In which Gaea is a bitch and I am sorry for the fact that I keep taking so long to update- I'm trying to build up a backlog again but it's hard because I'm still super busy. I just don't want to get to the stage where I have nothing to post and then to get stuck. Also- who do you guys think is gonna bleed?
Replies:
Undeath9087: I do try, and yeah, I just got so so angry when I read that comment and shit needed to be said.
Divolo: See I get where you're coming from I just don't agree fully- there will undoubtedly be white girls, even if they're not front and centre. There's no lack of representation. And I mean, as I said, I think changing Annabeth as they have actually opens up her character even more.
Ellen: See you gotta think of them as two Annabeths, book Annabeth will stay as she always is, and TV Annabeth will also undoubtedly be awesome. I get that changes like that are jarring and it'll take getting used to- but it adds depth to her character that being blonde doesn't in modern times and also- I would rather they had a black actress who nails Annabeth and has chemistry with Percy's actor than a white blonde actress who doesn't.
Ant-death: The movies had their issues I'll say that. They missed too many central parts of the plot. Annabeth being brunette was never a problem for me, the other stuff was. Why should an actress risk damaging their hair for something that isn't actually that significant to the character? If they want to sure but like- it's not that deep. And honestly I dunno why a homophobe would bother when it's so clear that they is gay in this.
Guest: I think it's just a pos dumbass honestly. But I really wanted to make sure everyone knew my stance because anyone like that can get the heck away from my fics as far as I'm concerned. I have no interest in racists or homophobes.
AlexusAP: See, see we agree so much! I had so much anger when I read that review.
Guest: I mean, why would a homophobe get this far right? And yes! The dumb blonde cliche died years and years ago- at the time of the books coming out yes- but we've got lots of characters who defy that stereotype these days- Elle woods being the most clear example. Whereas a smart badass little black girl? Fighting against being underestimated because of skin color? That's a great modern way to shift Annabeth so that feeling of being underestimated for her looks remains right?!
Drizzle: Well I had a lot to get off my chest. If I catch anyone being mean to that girl I will throw hands I swear to god.
Guest: Eh, they can go shove it. And honestly- it's about the plot and staying faithful to the characters personalities is important. The 'I don't know how I feel about you' scene never felt like Annabeth and bugged me more than the hair in the movies. I just want them to feel like the characters, the looks aren't nearly so pivotal.

After having their moment the four girls had to focus. They all knew their plan- head towards the Parthenon, sneak around the perimeter and disable as many of the siege weapons as they possibly could. Which was good in theory, but Piper did bring up a useful question.

"It's broad daylight. How will we go unnoticed?"

"Annabeth probably has a plan." Rachel remarked, "You talked to Frank and Hazel earlier right?"

"Yes I did." Annabeth smiled proudly. "I did make a plan with them. Hopefully..." Annabeth almost trailed off as her eyes scanned the sky- and then she lit up. "Ah! Look."

A bee zipped overhead. Dozens more followed. They swarmed around a column, then hovered over the opening of the pit.

"Say hi to Frank everybody."

And Percy snickered, her eyes meeting Rachel's briefly as they both chorused at once, in the same voice that younger kids would use when greeting a teacher. "Hi Frank!" which made Piper let out a bubble of laughter and Annabeth just smiled softly, a fond smile flashing across her lips.

"You two think you're so cute don't you?"

"Well it's been working for us so far." Percy winked at Annabeth and Rachel smirked.

"She's right. And for the record I'd say we're adorable."

"All three of you are so adorable it's almost sickening." Piper remarked, a faint smile on her lips as she watched. "As a daughter of Aphrodite I wholeheartedly approve."

"Yes, well, Frank is our go between. As soon as he gives Hazel the word she'll-"

"Holy fuck balls!" Percy shrieked the words. Mostly because suddenly instead of her two girlfriends plus Piper she found herself staring at three hulking six armed Earthborn.

"Hazel's mist." Piper- it had to be Piper even though her voice was now deep and gravelly.

Percy swallowed hard- she doubted her expression was pretty with her new Earthborn face. "Useful I guess." she muttered the words-shrugging off Rachel's attempt to grab her hand, shaking her head. "It's fine. I just really hate magic. Even if it's Hazel using it."

