I was more than pleased at 8 AM on June 1st. I woke up bright and earlier, cleared my stuff from the bunk I'd been sleeping in for the past nine months and claimed a good spot on the floor. I ate breakfast with the few people who remained at Camp for the entire year, but could hardly touch my eggs and toast; I was too excited.

The campers who left for the school year came flocking back in large herds. A couple of them left their schools a few days early to arrive in time for the summer session of Camp Half-Blood to begin. Clarisse was one of the first arrive, her mom dropping her off at the boundaries at precisely 8:30 AM. She was tanner and her hair grew out more, making her look healthier, but she seemed angrier; it appeared that she would rather duel a monster than spend nine consecutive months with prissy mortals.

Annabeth and I stood waiting at the top of Half-Blood Hill, waiting for our respective boyfriends (even if Annabeth and Percy keep denying their feelings). After half an hour of waiting, Chiron came by to tell Annabeth that Percy would arrive in a few weeks, as he was vacationing with his parents and mortal friends. Of course, by mortal friend, he meant a girl named Rachel who seemed to gave a gift for seeing through the Mist. Annabeth was put out and spoke about Rachel with bile in her throat, but I didn't have a lot of time to comfort her.

Michael was dropped off by his mother, step-father, and younger brother. He looked as if he grew a fraction of an inch, but he was just so short that it didn't even make a difference. We locked eyes before he crossed the boundary, huge grins on our faces. Simultaneously, we broke into a run and met just within the boundaries.

We greeted one another with a kiss. It'd been too long since we'd seen each other. Over the year, we had IMed one another constantly and wrote letters, but it just wasn't the same as actually being together. We pulled away from another and smiled contently.

"Hey there Ladybug," Michael exclaimed happily.

I giggled in spite of myself and wrapped him into a hug. "Hey Mikey. I missed you!"

After a moment, Annabeth coughed awkwardly; we pulled away. Michael picked up his abandoned backpack laying on the ground and we walked hand in hand down to his Cabin so he could get settled in. As he greeted his siblings, Annabeth and I sat down on the steps to the Apollo Cabin.

"I'm sorry that Percy won't be here for another couple weeks, Annabeth."

She turned to look at me with a sullen expression, "I think it's because he's with her." Annabeth kicked at the ground and pulled grass out, ripping them into little pieces.

I rolled my eyes, "You act as if they're dating or something. Besides, what has this Rachel done to you?"

"She took away Percy!"

"No, she's friends with Percy. How come you and Percy can't see that you two totally like each other, but everyone who meets you can?" Annabeth turned to glare at me, seemingly mad, but she had a sparkle in her eyes.

"Percy doesn't have a crush on me."

"Yes he does. He wants you, 'Beth. And you want him. Just admit it and kiss the boy when he gets here."

The Cabin door opened and Michael raised an eyebrow. "Talking about Percy?" I grinned and nodded. Michael laughed a little and shut the door, jumping the steps to get to the ground. Annabeth and I stood up, walking along side Michael down to the Arena. Michael looked around happily, ecstatic to be back at Camp, the one place Michael was convinced he belonged.

Down at the Arena, Clarisse was already back into the full-swing of things. She and one of her brothers were dueling, striking one another violently with their swords. Her brothers was a terrific fighter and could take down anyone at Camp, but he was no match for Clarisse; she took him down quicker than I could say "duck!"

Clarisse grinned and held out a hand to help her brother up; he took it and she helped him stand and steady himself. He said something quietly, causing Clarisse to bark with delight. As he walked away from the Arena, Clarisse turned her attention to us, a wicked grin on her face.

"I almost missed you guys. But then, I came back and realized just how much I hate you all."

I rolled my eyes and changed my bracelet into my sword; the amulet became my shield. Immediately, Clarisse attacked me. I was expecting this; I anticipated this. It was so dull dueling with people who simply could not keep up with you. Now Clarisse (and any child of Ares) were fun to fight with, mainly because they gave you a run for your money. Born warriors, they were the ideal fighting partner.

I met my sword with her strike. Our swords clanged, just like good times. I grinned and thrust my sword to her stomach.

The first night of the start of Camp was the best. There weren't as many Campers as normal, though. Some demigods pledged their allegiance to Kronos; others were killed when the Titans came across them and they refused to join them. Others simply ran away, fearing the war all together. I don't blame them much. I don't want to have to go into war with the thoughts of how many demigods we'll lose and the fact that I'll have to overthrow my father.

But the demigods were happy at Camp. Dinner was loud and ecstatic, even if we only had about half the Campers as normal. The Apollo Cabin led songs at the campfire; Michael belted out with such a beautiful voice that harmonized perfectly with his siblings. Everyone stood and sang cheerily. Even Clarisse couldn't help but join the song.

