A/N: Here it is, also the first chapter of mine to be beta-read by AgitatedDog9288. I meant to publish this yesterday, but I had a problem, one thing led to another, and I ended up attending a high school team's rugby game (Please don't ask).

Big thank you to AgitatedDog9288, iheartpickles, kablamstar, and a Guest for supporting me.

Chapter 7-Mob Beatings and Castration

Percy's POV

Hestia, of all the goddesses, flashed into the middle of camp right when we were finishing lunch.

"The Hunt has been disbanded!" There was no mistaking the fury in her tone, or the expression of absolute rage on her face, "They will be staying here, in Cabin Eight."

What the Hades? True to her word, eight of the nine Hunters left were flashed in -Phoebe being the one missing-, along with two new additions. One had silvery hair, and was somewhat small. But I could see her small and seemingly vulnerable exterior hid someone very determined, and not-at-all vulnerable. The other was a firebrand, if I ever saw one. Shocking red hair almost covering very spirited scarlet eyes. But, alone among the Hunters, she wore heavy jeans that covered her legs entirely, ending in heavy boots.

Curious. Very curious. As soon as they appeared, a rough looking man that I recognized for my adventures in the Mare Nostrum also flashed in. Heracles. What's he doing here?

"I will keep watch on the Hunt for the duration of their stay here." He announced, with Hestia nodding along, "Needless to say, they aren't in very good terms with Pop up there, and my role here is very vague. You'll also find that my gaze often . . . slips away."

Already, I could hear mutterings of getting revenge on the Hunters, even before Hestia flashed away. Revenge for all the Campers who had gotten killed, castrated, or turned into a jackalope by the Hunt and their godly leader. This'll get hairy.

Miranda was among the crowd, but unlike the others, she was eyeing the Hunters in much the same way I , she caught my eye and tossed her head. I nodded back, and we simultaneously left the crowd of angry demigods to mutter.

"This is bad." I stated, "Could rip the plan to pieces."

"Possibly, or be an opportunity." Miranda noted, "We need the Hunt on somewhat good terms with us for the plan to work, yes? But what if the Hunt were removed from the equation entirely?"

I shook my head vehemently, "Not worth it. These campers won't kill the Hunters, just bash them around and maybe try to rape a few of them. Sure, we could incite them to kill the Hunters, but if even one Hunter escaped. . . ."

"It would be disastrous." Miranda finished, just as cries of pain started issuing from the small group of Hunters, "We cannot stop that now, even if we spoke out. So we let the Campers vent now, and tomorrow we get them to stop. Everyone knows that we have some kind of relationship, and given your reputation as a swordsman and my own ruthless streak, our word should carry some weight. That empousa might be a problem, though, along with Thalia's werewolf abilities..."

"You noticed the firebrand, too?" I asked. Empousa? She does have that look, and those jeans would hide the weird legs. "We'll just have to make a few examples, if things go south."

"Then we're in agreement?" I nodded, "Good. Remember: A bloody blade . . . ?"

"Is one that doesn't rust." I finished, "Let's start making rounds tomorrow."

I turned just as Miranda drew a huge breath, and slowly exhaled, "What was that?"

"A sigh of contentment, if you will." Miranda replied, her eyes distant, "So much revenge being exacted. With all of this . . . . . oh, I can do so much more."

Suddenly, a fist -or, at least, something that felt like a fist- drove into my gut, making me double over, "Miranda!"

Suddenly, she snapped out of it, "Apologies. It appears my powers are a little . . . overeager. So many different possibilities. . . . "

If that crowd of demigods is beating up the Hunters and Miranda can use any of those blows. . . Hades. Wow. "Miranda, restrain yourself."

But she was getting lost again. "Miranda! You've never lost control before, don't start now!"

After a long moment, Miranda's eye cleared and she shook her head roughly, whispering to herself.

"You're back?" I asked, just to make sure.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for asking." Miranda smirked, "It almost makes me feel like our relationship is not purely pragmatic."

I laughed, "We both know it's something more than that, Miss Lytvyn. I already told you I couldn't kill you, after all. Pragmatism would state that I could. Anyways, you know as well as I do that the Hunt won't show up for dinner tonight. By the way Chiron isn't trying to break up this mob, he knows something."

