The New Demigods

A/N: So, here's the next chapter! It's pretty long! Thanks for all your reviews! In this one, we go back into PJO!

Enjoy the next chapter of, 'The Years of Change!'

Lina

I arrive through floo powder, and the first thing I was going to do was talk to Annabeth. Chiron looks up at me sadly. "Lina," He says. "I trust you've heard what happened?"

I nod, "Is it really true?"

"I'm afraid so, dear." Chiron says.

I run over to the Athena cabin. One of her siblings answers it. "Hey," I say. "Is Annabeth there?"

The girl shakes her head. "No. She went on a mission to search for Percy. I think she'll be back soon."

I go to the Aphrodite Cabin and put my stuff down, and was immediately ambushed by what seemed to be most of the Aphrodite Cabin.

"Lina!" One girl, Chloe exclaims.

"Our savior!" Another one I couldn't see says.

"Thank the gods!" Someone else says.

"Anyone want to tell me what's going on?" I ask. "You all are usually not this hyped up when I arrive."

"I will," A voice says. Anne steps forward.

I rush over and pull her into a hug. "Oh, thank the gods you're okay! Okay, so what's going on?"

"Drew's been torturing us as the new Head Counselor." Anne says bluntly.

"What does Drew do?" I ask.

"She makes us wear these things called the Shoes of Shame." A girl says, pointing at a pair of hideous white shoes.

"She charmspeaks us!" Mitchell exclaims furiously.

"She insults Silena all the time," One girl says.

I snarl. NO ONE insults my late best friend.

"She gossips, and whenever we stand up against her or for others she's bullying, she places us on Garbage Duty," Anne says. "And, one time she even took me around the Camp and told boys I was, I quote, 'her little pet."' Anne sneers. "But then, I froze her!" She grins. "But when Drew got out she unleashed her...displeasure...by bullying my friend Harley!"

"Well," I say. "Technically, I am the Head Counselor for now. I'm sorry, but Chiron won't allow me to appoint someone else because of the rules that you either have to have completed many quests or stayed longer. I would have appointed Lacy, who stayed longer than Drew, but we all know what happened to her," My voice breaks. "So, technically, my power overrides hers." I smile sweetly. "For as long as I am here, you don't have to do a thing she says. And Anne-Banana, I have to meet this Harley."

"And—" I look at the 'Shoes of Shame' and set a fireball to make them burn. The Campers cheer.

Just then, Drew comes out of the bathroom. "What's going on?" She snaps. "Why aren't you doing anything I said?"

The Aphrodite Campers smirk and step aside to reveal me.

"Lina Quimby," She sneers, but part of her face held fear. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to search for my missing best friend, you idiot," I snarl. "I hear you've been bullying my Campers. Technically, I'm the Head Counselor. You're the second. So, while I'm here, they don't have to do a single thing you say. Mitchell! You heard me! Get off the floor; you're not on Garbage Duty anymore!" I say.

Mitchell gets up. "You mean it?"

"Gods!" I gasp. "You really have been torturing them!"

Drew sneers. "At least I'm not part of a broken family." She hisses.

I knew she was talking about when Luke, Thalia, and Annabeth took me in, back at age six. "TAKE THAT BACK!" I screech.

"Lin-Bean," Anne grabs my shoulder. "Don't let her get to you."

"You're right," I grit my teeth and start unpacking.

"And...I wasn't best friends with a spy," Drew comes closer to where I was. "And the klutz, Lacy. I'm so happy they're dead, aren't you, Lina?"

"Ignore, ignore, ignore," Anne hisses as I tense up and snarl.

"And..." Drew leans in so she could whisper in my ear, "I didn't believe the promise of someone who betrayed me, someone useless like Luke Castellan, and I didn't refuse the offer to save that person. And my best friend isn't missing."

All Hades broke loose. I spin around, my fist colliding with her face. "SHE'S PSYCHOTIC!" She screams. "SOMEONE HELP ME, SHE PUNCHED ME!" She wails.

"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT MY LATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, DON'T YOU DARE! AND YOU LEAVE PERCY OUT OF IT!" I yell.

"SOMEONE HAD TO SAY IT!" Drew yells back. "I SEE THAT YOU STILL CAN'T CONTROL THAT HORRID TEMPER OF YOURS!"

"WANT ANOTHER PUNCH?!" I yell. "I'D BE HAPPY TO OBLIGE!"

Anne tears me away. "Don't. It's not worth it."

"I think it is," I say, calmly but dangerously. "That tramp went and insulted my loved ones."

