Hello Peoples!
How are you all? I sincerely apologise for the massive delay. I'm just out of a week of exams (the joys of third year) so I didn't get time to update and then my laptop decided it would be a good time to stop working. I just want to thank every single one of you that took time out of your busy and exciting lives to read this little fic. I hope you're enjoying it, even if it is a bit shit. Anyways, leave a little review and tell me what you think. Advice, comments and opinions are always welcome :)
Anyways, enough of my blabbering. Let the story continue!
Disclaimer: I do not own PJO or HOO. Those honours belong to Rick Riordan.
Previously on My Life at Camp Half Blood:
"Right, are you ready to stop looking like I just killed Kronos himself or are we going to get a move on?"
I decided to ignore the puzzled stares and the gaping mouths. Seriously, was it really that surprising that I could defend myself? I strolled back up along the river, the water trickling between my toes through the sandals. I tried to steady my breathing, tried to appear calm. I can't show weakness. Just because I was slightly afraid of a little hellhound doesn't mean I have to show it.
I slowly made my way back to the chariots, and stood by the horses until they came back. Gently stroking one of the horse's muzzle, it nuzzled against me, its hot breath blowing against my neck. I couldn't help but think of the Pegasus at camp, and my favourite one, Kylie. She was a light brown Pegasus, speckled with white spots. She had a love of sugar cubes and a habit of snorting whenever I fell off, as if she was laughing at me. I eventually got Percy to translate for me and he said that she found that I was the worst Pegasus rider in three hundred years, excluding Nico. Yeah, I liked Pegasus, they didn't like me.
I stayed there, stroking the horse for a good ten minutes until the others arrived. They eyed me cautiously, as if expecting me to whip out my sword and slice them to pieces. Not a bad idea actually.
"You could have just called for help," came a voice from behind. I turned to find a certain son of Hermes leaning against one of the chariots, arms folded and observing me with interest. I scoffed, turning back to the horse. "I'm no damsel in distress." I scowl at the ground, and the horse nuzzles me, as if telling me everything's okay. But it's not. This is messed up. I'm not meant to be here. I should be back at camp, not stuck in some weird parallel universe.
Conner walked over to me. I felt his hand on my shoulder, and the touch gave me some comfort. "You don't have to be so brave the whole time." I turned slowly around, telling myself not to cry, not to let the pain show. Conner's eyes are filled with worry, as if begging me to let it out. His playful exterior has dropped; the usual smirk or grin disappeared. The mere sight of his serious nearly sends me into floods, to see him hurt. "Yes, I do," I replied, my voice hoarse. He sees the pain in my eyes, reading me like an open book. He opened his arms, and I found myself stepping into them. He smells familiar, a mixture of armour polish and Old Spice cologne, (How he got that in Ancient Greece I don't know). We stand there for what seems like a century, his arms wrapped around me, one hand absentmindly stroking my hair. For the split second, nothing mattered except us. We were together; he was the same as he always was. Rivalries were put aside, time was put aside. We were Conner and Ava, unstoppable. Just like old times.
Of course, all good things come to an end, usually in the form of over protective brothers. I felt a sharp tap on my shoulder, and turned to see a stern looking Malcolm glaring at us. I saw Leo and Percy falling over themselves laughing at our situation. Conner's arms dropped, and stepped back. I immediately felt like a part of me had gone with him. "It's time to get going again," said Malcolm sternly, one hand on his sword threateningly. I gave him my best glare, grey meeting grey. I took a step towards him, and he backed up a bit, his eyes fleeting away for a second. I smirk triumphantly. I turned away, leaving my brother speechless.
After hours of travelling, we stop at a little village. As usual, people come out to stare and see who we are. We pulled up the chariots and stretch our legs for a bit. A few of the village girls came out, and when they see me, they dragged me off to somewhere, much to the delight of the boys. I glared back at them, and let myself be led away into one of the houses. I find myself being pushed down onto a chair and they all start fixing my hair, jabbering away in Greek. The past few days, I find myself automatically speaking in Greek, even thinking in Greek. They asked me about the army, about our soldiers, how I got to go with them. They seemed jealous, but wished me luck. They lent me a few more chitons, and sandals. They even did me up with some weird concoction of makeup. I was chatting with them for a good while. Their names were Cassia, Lydia and Megara. I was told the village was just a few more days from Athens. Eventually, I had to leave my new friends. They made me swear to visit again, but I knew I was going to have to break that promise, no matter how much it hurt.
When I returned to the boys, they stared with open mouths. At first I thought I had food on my face, of my chiton was crooked. I glanced in a well to check my reflection and found that they were staring at the makeup the girls had put on me. I smiled back at the thought. It was nice to have some female company, not obnoxious males. Gods above, a few days here and I was beginning to sound like Lady Artemis.
