AN: hello everyone~ Here's Nazz with the new chapter once again~

Again, we own nothing but the plot and our own OCs.

Chapter 5

Jarred was on the porch of his new cabin, two days after he had been claimed, thinking about the events that had happened.

His new brothers and sisters took all of his belongings from Cabin Eleven and moved it to Cabin Five.

The Hermes cabin congratulated him on being claimed and reassured the newest son of Ares that they weren't mad that he almost got their head counselor barbequed.

Pascal was still in the infirmary with Alice watching over him. For now, the second in command of the Hermes cabin was keeping things in order.

Jarred was tapping his fingers on the cabin step, repeating his nervous habit only got him more worked up. Even if the Hermes cabin wasn't mad he still felt guilty about everything, his battle instincts had gotten the best of him. He didn't even know Efialtis could do that!

"What's the matter bro?" A voice behind Jarred said.

He jumped and turned to see who was talking to him.

A big bulky boy with scars up and down his arms stood a few feet from Jarred. He had slightly shaggy dark brown hair and his brown eyes were staring at the newest son of Ares. His mouth was turned up in a smirk. "Don't worry, it's only me." He chuckled, crossing his arms. "Now what's bothering you?"

"Oh, hey Jake." He muttered. "I-I just feel bad about what happened with Pascal...I should've been able to control myself! I've never gotten like that before!"

Jake came closer to the young boy and patted him on the shoulder. "That's the Ares blood awakening in you. All of us in this cabin have felt that. Our greatest training is controlling that side of us." He said. "And don't worry about Pascal. If Alice is with him, he'll be fine. Those two have been through a lot together."

"That doesn't make me feel any better." Jarred shook his head. He and Alice had canceled their plans because of what had happened.

"He'll be alright. Pascal isn't the one who keeps grudges." Jake patted the younger boy's shoulder again. "If Pascal did, Alice would talk some sense into that boy." Jake continued.

He didn't seem convinced. "Jake." He didn't look up at his older half-brother. "They seem really close, what exactly happened to them? You said they went through a lot together."

Jake stayed silent before answering. "I've known those two ever since they came here. The both of them were two years old and they came here battered, bruised and half-dead. I was five years old then.

"According to what Chiron told us, their guardian satyr was going to their house to babysit them while their mothers were going out. Then, out of the blue, hellhounds attacked the apartment before he even got there.

"The satyr managed to save the two but their mothers didn't make it. The hellhounds followed them until they arrived at camp. They were in the infirmary for five days. When they woke up they were inseparable and refused to talk to anyone but Chiron and the satyr.

"When Alice was claimed by her father, the two of them screamed, cried and refused to let go of each other. It got easier in the later years and they started making other friends but they're still inseparable up to now." Jake continued. "They're orphans and for a long time they felt that they had no one else to go to but each other."

Jarred said nothing. It was obvious he wished he hadn't asked. Frustration built up in him and the more frustrated he got, the faster he tapped on the cabin step. Jake could tell that Jarred had developed small feelings for Alice, though he wouldn't ever admit it.

Just then, a musical voice reached the two sons or Ares' ears. "Jarred. I heard what happened, I'm happy you were claimed but I'm sorry of what happened to Pascal."

Jarred looked up at Stephanie, his eyes narrowed. "Thanks, but honestly nothing's making me feel better at the moment." He suddenly winced, quickly withdrawing his hand from the step. He looked down at the bleeding scratches and splinters he had gotten in his finger. "Curse that stupid habit." He muttered to himself.

Stephanie's eyebrows furrowed in worry before reaching into her pocket and taking out a small container. Getting a small cube from the container, she handed it to Jarred.

"Here. Eat that." Stephanie said, sitting down beside Jarred.

He shook his head. "No I'm fine, this happens a lot." He said. "It's an old nervous habit I have."

"Come on Jarred just eat it."

Jarred sighed. He wasn't in the mood argue over something like this, so instead he took it and ate it. He was slightly surprised when it tasted a lot like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Ones his neighborhood bakery made, nothing he had was able to compare to them.

"See? That wasn't so bad was it?" Stephanie said, seeing Jarred's reaction. "And look. Your hand is healing."

Jarred looked down at his hand, the scratches and splinters were beginning to heal. "Thanks..." He said as he stood up. "I'll see you guys later." He said calmly as he picked up the wooden staff lying by the steps.

"Jarred!" Stephanie called out, running to catch up to him.

He turned looking at her. "What?" He called back.

Stephanie smiled before taking his hand. "Come on. Let's go Pegasus flying. I promised you that remember?"

He frowned. "Sorry Stephanie, let me visit the infirmary first."

Stephanie just smiled at him. "Pascal and Alice just left there a while ago."

"Where'd they go? I really need to talk to them."

Stephanie shook her head. "I don't know. But they did say that they wanted to be left alone for a while."

He tried not to let her see him wince. "Alright then." He put on a fake smile. "Let's go riding..."

