"Well that was interesting." Annabeth said as she wobbled into the room.

"Luke was way too interested in you." Percy muttered. Luke had been in audience with Poseidon when they came in. He didn't seem to mind being interrupted, he'd been too busy staring at Annabeth.

"Well, we pulled it off, didn't we? That's all that matters right now." Annabeth started pacing to work on her walking skills. "Now we need to focus on Jason. Where are we going to train him. Something big is coming up, I can feel it."
"With your special mermaidy powers." Thalia smirked.

"No, my special mermaidy instincts."

"Remember when we first met, and you told me about that thing that was supposed to happen when I turn sixteen? Do you think this has anything to do with that?" Percy asked.

"Hmm, maybe. I still haven't found anything on that." Annabeth furrowed her brow in concentration. "I know it's something about you, and your powers. And betrayal, and other elementalists."

"Wait, other elementalists?" Thalia asked. "Like, there's more of you?"

"Maybe, I've read what legends I could, we have some really extensive libraries under the sea, and pieced together some theories. Apparently, they used to be pretty common, but over the past century there's been a lull. People forgot about them, elementalists became the stuff of legends." Annabeth paused. "And I discovered a pattern. Elementalists are usually related, although the bloodline could become diluted enough so that the powers skip some generations."
"So you're saying that Thalia might be an elementalist?" Jason asked.

"It's quite possible, however your powers have not shown themselves yet, so we'll have to see." Annabeth said. "Now, Jason. How are we supposed to teach you to use your 'sky powers' when none of us have any particular knowledge of the sky, and when your powers are so visible."
"I think that's a dilemma that we should sleep on." Percy said looking at the sky. The sun had almost fallen below the horizon. "It's late, and we're all tired. Try to get some rest. If you need me Annabeth, do you remember where you first woke up?" She nodded. "I'll be there. Goodnight everyone." Percy nodded and headed to his room. Thalia and Jason also excused themselves. When Percy arrived at his room, he was surprised to find Luke waiting for him.

"Percy." Luke greeted him. "I hope you've been brushing up on your swordplay. What, with all your new duties, I'm surprised you've found any time to yourself." He leaned casually against the wall.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Percy asked him. He was vaguely suspicious that Luke was still bitter after their match.

"Oh, you don't remember? The tournament?" Luke smirked, and his scar danced across his face. "I'm entering this year, I managed to save the money. You'll have some real competition now." Percy felt his stomach drop as he remembered.

The annual Chaos Tournament, where knights from across the land traveled to compete, was held in very high esteem in Pacificantas. It was the biggest event of the year. A few years ago, the competition was opened to anyone with a suit of armor, but the admission fee was steep unless you were royalty or a knight. Luke hadn't been able to enter. It was part of why he hated Percy-because he had automatic grant to enter, and been unable to even defeat a single opponent.

"That would certainly make things more interesting." Percy commented. He had won last year, and hadn't found it overly difficult. "I look forward to see if we shall be opponents."

"Oh, we shall. You can count on it." Luke walked to the door. "By the way, that's a very pretty blonde you've managed to find yourself." He hissed into his ear on his way to the door. Percy shivered. Whether the malice in Luke's voice was imagined or not, the words chilled his bones.

Shaking off his apprehensions, Percy slipped off his boots and the belt that held his sword and collapsed tiredly into bed. Or, what was his bed. As soon as he put his weight on it, the entire thing collapsed.

"I see you're up to your old tricks, Luke." He groaned, rolling out of the wreckage. Too tired to care about sleeping on the floor, Percy tugged his blanket over him and fell into a fitful slumber.

LINEBREAK

Percy woke up sore. He groaned, and managed to haul himself off the floor. Apparently his body had taken much more of a beating than he'd originally thought, and sleeping on the hard stone floor hadn't helped at all. He stiffly got dressed, then hobbled down to the dining hall where breakfast was served.

"Percy! What did you do?" Annabeth greeted him. She shot to her feet, and moved towards him. She was much better at walking today.

"It's really ok." He mumbled. He knew he must look horrible. One of his eyes was swollen shut, and he could feel the splinters in his hands. "My bed just...collapsed."

"That is a horrible excuse." Annabeth accused. "Come on, lets get these...these..."

"Splinters." Percy supplied.

"Right." She pushed him into a chair. "And how are you supposed to get splinters out?" She hissed, mindful of the servants milling about with food.

"I'll take care of it." He laughed. "I just need a bowl of water. It loosens the splinters. But first, breakfast. I'm starving."

"I was waiting for you." Annabeth said. "Your human food, I have no idea what to eat."

"Just get what I get." Percy pulled two plates closer to them and direct Annabeth on which foods to take. There were dishes spread out on the table-filled with eggs and toast-and pitchers of water. Annabeth struggled a bit with the fork, but she got the hang of it as fast as walking.

"Well look at the two lovebirds, sharing food." Thalia ambushed them from behind with a headlock, Annabeth under one arm, Percy under the other. Used to the treatment Percy just sighed and opened his mouth to protest. However, he was beaten by Annabeth, who yelled and flipped her plate directly into Thalia's face. Egg splattered everywhere, and Thalia screeched as loud as Annabeth did, releasing them. "Ah! Salt salt salt!" She fell back, rubbing her eyes furiously.

"Just blink Thalia, don't rub!" Percy shouted. He willed Thalia's tears to flush her eyes.

"Annabeth!" Thalia turned to the other girl with red rimmed eyes, still streaming.

"Sorry Thalia! Instincts!" Annabeth said sheepishly. Jason quickly stepped in and calmed his angry sister. Annabeth turned to Percy.

"Nice aim." He grunted. Annabeth giggled.

"You have egg in you hair, Seaweed Brain." She smiled. Percy grinned back at her and shook his hair out. Thalia and Jason sat down to eat, and the rest of breakfast was uneventful.

"Hey Annabeth, is it common for elementalists to have strange dreams?" Jason asked through a mouthful of toast.

"Yeah, why?"

Jason grinned, swallowing. "I think I have a solution to our dilemma."

So, that happened. Things are getting interesting soon, the net is closing and the plot is coming together. Also, you could say that Thalia was assalted. Ha Ha, laugh now. I got the flu, so yay, more writing time. Send me suggestions, or characters you want to see, or just comment in general. You people are magnificent!