A/N: Hello all! No, I have not abandoned this story, I promise! If that ever happens I will let you know but I'm not planning on doing so. It's just taking a little (lot) of time. And this chapter was particularly hard because I'd wrote it once and it didn't save and I lost everything and had to rewrite the whole chapter! I was so mad at myself. But anyways, here it is. Hope you enjoy!

~PercyJackson~

Persephone blushed and fumbled the pages open.

"Demon Pigeons Attack," Persephone began.

"Demon pigeons, really?" Leo asked. "Those can't be that bad."

"So you say," Travis grumbled.

"Those things were awful," Connor agreed. The other demigods who had been present for the attack nodded.

"That whole summer was pretty awful if you ask me," Katie said.

Ashamed. There, I said it.

"I don't think it helped that we all gave you a hard time," Will said.

"Yeah, we weren't the most receptive to Tyson at first," Katie agreed. Travis and Connor nodded. Clarisse scowled. Chris studied his shoes.

"Yeah, still," Percy said, feeling embarrassed. It was not fun having everyone read his thoughts on all of this. That summer had not been a good one those few weeks he was at camp and reliving it again was not his idea of a good time. Especially when everyone knew all his thoughts on everything. Talk about invasion of privacy.

Tyson living with me in the next bunk.

"This is awkward," Leo whispered to Jason.

"What?" Jason asked. Leo gestured to the gods. Poseidon looked contemplative, a small blush on his cheeks as though he was embarrassed himself. Ares was scowling at something. Apollo and Hermes looked dreamy eyed. Hades had his eyes glued to Persephone, who continued to read from the book. Zeus was twiddling his thumbs, looking embarrassed too and Leo snickered, remembering that Poseidon wasn't the only god to get moony eyed over some nymph.

Dionysus was muttering to himself between sips of Diet Coke, something like "Lucky shmuck," and "How come he doesn't get punished."

"Yeah, alright," Jason agreed. "This is awkward."

Grover snorted. "I think that's a understatement."

a half-brother twice removed, or something."

Annabeth had been wondering just how bad off this treatment Percy had received after Tyson came had left Percy. She had tried, she really had, but it seemed Percy had been more affected by the teasing then he had let on. Of course, the way she had treated Tyson probably hadn't helped.

"Denial," Apollo said, shaking his head.

"It ain't just a river," Hermes said. Both broke into laughter, startling several people out of their contemplations.

"Hey!" Percy protested. "I'm over it now. Besides, Tyson is awesome."

"No doubt about that!" Chris said, grinning.

"Yeah, we were pretty stupid back then, judging him based on what he was," Travis said.

Katie blinked at her boyfriend, looking slightly stunned that he had managed to say something meaningful.

being his son was now a joke.

Poseidon winced. He couldn't look at Percy. He could understand his future actions in sending Tyson to him and claiming Tyson as his own, but he hadn't realized just how much teasing it would result in for Percy. He wouldn't change it – after all, Tyson had saved his son several times already - but Percy being teased wasn't part of the plan. Children could truly be mean sometimes.

... Together we would own that track.

"I did most of the work," Athena said, sniffing.

"Ha!" Aphrodite laughed at her. "Without horses your contraption wouldn't have gone anywhere."

"I would have found another way."

"I'm sure you would have," Artemis said, rolling her eyes.

"Come now," Persephone said. "Partnering up to create the chariot was one of the best ideas you'd ever had, Athena."

"She's right," Hermes agreed.

"Yeah," Apollo said. "You two make a scary awesome team."

"Which is why it's a good thing they hate each other," Dionysus commented idly.

Athena blinked at that, glancing at her rival. Poseidon seemed to be lost in thought, not paying attention to the conversation around him.

"Hmph," Athena grumbled. "I would never team up with him again."

... "Now, the axle for this chariot-"

"Don't do it, man," Travis said.

"Do what?" Percy asked.

"Continue picking a fight with her. It won't work out well. Trust me, I know."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Katie asked.

"Nothing?"

Percy sighed. He knew it didn't turn out well, but that was in the past. He flicked a glance at his girlfriend, who offered him a small smile. The whole argument was rather stupid, but he had been an idiot. Annabeth had only tried to keep being his friend.

left me feeling even worse than before.

"See," Travis said.

"Yeah, thanks," Percy said, slouching in his seat and staring moodily at the ground. He really hated feeling this way.