"She wants to show the other Aphrodite Campers that you're not worth being the Head Counselor! She's trying to vilify you!" Anne hisses. "It hasn't worked, right now they think she deserved it, but it might. She'll stop at nothing. You should take a walk, you're about to burn me."

"Sorry, Anne." I say shortly before leaving. How the hell is she only nine? Well, she's PHYSICALLY nine. Mentally... I would never have reasoned that, or used 'vilify,' and I'm fourteen! What does vilify even mean?

I pace around the camp, until I find a bunch of people gathered around the Camp borderline and run over there to see what's going on.

"Annabeth!" I exclaim once I see her.

"Lina, you came!" She says.

"As soon as I heard about Percy. I'm here to help with the search," I say.

She launches herself onto my shoulder and starts sobbing, and I comfort her. Someone taps me on the shoulder. It was a boy that reminded me vaguely of a Latino Elf, and was a bit scrawny. "Um...sorry to break up the little reunion...thing...but what is this place? Why are we here? And...are you single?"

"She's off limits," Annabeth says sternly. I glare at him.

"New Campers?" I ask Annabeth, raising an eyebrow.

She nods, "Lina, these are Jason, Piper, and Leo."

"Welcome to Camp Half Blood," I say.

"The trip didn't accomplish what I'd hoped—which is, to find Percy, ugh, Hera," Annabeth mutters. "But we did find some new demigods."

"We didn't ask to be brought here," The girl, Piper says.

"And nobody wants you, hon," Drew sniffs. "Does your hair always look like a dead badger?"

Piper and I share a look and step forward towards Drew.

"No. Both of you stop." Annabeth commands. "We have to make them feel welcome, Drew. We'll assign them each a guide, and give them a tour; hopefully they'll be claimed at the campfire."

"What's claimed mean?" Piper asks.

Then, the Latino Elf—I think Annabeth said he was Leo, got claimed by Hephaestus. A fiery hammer was now over his head.

"That's claiming," Annabeth says.

"What'd I do?" Leo asks, "Is my hair on fire?" He tried to duck, but the symbol followed him.

"This can't be good," Butch, a son of Iris, says, "I mean, the curse—"

"Butch, shut up." Annabeth says. "Leo, you've just been claimed,"

"By a god," The blonde guy, I think he was Jason... interrupts. "That's Vulcan's symbol, right?"

We all turn to him. "How did you know that?" Annabeth asks.

"I'm not sure," Jason says.

"Vulcan? I don't even LIKE Star Trek!" Leo exclaims.

"Vulcan is the Roman name for Hephaestus," Annabeth says, "The god of blacksmiths and fire."

The flaming hammer faded, but Leo kept swatting the air. "What's happening?"

"Will," Annabeth says, "Take Leo on a tour. Introduce him to his bunkmates in Cabin Nine."

"Sure, Annabeth," Will says.

"What's Cabin Nine?" Leo asks. "I'm not a Vulcan!"

I stifle giggles.

"Come on, Mr. Spock, I'll explain everything," Will lead him towards the Cabins.

"Well," I say. "That was interesting..."

Annabeth shushes me before scanning Jason. "Hold out your arm."

He does so, and I take a look. There were about twelve lines along with: the letters SPQR.

"Where did you get those?" Annabeth asks.

"I don't know," he says.

"They look burned into your skin," Annabeth remarks.

"They were," Jason says. "I think so...I don't remember."

"Drew, would you take him to Chiron?" Annabeth asks.

"Oh, absolutely!" Drew says flirtatiously, linking her arm through Jason's and leaving with him. I saw Piper glaring at her.

"I'll give Piper a tour," Annabeth offers.

"Tell me again what happened to her." I demand Annabeth at tonight's campfire.

She sighs, "Okay. So I think it was Hera showing Piper a vision. I swear, that goddess—"

"Okay, we all know you hate Hera. Continue." I interject.

"I think she's been taken." Annabeth says. "We should leave her there," She mutters.

"What? But how?" I say. When she doesn't say anything, I change the subject, "So we're going out searching for Percy tomorrow?"

Annabeth nods, "You and I."

"I'm still confused." I say.

Annabeth sighs. "Wait for Chiron's announcements at the end of the campfire. I trust he'll explain things."

"Wait, what about Jason?" I ask. "He seems to not remember anything; did he lose his memory or something?"

Annabeth nods, "I think he did, but it's best to not mention it."

I sigh and walk back to my cabinmates. "Did you find out anything?" Anne asks.

"No," I sigh. "This is like what happened after my second year all over again. She won't say. When do I get to meet Harley?" I ask.

"You meet him tomorrow. Promise not to threaten him?" Anne asks.

