Frank's POV

'Preator Frank,' Percy said. 'I dare you to do the switch challenge.'

'I didn't say I wanted dare.' I said.

'Why would the almighty preator of the Roman Legion Fulminata back down from a dare?' Nik asked.

I gritted my teeth. 'Fine. But what's the Switch Challenge?'

'A game I just made up.' Percy said. 'Only works with shape-shifters.'

'So I'm the only one playing.' I muttered.

'That's the best part of it!' Percy said. 'The rules are simple; someone calls any random animal, and you turn into that animal—'

'While Get Your Freak On plays!' Will Solace said.

'I hate that song.' Hazel said. 'So many cuss words; and it's really catchy.'

'We used it as a skipping beat when I was little.' Nik said. Then she lit up. 'Woah; that'll be fun.'

'So in conclusion,' Percy said. 'Frank does The Switch Challenge while jumping rope to the tune of Get Your Freak On by Missy Elliot.'

'All in favor?' Piper asked.

Everyone except me and Hazel consented.

'Majority has the vote.' Leo said.

'But number one; I don't own a jump-rope.' Percy said. 'Number two; we can't play inside.'

'I'll take care of that.' Nik said. 'Let me go call Cecil.'

Nik carefully walked into the bathroom.

'Something's fishy.' Annabeth said.

'Why do you think so?' I asked.

'Nik, or any Hermes kid for that matter; doesn't miss an opportunity to steal.' Annabeth said. 'Why call Cecil?'

'Maybe she doesn't want to do any dirty work.' Hazel said. 'Maybe she's changed.'

We took a second before laughing at the idea. 'Nik? Change?'

'You're right about something being fishy.' Piper said. 'But not so fishy that a whole Nik Strano changes.'

'Someone should check on her.' Annabeth said. 'Piper—',

'Kay, dudes.' Nik said. 'Cecil should be here in five minutes. What should we do?'

I looked at Hazel like, Whoa.

'Hermes kid here.' Nik said, as if she read our minds. 'We're almost as fast as Zeus.'

'I thought you always said you were faster than Zeus.' Nico said.

'I will smack you back to the closet if you open your queer mouth again.' Nik said.

'And she's back.' Will muttered.

'If you guys can't decide; I say we eat brownies.' Nik said.

'For once I agree with you.' Percy said.

'All in favor?' Piper asked.

'I.' Everyone said.

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'Wassup?' Cecil asked when we opened the door.

So she wasn't lying, I thought.

In his hands he held two really long purple jump-ropes that seemed perfect for double dutch.

'Thanks man.' Nik said.

'Truth or death wish again?' Cecil asked. 'Who did you kill?'

She leaned closer to her brother and told him things that seemed to surprise him. 'You're kidding.'

'Your sister's got power.'

'Lot Hitler?'

'I know, right?'

While we went out they talked in argot for about two minutes until Piper told (read: forced) them to stop.

'Fine.' Nik grumbled. 'See you around, Bob.'

'Anytime, Maleficent.' Then Cecil ran away.

Percy's mom looked at Nik weirdly. 'You invited him all the way here to send him back again?'

'He didn't want to stay.' Nik said.

'You could've at least given him one of the brownies you leftover.' Mrs. Jackson said.

'Correction; forced us to give.' Percy muttered.

'Forget that.' Nik said. 'Princess; officiate.'

Piper rolled her eyes. 'Franklin; are you ready?'

I gulped. 'Maybe.'

'Who's on rope duty?' Piper asked.

'Me.' Annabeth said.

'Us.' Hazel and Leo said.

'I.' Nik said.

'Percy, Nico, Will and Jason; you're on random-animal-calling duty.' Piper said.

'And what about me?'

Turning around, we saw the punky face of Thalia Grace.

'Hey, Lia.' Nik said, her face as pink as her dress.

'So you weren't kidding about the dress thing.' Thalia said. 'You look like Sleeping Beauty.'

'Stupid, right?' Nik asked. 'Piper's fault, by the way.'

Jason turned to her. 'When did you—'

'Thalia's also on RAC duty.' Nik said. 'Now King Kong; get your freak on.'

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I started as a me.

'Feel the music.' Nik said.

'Listen to me now

I'm lastin' twenty rounds

And if you want me

Then come and get me now.'

'This thing really is catchy.' I said.

'Racoon.' Nico called.

'Panther.' Jason said.

'Pig.' Thalia said.

'Guinea pig.' Percy said.

'Really?' Annabeth asked.

'I just remembered Circe.' Percy said.

'I should turn into Circe?' I asked, changing back.

'You can do that?' Percy asked.

'Only one way to find out.' I said.

I tried, but it didn't work.

'Percy.' Annabeth said.

'What?' Percy asked.

'Not you.' Annabeth said. 'Turn into Percy, Frank.'

'I'm not an animal.' Percy said.

'Oh really, Fish?' Nik asked.

I turned into a fish and slowly lost oxygen.

'Dragon.' Nico said.

'Stag.' Thalia said.

'Nik.' Percy said.

I turned into myself and saw Nik giving him the side eye.

'Fine.' Percy said. 'Kangaroo.'

'Tanzanian devil.' Thalia said.

'What animal is Timon from The Lion King?' Jason asked.

'A meerkat?' Annabeth said.

'Meerkat.' Jason said.

'Actual cat.' Will said.

'Black panther.' Nico said.

'Wakanda forever!' Everyone except Hazel said.

'Elephant.' Nik said.

'Elephants can't jump.' I said.

'Dumbo, then?' Nik asked.

'You're not even on the team.' I said.

'Simba.' Leo said

'Now you're just joking around.' I said.

'Nicki Minaj.' Thalia said.

'Sam Smith.' Nico said.

'Chris Brown.' Will said.

'Lil Dicky.' Jason said.

'Donald Trump.' Percy said.

I was somehow able to turn into the 45th President of the United States of America.

'I told you that guy was an animal!' Percy cheered.

'Meaning you can turn into Percy.' Annabeth said.

'I tired.' I said.

'Turn into a frog before you stop.' Hazel said.

I did as she said.

Hazel dropped her side of the rope, picked me up and kissed me.

I turned into myself.

'I thought you didn't turn into cartoon characters.' Leo said.

'He can't because he is a cartoon character.' Nik said. 'Kung Fu Panda; remember?'

'Oh.' Leo said, laughing.

I seethed inside. 'Leo; truth or death wish?'