Percy groaned as he climbed off the bus. His back felt like a donkey had kicked it. "Whoa," Nico said as he climbed off the bus. "Is that a climbing wall?"

"Yeah," Percy said.

"Why is there lava pouring down it?"

"Little extra challenge. Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron. Zoe, have you met—"

"I know Chiron," Zoe said stiffly. "Tell him we will be in Cabin Eight. Hunters, follow me."

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered.

"We know the way."

"Oh, really, it's no trouble. It's easy to get lost here, if you don't"—he tripped over a canoe and came up still talking—"like my old daddy goat used to say! Come on!"

Zoe rolled her eyes, but she figured there was no getting rid of Grover. The Hunters shouldered their packs and their bows and headed off toward the cabins. As Bianca di Angelo was leaving, she leaned over and whispered something in her brothers ear. She looked at him for an answer, but Nico just scowled and turned away.

"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters. He winked at me. "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy, for the future is a tricky thing. I'll see you all soon."

"What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, he hopped back in the bus. "Later, Thalia," he called. "I… wish you all good fortune in the wars to come." Percy and Thalia stared at him, baffled.

He gave them a wicked smile, as if he knew something they didn't. Then he closed the doors and revved the engine. Percy turned aside as the sun chariot took off in a blast of heat. When he looked back, the lake was steaming. A red Maserati soared over the woods, glowing brighter and climbing higher until it disappeared in a ray of sunlight.

Nico was still looking grumpy. Percy wondered what his sister had told him.

"Who's Chiron?" he asked. "I don't have his figurine."

"Our activities director," Percy said. "He's... well, you'll see.

"If those Hunter girls don't like him," Nico grumbled, "that's good enough for me. Let's go."

The second thing that surprised him about camp was how empty it was.. Just the year-rounders would be here in the winter—the ones who didn't have homes to go to, or would get attacked by monsters too much if they left. But there didn't even seem to be many of them, either.

He spotted Charles Beckendorf from the Hephaestus cabin stoking the forge outside the camp armory. The Stoll brothers, Travis and Connor, from the Hermes cabin, were picking the lock on the camp store. A few kids from the Ares cabin were having a snowball fight with the wood nymphs at the edge of the forest. That was about it. Even Clarisse didn't seem to be around.

The Big House was decorated with strings of red and yellow fireballs that warmed the porch but didn't seem to catch anything on fire. Inside, flames crackled in the hearth. The air smelled like hot chocolate. Mr. D, the camp director, and Chiron were playing a quiet game of cards in the parlor.

Chiron's brown beard was shaggier for the winter. His curly hair had grown a little longer. He wore a fuzzy sweater with a hoofprint design on it, and he had a blanket on his lap that almost hid his wheelchair completely.

He smiled when he saw them. "Percy! Thalia! Excellent, I see Gohan delivered my message successfully! Ah, and this must be—" "Nico di Angelo," Percy said. "He and his sister are half-bloods." Chiron breathed a sigh of relief. "You succeeded, then." "Well..."

His smile melted. "What's wrong? And where are Annabeth and Gohan?" "Oh, dear," Mr. D said in a bored voice, "Not another one lost. Especially the otherworlder. What a tragedy." His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Percy had been trying not to pay attention to Mr. D, but he was kind of hard to ignore in his neon orange leopard-skin warm-up suit and his purple running shoes. (Like Mr. D had ever run a day in his immortal life.) A golden laurel wreath was tilted sideways on his curly black hair, which must've meant he'd won the last hand of cards. Percy was more than familiar with Mr. D's hatred of Gohan. It was frankly for the most annoying of reasons, but still.

"Gohan's fine. He just took off without warning and ran off somewhere. He said that he'd be back soon." Percy snapped in frustration. Chiron let out a sigh of relief while Mr. D rolled his eyes in disappointment.

"Oh well."

"What do you mean?" Thalia asked. "Who else is lost?"

Just then, Grover trotted into the room, grinning like crazy. He had a black eye and red lines on his face that looked like a slap mark. "The Hunters are all moved in!"

Chiron frowned. "The Hunters, eh? I see we have much to talk about." He glanced at Nico. "Grover, perhaps you should take our young friend to the den and show him our orientation film."

"But... Oh, right. Yes, sir."

