I'm back and still alive! Sorry for not updating but March was rather busy for me, had to take a class and do a bunch of other things to settle as well. Didn't help I got writers block a bit hate it when that happens but oh well what can you do?

Well anyway just a few warnings about this chapter, one I was a bit too lazy to make my own demons (more or less) so there are going to be a few appearances by some well-known demons you may or may not have heard or read before and some familiar techniques may be seen trying to be used here. Other that I hope you enjoy the chapter!

"Lord Tatsuya are you okay? We managed to get away from them so what's the problem?" the small fox demon on the dragon's back asked, "I mean I know you're a bit uneasy about leaving the kids there…"

"Its not like I had a choice, I needed them somewhere safe and I don't know how the others would've reacted to having them around." Tatsuya murmured back.

"Come on sir, to be frank if you trusted the children they trust you enough to know what's good and what's not." Shippo replied.

"I understand but I think it was eventual that Perseus needed to see his real father, as much as I care for him as my own flesh and blood its…. rather only fair that he gets to meet Lord Poseidon." Tatsuya sighed.

"If you're sure sir, but what did you do with 'it' Lord Tatsuya." Shippo asked curiously, "they're going to be more determined to get it from you…from us."

Tatsuya gave the fox demon a fanged grin.

"Its safe you don't have to worry I split it and its in safe hands, the only way it can be retrieved is if they realize they have it or I take it out of them." Tatsuya replied.

"Them…you didn't!" Shippo gawked at the dragon, "are you serious! Is that really the right thing to do?"

"Its safe Shippo, like I said I split it in two and it only reacts to them if they're in any sort of danger which will alert me." Tatsuya said.

"I trust you Lord Tatsuya but sometimes you even had strange ideas even by my standards…" Shippo sighed as he shook his head making the dragon chuckle a bit darkly up at him.

"Er…a-anyway! I see the base Lord Tatsuya!" Shippo said pointing ahead at a rock formation on the cliff at the water's edge.

The large dragon nodded and his eyes glowed, and the formation shook a bit as a blue light appeared and expanded to make an entrance large enough for the dragon and his companion to fly inside. The dragon continued on his journey though the hideout, until he came to a large opening that was illuminated by large crystals. He landed in the middle of the large area, as a young red haired teen approached him.

"Lord Tatsuya, I'm glad you've made it back here safely." A red haired demon said walking up to the large dragon as he entered the base through the hidden entrance, "there weren't any problems?"

"No just hard to watch the two go to that blasted camp…" Tatsuya muttered as he transformed back to his semi-human state as Shippo jumped off of him and ran to the red head's side.

"There were about two generals there, but they were the only real challenge since their minions are badly trained." Shippo reported and grinned when the red head patted his head.

"Excellent observation skills kit," he said proudly, "I'm sure your friends missed you, go and catch up with them."

"Alright thanks Kurama-sensei!" Shippo chirped running off and before long there was the sound of a body hitting the ground.

"You damn fox what'd you go and do that for! Brat!"

"Hahaha you're getting old if you couldn't tell I was coming mutt!"

"I'll show you old when I get my hands around your neck and-"

"Kagome he's being mean to me again!"

"Inuyasha SIT!"

"So anything to report to me Kurama?" Tatsuya asked the red head in a school uniform ignoring the bickering in the background as if it was a daily occurrence.

"We're still scouting the area for anymore signs of that group, everyone is paired up so nothing happens." Kurama replied his green eyes looking back at the dragon god in front of him.

"That's good." Tatsuya sighed as he started walking but Kurama followed after him a frown marring his face, "but there's more you need to tell me isn't here?"

"A few minutes ago before your arrival our spy inside the group sent a message through those conch shells you made." Kurama replied handing the same shell that had been used appeared into the dragon god's hands.

Tatsyua tapped it and the image of his subordinate Orochi appeared in his human disguise form as the snake constellation since he had gotten rid of the original and taken his place.