"But threatening's fun," I point out.

"Please?" Anne begs.

"Okay okay, fine! I won't threaten." I roll my eyes. "Just warn."

"Lina..." She trails off and gasps. "Did you hear about the dragon in the woods?"

"The what?" I ask.

"You know the metal dragon. It's running wild. No one can play camp games anymore, and I'm afraid the Ares cabin will try and kill us outside of the games now." Anne says.

"Ares' children wouldn't...actually they would, have you seen Clarisse?" I say.

Anne shudders, "Ooh, what about your fourth year? Tell me everything! Tell me!"

I explained about the Quidditch Cup, the Triwizard Tournament, and the Yule Ball approaching.

Before Anne could comment, the campfire song—which we weren't participating in—died out, and Chiron clears his throat. "A special welcome to our new arrivals. I am Chiron, camp activities director, and I'm happy you managed to arrive safely. In a minute, we'll get to the s'mores, but first,"

"What about capture the flag?" Someone yells.

"Yes, I know the Ares cabin would like to return for our regular games," Chiron says.

"And kill people!" One shouts.

Anne and I exchange wary looks.

"It won't work until the dragon's under control," Chiron says. "Cabin Nine?"

"We're working on it," A girl, I think she was called Nyssa—says.

"How?" An Ares kid demands.

"Really hard," she says, and sits down to more complaints.

"We have more pressing matters to discuss," Chiron says.

"Percy?" Someone asks.

Chiron nods at Annabeth, who stands.

"I didn't find Percy; he wasn't at the Grand Canyon like I thought. We're not giving up. We've got teams everywhere. Grover, Tyson, Nico, The Hunters, everyone. We will find him. But Chiron's talking about a new quest." Annabeth says.

"It's the Great Prophecy, right?" Drew, surprisingly calls out.

"What do you mean?" Annabeth asks.

"Well, come on, Olympus is closed," Drew starts.

"What?" I tell Anne. "How—how long was I gone?!"

"A fair while," Anne says. "It's obvious which world you prefer: The Wizarding one."

"Anne-Banana—what do you—" I stammer. "Hogwarts is ten months long!"

"But you don't even come for the holidays." Anne says. "Face it. You're only here now because of Percy. And even during the end of summer, you leave for your friends early."

I bristle, "Well—excuse me if I wanted to get away from all the war and loss! And you know very well what would happen if people besides close friends knew about me being part of both worlds!"

"The Great Prophecy has started, right?" Drew says.

"That might be the first wise thing I've ever heard come from her mouth," Anne mutters, and I nod in agreement.

"Yes," Rachel, our Oracle says. "It has begun."

"Okay," I tell Anne. "This is what I remember. Eight half-bloods shall answer the call, something about storm or fire, something about charm-speakers working together, something about an oath, and the doors of death or something like that. It doesn't sound pretty good..."

It begins like this:

"Eight half-bloods shall answer the call,

To storm or fire the world must fall,

Girls of the dove,

Must work together to get the Earth Mother rid of,"

Then Jason finishes the prophecy...in Latin, apparently...

"You've just finished the prophecy," Rachel stammers. "How did you..."

"I know those lines," He says. "I don't know how, but I know that prophecy."

"In Latin, no less," Drew calls out, "He's handsome, and smart."

Some of my campers start giggling, and Anne and I roll our eyes.

"That's the prophecy," Rachel says. "Like Drew said, weird stuff is happening. The eight demigods have not been gathered yet. I have a feeling that about five of these eight are here right now, and the others are not."

"Do you think you're one?" Anne asks.

"Oh, Anne, don't be ridiculous," I say. "How can I be?" But thinking about all the reoccurring dreams about Gaea the Earth Mother, and me 'getting rid of her,' and all the sleepless nights I've managed to collect throughout fourth year so far, I was having second thoughts.

"I have a feeling that this is predicting something as bad as the Titan War," Rachel says.

"Or worse," Chiron murmurs, not meaning for us to overhear, but we do.

"The first phase has begun. Hera, queen of the gods, has been taken." Rachel says. She tells us all about a vision Piper had.

"Jason," Rachel says. "It's clear Hera issued you a quest. You must save her, and it must happen before the solstice."

"It is a day when evil magic is strong, things can...stir." Chiron says.

"I agree with Rachel," Annabeth says. "Jason has been chosen."

"Why hasn't he been claimed?" An Ares cabin camper asks.

"He has," Chiron says. "Show them." Jason hesitantly reaches into his pocket and takes a coin, but once it reached his hand, it was a rod of gold with a spear tip at the end.

