So Frank is the best boy ever and we loves him very much. There will be no discussion on this matter, he is a good egg. And creepers gonna creep. Sorry not sorry lol. Also, probably won't be able to update as usual tomorrow so I give you guys this offering to keep you going.
Replies:
Anonymously96: Hehehehe. Yep. And he is just as bad as he ever was. And don't worry, his final end will be pretty brutal and I like to think it will be pretty fitting.
The Official Clarisse: Okay, so here's how I understand it- technically Hazel is older, then Bianca then Nico, but then their timelines got kinda screwed and now Nico is fifteen, Hazel is fourteen going on fifteen, and Bianca is fourteen also going on fifteen but she's a few months younger than Hazel because she was a hunter for a good few years. I hope that makes sense.
Drizzle: Oh I think we all know who Archie is- any doubts will probably be chased away. And yeah, Kronos won't be making a come back, he's too widely scattered by his defeat.
Guest: I love the Underworld kids dynamics- obviously at this stage Bianca and Nico's relationship is shattered but it will recover and I'm looking forward to the stage where they get to be utterly badass together- and I like Nico and Hazel's interactions so far.
Weirdhead: You shall all see! Which should be fun.
Undeath9087: Oh they'll be surprised- it will be very chaotic. And yeah, Bianca met him maybe one time I think? At the museum, and she didn't even meet him as such, and the next time she saw him he was possessed by Kronos so like, she knows a few things about him but nothing major really.

Percy was pretty sure that Frank was her own personal hero- she definitely preferred him to Archie.

The strange boy was kind to her- incredibly kind really, so her uncertainty at first hadn't seemed fair. He'd spent the walk to the baths talking reassuringly, his hand resting lightly on her arm as they walked, that or at one point when she'd stumbled- and she really was tired- his hand had pressed firmly against the small of her back when he'd caught her and he'd got a strange look in his eyes.

By all accounts she should have been fine but there was something that just didn't feel right, and she was almost relieved to reach the baths, Archie pointing her towards the woman's section, though she'd quickly realised she didn't have a change of clothes.

Archie had fixed that though, kissing her knuckles and telling her he'd be back soon so to get into the baths while she waited- and he hadn't taken long- she was in the water by the time he returned, and the look on his face had been- strange, like he couldn't take his eyes off of her, like he was taking her in and memorizing every detail about her- it made Percy feel strangely vulnerable, exposed- and her nakedness hadn't helped when he'd kicked his shoes off and started to slide into the water she'd felt something twisting in her stomach, her instincts were screaming at her to run but she'd felt frozen, she'd never felt so trapped before- which was insane since she was in water but he'd been waist deep in the water and moving towards her, a hungry look on his face as she pushed herself further into it, so that only her head was above the water, arms wrapped around herself defensively by the time he'd reached her, his hand reaching out, resting on her bare shoulder.

"Oh Princess- look at you-"

"A-Archie-" Percy shouldn't feel afraid. She was surrounded by water she was totally safe she could easily use it to push him away from her. "Please-"

"Hush-" Archie's voice was soft, "Hush princess, you're going to be okay I'll make sure of-" and then Frank had arrived- and Archie had backed off almost instantly, pulling back, shooting Frank a dark look as did, muttering something in a language that Percy somehow understood even though it wasn't Latin- she understood the words even if she didn't understand how she knew it. "My first chance since- fucking Romans- should just fucking take-"

"Is everything okay?" that was Frank's voice, and his eyes were narrowed, "Percy-"

"We're fine." Archie's smile was brittle, "Aren't we Perce-"

"I-" Percy swallowed hard but she moved quickly, pushing herself through the water towards Frank, "I should be getting out."

"You heard her." Frank was glaring at Archie, who's eyes narrowed and he held up his hands, moving towards the edge of the baths quickly.

"I'm going I'm going!" he pulled himself out of the water and moved quickly, and Frank reached down when Percy reached the edge of the baths herself, covering his eyes with one hand as he pulled her out of the water.

