Chapter 29

Adaptation

Camp Half-Blood

Dean parked his motorcycle outside the camp borders. He walked up the hill until he stood in front of a giant pine tree. The one made of his sister Thalia.

Dean looked at the tree, 'I wonder what you were like' he thought. She supposedly gave her life to save others…she died a hero's death. And for that she deserved respect. For now on he would make a point to visit the tree more often.

Dean walked down the hill and passed by the big house. He spotted Chiron and Mr. D talking so he approached them.

"Hey there" Dean said.

Mr. D groaned, "Is it Friday already?"

"I'm afraid so old friend" Chiron said with a smile.

"I see he's been laying off the happy juice" Dean noticed.

"Dreadfully so. Being sober is miserable, I don't know how you people can survive" Mr. D said.

"I'm sure the world will learn to survive. Dean follow me I have someone I want you to meet" Chiron said leading him away.

Dean followed him, "Am I getting a sparring partner?" he asked with a bright smile.

Chiron chuckled, "No"

"Is it a pretty girl?" Dean thought optimistically.

They approached the armory, "No" Chiron led him towards the person working in the armory.

It was a huge African-American dude with a permanent scowl, muscles like a pro ball player, and hands like catcher's mitts which were calloused from working in the armory all day. He was hammering at a flaming metal piece laid out on an anvil.

He noticed the two of them approaching so he stopped, "Hey Chiron" he put the flaming metal piece in a bucket of ice cold water making it sizzle and steam.

"Dean I'd like you to meet Charles Beckendorf, head counselor of the Hephaestus cabin" Chiron said.

Beckendorf held out his hand, "Hi" he said awkwardly.

He stood a couple of inches shorter but he was much bigger, "Hey" Dean shook his hand. He noticed the son of Hephaestus had a killer grip, but he barely made eye contact.

"I had him construct your own personal set of armor and weapons" Chiron said.

"Nice" Dean said sounding excited.

"Make sure it fits, we'll be having our capture the flag game very soon" Chiron said before leaving.

Beckendorf brought his armor and weapons.

Dean picked up the armor and noticed it was heavier than it looked just like the celestial bronze weapons, "Damn, why is everything so heavy?"

"Celestial bronze is much denser than any ordinary metal. It's tougher but heavier" Beckendorf said.

"You all must be used to it, because I don't think I'll be able to move with all this stuff weighing me down" Dean joked.

Charlie laughed a little.

"Hey look, I'm new to this whole half-blood thing and I could use some friends to help me through this" Dean said.

"I'm probably not the best choice to choose from" Beckendorf said going back to his work.

The guy was big enough to intimidate most people yet he was socially awkward, ironic.

"That doesn't matter, I'd still like to be friends" Dean said with a genuine smile.

Beckendorf looked at him. No one besides the other Hephaestus children really associated with him. Since their father, according to stories, was ugly and deformed it explained why none of his children were really "pretty". Whereas all the other demigods were good looking.

Yet for some reason this guy treated him like a regular person.

"Alright" Beckendorf said, he'd give him a chance, "If I can help, I will. Hey by the way what Cabin are you in?"

"I'm in Cabin one" Dean said.

Beckendorf looked shocked, "Cabin…one? The Zeus cabin?"

"Well yeah" Dean looked embarrassed.

Beckendorf looked like he didn't believe him.

Dean rolled his eyes, "Maybe a demonstration would help" he opened his palm and summoned a lightning bolt.

"Whoa" Beckendorf stared at it with fascination, "I guess that settles it"

Dean absorbed the energy back into his hand, "Yeah, I'm the real deal"

"I never thought I'd see more than one kid of the big three" Beckendorf said.

"You met my sister Thalia?" Dean asked.

Beckendorf shook his head, "No I wasn't around back then. Last summer a son of Poseidon showed up and all hell broke loose"

"Really?" Dean asked sounding interested, "What happened?"

"I don't know if I should tell you. You might not like it" Beckendorf warned him.

"I don't wanna be left out of the loop, fill me in" Dean said.

"Well you see…from what I heard, the big three, they made a pact a long time ago to never have kids again. And last year when Zeus' master bolt was stolen he almost started a war with Poseidon because he thought his son Percy had taken it" Beckendorf said.

"My dad must have been pissed" Dean said.

"Luckily Percy found the real thief and returned the master bolt" Beckendorf said.

