ANNABETH
"Frank. Dude. It was not your fault. Things like this happen all the time." Nico said. He seemed to know the feeling of being responsible for someone's life.
"My friend is hurt! Help!" I yelled.
"Do not worry. It is just a bruise. Untreated, it will heal in a week. She is healing fast." Percy said.
"Frank, you are so chubby and cute! You are so caring of everyone. They are lucky to have such a compassionate yet strong leader. Don't beat yourself up over something you could not have prevented." Katie said.
He just smiled at Katie and sat next to the hearth. All his friends sat next to him while we sat in the opposite side. They seemed so close. I remembered what Percy said – we owe each other our lives.
"Did you really say Frank roared?" I asked Jason.
"Yes. Like a lion. Hearing that, the second lion ran. Piper also tried to speak to it. It obeyed for some time. It actually stopped moving and blinked. Then, after Frank came, it started to move." Jason said eyeing Piper with awe. I just nodded. They seemed weird.
"Just like old times eh?" Leo said.
"Yeah. I never imagined a day when we would sit around a fire like this. Thanks for the berries Katie. They taste well with the meat." Percy said smiling at his friends.
Then, he pushed some of it into the hearth. I thought the smell was going to be bad. It in fact turned out to be really enticing. It was like the dish my grandmother used to make when I was small. I saw all of them push some food in mumbling something.
"What are you guys doing?" Calypso asked.
"It is part of our religion to sacrifice food to the gods whenever possible." Piper said.
"What religion is that?" Drew asked.
"Greek." Leo snapped.
"We are also half-Greek you know."
Piper smiled at us like a gracious host saying," You do not find a connection."
Suddenly I did not think they could be demigods. I really wanted to know one thing though. "Frank is the leader of a camp?"
"Yes." Percy said.
"And you are?"
"A camp leader and the friend of Super-Sized McShizzle!" Leo said grinning.
Percy just laughed and shook his head. Eventually, After a few minutes, everyone was asleep. We were woken up by Nico yelling and Percy silently sobbing. They were both looking like people who had lost hope of ever having a normal life.
All the others woke up and shook them awake. They woke up and just checked if everyone was okay and just sighed and slept back.
PERCY
When I woke up at daybreak, Piper, Leo, Frank and Katie were up. I shook Nico awake and we joined them around the burnt out fire.
"So you guys sleep well?" I asked conversationally.
They snorted in unison. Then we laughed rolling in the grass.
"It is fun that we can laugh together. I have honestly never had such good friends in my life. Thank you for being my mortal anchors." I said raising my metal sword in salute.
"For real?" Leo whispered.
"Of course." I replied smiling at them. They jumped on me and promptly got hurt.
"Ow!"
"Percy!"
"Honestly! Can't we pounce on you for once and make you fall on the ground."
"Nope." I said popping the 'p' and grinning at them as they rubbed their sore bodies.
"Hey guys." The voice of a nervous Calypso said. We turned to see the bullies up and bleary eyed.
"Yeah?"
"Well…we were wondering…if we could…" Annabeth started. She was cut off by coach Hedge who stumbled into the clearing.
"Hedge!" Frank said.
"Hey cupcakes! You're safe." He said directing the last part to the bullies who now looked offended.
We were promptly saved, scolded, praised and marveled at by our Parents, students and the principal. Finally, we were sent home with one of those police shock blankets as if we had witnessed a murder or bloody crime. We chuckled at the irony of it.
Since the next day was the last day of school we were asked to come for the grades and farewell speech in the assembly.
Our grades were given, we had a speech for the seniors who were leaving and finally, our last lunch as juniors came around. We sat at our table thinking about our marks, the forest and the bullies who, just due to our luck, turned out to be demigods.
"Should we tell them now?" Piper asked breaking the silence. We all looked at each other and nodded and got up with our lunches in our hands.
ANNABETH
During lunch we didn't talk much to each other except about marks and kept glancing at their table. We wanted very much to sit there but it was pretty tense and they seemed very quiet and sad. Finally,
"Guys, I really like them. They are not bad." Jason whispered.
We all nodded. We were about to get up when they walked up to us with their lunches and sat down spreading themselves between us. Percy then took a deep breath and said, "Okay. I know we all haven't been the best of people to each other. So can we have one normal lunch conversation that is very important?"
"We were about to come actually." I whispered.
Leo stifled a laugh. We all narrowed our eyes at him and he raised his hands defensively and said, "I just imagined what people would be thinking at the moment or if you came to our table. Just look around if you don't believe me."
A chuckle went around our table when we turned to see the flabbergasted expressions of the people in the cafeteria. They openly stared but we turned back to the conversation.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Will asked.
"Oh! Yeah! Apparently you lot…" Leo started
"have Dyslexia and ADHD…" Katie continued
"Wrongly diagnosed I say…" Nico said
"can speak Ancient Greek or Latin…" Frank said
"and have one not so mortal parent." Percy finished
We gaped to put it plainly.