Annabeth frowned at him, but she was feeling irritated herself. It wasn't her fault that the campers had been horrible to Percy. Plus, Tyson was a monster, even if he was a lovable one.

"Oh no," Annabeth groaned, putting her head in her hands.

"What?" Piper asked, eyes wide and wondering just what the problem was.

Annabeth shook her head. "It's just this stupid book."

Hazel bit her lip, placing a hand on the older girl's back and rubbing it softly. "Do you want Percy to come over here?" she asked.

"No," Annabeth mumbled. She couldn't even bring herself to look at Percy right now. "And that's part of the problem."

"Okay," Hazel said, glancing up and meeting Frank's eyes. Frank met her gaze before turning back to Percy, who was also moping, but didn't want Annabeth near him, either.

Persephone glanced between the two kids before glancing at Aphrodite, who shrugged. If there was ever a time to flirt with Percy, now seemed a good one – after all, it didn't seem like he was at odds with his girlfriend that often. All the same…

Persephone cleared her throat and began to read once more.

"Dang," Apollo whispered. "I thought for sure…"

"Me too," Hermes agreed.

"Guess neither of us will win that bet."

"Yeah. Probably for the best, too."

"Mm hmm," Apollo nodded. "I'm pretty sure Annabeth would kill us all if either of them hit on her boyfriend."

"Oh, no doubt," Hermes said, turning his attention back to the book.

riding lesson on a pegasus.

"I would love to ride a Pegasus," Hazel said.

Annabeth glanced over at her. "You don't have them at your camp?"

"We do," Hazel said. "But only the captains really get to ride them."

"Well, you can come round our camp and ride whenever," Annabeth said.

Hazel grinned. "That sounds awesome, thanks!"

so the pegasi were sort of … neutral territory.

"They are," Poseidon said with a nod.

Zeus scowled. "That's your opinion."

Poseidon grinned. "You've never minded before now."

"Humph, yes, well…"

"Well?"

"Never mind. It is of no consequence anyways."

"Whatever you say, brother," Poseidon said, laughter still shining in his eyes.

... That made Tyson cry.

Poseidon sighed. "It is simply the nature of the pegasi."

"That and finding a good Cyclopes is rare," Dionysus drawled, flipping the page of his magazine.

"There are plenty that work my forges," Hephaestus pointed out.

"And plenty that serve me," Poseidon said.

"Yes, and in the mortal world most are dangerous monsters," Dionysus snapped.

"I can't believe you are paying attention," Apollo said.

"I know," Hermes agreed. "I still find it shocking."

"And I still have no idea what you are talking about," Dionysus said.

crafting magic items like a master in no time.

Hephaestus smiled at that, glad his son had no problem with the Cyclopes. He only wished his son was here now, the thought passing through his mind as he created a small, flying Pegasus with nuts and bolts. His smile turned down, wondering just where Beckendorf was now, if he was okay.

"Aw man," Leo said softly. "That dude sounds awesome."

"He was," Grover said just as softly beside him.

People always compared me to Luke.

"Which really sucked," Percy grumbled. Frank and Nico shifted awkwardly beside him, not quite sure how to help this grumpy, mopey Percy, especially if Annabeth wasn't wanting to lend a hand.

Nico glanced up at his sister with a pleading gaze and Hazel shrugged her shoulders back, not quite sure what to do. Annabeth, having caught the exchange, just huffed and rolled her eyes. Nico shook his head, glancing back at Percy and offering his shoulder a nudge.

"Hey now," Nico said. "You're like, five thousand times better than Luke now."

"Really not helping," Percy grumbled.

Nico scowled and Frank offered him an uneasy smile. Both were rather wishing Percy hadn't grabbed them to sit next to him earlier.

I just didn't want to see her.

"Yeah, well, the feeling was mutual," Annabeth said.

Percy rolled his eyes. "This is exactly why I didn't want to see you."

"Ugh, you're such an idiot!"

"I'm not the one wh-"

Percy cut off as Frank slapped a hand over his mouth, looking terrified in the process but determined all the same.

"Don't say anything you're going to regret in a few minutes," Frank whispered to Percy.

Percy felt the anger melt out of him and he sunk into the couch, defeated.

"Yeah, whatever," he muttered.

"Hmph," Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest, her grey eyes lingering for a small amount of time on her moping boyfriend before descending into her own pity party. Feeling this way really sucked, even more so because she wasn't supposed to be! She wasn't even in the book right now. "I really want to kill Hypnos."

