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PANDA

"So, what are we going to do?" Percy asked as we walked through the forest. I gnawed on my lip. To be completely honest, the question Thalia had asked me had really opened up my eyes. I didn't know what I was doing, what I was going to do, what was going to happen. I was completely clueless and, like the selfish person I am, was dragging everyone down with me. What could I say? It's not like I have a plan to save the entire world from utter destruction.

"We could, maybe…" I began looking around and grasping for some words that would make me sound smart and like I knew what I was doing (which would take a million miracles), when I glanced through the trees and saw a little bit of New York City. I stopped and peered through the branches. There was an old looking building that stuck out like a sore thumb between the modern buildings. I squinted my eyes until I could make out the words. It was a library. Of course, why hadn't I thought about it before?

"I think we should go there," I said, pointing through the trees and the old style library.

"The library?" Nico asked flatly as he looked through the trees.

"Answers…?" I said softly; half a statement, half a question. He nodded and they followed me through the trees as I walked over dry leaves, making about as much noise as a tractor. We finally reached the street, looked both ways and then quickly crossed the street. It was still early and the library wasn't too busy.

We walked inside and the smell of old books and parchment paper hit my nose. Before, the smell always made me turn the other way because I knew what it stood for, but because of Annabeth, I got so used to it; I didn't get the chills anymore. But apparently, Percy and Nico didn't feel the same way. They looked at the books annoyed.

"So, what are we looking for?" Percy asked, as he glanced down every isle and brushed his fingers across every book within his reach.

"Just look for Greek books. Maybe something in the myths could help us," I said, as our feet softly thudded against the dark blue carpet. Nico asked a worker and the guy sent us towards the very back for one single isle of Greek books.

"Well, dig in," I said, as I grabbed the first book I found and flipped through the pages. We sat on the floor, cross-legged, with about five books stacked next to each of us. This would take a while. I changed positions every five minutes. First, Indian style, then legs stretched out, then on my stomach, then on my back, till I got so frustrated and slammed my book down. I sighed and brushed my hair out of my face.

"S'okay Panda, we'll figure it out," Percy said as he rubbed his hand against my shoulder. I nodded without looking at him. My eyes wandered over the pages the book had fallen on when something caught my eye. I leaned forward on my knees and studied the words that seemed to swirl across the pages.

It was about a goddess. It was Hecate. The goddess of witchcraft and… magic. Magic. I'd seen the movies. Magic could do some crazy things. I mean, look at Harry Potter. This had to be the answer. Hecate would help me, right? She'd want things back to normal and she'd fix it. I knew, no matter what, the way to fix everything would be at my expense, but it would be worth it. To have Percy happy again. To have Ryder alive again…

I felt a sudden lump in my throat and my eyes threatened to spill tears, but I cleared my throat and blinked a few times. Not here and not now. I picked up the book and turned towards the boys.

"I think I know who can fix this," I said, holding up the book so they could see the statue form of Hecate, goddess of magic. They didn't smile, but they seemed like a spark of hope had re-ignited in their eyes, which was enough for me.

"You think so?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow like he was a little skeptical with the idea.

"Positive," I said. I gave a half-smile but it faded away when I suddenly realized how quiet it was. The soft clicking of the computers was gone and the flipping of pages had disappeared. I set the book down and stood up. Something didn't feel right.

"You okay?" Nico asked, as he and Percy stood up to face me. Without waiting to figure out what the chill going up my spine was about I whispered, "Run." But it was too late.

Behind Percy and Nico, a blonde girl came into view. Her curls fell over her shoulders. She wore an orange t-shirt, shorts and a bronze breastplate.

"Not yet," she said, as she gripped her dagger. Percy and Nico spun around and Percy gasped.

"Annabeth?" he whispered in shock. She looked almost pained when she saw Percy, but she steeled her resolve and she looked ruthless again. I glanced around and made out about fifteen other figures through the books. It was an ambush.

"You betrayed us?" Percy continued. Annabeth strode towards us, until she was face to face with Percy. She looked up at him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She reached for Percy's arm, but he jerked away. I caught his wrist, which was about to grab Riptide. I leaned forward.

"No," I whispered, as I slowly let go of his wrist. We were outnumbered five to one and even though I knew we could take them, we shouldn't. We had to surrender.

With a clear sign of reluctance, Percy lifted both his wrists and Annabeth cuffed them. A boy, probably fifteen, cuffed Nico, who didn't look happy, while a girl about fourteen cuffed my wrists and my ankles. Sure, I get double the cuffing while Percy and Nico get off easy. But I didn't blame them. Annabeth took Percy and Nico's sword, while the boy who had cuffed Nico ripped Planaxis off my necklace and chucked it towards Annabeth who shoved it into her pocket.

I hated the fact I was surrendering, but if I was considered a rogue now, I don't know what I'd be considered if I fought my own kind, my family. The girl pushed me and I stumbled into the boys, which both caught me.

"Thanks," I whispered, as Annabeth spun on her heel and strutted away. The other campers followed her while five stayed behind to keep an eye on us.

"Move it," the girl snarled as she pushed me forward again. I stumbled forward and slowly regained my balance. I walked, the chains around my ankles ringing through the silent library.

I felt like the president surrounded by the Secret Service. I couldn't even sneeze without someone clutching my chains in case I tried to escape. There was a van parked outside, the one we'd used to take the demigods to Manhattan for the Titan war. Percy and Nico climbed in, while the girl shoved me in. I fell on my stomach in the van and Percy helped me up. The girl gave me one more evil look before she spit on the floor and slammed the door closed. I sighed.

"It's okay Panda," Nico said, softly tapping my shoulder with his. I tried to smile, but it was hard to show something you didn't feel. Annabeth slid into the passenger's seat and that's when I noticed Argus was the one driving the van. My stomach twisted. The entire ride to Camp Half Blood, I rested my head on Percy's shoulder and he rested his on mine. I could see Annabeth glancing every once and a while into the review mirror at Percy, but Percy wasn't even looking at her.

He had trusted her with everything, including his life and she repaid him by betraying him.

Okay, I know I'm taking a long time in uploading chapters, sorry about that. I'm not sure if this chapter came out very well (so fair warning, I might be re-uploading this chapter if I think it could use some improving). So, I'm on vacation, so my uploads won't be very soon. Might take a while, but I'll try for you guys. So, you know the drill, tell me what you liked and/or disliked of this chapter :) And Merry Belated Christmas! Enjoy your vacations (and Happy New Years if I don't upload before that!)