Hi! Sorry! Another short one, but like I said, I figure short is better than none. Speaking of none...

Imma be straight. There's probs not gonna be one next Sunday. My last day of work is Wednesday (YAYAYAYYAYAY) and I leave to move in to my house for college Friday so lots of packing will be had and then unpacking at the new house and yeah. Hopefully you won't have to wait until the following Sunday for an update but I make no promises except that worst case you'll have to wait until the following Sunday. Sorry fam. That time of the year.

But hopefully this is a good chapter. It was a scene I really wanted to do when I decided to send Annabeth to camp Half Blood and we all need more Piper and Annabeth friendship, amirite? Willing to take requests and suggestions for other characters for Annabeth to interact with, but make no promises. It has to fit with flow of the story. Also, hopefully Piper is in character, I'm not as comfrtable writing for her or most of the rest of the seven as I am with Percy and Annabeth. Anyhoo...

REVIEWS!

aussiebornwriter: It is being alluded to that he might very well end up in jail. Glad you shook. ;)

I am a hypocrite: Here's another shortie but hopefully a goodie. Annabeth is trying to fix her problem, we are nearing the end (depending on how short I keep making these chapters yikes). I think we're actually done with this universe Percy. It's alluded to that hes in some deep shit. :) Oops.

Alicia: Here's more! Enjoy!

Ralph: This universe is all wonky and I'm trying to sort of show some of it (it doesn't come up this chapter) but we'll see how much I'll be able to go into what's different while trying to keep the flow of the story. Hopefully I get the right amount of wibbly-wobbly-ness. :)

Cassy daughter of the moon: I don't think she'll go to Olympus although to be frank I'm still working out the kinks to this ending. And I'm so glad I brightened your day, I know how a little thing to make you smile can go a long way. Hope this made you smile, too!

Guest: Damn I'm pretty sure that's impressive. Thanks for binge reading fam. Hope I can keep you hooked!

Quihi: Chiron! I'll admit, I'm working out the kinks myself. I have a general idea and hopefully this week off will give me time to really figure out how to structure this ending to give you guys something worthwhile and not disappointing (*coughcough* Blood of Olympus *coughcough*). :)

Anonymous262: I'm so happy you're loving it and your PM made my smile! Hope I can keep you hooked and can deliver an ending you'll love (but we still have a few chapters til then don't worry).

And that's all for today folks. Sorry it's short and sorry the next one will be late. That's moving to college for ya. And I'm living in a house this year so fun, but not without its extra challenges. Wish me luck, and you'll hear from me soon. Don't worry, I WILL be back. :)

REVIEW and READ ON

CHAPTER TWENTY

They didn't get very far.

Demigods littered the green space outside of the Big House, everyone acting nonchalant, trying to pretend like they weren't there to catch a glimpse of Camp's biggest story (at the moment). Annabeth was surrounded by familiar faces and all of them were wary, all of them distrusting.

All but one.

Piper McLean bounded towards Chiron, not bothering with the facade. "Chiron! Wait!"

Chiron didn't stop or slow his pace, so neither did Annabeth, but he didn't oppose Piper's approach. "What is it, Piper?"

Annabeth watched as Piper seemed to try to straighten her back. "I-uh, I wanted to know if you needed any help subduing the, uh, prisoner. You know, keeping her compliant and whatever."

Chiron quickly glanced at Annabeth, although he seemed to try to hide it. "I don't think that will be necessary, Piper." Annabeth wished he had souned more certain.

"You sure?" Chiron kept walking, but Piper refused to step out of line with him. "You know, Camp is pretty confused by this. And with everything going on… I'm worried about infighting."

Chiron finally stopped and turned to face Piper. "What do you know, Piper?"

A quick "Well-" was all Piper could get out before Annabeth could make out the sound of shouting, followed soon by clashing metal. Piper just shrugged. "I was going to say that the Stolls were placing bets on who would crack first and try to, uh," Piper sheepishly glanced at Annabeth, "attack the prisoner and Connor might have started intentionally riling up the Ares cabin so he could win and then of course the Athena cabin stepped in to try to stop that and-" The sound of fighting grew louder.