Within minutes she was wrapped up in warm fluffy towels and Frank was comforting her, he'd wrapped an arm around her and let her lean into his side until she'd stopped shaking enough to actually get changed and head off with her new friend.

Unfortunately it didn't seem like Percy would get to see and speak to Reyna until after War Games- as Frank had called them. He'd taken her to some guards off to the side and she stood awkwardly as she watched the legion assemble.

Admittedly it was impressive.

The first four cohorts, each forty kids strong, stood in rows in front of their barracks on either side of the Via Praetoria. The Fifth Cohort assembled at the very end, in front of the principia, since their barracks were tucked in the back corner of camp next to the stables and the latrines. Percy grinned faintly when she spotted Hazel rushing down the middle of the legion to join Frank.

The campers were dressed for war. Their polished chain mail and greaves gleamed over purple T-shirts and jeans. Sword-and-skull designs decorated their helmets. Even their leather combat boots looked ferocious with their iron cleats, great for marching through mud or stomping on faces.

In front of the legionnaires, like a line of giant dominoes, stood their red and gold shields, each the size of a refrigerator door. Every legionnaire carried a harpoon like spear called a pilum, a gladius, a dagger, and about a hundred pounds of other equipment. Percy didn't like the idea of that- she didn't think she ever really bothered with that much armor- she absently reached up to play with her locket as her gaze scanned the legion. She spotted Octavian watching Hazel with a smug little smirk on his lips- in Percy's opinion he looked stupid in his plumed helmet with a dozen medals pinned on his chest.

She resisted the urge to laugh when Hazel ran past Reyna- who was cantering back and forth on a pegasus- and Percy had the feeling she liked them. . The metal dogs Aurum and Argentum trotted at her side. Her purple officer's cape billowed behind her.

"Hazel Levesque," she called, "so glad you could join us." and Percy resisted the urge to laugh- she had the feeling she'd been called out like that more than once.

And Percy smiled at Bianca when the other girl moved to join her, giving her a grin, though she knew better than to talk- that'd just draw even more attention to her.

The Lares were the last ones to fall in. Their purple forms flickered as they jockeyed for places. They kept standing halfway inside living people, so that the ranks looked like a blurry photograph, but finally the centurions got them sorted out. And Percy was grateful to Frank- he'd explained a lot about their rank system while they'd walked to and from the baths.

Then she focused again as Octavian shouted, "Colors!"

The standard-bearers stepped forward. They wore lion-skincapes and held poles decorated with each cohort's emblems. The last to present his standard was a boy carrying a long pole with absolutely nothing on to of it- Percy glanced at Bianca, who gave a small shrug and a reassuring grin, though her eyes shifted a moment later to focus on Reyna.

Reyna brought her pegasus to a halt.

"Romans!" she announced. "You've probably heard about the incursion today. Two gorgons were swept into the river by this newcomer, Percy Jackson. Juno herself guided her here, and proclaimed her a daughter of Neptune."

The kids in the back rows craned their necks to see Percy- she resisted the urge to bow mockingly- she got the feeling that they wouldn't see the funny side of it so instead she gave a little wave. "Uh. Hi."

"She seeks to join the legion!" Reyna continued, "What do the auguries say?"

"I have read the entrails!" Octavian announced, as if he'd killed a lion with his bare hands rather than ripping up a stuffed teddy. "The auguries are favorable. She is qualified to serve!"

The campers gave a shout: "Ave!" Hail!

Frank was a little late with his "ave," so it came out as a high-pitched echo. The other legionnaires snickered.

Reyna motioned the senior officers forward—one from each cohort. Octavian, as the most senior centurion, turned to Percy.

"Recruit," he asked, "do you have credentials? Letters of reference?"

"Uh, let's see- nope." Percy shifted slightly, feeling everyones gazes on her, "No letters- I mean I di-"

"No letters-" Octavian's voice was regretful and incredibly false. "Will any Legionnaires stand for her?"