::Lord Tatsuya I have distressing news, Sir Aquila and Sir Scropio had returned failing to capture their intended targets, but despite their mission gone bad Aquila had suggested to the leader that they start taking an interest in the children that are similar to that of your adopted child::

"They what!" Tatsuya roared shaking the base and catching the attention of the others.

::I'll report back when I have more sir but I apologize I never saw them going in this direction.:: Orochi finished ending the message.

"Sir? We could collect them and bring them here." Kurama suggested but Tatsuya shook his head.

"Its took late for that, if we tried taking him back here it would just cause more problems and involve the Olympians." Tatsuya said.

"I hate to point this out sir, but if they do indeed take this path the Olympians will be involved nonetheless." Kurama pointed out making the dragon lord rub the bridge of his nose.

The dragon lord sighed as he could feel a migraine coming, as he tried to figure something out.

"Have the group keep an eye out for any activity involving kidnapping those children, we must prevent as much as we can." Tatsuya replied after a while.

"And the Olympians sir?" the red head questioned.

"We will cross that bridge when it comes." Tatsuya replied as Kurama nodded.

"Understood," Kurama said before patting the dragon god's back, "we'll figure something out Lord Tatsuya."

"I hope so Kurama, because I do not want any innocents involved in my fights but it looks like they're going to be dragged into it." Tatsuya sighed with
resignation.

oOo

"This is nice isn't it you two?" Amelia said smiling softly as she sat on a chair given to her by Chiron at the big house. Celeste was lying by the side of the chair as Saphir was snoozing happily in her lap.

Celeste whined happily as Amelia patted the dog's head before she turned her own when she heard Chiron come up next to her offering her a drink which she happily took.

"Thank you Chiron, I hope its not too much trouble me being here, due to the circumstances." Amelia said as the centaur shook his head.

"No problems at all, there's not much we can do about it anyway and it's always nice to have another person to play against instead of just Lord Dionysus." The aged old trainer said chuckling, "I'm just pleased that Percy seems to be integrating nicely in the camp."

"I admit I was worried with how Nico was treated," Amelia sighed scratching Saphir's head, "he's such a nice boy…"

"I admit I did try to get him to open up to others but I think your son has been a good influence in him, I never would've thought he'd make more friends on his own." Chiron replied back to the woman.

"That's wonderful, by the way I was wondering are those strawberry fields out over there?" she asked pointing out to the far side of the camp where a wooden fence was and several campers were picking the tiny little fruit.

"Yes we grow them ourselves and sell them." Chiron replied.

"If its alright with you would it be alright if I could take some for myself to bake?" Amelia asked, "there's not much I can do in my condition and baking was an activity I loved."

"I don't see any problems with that, just that if you would allow myself and perhaps a grumpy god to be the first to sample it? Those strawberries are taken well care of by his sons." Chiron replied.

Amelia laughed lightly as she nodded.

"It's a deal Chiron, now why don't you get your game so we can play another round?" Amelia asked making the centaur smile.

"Of course Amelia, just give me a moment then." He replied chuckling as he left the woman once more.

'Tatsuya, I hope you're well….I miss you so much.' Amelia thought looking up at the endless blue sky.

oOo

"So, you lot are Demeter's children huh?" a tall imposing female nymph with blue violet hair wearing a pale yellow roman dress said looking at the bunch of half-bloods in front of her not impressed as she folded her arms, "you realize the only reason I'm bothering with this is because Lady Demeter says some of you have potential but I'll determine that for myself."

Several of the half bloods that had come to her for training swallowed nervously at the look they were given.

"Alright, I'm going to see where you are on plant manipulation, each and every one of your spread out! I don't want any copycats and I'm giving you no more then five minutes to think of something to impress me." Aconite said her green eyes blazing.

She gave them all one last look before she walked away and disappeared into the woods, leaving the children of Dementer looking nervously at each other and panicking on what to do to impress the elder nymph.

"Oh Zeus what am I going to do!" one Demeter child said hold his hands to his head.

"Calm down I'm sure there's something we can do to impress her!" another child said but she looked like she was panicking as well.

"What are you two gonna do?" Katie asked the twins who were deep in thought.

