Quite a while ago, I read the Camp Half-blood Confidential (I believe it is called). There was a story of the first group of demigods in there, and I did not agree with it, so here is my version.

Chiron looked out over the forest, from the platform where his cave was. Well, cave, it looked more like an actual house these days. Chiron took a sip of Ambrosia; his life was so peaceful. He was thankful to Apollo for training him in the medical field, archery and the arts. Chiron had almost forgotten about what the god had said after the training: that he would send Chiron students, so he could teach them how to be heroes.

Zeus, high up on his throne on mount Olympus, had not. He had heard about Apollo's idea months ago, but he figured that right now would be a good moment to try and see if Chiron could take care of teenagers. At the moment, Zeus was aware of two demigod sons of his existening. He would subtle plant the idea in their minds to go to Chiron. Not that he really knew where either of the children were hanging out at the moment, but the idea would reach them anyway.

It was already late in the afternoon when Chiron heard something. It sounded like a screaming human child. He threw his bow over his shoulder and galloped out of his cave, into the forest. The sound came from the east side; Chiron knew there was an open field somewhere around there. An open field where monsters sometimes hung out. He decided to look there first. When he reached it, he saw two human children trying to do something against a pretty big cyclops.

Chiron shot it down with ease. He looked at the two kids on the grass. One of them was still sitting up, shaking. The other one was lying on the grass, and was so still that Chiron feared the worst. He slowly came closer. 'Hello.' The sitting kid tried to get up, and stretched his hand, as a weak attempt to fend him off. 'I won't hurt you if it is not necessary,' Chiron said soothingly, 'I swear it on the river Styx.' The child seemed to calm down because of those words, but they still looked eary. They got onto their feet.

'Who are you?' Chiron asked. 'I am Chiron.' The child straightened their back, even though they still looked scared.

'My name is Perseus, son of Zeus,' he answered. Chiron raised his eyebrows. He knew there were two demigod sons of Zeus around, because Apollo had told him, but he had not expected the lord of the heavens to trust one of them with him. 'Alright, Perseus. Please wait for a bit; I need to check your companion.' Perseus nodded.

'Of course.' (His voice sounded less wobbly). Chiron kneeled down next to the other child.

'Is this... your half-sister?' He asked, as soon as he noticed the other kid was unconscious. Perseus shook his head.

'No. He told me he is also a son of Zeus, but refused to tell me his name.' Chiron must have had a weird look on his face, because Perseus continued: 'oh, yeah, he looks like a girl. I don't know why.' Chiron picked the second son up, after noticing that he was bleeding from a wound on his shoulder.

'Alright. I guess I'll first have to treat him to find out, then.'

Perseus seemed to be hesitant to come along, but he did anyway, probably figuring that breaking your vow on the Styx was stupid and dangerous, so Chiron would not touch him. 'Are you wounded?' Chiron asked. Perseus nodded.

'Not so badly, but I got this cut on my arm,' he answered, while showing Chiron a wound on his arm. Chiron looked at it as well as he could, which was not very good (considering he was also carrying an unconscious person). 'That doesn't look good. I'll take a look at it when we are home.'

When they reached the cave, Chiron lead Perseus immediately to his small infirmary. He put the kid he was carrying down on a bed. 'Will you get me that towel and those bandages?' He asked Perseus. The demigod handed it to him. While Chiron was bandaging the shoulder of his companion, he quietly looked at it, sitting on a chair, while holding the towel against his arm. Chiron checked the breathing and heart rate of the other child - which was fine - and after that decided to wait until he woke up.

'So, why were you and your brother in this forest? It is full off monsters.' Perseus slowly shook his head.

'It might sound weird, but I think we were seeking you. I do not know why.' Chiron could understand why very well, seeing as how both kids were sons of Zeus and Zeus had the power to put ideas into people's heads. 'Well, you are here now,' Chiron answered, 'how old are you?'

'I am twelve. I do not know how old he is,' he said while gesturing to the other child.