"Orientation film?" Nico asked. "Is it G or PG? 'Cause Bianca is kinda strict—"

"It's PG-13," Grover said.

"Cool!" Nico happily followed him out of the room.

"Now," Chiron said to Thalia and Percy, "perhaps you two should sit down and tell us the whole story." Percy and Thalia then retold the story, even the embarrassing parts.

When they were done, Mr. D snorted.

"No wonder the boy doesn't want to show his face. Too embarrassed." Percy's face flushed. Chiron was a bit more sympathetic.

"You both made mistakes. Fortunately, they didn't become your final mistakes. After all, one of the greatest teachers is mistakes. However, I am more concerned with the description of these… creatures you described. A girl with the power to mimic Aphrodite's abilities and take complete control of men? I've never heard of such a thing."

"Maybe she was a powerful demigod?" Percy suggested.

"I've never seen a child of Aphrodite preform what you described, Percy, not once in all my years of training. Yes, her daughters have some ability with the manipulation of love, and can charm boys. But, not on the scale you described to me. Not even one with the ability to charmspeak. This is… different."

Chiron turned to Mr. D. "We should launch a search for Annabeth immediately."

"I'll go," Thalia and Percy said at the same time.

Mr. D sniffed. "Certainly not!"

Thalia and Percy both started complaining, but Mr. D held up his hand. He had that purplish angry fire in his eyes that usually meant something bad and godly was going to happen if they didn't shut up.

"From what you have told me," Mr. D said, "we have broken even on this escapade. We have, ah, regrettably lost Annie Bell—"

"Annabeth," Percy snapped. She'd gone to camp since she was seven, and still Mr. D pretended not to know her name.

"Yes, yes," he said. "And you procured a small annoying boy to replace her. So I see no point risking further half-bloods on a ridiculous rescue. The possibility is very great that this Annie girl is dead."

Percy wanted to strangle Mr. D. It wasn't fair Zeus had sent him here to dry out as camp director for a hundred years. It was meant to be a punishment for Mr. D's bad behavior on Olympus, but it ended up being a punishment for all of them.

"Annabeth may be alive," Chiron said, but it was obvious he was having trouble sounding upbeat. He'd practically raised Annabeth all those years she was a year-round camper, before she'd given living with her dad and stepmom a second try. "She's very bright. If... if our enemies have her, she will try to play for time. She may even pretend to cooperate."

"That's right," Thalia said. "Luke would want her alive."

"But his partner doesn't." Percy countered, still remembering how terrifying the encounter had been in the Princess Andromeda.

"Luke won't let his partner hurt her. He still cares about her." Thalia countered. That did NOT help Percy's mood in any way.

"In which case" said Mr. D, "I'm afraid she will have to be smart enough to escape on her own." Percy got up from the table.

"Percy." Chiron's tone was full of warning. But of course, Percy ignored him.

"You're glad to lose another camper," Percy said. "You'd like it if we all disappeared!"

Mr. D stifled a yawn. "You have a point?"

"Yeah," Percy growled. "Just because you were sent here as a punishment doesn't mean you have to be a lazy jerk! This is your civilization, too. Maybe you could try helping out a little!"

For a second, there was no sound except the crackle of the fire. Everyone either looked shocked, impressed, or nervous. The light reflected in Mr. D's eyes, giving him a sinister look. He opened his mouth to say something—probably a curse that would blast Percy to smithereens—when Nico burst into the room, followed by Grover.

"SO COOL!" Nico yelled, holding his hands out to Chiron. "You're... you're a centaur!"

Chiron managed a nervous smile. "Yes, Mr. di Angelo, if you please. Though, I prefer to stay in human form in this wheelchair for, ah, first encounters."

"And, whoa!" He looked at Mr. D. "You're the wine dude? No way!"

Mr. D turned his eyes away from me and gave Nico a look of loathing. "The wine dude?"

"Dionysus, right? Oh, wow! I've got your figurine."

"My figurine."

"In my game, Mythomagic. And a holofoil card, too! And even though you've only got like five hundred attack points and everybody thinks you're the lamest god card, I totally think your powers are sweet!"

"Ah." Mr. D seemed truly perplexed, which probably saved Percy's life. "Well, that's... gratifying."

"Percy," Chiron said quickly, "you and Thalia go down to the cabins. Inform the campers we'll be playing capture the flag tomorrow evening."