Stephanie gave him a sad smile. "They'll be alright." She said before she led him to the stables.

"That's not what's got me upset." He whispered to himself as he followed her.

Stephanie went inside and motioned for Jarred to follow her in. Inside there were almost fifteen Pegasi. She went over to a cream colored Pegasus and led her to Jarred.

"This is Mocha." She said, stroking the Pegasus' face. "Go and see if any of them likes you. Just stroke their head and mane a bit." She instructed.

He nodded and walked through the barn. He stopped, looking at a large dark gray Friesian Pegasus. As he walked over the stallion snorted, and whinnied as he pawed the ground.

"That's Shadow's Knight, our wildest Pegasus. We just call him Knight." Stephanie said.

"Why's he so wild?" He asked as he went to unlatch the stall door so he could get in. Knight interested him. Jarred wanted to see how wild the stallion really was.

"Well, he's never like anyone here and he always bucks and suddenly dives." Stephanie said, worry creasing her features. "I think only one person was able to handle him."

A sly look crossed his face and he walked into the stall closing the door behind him. "Maybe I'll be the other one."

Knight snorted and pounded the floor with his hooves as if accepting Jarred's challenge.

"Are you sure Jarred?" Stephanie called out. She was already mounted on Mocha.

"Yeah. I'm sure." He kept his eye on Knight. "How did they act around him? Like, what did they do or say?"

"Uhm...I think they tried calming him first." Stephanie said, uncertain.

"Maybe he thinks opposite of other Pegasus. Let me guess what happened if they got him to calm down. They were gentle and kind right?"

"Uhm...yeah I think so."

Jarred gave a smile of determination as he looked into Knight's dark eye. "You don't want that do you boy? You want someone who can be dominant."

Knight snorted. He stared at the boy in front of him but stopped pounding on the floor.

"Thought so." He walked up to the dark gray stallion and patted his neck.

Knight snorted again, slightly shaking his pelt as if he was excited to fly.

Jarred went over to the stallion's face and rubbed his forehead. "What do ya' say boy, wanna fly?"

Knight whinnied and clopped his hooves in excitement.

"Then let's go." He smiled as he led the Pegasus out of the stall. Jarred then looked the horse in the eye. "Got to be good while we're flying, okay buddy?"

Knight whinnied as if to say No promises.

Stephanie's mouth dropped. "He let you ride him?"

Jarred just shrugged. "He doesn't want a timid kid. I kind of guessed when you said they acted calm."

Stephanie furrowed her eyebrows but nodded. "Well come on. Mount him so we can fly."

Jarred got up onto the Pegasus' back. Knight whinnied before suddenly bounding out of the stables and taking to the skies.

"Jarred!" Stephanie shouted from behind, riding on Mocha.

Jarred held on to Knight's mane for dear life. "EASY BOY!" He said demandingly.

Knight whinnied before going at a faster but steadier pace.

Jarred relaxed a bit and he could sit up straight. "Not surprised, you're cooped up in that stall all the time..."

Knight whinnied again in agreement. He flapped his wings as they went around the camp, Stephanie and Mocha right beside them.

"So?" Stephanie shouted. "What do you think?"

Jarred smiled at her. "This is great!" He called back.

Stephanie laughed and urged Mocha to go faster. Below them, campers were looking up in amazement at Jarred and Knight.

"Dude! You're riding Knight!" Jake exclaimed, waving from their cabin. "That's my boy!" He exclaimed, punching the air with his fist.

Jarred waved back, and let go of Knight's mane keeping him balanced.

After a few more minutes of flying, twisting and diving around most of the camp, Stephanie called out to the boy with her. "Jarred!"

He turned to look at her. "What?" He called back

"Do you want to find where Alice and Pascal are?" Stephanie shouted at him. "I think we can find them from up here. You wanted to talk to them right?"

At the mention of Alice's name, Knight suddenly bucked and whinnied in excitement. Jarred struggled to get Knight to calm down. "Easy boy easy! Settle down!"

Knight calmed down but only just. He was still whinnying in excitement.

"Oh I forgot to tell you! Alice was the only other one who tamed Knight before you." Stephanie said, seeing Knight's reaction.

"Well thank you for telling me that now!" He said irritated. "Let's just go find them..."

"Sorry..." Stephanie muttered, looking down at Mocha. Knight saw and bucked for that.

Jarred gave Stephanie an apologetic look then got serious again with Knight. "Knight calm yourself!" He said sternly. "We won't see Alice if you keep acting up like this!"

Knight snorted at him as if saying, 'Then be nice to ladies!'

"Well I would've been if I had had you under control..." He muttered unamused, then blinked shocked. "Wait a minute. Why am I talking to a Pegasus?"

Knight whinnied loudly as if laughing at the boy.

"Oh ha-ha very funny." He chuckled at the horse.

The two campers on their Pegasi flew around more of the camp, trying to find Pascal and Alice.