"I think we all do," Piper said comfortingly.

working out a schedule during our free times.

"I believe that is the smart thing to do," Athena said, smiling at the children. She was feeling decidedly better about things now that her daughter wasn't all moony-eyed over Poseidon's spawn.

Of course, glancing at her daughter…Annabeth looked miserable. Nothing like the happy camper she was when she was around that annoying boy.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Athena began, glancing at Persephone. "But you should keep reading."

"I agree," Poseidon said. He also didn't like to see his son all mopey over a fight with his girlfriend.

"Right," Persephone said, clearing her throat.

The longer I sat there, the angrier I got.

Nico and Frank both shivered, not liking the aura that was radiating from their friend. Ares frowned at the boy. He had thought their fight the night before had worked off all of the boy's frustrations, but his past experiences, Hypnos's curse, was messing things up once more.

"Chill, Kelp Head," Thalia said, noticing the uneasy looks on Nico's and Frank's faces. "You're freaking people out."

Percy stuck his tongue out at her, but made an obvious attempt to relax. Ares relaxed slightly as he felt the anger dull. They should be able to make it through this chapter without a blow up if the kid could keep this up.

... Another time: He likes sheep.

"What's there?" Athena asked, leaning forwards.

"He likes sheep," Apollo giggled. "You have some bizarre dreams."

"I don't think they are dreams," Artemis said, studying Percy intently before turning her gaze on Grover.

Grover flushed a bright red and offered an awkward little wave, which Artemis ignored, shaking her head. It was impossible. Ridiculous, really. There was no way the satyr would do such a thing.

... Then you will not have to be mad."

"Aww," Aphrodite cooed. "He's so sweet."

"Yeah, it's giving me tooth decay," Ares muttered.

"No kidding," Dionysus agreed, flipping another page on his seemingly endless magazine. Then again, this was technically a dream and he was a god. It could actually be an endless magazine on wine. Although, how much you can read and enjoy about wine in a magazine was beyond anyone's guess.

... Tyson was snoring.

"I so wish I could fall asleep that easily," Piper said wistfully.

"You're not the only one," Hazel spoke up.

Annabeth nodded, although she didn't say anything. She kept glancing at Percy though, her feelings from earlier causing less trouble than before, enough for her to see he was miserable.

"I was an idiot," she muttered to herself, pushing herself to her feet. Piper and Hazel both smiled as they watched their friend walk over to her boyfriend and nudge him with a foot. Frank was quick to get off the couch, heading to the one Annabeth had just vacated. Nico wasn't far behind when he realized Frank was heading over to sit by his sister, slipping into the seat before Frank got there.

Hazel rolled her eyes before nudging her brother, scooting him over far enough that Frank had room to sit on her other site. Frank smiled gratefully at her, taking his seat and attempting to ignore the blush that now stained his cheeks. Nico scowled.

"Hey," Annabeth said.

"Hey," Percy replied, still not looking up.

Annabeth stifled a sigh and sat next to him. "Looks like we got a couch to ourselves again." She nudged his shoulder with hers.

"Yeah," Percy said, but there was no smile in his voice. He did sit back though, wrapping an arm around Annabeth and relaxing into the couch.

Annabeth smiled at the slight victory, snuggling into her boyfriend and wondering how she could've ever stayed mad at him.

... "Can you hear me?"

"I don't believe it," Artemis whispered. "Doesn't he realize how dangerous creating such a thing is?"

"What are you talking about, sis?" Apollo asked.

Artemis shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough."

Poseidon frowned, not liking where this was going at all. Whatever was going on with his son and the satyr, it was something that Artemis did not think was a good idea. Generally, that meant that it probably wasn't. The moon goddess was rarely wrong on those things she chose to speak up about.

A few more days!"

"I would laugh," Leo said. "But something tells me this is serious."

Grover scowled at him as Jason nodded beside him.

"It's not a laughing matter at all," Grover said. He shuddered as he remembered his time stuck in that cave and the long days it took to even make the connection with Percy. He had thought he was done for.

I went to Florida and turned left."

"Uh, not a great description of where you are," Piper informed the satyr.

"That's really all I knew," Grover pointed out.

"But Florida is huge," Katie said. "Where in Florida did you turn left?"

Grover shrugged. "I figured Percy would figure it out."