Chiron finished bandaging up the wound. 'Do you want something to eat or drink? After that, you'll need to rest.' Perseus nodded. Chiron gave him something to eat and drink, plus a piece of Ambrosia to heal his arm, which Perseus silently ate. After he was done, he fell asleep in five minutes. Chiron cleaned up the dishes. He turned around, and looked into the infirmary, where both kids were still asleep. 'This feels pretty weird,' he muttered to himself, as he went to bed as well.

That night, the second kid woke up. He felt dizzy and sick, plus his sight was blurry. He realised he was in a new area. 'Perseus?' The other kid was to tired to wake up, but Chiron heard it. He put on a lamp and walked into the infirmary. 'Hello.' The kid let out something that sounded like a scream, but quieter. 'It's alright,' Chiron said, 'I swore on the Styx that I wouldn't hurt you and your friend, and that also goes for you.' Just like it had calmed down Perseus, it seemed to calm down this one.

'Who are you?' The kid asked. Chiron got some water.

'Your voice is cracked. My name is Chiron.' His patient did not answer. 'What is your name? Your brother told me you did not tell him.'

The kid nodded. 'I did not want to. He told me he was seeking you to, but I could not be sure that he... did not work for the Queen.' Chiron raised his eyebrow.

'The Queen? Of your kingdom?'

'No, the heavenly queen.'

Chiron nodded slowly. 'You knew he was your brother, though. You still did not trust him?'

'No.' It stayed silent for a while.

'Yet, I believe our father send us on this quest, so I think I can trust you. And him, probably.' He gestured to Perseus. Chiron nodded. 'So?..'

'It is not my real name, but everyone calls me Dionysus, so it would be easier if you call me that to.'

'So you are that kid from mount Nyssa, then? Hm. I guess I can understand your fear of... the queen. Yet, I promise she will not come here.' Dionysus raised his shoulders, but then let out a scream that went over into a yelp.

'There is a wound on your shoulder. You and Perseus were attacked by a Cyclops.' Dionysus nodded.

'I remember that.' Chiron yawned.

'It is pretty late. You should try to get some more sleep; tomorrow I can explain where you two are.'

'Alright.' Chiron put out the lamp, and walked back to his own room.

The next morning, he woke up again. He got out of bed, ready for a new day... Oh, right, those kids. He walked to the infirmary. They were both still asleep. Considering the day they had yesterday, he let them, and decided to get something for breakfast instead. Nothing fancy; bread, cheese and water.

After five minutes, Dionysus stepped out of the infirmary. 'Good morning,' Chiron said cheerfully. 'Hello,' Dionysus replied. He sounded iery. 'Perseus is still asleep.' Chiron nodded.

'Right. Are you hungry?' Chiron answered. Dionysus nodded.

'A little.' Chiron gave him some bread and water.

Perseus got into the living room a few minutes after that. 'Good morning... Oh, can I also have some food?' He said as he sat down. Chiron nodded, and put his cup down on the table.

'Alright. I believe Zeus has send both of you this way, so I can train you, for... something.' Perseus put his bread down. 'So you do not know either?' Chiron shrugged.

'There is evidence that demigods attract monsters. I think I'll start by teaching you two how to fend them off.' Both of them nodded.

After breakfast, Chiron took both of them outside - and he immediately realised he had no idea what to do. 'Uh... can one of you already use a weapon?' Perseus put up his hand (his arm had healed because of the ambrosia, Chiron guessed).

'I have done some basic sword training!' Chiron nodded.

'Good. And you?' Dionysus shook his head.

'Nothing. They, eh... wanted to keep the illusion up, I guess.' He tugged on his sleeve. Chiron looked away. He didn't know what to say to that. 'Oh. Eh, Alright, Perseus, I have strawmen for training sessions. I'll give you a wooden sword first, alright?' Perseus nodded enthusiastically. 'Yes!'

Chiron turned to Dionysus. 'Maybe you should first let your shoulder rest. Stay close to the house, alright?' Dionysus nodded slowly - Chiron noticed he was slightly disappointed.

'I'll get water as well.'