"This Percy sounds like he's pretty tough, I wanna meet him" Dean said.

"He's not a year rounder like me, he only stayed for the summer. Maybe Chiron knows where he is" Beckendorf said.

"I'll make sure to ask him when I get a chance" Dean said.

"Anyways we better go, the game should be starting soon" Beckendorf said.

The two of them put on their armor and hurried into the pavilion where all the other campers started to gather.

Beckendorf leaned over to Dean, "This is the part where we make alliances with other cabins"

"I'm going with you buddy" Dean put his arm around Beckendorf.

Beckendorf smirked, "Good to know, I'll talk with the others" he went over to his cabin mates.

Campers yelled and cheered as two kids from the Athena cabin ran into the pavilion carrying a silk banner. It was about ten feet long, glistening gray, with a painting of a barn owl above an olive tree.

From the opposite side of the pavilion, Clarisse and her buddies ran in with another banner, of identical size, but gaudy red, painted with a bloody spear and a boar's head.

Slowly everyone started splitting up into two different groups, one with the Athena cabin and the other with the Ares cabin.

Beckendorf walked over to Clarisse and spoke with her.

Chiron arrived and hammered his hoof on the marble, "Heroes!" he announced.

Everyone stopped talking and paid attention.

"Today is a special occasion. Our newest camper will be joining us for capture the flag" he waved his hand towards Dean, "The first child of Zeus to be among us in a long time"

Dean stepped forward and removed his helmet to make sure everyone knew his face.

Everyone stared at him the same way Charlie did, like it was hard to believe.

Dean released his energy and lightning sparked around his body, just to prove his point.

There were faint whispers among the campers.

Chiron cleared his throat, "Which team will you side with?"

Dean looked at Beckendorf who was standing by the Ares cabin, "I guess I'll go with red team"

Chiron nodded and turned his attention back to the others, "You know the rules. The creek is the boundary line. The entire forest is fair game. All magic items are allowed. The banner must be prominently displayed, and have no more than two guards. Prisoners may be disarmed, but may not be bound or gagged. No killing is allowed. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. Arm yourselves!" He spread his hands, and the tables were suddenly covered with equipment: helmets, bronze swords, spears, ox hide shields coated in metal.

"So everybody doesn't have their own weapons and armor?" Dean asked.

"Chiron thinks possessions like that are a special privilege, seeing as how some people are immature. Only a few people get their own" Beckendorf said.

The two teams split up to opposite ends of the forest. Blue team went south and red team went north.

Dean followed Beckendorf, "So what happens now?"

"The counselors decide our positions" Beckendorf said.

"So does that mean I get to pick my own?" Dean asked.

"Basically, just tell Clarisse. She always likes to have the final say" Beckendorf said.

After they set the flag down everyone reported to Clarisse.

Her ugly pig eyes glared through the slits of her helmet. She brandished a five-foot spear, its barbed metal tip flickering with red light.

Her siblings had only the standard issue bronze swords.

Dean stepped towards her, "Clarisse" he called her name.

Clarisse turned to face him and snarled, "What is it?"

"I'm the only one from my cabin so I feel comfortable with going on the offensive" Dean said, he could be of use when they attacked.

"I don't have time to teach a newbie, go on border patrol" Clarisse ignored his request and went back to discussing a battle plan with her cabin mates.

Dean felt insulted, "Hey I'm not a newbie I know how to fight"

Clarisse took a step closer and stared him down, "You think because you're big three you can call the shots?"

"I'm not trying to call the shots, just looking for a little respect" Dean couldn't understand this girl, she was so thick headed.

Clarisse shoved him, "Why don't you lick my muddy boots newbie" her cabin mates laughed.

Dean went to go at her but Beckendorf held him back, "We'll just go on border patrol, ok Clarisse?"

"Whatever, just get the newbie out of my face before I make him eat dirt" Clarisse turned around to face her cabin mates again.

Dean glared at her, "Oh I'm gonna—"

"Don't let her get to you" Beckendorf whispered still holding Dean's arm.

"Easy for you to say" Dean pried his arm back, "You're not the new guy"

"You'll get used to her, c'mon follow me" Beckendorf said.

They took their positions by the border. Far away, the conch horn blew. Whoops and yells were coming from the woods, the clanking of metal, kids fighting.

"Great, I got stuck playing defense. Awesome" Dean said sarcastically.

"Playing defense isn't exactly humiliating" Beckendorf said not seeing the big deal.

