Hey guys this is Chapter 2, typed up and written, I hope you liked the first chapter. Read, review, and no flames! Thanks for the reviews, keep them coming so I know how I am doing…and yes it's like Mulan, it's one of my faves! So a Greek version seemed interesting to make. xoxo -thatasianwritergirl

"Take me instead"

(Annabeth)

I arrived home just in time, Bobby and Mathew, ran up and hugged me.

"Annabeth, there is a bwig scary mwan inside." Bobby said tearfully.

I followed them inside and saw that it was a messenger in the Greek armies, talking to my father. I hid behind a wall, hearing their conversation.

"Look, Mr Chase, the army is recruiting, we need more people, for the war against Sparta and our numbers are not enough."

"My son is in your army, already, I must stay and take care of my family, I am not fit to fight."

"I am sorry, Mr Chase, you will have to come with us."

I stepped in and said. "Officer, you can't take him! He's not fit to fight, he's sick."

"No choice, madam, its orders, men have to be recruited for the army."

"Then take me instead! I'll serve in my father's place." I said with my eyes tearing up.

The man laughed loud. "You? What can you do? My orders say it is specifically for men only."

"How can my mom, Athena join before? She was the best strategist you had! I learned from her before, why can't you let me join the army?"

"Yes, I hear, but she is history now, little woman!" he bellowed.

"No, Annabeth, you must stay here to protect Bobby and Matthew," my father said turning to me as he hesitantly sighed. "It's okay, officer, I will take my place in the army, once again."

"Well, Mr Chase, I see you have a fire-spirit daughter, though she is right, you don't look fit to fight," he said as he stroked his stubble chin. "So, this little missy here, I think could fight, she looks like she has potential, besides we can make a few exceptions, Clarisse La Rue is in the army, one of 'em finest."

I felt relief rushing through me, at the same time, fear. Malcolm told me that the Greek army was tough. Bobby and Matthew were gripping me tightly, wishing I didn't volunteer. And Clarisse La Rue? Isn't she engaged to Chris Rodriguez? Oh right, he's in the army too….well at least they're together. And I still have bad memories with her especially with the incident….

~~~Flashback~~~

"Hey little punk!" a girl said when I walked through town.

I turned around and saw her, Clarisse La Rue, the town's meanest girl. Her father, Ares is a man in the town tavern who always picks a fight. I guess I know where she got that from. She was a big, tall girl with long, stringy dirty blonde/brown hair, pig-like brown eyes and strong looking. She had boys' clothes on too, which girls in this town consider a fashion crime to wear, but since her dad's raised her like a boy, I guess it's not a crime to her.

"Give me your food, little punk, I am starved." She said as she looked at my basket.

Yes, this is food from the market. I remember it clearly, goat cheese, a loaf of wheat bread, and an apple. This also had medicine for my stepmother who was still recovering from her "pregnancy sickness" as she calls it. I didn't know what it was that time, so I assumed it was a real sickness. I also remember what I wore, a pretty light blue frock with an apron and peasant shoes, yes, and I looked innocent.

"No! Clarisse! This is for my step-mother! Get your own!" I shouted with my five year old voice.

Well she was able to grab my basket and opened the bottle of medicine and drank half the contents. Suddenly, she corked it back and started vomiting.

"YOU ARE PAYING, LITTLE PUNK!" she said she gripped my throat tightly and carried me up.

"Let…me…go!" I said tugging at her hand on my throat.

"Not a chance, you're paying for what you did." She snickered as she let me go and punched and kicked me several times.

~~~End of flashback~~~

I don't know what happened after that, but my dad said a boy my age with dark hair and with astonishing sea green eyes saved me and brought me home. My thoughts came back to picture when….

"Well, little woman, be ready in a few minutes, I am taking you to the harbour together with the other soldiers, the ship's taking you to Greece at the training grounds. We need all the people we can get." The Greek messenger said, laughing and ruffling my hair, as he stormed out.

How could he laugh about this? This is my life at the stake! One good thing is that I get to see Malcolm. One bad thing is that I might get pulverized by the enemy. One thing that kept me off my thoughts was the sound of Bobby and Matthew's wailing.

"Annabweth! Dwont go! Mawcom weaves, we dwont want you to!" Bobby wailed as he clung to my leg.

"We vish we could've vwonteered fwor you!" Matthew cried as well.

How could I be so stupid? I had Bobby and Matthew to take care of! They are so young! They are like my little kids that I have to take care of! They were the children my step-mother left me to care for, they were so young. Leaving them is like asking them to grow up fast even if they are just three years old, and haven't even started school. But it was a spur in the moment choice I had to volunteer; I just had to do it in a sense of duty. My father's life is at stake and as I said he wasn't fit to fight. I know since Malcolm told me the requirements to be a soldier in the Greek army, yes he is second-in-command for the army, he never told me who his boss was.

"Annabweth, no! Pwease say you'd hwold back what woo said!" Bobby and Matthew said at the same time, snapping my attention back to reality.

"Bobby, Matthew, don't worry about it, I won't be gone forever, just be my little soldiers, okay?" I said, trying to hold back tears.

"Okway, jwust pwomise, wou'll cwome back." Matthew said.

"I will." I gave them one last hug as I went upstairs to gather a few belongings.

I stepped into my room, the safe haven I might never return to if I die. I grabbed a sack and packed a few things. I packed tablets, scrolls, books and plenty of clothes. Surprisingly, they all fit in one sack. I touched the sheets that I would miss, that smelled like home.

"You know, you don't have to go Annabeth, I wanted to take your place." a voice said.

I turned around to see my dad, with a small encouraging smile on his face. I got my sack and ran to him, hugging him tightly. "Papa, I had to, and it's too late for you to do anything." I whispered. "I know, Annabeth. Just be careful out there." He whispered back. We stayed like that for a few minutes. Too soon, he pulled away from the hug.

"Annabeth, you have to go. The officer is getting impatient."

"Papa, I'm afraid." I said with tears in my eyes.

"Don't be Annabeth. You are the bravest girl I know." He said as he stroked my cheek. "Here, is something for you to remember."

He reached for his pockets and handed me a little statue of the goddess, Athena.

"Mom's namesake…"

"Yes, Annabeth, just remember her, you are so much like her, full of wisdom and spirit."

An officer came bursting in to the room and said. "Look, little missy, enough goodbyes for now, we have to go." He grabbed my arm and dragged me outside and forced me into a covered chariot. It felt awkward since it was filled with sweaty guys.

"Annabeth? Is that you?"

I turned and saw Luke, Thalia's husband. I felt relieved, seeing a familiar face. I nodded in return.

"What in Tartarus are you doing here?"

"I volunteered for my dad, that's what happened."

"I am sorry, Annabeth…"

"Yes, I'm sorry for myself too, Luke."

"Hope things go well for you, Annabeth."

"You too…."

Suddenly, I saw the light…its sunset. We are in the harbour, three hours from the south western district…everything was a blur. Officers, messengers, soldiers shouting orders, we all boarded the ship. I looked out the dock. I am leaving….leaving the home I know and love…