"You…You all are…" Jason stammered.
"Hush guys! Wait till we are in an even more crowded place and then announce it." Katie said.
"Who are your parents?" Will asked.
"Introductions for later." Nico said waving it away.
"Meet us in the gym after school." Frank said. "We will be able to introduce ourselves without the unwanted audience."
They got up, nodded to us and left. We sat there for a second stunned.
"They are our relatives?" I whispered.
"Yes. And they are definitely more experienced. Did you see the way they fought each other?" Will asked.
"And the way they handled the wilderness?" Jason chimed in.
"Not only that, remember the day Frank walked into the cafeteria?" Calypso reminded.
Promptly, the bell rang and our conversation was cut short and we headed into our classes. After a few more grades, school was finally over. We waited patiently in the gym for almost two minutes and almost left to see them walk in talking seriously.
"What took you so long?" I asked.
They broke apart and Percy and Nico just said, "Episode."
We nodded wanting to ask them later.
"Anyways, you guys are the worst actors I have ever seen! Can't you guys act normally?" Leo asked.
"What? The people at camp told us to keep a low profile!" Will said.
"Obviously Lucy. You guys are jocks. You should act normal, gossip, chat and continue as if you never changed." Piper said. "That was what Lucy meant."
"Oh!" Jason said.
"By the way…" Nico started. He was cut off by a resounding roar. We turned to see a massive lion the size of the gym.
"Guys! Stand back! I don't know what monster this is!" I yelled.
At that point, a hydra and the medusa walked in with a turban and sunglasses on and stood behind the lion.
"You guys can handle this?" Percy asked casually.
"Fine." I snapped.
They sat down coolly near the bleachers and gazing at us with boredom etched on all their faces. We ignored them and started to fight the Lion together. Whatever we did to its hide backfired. It was like fighting a roaring and living wall. We soon were pushed back and scrambling away. As the lion walked in front, Percy and his gang just walked in front of us.
"Hands off." Percy snarled.
"Frank?" Piper called.
"Katie and Leo, enjoy with the Hydra." Frank said.
Katie got out daggers and Leo got out a hammer.
"Let's go." Katie said. She jumped on the Hydra and started to cut a head as it thrashed.
"That would get you nowhere! You'll have two new Hydra heads!" Jason yelled.
"But fire stops it." Leo yelled.
"But how are you going to get…" I started.
By the time I had finished, Katie had sliced a head off and Leo just pointed a finger and flames came out it and singed the area. They continued for another head and then Katie stabbed it and dragged the dagger through the flesh. It disappeared into dust and they just kept it cool and walked back.
"Piper and Nico, Medusa."
"With pleasure." Nico said as they walked in front. Piper carried her dagger and Nico carried a stygian Iron sword.
"Let us see what you are made of." Medusa hissed as she took out her turban and glasses.
"Everyone! Close your eyes!" Percy yelled and we all promptly shut it.
"If that is what you want Medusa, Close your eyes and whap up your snakes." Said a beautiful voice I identified as Piper's. I felt like obeying it but the only thing that stopped me was the fact that I had no snakes for hair.
"This will not stop me Piper." Medusa hissed.
"But this will." Nico said. There was a sickening sound and we all opened our eyes. Piper was standing before the dissolving figure of Medusa and Nico stood behind with his sword absorbing the dust as it dissolved.
"Finally, Percy and me Nemean Lion. Rest, mist."
Percy then uncapped that pen he keeps fiddling with and it extends to a bronze sword. Frank just reaches for his back and he gets a beautiful bow and quiver. Percy just walked forward casually and said, "Long time no see kitten!"
The lion roared but Percy just said, "Ooh! Feisty! It only you could be tamed, you would be the kitten version of Piper."
Piper just laughed and said, "She can't make you do whatever she wants Percy! Make sure not to try me!"
Everyone else in their group just chuckled. Frank at this point had knocked five arrows on his bow and Percy was pretty elusive and hadn't yet struck the lion.
"We have work to do guys! It's not play time. We're bored!" Katie said.
"Aw! Come on! Can't you curb your ADHD for a minute to let your dear leaders have some fun?" Percy said.
"No!" Everyone but Frank said.
"Fine." Frank grumbled. "Anytime Percy! I think you had fun with the cat." He said.
"Fine." Percy grumbled. Then he just jumped on its jaw and pulled it down.
"Wow." I said.
Hazel just nodded with me. When its mouth was fully open and it was thrashing, Frank released his five arrows and they struck the lion's uvula. It promptly choked and dissolved into dust leaving a stench of sulphur.
"Holy Hell!" Will said.
They all just laughed.
"I thought you guys could handle 'adverse' situations" Nico said.
"Don't be insane Neeks! They were there only for 2 days." Piper chastised.