"No, it's not just that. It's the fact that she made me look bad in front of everyone" Dean ranted.

Two blue team soldiers charged at them. Dean took the one on the left and Beckendorf the one on the right.

Dean blocked an attack with his shield and slashed in a wide vertical arc.

The soldier blocked with his shield and thrusted forward his sword.

Dean moved just enough to avoid the thrust, the blade went between his ribcage and his shield.

Dean pulled his shield back, removing the weapon from the soldier's hand, and turned around 360 smacking him in the face with the flat side of the sword.

The soldier was knocked on his back and Dean held his blade at his throat, "Dead" Dean said.

The soldier got up, "Dammit" he walked away.

Dean looked at Beckendorf who just finished his fight.

"You're pretty good" Beckendorf said sounding impressed.

"I'm ok, everything still feels heavy though" Dean said waving his arm around.

"You didn't look like you were having trouble using the weapons" Beckendorf said.

"I can fake it pretty well" Dean said.

A couple of more blue team soldiers tried to pass the border but Dean and Beckendorf stopped them.

After a while Dean started getting impatient.

"I hate standing here" Dean said, "What's taking them so long?"

"Sometimes the Athena cabin has some major defenses" Beckendorf said.

Dean looked in the distance where the sounds of battle were coming from, "Maybe they need help" he took a step forward.

"No I don't think you should do that, Clarisse doesn't like it when people don't listen to her" Beckendorf said.

Dean stopped, "So what you're saying is that she would be pissed if I helped?"

"She'd be totally pissed" Beckendorf admitted.

Dean's face grew a wide grin.

Beckendorf became concerned, "Wait what're you—"

Dean ran as fast as he could towards the fight.

"Wait come back!" Beckendorf shouted but he was already too far away and he wasn't about to get on Clarisse' bad side along with him.


Dean caught up to the main battle but kept his distance so he could get a better look.

Blue team had dug a trench around their flag area making it almost impossible to pass. The trench wasn't that big but the blue team soldiers had long spears to help guard the distance.

All this weight on him would really slow him down, he wouldn't be able to cover the distance with it.

He took off his armor, helmet, sword sheath, and shield. He felt ten times lighter.

Dean ran as fast as he could and leaped over the trench. He took blue team by surprise and tackled two soldiers.

Dean dodged and parried attacks from multiple enemies.

It was tricky fighting against opponents with spears. They had the advantage in reach which made it difficult to approach for an attack.

Dean's interference gave red team the opportunity to cross the trench.

"The hell do you think you're doing newbie?!" Clarisse shouted.

"It's called helping ah!" A spear sliced Dean's ribcage. He grabbed the spear, pulled towards himself, and knocked the blue soldier on his back with a punch.

Slowly red team began to overwhelm blue team with their numbers.

During the battle, Dean grabbed the enemy flag and made a run for it.

Clarisse shield bashed her opponent and chased after Dean, "Gimme that!"

"No way" Dean ran as fast as he could.

Clarisse wasn't fast enough to catch him, "Give me that flag! That's an order!"

"I can't hear you you're too far!" Dean joked as he increased the distance between them.

If Dean brings back the flag the victory goes to the Zeus Cabin, and there's no way Clarisse is going to let the newbie get the win.

She threw her spear at him as a final effort.

Dean heard the blade with his keen hearing and jumped to avoid it, "Suck! My! Dick!" He laughed in the distance.


Beckendorf remained at his post. He wished Dean hadn't gone to help, at least that way he wouldn't be bored all by himself.

He started hearing shouts coming closer to him so he readied himself.

Beckendorf saw a figure running towards and was about to throw his hammer when he saw the blue flag. He looked closer and saw Dean running as fast as he could, "Holy shit!"

"I told you they needed help!" Dean shouted as he ran.

Beckendorf laughed, "Go! Go! Go!" he chanted for his teammate as he left.

Not too long after Clarisse came running after him, "I'm gonna kill him!"

Beckendorf winced, 'She looks pissed'

Dean finally reached the flag site and secured the win, "Yeah baby!"

Clarisse and all the others returned to the flag site.

"Red team wins!" Chiron announced.

Red team cheered for their victory.

Clarisse grit her teeth, she didn't look happy.


The next morning, Dean was up early practicing on dummies with Chiron.

"So what did you think of my victory yesterday?" Dean asked as he swung his sword.