"If we play this right, we can earn immense gratitude." Miranda nodded, thinking and only half paying attention to the conversation. "If they are going to have to have the same schedule as a cabin would, I think we need to do our best to align their schedule with our own."

"Yeah, that'd help." I acknowledged, "I can shadow-travel food to them so they won't have to show up at meals. And then-."

"Wait." Miranda cut me off, "Do not shadow-travel the food directly to them. Take it back to your room first, and give it to them. Make sure they know it came from us, and that we are the ones helping them."

"Plus, subconsciously, they'll get used to doing as we ask." I added. It was true, actually. Subconsciously, they would get used to following our orders, even if they didn't look or sound like orders. One of the many things I learned from Miranda. Now, after taking Miranda's orders for most of a year, the campers would bend to her will more easily than if they hadn't. Like setting a precedent in a court: With each case that reinforces the precedent, the faster and easier the next case is.

"Good. You were listening to me." Miranda's lips curved upward slightly in an almost-smile.

"I'm not stupid, Lytvyn. Any ideas on what to do with Heracles?" I asked, "He's no small foe."

"Oh, Perseus, if you could feel how I do right now." Miranda breathed out slowly, "So much power. If needed, I can disable Heracles for months to come."

"I'm pretty sure I could best him in a fight as well, Miranda, and I might need you on crowd control." I said, "After all, I don't know how effective shadows or water would be against almost two hundred angry demigods."

"Injure the first few, the rest retreat. No one wants to die, Perseus, or even be injured." Miranda replied, "Have I taught you nothing?"

"And is there no end to you contradicting yourself? Why, just a minute ago, you said I listened to you." I smiled cheekily, and then doubled over as another fist rammed into my gut, "Good argument."

"I thought so." Miranda smirked, "You deliver the food first. After that, they will be desperate for a friendly face among the campers, and they already know you."

"Anything we haven't accounted for?" I asked.

"I do not believe the Olympians would interfere. They might watch, depending on what the Hunt did to raise their ire, but in general, they are too lazy, inebriated, or pompous to bother." Miranda smirked at the last few words, "Which leaves the Romans, and any variables in the campers."

"Clarisse and her friends aren't out of the infirmary yet after what Declan did to them." I noted, "The Romans shouldn't be here for another while, and by then, things should be more or less under control."

"Artemis, I presume, is under house-arrest or otherwise powerless to act, or the Hunt wouldn't be here in the first place. The Pack is in hiding, as we both know." Miranda's eyes met my own, "Do not hesitate to deal with anything that changes. All of the campers respect strength and fear. Together, we have plenty of both."

"Then we'd better start making arrangements." To my surprise, we hugged and split up. I headed back to the Dining Pavilion, only to find that the campers were still getting revenge on the small group of Hunters. It was clear, though, that some didn't wholly support this, Cameron being one of them. After a bit of an internal debate, I tapped him on the shoulder and jerk my head back. He nodded, and we headed a short distance away from the shouting.

"What is it?"

"I noticed you aren't part of the crowd." I gestured to the campers, "Why's that?"

"The Hunters are good, and I mean good. The last few days of the Titan War, I was fighting side-by-side with them. They saved my life plenty of times, and I only got a few chances to return the favour." Cameron sighed, shaking his head, "I'm going to say this outright, Perseus. I don't particularly trust you, and I don't particularly like Miranda. Anyone who crosses her ends up in a bad way, and even if she doesn't act unbearably, that isn't something I want hanging over my head."

"I know you don't like us, but I didn't exactly have a choice." Fine, I did actually, but this was by far the best course of action. "It was either go under her wing, or get torn apart by anyone who doesn't care for my first name. I don't - and more importantly, Miranda doesn't want this needless degrading and torturing to continue."

"Go on."

"If the Hunters are going to be treated as a cabin, they're going to be forced to do the camp activities. We should make sure they have the same schedule as we do, so we can keep the other cabins from beating them every second of every day." I purposed, "Everyone in your cabin loves you, excepting Miranda and I, of course. If you put your foot down, they won't hurt the Hunters."