"I don't see them, do you?" Jarred called to Stephanie

Jarred saw Stephanie squint to try and see better. "I...I think I do!" she said, pointing over to a cliff overlooking the beach. A huge tree was planted there and from what Jarred could see, two silhouettes were sitting under it.

"Knight, you want to see Alice? Lead us down there." He told the Pegasus quietly.

Knight whinnied and went into a dive. He whinnied louder and Jarred saw the smaller of the silhouettes look around in confusion.

Jarred held tightly onto Knight's mane, he wanted to wave to the two but he couldn't. They were going too fast for him to do so.

Knight suddenly spread his wings and they slowly glided in for a smooth landing with Stephanie and Mocha right behind them.

He loosened his grip and looked down at the two. He gave a small smile to them. "Hey guys!"

"Knight! Jarred!" Alice shouted, scrambling up and running towards the black stallion. Pascal smiled softly and waved back. He slowly stood up and walked towards the Pegasi.

Jarred dismounted once Knight had landed and patted the black stallion's neck. "Nice job buddy." He told him and smiled at Alice.

Alice smiled brightly at Jarred, her eyes twinkling. Knight trotted towards Alice and rubbed his face against her neck snorting gently. Alice stroked the black stallion's mane just as Pascal and Stephanie walked over.

He stroked the stallion's neck. "He's a great Pegasus." He whispered to Alice. "Too bad we're the only ones that know how he thinks." He joked

Alice giggled then smiled at Jarred."Yeah I know." she whispered back. The she turned to Knight. "Who's a good boy Knight? That's my good boy." she cooed to the stallion. Knight whinnied and rubbed his face against Alice's neck again.

"Want to ride him back to camp with me? I think both me and him would like that." He chuckled.

Alice looked over to Pascal. He softly smiled at her and nodded. "I'll just ride on Mocha with Stephanie." He said, teasingly winking at the daughter of Aphrodite. Stephanie just rolled her eyes, chuckling.

Alice squealed and went to hug Pascal. "Thank you!" she said, kissing him on the cheek before going back to Knight and Jarred. Pascal just smiled at her before walking over to Stephanie and Mocha, his hands in his pockets.

Jarred felt himself wince seeing what she did. They're just close friends... He thought, trying to reassure himself. But he knew Pascal wanted more than that from Alice. "Come on." He smiled at her happily.

Alice smiled up at Jarred and mounted on Knight. "Come on, you be front." She said, patting the space in front of her. Knight whinnied.

He smirked and got up in front of her. "Nice and steady buddy." He told Knight and patted his neck.

"Can we take our time before we go back to the cabins?" Alice asked as she wrapped her arms around Jarred's waist. "I haven't been on Knight ever since I went out of camp to go to your school."

He looked over his shoulder at her. "Anything you want." He smiled. "Let's go." He whispered to Knight, and held on tight to his black mane when he took off.

Alice laughed as she held on tight to Jarred. Below them, Jarred could see that Pascal was the one steering Mocha with Stephanie riding behind him. They seemed to be having a silent conversation.

Jarred glanced back at Alice, he liked seeing her smile and laugh. But he frowned. "Hey Alice." He said.

Alice looked at Jarred. "Yeah?"

He felt guilt pressing on his chest. "I-I'm sorry..." He said quietly.

"Sorry?" Alice said, tilting her head slightly to the side in confusion. "What for?"

He could feel his grip tighten. "With what happened...to Pascal. I know he means a lot to you and…" His voice trailed off.

Alice's confused expression melted into a soft smile. "It's alright. Neither of us is mad or even upset at you."

Jarred sighed, relaxing a bit. "Thanks..." He said quietly, but it still bugged him a bit. Being the son of Ares came with that one fault. The hunger for battle could get the best of his children, causing them to lose control in a fight. We just have to control it the way we want. All depends on who we're fighting...

"It's honestly alright Jarred." Alice said softly. She suddenly reached up and softly kissed him on the cheek. She smiled again before turning to look at the cabins in the distance.

He blushed and smiled gently as they landed by the stables.

Alice let go of Jarred's waist and dismounted Knight. Jarred suddenly found himself missing her warmth. Just as Pascal and Stephanie landed, a conch horn sounded in the distance.

"Oh, it's dinner time!" Alice said, her eyes twinkling.

"You guys go on ahead. I'll put Mocha and Knight back." Jarred said as he dismounted.

"No, We'll wait for you." Alice said, putting her hands in her pockets and smiling up at Jarred.

Pascal nodded as he went beside Alice, placing a hand on her shoulder.

He gave a small smile. "Alright." He said as he led the Pegasi back into the stables and to their stalls.

As he was returning Knight and going back to the others, Stephanie pulled him aside. "Jarred...can I ask you something?"

"Um, yeah sure. What is it?" Jarred asked her, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Do you like Alice?" She asked bluntly.

AN: don't forget to review~!