They say that when people are in pain, they keep busy to distract themselves from the pain. That's exactly what I did. I collected firewood with Grover, chopped vegetables for Leo, helped Percy wash the dishes in a nearby river then while the others were singing around the campfire with Will, I set about polishing everyone's armour. I was furiously scrubbing away at Nico's armour when Malcolm came over. I wouldn't have noticed him if it weren't for my ADHD. My eyes flickered up to him, settling for a second before returning to the armour. "What's wrong Ava?" he asked, sitting on the ground beside me. I paused for a second, before returning to my work. "Nothing's wrong, Malcolm. I'm fine," I insisted. "You haven't stopped moving since we set up camp," he said, his grey eyes looking at my pointedly. I sighed, setting down the now shining armour. I reached for more but Malcolm caught my hand. "You can talk to me, you know. Athena's gotta stick together." I smiled at him. "I know but-" he cut me off. "No buts. I'm your brother, you can tell me anything." He smiled at me, and I smiled back. "So, anything to get out?" he asked and I laugh. "No Malcolm, nothing. Everything's peachy." He laughs. "Okay, now come on. I think you're needed at the camp fire."
The next few days passed much about the same. Every day, we left camp, travelled, stopped for rest, and then continued on. Every night we set up camp. Malcolm and I got on much better. Conner returned to his jokey manner, tricking the other lads. I admit, I may have played a part in Percy's sleeping bag ending up suspended from a tree, and all the Ares kids tunic's turning pink. What can I say? Conner Stoll can be very persuasive (The extra portion of dessert was the deal-breaker)
After a fifth day of travelling, we spotted the sea. Glistening blue waters sparkled under Apollo's chick magnet. We whooped and cheered when we spotted a white city in the distance.
In my opinion, Athens was more beautiful than any American city. Every building shined bright under the hot sun. It oozed intelligence and sophistication. We were in the heart of Greek civilisation. I gazed with an open mouth as we rode through the city, past breath-taking temples, past scholars and philosophers. I felt strengthened, more powerful. Maybe it was because I was in my own territory. Athena was patron of Athens (surprise, surprise) and I felt empowered, as if she was looking over me herself. I glanced at Malcolm, to see if he felt it as well, and he seemed to be happier. I got excited, seeing all the buildings Annabeth dreamed of and described numerous times (and by numerous, I mean numerous). I saw the Parthenon glimmering on the hill, and I pointed to it excitedly, Conner laughing at me. I begged and begged to go to the Parthenon. They others shared looks, not wanting to go. I was confused. I was about to see the temple in all its glory, intact. This was my only chance and they were hesitant to let me go. It turns out they were probably right.
Conner, Malcolm, Nico, Will, and Leo decided to go. I received a few looks from some of the scholars who I passed. Apparently, a woman's place was back in the house, not on the streets. I just glared. I'm the daughter of Athena. They could think what they like.
When we finally arrived at the temple, I was gobsmacked. It was majestic, beautiful and intimidating all at once. I glanced at the others before making my way up the steps. I stood before the columns, feeling the power radiating from the temple. I felt the others come up behind me. "It's really something, isn't it?" asked Will, whistling, earning us some glares from other worshippers. Will tended to have a loud whistle.
I stepped forward into the temple, and fell to my knees before the Athena Parthenos. I murmured prayers to Mom, asking for help to get home. I felt the others kneel beside us. It seemed as though Athena herself was in the room. Power radiated from the statue, and it was as if Mom was standing in front of me, they were so alike. I glanced up at the statue again, and I swear to Athena, it winked at me. I gasped and Conner looked at me. "What's wrong?" "It winked at me!" Conner looked at me incredulously. "Come on, this heats getting to you. Let's go get some fresh air before you think it's waving at you as well."
As we exited the temple, I kept insisting it winked at me. "I'm telling you, it's Mom trying to talk to me!" I insisted. They rolled their eyes, and said it was time for a lie down. Some men overheard our conversation and decided it was time to become sexist pigs. "You should really keep your wife in the house. The streets are no place for a woman. She's already turning mad," said one to Conner, who was guiding me by the arm. "Wife?" spluttered Conner and Malcolm, looking at each other in confusion, while Nico, Will and Leo laughed. I turned around slowly, wrenching my arm from Conner's grip. "Excuse me?" I asked, glaring my best. They seemed to cower slightly. "W-w-we said that your p-p-place was in the home," stuttered one. I stormed over, pushing the man against the side of a nearby building. "Take it back!" I spat at him, giving him my best Athena glare. "Hey, control your wife!" he shouted at Conner, who was looking on amusedly. "I am not his wife!" I shouted, shoving him over into a fruit stall, sending grapes and apples and olives flying. We had gathered a large crowd of people, all looking on at our fight. I suppose this isn't your usual occurrence.
