Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Rick Riordan.
One week passed, then another.
It was afternoon, and Chiron had called everyone outside.
"I hope all of you had a lovely afternoon. There's something I want to try, but I want a person who already experienced it to come up and speak."
There was a mutter in the crowd.
"Annabeth," he called. "Please come on up."
She slowly went to him, wondering what it was.
Chiron pulled her and whispered, "I'm want to try capture the flag again."
Annabeth looked at him with shock.
"You discontinued capture the flag?!" she whispered a little too loudly.
Chiron rubbed his head. "There was slightly major accident ten years ago during a game. We discontinued it, but now I think its a good time to bring back old traditions."
No wonder why they hadn't played any capture the flag since she came here.
"Alrighhht."
Chiron smiled at her.
"So campers," she said to the crowd. "As you have heard, Chiron wants to start capture the flag again-"
The crowd started muttering almost immediately.
"Yup," she heard someone mutter. "A death by a fatal blow in the head. A hellhound?"
Someone else said, "They seriously want to start that thing again?"
Annabeth sighed. "Demigods!" she yelled. "I know you spent your time at camp fearing capture the flag." she said smoothly. "But in our day, it was a fun activity to learn new skills and something to look forward to. And anyway, the Romans still play war games at Camp Jupiter, right?"
The Roman demigods nodded appreciatively.
Someone snickered.
"In her day. Who cares of the old days?"
There was a gasp in the crowd. Annabeth swiveled her head toward the voice. The voice belonged to a blonde, with big blue eyes. She had seen that girl around camp, with a gaggle of girls, gossiping and flirting with the boys. Annabeth suspected she was a child of Aphrodite. Her suspicions were confirmed when the girl spoke again.
"I mean, right?"
This girl was a perfect visual for the definition of a dumb blonde. And people always thought Annabeth was one.
Annabeth scowled. The girl stepped back. Annabeth's features then changed into a full blown smile. She looked like a flower with that smile. Then Annabeth spoke. Her voice ruined the image.
"Young lady," she said to the girl coldly and harshly. "I am equivalent of age to your grandmother, even older. And I have many, many years of experience of girls like you!" she snarled. "Watch your mouth, are we understood?!"
The girl nodded frightenedly.
Then Annabeth explained the rules of capture the flag. Weapons and teams were given and announced, and preparations were underway. Finally, the game began. As usual, she was paired up with Percy.
It was clear that Annabeth had experience in this field. So she was the unofficial leader. She went into business right away.
Annabeth stepped onto a rock and looked at the crowd of demigods. Since they had never played capture the flag, the opposing team probably didn't know a lot of good strategies. The Roman demigods who had played war games at their camp probably were more experienced. But there was an equal amount of them in each team. So Annabeth decided on an effective, but simple strategy.
She visually split the demigods into two groups.
"Okay now, listen to me very carefully." She pointed at two demigods closest to her. "You two go and scout for the enemy's location."
They started to go but Annabeth stopped them.
"Not yet, listen to all my directions."
Annabeth pointed at the first group she had put together. "After you have located where the flag of the opposite team's is, go join that group. You guys will be the offense. As soon as I give the signal, you will attack the enemy openly."
There were questions immediately bursting out, but Annabeth held a finger out.
"My directions were clear. You will attack the enemy when I give the signal."
The group quieted down.
Now Annabeth pointed to the second group.
"You guys will be left to guard the flag," she said, indicating to a shimmering red flag that was propped onto a nearby tree.
There was a groan.
"How come we get the boring job?" somebody yelled.
Annabeth knew this would happen.
"Defense is just as important as offense. It even might be more important. A whole war could be won with a balanced number of offense and defense," Annabeth said wisely.
The group tasked with guarding the flag seemed to process this.
A demigod suddenly yelled out, "What are you going to do?"
Annabeth smiled. "I'm getting to that part. Percy and I," she said, giving him a hard pat on his shoulder, "will be talking the other team's flag while the first group shall create the diversion.
Percy looked confused. "We are?"
All the demigods yelled out a cheer. Annabeth grinned full on. "Not too loud, we don't want the Blue team to hear us," she said teasingly. She then sent the scouts to look for the Blue team's location.
o.O.o
Percy tried to keep up with Annabeth. They were running through the forest. The scouts had come back with plentiful information, so the offense group was on the move. Annabeth and Percy was also beginning their part of the plan.
He finally caught up with her.
"Hey Annabeth," he wheezed.
"Yeah?"
"Back when you guys announced this capture thingy-"
"Capture the flag," Annabeth said automatically.
"Whatever. You were a bit cruel to Rhodopis."
So that was the girl's name. "I don't want to talk about that." she said shortly.
"But-"
Annabeth shot him a glare. Percy shut up.
They reached the location of the enemy's base. Annabeth could see her team waiting in the bushes for her signal to attack. She turned to Percy.
"You ready?"
"No," Percy said nastily. He looked a bit green.
Annabeth laughed at his expression. "Come on."
They climbed up a tall willow tree. Then Annabeth gave the signal to the group to attack. There was a loud war cry. The Blue team, their warriors had obviously slacked off, were stunned. They quickly started fighting.
Meanwhile, Annabeth and Percy jumped out of the tree, and right into the heart of the enemy's base. The demigods guarding the flag looked stunned. There were only three. Percy used his sword and immediately knocked them out.
"Show-off," Annabeth muttered.
She grabbed the flag, but suddenly slipped. Before she had time to curse herself, Percy grabbed her waist. They both fell, with Annabeth under Percy. He had pinned her to the ground. Annabeth looked at him with wide eyes. It was so long since she had such a close contact with a boy.
Percy looked at her with a strange look. "Annabeth," he breathed softly. He lowered his face. And kissed her.
I hope you enjoyed that chapter. And also, MERRY CHRISTMAS! or HAPPY HANUKKAH! or HAPPY KWANZAA! If you celebrate none of these, well, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!