"We don't' know…" Noah replied frowning.

"Really? You two usually think of a lot of different things to do with you plant manipulation though." Katie replied.

"That's the thing, we usually plan together and create it together." Eli stated, "we can do a lot of things easily but we've never done it separate."

"There has to be a few things that you two can do separate." Katie replied.

"Maybe…but we'll show her what we can do together and see if that's okay." Noah sighed.

Katie smiled at the two and patted their heads in a comforting way, "just play your strengths you two will impress her no doubt."

"What do you think Noah?" Eli said looking at his twin.

"Lets do what we're best at together and that's making that map!" Noah said encouragingly, "We can maybe try and make it like that one map we read about."

"That's a bit much but I'm sure that'll work I think." Eli replied.

"Come on Eli, we've been doing this for years I'm sure you have a few of your own ideas you've wanted to try by yourself." Noah said grinning as his brother returned the smile.

Five minutes later Aconite came back as the other Demeter children stood straight and looked nervously at the nymph.

"Alright lets see what you kids got." She said and the half bloods started to try and impress Aconite with their skills.

"An enlarged Venus-fly trap…not bad…"

"That's it? You need to work on variety there are other plants besides flowers expand on it!"

"Not bad, its decent at least but honestly I thought you children would practice some more!"

Aconite stood in front of Katie who looked nervous but took a deep breath and started to summon vines that twisted and form until a golem completely out of vines stood next to her hunched over and waiting commands.

"Now this is some skill." Aconite said surveying the golem, she prodded it a few times nodding when she felt that it was firm and that it wasn't going to fall apart anytime soon, "can you make it do anything?"

"Yes ma'am," Katie said and raised her arm at the golem.

Everyone watched as the vines on the golem's arms shifted and soon formed two large hammers rather then hands.

"Impressive…you have much more skill then the others. Alright you two are up," Aconite said looking at the twins.

Eli and Noah looked at each other before gazing back up at Aconite who just raised an eyebrow.

"Is there something you wanted to ask" she questioned making the twins nod.

"We were wondering, if we could show you two things…" Eli said rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "you see Lady Aconite, my brother and I have great powers in manipulation when we're together-"

"And were wondering if you would allow us to show you something we do together first before we go and show you something we create separate." Noah finished.

"Have you two always worked your powers like that? Together?" She asked.

The twins nodded.

"Alright but it better be good the skill you show me together." Aconite said, making the twins break out in smiles.

"Yes Lady Aconite!" the twins said in unison.

They moved some distance away and nodded to each other as they grasped each other's hand and had their spare hand in front of them. They closed their eyes in concentration and Aconite watched intrigued as the grass started to grow taller and flowers started to pop up as well. The combination of the grass and different flowers made her curious at what the twins were up to, it wasn't long before she saw exactly what they were creating.

"A 3-D dimensional map of camp half-blood…and the use of different flowers for each cabin is really intricate." Aconite said leaning down and poking one of the 'cabins' made out of flowers, "you included the lake, the barrier, forest, the cave very very good you two. It must've taken a while to study the camp to get all these details."

"It took a bout a week or so…" Eli said sheepishly.

"More or less had to ask a bunch of campers about everything." Noah replied.

"Well you have my interest, now just show me what you two can do individually." Aconite said.

The twins looked at each other nervously and let go of each other's hand nodding at the request from Lady Aconite.

"Yes Lady Aconite." They replied.

Noah stepped up first before his brother, and started to bring out vines and ivy together until it formed armor around him, including a sword and shield. The armor looked like a knight's armor including making him taller then he normally was.

"Hmm…this is different and you're not feeling any itching or scratching from the plants?" Aconite asked looking at the armored Noah.

"Nope! I feel perfectly fine. So what do you think?" Noah asked as he removed the armor and going back to his own height.

"Might not want to use it in a real fight since I don't know how durable it will be, but if you can manipulate it where the plants can still attack while being used as an armor it's a good defense and offense." Aconite said honestly before turning towards Elijah who had been quiet, "what about you?"