"Do you know who I am?" he spat out at me from his position on top of some lemons. "Do you know who I am?" I countered, but that didn't seem to faze him. He picked himself up, dusted down his tunic and motioned over some guards who had been watching in amusement until now. The boys stepped forward, ready to defend me but I held up my hand to stop them. I can fight my own battles.
"I am Agyrrhius, one of Athens most important politicians. Guards arrest this woman!" The pompous man (whom I shall no refer to as 'the prick') waved a hand to motion the guards forward. I stood up to my full height, glaring at them with my intense grey eyes. They hesitated. "I asked you a question. Do you know who I am?" The prick glared at me. "You're just some common servant woman." I laughed at him, pulling back the veil I had been wearing in the temple, revealing my blonde hair. Now, blonde hair is unusual in Greece, as the Greeks have mainly dark hair, especially the women. Combined with the grey eyes, the Athenians now knew my true identity. I drew my sword and flicked my wrist, revealing my shield, the replica of Athena's. "I am Ava, daughter of Athena, your patron. Show some respect!" I boomed, sending some people cowering. The prick's eyes widened in recognition. He glanced back at the boys, who were smirking. He cleared his throat nervously, waving back the guards. "Well, now, we've no real proof your Athena's daughter, now do we?" he smiled to himself triumphantly.
Oh shit, I thought. I've no visible powers, like Nico or Percy or Katie even. I prayed to Athena to help me. I returned my gaze to the prick, and then felt that strange sensation come over me. The same feeling I got when I was claimed. I looked down to see my chiton burn away to reveal celestial bronze armour over a cream and red tunic. I seemed to glow golden, and I felt power course through me. 'Hold out your hand' a powerful voice inside my head told me. I recognised it as Mom's, and I did what I was told. A tawny owl flew down and landed on my hand. I looked in amazement at it. I looked at me. "Well, what are you waiting for?" a shrill voice said in my head. "Let's cream this punk!" Great, now I can talk to owls. It also glared at the prick. I lifted the owl so it sat on my shoulder and stepped towards the now quivering man.
"Do you doubt me now?" I asked, my voice laced with a threatening tone. He shook his head. I glared at the rest of the onlookers. "Does anyone else doubt my heritage?" I boomed and they scattered. I glanced at the guards. "You can go now. Nothing to see here." Everyone turned back to their work. I looked despairingly at the man on the ground then turned to the stall owner. "Sorry about the damage. Will this cover it?" I say, handing her a few drachmas. She looks down speechless. I turn back to the prick. "I don't want you to talk about a woman like that ever again. Trust me, I'll hear about it," I threaten and he nods nervously. I turn back to the boys, who are speechless.
"You are so like Mom it's scary," Malcolm told me. "You looked like the goddess herself!" exclaimed Nico. "I thought you were going to incinerate him!" added Will. "Did I ever tell you that you look beautiful when you're angry?" said Conner and I slapped his arm, as did Malcolm.
I followed the boys back through Athens. I'm munching away at some olives that I bought off a stallholder when I realise we've met up with the others. I listened absentmindedly as the story was recounted. I begin to daydream about being able to change into armour like that whenever I wanted when Conner nudges me. "Ava did you anything we just said?" Travis asked and I shrugged. "Was it important?" I asked and they all sigh. "Yes Ava. We were talking about bringing you to Annabeth's," said Malcolm and my face fell. This was it. I'd have to leave them. I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. "How far away is Annabeth's?" They looked at me slightly sadly. "It's right there," said Percy, pointing right at the house in front of us. My heart dropped as I saw the pristine white house right in front of me. I looked at the boys, tears forming in my eyes. I'd have to leave my friends all over again. They began to step towards the house. My feet froze, refusing the move any further. Conner quietly took my hand. "Come on. It's not goodbye yet."
A very familiar blonde opened the door. She smiled when she saw her brother. "Malcolm! What are you doing here?" she asked, hugging him. "I found one of our sisters. She has nowhere to go. Can you take her in?" he asked and she smiles. "It's what I do best." She looked towards me, her grey eyes calculating, as if measuring me up. I glared at her, and she smiled. "You're Athena alright," and I smiled back. She ushered us in, blushing as Percy walked past. We walked through the house and found ourselves in a living area. Annabeth left to call the others, whoever they are. I noticed Percy follow her, slipping out discreetly. I noticed the other boys glancing nervously up the stairs, as if waiting for something. I found out what they were waiting for when down come some more familiar faces. Katie Gardiner's face lights up when she sees Travis Stoll, but she quickly hides it with a glare.