"Capture the flag?" Percy asked. "But we don't have enough—"

"It is a tradition," Chiron said. "A friendly match, whenever the Hunters visit."

"Yeah," Thalia muttered. "I bet it's real friendly."

Chiron jerked his head toward Mr. D, who was still frowning as Nico talked about how many defense points all the gods had in his game. "Run along now," Chiron told them.

"Oh, right," Thalia said. "Come on, Percy."

She hauled Percy out of the Big House before Dionysus could remember that he wanted to kill Percy.

"You guys already got Ares on your bad side," Thalia reminded "You need another immortal enemy?"

"Sorry," Percy said. "I couldn't help it. It's just so unfair."

Before they could continue arguing, Gohan shot out of the sky and landed in front of them, rubbing snow off his shoulders. It was very quick, but Percy noticed Gohan slip something inside his pocket.

"Hey guys, what'd I miss?" Percy and Thalia stared at Gohan.

"Where have you been?" Thalia demanded.

"I needed to get information. I got it."

"From who?" Gohan pressed his lips together.

"I can't tell you that."

"Excuse me?" Thalia demanded incredulously.

"I made a promise. I can't break it." Thalia looked at Percy before glaring back at Gohan.

"You believe this?" Percy swallowed nervously.

"Thalia…"

"I bet he has a girlfriend! That's what he was doing! He doesn't give a damn about Annabeth-"

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Percy had to jump between the two, keeping them apart.

"STOP!" he screamed, throwing his arms out.

"Please, guys! We can't help Annabeth like this!" He pleaded desperately. Gohan and Thalia glared at each other, sparks dancing across their bodies. Finally, Thalia let out a roar of rage before stalking off, leaving them behind. With her ragged black hair and her black punk clothes, an old wool overcoat wrapped around her, she looked like some kind of huge raven, completely out of place in the white landscape.

Gohan grumbled as he rubbed his hands together.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. Later. It's been a bad night for all of us." Percy was stunned by his own maturity. He sounded like his mother.

"Sorry. I got a little… angry."

"I get it. I just though you'd be… angrier. All things considered." Gohan cracked his knuckles, making Percy take a step back.

"I am. But screaming and blasting energy everywhere isn't gonna do anything."

"You should probably go see Chiron and Mr. D." Gohan let out a loud groan.

"Can't I do that tomorrow? I've been through enough today, and I really need a nap." Percy shrugged in response. Gohan paused by the armory and looked out across the valley, toward the top of Half- Blood Hill. Thalia's pine tree was still there, the Golden Fleece glittering in its lowest branch. The tree's magic still protected the borders of camp, but it no longer used Thalia's spirit for power.

"This sucks. Annabeth's gone… and I couldn't help me. Me! ME! Sometimes I wish..."

"We'll get Annabeth back," Percy promised. "I just don't know how yet."

"Yeah. Normally, Annabeth's the one who comes up with the plan." Percy was silent.

"Well… looks like its up to us now. You're really smart. If anyone can save her, you can." Gohan frowned as he looked at Percy, both boys silent as the wind rustled around them.

"Thanks, I really needed that."

Over at the basketball court, a few of the Hunters were shooting hoops. One of them was arguing with a guy from the Ares cabin. The Ares kid had his hand on his sword and the Hunter girl looked like she was going to exchange her basketball for a bow and arrow any second.

"That looks like it won't end well." Gohan grinned.

"Leave it to me." Then, a bright yellow ball appeared in Gohan's hand. He cocked it back, like a pitcher about to hurl a baseball, and hurled it into the air. It was completely harmless, of course. Far more bark than bite. The ball exploded over the court, releasing a flash of dancing lights, like fireworks. The hunters and Ares camper and stopped cold, looking up the hill to see Gohan, a cross expression on his face.

"HEY! Don't make me come down there!" The camper and Hunters were silent for a moment, and then the Ares camper let out a series of explicative words and stalked off.

"Very diplomatic." Percy joked.

"They've all seen what I can do. Sometimes, Percy, the best warriors are the ones who end fights, not start them."

"Thanks, Yoda." Percy joked. AS they walked, Percy filled Gohan in on what had happened after she left.

"So, capture the flag, huh? Sounds fun!" Percy rolled his eyes.