Chiron sighed. "Do you think you could-"

Piper shook her head. "My effects are temporary and you know the Stolls are persistent. It won't stop with me."

"Then I suppose your talents will be needed here, Ms. McLean. Please guard our guest until I return." Chiron turned to Annabeth. "It appears I have some matters to attend to."

Annabeth spoke up as soon as Chiron was out of earshot. "Connor didn't cause that fight willingly did he?"

Piper looked startled, but unashamed. "Sometimes reputations can be an advantage." She tilted her head and let out a puff of air. "Sometimes," she repeated. She faced Annabeth. "How do you know about me?"

"About your charmspeak?"

"No, not about that. Well, yes, about that, but not only about that. I mean... " Piper brushed a few strands of choppy brown hair from her face. "How do you know about me? I heard the other demigods you listed. I was a clear outlier."

Annabeth tried not to snort. "Trust me. You're not."

"You listed heroes and warriors and camp leaders. I'm a daughter of Aphrodite who can barely fight with a sword."

"Have you heard of the dagger, Katropis?" Piper nodded. "Try that. I have a feeling that will be more your style."

Piper shook her head and looked around in disbelief. "Who are you?"

Annabeth wrapped her arms around herself. "You wouldn't believe me."

"We're currently standing in a camp for children of greek gods protected by a magical border powered by a tree. I believe most things nowadays."

Annabeth chuckled, but soon she remembered how much she missed her friend. She gave up more than her godly heritage when she asked to be mortal. Gods, she messed everything up.

"I'm from… I don't know. An alternate universe? One where I was a demigod. A daughter of Athena." She looked at Piper. "And you became one of my best friends."

Piper wrinkled her nose. "I always thought children of Athena were stuck up."

Annabeth laughed. "And I used to think children of Aphrodite couldn't be complete and total badasses. You proved that assumption wrong."

Piper turned her whole body this time to face Annabeth. "Me? A badass?"

Annabeth nodded. "Yeah. I mean, there was a daughter of Aphrodite before you…" Annabeth thought it best not to name Silena, who was very much alive in this existence. "She died a hero. And then you came and… Where I come from there was a prophecy of that united seven of the greatest heroes of Olympus. You were one of them."

Piper narrowed her eyes. "I'm no hero of Olympus."

"You faced monsters and giants and the biggest threat Olympus has ever encountered," Annabeth told her, being certain to speak with absolute sincerity. "You fought alongside, not only heroes, but the gods themselves. You are a hero, Piper McLean, and not because you're pretty, or even because of what your voice can do. You're a hero because you are brave and strong and one of the best people to have at your back in a fight."

It took Piper a few moments to collect herself. "I-"

"Piper!" Chiron's voice interrupted, sounding none too pleased. Annabeth suspected he had figured out her friends ploy. "I just had a very interesting conversation with Connor Stoll. A conversation that the two of us shall continue at a later time."

Piper knew better than to fight here. She nodded. "Yes, Chiron."

"Now return to your normal duties, and urge other campers to as well. That is… urge them normally to do so. I'd rather you not use your powers anymore today."

Piper nodded again.

"Wait!" Annabeth called before the daughter of Aphrodite slinked away. "Leo Valdez."

Piper glanced at Chiron, but he seemed as clueless as her. "Child of Hephaestus? What about him?"

Annabeth paused to consider her words. "I think… I think you two might get along better than you might assume." At Piper's wide eyes, Annabeth tried to fix her words. "I'm not saying you two should uh… I just..." She took a deep breath. "I just think you two could be good friends."

Chiron coughed. "Ms. Chase. You were in a rush moments ago, were you not?"

She had been. She still was. But Annabeth had suddenly realized how much she missed her friends, and now she had one right in front of her. "Right," she nodded. She raised a hand as a wave to Piper. "See ya, beauty queen."

Piper simply watched Annabeth walk away.