"I will!" Frank stepped forward. "She saved my life!"

Immediately there were shouts of protest from the other cohorts. Reyna raised her hand for quiet and glared at Frank.

"Frank Zhang," she said, "for the second time today, I remind you that you are on probatio. Your godly parent has not even claimed you yet. You're not eligible to stand for another camper until you've earned your first stripe."

Frank looked like he might die of embarrassment, Percy's gaze flicked over the crowd- and she spotted Archie, his eyes glued to her, a look of yearning on his face.

Then Hazel stepped forward and Percy's lips twitched slightly and she felt a rush of gratitude when the girl said, "What Frank means is that Percy saved both of our lives. I'm a full member of the Legion. I will stand for Percy Jackson."

And Percy ignored the muttering from other campers- she didn't care what others thought, Hazel had definitely just earned her gratitude and respect. Stepping up and standing for a stranger who was clearly different.

Reyna wrinkled her nose, but she turned to Octavian. The augur smiled and shrugged, like the idea amused him.

"Very well," Reyna announced. "Hazel Levesque, you may stand for the recruit. Does your cohort accept him?"

The other cohorts started coughing, trying not to laugh. Percy automatically wanted to punch some of them.

Frank pounded his shield against the ground. The other members of the Fifth followed his lead, though they didn't seem very excited. The centurions exchanged pained looks- and wow, how welcoming.

"My cohort has spoken," Dakota said. "We accept the recruit." Reyna looked at Percy with pity. "Congratulations, Percy Jackson. You stand on probatio. You will be given a tablet with your name and cohort. In one year's time, or as soon as you complete an act of valor, you will become a full member of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata. Serve Rome, obey the rules of the legion, and defend the camp with honor. Senatus Populusque Romanus!"

The rest of the legion echoed the cheer.

Reyna wheeled her pegasus away from Percy, who resisted the urge to pull a face. Follow the rules- yeah that didn't sound like her honestly. Hopefully she'd manage to do it well enough though, she didn't want to let anyone down.

"Centurions," Reyna said, "you and your troops have one hour for dinner. Then we will meet on the Field of Mars. The First and Second Cohorts will defend. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth will attack. Good fortune!"

A bigger cheer went up—for the war games and for dinner. The cohorts broke ranks and ran for the mess hall and Percy grinned as she started moving almost instantly, Bianca by her side, grabbing her arm to slow her, "Percy- a word of advice- during the war games don't use their armor?"

"What?" Percy raised an eyebrow, "I don't understand-"

"When you need it, think about the locket-" Bianca gave a secretive grin, "and help my sister kick their butts okay?"

"Uh- sure." Percy fingers her locket- wondering what was so special about it as they moved again and headed towards Hazel, and when they reached her Bianca clapped her sister on the back, "Good job sis. That took guts, standing up for Percy.

Percy grinned and nodded, she'd been handed a little nameplate by one of the guards and she was undoing the chain of her locket and sliding the nameplate onto it- it didn't feel quite right but she was pretty proud nevertheless. "Thanks Hazel. Uh, just for the record what does it mean, you standing for me." "I guarantee your good behaviour," Hazel explained. "I teach you the rules, answer your questions, make sure you don't disgrace the legion."

"And…if I do something wrong?"

"Then I get killed along with you," Hazel said. "Hungry? Let's eat-"

"You-" Percy let out a yelp as Hazel whirled around and started walking away, and Bianca let out a laugh.

"Relax Percy. I don't think you're going to let anyone down. Come on let's follow her and eat."

So Percy and Bianca rushed after Hazel to the Mess hall- where Percy sat down on one side of Hazel and Bianca sat down on the other- and much to her surprise invisible wind spirits- aurae according to Hazel, waited on the counters. They seemed to somehow know what everyone wanted, they blew plates and cups around so quickly, the mess hall looked like a delicious hurricane. If you got up too fast, you were likely to get beaned by beans or potted by a pot roast.