"It was interesting, to say the least" Chiron said without interest.

"You don't sound very impressed" Dean said as he chopped off the head of the dummy.

"Your approach has me concerned" Chiron said.

Dean stopped his attacks, "In what way?"

"Why did you take off your armor?" Chiron asked curiously.

"It was weighing me down, I needed to be able to move" Dean said.

Chiron looked skeptical, "Put on your armor"

Dean raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Because you're going to need it when you're sparring with others" Chiron said.

Dean grinned, "Finally some real action" he rushed to go get his armor.

When he came back Chiron had an opponent waiting for him.

"You remember Richie don't you? He greeted you when you first came to camp Half-Blood" Chiron said.

"Yeah, nice to see you again" Dean said.

"I saw you yesterday at the capture the flag game, you were pretty good" Richie complimented him.

"Thanks, I snatched that victory for us right?" Dean asked.

"I was on blue team" Richie pointed out.

"Oh, never mind then" Dean said feeling weird.

"Take position" Chiron said.

The two teens stood across from each other.

Dean looked at Richie who was holding a shield and spear.

"I'm sure you noticed Richie uses a spear instead of a sword" Chiron said.

"Yeah, I dealt with them yesterday" Dean said.

"I'm curious how you would have fared without Clarisse's help" Chiron said.

"Let's see" Dean raised his weapon.

"Begin" Chiron signaled them.

Richie thrusted his spear forward.

Dean blocked with his shield and charged at him.

Richie swung around his spear in a wide arc stopping Dean in his tracks, forcing him to step back.

'I can't even get close to him' Dean thought.

Richie thrusted twice.

Dean blocked both times with his shield.

Richie thrusted a third time. But this time he aimed low.

The spear sliced Dean's calve making him fall on his back.

Richie advanced.

"That's enough" Chiron said.

Richie paused.

Dean struggled to get on his feet.

"As you can see when fighting an opponent with a spear, charging at your opponent is not an option" Chiron said.

"Then how do I counter a spear?" Dean asked.

"There are two ways to counter a spear wielding opponent. You must either disarm him or make him come to you" Chiron said.

Dean thought hard on his teacher's words. That didn't sound like an easy task.

"For now you should get that wound patched up. Perhaps tomorrow you'll fare better" Chiron said.

"No" Dean said taking his position across from Richie, "Let's do it now"

"You'll be at a disadvantage if—"

"So be it" Dean banged his sword on his shield creating a loud bang.

"As you wish, begin" Chiron said.

The two teens walked in a clockwise circle, starring each other down.

'A spear is a medium ranged weapon, it's purpose is to prevent your opponent from getting close. If I attack first he'll see me coming so I need to let him make the first move. If I can get in close he won't be able to defend against me' Dean thought.

Dean shifted his stance to protect his wounded calve, facing Richie with his sword hand first, leaving him open for an attack.

Chiron noticed that move but didn't say anything. You should always face your opponent with your shield arm for better defense, Dean should know that by now.

Richie thrusted his spear.

Dean deflected it with his blade.

He defended against multiple attacks but still couldn't find an opening to advance.

Richie was careful enough not to make a mistake. He would have to try a different approach.

Dean sheathed his sword and tossed his shield aside leaving him with his bare hands.

Richie looked at his opponent with a confused expression.

Dean circled around him, 'C'mon take the bait'

Richie didn't think much about it and attacked.

Dean managed to grab the spear end, cutting his hands, and yanked on it. He took the spear from him and threw it aside.

Richie raised his shield to protect him from any other attacks.

Dean leaped forward and grabbed the shield.

The two of them tugged on the shield to try and take hold of it.

Dean swept Richie's legs, making him fall down, and took his shield from him.

Dean was about to press his advantage when Chiron stopped him, "That's enough"

Dean dropped the shield and backed away.

Richie got on his feet, "Your fighting style is weird"

"My thoughts exactly" Chiron said sounding concerned.

"What's wrong? I beat him didn't I?" Dean asked.

"You did, but not how I wanted you to" Chiron said.

"I'm not following" Dean said not understanding.

"Try to work on disarming without using your bare hands, just use your weapons" Chiron said.

Dean still didn't get why but he went along with it anyway, "Fine, let's try it again" he drew his sword once again and faced Richie.


Author's note: Sigh, sometimes you just can't please people. But on the bright side at least our protagonist is learning, check back tomorrow for the next chapter!