"We get it-" Annabeth started to speak but Percy shook her head.

"No-no-" she held up her hand- or as it looked like, three hands, "I get the sentiment and it's super sweet but no you don't get it. Believe me I wouldn't want you too. Let's just get this over with."

And Percy was glad that she couldn't truly see Annabeth's face because she had no doubt that the other girls expression was hurt, and Rachel's too probably. It was probably an uncomfortable reminder that they would never fully understand the depths of Percy's feelings on some matters.

Still, Annabeth was good at forcing herself to move forward because when she spoke again there was just barely a trace of the upset in her tone. "We should get going then. I'll move clockwise around the perimeter. Piper, you move counter clockwise. Percy, you scout the middle. Rachel do you have a gut feeling on who you should go with?"

"I-" Rachel hesitated, her eyes flicking between the three of them as she clearly tried to figure out who would need her. "It's uncertain." she said after a moment, a frown crossing her lips. "I don't like this you three. But I think I'll stay with Annabeth."

"Good- but I will wear t-" Annabeth paused as she shoved her hand into her back pocket, her brows furrowing, "I know I had it-"

"Had what?" Piper tilted her head, "What's wrong Annabeth?"

"My hat." Annabeth shook her head, "I take it pretty much everywhere with me." she started patting her other pockets, as if expecting the hat to appear out of thin air, "It started working for me again after I found the Parthenos. I might not like using my mothers gift now but it is useful."

"Maybe it fell out of your pocket?" Piper suggested, which just made Annabeth's frown deepen- and Percy couldn't blame her. Annabeth was always careful with her hat. And Rachel- there was a dark look in her eyes, distant and fearful. Percy wondered if she could sense something. If the hat would be needed- if Annabeth would die without it. The thought made Percy want to turn back, to search through the tunnels, to scour them until she found it. But Annabeth's voice drew her out of those thoughts.

"It doesn't make any sense if it fell out I'm sure I'd have felt it. I've never just dropped it and not noticed before."

"I really, really don't like this but we don't have any choice now. We have to keep moving." Rachel's face was grim, and she met Percy's gaze briefly. And even now, with everything that had happened they could still talk silently. And she knew that Rachel didn't understand her gut feeling anymore than Percy did. But she could see the silent promise in the other girls eyes. She'd take care of Annabeth. No matter what else happened she would protect their girlfriend.

"Right." Annabeth straightened her back. "We need to move now. And hurry. That chanting.." she trailed off, and Percy winced. She'd been aware of it but she hadn't been dwelling on it- or she'd been trying not to anyway. She didn't appreciate the unpleasant reminder. It was an ominous drone in the distance. Like a hundred forklifts idling. And if she looked at the ground- which she was trying to avoid doing- as if looking down would draw Gaea's attention, she knew she'd see little bits of gravel trembling and skittering southeast, as if drawn towards the Parthenon- or as Percy feared, towards Gaea."

"Right." Piper sounded uneasy. "We'll meet up at the giant's throne."

And with that they parted ways.

And Percy followed the plan, or she tried to as she headed towards the centre, towards the Parthenon, blending in amongst the monsters thanks to Hazel's spell.

And Monsters were everywhere- Earthborn, Cyclopses, there were Dracaena and Empousai, every monster she'd ever seen and then some. It made her chest feel tight with fear, uncomfortable and uncertain. Usually when she was so surrounded by enemies she was fighting, not trying to blend in amongst them as she looked out for onagers to destroy. .

And ahead of her- she could see the Parthenon- from the distance she was still at she couldn't see clearly- just that there were lots of crowds around the Parthenon- she couldn't see what was happening inside, other than the heads of maybe twenty to thirty giants standing in a circle, chanting and swaying.

She had to swallow hard repeatedly at the sight. It was not a comforting one.

And it didn't help that Annabeth and Rachel were somewhere out there too. Out there without her. And she knew, she knew they could handle themselves, really she did. But it still left a horrible unpleasant taste in her mouth.

It was as she was walking past a group of Empousai that things went wrong- they were gathered around one of the ruins, and she walked past them easily enough- but something caught her eye and she faltered mid step, coming to a halt and staring ahead of her.

She wouldn't look back. She wouldn't she couldn't have seen what she'd thought she saw.