Cameron sighed, "The camp fears you two. You just might be able to stop this, so even though I know this isn't doesn't come from your hearts -hell, I don't even think she has one-, but I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. I'll do it, if I can."

"Thank you. I won't forget this, and neither will Miss Lytvyn." I nodded to him, "And no, Miranda defiantly doesn't have a heart."

Cameron laughed bitterly and walked away. He might own the Nemesis Cabin, but Miranda and I own the entire camp. He couldn't actually deny us, and he knew it.

Cameron was missing for the rest of the day, even when dinner rolled around. The Hunters, as Miranda and I thought, hadn't showed, instead in their cabin. That fact wasn't lost on anybody here, however, and there were already angry comments about the "cowardly bitches" that were "pissing their pants in their cabin". I was one of the first there, and managed to shadow-travel away two platters of brisket, a big bowl of mashed potatoes, broccoli, etc. Too much for me to carry alone, but I'd think of something.

I scarfed down the meal, then leaned over and whispered into Miranda's ear, "I'm going."

"Good. I will inform you of the most vocal against the Hunters tonight." Miranda responded in the same volume.

I was by far the first one to leave. In fact, I'm pretty sure I spent less than fifteen minutes there, and headed back to where I had put the food I had stolen. In preparation, I had lit the fire in the Nemesis commons' area, and put the food right next to it to keep in warm. Shadow-traveling it all back to myself, I picked up the two warm platters of brisket and frowned at the remaining dishes, which included a stack of plates and cutlery.

Coming to a quick decision in my mind, I attached Shadow to my side -I'd need all the power and finesse I could for this- and summoned tentacles of darkness to pick up the remaining dishes, then headed for Cabin Eight. It was a short walk, but the walk was filled with me ever-so-carefully bringing the food behnid me. Pretty soon, I was knocking on the door. No one answered, so I knocked again and spoke this time.

"I know you're in there, Hunters, and I know you recognize my voice. I mean you no harm, and while I'm guessing Artemis is pissed off at me, I'm also guessing that you would trust the person who killed twenty werewolves with you enough to give me a chance." At that, there was conversation inside, and then Thalia opened the door, just a crack.

"Tristan? What are you doing here?" Thalia asked.

"Where else would I go? Old folk's home? Retirement Village?" I smirked, "The rest of the camp doesn't know I'm a werewolf, and I plan to keep it that way, just as I plan to keep your and your little firebrand's secrets too."

Grimacing, Thalia opened the door, then her eyes widened as she realized what I was carrying, "Is that for . . . ?"

"Yeah, it's for you." I smiled, "I noticed you weren't at dinner. Needless to say, the rest of the camp doesn't know I'm doing this, and I'd rather keep it that way."

"Then come in!" Thalia practically dragged me inside. The two newest members eyed me with distaste and distrust, but the rest of the Hunters apparently trusted me, even if they didn't like me all that much. Concentrating, I brought the rest of the food in and set in down on a small table.

"Help yourselves." I gestured to the food, "I haven't done anything to it, and there isn't an army of angry demigods waiting to pop out and take it away."

One at a time, they stepped forward, got a plate of food, then stepped back. I looked away while they were eating, then when they were done; I spoke again, "Alright, it's pretty plain that the campers here don't like you. I know, understatement of the year, but it's the truth. So what're you gonna do about it?"

There were frowns all around, and I could tell none of them really thought about doing anything. I sighed, shaking my head, "You can't just take what happened out there every day. You're lucky none of you died today. Speaking of which, pass these around."

I took out my bottle of nectar and bag of ambrosia, then tossed it to Thalia. I could plainly see a couple of broken arms and legs that, while set, weren't going to heal anytime soon. The Hunters took the godly food gratefully, then turned back to me, "What can we do? They outnumber us, nineteen-to-one at last count! And Hercules told us, in no uncertain terms, that if we fought back, there would be trouble."

"Very true. I'm working to stop something like that from happening again, but it's chancy right now." I shrugged, "And once they find about the little firebrand here and Thalia, there's bound to be trouble."