We all gasp. "Electric," Jason says. "Back away."

Before I could understand, a bolt of lightning cracked down, and the fire from the campfire split everywhere, and lightning zapped.

"Zeus is definitely his father!" Anne and I yelp as we take cover.

The smoke finally clears, and Anne and I warily inch out of our cover.

"Um...sorry." Jason says sheepishly.

"A little overkill," Chiron says, "But enough for our camp to believe you."

"Hold it!" Annabeth says. "How can he be the son of Zeus? We would have known about him sooner!"

"Because of the Big Three pact," I speak up. "To not have any more kids."

Chiron did not answer us.

"The important thing is that he's here now," Rachel then doubles over:

"Child of lightning beware the earth,

The giants' revenge the eight shall birth,

The forge and dove shall break the cage,

And death unleash through Hera's rage."

Rachel then collapses again, but was immediately helped.

"Is that normal?" We all turn to Piper. "Does she spew green smoke a lot?"

"Gods, you're dense!" Drew sneers.

"It's a fair question, it's definitely not normal...if breaking Hera's cage unleashes rage, why would we free her?" Annabeth says.

"I don't have much choice." Jason says. "Hera took my memory. I need it back."

I gasp.

"Hera can be vengeful," A Hephaestus girl says. "She threw her son—our dad—down a mountain just because he was ugly."

"Real ugly," One of my Aphrodite campers snicker.

I give her a stern look, "That's mean."

"Thank you, Lina." The girl says. "Anyways, why beware the earth? Giant's revenge?"

No one answers, but Chiron and Annabeth were exchanging looks.

"Okay, it's Jason's quest, so it's his choice. He may choose his companions," Annabeth says.

"You, obviously," Travis says to Annabeth. "You have the most experience."

"And Lina," Anne pipes up. "She's the dove, and she has the most experience besides Annabeth."

Murmurs of agreement rise.

"No, Travis," Annabeth says. "I'm not going to help Hera. Forget it."

"Nor I," I say. "Annabeth and I are going out and searching for Percy first thing tomorrow morning. I came here from abroad to find my best friend, not to help a goddess that has messed with us far too long."

Drew seemed to look very smug about the fact that I wasn't going. I thought for a moment about going just to spite her.

"It's connected," Piper says. "Your boyfriend's disappearance and this whole business."

"If you're so smart, then how?" Drew asks.

"You may be right." Annabeth says. "If this is connected, Lina and I will find out from the other end by searching for Percy. I am not going to run around rescuing Hera. Lina, do you agree?"

I nod, "Yeah."

"Besides, the prophecy says otherwise. It's who Jason picks. Jason hasn't picked either of us." Annabeth says.

"The forge and dove—the forge is Vul—Hephaestus." Jason says.

"You'll need air transport," The same Hephaestus girl, Nyssa, stands up. "If it says to beware the earth. The chariot's broken, but maybe Cabin Nine can help. With Jake—well, now I'm senior camper. I can volunteer." She didn't look happy.

"It's me," Leo spoke up. His half siblings tried to pull him back, but He resists. "I know it is! Let me try, I can fix this!"

Jason smiles, "We started this, together. It's only right you come along. You find us a ride, you're in."

"Yes!" Leo pumps his fist.

"It will be dangerous, terrible sufferings, hardship." Nyssa warns.

"Oh," Leo says. "I mean...suffering! I love suffering! Let's do this!"

"Now, the dove—" Jason says.

"Oh, absolutely! I'm the best choice since Lina so graciously declined!" Drew says flirtatiously.

"I did not decline for you," I growl through clenched teeth.

"No," Piper says.

"Oh, please Dumpster Queen, back off." Drew rolls her eyes.

"Don't speak to her like that!" I say. "She had the vision, it makes sense."

"Oh, Lina, anyone can have a vision!" Drew says. "She's not Aphrodite's daughter, hopefully," She mutters. "She was at the right place at the right time."

I had no idea why I was standing up for a girl I never even had a conversation with, but she had to be better than Drew Tanaka.

"You need charm on your side," Drew charmspeaks. "I can help a lot."

The campers murmur in agreement. I scoff. "Snap out of it, she's charmspeaking all of you!"

"No!" Piper says. "I'm supposed to go." Piper's voice had the same layers. No. It can't be.

They all started agreeing with Piper.

"Get over it! What can she do?" Drew snaps.

Piper stays silent, "That settles it, then." Drew says smugly.

Then a red glow surrounded Piper, and all of a sudden, she was well...beautiful. She had a dress on, and perfect makeup.

