Oh wow I know, I know, saying the same thing over and over isn't really interesting (or original ahaha) but I just really love getting the e-mails for new reviews, or favourites, or whatever! So I'm just going to thank you guys every chapter (What do you mean say something orignal? Isn't that what the chapter's for?)

puppydog1 - ahaha no not summer school xD I've actually changed schools, so I just started school like... four days ago? Three? It's late, and I'm too lazy to count xD

daughterofplutowazzup - WHOOPS you got me x) Yup, I messed that up, but I went back and fixed it! Thanks so so much! Ahaha no, I'm not British, but I've just always been calling them holidays xD What do you call them then? :)

Of Destiny and Duels

Clarisse couldn't sleep that night. Her dreams were plagued with pictures of her being beaten shamefully by Drew. And at the end of the dream, she was back in her body, and everyone was laughing at her. Piper, on the other hand, was back to being popular and loved by everyone.

Wouldn't it be nice if Clarisse could be that loved?

The dream shifted to a clothes store. Clarisse didn't know the first thing about shopping for clothes, but it looked like a pretty expensive place to her, and the dresses were beautiful. The dresses, however, paled in comparison to the woman who stepped out from behind one of the racks. (AN: it's pretty obvious, isn't it?)

She was drop-dead gorgeous.

Clarisse gaped. She couldn't decide exactly what the woman looked like, since her appearance seemed to subtly change. One thing Clarisse did notice was the eerie resemblance to Piper.

"Lady Aphrodite." She said respectfully. She had only seen Aphrodite once before, and that had been but a fleeting glimpse. This was more... real.

Subconsciously, Clarisse knew that Aphrodite would appear to Clarisse as Clarisse's perception of beauty, and the resemblance to Piper irked her.

Aphrodite's delicate eyebrows frowned at Clarisse, and Clarisse noticed for the first time that Aphrodite was not wearing her usual enchanting smile.

"Clarisse." Aphrodite acknowledged. "We need to talk."

"I didn't do anything." Clarisse protested, as reality hit her. Aphrodite may be the goddess of love and beauty, but she was a goddess nevertheless.

Aphrodite's frown deepened, but she seemed more confused than angry. "I know. I just felt that I should warn you not to stay in my daughter's body longer than is necessary."

"I wouldn't-"

Aphrodite cut her off. "I've seen your dreams, Clarisse La Rue. I know how you feel about being the underdog, while Piper claims all the glory."

Aphrodite paused to finger a red satin dress appreciatively.

"We all have our place." She continued. "And yours is with your cabin."

Clarisse scowled.

"And at Piper's side." Aphrodite finished sternly.

Clarisse was about to raise an eyebrow sceptically, but she restrained herself.

"I was angry at first." Aphrodite admitted. "But there isn't anything I can do about it." She sighed, and her pretty features took on a slightly rueful expression.

"You were always meant to help Piper." She told Clarisse reluctantly. "The two of you will fight in battle side by side. Piper needs you, and you need her. Your destinies have been intertwined ever since Piper came to camp. Even before."

Clarisse was a little overwhelmed. One minute, Aphrodite had been telling her off, and now she was telling her it was her destiny? The shift in the seriousness of the conversation caught her off guard. And what did she mean before McLean came to came to camp?

Aphrodite watched the girl, inwardly sighing. Clarisse had a better temperament than her father did, and Aphrodite was actually beginning to pity the girl. She knew that Clarisse would be crucial to Piper's role as mediator, but how crucial? (AN: This is kind of a... headcanon of my own x) So I'm not basing this off anything in the actual series, and I guess that makes this sort of an AU?)

"I know it's... confusing." Aphrodite said, not unkindly. "But right now you need to wake up, and focus on the problems at hand."

"Wait... what about Drew?" Clarisse asked. "I don't have any of Piper's experience!"

"But you have plenty of yours." Aphrodite smiled for the first time. "Goodbye, Clarisse."

"She what?" Piper's voice must have increased by an octave. "What does Drew think she's doing- going up against Clarisse?"

Jason shrugged, looking very worried. "The only way Clarisse is going to win is if she uses a spear. And that's too risky- people might guess."

Piper stared at him. "That's what you're worried about?"

"The two of you haven't been impersonating each other very well!" Jason hissed. "Half the camp is suspicious already, and we don't want to tip them off!"

"We could ask Lou Ellen to change us back." Piper suggested.

Jason only hesitated briefly. "No. The spell only wears off in five days, remember?"

"I'm sure Lou Ellen can get her mom to fix it!" Piper cried in frustration. "I'm tired of being stuck in Clarisse's body and living her life!"

Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, maybe Clarisse can forfeit, and you can challenge Drew once you're back in your own body."

Piper scoffed. "Are you seriously telling me that you think Clarisse is going to walk away from a fight?"

"You wouldn't either."

"I wouldn't."

They walked in silence for a while.

"I need to find Clarisse." Piper broke the silence. "We have to talk about this."

Jason checked the time. "She should probably be done at the climbing wall by now."

"What happened?" Piper restrained a wail with difficulty.

Clarisse was singed all over and her hair was charred. Her face was fixed in a scowl that was directed at everyone in general.

"I'm having trouble manoeuvring." She said, peeved.

"We need to talk about the duel." Piper lowered her voice.

"You heard?"

"Everyone heard." Jason told her, a little reprimandingly. "They're all going to be there."

"It wasn't my fault." Clarisse explained. "She challenged me."

"We know." Piper said impatiently. "What's your strategy?"

"What?"

"Well, if you fight with a spear, Annabeth's smart enough to figure everything out!"

Clarisse's mouth formed a silent 'oh'. "I didn't think of that."

"Piper and I think-" Jason began, but Piper nudged him forcefully.

"Alright." He glared at Piper, and continued. "I think you should forfeit."

Clarisse was silent for a few seconds. "But... Drew would be head counsellor."

"I'll challenge her once the week is over." Piper assured her. "And get my position back."

"I hope you're right, Dollface." Clarisse grumbled.

Piper and Jason weren't expecting that.

"Is that... a yes?" Piper asked uncertainly.

Clarisse grunted noncommittally.

Matching grins spread across the faces of the other two.

"Great!" Jason said enthusiastically. "Alright, I'm late for practice."

With a quick wave, he jogged off, leaving Piper and Clarisse to themselves.

"Thanks." Piper said, uncharacteristically friendly.

"No problem." Clarisse muttered. "It's not like I'm destined to help you."

"What?" Piper was bemused.

"Your mother had a chat with me."

Piper's eyes widened. "Oh... what did she say?"

Clarisse tried to shrug it off. "Something about destiny."

"She's not... mad?"

"Not at you." She snorted. "Why would anyone be?"

Piper bit back a sharp retort. "My life isn't as perfect as you-"

Clarisse waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, sure. Don't you have a class to get to?"

Without waiting for an answer, Clarisse headed back to Cabin 10.

Piper watched her leave. "How am I ever going to get through to her?"

Okay, I'm actually a bit worried that I got too carried away and Aphrodite is OOC. I don't think this chapter is one of my best, but I really wanted to set the scene for the duel, and not just skip straight to it. So if you like, think of this chapter as a sort of prequel for the next one :)

But hey, don't let that stop you from reviewing! Go for it :D