"Uh, if you're counting on Percy to figure something out, you're toast," Thalia informed her friend.

"Lay off, Thals," Annabeth snapped. She was still feeling rather irritated and saw no harm in using that irritation to defend her boyfriend. "Percy was the one who figured a lot of it out."

"Okay, okay, gees," Thalia said.

"Thanks," Percy whispered in Annabeth's ear.

Annabeth smiled at him. "Any time, Seaweed Brain."

and he's getting impatient!"

"Wait, wait!" Travis exclaimed, cutting off Persephone as he turned to Grover. "You mean that mean old Cyclops thought you were-" he cut himself off as he started laughing, several other demigods joined in.

Grover turned bright red but scowled at Travis and Connor. "It's not funny," he said.

"Oh, sure, of course not," Connor snickered. "Not at all."

"It's just…" Travis laughed. "I mean, you! And, and, in a bridal dress…" he dissolved into laughter once more.

"It is pretty funny, dude," Leo chuckled next to Grover. "Ow, hey!"

"It's not a laughing matter," Grover scowled, not looking sorry in the least that he'd just whacked Leo upside the head.

"But why do I get whacked?" Leo bemoaned.

"Cause you're closest," Grover explained.

"Man," Leo rubbed at the back of his head. "For a pacifist you sure hit hard."

Grover grinned at that.

"Don't tell me, I'll die too."

"Ooooh, so that's what you were talking about," Apollo said, glancing at his sister.

"Yes," Artemis said. "Although, given the circumstances I can understand the satyr's choice to form such a bond."

"That kind of sucks," Apollo said.

"Yeah," Hermes said. "Doomed if you don't and most likely dooming your best friend if you do."

"It sounds like he made the right choice, though," Hestia said.

Several others nodded.

"Wait! You said 'it' was here. What?"

"Yeah, what is it?" Apollo asked.

"I bet the satyr does not answer his questions," Artemis said with a scowl. "Although the object he is speaking of is obvious."

"Not to everyone," Ares growled. "But it's not like it matters, either."

"Hmph," Athena said. "It would be simply unlikely, nearly impossible for such a thing to happen."

"I'm lost," Hermes confessed.

"You're not the only one," Apollo said.

metallic screeching sound that reminded me of submarine radar.

"Uh, did that not tip you off that something was wrong with them?" Jason asked, honestly curious.

"No," Percy said.

"I don't think any of us paid that much attention to them," Annabeth said, sounding sheepish. She really should have realized there was something wrong long before the attack. They all should have.

"Yeah, but it was too exciting," Travis said.

"Chariot races are awesome," Connor agreed.

"With those going on," Travis continued.

"Who cared what the birds in the trees sounded like," Travis and Connor finished together.

He never got up before ten o'clock.

"Meh, too early. Besides, not like there was any reason to be up," Dionysus drawled.

"Not a reason to be up?" Poseidon asked. Despite the obvious mention of demon pigeons waiting to attack, he couldn't wait to hear about the chariot races. Chariot racing was one of his favorite sports. He wondered if they would all be placing bets on the winner in the future.

"I can't wait to see me kids win," Apollo grinned.

"Yeah right!" Hermes said. "My kids are obviously the ones who will win."

"You are all kidding yourselves," Athena said, her eyes steely with determination. "My children will be far superior in the race."

"Should we bet on that?" Ares asked with a grin.

"We are not betting on this race," Hera nearly shrieked.

"Why not?" Zeus asked, looking just as interested in the race as the others.

"Because we are spending too much time on this book as it is," Hera said. "We don't need to spend more placing bets."

"Yeah, that makes so much sense," Hades muttered, but the gods settled, turning their attentions back to Persephone as she picked up the book once more. No one missed the whisperings back and forth, though.

"I think there's going to be a lot of mad gods here in a bit," Katie said.

"Was it really bad?" Thalia asked.

"Well, it wasn't good," Katie replied.

more fancy options than a fully loaded Maserati.

"Wooooh! Sounds awesome!" Leo cheered. "They're going to win for sure. Can't beat that."

caltrops, and a bunch of other nasty toys.

Clarisse smile at the description as her father whooped. That had been a sweet chariot, even if she hadn't wanted all the glory in the way she'd gotten it. Being the favorite of Tantalus had not been fun.

arrows at the opposing drivers.

"Yeah! Go team!" Apollo cheered. "See, my kids are the best!"