"Stoll," she said, nodding her head at him. Travis leaped up, and took her hand. "Hey Katie!" he kissed her hand and she blushed. Piper Mclean smiled at us all, and greeted me. I felt bad, remembering that Jason wouldn't be here unless Rome invaded. Their empire hadn't been born yet, so no Jason for Piper. Thalia Grace appeared, glaring at me, and I glared back. She smiled, and started telling me she was just visiting, and said there was a place in the Hunters if I wanted. Clarisse also appeared, and took great interest in my sword. I could see Chris desperately trying to get her attention but she ignored him. Nyssa of the Hephaestus cabin was also there, and she started talking to Leo about something mechanical. It was almost like I was back at camp.
Katie dragged herself away from Travis to talk to me. I told all about our adventures so far, and she told me about life with Annabeth and the others. They were all living here, safe from monsters, and from suitors. Apparently, they were very sought after by Athenians, and they weren't interested. I was shocked to find they didn't know how to fight. I promised to teach them, and they all perked up at this. Eventually, the boys had to leave to report to the king of Athens, but they promised to visit again tomorrow.
"Well, Ava. You can room with Katie, she doesn't have a roommate. Now, you can change out of that armour and dinner is in an hour," Annabeth said before turning and leaving to go to the kitchen. The others slowly left as well, and Katie turned to me. "Come on, I'll show you our room."
Katie's room had two beds, and a lot of plants. Her window overlooked the street, and the windowsill was overflowing with plants and flowers. She pointed to one of the beds and told me it was mine. I left down my chitons and veil. I unstrapped the armour Athena gave me, leaving just the cream and red tunic. It morphed into a new cream chiton, and the armour disappeared, much to Katie's amazement. "It's my secret superpower," I told her, smirking and she laughed. I undid my hair, and ran my fingers through it. Katie walked over and started braiding it. "So, I saw you and Conner holding hands. What's going on there?" she asked, smirking. "What's going on between you and Travis?" I countered and we both laughed. "Well, aren't we scandalous?"
After dinner, and catching up with the girls (though they thought it was getting to know them, not catching up) I decided to go to bed, and tiredness won the battle to stay awake as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I woke up panting, gasping for air. My eyes searched the darkness frantically, the new surroundings disorientating me. I spotted Katie's sleeping figure across the room. I played back the dream in my head. 'Go to the temple' the person had told me. 'Go to your mother'. I got up quietly, grabbed my sword and bracelet and a cloak. I closed the door quietly behind me, and then crept down the stairs. The darkness was intimidating, but not intimidating enough.
As soon as I was out of the house, I took a shaky breath, trying to calm my nerves. I felt my nightclothes morph into armour once more. I kept a firm grip on my sword, and pulled my hood over my head, hiding my hair. To an outsider, I looked like a man, which would help greatly. I made my way through Athens, which was deserted. Torches illuminated the Parthenon, so it was easily visible from my position. After half an hour of dodging into alleyways whenever I crossed paths with another person, I was finally walking up the steps, my breathing calmer as I got closer to Mom. I stepped into the temple, pulling back my hood, the light bouncing off my armour. I knelt before the Athena Parthenos, praying to mom. "Rise, Ava," I heard her voice behind me. I turned to see the goddess herself, decked in her battle armour almost identical to my own.
"Hey Mom," I said and she smiled. "I don't have much time, daughter," and I shook my head sadly. "Can you tell me what's going on?" "Alas, I cannot. You cannot know." "But do you know?" "Now really Ava! Am I not the goddess of wisdom? I know everything!" I sighed. "I'm gonna take that as a yes then." Mom clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Going to, Ava, not gonna."
I crossed my arms. "Well, if you're not going to tell me what's going on, then why did you call me?" Mom walked across to her statue, looking up at it, inspecting it carefully. "I'm risking enough coming to you now Ava. It's dangerous for you." I walked over to her, contemplating the statue. "Why is it dangerous? Is my life in danger?" She turns to me, her grey eyes sombre, locked on mine. "Yes, grave danger." I looked at her in shock, just as her image began to flicker. Her features turned slightly frantic. "Ava, the connection is fading. I don't have much time. Remember, you must fight this, and come out alive!" Her face faded, without the usual bright flash of light. I reached out, my hand running through her transparent arm. "Wait! Don't leave me! What do I have to fight?"
But she was already gone, and I was left alone once more, the darkness more intimidating than ever.