Elijah looked nervous but from behind Aconite Noah gave his twin an encouraging look making him feel slightly better as he returned the look with a weak smile.

"Alright Lady Aconite, I hope this is alright." Eli said quietly as he concentrated and plants started to grow. It started out looking like topiary as large bushes grew in front of the twin and parts of them started to fall until they started to shape something. It didn't stop there as flowers appeared to give it color and more depth then usual topiary. When Eli was done he stepped back and waited for Aconite to inspect and give her opinion.

"Wow Eli, you're the artistic one between us it seems." Noah said patting his brother's back.

"T-thanks Noah, I just hope its good enough…" Eli said nervously as he played with his camp half-blood shirt he wore.

"You made an exact replica of your family?" Aconite asked looking at all of the figures, "I recognize your brother and Lady Demeter but who are the others?"

"T-the two next to Lady Demeter are the parents that adopted Noah and myself from the orphanage, next to them is Joshy and Percy our 'brothers' we had." Eli replied.

"Details are exquisite, and the colors give it much nicer look." Aconite stated, "alright a few of you pass and I'm going to go by names, if I don't call your names, practice on your own some more and come see me later."

The children of Demeter stood upright and waited for the verdict.

"Katie Gardner, Sola William, Victor Kaiden, Autumn Raynes, Elijah and Noah Clovers." Aconite said after a few minutes of deliberation.

There were several loud cheers as Katie was ecstatic that she got chosen and the twins were hugging each other happily that they both were able to please Lady Aconite.

"The rest of you improve, ask tips from these guys and try and show me something new at another time." Aconite said as the ones who didn't make it trudged back to the cabin, "as for the rest of you, this was just a start its going to get a lot rougher from now on because by the time I'm done with you you're going to be able to manipulate plants on a whim."

The Demeter children that made it looked at each other and laughed nervously wondering if the elder nymph was being serious or not.

oOo

"Percy give it up, there is no way its physically possible." Nico said folding his arms at his younger cousin who was wearing blue swimming trunks and looked determined at the lake in front of him.

"Hey if I can manipulate water to create stuff who says I can't solidify it enough for me to walk on it!" Percy huffed.

"That was in a cartoon." Nico retorted, "a stupid one at that."

"Japanese animation! And no it wasn't!" Percy shot back scowling.

"Same thing and yes it was! What kind of ninja goes around wearing come-kill-me-I'm here neon orange!" Nico argued, "Its not going to work, you can't walk on water! Next thing you know you're going to try and replicate those ice mirrors and that technique with the water dragon!"

Percy looked like the thought just occurred to him making Nico slap his forehead as Poseidon's half-blood son smirked, "I wasn't but thanks for the idea Nico!"

"PERSEUS! Forget about those techniques!"

"Dad said to be creative with manipulating water and ice!"

"Creative yes! Copying some ridiculous techniques in real life I don't believe those count!"

"Yes I can! I prove it to you!" Percy argued huffing.

"Percy be reasonable here!"

"Those two still arguing about Percy trying to utilize something he's seen on TV? Check." Josh said to the sandy blonde haired gray-eyed teen sitting across from him.

"Yes, but it is rather unorthodox to copy something you've seen on television, aren't we usually told not to do that?" the gray-eyed teen replied thinking for a moment before moving his king out of harms way.

"Usually yes, but with Percy's abilities I think its just controlling his powers to a finite point." Josh replied shrugging as he looked over the board for his next move, "you sure you don't mind hanging around us Malcolm? Your siblings don't look too happy about it."

Malcolm's lip twitched in amusement, "there is another second in command of Athena's cabin and I don't need to be around for every little thing. Besides its no fun trying to get them to play chess when I keep beating them."

"So you need a new victim huh?" Josh replied dryly, "I should get Percy to tell you about Go, it's suppose to be just like chess but with pebbles instead."

"Hmm I have been wanting to try a new game, but let's just finish this." Malcolm replied as the clashing of metal drowned out Percy and Nico's playful arguing, "Nyssa seems to be doing better training with your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend." Josh said but without any heat behind what he was saying as he moved one of his pawns, "we're just better friends that's all."