But despite her own mental mantra she found her head turning, quite against her will.

And yes she was right- there was a flash of orange, and sat there on some of the ruins was a familiar figure.

Percy swallowed hard, pinching her arm- which unfortunately didn't wake her up. That meant that this wasn't a nightmare. And it couldn't be real so she turned her head away, forcing herself to breathe.

It had to be Gaea, she was messing with her mind. The bitch had made it clear that tormenting Percy was one of her favorite things to do.

Unfortunately turning her head and moving on did not help. Mostly because the hallucination, as she decided to deem it, just moved with her, appearing out of thin air in front of her, green eyes sparking with amusement.

"Come on princess." his voice was almost playful, "You should know that I'm not that easily ignored." Alabaster's voice made Percy feel sick to her stomach- for a brief moment she was back in Tartarus, his screams echoing in her ears, sweet as sugar with a rush that sent her twice as high as any sugar rush could.

But he didn't look like the broken shell she'd left behind in that cave. He looked like himself again, wearing a camp tee just as he had when they'd first met, and a pair of jeans.

If Percy didn't know better she'd think he was just a normal camper. Not a twisted monster.

But she did know better. She knew Alabaster- and even in this fake version of him she could see that little spark in his eyes, the burning light of insanity.

This might be a fake but it looked real. Right down to that smile he was giving her as he walked backwards, so that he could face her, speeding up as she did so that she couldn't overtake him.

"Fuck off." she hissed the words under her breath, "You aren't real. This is just Gaea fucking with my head."

"Aweeeee." Alabaster cooed the word, "Poor Perce. This is really messing with your head isn't it?"

"You're not real. I don't have to respond to you."

"I mean, you don't have to." he shrugged, a casual little movement, "You don't have to do a lot of things that you end up doing."

Percy forced herself not to respond. If she kept talking she'd give herself away which was the last thing any of them needed, and was probably part of Gaea's plan.

Of course Gaea wouldn't let it be that easy- Alabaster kept moving, making sure to stand right in front of her, almost chanting her name in a singsong voice, occasionally adding "You know it's rude to ignore your victims, you tortured me and murdered me. The least you could do is speak to me."

"You aren't real." Percy hissed, "I don't have to respect a hallucination."

"Aren't I?" Alabaster came to a halt in front of her- and Percy kept moving.

She should have walked straight through him, it should have felt like nothing.

It shouldn't have felt like walking through a wall of ice wherever she touched the hallucination, it shouldn't have offered any resistance but the air where he was stood seemed thicker somehow- and she stumbled as she stepped through him, whirling around a terrified look on her face as she did- and he was right in front of her, terrifyingly close.

He smirked at her as she shook her head. "You're a hallucination this isn't real." her voice was slightly louder than it had been, the fear making her caution fade slightly- and she didn't notice the glances some of the monsters were shooting her.

"Am I though?" Alabaster's little smirk made Percy's heart almost stop. "Gaea might not be willing to bring me back with a physical body like the ghouls, but- well, a ghostly form is enough. Especially for this purpose."

"No." Percy stared at him in horror- and his appearance shimmered and shifted.

Suddenly those handsome features weren't so handsome anymore, his face was as pale as his namesake, his lips blue, eyes bloodshot, with blood dripping down from them like tears, and his nose was bleeding too.

And she could see blood on his hair, blood all over him.

She staggered backwards, stifling a scream by slamming her hand over her mouth, "No. No no no."

"Yes." his voice was barely more than a hiss as Percy shook her head frantically. "I might not be solid. But I'm real Percy. Look what you did. Look what you did to me Princess. I thought you loved me. You used me- and you think you're better than me?" he was advancing and Percy was backing away.

"You can't touch me you're just a ghost." her voice trembled- and she tried to use her powers- to force him back with his own blood but he was a spirit. There was no blood.

And he grinned, a wide bloody grin as blood started to dribble past his lips and down his chin. "Tell me you love me princess. Join me in death and you can be free-"

"No!" Percy screamed the word, whirling and bolting- and then there was a sharp pain in her head. She saw a flash of a Laistrygonian giant, a club, and then nothing.

And her last thought as she blacked out was that Gaea was very, very smart.