"Yeah!" Will shouted.

dirty tricks they'd schemed up.

"Hah!" Hermes laughed. "You're kids better watch out. My kids know how to play."

"That's right!" Travis and Connor cheered and even Chris grinned. "We're awesome."

That left two chariots: one driven by Annabeth, and the other by me.

"And Annabeth's chariot is obviously the superior chariot," Athena said. "After all, it was designed by my children, and I am the creator of the chariot."

"Yes," Poseidon agreed. "But it is still pulled by horses."

the one thing that could save the camp."

"You stumbled across the one thing that could save the camp?" Hazel asked, glancing at Grover.

Grover shrugged, unable to really say anything on the matter.

"As I said, the idea of that occurring is ridiculous. It is impossible," Athena said.

"And yet," Persephone spoke up. "We have seen the children do the impossible already."

"Besides," Poseidon said. "It sounds like the camp could use a miracle."

"The Oracle," I said. "We could consult the Oracle."

"I should have realized how serious you were when you said that," Annabeth said. "I should have known it was more than a ploy to distract me."

"Hey," Percy said, tightening his arm around her. "I was an idiot and pushed you away. You had every right to not believe me."

"That's sweet," Annabeth said. "But you're wrong. Our friendship meant more to me, means more to me, than a stupid fight. I'm sorry."

"Same here," Percy said, giving her cheek a light peck. Annabeth laughed at that, turning slightly so she could catch Percy's lips in a quick kiss.

"Whew," Rachel said, slumping in her seat next to Katie and Thalia. "I'm glad they're talking to each other again. It's so awkward when they're fighting."

"I don't know," Thalia said, wrinkling her nose. "I could've done without seeing them kiss and cuddle."

"We'll talk later," Annabeth told me, "after I win."

"Them's fightin' words," Leo said with a grin.

"Of course," Annabeth flipped her hair over her shoulder, eyes sparkling once more as she gripped Percy's hand. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on him just cause he's my friend."

Their eyes seemed shinier than regular birds.

"How could you all not notice?" Piper asked. That many strange looking birds perched in trees and watching them all should have drawn all their attention.

"Oh, come on," Leo said. "What harm could they do?"

"Famous last words," Ares grinned. He was sure this chapter was about to get interesting.

"As long as they don't ruin the chariot races," Apollo said. "I've got good money on my kids."

"I said no betting!" Hera snapped.

"It didn't take up any more time than you protesting against it," Hermes pointed out. Hera's scowl darkened, but there wasn't much she could do.

Did I mention the apples?

"Ah, bribery at it's best," Hermes said. "Good job."

"Er, thanks," Percy said. Really, it had been the only way to get them to cooperate. And after the demon pigeons had attacked they had been even less willing to participate in anything. It had taken him long hours calming them before they would even leave the stables after that fiasco, but they had also become some of the best warhorses in camp, if not also some of the fatter ones.

"No hitting ponies with the stick," he insisted.

"Honestly, how could the horses be afraid of him?" Thalia asked with a shake of her head. "He's not dangerous to anything he likes and it's abundantly clear he likes horses."

"Yeah, but he's a rare one," Percy said.

"True," Thalia agreed. "That is true."

"We will win.'" He beamed.

"That is a good attitude," Hestia said with a smile.

We are so going to lose, I thought to myself, but I had to try.

"That one, not so much," Apollo put in helpfully. "But true. Cause my kids are going to rock it!"

"I don't think you know just who you are dealing with," Hermes said with a grin.

"Nor, I think, do you," Athena interrupted.

"I'm just glad my kids are sitting out," Aphrodite said. "Do you have any idea how dirty you can get racing in those? Or how messed up your hair could become?"

"That's what makes it awesome," Ares grinned.

but he did have to speak up to be heard over the noise.

"Of course he didn't look concerned," Artemis huffed. "He doesn't care about anyone or anything other than himself."

"Still, it should have been a warning for the children," Persephone pointed out.

"But chariot races!" Apollo shouted.

"Why would anyone care about anything else with those going on?" Hermes asked.

"Oh, I don't know…" Artemis began. "Maybe because being attacked by demon pigeons isn't fun?"

Apollo and Hermes frowned at each other, thinking. "Do you think the kids should be worried?" Apollo asked.

"Nah," Hermes grinned. "My kids will be too busy kicking butt."

"Yeah!" Apollo cheered.