Chiron brought Perseus to the training area. 'Here is a wooden sword. Now, please show me what you can do.' Perseus smiled enthusiastically, and attacked a strawman. Chiron took a step back, while it basically dissolved during the first strike. 'Woah. I did not expect that,' he remarked. Perseus looked back. 'You think it is good? I have been training since I was seven!' Chiron raised his eyebrows. 'Amazing.' he kept silent for a moment. 'Did you have to, or are there other reasons?' Perseus' face got darker.

'Well... I want to fight of bad guys.' Perseus looked at the wooden sword. 'If I can fight, I might keep the monsters away from my mother, and the people in the village. Than... than I can be a hero!' Perseus' eyes flared up, but they swiftly stopped sparkling. 'I am a son of the head god Zeus. I... I need to be strong.'

Chiron listened to his students' ramblings. 'Say, Perseus... do you wish to do that because you want to... or because you want to prove yourself?' he softly asked. Perseus' smile faded.

'...Both, I think. I... I want to do the... right thing, but I also... I also want my father to... recognise me.' Perseus looked at the ground. Chiron walked closer to him.

'I do not think that that is unusual. I have heard of lots of sons who wish to make their fathers' proud.' Perseus gaze glided to his sword again.

'Yes, but those fathers are... not the king of the heavens. They'll be proud of their sons when they correctly lead an army, or are capable with a sword. I... I feel like I need to do so much more. Like I need to do something truly great.' Chiron laid his hand on Perseus' shoulder.

'Those are very ambitious thoughts for a twelve-year-old.' Perseus did not react.

'Chiron? Will you train me so I will be able to do... something great?' Perseus looked up at Chiron. The centaur saw the determination and hope in his eyes. 'Perseus?'

'Yeah?'

'I'll promise to make you one of the best heroes ever.'

They trained for a few more hours - although Perseus was well-trained and talented, he still needed a few pointers. When it became lunch time, they walked back to the cave. 'Chiron, that was great!' Chiron nodded.

'You were great, Perseus. Yet, don't remember that you still need training, and strawmen are not real enemies - you might need to find a training partner to fight with.' Chiron tapped his cheek. 'You'll probably need to find someone in your home town. If Dionysus truly never tried to fight before, he won't be a good sparring partner.' Perseus nodded thoughtfully.

'Yeah, you're right.' They reached the cave, and they stepped inside.

'Dionysus?' Chiron called. No-one answered. Chiron turned around. 'Dionysus?' He heard something rustle by a few nearby-trees. 'Over here.' He climbed out of a tree. 'What did you do?' he asked Perseus as soon as he reached the cave. 'Sword-training,' Perseus answered. 'Now we'll get lunch.' Dionysus sighed.

'Good.' he walked inside. Chiron looked down, at Perseus.

'I think I'll have to train him in... something. Why don't you train some more on your own after that?'

'Fine. Yet, Chiron, he really isn't that strong.' Chiron shrugged.

'We'll see about that.'

During lunch, Perseus kept blabbing about how great his first training was. When he left, and Chiron tried to talk to Dionysus, he noticed that he was gone already. He stepped outside, and walked over to the small group of trees. 'Dionysus?'

'Here.' He heard something in the trees. Dionysus climbed down a few branches, until he was a Chiron's level. Chiron raised his eyebrows. 'You climbed up a tree in a long chiton and without your hair tied up?' Dionysus looked into his eyes.

'Yes. I have had long haid my whole life, I always wear this, and you get used to it.' Chiron took a deep breath.

'Have you ever worn traditional male clothing?' Dionysus shrugged.

'Yes, but it doesn't feel much different than female clothing. I know there are people that feel really weird in male or female clothing, but I don't. And let me guess: Now you are going to ask me what I am generally good at.' Chiron stared at him.

'No, you do not have to tell me that. Yet, you are older than Perseus, right?'

'Yes, I am fourteen.'

After a few minutes, Chiron started to speak again. 'Is there a reason why you climbed in this tree?'

'The dryad was okay with it.' Chiron blinked.

