Note: I don't own PJO nor HOO. Characters that appeared on this story but not on the books are my own. Credits to the artists of the pictures used in the cover.

Chapter 13 - Flying (and Talking) with Pegasi

"You're doing great, Christine! Keep it up." Piper said as she rode Guido, Reyna's pegasus.

Beside them, Blackjack and I soared through the sky above Camp Half-Blood. From above, I could see the whole always-lively camp including Long Island Sound. I saw Leo and Calypso emerging from the armory, all sooty but sweet. Annabeth talking to Chiron on the porch of the Big House. Percy, apparently, picking a fight with Clarisse for the fifth time today. Jason, together with Hazel and Frank, watching us fly above the camp.

Hazel hushing Frank who was shouting, "As you guys fly, I'll practice archery. See if I can take down an enemy riding a pegasus in case we got attacked."

Jason laughed, telling that him if that enemy was ever Piper, he would be forced to put down his weapons and turned into a giant goldfish. We flew loops in the sky and passed through crowds of demigods who shouted complaints. I closed my eyes, feeling the strong neck muscles of Blackjack around my arms and the strong wind against my face. I never felt so comfortable than flying through the sky. It's strange though because when I was a kid, I was afraid of heights. I remembered Grandma Qin trying to have me cross a high bridge during a school trip. She managed to have me cross it by telling me that if I fall, Zeus, the king of the gods, will surely catch me.

We flew a few more rounds before landing back to the stables and reuniting with Jason, Hazel, and Frank. Frank still complaining about not being able to practice his shooting-down-enemies-riding-pegasus-skill. Piper told him that if he ever practiced that with us, she would force him to turn into a chicken and practice her Frank chicken soup with him. We laughed as Frank turned red and tried to avoid becoming a cute bulldog. We separated ways as the three went to the pavilion for lunch and Piper and I escorted Guido and Blackjack back inside the stables.

I felt a tap on my shoulder as I poured water into Blackjack's water trough. I looked over and saw Piper standing behind me.

"Good job riding Blackjack without falling off. He tends to be a bit hyper like his owner." Piper said.

I smiled, running my hand against Blackjack's shiny black coat."Yeah. But I'm glad that Percy allowed me to ride Blackjack."

Piper shrugged. "To be honest, I feel much comfortable riding Festus. Maybe because I'm got used to riding him since my first quest with Jason and Leo. Oh, well. Let's hurry to the pavilion. I'm hungry."

"You go on ahead. I'll follow. I'll just fill up Blackjack's trough full."

"Alright. Don't forget. Sword practice at two o' clock and Capture the Flag at six o' clock. Meeting place at Cabin #1. Okay?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, mom."

Piper laughed. "Just see you there."

I smiled in amusement. "I won't get lost, don't worry." I walked up to her and turned her around. "Now, go to the pavilion and eat. I could hear your stomach complaining. " I pushed her out of the stables and sent her walking.

"It's not!" She shouted over her shoulder. I laughed and disappeared back inside the stables.

Almost took forever. A voice grumbled. I poured another bucket of water into trough.

You're exaggerating, Blackjack. A different voice exclaimed. It just took a few minutes. A few minutes are nowhere near to forever. And besides, it's fun having Piper around.

Whatever, Guido. I still wasted some precious minutes waiting to talk to Christine here.

Guido nickered, obviously annoyed. You talked with her the whole flying practice. You never stopped bragging to Christine how awesome you are the whole session.

Blackjack spread out his magnificent black wings. Because that's true. And you know now that.

Whatever. At least I'm more awesome than you. This sets off the bomb. Blackjack began trotting toward Guido.

I stood up and rushed to block Blackjack's path. "Whoa! Hold it! Time out!" I said. "No fighting while I'm still here or when your owners are not here." I looked at Blackjack. "And will you please fold your wings, Blackjack? You're just gonna shed feathers if you don't fold it back. Who knows that pegasi can have featherfall?"

Blackjack looked at me, horrified. He frantically folded his wings.

I smiled. "Good boy." I walked off and picked the bucket beside Blackjack's water trough. "But of course, that was just a bluff."

Guido's laughter sounded in my ears.

After a wave of choice words, Blackjack trotted toward me. So...how's our not-a-Poseidon-kid-but-can-talk-to-pegasi Christine?

I turned and brushed my hand on his head. I sighed. "That's the fifth time you asked me, Blackjack. I'm fine, alright. I'm feeling good that I can easily stop you two from having a fight and getting myself scolded by your owners."

Blackjack nickered. At least, we're not hard to stop from fighting. Unlike you and that Ares girl.

Ooooohhh. Burn. Guido nickered.

I glared at the pure black pegasus."Careful, Blackjack. You wouldn't want me sending Clarisse charging here with a sword and a soap to wash your mouth, wouldn't you?"

Of course. I was just joking, you know. Blackjack said, his hooves shifting nervously on the floor.

Anyway. Guido interrupted. Are you sure you're not a Poseidon kid, Christine? I'm pretty sure that those who can understand us pegasi other than the gods are the children of Lord Poseidon. Are you sure you're not a half-sister of Percy?

"If I were then, Poseidon should have claimed me two weeks ago. But he didn't. And, I can't control water like Percy. Conclusion, I'm not a Poseidon kid."

But still, it's strange, isn't? You can talk to us yet you're not a child of Lord Poseidon. Don't you have any other godly abilities other than being able to understand us?

I looked outside, to the huge tree where Peleus guards the Golden Fleece. "I have but..." I shook my head. "I should go now. Piper will be worried if I don't appear at the pavilion anytime soon." I dropped the bucket at one corner of the stables and began walking toward the door.

Wait, Christine! Guido called up. You said you have other godly are those?

I stopped at my tracks. "It's...it's nothing."

Nothing? But-

Cut the girl some slack, Guido. Blackjack interrupted. Let her have her lunch. She must be tired from all the training this morning. Ask her some other time.

I looked over my shoulder and caught the eye of Blackjack.

Go on now, Christine. Eat something. See you at tomorrow's flying practice.

I smiled and mouthed the word thank you. I turned and continued walking.

Don't forget to tell me tomorrow how you whooped your opponents' heads in tonight's Capture the Flag, okay? Blackjack called out.

"Don't worry. I won't forget." I shouted back and broke into a run.

? ? ?

I watched her ran toward the pavilion. She had grown fast due to her isolation from immortality. The Fates had done a great job raising her and so did the Mist, in hiding her blood and restraining her powers. But not for long. Her powers are greater than the Fates or even the gods of the ancient. By now, her true blood is slowly resurfacing and her powers little by little, manifesting.

Danger is approaching. We all know it. She could feel it. Every being that exists, whether it's immortal or not, has begun feeling it. The gods are getting uneasy and the fate lies on one clueless demigod, a child of a jealous yet powerful queen. Yet, Olympus hasn't started its rally. We couldn't go on like this. Acting like there is nothing huge brewing and when it's already late, that's the time we'll do our move.

No. A lot is at stake here. More than the last war. I shouldn't know about this yet I do. If her mother, my half-brother, nor the Fates will reveal the truth before it's too late, I will. If the gods will not take a step in this coming war, I will. Even it means risking my father's anger again then, so be it.