Artemis shook her head and gestured for Persephone to keep reading. The boys would learn soon enough.

maybe by mistake, maybe not.

"Totally on purpose," Travis announced with a grin.

"Yep," Connor agreed, also grinning. "Completely on purpose," then he dropped his voice to a whisper, "by mistake."

Travis and Connor laughed.

"Ah man," Apollo groaned. "Seriously?"

Will shrugged sheepishly while Hermes whooped and cheered. "I'm so winning this bet!"

four rearing horses in the dust.

"Ah man," Hermes groaned. "Why? Oh, why?"

"There, there," Apollo comforted. "It's their own fault."

"What?" Hermes asked, glaring at Apollo.

"Well, if they hadn't run into my kids they wouldn't have been run over."

Hermes scowled but couldn't deny that.

"Yeah, that was not fun," Connor said.

"Just glad the book didn't describe our injuries," Travis pointed out. Connor winced at that, rubbing at his left leg.

"Really, really glad," he said.

Two chariots down in the first twenty feet. I loved this sport.

"Woo! Yeah! Same here," Ares whooped. "This sport is awesome."

"I must agree," Poseidon said with a grin. Two chariots in the first twenty feet – that is an awesome chariot race in the making.

waving at us, shouting: "See ya!"

"See, I told you my children are far superior," Athena said.

The Hephaestus chariot was starting to gain on us, too.

"Looks like my kids aren't far behind," Hephaestus grunted, a grin forming on his face. No doubt his kids had something up their sleeves to help them win this. And wouldn't that be a shot to them all? It was great.

"Yeah! Woo!" Leo cheered.

"Nice work, Tyson!" I yelled.

"Go, Tyson!" Poseidon cheered, grinning smugly at Hephaestus, whose own grin faded for a scowl.

"Yeah!" Frank cheered, punching the air with a fist before realizing all eyes were on him. He flushed bright red, settling down once more.

Percy grinned at his friend. "Didn't know you were so into chariot races," he commented.

Frank shrugged. "I didn't either." Then he looked up and grinned at Percy. "But this is awesome."

"Yep," Percy grinned.

... They're just pigeons.

"Ugh, Kelp Head, I thought you established before the race even started that they weren't just pigeons," Thalia groaned.

"This isn't going to end well, is it?" Rachel groaned.

"Probably not," Piper said.

when we heard the screaming.

"Definitely not going to end well," Rachel said.

"Come now!" Athena shouted, jumping up. "My children are winning this thing and no demon pigeons will stop it!"

"Wow," Poseidon said, raising an eyebrow at the goddess of wisdom. "I didn't think you were so into this sort of thing."

"Yes, well," Athena smoothed her hair down before taking her seat once more. "It's not fair that the children's fun is interrupted. Especially while at camp, where they should be safe to have such fun."

"It seems Perseus does not have good luck when it comes to camp games," Hestia stated simply.

"What?" Poseidon asksed.

"A hellhound for his first capture the flag and now demon pigeons for his first chariot race," Hestia stated.

Everyone fell silent at that, turning to look at Percy.

Percy shrugged. "I've always had rotten luck," he pointed out.

Travis snickered, followed by Connor and Leo.

"What is so funny?" Piper demanded when their snickering turned to full blown laughter.

"Just-" Travis laughed. "Hearing…Hestia say…" he dissolved into helpless laughter.

"Say," Connor picked up breathlessly. "Demon pigeons…"

"In her…" Leo had tear leaking from his eyes he was laughing so hard. "Serious voice!"

All three slid from their seats, unable to stay upright any longer.

Piper and Katie sighed, shaking their heads while several others chuckled.

Persephone's lips twitched, also finding the whole thing rather amusing, before she began reading once more.

but the stallions kept right on running.

"Woo! Yeah, that's my girl!" Ares cheered. Clarisse blushed, wishing she had actually stopped to help instead of continuing the race. She'd been an idiot to worry more about finishing a stupid race than the whole of camp.

"How could she think of continuing with this going on?" Aphrodite shrieked. "Those pigeons are going to ruin everyone's hair!"

"I think there's more to worry about than hair," Poseidon muttered.

the screeching of the birds and the general chaos.

"Yeah, pretty sure no one could hear a thing," Chris said.

"Well, it was utter chaos," Katie put in.

"But, what about the chariot race?" Hermes pouted.

"Why do you care? You kids were obviously nothing going to win," Demeter said.