The red-haired girl looked vaguely uncomfortable, but there was no denying it. Thalia, for her part, looked somewhat angry, "We can't fight it, or it gets worse. Period. End of story."

"So you're just going to act like a group of pathetic, broken little boys?" I asked, knowing that accusation would have more effect than pretty much anything else. Heads snapped up, and most of the Hunt glared at me, "See? Don't act like you're dead before your coffin's in the ground."

"They still outnumber us, Tristan." One of the Hunters, I didn't remember who, pointed out.

"Call me Perseus, that's my name here. And it's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog." I shrugged, "If there was one thing I learned in the Pack, it was that. The Pack, your enemies for centuries, crippled you and slaughtered you down to ten. But did they beat you? No! They didn't, and a group of idiotic, cowardly males did! Those males, who you despise and hate, broke you. So either you get out of this pessimism, or I'm leaving, and I'm taking all your hope with me. Face it, without me, you're dead. No two ways about it."

Finally, I could see sparks of defiance in their eyes, "See? You can beat them yet. You can show them what the Hunters of Artemis are made of!"

I drove a fist into the air, and many of the Hunters -to my surprise- mirrored the action. Looks like Miranda has taught me a thing or two.

"Right, let's get down to business." I leaned against a wall, "The campers usually start coming to breakfast at around seven. Which means you'll have to either A, get there and eat before then, or B, force me to steal food for you for every single meal. I don't particularly care which. Lunch and dinner, I'll definatly have to steal for you, but you need to come to a few meals, at least. If you're completely absent from them, eventually those campers'll start knocking on your door and lying in wait. So you'll have to endure some insults occasionally, but it's better than getting a broken arm."

Thalia nodded, along with the more experienced Hunters, but some of the younger ones looked confused.

"Got it? Good. Now, you'll probably hear a name being thrown around: Miranda Lytvyn. Don't cross her. Ever." I gave everyone a cool, measuring look to make sure that had sunken in, "You also hear another name that's probably thrown around with her's: Perseus Ekdíki̱si̱. That's me. We're both working to try and make your life easier here, but don't try to get friendly with her. She has no friends, and likes it that way. I'm an ally to her, at most."

"You sound afraid." This was one of the older Hunters, who was there before Thalia became the Lieutenant, "Typical male."

I turned a frosty glare her way, "You know the beating you got from those campers? She could do all that and more, alone and twice as fast."

That shocked the Hunter into silence, "That's all for today, hopefully we'll get more time to talk tomorrow. Have a good night."

Waving a hand, I shadow-travelled the dirty dishes -and myself- into the kitchen. Connor and Travis were still there, their kitchen duty still going.

"Connor, Travis, you're going to be seeing a few stacks of dishes appear for you to clean." My voice wasn't friendly, but rather, authoritative, "You're going to clean them and not say anything, or I'll have a little chat with Miranda."

Both of them paled, then nodded. I smirked, "Good."

With that, I shadow-travelled back to my room and fell asleep.

Percy's POV

The Judges weren't happy when I reported next morning, but I told them I had the situation well in hand. At least, I hope I do.

This time, I went to breakfast far earlier than I usually did, just to look out for the Hunt, and -if they weren't coming- steal food. The Hunters did show up, though, at about quarter past six, ate quickly, and went back to their cabin in silence.

Miranda showed up at the exact same time she always did, and sat next to me, "Jeff Williams, Ares. Casey Lee, Hermes. Kila Nerkos, Alke. Sandy Hurst, Kratos. Jonathan Kira, Phrike. Clyde Olsen, Zelos."

"Got it." I replied, "Should we delay our meeting until after dealing with them?"

"Yes. The sooner dissent is noticed, the easier it is to quell."

I nodded, heading off to the Arena for Swordsmanship. As usual, I was the first one there, and began beating up dummies as a warm-up. The rest of the Nemesis Cabin arrived soon after, and the Hunt was soon driven there by Heracles, who promptly left again.

"What're those . . . things doing here?" One of the campers -Elijah- stepped forward and drew his sword, "We should teach'em a lesson!"

"The Hunters will be treated with respect, or you will answer to me." Miranda stood with her arms crossed, while Cameron and I walked behind her and to the side. "Understood?"