"I knew you'd say that. Try not to bash the Hunters, huh? You're not still mad at them, are you?" Gohan rolled his eyes.

"Why would I be mad?"

"Ummm… Bianca? I know that you have… issues with that sort of thing."

"Percy, please don't try to be my shrink." Percy sighed, nodding his head.

"I don't suppose you can tell me where you were." Gohan had a pained expression on his face.

"Percy, I wish I could tell you. I really do. But… I made the vow, if you know what I mean." Percy blinked in surprise. He realized exactly what Gohan was referring to: a vow on the River Styx, the most sacred vow one could make.

"Seriously?" he nodded.

"So, please drop it." Percy shifted nervously, before quickly changing the subject.

"Sorry. So, what do you think about capture the flag?" he asked

"You should be team captain."

"Me?" Percy was surprised, to say the least.

"Yeah, why not? You're a son of Poseidon, and done a few heroic deeds. You're not exactly the scared little kid who I met two years ago." Percy blushed in embarrassment.

"How about you? You should be captain." Now it was Gohan's turn to look surprised.

"Me? But I'm not even a demigod!" Percy shook his head.

"Yeah, but look at all the cool things you can do! You're super smart, like it or not. You're the guy who beat Ares, and saved us from the cyclops! Plus, you can actually read. Come on, you do it." Gohan pondered on that for a moment.

"What about Thalia? Maybe we should ask her what she thinks."

"You're joking. Seriously, you have to be. Thalia hates you." Gohan shrugged.

"We should still talk to her. Maybe we three could be co captains. Like a Roman Triumvirate." Percy grumbled.

"I really hate that you can pronounce that."

The cabins were the weirdest collection of buildings you've ever seen. Zeus and Hera's big white-columned buildings, Cabins One and Two, stood in the middle, with five gods' cabins on the left and five goddesses' cabins on the right, so they all made a U around the central green and the barbecue hearth.

The two made the rounds, telling everybody about capture the flag. Percy woke up some Ares kid from his midday nap, since Gohan wouldn't go inside the Ares cabin, and he yelled at them to go away.

When Percy asked him where Clarisse was he said, "Went on a quest for Chiron. Top secret!"

"Is she okay?"

"Haven't heard from her in a month. She's missing in action. Like your butt's gonna be if you don't get outta here!"

Percy decided to let him go back to sleep.

Finally, Percy got to Cabin Three, the cabin of Poseidon. It was a low gray building hewn from sea stone, with shells and coral fossils imprinted in the rock. Suddenly, Gohan had an awkward expression on his face.

"What?"

"I gotta admit, I sure missed having you around. It can get lonely sometimes."

"Please tell me you didn't wreck the place." Gohan grinned nervously.

"Ummm… I forgot to clean up today."

"Oh come on, how bad could it b-GGGAAAAAHHHHHH!" Percy choked in horror as he stared at his cabin. To say it was a mess was an understatement. Gohan's used clothes were splayed all over the floor, as well as a pile of books puled Gohan's bed around.

"Dude!"

"Sorry."

"DUDE!"

"My mom was a neat freak, okay? When you grow up with that, you tend to lazy up a bit when you're on your own. I didn't know you were gonna show up today!"

Percy took off my wristwatch and activated the shield. It creaked noisily as it spiraled out. Gohan stared at it in shock.

"I did that?" he asked, stunned.

"Yeah. It saved my life a few times. Frankly, I'm shocked it managed to stand up to you."

The dent kept the shield from opening all the way, so it looked like a pizza with two slices missing. The beautiful metal pictures that my brother had crafted were all banged up. In the picture of Percy, Gohan and Annabeth fighting the Hydra, it looked like a meteor had made a crater in my head. Percy hung the shield on its hook, next to the Minotaur horn, but it was painful to look at now. Maybe Beckendorf from the Hephaestus cabin could fix it for him. He was the best armorsmith in the camp. He'd ask him at dinner.

Percy sighed as he took Annabeth's baseball cap out of his backpack and set it on his nightstand.

Gohan was silent, looking at the hat. It was like a silent taunt, a cruel reminder of their lost friend

"I didn't know you found that." Percy sighed.

"I'll give it to her when I find her." He blinked in surprise when he felt Gohan's hand on his shoulder. He turned to see a firm, confident expression on Gohan's face.

"No. When we find her."