The Mark of Athena

A/N: Hi everyone Disclaimer: I don't own PJATO or HoO. All rights go to Rick Riordan. By the way; I'm at 11,310 hits and counting! PLEASE REVIEW! On with the story!

ANNABETH:
"Mania, before you show your true form, remember that I will never allow my daughter and her friends get vaporized." There was a yellow glow and it faded away to reveal my mother. I was relieved that the gods were finally helping us demigods out; if we could just get to Greece, then maybe we could defeat the giants and Gaea a second time.

My friends were looking away while the yellow glow subsided; I knew it was my mother, because, 1. There are only 3 girls on this quest, and Hazel's godly parent is Pluto. 2. I highly doubt (in all respect to you, Lady Aphrodite) that Aphrodite would come to help her daughter, unless it meant giving her a makeover. 3. I'm the last girl on this quest and really, the only goddess who can help us right now is my mother.

Athena smiled at each of us before returning her undivided attention to Mania. If possible, Mania looked even more enraged then when I'd slapped her.

"Athena. You of all gods and goddess should not be directly interfering with the Ancient Laws," Mania said fiercely.

"One goddess to another Mania," Athena said with a raised eyebrow.

I couldn't help but feel good right now. Despite the fact that we are (sort of) trapped in Rome, my mother always, always, wins verbal arguments and other arguments as well, so our safety is guaranteed.

Mania glared at my mother.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill these demigods." Mania said.

My mother smiled wryly.

"Well, where do I start? These Heroes are the greatest of the century, and don't forget, Gaea could use them, but I for one, know that will not happen," Athena looked at all of us disdainfully as if telling us if we make a bad move, and go over to Gaea's side, she would kill all of us personally, even me. All of us paled when she glared at us. "Or, I at least I trust these demigods enough to know that they will not to go over to Gaea's side. Do you even have orders from Gaea to kill them? Wouldn't your mistress be infuriated to know that you killed her pawn, Perseus Jackson?" said the goddess.

"Lady Athena," Percy spoke up, my mother turned around to glare at him, "With all due respect, I'm not Gaea's pawn."

"I know that, but Gaea wishes to confuse you, to bend you to her will. For all I know, you could be lying." My mother said.

I stared at her, shocked.

"Mother!" I exclaimed.

The goddess sighed.

"Please, dear Annabeth, stay out of this argument for once. I merely speak the truth."

I closed my mouth and watched the argument unfold.

During all of this, Mania had flames in her eyes, flames that were starting to dangerously grow and grow.

Percy cleared his throat and said,

"Lady Athena, I swear on the River Styx. I am not, nor ever will be, Gaea's pawn."

Athena's eyes narrowed.

"Well spoke, Son of Poseidon. Remember that promise."

Said the goddess.

Mania roared in anger and maddening flames danced around her, and everyone but Leo and my mother jumped back from the flames.

"MANIA! You will pay for that!" My mother growled.

Leo just burst into more flames and Frank whimpered, "No more flames!" while Hazel tried to calm him down. I wonder why he's so afraid of fire. I'll have to Hazel about it later.

"That's it, lady! You're going down," Leo turned to mom, "Lady Athena will you help me destroy this witch?" he asked.

"Yes, Leo Valdez," she said and burst into a column of flames and advanced near Mania, who looked scared, more scared than I'd ever seen a goddess before.

Mom pounced and Mania screamed in pain and fury, and Leo's flames flickered with effort as he struggled to summon burning gas and fire.

Mania jumped up and produced insane illusions, and I saw my worst fears, I had no idea what the rest of my friends saw, but apparently what Leo saw made him go… Well, insane. He screamed and stumbled out of the fire and he collapsed on the sand.

"He's breathing but he's in some sort of coma," Piper announced.

Wait, maybe I can do something about this. I thought if mom has a fire form then maybe I have a fire form too. I closed my eyes and concentrated hard. When I opened my eyes, I was wrapped in flames. I gasped and all of my friends looked at me in horror.

"I thought Leo was the only fire maniac here," Frank commented.

"That's my Wise Girl for you," Percy said, beaming in pleasure. "Nice job."

I tried to respond, but I didn't have a mouth for now, so I turned and attacked Mania. My mother and I just kept shooting flames at her or throwing ourselves at her. After about five minutes, she screeched in agony and disintegrated.

In an instant, the blazes that were my mother disappeared and my mother changed into her human form.

"Just will yourself to turn human again," Athena said gravely.

I thought about my human life and concentrated equally hard as last time. After about thirty seconds, I was normal self again.

"THAT WAS AMAZING!" everyone shrieked, Piper ran to hug me and whispered in my ear, "Talk about saving the day!" and I blushed.

Percy came up to me and said, "She's right, you know." Then he gently held my face and kissed me. My brain immediately melted and kissed him back.

Jason coughed "Get a room,"

And the others laughed and we pulled back, conscious my mom was there and our friends too.

I blushed and glanced at mom who was looking at the ground.

I walked over to her and mom's head snapped up instantly.

"Is there a reason I can suddenly, out nowhere, change into a blazing fire?" I asked curiously.

"Yes. It's my fault," I looked at her and she continued quickly, "Really powerful demigod children of mine sometimes possess a curse."

"What kind of curse?" I asked worriedly.

"It's called the Mark of Athena. It allows my children to take on the form of a hugely dangerous fire," Athena said.

"It's similar to Leo's ability, but your fire can drive the victim insane." She added.

I thought about that, and I glanced at Percy who looked completely concerned. Sometimes, when I get really moody, I feel like there's a huge bonfire swirling around me, and this confirms my suspicions.

"I don't mind. It helps us have an advantage," I said.

Athena grimaced. "Not exactly. It gives Gaea more power over you, more reason for her to recruit you."

"I won't let her convince me, don't worry. Now, my friends and I have to get to Greece." I said.

"Just be careful." Mom said.

"I will. Bye, Mom." I said.

Mom nodded and went poof into mist.

Now, all I need to do is to get to Greece. That is, if I'm still alive by then.

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