"Right, and your sudden change of attitude with him around have nothing to do with it." Malcolm replied smirking as he captured Josh's bishop making the Apollo child curse.

"Drop it…" Josh said glaring at the blonde haired kid in front of him making said boy laugh as the brunette tried to recover his loss on the board.

Malcolm and Nyssa were two new additions to Percy's little group of friends in Camp Half-blood. Nico had brought Nyssa over when she was curious about the latest child of the big three and Nico had introduced the two seeing that Percy could use a friend outside the group.

Nyssa had been surprised that Percy didn't seem to have the high and mighty attitude she had expected since seeing Bianca and Thalia coming to the camp and took an almost instant liking to Percy, especially when he asked her about weapons, which was Nyssa's forte and passion.

The two were discussing on how to make a trident specifically for Percy using different materials for properties. The two when they talked could be seen exchange ideas here and there about what they could use and would always have a bunch of papers with scribbles on them that only the two could read.

Malcolm had come over himself when he had been looking for an opponent to play against in chess, which Zacharias had immediately set up since he figured his Josh could use a different way to battle it out rather then sword training. Malcolm was a bit skeptical at first but once they sat down and started the game he was rather impressed by Josh's thinking and strategies. Sure he would usually win but it was sometimes a close call for his wins and when he looked at the board he would see where Josh was going with his moves. Before long the two were chess partners and enjoyed challenging the other. Malcolm had even challenged Zacharias to a game, which the magician agreed on, and he managed to make the son of Athena stare at him after the magician had soundly beaten him.

Flashback….

"H-how! You somehow managed to counter nearly every move I made and beat me completely!" Malcolm gawked staring at his board.

"Really? Wow I was wondering if you were just going easy on me." Zacharias laughed as the blonde haired boy turned to Josh who had been watching their game.

"Don't ask me how he comes up with his method of play. Trying to figure out how he thinks makes your own head hurt…trust me I've done it more then enough times." Josh huffed before Zacharias pouted and tackled Josh down.

"That's mean Joshy!" Zach said looking down at the brunette he had pinned under him.

"No it isn't bird brain now get off." Josh growled.

End of Flashback…

In addition to getting a chess buddy out of Josh he had gotten an opponent out of Zacharias as well. Malcolm was determined to figure out the magician's pattern of moves on the board every time they played, but each time he thought he had something the Aphrodite child would throw a wrench in his plans on a whim making him rethink his previous strategy.

Nico finally seemed to give up on trying to talk Percy out of his crazy ideas and just went over to his two piles he had set up for himself. One pile was full of metal weapons that Nyssa had given him while the other one was a pile of gems he had received from her as well. Calming himself down he grabbed a small gem stone and tried concentrating on manipulating it how he had done so with the earth around him

While he was doing that Percy looked towards the lake and grinned.

"Alright now to prove Nico wrong and that I can do this…I'm the son of two water gods I can handle doing something simple like this." Percy told himself.

"Do what exactly Percy?" a water nymph asked popping her head out of the water.

"Trying to see if I can walk on water Naida." Percy said smiling at one of his nymph friends. Out of the three he had met, Naida was the one that he would always talk to at the lakeside, they were really becoming really close friends.

"But you can do that, just use ice." The nymph replied curiously.

"I know that but I want to actually stand on top of water and not ice." Percy replied making the nymph's eyes wide.

"Woooowww can you really do that! That'd be so cool!" Naida said excitedly.

"Dunno but I'm going to try, you might wanna move I'm going to try running and see if that works." Percy said.

"Gotcha Percy!" Naida said swimming out of Percy's way so he didn't run into Naida when he tried this, "You can do it!"

Percy grinned at the encouragement and stuck his tongue out in concentration before he got in a starting position.

"Alright, just concentrate and I can do this." Percy said to himself, "focus on the water's top…"

With that in mind Percy sprinted off towards the water front and Naida watched eagerly as the half-blood son of Poseidon managed to make it a few steps before he yelped and went underneath the water.