"Hey!" Travis and Connor yelled.

"There, there, you know it's true," Katie said.

"We might have recovered," Connor pouted.

I almost jumped straight out of the chariot.

"Hhahahahahahah!" Travis, Connor, Chris, Will, and Leo burst into laughter while Thalia and Rachel grinned. "Oh man, I wish I could have seen that.

"Yeah," Percy grumbled, having narrowly avoided making a fool of himself by jumping off the couch when that little tidbit had been read. He'd not been sure if it was coming, but he remembered it still quite vividly and had braced himself. And he was glad he did.

Of course, by the smirk on Annabeth's face, he might not have hidden it quite as well as he hoped.

"How do you get rid of them?"

"Sound," Athena said, as if the answer was obvious. "Horrible sound."

"We know, Athena," Hades said, rolling his eyes.

"Apparently the children do not," Athena sniffed.

"Considering they were not all stripped to the bone, I would assume one of them did," Persephone pointed out.

"Your children should be glad that mine are there," Athena said. "As it was probably one of them who figured it out."

"Why can't the gods just get along?" Will groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "We all do."

"Ah, but arguing is fun," Apollo informed his son.

"You get used to it," Dionysus stated drying, picking at a nail. "Unfortunately."

Clarisse has just pulled across the finish line, completely unopposed,

"Wooo! Yeah!" Ares cheered. "I knew you could do it, my girl!"

"Thanks, dad," Clarisse said, rolling her eyes. "But I really should have worried about the birds more."

"Nah, you've got time for that now that you've won," Ares grinned. "And I've got money to collect."

A collective groan resounded from the other gods, each fishing around in their pockets.

"That's right, pay up," Ares gloated. "Me and ol' Barnacle Boy are the winners."

Percy raised an eyebrow at his father at that. None of the children had been privy to who the gods had bet on, so it was a surprise that Poseidon was rooting for Clarisse.

Poseidon grinned back at his son and shrugged. "I figured you'd be too much in the mess of everything to finish," he explained. "I also figured Ares's daughter is just as pig headed as he is."

"Hey!" Clarisse and Ares protested.

charged for the stands.

"I really was quite the idiot back then," Clarisse said with a shake of her head.

"Nothing's changed there then," Percy quipped, grinning as Clarisse glared at him.

"Everything's under control! Not to worry.'"

"Yes, everything's under control," Demeter said drily, glaring at Dionysus.

"I see no problem with the current situation," Dionysus remarked, sipping from his Diet Coke.

"Who would have thought a bunch of birds could cause so many problems?" Hermes asked.

"Not the kids," Apollo snickered. "Ow."

Artemis rolled her eyes. "I did not hit you that hard."

"Not that hard for you constitutes mending fractures for me," Apollo whined, rubbing at his arm.

"Then maybe you shouldn't make such horrible jokes," Artemis said.

"Can we get back to the reading?" Aphrodite asked. She was sitting on the edge of her throne, worrying at a thumbnail. "My poor children are having their hair ripped out. I need to know if they're okay."

"Sure, sure," Persephone said, rolling her eyes and focusing back on the book. "But I think your kids have bigger problems than their hair."

"Now!" shouted Annabeth. "Archers!"

"We all heard that," Will said, grinning.

"It's crazy how much noise they were making and how quiet it got when them flew off like that," Katie commented.

their clothes pooped on.

"Oh no! My poor children!" Aphrodite shrieked. "How could those pigeons do such a thing!?"

"Oh the tragedy," Athena said, rolling her eyes.

"It is a tragedy," Aphrodite snapped. "Even you would be unhappy to be pooped on by a bird."

"Yes, well, at least no one died," Poseidon cut in before anyone else could make a comment on hair or bird poop. Girl talk gave him a headache. It was one of the many reasons he loved Sally. She didn't care about stuff like that.

troublemakers who disrupted this race."

"Done," Persephone said with relish, closing the book.

"Troublemakers?" Hestia said with a frown. "You did not cause the birds to attack."

"Tantalus hated me," Percy shrugged. "I could have been holed up in my cabin asleep and he still would have blamed me for the pigeon attack."

Poseidon growled at that, casting a dark look at Dionysus, who shifted awkwardly. Perhaps it was best not to antagonize Percy. Poseidon was dangerous when he was angry.

"Well!" Hermes said, clapping his hands together. "I'm excited to see what comes next. Who's reading?"