Elijah paled as she spoke, and paled even further as he saw Cameron and I supporting her, "Yeah, yeah, I get it."

"Good. You know what happens to people who displease me, Elijah, and I believe you would be much less eager to talk without a tongue." As Miranda said those words, Elijah turned even whiter and nodded frantically.

"Right. Pair off as usual, and include the Hunters." Cameron ordered, "If I see anything I don't like, anything at all, you'll be pulling kitchen duty!"

"And I'll use you as a demonstration of what Ms. Lytvyn taught me." I added, "I'm usually not as restrained as she is."

Thalia was paired off with me, but I knew her style inside and out, both with hunting knives and her spear. Ducking a thrust, I tackled her and pinned her to the ground, a forearm to her throat with my legs holding her down, "Concede?"

Thalia nodded, so I got off and pulled her to her feet, then spun as I heard a cry of pain. It was one of the younger Hunters, who had joined the Hunt in the year between my death and my re-joining camp. A camper, Audrey, was standing over her with a bloody knife, and it was plain she maimed the Hunter after the Hunter was beaten. The wound wasn't too deep, but it was still ugly and uncalled for.

"Audrey, it looks like you'll be my first practice." I growled, stalking forward. I tossed a bottle of nectar to the injured Hunter before grabbing Audrey by the arm and dragging her out. Audrey was a few years younger than I was, maybe fifteen or sixteen, with short black hair and chestnut eyes. Once we were a ways away from the Arena, and far away from anyone else, I threw her to the ground and dug my heel into her stomach, "Now, Audrey, why would you do something so incredibly stupid like that? She was already down, and yet you decided to hope that Cameron or I wouldn't notice."

Her eyes were wide and full of fear. Perfect. "Now, you're lucky I'm feeling merciful today, but that doesn't mean you're getting off free."

Leaning down, I grabbed her right arm and jerked it downward, dislocating it. As Audrey's mouth opened to scream, I stuck a gag made of shadows inside, muffling the noise. "Are you going to keep hurting the Hunters?"

Audrey shook her head frantically and tried to speak, but the gag wouldn't let her.

"Good." I brutally stuck the bone back into its socket, heralding a new round of muffled screams, "I think that's all then. Don't even think about going to Chiron; After all, you aren't injured in the slightest."

Leaving the now broken girl lying there, I turned and headed back to the Arena. As I entered, most of the Nemesis campers -after they noticed Audrey wasn't behind me- gulped and paled, while most of the Hunters had looks ranging from curious to content. Miranda caught my eye and nodded her approval, which I smiled at, while Cameron looked troubled at my actions.

The problem was, none of the Hunters knew who Miranda was -after all, none of us had called her by name- which led to a somewhat laughable problem.

"Hey, you too pretty to fight?" It was the same older Hunter, obviously trying to pick a fight with the one person who hadn't fought yet: Miranda. "Too delicate?"

Uh-oh. Miranda's eyes became even colder, and a small smile graced her lips, "Of course not, Hunter. Perhaps you would like to test my skill?"

"Damn right I would." The Hunter growled, "Real women are strong. You're pathetic and weak."

"You know, I'd think they'd be a bit more grateful and even-headed." I said as I caught Cameron's arm. He was probably going to break up the fight, but I kept him back, "I think this is a lesson they need to learn the hard way."

The "fight" only lasted a few seconds, and ended with the Hunter lying face-down on the ground with Miranda's knife embedded in her back. Some of the Hunters glanced at me, as if expecting Miranda to get the same treatment as Audrey did, but I didn't move, instead just having small talk with Cameron.

Miranda, after yanking out her knife, simply went back to where she was as if nothing had happened. Swordsmanship was over and we all headed for Canoeing, which was a lot quieter. Other than the Hunters directing a few surly glares at Miranda, nothing important happened until lunch. After pilfering food for the Hunters and scarfing down my own meal, I headed for Cabin Eight.

"Can I come in?" I called as I knocked on the door. This time, Thalia opened it without hesitation.

"Sure." Thalia stood aside and let me in, then turned and looked at me strangely, "So, who's the girl?"