"Yeah! But we were able to do better than that by the end of a day!" Nico said.
Katie opened her mouth to argue but then nodded and conceded.
"Let's show the rookies the safe house." Frank said.
"Rookies?" Jason asked.
They turned to us seriously and said, "Yeah. Rookies."
We nodded and followed them to café omega. To meet someone 'important'.
When we entered, there was a girl who was wearing punk attire and had electric blue eyes like Jason's but raven black hair like Percy. She was wearing a silver hooded parka.
"Jason?" The girl asked as her eyes landed on us.
"Thalia!" Jason said before hugging her.
KATIE
We stood up and walked out ushering them. They followed. Then I saw a group of 20 Dracaena.
"The great Perseus Jackson and, with my luck, so many saviors of Olympus! We will eat well today!" The leader hissed.
"12 demigods. Got to expect something." Percy said.
"Frank!" Leo said.
"Leo, torch them so we can go. Others try to keep the mist up for as long as possible. Go!"
Leo just made a gesture as if holding a platter for a giant. The asphalt bubbled and the monsters just screamed and charged. They never made it out of the bubbling section. The others looked bored.
"Leo needs rest. Let's go to the safe house." Frank said.
We went to the safe house. They seemed awestruck. We entered and dragged them in. Leo just flopped on a bunker. Percy gave him some ambrosia. Leo smiled at him and popped in. He was too tired so he slept.
"Let us go upstairs for a bit to get us acquainted. Leo will join us there." Piper said like a gracious host.
We went upstairs and went inside the grey tiled room. They looked around as if to say 'This is so boring'.
"Let's start with introduction. Full titles." Frank said. Percy groaned.
"I guess I'm first. I am Katie Gardener, daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and plants. I have defeated not as many monsters as Percy has. I am a hero of Olympus and a survivor of the Giant War. I am counselor for the Demeter Cabin in Camp."
"I am Piper McLean, daughter of Tristan McLean and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. I am a Charm speaker, I am one of the Heroes to defeat Gaea, mother earth herself, Hero of Olympus and a survivor of the Giant War. I have fought many monsters. I would not mess with me." Piper said.
"Wise advise Pipes." Percy said.
Leo chose that time to enter and stand in front.
"I heard Piper introduce. My turn! I am Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus, god of forges and fire. I am one of the seven. I am defeater of Gaea, I have come back from the dead, I am a fire user which is rare like Piper's power, I built the agro two, and I am the counselor of Cabin 9 and a Hero of Olympus."
"You came back from the dead? How is that possible?"
"Physician's cure. Trust me. I heard Hades grumble about it for a month." Nico said shaking his head.
"Go on Death Breath." Frank said.
"I am Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, god of the underworld and riches. I am the counselor of Cabin 13; I am the Ghost King and a wanderer of the labyrinth. I was a witness to the fading of the God Pan and participated in the battle of the labyrinth. I am one of the seven. I helped navigate through the House of Hades, I have travelled to the underworld countless times, survived…Tartarus, used pomegranate seeds and I am a Hero of Olympus. The title is given to people who survived the titan war. I am not saying everything! I am just saying important ones."
"There were wars in America? That was why I saw weird creatures traipsing around? Who knew?" Jason said.
"Now onward, I am Thalia Grace, Daughter of Zeus, god of the sky. I am the immortal lieutenant of Artemis' hunters. I am the wielder of the replica of the shield Aegis; I have been fighting monsters ever since I was six, I am Hero of Olympus and a survivor of the Giant War."
"I am Frank Zhang, son of Emily Zhang and Mars, the god of war and the legacy of Poseidon; I am a praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata and the counselor of the Ares Cabin when I visit Camp Half-Blood. I am a pachyderm. I am one of the seven, defeater of the giant Alcyoneus, freer of death, helper in the killing of Gaea, survivor of the Giant war, and survivor of the house of Hades. I kill monsters every day, etc."
"Don't forget your titles Percy."
Percy groaned and said," I am Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson. I am the counselor of Cabin 3. I am the defeater of Ares, retriever of the Master bolt and the helm of darkness, survivor of the sea of monsters and the underworld five times, one of the retrievers of the Golden Fleece, bearer of the sky, rescuer of Artemis, wanderer of the labyrinth, witness of the fading of Pan, fighter in the battle of the Labyrinth, defeater of Antaeus, bearer of the curse of Achilles, defeater of Kronos, savior of Olympus, refuter of immortality, one of the seven, freer of death, defeater of Polybotes, Ex-praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata, defeater of the giant twins, survivor of…Tartarus, friend of bob, defeater of Iapetus, closer of the doors of death, survivor of the Giant war and Titan war, Hero of Olympus, and killed every monster Greek mythology has talked about at least twice. I might have forgotten something here and there, don't mind."
The only thought that was running in our minds was – Oh poop we just messed with the demigods.