Okay, so I'm not super proud of this chapter. But hey, you know, at least there's a chapter! I've had this done for a day or two but I hadn't edited it. I saw a show last night, which was when I wanted to have it up! I edited it in math (also known as why I'm going to fail math).

I hope you enjoy! Also, I did change up the prophecy. I don't like how it turned out but it's important.

"Silena, you're up." Percy directed to the group of campers surrounding Zeus' Fist. They were preparing for the game of Capture the Flag against the hunters, determined to win.

The daughter of Aphrodite nodded, her demeanor signifying that she was ready for a fight. "Laurel, Jason, Tilly, follow me. Remember the plan, divert as many as possible." The group nodded and they set off.

"Annabeth—"

Said daughter of Athena chuckled. "Yeah, Percy, I know. You do remember we went over strategies together, right?"

Percy rolled his eyes. "I'm just making sure that you remember—"

"Invisibility hat, alone. I'm another decoy because they won't expect three attacks." She said with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah, smarty pants. Start sneaking out." She disappeared as she put on her hat, but Percy could still sense her general direction, and he assumed the experienced hunters could too.

The remaining few waited. Thalia and her group were prepared to seize the flag, while Beckendorf was guarding the flag with Percy. He had restored the golden dragon that used to defend the woods, so Percy expected the only major resistance would be Zoë Nightshade herself.

The son of Hestia had no idea what to do with the hunter he called a freind. He felt protective of her, even though he knew she needed none of his help. It was a weird balance. Percy signaled to Thalia that she was good to go, leaving Beckendorf and Percy. The Stoll brothers were out on the outskirts of their side of the forest, ready to distract the hunters so they had no chance of getting the flag.

Of course, it didn't work for everyone. Zoë Nightshade entered swiftly without making a sound. Another hunter was with her, but Zoë and Percy both knew the only people they would be fighting were each other.

"Percy Jackson." She said, brandishing his dagger.

Percy smirked, pulling out a dagger of his own. Although he had yet to address Zoë about the sword in his pocket, he felt odd using it around her. "Zoë Nightshade."

She attacked without warning, leaving Percy on the defensive. He quickly parried the hunter's blows with relative ease.

He made a slash for her side, one she barely sidestepped as his attacks grew in speed. Realizing that she was nearing being beaten at her own game, she growled.

When Percy struck for her sword arm, she unexpectedly ducked, knocking his feet out from under him. She smirked as she began to pin him, but she was immediately knocked on her back as well.

Percy rushed to his feet, but it seemed Zoë had the same idea. His dagger back in his hand, they both found themselves wondering who would be first to attack as they circled each other. It seemed they were too easily matched as each blow seemed to be matched with a parry from the respective opponent.

Neither of them were willing to give up the fight, despite the exhaustion that was starting to settle in.

After a few more unsuccessful attacks, Percy feigned left but quickly brought his dagger to her neck.

Unfortunately for him, he was not the only one with a dagger to the opponent's neck.

The horn sounded, signaling that the game was over. Both Zoë and Percy took their dagger away from the other's neck and ran towards the creek.

Zoë found herself to be inexplicably worried. She had noticed her sister get the campers' flag, but she feared it might have been too late. The campers had never had anyone as powerful as Percy on their side in a game.

Percy grinned as he saw the campers' victorious faces, the flag resting in Thalia's hands.

"We may have tied, but it seems our groups have not." Percy said to Zoë, who promptly punched him in the arm. He winced, and Zoë walked calmly over to her sisters.

The clearing silenced the second they saw a decrepit mummy in a tie-dye dress, a green mist following the mummified oracle. Images of a goddess bearing the weight of the sky were pictured around her, and the hunters all took a pained breath, their suspicions confirmed.

The oracle turned to Zoë. "Approach seeker, and ask." The mummy's voice was raspy, as if her throat had been dried too.

The hunter took a step forward, concern etched onto her face. "What must I do to save Artemis?"

The oracle glowed with Apollo's power, the prophecy coming out of her mouth, yet her mouth wasn't moving.

Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,

One shall be lost in the land without rain,

The bane of Olympus shows the trail,

Campers and Hunters combined prevail,

Prophecy's child to join the quest,

Lives forever changed for the rest,

The Titan's curse must one withstand,

And one shall perish by a parent's hand.

Zoë paled. Percy looked grim, finally understanding what Apollo meant about how he was needed on the quest. They would believe either Thalia or Orion had to go, and with Orion's condition, he would be out of it for at least the next month. That would teach him to mess with the hunters.

Many of the campers found it quite odd how much more reserved Orion had become. Percy figured one of the gods had finally come to threaten him—but at least the arrogant son of Poseidon was out of the picture.

"Counselor meeting!" Chiron called, heading to the ping pong table. Thalia looked paled, but both Annabeth and Percy were instantly at her side. They walked together in silent support for their friend.

Even if Percy knew he would never let her be the child of the prophecy, he knew how heavy the weight on her shoulders was. They all arrived, Phoebe at her lieutenant's side.

Orion seemingly had been wheeled out for the meeting. He was sitting in a wheelchair looking like a kicked puppy. "Why's Percy here? He's not a counselor."

Percy looked to Chiron, letting him know he wasn't about to leave anytime soon.

"I allowed him. Let us discuss the prophecy."