Percy was incredibly pleased when she got a cheeseburger and- a blue soda- which was weird she knew, but, well, it made her smile widely. "Blue coke." she said the words softly as she picked up the glass and took a sip, sighing happily. "I don't know why but it makes me happy-" she noticed Bianca's very soft smile, the knowing glint in her eyes.

And just for a moment, one of the aurae became visible—an elfin girl in a white silk dress. She giggled as she topped off Percy's glass, then disappeared in a gust.

The mess hall seemed incredibly noisy to Percy, but in a good way. Laughter echoed off the walls. War banners rustled from cedar ceiling beams as aurae blew back and forth, keeping everyone's plates full. The campers dined Roman style, sitting on couches around low tables. Kids were constantly getting up and trading places, spreading rumors about who liked whom and all the other gossip.

It felt almost like home even if it wasn't quite right.

It did seem that the Fifth Cohort took the place of least honor. Their tables were at the back of the dining hall next to the kitchen. The table Percy had sat at with Hazel was the least crowded. Frank had joined the three girls, and one of the Centurions, who had introduced himself as Dakota, who reclined glumly on his couch, mixing sugar into his drink and chugging it. He was a beefy guy with curly black hair and eyes that didn't quite line up straight. Percy wondered what was in his drink because he didn't seem to be acting sober.

"So." He burped, waving his goblet. "Welcome to the Percy, party." He frowned. "Party, Percy. Whatever."

"Uh, thanks." Percy eyed him carefully, "Nice to meet you too."

"So you've met Bianca before then- saw you two talking. Ambassador from Pluto they call her. Reyna's never quite sure what to do with this one when she visits. You should have seen her face when she showed up with Hazel, asking Reyna to take her in. Um, no offense."

"None taken." Bianca seemed relieved that he wasn't pushing the fatct that they'd met before, Percy kind of was too. Whatever past she and Bianca had she didn't think she wanted total strangers digging too much. "Dakota was really helpful, standing for Hazel."

Dakota blushed. "Yeah, well…She seemed like a good kid. Turned out I was right. Last month, when she saved me from, uh, you know."

"Oh, man!" Frank looked up from his fish and chips. "Percy, you should have seen her! That's how Hazel got her stripe. The unicorns decided to stampede—"

"It was nothing," Hazel said.

"Nothing?" Frank protested. "Dakota would've gotten trampled! You stood right in front of them, shooed them away, saved his hide. I've never seen anything like it."

"That's awesome." Percy grinned at Hazel, "I'm pretty good with horses- I think anyway but honestly that's pretty impressive."

"It is." Bianca smiled, "I was really lucky to find Hazel. There's not many Pluto kids so we have to try and stick together-" there was something sad in Bianca's expression- and that made Percy strangely nervous.

"Do you have any other siblings-" and there was no hiding the startled look on Bianca's face, or the way Hazel tensed, her eyes flicking between Percy and Bianca.

And Bianca stared at Percy for a long moment before speaking, "A brother. I have a brother-" that made Hazel gasp sharply- clearly she hadn't known that, "But he hates me."

"Why?" Percy couldn't help the question, it just slipped out and Bianca looked away.

"I don't blame him. I kept screwing up. I abandoned him- left him on his own. Luckily for him he found a new family- not a blood family but they were good for him, he found a new sister. And I tried to fix things and they were going pretty well... until I let him down again worse than before- I wasn't there, I was selfish and I didn't- and because of that his new big sister..." her gaze flicked to Percy, "She died." and Percy noticed Hazel tensing slightly, her eyes flicking between Bianca and Percy too. "I don't know if it was my fault or not. But I know he blames me and I can't blame him- and he still gave me another chance and I fucked that up too. Now... now I think if he saw me again he'd probably try to kill me."

And Percy found herself reaching out, laying a hand on Bianca's arm, leaning past Hazel. "He'll forgive you I'm sure. Don't be too hard on yourself Bianca. You seem like a good person. I doubt you meant any harm."