A/N: OK, this one will be a little bit longer, as I said. A lot goes down for Percy, and this will be the first part of his "test." And again, thanks for the positive feedback!

Percy POV

I am still nervous. It's been a day, and I'm supposed to have ADHD. And yet, I know full well that when the Gods plan something, they stick to it. And the worst part of it? Most of their plans end up succeeding. But still, threatening me is something Ares would do, but planning a huge war is not his cup of tea. I know he's the God of War and everything, but he's more of a "do-er" and not a thinker. He'd rather charge into battle with the biggest sword, straight to the biggest enemy. But plan it out? That isn't something he's ever had to do. He's the God of War.

But it was time to get my mind off of it. All I wanted to do was spend a day with Annabeth, my girlfriend. I had gotten a new shirt and jacket, courtesy of Mitchell from the Aphrodite Cabin. I also got my hands on some beautiful flowers from the Demeter Cabin and some chocolate from the Dining Pavilion (although Chiron still doesn't know). All in all, I was ready to woo Annabeth Chase.

Annabeth POV

Funny, I was really in the mood for some chocolate during lunch…seems it's all gone for some reason. I usually spent my free hour with either Percy Jackson, my best friend turned boyfriend, or designing the new Olympus since it was my gift from the Gods at the end of the Second Titan War. And since Percy wasn't around, I was stuck finishing plans for a statue of Ares, like he had asked.

Oh, Seaweed Brain. It seems only yesterday I was detested by him. But that was only because he seemed weak and unmanly…not to mention the rivalry my mother, Athena, has with his father, Poseidon. But that didn't last very long…day after day, I slowly grew a liking of him. And then that liking eventually blossomed into attraction, then it was infatuation, then…well, love. I'd never admit it to him first though. Guys always run when you say that first. At least as far as I'm concerned. But he has been undoubtedly acting strange lately…like he's been building up to something. Maybe he's ready to say it to YOU, I thought. Maybe it's time. Maybe he's "the one", or whatever it is Aphrodite blabbers about aimlessly. The sky thundered. Ok, Ok! You have aim!

My serene silence was quickly broken by a strange visitor. He flashed into the middle of my room with a black hood over his head, and his eyes looked like they were full of…flames. His hands rested in a state of relaxation in his coat pockets, and his grimace slowly morphed into a fake grin. Not to mention his staggering height and violent aura. At that point I knew who he was.

Ares.

"Annabeth," he said through his teeth. "Beautiful…as always. I see you've already made plans for my statue on Olympus."

"If this is about Clarisse, I swear that wasn't my fault, my knife got caught on her pants and it sort of ripped—"

"What?—No, what the—!" he stammered. "That is NOT what I am here to discuss with you, girly."

"Oh? Then what?" I asked cautiously. I knew the Gods all too well. They're discussions usually involved favors, and their favors usually involved turmoil or loss. And Ares had that look all over his face.

"You know your boyfriend, Jackson?" he began, "Percy isn't it? Damn, that kid can swing a sword, woo a lady, and all of the above. I'm almost jealous. Ya see, this isn't my intention. There's someone else behind this all. But that's not important. What is important is that I'm ready to make Percy the perfect warrior."

Perfect warrior? I don't like where this is going…

"But you know what they say about guys like that? They say there can't be any…distractions. I view the heart like I view a horse: you gotta break it until it gets to be its strongest. And little Perseus hasn't gotten his pretty little heart broken yet."

"But…he and I are in lo—"

"He doesn't need you, Annabeth. You slow him down. And the Perseus I hope to know in a few weeks doesn't need to be slowed down by a woman. He'll be such a powerful demigod, one day. Eventually he may even become a God like me. But he won't serve his father. He and I will be like two peas and a pod."

I stared at the floor in defeat. "You came here to tell me how worthless I am to him?"

"No. I came here to tell you that in order to keep the man you love safe, you have to stay away from him. Here's the deal: you break up with him today. Tell him there's "another man" or some shit like that…maybe Connor Stoll? Don't worry though, I'll let him know what's up. There will be no confusion, Chase. But the main thing is, if I go ahead with this and you two are still together, he'll have something holding him back. And no warrior of mine will be held back for anything. Understood?"