Zoë spoke first, as the prophecy was directed to her. "I will take my hunters and go."

Thalia scowled. "The prophecy clearly states campers and hunters. You have to take campers."

"Fine. I shall take you, then. Prophecy's child clearly relates to you." At Zoë's words, Thalia softened. Percy just realized how impossible it would be to get onto this quest.

"I would also like Phoebe by my side. A three to two split would do us well, I will ask my fellow hunters who would like to come tonight."

"Who will be your fourth then?" Thalia asked.

Annabeth raised her hand warily and Zoë sighed, but nodded.

"I do not wish to discuss this further. I will find one more hunter who wishes to come. We will leave at seven tomorrow morning, by Thalia's Tree." Zoë spat Thalia's name as if it were poison. Percy didn't know what bad blood was between the two, but he didn't question it.

"I would like to go!" Orion yelled, as if he had just woken from some sort of daze. The campers laughed. Percy had no idea what was wrong with the boy, but he was acting very strange.

"Too late, boy." Phoebe spat. "You are unwanted."

Chiron, sensing a fight might break out, stepped in. "Calm down. Everyone may leave, as Zoë has chosen her quest mates."

The group nodded and dispersed.

"Zoë, I need to talk to you." Percy said as the others cleared out.

Phoebe growled. "What do you want?"

Zoë put her hand up, silently telling her friend to back off. "Phoebe, leave us." Phoebe sighed but walked away.

"Is it alright if we speak in the forest?" Percy asked. Zoë hesitated, but nodded. They walked in silence.

They walked to Zeus' Fist, the only place Percy really knew in the forest.

"Zoë, before you see this as me being an arrogant male, I need you to listen to me." Percy explained, and she nodded cautiously. "I need to be on this quest."

She slapped him. "Never assume that you need to be a part of—"

Percy sighed. "Zoë! Listen." The hunter sighed, but kept quiet. "I am the prophecy child."

She looked at him confused. "You are adopted, you do not qualify."

He sat on Zeus' Fist, looking anywhere but her eyes. "Look Zoë, I trust you, even though we've just met. Can I trust you with this?" His voice was sincere, and Zoë knew this was important.

She looked at the boy in front of her, wondering if she did trust him. He was a fantastic fighter, and he had promised to help save Artemis. He had gained her lady's admiration even after just meeting him, something that still surprised her. He had put up with her attacks and anger for his gender, but he never showed any anger towards her. He seemed to understand that she had hated men for centuries—millennia, rather—and didn't let it get him down. "Yes." She said quietly. "I do trust you. Though I don't know why."

Percy smiled sadly. "My birth father is Poseidon." He couldn't look her in the eyes. He hadn't told anyone this unless it was out of necessity, and even then, it was still hard. He felt a tear slip out of his eye, something he hoped she didn't noticed.

She did. Gods, she didn't know what to do with a crying male. It wasn't something Zoë had experienced ever.

"Gods, ignore me." Percy muttered, wiping a tear away. "I hate crying, it makes me feel vulnerable."

Zoë rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a male; crying is not weak."

Percy chuckled, his sadness gone. He looked over to Zoë with a smile on his face. "So, can I come?"

She scoffed. "Yeah, you can come."

"Thanks." He said, a small smile playing on his lips. "This is going to sound stupid, but you're one of my only living friends."

The hunter chuckled lightly. "Yes, that is what happens when you live in the Underworld with dead people."

"Hey!" Percy protested, but he laughed anyways.

Their laughter quieted. "For the record, you're one of my best male friends."

Percy smiled happily. "More like your only male friend."

Zoë scoffed. "Like you have any friends in the first place."

He frowned but his eyes sparkled with happiness. They sat in silence for a few moments. "I meant to give you this." He pulled out Riptide, his trusty sword, and handing it to the hunter. "I had a dream about it, and well, it's yours."

She looked to him but didn't take it. "I gave that to Heracles before I joined the Hunt. I trusted him, and he let me down."

"You don't have to tell me."

She smiled. "I know." She paused, ready to tell her only male friend about her parentage, just as he had done to her. "I was one of the Hesperides, erased after I betrayed my family for Heracles. I helped him, something I still regret. My family cast me out and I asked him to take me with him. He left me, and I was banished forever. Despite it all, my lady let me join the Hunt, and I am forever grateful." Zoë looked up to Percy sadly. "My father is Atlas. I am to die on this quest."

Percy shook his head vigorously. "You will not die on this quest." He stated, and Zoë was taken aback by how factual he sounded.

"You cannot defy the fates."

He shook his head again. "The Hunt is your family. They need you. And I most certainly will not let you die."

"Percy, that's not a decision you can make." She protested, but she felt recognized. The fact that this boy she barely knew was ready to save her life was comforting.

He grabbed her hand, and looked her in the eye. "Zoë, I will not let you die."

For a moment, Zoë didn't know what to do. Percy's hand felt warm in hers, and she never wanted to let go. Realizing what he'd done, Percy pulled his hand back and looked away.

She crushed him into a hug. "Thank you."

Percy relaxed into her embrace, never wanting to let go. They pulled apart at last. "I promise, Zoë." He said, standing up. "Now, come on! We've got a quest tomorrow!"
The hunter laughed but followed her male friend. Maybe, just maybe, all males weren't so bad.