As I settled on my spot on the floor, I couldn't help but feel uneasy with the silence that was cast as everyone went to bed, though. As if it was a fact, I knew the thoughts of missing demigods were running through everyone's minds. Many of people's brothers and sisters betrayed them; many were singled out and slaughtered. In a way, it wasn't fair for the gods to ask us to fight for them, when we already lost so many people.

But I suppose it was our duty. Besides, the fall of the gods meant the fall of civilization and I wasn't going to let that happen. Too many innocent people were at risk and we were the only ones who would be able to save them.

After a while, I slipped into unconsciousness. I was immediately met by Josie and Ryan, whom I was still holding in the dream world. They were accompanied by a couple other demigods that pledged their allegiance to Kronos; I met them once when Chiron asked for a couple of Campers and I to go out and try and convince them to come back to us. When they refused, I sucked them into my world where they wouldn't be able to hurt anyone during the war.

While the others were just getting angrier and angrier, Ryan seemed to accept the fact that he wasn't getting out of my dream world very easily. He was wearing down and going with the flow. This was good. This was the plan. Chiron and I came up with the idea that we could eventually get the trapped demigods to fight for us. Ryan, a seemingly pacifist, didn't want to see the gods and Titans fight. He just wanted a little justice and to not be looked down upon because his father wasn't a major god.

I suppose I could see things his way.

As I entered the dream world, I got reproachful looks from Josie and the cluster of demigods who were standing in a tight circle. Ryan sat out of the circle, looking bored and counting freckles on his arms. I walked straight up to him.

Ryan looked up slowly, a grimace crossing his face. "Yes?"

"I wish to take you out of the dream world, Ryan, but you have to promise that there will be no funny business."

Immediately, Ryan's face perked up and he stood up quickly. "I can leave?"

"Not necessarily. We wish to speak to you. You must hear us out and not attack in any way, or you will immediately be back in here until the end of time. Do you understand?"

He nodded quickly and promised that there would be no funny business. My lips twitched at his enthusiasm. "Good. Now…stay still." Ryan did as I said and I concentrated hard. A moment later, we were standing in the middle of the Hermes Cabin. Ryan took a deep breath and looked around happily in the dark. The others were fast asleep.

Ryan looked into my face and I motioned to follow me out the door. With him walking right next to me and a grin on his face (probably due to the fact that he was finally seeing something other than just white), I went straight to the Big House. Chiron had given me the duty to fall asleep and bring him Ryan.

I didn't knock on the door; I was used to letting myself in. Chiron and Dionysus were playing cards. Chiron looked in our direction as I shut the door behind me, his eyes grazing Ryan's face. Said boy suddenly went still, afraid. Chiron, however, smiled and pointed to two empty chairs. "Sit."

Ryan and I obeyed this command and Dionysus dealt me in. Chiron watched Ryan as the boy kept stealing glanced at Dionysus. "Ryan."

He turned his attention to Chiron, who called out the boy. He took a deep breath as Chiron launched into discussion. "We brought you from the dream world because we know that you don't actually want to see the gods get taken down. You're a good kid, Ryan, you just got influenced by those who were not good kids."

Ryan looked down at the table. Chiron took a minute to look through his cards before he continued on. "We want you to fight with us, Ryan. When we win, your father and those who tried bringing down the gods will be punished, but you won't Ryan. In fact, you'd be thanked for your help."

Ryan frowned, "I thought we're supposed to stay loyal to our fathers." He glanced sideways at me and I couldn't help but scowl. I put down my cards and faced him.

"You shouldn't be loyal to them when you don't believe in their cause. I know you don't want to see civilization fall, Ryan."

"Who said that civilization will fall? Kronos said that he'd keep the world just as it is now, minus the gods of course," he said challengingly.

"Don't be a fool; that's what they want you to think! When the Titans ruled, they kept mortals as their slaves and treated them like crap! Do you want to see innocent children act as slaves and get punished? As demigods, we're the only ones who can keep them from a fate that they are not meant to be dealt!"

Ryan grimaced and distanced his eyes; with my abilities, I knew precisely where his thoughts were going; he was imagining a world with the Titans ruling, where small children were getting slaughtered left and right. I knew that deep down, Ryan always knew that the Titans were wrong. He was just too loyal to disagree.

Ryan took a deep breath as I picked my cards back up and get back into the game. We sat in silence for a few minutes until Ryan spoke up. "Okay, fine. I'll do it. I'll help you." I smiled to myself, as did Chiron. Even though Dionysus didn't smile or make any indication that he was happy that Ryan was joining us, I knew he was glad when he dealt Ryan some cards and called him Robert.

*Author's Note*

Sorry about the delay in updates. I've been busy: school, babysitting, work. Anyway, thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them. And once again, sorry that the links for the pictures didn't work. They really aren't important anyway…just use your imagination. Just let it be known that the bracelet from Michael was sparkly.

I'll try and be better at updating, but I can't promise anything!

XxSamacoyxX