I sighed, knowing exactly what she meant, "The young woman your idiot over there fought was Miranda Lytvyn. And no, we aren't romantically involved in any way. I warned you not to cross her, and your friend over there is very lucky Miranda didn't do something worse."

Thalia snorted, "Chiron wouldn't let anything worse than that happen!"

"Oh, sure, 'cause a mob beating's so much better." I shot back, "Chiron doesn't have power here anymore. And besides, for every one of you that says Miranda did this, there'll be a dozen campers that say she didn't. And I'd be one of them."

Thalia scowled, "That cold bitch!"

"Oh, Thalia, she's not just any bitch." I smiled, "Drew would be a cold bitch. Miranda's the most ruthless, mean, cunning bitch I know. We get along well."

Thalia frowned, obviously trying to think of a way to solve this problem. I laughed, "Don't even think about it, Thalia. She and I are the only things keeping you from harm. She's protecting you all, so you'd better either get used to mob beatings, or get used to her. I'd suggest you take the latter, 'cause she'll leave you alone most of the time. The campers'll never get bored of you, though."

"Did we actually . . . ?"

"Deserve it? Become ignorant of all the males you had killed here? Never apologized once for it? Didn't care whose friends you'd killed? Done that for thousands of years?" I glared at her, "Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. Lunch's over, by the way. Pegasus-Riding's next."

Leaving all of them shocked, I gathered up the plates and sent them to the kitchen before leaving for the stables.

Percy's POV

A few days passed before the next incident happened while I was walking to Archery. It was undoubtedly a girl's scream followed by a ripping of fabric. Breaking into I run, I turned the corner of the Hermes cabin before finding a couple of Ares brutes, along with Heracles, grabbing empousai Hunter. A sleeve was ripped off of her silver jacket, and the three males were leering at her in a way that couldn't be good. Thankfully, however, her jeans were still intact so none of those three knew what she was.

"I would stop this right now." I said the threat of violence an undertone to my words. The two brutes looked up when hearing my voice, then their eyes widened, "I believe Miranda and I clearly stated that these Hunters were not to be harmed."

"Yeah?" It was Heracles, of course, "And who're you?"

"Perseus Ekdíkisi." I replied, "Leave."

The two Ares campers scurried off, but Heracles just scowled, "You don't tell me what to do."

"Yes, I do." I summoned Shadow to my right hand and a throwing knife to my left. Heracles laughed, and his gigantic club appeared in his right hand. But I had no intention of getting close, instead taking careful aim and throwing the knife horizontally. My aim was true, the knife going between Heracles' legs and cutting through his jeans.

His eyes widened as a few things fell from his crotch area, and blood started flowing down his legs. Heracles, the great slayer of the Hydra, Nemean Lion, and the defeater of the Cretan Bull, fainted.

"Are you alright?" I held out my hand to the empousa, which she took.

"I'm fine, I think." She scowled at the fallen Heracles, "Better than him."

"Indeed. I thought you'd be a bit more distraught about what happened. That'll probably come later, though." I replied, bending down and picking up Heracles' genitals with a square of cloth, "I think I'll keep these. He should be unable to have children for a few centuries at least, if these parts don't fall into back into his hands."

"Why are you helping us?" she asked, "And why is your girlfriend doing the same?"

"Miranda isn't my- you know what? I'm not gonna bother with that." I shrugged, "Miranda and I are helping you because we want to. Because while your sisters definitely deserve to be punished, killing you all wouldn't do it. Have your sisters told you what I am yet?"

"They've told me you're a werewolf." The empousa replied cautiously.

"Tristan Dewolfe, at your service." I mock-bowed while we were walking back to Cabin Eight, "Just as you don't wish others to judge you by your . . . demon traits, I do not wish others to judge me as a werewolf. None of the campers here know what I am, and I plan to keep it that way, just as I'm sure you plan to keep them in the dark that you're a she-demon."

The empousa scowled, "Why don't you stop calling me that?"

"And what should I call you? We've never been introduced, and I don't really want to call you firebrand." I replied.

"Elysia." The empousa pulled open the door to Cabin Eight, "Call me Elysia."

With that, the door swung shut and I headed to my meeting with Miranda.