"Told you so!" Nico shouted as Percy broke the surface.

"I managed to take five steps before I sunk! Its progress!" Percy shouted back sticking out his tongue.

"Yeah yeah." Nico replied rolling his eyes and went back to trying to change the gem's shape.

Naida swam closer to Percy and giggled.

"That was a good first try!" she said as Percy spat out some water.

"I could feel it, I had the water solid under me for a few seconds but then I lost it and my foot went through." Percy said frowning.

"Mmmm maybe visualize the water as if it was solid like the ground?" Naida suggested tapping her cheek.

"That's what I tried but it didn't last too long." The young half-blood replied sighing as he got on his back and floated in the water as Naida swam around him.

"Nico said it was from a show, what did they do there?" the water nymph asked.

"Er…concentrated energy on their feet?" Percy replied.

"That could be easier." Naida said making Percy look up at her.

"How?" he asked.

"Well…it should be easier to focus on your feet to stay up rather then trying to solidify the water." Naida replied, "think about it between solidifying a whole water surface or the soles of your feet which of the two would you prefer?"

"The soles of my feet since it's a smaller surface compared to the surface of the lake." Percy replied.

"See! Now go on and do it Percy!" Naida said nodding.

"Alright! I'll get this!" the dark haired half-blood said as the water nymph laughed amused.

"Go Percy!" Naida cheered as the young half blood swam to shore and concentrated on his feet as he made a dash for the lake once more.

"He's not going to be able to do it." Nico grumbled as he scowled at the gem that hadn't even moved an inch in his hand.

"Oh don't be pessimistic! Percy is good he can do it!" Zach laughed as he ducked underneath a swing from Nyssa's axe, "gunna have to be faster then that!"

"Dammit you tricky magician!" Nyssa scowled.

"This is a good exercise for you to be more flexible!" the Aphrodite child said amused as he back flipped away from Nyssa's twin axe attack.

"I'm not that flexible!" Nyssa scowled.

"Well that's what we're going to be working on!" Zach said grinning, "how you doing on your manipulation Nico?" the magician.

"Urgh horrible! The gems have no reaction!" Nico said scowling darkly, tossing the gem back into the pile.

"Well then go with metal, that should be easier and cheap shot Valentine!" Nyssa shouted as she stumbled when Zach kicked her back when she was talking to Nico.

"You gotta pay attention Nyssa!" Zach laughed as he danced out of harms way.

"Get back here!" Nyssa growled as she ran after the magician.

Zach just laughed as he practically bounced away and managed to surprise Josh that he knocked over a few chess pieces when he leaned down and kissed the Apollo boy on the lips.

"ZACHARIAS VALENTINE!"

"Aww you're blushing Joshy!" Zach teased making the boy's face burn as he stood up his eye twitching.

"Hey what about our game?" Malcolm asked amused as Josh stormed over to the pile of metal weapons in front of Nico and took a sword.

"I can still play!" Josh scowled as he dashed towards the laughing magician, "pawn A2 to A4!"

"Double team him?" Nyssa said looking at Josh who just missed the magician.

"Yeah…" Josh agreed.

"Get your behind back here Zacharias Valentine!" Nyssa and Josh shouted.

"This should be amusing." Malcolm chuckled as he moved Josh's' pieces before he moved his own.

"Well Zach is rather nimble." Nico replied sighing as he took a piece of metal from the weapon pile and narrowed his eyes at it, "I will get something out of you…"

"Talking to inanimate objects now?" Malcolm asked amused.

"Dammit Percy can turn water into Ice, I'm sure I can get this metal to change!" Nico scowled.

"You'll get it, that just doesn't mean you'll get it at once you know. Though it'll give you a huge advantage if you can bend metal." The son of Athena stated, thinking to how all their armor and weapons were made out of metal.

"I realize that, I Just need to be able to do it I the first place." Nico grumbled as he calmed himself down and tried to relax. It wasn't going to do any good if he was forcing himself.

'Okay I can manipulate earth, metal is just little components of earth embedded into it in order for it to form to its current state.' Nico thought to himself as he tried concentrating on the fragments of earth.

