Chapter XX: Annabeth

Annabeth wakes up to hear the alarm bells ringing. She had had a terrible day yesterday. She couldn't sleep so she went on deck and Iris-messaged Reyna. However, she could only get one word through. Underground. That word was not going to get them anywhere.

After that, she sobbed on the ground. She didn't want to break down. She remembered all the trouble she had gone through to get the statue. Then she fell into Tartarus for it. Now it had disappeared and she had no more drachmas for a message.

Her eyes fly open. She rips her cover off, made of duck feathers in a duvet. Leo had insisted that the Argo II be like a luxury ship. But he hadn't been happy when Annabeth had reminded him that Titanic had been a luxury ship.

She groans. "Not another monster."

She gets up and fixes her hair into a neat french braid. She decides to wear her owl earrings today, though she doesn't know why. She pushes her cabin door open and staggers onto the deck. "What is it? If it's those kobaloi again, I swear-"

Piper shakes her head. "Relax, Annabeth. Just a group meeting."

Annabeth inhales. They had to sort things out today. Or the universe will be doomed. Seriously doomed. "Great! Let's go," she grabs Piper by the elbow and steps into the dining hall. Jason, Percy, Hazel, and Frank are already there, sitting at the table. Piper and Annabeth both take a seat. Percy smiles at Annabeth when she sits down. She smiles back weakly.

"Okay, guys. Now that we're all settled down, let's get this stuff over with. We have to figure out a shorter way to-" Jason is interrupted by Leo staggering into the dining hall.

"Hawaii. Coconuts. Nachos," he mutters, yawning and plopping into the seat next to Piper. "Congo. Ice cream…" Piper gives him a light slap on the cheek. "Earth to Leo. We don't have coconuts and we are definitely not in Hawaii."

"Ow," he mumbles, rubbing his cheek. "That hurt."

Jason ignores him. "Ooookay. So where was I again?"

Percy takes the lead. "So, we are not going to waste anymore time. Leo, you have five days to get us to Greece. Meanwhile, on our side, we have Chariclo's army who will fight with us and provide supplies for the war. We have to pass Troy safely and get to Gaea's army. We cannot let our blood be spilt on the stones because I'm sure you will all agree, it would be better to fight an army without Gaea than an army with her."

Annabeth intervenes."On the other hand, saving the camps might be an issue. The Athena Parthenos is lost and in danger. Hopefully, Nico and Reyna will be able to find it. Either ways, how will our camps make it to Greece in whatever time they've got left?

"And if they cannot save the camps, war will begin. Our lives fall into Gaea's hands and seven of us cannot beat Gaea," Hazel continues.

"So? That wasn't exactly a newsflash" Leo asks.

"Okay, let's not be so pessimistic. We're looking for a way to get there faster. In fact, any solutions to our problems." Jason replies looking grim.

"Honestly, there are no solutions!" Frank says angrily, "We've done it all. We need the gods to stop arguing, get a grip and help us finish this till the end."

"Frank's right," Piper agrees ."But it's kind of risky, knowing the Gods...and besides which God?"

There is a silence after that. Annabeth can feel a tingling sensation in the air. She raises her face to meet all the other's confused expressions and turns around. Piper had spoken a minute too soon. On the deck, stands Her Majesty, Annabeth's least favorite god, Hera. Her ancient robes flow around her, her hair is let loose around her shoulders.

"Hmph, you'll pay for that, Piper Mclean" Hera's voice booms.

Piper glares at the goddess and pulls out Katropris. The knife gleamed. "So will you."

"You dare challenge a goddess, insolent daughter of Aphrodite?"

Annabeth would have a million dollars to watch Hera get beaten up by Piper but Jason interferes. "Woah Pipes. Calm down. Juno, you obviously have a purpose for visiting."

Hera, or Juno, or whatever you wanted to call her - In Annabeth's case, she was biting her tongue to make sure she didn't accidently spill out the unprintable comments she was holding in - shot daggers at Jason. "My plan is near completion. Romans and Greeks will unite. Next comes the battle."

"Roman and Greeks weren't even the 'foes' in the first place. All you've done is caused a war between the camps, lost the Athena Parthenos, ruined valuable time and sealed all our fates." Percy spits out venomously.

"Watch your words, Perseus Jackson. Maybe I had assumed wrong but the war needed both Greek and Roman camps. The statue had been found and my plan is working. The fate is in your hands but as always time is never enough. "

"If you haven't noticed," Leo inserts sarcastically, "We need the gods. They're so selfish, they just sit back and enjoy while we do all the dirty work. They won't even step in to help when the world is falling. You were the only god on our side. And then you just ann away, paralyzed by the fear of your family, leaving us all alone. Thanks a lot Dirt Face No. 2!"

Hera takes a deep breath. "I will not lose my cool" she clenches her jaw, "I have come to warn you of great danger that awaits you in Troy and Greece

"All you do is warn us," Frank grumbles, "Ever heard of help?"

Hera continues unaffected, "I have come to tell you that your friends have found the statue and are on their way to camp. And I have come to grant you two things. First I will carry all your camp friends to Greece. Only their war has been prevented. Secondly, I will try and gather as many siblings of mine and pray that we meet again on the battlefield as equals. But for now, goodbye, my children…" she says and vanishes.

Annabeth would have given anything to scream 'Douche Bag' at her before she poofed but they more things to worry about.

"Well, that certainly was abrupt." Percy says with distaste.

And Annabeth couldn't agree more but as much as she hated the goddess, she was thankful for her help. At least, some God was attempting to help them. She had renewed hope in her and thought fiercely, "None of us will die, Gaea, not while I'm in charge."

"Right! So that's settled then!" Piper exclaims cheerfully.

"Yep, but what else? Leo, where are we at sea now? Are we close to Troy?" Hazel asks Leo.

"Huh? Hawaii? Oh...I wish! Coconuts….Mangoes…."

"LEO!" Annabeth shouts unable to handle it anymore, "Pay attention!"

"Huh? Oh..sorry! Troy? Yeah, we are definitely near Troy...about 5 hours or so."

"Good!" Percy wraps it up, "So we know what's going on now and we will defeat Gaea, no matter what!"

No one could keep track of time anymore but about an hour after the group meeting, Annabeth found herself on deck with Percy just so she could feel more comfortable and safe.

"How are you doing?" Percy asks.

"Fine...better, in fact. I just want to get this over with you know? So it can just you, me and peace all together." Annabeth smiles a bit.

Percy laughs quietly. After that, they just stand together, fingers intertwined, staring out at the sunset. Piper, Jason, Leo, Hazel and Frank emerge from the shadows.

"Hey guys, didn't know you were here." Jason says. It seemed like he had called everyone here. "By the way, I just wanted to ask you guys something and though it might not involve your decision, it just felt right to ask. So, remember when I told you that I had to give Frank the position of Praetor because I wasn't 'Roman' enough? Well.. I was thinking, if I cant be fully Roman anymore, why not become fully Greek? And I can be with Pipes." He took a deep breath as if he was afraid of how they might respond to that.

And though Frank and Hazel looked slightly shocked, all of them replied with happy approvals, hugs and slaps on the back. Annabeth couldn't help but feel happy but slightly apprehensive of how this thing might turn out. But she decided to be optimistic and hope for the best. At least they were finally coming together.

Annabeth looks at Piper. Her smile is brighter than the setting sun. Annabeth is happy for her. Deep within her, she also knows Percy and her were better off.