In response to a review from Hagan Son of Nike, of course they're blue cookies! What kind of Percy Jackson fan do you think I am? XD As if I'd serve non-blue cookies! Lol (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) blue cookies for everyone that reviews!

The cousins barely managed to catch half an hour of sleep before someone came to wake them. The cousins were all sprawled out carelessly and, quite comically, without as was the usual. Percy lay on the bottom on the ceremonious pile, one arm dangling over the edge of the bed and the opposite leg propped up along the headboard. Thalia lay sprawled sideways across his chest, body from the stomach up over the bed. Nico was tangled with the only girl of the group, one leg wedged under her back, arm unknowingly across her face with his own head over the edge. Needless to say, a very odd and interesting way to sleep. But they seemed perfectly content, all of them snoring softly, and, in Percy's case, drooling.

"Ah..." there was a knock on the door. "My Lady? My Lords?"

"Huh?" attempting to sit up and wiping his mouth, Percy looked round, confused for a moment. "Ugh, whaaat?" he whined.

"So sorry to wake you sir" called the voice of a dryad from outside the big oaken double doors. "But your parents have requested your presence in the arena. Something about a last minute training session…?"

"Ugh…" moaning dramatically in complaint, he said "Sure. Give us… ten minutes. Nico's impossible to wake up."

"Yes sir." And her footsteps echoed away.

The son of Poseidon sighed in annoyance, running a hand through his hair, trying to wake up. "Alright…" he reached for Thalia's shoulder, shaking her… and was immediately zapped a she attempted to leap up, reflexes kicking in. Of course, that knocked poor Nico to the floor, and in his moment of panic, skeletons of all sorts erupted from the floor and shadows. Percy yelped and narrowly dodged a swipe from the sword of a skeletal soldier.

"Nico! Control your pets!"

The son of Hades glared as he picked himself up. "First off, they aren't my pets. Cerberus is my pet."

"Oh that's right." Teased Thalia. "They're your servants, O mighty Ghost King!"

"Oh shut up!" then he flicked his hand in annoyance. "Be gone, all of you!" the undead all obeyed, event he little skeleton mouse he'd become fond of over the years- out it first skittered u his leg and climbed his arm to nuzzle his cheek briefly before collapsing into a pile of bones and turning to dust. He brushed the dust off absent mindedly. "Why'dja go and wake us up anyway?"

"Parents want us in the arena. Last minute training or something."

"Ugh, great."

"Joy."

They entered separate changing rooms, pulling off their pajamas and putting on something more appropriate.

"Well, let's get this over with." Thalia muttered, redoing her braid over her shoulder as they navigated the halls of her palace. A nymph offered them each a shot glass and a platter ambrosia squares, which they were all quick to take. Gulping down a single swig of nectar, the Sky Princess put the glass aside and crammed a square of ambrosia into her mouth, the taste of rich red velvet german chocolate cake meeting her tongue, tasting just like her mothers special recipe. While they weren't injured, this would give them an extra boost of energy, and extra kick to prepare them for more training after being so drained.

…

Upon entering the room, the trio was pleasantly surprised to see their entire family gathered, sell twelve Olympians plus Hades and Hestia, their mothers, and, again in Percy's case, big brother. They were all perched in the stands, watching with the company of several other half-bloods. Percy was slightly less surprised- he'd seen four, but he hadn't realized there were so many here

Thalia couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Leave it to Daddy dearest to make this into a spectator event when we're dog tired."

'Oh, my daughter' his voice spoke in her mind. 'Relax, my dear. Train.'

"Fine…" she muttered under her breath. "You guys wanna spar?"

Instantly his cousins grinned. "Bring it!"

…

Annabeth couldn't help being in awe. These children, who couldn't have been older than her, fought better than the senior campers! Their skill was unbelievable, their movements fluid expert. They fought as well as, dare she say it, gods. The trio stood in a triangle, each fighting the opposing two. That odd character from before, Percy, stood furthest from them, a sword in each hand, battling the other two effortlessly. They were all perfectly matched, no one could get a swipe in, as every blow was perfectly blocked and parried. Their fighting styles varied slightly, and the daughter of Athena was amazed that they could hold against two different styles at the same time.

'They must be minor gods' she decided. There was no other explanation. How he had greeted Lady Athena and Lord Hermes so loosely, how well they fought. But it was strange, she hadn't picked up on any godly essence… maybe they were relatively young minor gods, made within the last millennia or so?

"My Annabeth" she turned her head. Her mother was smiling at her dismally, her eyes twinkling, like she knew something Annabeth didn't. "I assure you, my dear, that they are not minor gods."

That wasn't so hard to believe. There were some occasions where ordinary people could attain immortality- Aeolus was a great example. He wasn't exactly a god, just a Master. Nymphs and dryads were immortal as well until their life source was depleted, but she'd never herd of a nature spirit ever picking up a weapon, let alone being so skilled. "Then… then what are they, mother?"

Athena's smile was well humored, but still serious. "My dear Annabeth, they are but demigods, much like you."

And here we go! I'm dying of the flu, but while I'm sick in bed, mi figured I'd get some work done. Please review; it'll make me feel better!