With that thought in mind he focused on the sword. He decided to do something simple and try to shape the sword into something else.

"Alright lets see how this goes…" Nico murmured to himself as he focused on the fragments of earth in the sword and slowly tried to manipulate it like he does the earth.

He could feel it; he could feel the sword actually responding to his commands like the earth does with him and smirked as he tried bending the straight blade of it into a curve. It took a while, but the sword was slowly but steadily responding to him as the blade bent more and more until the tip of the blade was almost touching the hilt.

"Yes! I'm getting it!" Nico crowed happily at the curved blade as he held it up.

"Great job Nico! Knight G1 to H3!" Josh shouted as Zach ducked a swipe from Josh's sword and rolled out of the way of Nyssa's axes.

"Now you just need to try and change the whole thing." Malcolm chuckled as he looked over the chessboard.

"Wow that's wonderful Percy! You almost managed to get to the middle of the lake before falling!" Naida cheered as the water nymph clapped her hands.

"I know! Its much more progress then I thought!" Percy replied happily as he walked out of the lake, "how're you doing Nico?"

"Its getting there, I should have this soon enough." Nico said grinning as he held up the bent sword.

"Nice, I'll be able to walk on water soon too! See I told you it was possible!" Percy laughed as Nico groaned.

"Can't believe you're actually attempting that." The son of Hades groaned.

"Hey its completely plausible Nico!" Percy huffed folding his arms as his black hair stuck to his face as he dripped with water.

"Yeah yeah I doubt you can really do it." Nico retorted.

"Bet I can get it faster then you getting manipulating the metal." Percy shot back.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Fine what are the stakes?" Nico replied smirking.

"If I can get water walking faster then your metal manipulation you gotta…I know! Sing in front of our friends!" Percy said smirking making Nico blanch.

"You just want me to sing only because I barely sung in that school play." Nico said dryly.

"Maaybeee." Percy snickered.

"Fine but if I can get my manipulation done before you then you have to….ice skate around the lake like one of those figure skaters." Nico said evilly.

"W-what!" Percy shouted his face paling.

"You heard me, if I have to sing you have to figure skate." Nico said smirking.

"But I don't even know how to figure skate like that!" Percy cried out.

"I'm sure you can figure something out Perseus, what's wrong scared?" Nico teased.

"Grrr fine!" Percy agreed making their friends around them stare.

"Well…this should be an interesting bet." Malcolm said looking at the pair of half bloods, "who do you think'll win? Check by the way Josh!"

"Gack gimme a minute!" Josh shouted as he ended up backing away so he could look at the board, "and was that really a smart bet Percy?"

"I can beat Nico, I know I can!" the son of Poseidon pouted back.

"All I can say is I can't wait to see who loses." Zach laughed as he peered over Josh's shoulder and moved his pieces before he could say anything.

"There you go Joshy!" Zach laughed as Malcolm and Josh stared at the board.

"Seriously…how does come up with his strategies?" Malcolm asked.

"Don't know, don't care I'm more concerned on catching him!" Josh growled as he made an attempted swipe at Zach but the magician moved away from the Apollo boy.

"And the game continues…" Malcolm said as he moved his pieces as Zach took on an angry Hephaestus child and pissed off Apollo child while Nico and Percy continued to argue as a laughing water nymph stayed by the edges of the lake watching amused.

OOo Two Weeks Later oOo

"Ahahahahaa! Oh Zeus that was hilarious!" Malcolm laughed hysterically as he and the others walked into the amphitheater where some big announcement was suppose to take place.

"And I got it all on tape!" Zach added as he held up a camcorder that Josh had let him borrow before making it disappear before two irritated half bloods could grab it off of him.

"Don't you dare show that to anyone else!" Nico and Percy shouted as their faces were red and glared at the magician.

Zach just stuck his tongue out playfully before hopping over to Josh's side and hugging his arm. For once the brunette Apollo child didn't seem to mind since he was still chuckling as well.

