Annabeth's POV
We were eating our dinner, waiting patiently for capture the flag to start. Well, not exactly patiently. It was as patiently as you were going to get for a bunch of ADHD half-bloods. I finished my blue berry cobbler by myself this time. I glanced over at Nico's table and noticed that Nico was enjoying his own blue berry cobbler.
I laughed at the sight. It seems like blue berry cobbler is Nico's favorite indulagent and the only thing he's eaten all night. He was going to be very hyper and well focused during capture the flag tonight. The plates disappeared and Chiron stood up. "Okay, everyone to the forest!"
We cheered, running towards the forest. Chiron was already standing at the entrance to the forest. How he got there before us was a mystery. "Okay, as usual, I want a nice clean game. Heros, come take your flag," Chiron announced loudly.
I ran up, grabbing ahold of the flag that had Hades' symbol on it. I placed it where it usually would go. We all got into place. Jayden, Neomah, Apollo's cabin, Ares' cabin, and Hermes' cabin would be playing offensive while Athena's cabin, Dionysus' cabin, Hepheatus' cabin, Aphrodite's cabin, and Demeter's cabin would be playing defensive.
Since Percy, Nico, and Isaiah already expected me to be wearing my cap and sitting on the flag, I decided to sit up a tree instead. I ordered the defense into the proper positions and sat waiting for the whistle to blow. The whistle blew and I heard battle cries of both sides as the battle for the flag started.
Percy's POV
I was put on defense since Annabeth was my girlfriend and everyone knew she would be on defense. I hate having to be patient while Nico gets all the fun. I sat next to the flag, wishing that I had Annabeth's cap. It was at least thirty minutes before one person managed to get through the defense.
I pulled out my pen and uncapped it. I turned to see Clarisse was the person to get through. She held her spear at the ready. She was the first to strike. I blocked and stepped forward, trying to get her away from the flag. Malcolm jumped down and side tracked Clarisse long enough to let me tie her to a tree.
Yes, I know your wondering where I got the rope in the middle of a forest in a match of capture the flag. No, I didn't bring it. I kind of froze water around her arms to hold them together. She was yelling at me, which I found hilarious.
"Unfreeze my arm right now, Jackson!" she screamed.
"Not until this match is over," I laughed. I turned away and sat back down beside the flag. Not many more half-bloods made it through the defense. Jayden made it through. I turned to face her with a smirk. I knew that it would be a fun fight since we were about even on skill.
"Hey," I greeted, holding my sword at the ready. I swirled it in my hands when she replied.
"Hi." I nodded as she pulled out a celestial bronze sword that matched the length of Riptide. She let it touch Riptide and then we started to attack and block each others moves. She had grown accustom to the weight of her sword, and was becoming stronger. Though she still can't beat Annabeth.
I moved her from the flag, but I noticed that Neomah was standing at the flag. I froze Jay's feet to the ground, and proceeded to fight Neomah. I knew Jay would get free of the frozen water with a strike of lightning, but I was thankful it took her two minutes to realize she could get free.
"Malcolm!" I yelled. I did a quick glance around to notice that Malcolm wasn't coming, nor any other boys. I groaned. "This ain't fair!" I mumbled. Jayden came at me, but I dodged in time.
They smirked at me. "We had a feeling that you would be on defense," Jay smirked.
"Annabeth told us to look out for you," Neomah added. "And when Clarisse started to yell, we knew for certain that you were on defense."
"So you two decided to double team me?" I question, aiming a blow at Neomah's leg. She backed up andd pushed my sword away.
"Pretty much," Jayden laughed. So in a matter of minutes, I was dancing in between their blades. They laughed as Neomah held the flag.
"You think you can get away that easily?" I demanded.
"Yeah," Neomah smiled. She went to move, but found that she couldn't. I smirked. Jayden looked at me, then took the flag from Neomah. I soaked both of them. I raised my eyebrows and took the dripping wet flag from Jay's hands.
"Why can't I move?" Jay demanded.
I never answered, but instead clasped Nico on the back. "Thanks man, there for a minute I didn't think I was going to get away."
"No problem," he nodded. "Isaiah is crossing the river now," he muttered as we started walking away.
The whistle blew and I congratulated Isaiah on his first victory. "You can release Jay and Neomah now," I nudged Nico. He smirked and I heard Jay and Neomah running after me.
I smirked. "How did you do that?" Jay demanded.
"Nico came to my recue," I said, looking at Nico. He was lend against a tree before disappearing into the shadows. "But I have to say, you both are getting better at swords fighting. If you both didn't come after me, I still would've beaten you."
"Aren't you forgeting Clarisse?" Annabeth asked, walking up from behind me.
"No, she will come after me," I stuttered. "She'll kill me."
Annabeth rolled her eyes and shook her head. She walked off towards where Clarisse was frozen to the tree. I took this as my cue to run. Annabeth must have been quick at releasing her because all I hear is, "I'm going to kill you Jackson!"
I made it to my cabin seconds before she got there. I locked the door and slid down the frame, thankful I was able to outrun Clarisse. She might be big built, but she surely is quick as Hermes' children. Though with the head start I was able to make it to safety.
"You'll have to come out some time," she threatened.
I groaned, and started to straightening my cabin up. I pack a few of my clothes that I brought to camp. After a while, I laid on my bed, wore out from capture the flag. At least we won. There for a few, I thought we were going to lose until Nico showed up.
A/n- How did you like it? I'm so close to 700 reviews. I've never been happier =) Thanks for all who reviewed. At the end of this story I will post a chapter for prizes. So look forward to that. So next chapter is leaving and getting settled at home. Then after that is Percy's birthday party. Then the credits. Also, I never clarified but the sequel will start about 2 years after this one took place. It starts from their engagement, probably see more Thalico in that story as well. Then it will continued through their married life.