"Piper...you're a knockout." Jason exclaims.

"What's going on?" Piper says.

Piper looks at her new dagger, and sees her reflection.

Anne and I exchange looks, "We have a new half-sister." We say in unison.

"No!" Drew cries. "Not possible!"

"I—I don't understand," Piper says.

"Hail, Piper McLean," Chiron announces, "Daughter of Aphrodite, lady of the doves, goddess of love."

As Jason comes over to talk to Piper, I give everyone in my cabin a death glare, but it was aimed specifically at Drew. "Listen to me. We're going to treat Piper with respect here. She already has to deal with a quest tomorrow. If I hear one bad word about her from any of you..." I trail off.

"You can't death threat us!" Drew scoffs. "It's what you do, Lina. You make a bunch of empty threats and never act on them!"

You are going to stay calm this time around. YOU have the power in this Cabin.

Once Jason leaves, Piper's awkwardly standing there. Anne and I walk up to the girl. "Hi." I say. "Welcome to Cabin Ten. I'm Lina Quimby, head counselor. This is Anne Prior. Don't worry. We're not all like Drew."

"Piper McLean," She says. "Did you all get claimed like this?"

"Aphrodite claims her kids in different ways. For me, a flock of doves flew over my head for a full day. For Anne here, doves landed on her arms, I think when Silena was here she got that one though." I say.

"Where is she now?" Piper asks.

"Dead," I say shortly.

"I'm so sorry." She says.

"Don't be." I say. "It's not your fault. You can change though...I can lend you something."

Anne and I walk Piper to the cabin and we enter.

"Oh, Lina, if I were you, I'd get that filth out of our cabin," Drew sits on her bed, fanning her face, looking straight at Piper.

"Piss off," I snarl. "Just ignore Drew, she's a female dog."

"Lina!" Anne exclaims.

"Someone had to say it," I say.

"Is there a way to get this off?" Piper asks.

"I can try and help." I offer.

So, Piper and I spend a good half hour in the bathroom, Drew yelling at us to get out, trying to get the makeup off and the hair choppy again, but to no avail.

"Here," I sigh. When we get back out, Anne was already asleep. "Just take this nightdress I have. It's a little big on me, but it should fit you. I can lend you some clothes for the quest."

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver." Piper says. "So how long have you been here?"

"Eight years," I say. "I'm fourteen now."

"So, technically, you're my little sister, Lina." Piper smirks.

"I'm not your little anything." I say. "I'm more experienced. And I'm the head counselor." I say haughtily.

"Whatever. You're still younger, I'm fifteen." She says.

"Here," I offer. "We have an extra bed next to mine."

"Thanks," She says, slipping into it.

"Good luck tomorrow," I say. "I'm sure you'll do great. I've been on a couple quests myself. Look at me, I'm fine."

She laughs, "Thanks for the moral support. Good night, little sis."

"I will kill you in your sleep if you say that again." I hiss.

"You know you won't." She says.

"You underestimate me, McLean," I say.

"I don't, Quimby." She says.

"Oh, really?" I say.

"Uh-huh." She says.

"We'll see about that." I say.

"Night, little sis." Piper says, turning off her light.

"Shut up McLean." I say, turning off my own light, and falling asleep.

"Alina Quimby, living in her fourth year fantasy," A voice hisses. It was Gaea. "So unaware of what faces her in the future. Remember, my dear girl, no one can defeat me."

"Not you again," I groan.

"You are indeed one of the Eight, a powerful one at that." She hisses. "Your fatal flaw, your rashness, inability to think, well I shall just use it against you."

"LINA!" A voice screams. It was Harry's. Sure, I was angry at him. But he needed me. "I'M SORRY FOR WHAT I SAID TO YOU! HELP ME, PLEASE LINA!

"HARRY! I'M COMING!" I yell. I run towards his voice.

"HURRY LINA!" He yells.

I skid into the room, where it was just a Cyclops. "See how easy it is to manipulate you, dear girl?" Gaea's voice hisses. "You'll never, ever, defeat me, Alina."

"I don't know who the hell you are. But I'll get rid of you." I say.

Gaea laughs cruelly. "You'll never stand a chance, Alina."

I bolt upright, panting heavily. I decide that I hate demigod dreams. A lot. I needed to talk to Annabeth about these.

A/N: Phew! So, that was the chapter. So, Lina met Piper in this one, and there was lots of tensions between Lina and Drew. I can't wait until Leo discovers she's a fire user like him! And what about the demigod dream...hmm...you'll have to keep reading...

Next Chapter: Let Us Search For Percy!

Please R&R :)

-Ana