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 12,957 hits and counting! Also, I have a poll on my profile about which series I should make a new fanfiction for, so please vote on that if you would like! Also, I'm sorry for not updating too soon but I've been super busy with school and everything. But, this week on Friday is Good Friday so NO SCHOOL, YAY! On with the story!

PERCY:
 When Annabeth had erupted in red-hot flames, I couldn't help but smile. I knew she had some powers; but I didn't know exactly what they were.

Athena had gone to talk to Annabeth about her powers, no doubt; and Annabeth was looking pale. Whatever the reason she had those powers just POPPED! Out of nowhere, it couldn't be good.

Athena had disintegrated into mist and my breathing slowed, because from the moment she appeared here, I tensed, expecting a full-on argument, but no, she had just come to help us. Not that I wasn't grateful, obviously.

Annabeth turned towards me, her gray eyes looking watery and dull, like any moment she might burst into tears, even in front of all of our friends. I held out my arms and she walking into them and whispered in my ear, "What am I going to do?"

"I don't know, Wise Girl, but I know we'll face it together. Like always." I whispered back.

"Why can you all of a sudden burst into flames?" Hazel asked. Annabeth turned and faced all of our friends.

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

"It's similar to Leo's ability, but my fire can drive the victim insane, apparently." Annabeth added.

Everyone looked down at themselves, as if hoping they didn't sprout some odd new power.

I looked at everyone, even Thalia and started cracking up.

My laughter echoed around, and nobody was laughing with me, and again that puts me under the titles of: Percy Jackson, Seaweed Brain, Idiot, Weirdo and Savior of Olympus. That last one didn't even count anymore. It was just because that awkward burst of laughter got me titled as "Weirdo" again.

"Um, anyway, we should get back to the Argo II, and get Leo some help," I said.

All of my friends (well, minus Leo who was unconscious at the moment) stared at me weirdly, but nodded and started walking back towards the boat.

I walked up to Annabeth and put my arm around her shoulder and squeezed it.

"Are you okay?" I asked concerned.

"Why wouldn't I be?" She said.

"Well, you just sprouted some magical power. You look like the time my first summer at Camp, when I doused you and Clarisse with that bathroom water," I nudged her.

She rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Remember how pathetic Clarisse looked?" I said.

Annabeth laughed for real now, and said,

"Why do we always have to go save the world?"

"We're demigods. It's like our job." I said.

Annabeth faked a gasp.

"Oh my gods! Seaweed Brain is finally right about something, what has the world come to?"

I pretended to be offended.

"Hey! I'm right about stuff. Sometimes," I muttered that last part.

"Sure," said Annabeth.

I ignored that and rolled my eyes. I grabbed her arm and pulled her to the boat. It was a good thing I had because what I saw next was shocking.

It was the face of the augur of Camp Jupiter. Octavian.

PIPER:
I was a little shaky after the encounter with Mania, but I was just glad Jason was okay.

I kind of expected some peace and quiet after that, but when you're a demigod, nothing is peaceful. Monsters, gods or evil demigods have to ruin your day.

So Jason and I were carrying Leo since he had passed out.
He wasn't that heavy, which is a little weird. I've seen that boy eat. We were about 20 feet from the boat when we heard swords clanging and battle grunts. Hazel and Frank were roughly the same distance away and they froze when they heard the noise.

I glanced at Hazel, and she mouthed, what do we do?

I mouthed back, I don't know, but we have to get Leo out of here.

Jason nudged me.

"I'm going to see if I can fly up there without whomever they're fighting seeing me." He whispered.

"Be careful," I said, kissing his cheek.

He winked at me, "I was planning on it." Then he soared upwards.

Hazel and Frank walked over to me.

"So, what's the plan?" Frank asked me.

"Well, I'm not the best strategist but I think our best chance is to distract them before we attack." I replied.

"Frank can change forms," Hazel suggested.

Frank nodded.

"So, like, for example, he could turn into a tiger?" I asked.

In response, Frank shrank to the lithe body of a tiger and then changed back quickly. I wasn't too freaked out, because I had to admit that power was cool.

"Okay, here's the plan. Frank, you turn into the animal you think is the best to cause a distraction," Frank nodded and I continued, "Me and Hazel will wait here for about a minute or so and then climb up to help you." Hazel also nodded.

We listened intently and I think someone was hurt because there was cruel laughter and more clanging.

"Okay, go climb up there." I instructed. Frank climbed up the ladder and jumped onto the lowest deck and transformed into a huge wolf and scampered up the stairs.

I started counting the minute and I nodded to Hazel and started to climb. When I got to the top I hopped onto the deck. Hazel climbed up too and together we ran up the deck's stairs to find everything eerily quiet.

"Where's the fighting?" Hazel asked.

"I'm not sure," I replied.

I scanned the room and found nothing. Maybe they're being held captive, I thought. So I pointed this out to Hazel and we searched the whole deck. Pretty soon after, we heard screaming that was coming from the top deck. So we raced up there and tried to track the screaming. Again, we found nothing.

"What if they're in the engine room?" Hazel suggested.

"Okay, let's try there." I said.

We walked toward the engine room. The screams were getting louder now. We were in front of the engine room door and I tried to pry it open, but it wouldn't open.

Hazel pushed past me softly and with one look, she opened the door. I stared at her dumbfounded. She blushed and burst opens the door.

Inside of the hot and humid engine room we found Annabeth and Percy tied up in a corner and Octavian was towering over them with a wicked sharp dagger. He was just about to stab both of them then tensed. He sensed us in the room. I swiftly drew Katropis.

Octavian whirled around and sneered at Hazel and me.

"The traitor and the Graceus, wonderful," said Octavian.

Hazel scoffed and retorted,

"You're calling ME a traitor? You're the one that works for Gaea,"

"Oh, really? If I recall, you're the reason Alcyoneus rose again," Octavian smirked.

"And I killed him. I was forced to do that, remember?" said Hazel.

While she distracted him, I was untying Percy and Annabeth who bounced up immediately and gave me a look that said, 'Thanks' and I nodded.

Percy sneaked up on Octavian and slashed his neck and back. Octavian roared in pain and anger and crumpled to his knees. It's a trick, I thought. He's not that hurt.

"You should all join Gaea," Octavian groaned.

"And why would we do that?" asked Annabeth.

"Because the gods are liars. You see, your mother Athena didn't tell you the truth about your powers." He said.

"What are you talking about?" asked Annabeth.

Octavian smiled cruelly.

"The Mark of Athena is actually the power to create anything the beholder of the curse imagines in their mind."

Annabeth gaped at him and Percy smirked at Octavian, satisfied he had injured him and tried to walk away, but Octavian stabbed him in the leg. In one swift movement Annabeth slashed Octavian again and this time, it was real pain he felt. Octavian reared up and sliced the air in front of him and disappeared.

"Oh, gods, Percy!" Annabeth exclaimed.

"I'm fine, Annabeth." Percy said weakly and coughed up some blood.

"No you're not. Let's go to the infirmary," said Annabeth and Percy leaned on her for support. Together they limped away.

"Are you okay, Hazel?" I asked. She looked a little pale. She nodded and left.

I walked up the stairs to my room. This would be a long night.

Alright, that's the chapter! Thank you to enchanted-sweetheart for advising me on Annabeth's new powers, I hope you liked this change. OK, so tell me what you guys think about it and REVIEW! Just press that little blue button! Until you all review, (4 people at least, please)

BYE!

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