"What's in it for me? I mean, I am giving up the man I love. What will you give me in return?"

"In return?" he asked me. His expression grew even wider, as if he was trying not to laugh. "Heh. The man you 'love' will live to see another day."

Percy POV

I walked across camp to the shore with an undeserved sense of self-accomplishment. Ok, maybe it was deserved. Dude, come on! I'm PERCY-freaking-JACKSON. I'm the Savior of Olympus, hero of the prophecy, and one of the strongest demigods known to mankind. And I've got a hot girlfriend to boot. Uh-oh—the sky rumbled. I guess I'm not allowed to say that while Athena can still use her ears…

Then I saw her. Annabeth. She was sitting at the edge of the shore waiting for me. She was only wearing a tank top and shorts, but she looked as beautiful as a hundred—no, a thousand—glowing diamonds. I found myself walking to her on impulse. Then that turned into running. I might have even had a hop in my step while I made my way over.

Annabeth POV

Oh Gods, I can't do this to him. I can see him running up to me, and he looks as happy as ever. He's holding Orchids…ugh, my favorite flowers…and chocolate too? So he's the thief from earlier. This will be so hard…but its for his safety…

"Hellooo, beautiful!" he mused as he scooped me up with his free arm. Damn, I thought to myself. I think he got stronger…

Percy POV

Gods, she is so beautiful. She looks absolutely gorgeous. Nothing could ruin this moment.

"I brought you some chocolates," I mused. For some reason, I was singing a lot today. "And your favorites: Orchids. Freshly picked, thanks to Katie Gardner."

"T-thanks," she stammered. Hmm, I thought. She must have something on her mind…

So we sat down and talked about our days (although I preferred to listen to hers more than tell of my own). She was bothering me, though, like she was detached from the current situation. I had to ask her. I mean, I never like people to conceal things from me. I want her and I to be able to talk about anything, no matter what…

"Is something…wrong, Annabeth?" I asked carefully. I was truly afraid to hear the answer.

"Y-yes." That's when a lump formed inside my throat.

I was even afraid to meet her eyes. They were full of an unusual and unnatural sense of sadness. It was almost as if she was told to stab me, but didn't want to do it…

"Percy, you know I…like you very much. But, sometimes—in life—that isn't always enough. Sometimes…a girl…or sometimes even a guy. They need more than just 'liking someone a lot.' And…I think I've found someone who gives me that missing part of that. And the worst part is…it isn't you."

Ok…she can now proceed to stab me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. What could I have done wrong? I was doing so well up until now…we both seemed so happy. This is the woman who ties me to the mortal world. Without her, I'm nowhere near as invincible as Achilles. She can't just leave me for another…guy. That's it. Some bastard has come and taken away my Annabeth. If I find out who this guy is, I swear…

"Who the hell is he?" I inquired, trying my hardest not to blow up in anger.

"C-Connor. Connor Stoll," she said, her voice breaking. She seemed so pained to tell me this, like it wasn't even her fault, or even her own consciousness wanting to do this to me. Connor? How could he do this to me? I thought we were friends…

"I can change for you, Annabeth. I-I love you."

Her face cringed. I guess that wasn't the best words to tell her after she broke up with me. But it wasn't a pain that spelled regret…not the one that felt bad or considered my feelings. It was one that seemed like those three words were holding her back…like they were exactly what she wanted to hear, but it was just…bad timing.

"It's not enough, Percy. Goodbye."

And she left me like, that. I watched her run off the beach and back to her cabin in tears. And then there was me. The guy who jus got dropped like a rock. I'm standing on a beach in a white t-shirt and black jacket, with a handful of flowers that seemed to die as soon as I got them. The boxed chocolate in my left hand was melting. I was just dumped by my femme fatale, my mortal link, and my one true love.

And it seems days upon weeks upon months have passed in that very same spot. And I still love her.

A/N: Ok, that was a little harsh, not too original, but it really sends Percy a couple more steps closer to giving in. I'll try and update soon before the weekend ends! Thanks!

— Chris