"Gotta admit Percy didn't know you were so graceful like that." Josh snickered making Percy's cheek puff out.

"At least you both managed to accomplish what you two set out to do." Nyssa commented but she had to cover her mouth as she broke into another fit of giggles.

"Hey Percy do you think you can teach us to ice skate like did?" Noah teased before he jumped out of Percy's hitting range laughing.

"Shut it Noah!" Percy said his face burning, "I will never repeat that again!"

"Same here." Nico added before Malcolm patted his back.

"I don't know if Josh's cabin heard you sing they may make requests." The Athena child said while Nico sent him a scathing look.

"We will never mention this again…EVER." He growled out darkly.

"Aw come on-" Zach said but both the child of Hades and Poseidon sent the group a glare that made the statement final.

The group found seats and waited for whatever the big announcement was going to be and they didn't have to wait long before Dionysus and Chiron came onto the stage and demanded silence from the camp.

"Alright you brats, there's been a discussion among the council and a decision has finally been made!" Dionysus shouted making murmurs break out among the campers, many of them confused and worried.

"What Lord Dionysus means, is that The Olympian Tournament, is to take place several weeks from today! There have been a few changes suggested then the previous tournaments!" Chiron corrected throwing a look at a bored looking Dionysus.

"Yeah yeah, just go and explain it to them." The god said yawning as he summoned a cup of cherry coke to drink since he still couldn't drink his wine.

"As I was saying, you all know that this tournament is held to evaluate the cabins and make suggestions on what needs to be improved in the camp or added. But since it's held randomly and not annually its not really consistent so they had decided to make a few changes." Chiron said, "for one they wish to test true leadership skills within the campers and have creed that instead of each cabin facing against each other there will be several captains competing against each other."

"How are the captains chosen?" An Athena child called out.

"The gods were thinking that one person from each cabin should be a captain but due to some cabins not having a lot of campers within they had decided to let a majority vote on the top captains." Chiron replied.

"How many captains are there going to be and how do they chose their teammates and how many?" An Ares child demanded.

"Depends on how many are actually voted for and the number isn't determined quite yet but those that aren't participating they will be giving earlier tests with their cabin during the weeks we are preparing for the tournament, so one way or another the whole camp will be examined!" Chiron stated making some campers groan, "so who has suggestions for captains?"

"I vote for Luke Castellan of Hermes Cabin!" Annabeth said standing up.

"Seconded!" Thalia added standing next to her friend.

"Alright Luke Castellan is our first captain in the Olympian Tournament, who else?" Chiron asked, as there were nervous glances between campers.

Everyone knew that Luke was one of the best leaders they had, who ever had him on their team during capture the flag they usually ended up winning due to his experience being one of the longest year-rounder campers.

"No one? Really people it's not like this is a life and death situation!" Dionysus said rolling his eyes at the brats' indecisiveness.

"I vote for Perseus Jackson of Poseidon Cabin." Nico said smirking as he stood up making all the heads turn to stare at the son of Hades before they stared at the Percy who scratched his cheek nervously.

"Seconded." Malcolm said calmly standing next to Nico, which surprised Annabeth.

"Malcolm! What are you doing!" Annabeth shouted as her half-siblings were wondering the same thing.

"What? I believe that Percy has a good chance as anyone in this competition." Malcolm replied calmly, "experience is good but you never know what can happen so I figured that going with Percy is good challenge and to see what he is capable of. What's wrong Annabeth, afraid your friend Luke may actually lose?"

Annabeth's shocked expression turned dark as she glared at her sibling before she looked away.

"Was it really necessary to egg her on like that?" Josh whispered to Malcolm.

"No but she needs to see that there are other strong people besides Luke." Malcolm retorted.

Bianca meanwhile was looking at her own sibling wondering what he was up to, she knew that he wouldn't just suggest Percy to be the other captain if he wasn't plotting something.

'What are you up to Nico?' Bianca thought frowning at Nico who just gave his sister a superior look back.

'You have no idea dear sister what I have in stored to show not only you but this whole camp what they're messing with…' Nico thought smirking.