Percy's POV

Miranda was at the pair of chairs before I arrived, looking at her knife/dagger/ring that she always wore on her middle finger. "Perseus."

"Miranda."

"Declan is alive." My eyes snapped upwards to meet her's, "It looks like the gods were somewhat more sympathetic to him than you."

"Damn." I swore bitterly, "He still has Light, then. And where exactly did you hear that?"

"The small girl with silver hair. Aria." Miranda sneered at the name, "She let slip that Declan brought her to the Hunt. I am not aware if Ross is in any way affiliated with them, however."

I snorted, "The Hunt? Please. He probably went rogue or Roman."

"True."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, then I spoke up again, "You know a few days ago, when we talked about Chiron?"

Miranda nodded cautiously, so I continued, "I was thinking-"

"I'm surprised, Jackson. I didn't know you were capable of that.."

"Shut up, Miranda. Anyways, why would Chiron send someone with only a few days of experience on quest to retrieve one of the most powerful weapons of all time? The Master Bolt had to have been stolen by someone or something infinity more powerful than I was at that time." I leaned forward, "And why would Luke give the Bolt to Ares?"

The beautiful blonde nodded thoughtfully, "He could have just as easily killed you and kept the Bolt and Helm. That would have set off a massive war between the gods."

"And Kronos could've struck with both the Bolt and the Helm when they were at their weakest." I finished, "Something's off here."

"Do you honestly believe Chiron would send you to your death?" Miranda prodded.

I nodded absently, my mind not really registering on her question, "Yeah."

Miranda tilted her head back and laughed, the musical sound filling my ears, "I win, Jackson."

"You mean. . ? Ah, frak you, Lytvyn." My laughter joined hers as I realized she had played me.

Eventually, the laughter petered off, and neither of us had any real idea what to do, since there wasn't anything really left for Miranda to teach me. We kept coming each day, though. And I'm definitely not complaining.

"So, how's your day been?" I asked, just for conversation.

Miranda shrugged gracefully, "You were with me most of the time, Perseus. We're in the same cabin, remember?"

"Are you sure? I thought you were in the God of Cold, Ruthless, Mean and Beautiful People's Cabin." I asked, "After all, we've only done things here for over forty days."

"Why, thank you for the compliment, Jackson. I know you wouldn't be able to get in." A smirk graced her lips, "What about you? Anything of note?"

I shrugged, "Eh, castrated Heracles and saved that empousa."

Miranda's eyes widened, "Do you know what you just did?"

"Um, yes? I cut off Heracles'-"

"Not that! The empousa." Now Miranda looked pissed, "What exactly did you save her from?"

"A pair of Ares campers and Heracles were probably gonna rape her." I shrugged carelessly, "And once they saw she's a monster, they would've probably killed her. Oh, shit."

"Use of vulgar language does seem to be appropriate here." Miranda replied, glaring at me, "She is massively in your debt. Do you know what that means?"

"Yeah." I groaned. When there's a debt between a monster and a human, that monster usually does what the human asks. Between Quintus and Mrs. o' Leary, for instance. And since empousai are usually equated with succubi. . . . "Please tell me I don't have to sleep with her. Or have her as that kind of slave."

Miranda shrugged, "Not a clue. Your memories hold no answer?"

I shook my head, "Nope. A dozen Proctors ago, one of them had a Life Debt with a Cyclops, but the Judges had her kill the monster."

"What about Heracles?

"He won't be messing with either of us for a while." Malice filled my grin, "He might try and stir up some trouble, but I don't think he'll get anywhere."

"Good."

A/N: Whenever you see hyperbolic words used by Percy or Miranda, it's politicking or something similar, like convincing Cameron as he did. Any idea where Phoebe is?

The Poll:

The Flight of the Ares: 11

The Broken: 10

Re-birth of a Rose: 10

Percy Jackson and the Department of the Anomalous: 9

The Unholy Trinity: 7

The Consortium and the Alliance: 6

Battlestar Galactica: Pre-emptive Strike: 0

Feedback is always appreciated, in whatever form it may be in. (Unless it's in the form of an axe-murderer visiting my house.)