'You asked the dryad of this tree if you could sit on this particular branch.'

'Yes.' Chiron raised his eyebrows (Again. I am going to strain them if these kids are here longer, he thought, just like my neck). 'You can talk to dryads... Maybe it is a weird question, but can you also... manipulate plants that are not inherited by dryads?'

'I believe so, but not trees.' Dionysus hopped down from the branch. 'There is a small bush of wild strawberries over there. I can show you.' Chiron followed him. Dionysus kneeled down. He let his fingers run past the leaves. The vines started to grow around his wrist, circling it like a bracelet. More strawberries slowly grew out of the new vines. 'I think I picked it up because of the nymphs. One of them showed me how to let plants grow quicker.'

When the vines reached his elbow, he slowly pulled his arm back. He picked a few strawberries, and handed them to Chiron while getting up again. Chiron took a bite out of one. 'They are sweeter than any other strawberries I have tasted.' Dionysus shrugged again.

'Hm. It isn't very impressive, though, is it?'

Chiron sighed.

'It isn't a bad skill, though.' Dionysus shrugged. His expression darkened.

'Yeah, but it isn't really what people expect from a son of Zeus, isn't it? I mean, Perseus is strong. He can fight; that's what people want to see, not some kid who can let plants grow.' He tugged on his skirt.

Chiron laid his hand on his good shoulder, but Dionysus continued: 'There must be other ways to fight than with strength, though.' He turned around, and Chiron couldn't say he thought the glint in his eyes was completely harmless. 'There must be a way to... fight by breaking someone's mind.' Chirons' eyes got big. 'You mean driving them mad? That... That isn't really...' Chiron fell silent. Dionysus nodded.

'I know, Chiron, it's impossible.' He patted Chirons' hand. 'Don't worry.'

After a few more hours, it was time for dinner. Dionysus offered to help Chiron cook, and it turned out he also wasn't bad at that. Just as they sat down to eat, Apollo came rushing into the cave. 'CHIRON! I need help!' He yelled. He was carrying a little bundle in his arms, and the little bundle was crying. Perseus and Dionysus stepped back - they looked at the sun God in awe.

Chiron stepped closer to Apollo. 'Apollo, is that a baby!?' Apollo nodded.

'His name is Asclepius. His... His mother died, and I cannot take care of him. I... I just wanted to ask...' A tear rolled down Apollo's cheek. Chiron picked the little bundle of baby out of Apollo's arms. 'He needs milk. There is a small amount of milk in the back, will one of you get it?' Dionysus walked away. Apollo twiddled his thumbs while he was standing in the living room. Perseus came a little closer. 'So... you are the god Apollo?' Apollo nodded.

'You must be Perseus.' Perseus nodded enthusiastically.

'You know my name?!' Apollo didn't reply. The baby started crying louder, while Dionysus came back with the milk. Chiron started warming it above the fire, while busily talking with Apollo, about the baby. Perseus looked at Dionysus. 'What if we just go outside for a bit?'

After an hour, Apollo had explained everything, the baby was clothed and sleeping and Apollo and Chiron had catched up. 'Apollo, thanks that you came along, but I need to see those other two kids.' Chiron stepped outside, and looked around. 'Dionysus? Perseus?' He didn't get an answer. He yelled their names again - louder.

'I can't find them,' he said to Apollo, slightly panicked. Apollo walked a few steps outside.

'I believe they are in the west part of the forest.' Chiron gave him a quick nod.

'Thanks, Apollo, now I have to find the...' He stopped talking when he saw both of the demigods casually trodding out of the forest; as casual as when can when your entire body is covered in monster dust.

'I think I found a training partner,' Perseus remarked. Dionysus shrugged.

'I helped, somewhat. I can be in the trees just high enough for the monsters to not reach me, so Perseus can get to them.' Chiron sighed deeply (While acting like he did not hear Apollo laughing loudly behind him). 'Well... this surely is not going to be an easy job, is it?'

(It wasn't. Yet, even four-thousand years later, Chiron still loved his job).