. Harry scrambled to his feet and ran with Mike as Tim nodded.

"Roger that, sir." Harry barely heard Tim say before the boy shot a giant spider between the eyes. He strung another arrow as soon as the first hit it's target and shot the second at another large spider that was rushing to Dawson's right.

"Out of the forest for Plan: Apollo Gama!" Dawson ordered as Time hoped to his feet and was still shooting as he hastily backed out of the forest with Dawson at his side.

By the time both Dawson and Tim were out of the forest, Harry was practically squashed between Grover and the little blonde girl he suspected was Diana.

Though that was nothing to what came next. All the warning they got was the sound of galloping coming from toward the Big House as Harry tried and failed to turn toward the noise.

"Chiron…" Grover uttered as Harry tried still to turn his head to see what was happening, but Grover and Diana were in his way.

"Back! Back you foul beasts!" Harry heard Chiron boom right before his mind was blown.

Because racing past his vision to drive off the giant spiders the size of dogs, Harry saw that Chiron was not in a wheelchair. In fact, Chiron was galloping past them with a sword in hand.

But hear was the mind blowing part. Chiron wasn't riding atop a horse. No, Chiron was the horse as Christine and Shelley rode atop him with worried looks! Well, he was half-horse from the waist down. Half-horse! Chiron was half-horse! Chiron…

And that was when Harry's mind drew a long blank, because when he came back to himself, the little blonde girl Diana was hugging him and they were all on the deck of the Big House.

"Thank you for saving me." Diana said, his stormy grey eyes filled with gratitude.

"I didn't do anything." Harry said as he gestured to the older campers beside them, "They did everything. All I did was run for help."

"Yeah, but if you had gone with me, the three of us would be dead." Grover said, his head hung.

"Maybe, but Harry, you did come to us in a hurry. Some campers your age would have raced into the danger themselves." Mike said softly, everyone of the teens looking at him as though he had grown another head. Even Harry was surprised as he had never heard Mike speak without a sneering or a severe tone. Though Gus seemed taken in by it as he wrapped an arm around Mike's shoulder.

"You're the real hero here, Harry." Chiron said, "For it is not the mightiest or smartest that win the war. But the one who knows when to call for help from… special and unique allies; friends." Chiron said, casting a mirthful look at the rag-tag bunch as he smiled.

"We're counselors, Chiron." Dawson said, ruffling Tim's hair with the teen gave him a scowl and glare, "It's what we do."

"Right you are." Chiron said, "As an added bonus to this little rescue mission; free time until Capture the Flag. Alter the rest of the camp."

"But, Chiron." Shelley said, chewing her bottom lip in worry, "You're not the Camp Director anymore. Mr. D is. Only he can make a call like that."

All the other teens groaned at her wish to follow the rules, but Chiron only smiled as he gazed down at her.

"Mr. D has only just accepted the job. Until he's completely up to speed, I think I can handle running the camp as I have for the past many years." Chiron said as Dawson, Gus, and Martin cheered.

"Burned!" Dawson said to Shelley, whose face went red with embarrassment and rage, "That was the nice way of saying: Shut up because I've been doing this job longer than you've been alive, and that no one is going to tell me how to do it."

"It did sorta sound like that…" Harry admitted as Shelley glared at him, though the small shy smile she carried after punching Dawson ruined the effect.

"Come on, Diana. Let's go back to the cabin to disinfect you." Shelley said as Diana took her offered hand and walked off. She turned around in her walking to give Harry a shy little wave good-bye, her face flushed and her eyes not quite gazing at him.

"Awww!" the teens chorused as they glanced between Harry and Diana.

"Huh? What?" Harry asked as Christine hugged him.

"Little dude's got the Apollo charm with the little ladies." Dawson boasted as Gus scoffed.

"More like the Hermes charm. Right, Mike?" Gus asked as he squeezed Mike's shoulder. Mike's eyes widened as his face went red in seconds. Then he growled, and elbowed Gus in his stomach before smirking.

"Sure. Whatever you say." Mike said, grinning down at Gus' groaning form on the floor of the deck.

"Come on, guys! We've still got an epic match of cards to get back to, and the commercial break has gone on forever!" Martin declared as the others groaned.

"Why don't you come with an off switch…?" Tim muttered as they all followed Martin, who was practically dancing back to the Hermes cabin.

"Aren't you going with them, Harry?" Chiron asked as Harry gazed back up to him.

"I can't believe you're half-horse." Harry blurted out before slapping a hand over his mouth while Chiron chuckled.

"Indeed, I am a centaur. I didn't want to alarm you, so I stayed in my magical wheelchair for as long as I could. In fact, I wanted to surprise you later at Capture the Flag." Chiron said as Harry nodded dumbly. His mind was just not comprehending what he was seeing, but he was working on it.

"Well… I'm certainly surprised, Mr. Chiron…" Harry said as Chiron patted him on the back.

"We'll talk later." Chiron promised, "Now be off. Your friends are probably waiting. And please, call me Chiron."

"See you later… Chiron." Harry said as Chiron smiled in approval.

"Until later today, Harry Potter." Chiron said as he waved Harry off, watching as the young boy raced off toward the cabins.

Chiron was sure that sooner or later, Harry would change Camp Half-Blood life forever.

The reason for proclaiming so? Because they boy already was.