The Next Day

"You actually did your homework?" Athena asked astonished.

Poseidon's shrugged, "It wasn't hard."

"Well, I didn't do mine. I was too busy watching High School Musical 2 and 3," Apollo said.

Athena rolled her eyes, and Artemis slapped the back of his head. "You've got to do your homework, or else Hera will extend our punishment."

"Please what's one night of not doing homework going to cost? If Hera is that-"

He stopped mid-sentence as his mouth was covered by Hades, "You better not finish that sentence, boy."

Apollo gulped, "Yes uncle."

Hades released his hand as he shrugged on his backpack. "We're going to be late... what's taking the drama queen so long?"

"I'm not a drama queen!" Zeus exclaimed as he hopped on one foot, trying to get a sock on the other foot.

"Someone's in denial." Poseidon muttered rolling his eyes as he stood up from the kitchen table to put on his shoes.

"We have about four minutes before the bus arrives," Artemis called out as the group hurriedly exited the apartment.

"It's possible that they're demigods," Annabeth said. "It just...I don't know? Something feels off about them." She tucked a curl behind her ear.

"Don't all demigods feel off?" Nico asked.

"Yes, but they're different. The triplets resemble both you and Percy. How is that possible?"

Percy nodded in agreement, "It is weird."

Nico shrugged. "Maybe one resembles the mother and one resembles the father?"

Piper shook her head. "Didn't Adrian say that Skyler looked like their mother, or at least his eyes? Maybe either Adrian or Duncan got their looks from a different family member."

Thalia huffed. "They're a strange bunch," she said. "Did Coach Hedge say anything more about them?"

Percy shook his head, "Only that they smell powerful."

Nico volunteered, "I'll keep an eye on them; maybe follow them in the shadows."

Piper frowned, "Maybe you shouldn't spy on them; I mean, if they're demigods, they probably won't be as trusting when it comes to finding someone stalking them."

"I won't do it in the shadows then, but I can be inconspicuous the normal way. It's better than being alone with either Persephone and Demeter anyways."

"Alone? Where did Hades go?" Percy asked.

Nico frowned, "They said he went on a trip. Apparently he does that once every few decades."

"How long does the trips take?"

"I don't know? Persephone didn't give an answer to that."

Percy snorted, "Well let us pray that it doesn't end up in us going on a quest to rescue him."

Piper knocked on the wooden table in superstition.

First Period (B1)

Poseidon and Athena took their seats in marine biology, not finding it surprising that both Annabeth and Percy were also in the class.

Poseidon opened the marine biology textbook that sat under his chair in curiosity. He frowned as he skimmed a page, muttering, "They have it all wrong."

Athena rolled her eyes and said, "They probably have it right; you're just too stupid to understand their words."

Poseidon shut his textbook, "You're insufferable."

Athena snorted quietly and opened her mouth to comment, but she was interrupted by the sound of a door opening.

The teacher, who was in his early forties and had salt-and-pepper hair, juggled his folders and coffee in his hands as he opened the door.

"I apologize for being late; traffic was terrible this morning. My name is Mr. Crawford, and I will be your instructor for this class."

He wrote his name on the whiteboard before circling the prompt of the day - the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench.

"Today we will be discussing the basics of the infamous Mariana Trench."

Second Period (B2)

Hades didn't know how Hera knew about his knack for pottery. He had always taken an interest in the subject; he even helped coordinate the construction of the Terracotta Army back in 248 BC (which no one knew he did – well, at least he thought).

He was surprised to see his son in the class; he didn't think they shared the same hobby. Nico sat by one of the pottery wheels, drawing in his notebook.

Hades took a seat next to him, "You like pottery?"

Nico chuckled. "I know, I don't seem like the type, but yes I do." He said, smiling at Duncan. "You're Duncan right?"

Hades nodded; he glanced at what his son was drawing and then looked away quickly in grief. Nico had drawn his sister, Bianca.

Luckily, Nico didn't see his expression and went back to drawing.

"Good morning, class! My name is Mrs. Janis, and today we will be discussing the projects we will be working on throughout the year. Please take out your notebooks and write down the dates I have posted on the whiteboard."

Third Period (B3)

Athena sat in her creative writing class, proud to see Annabeth there. She hoped all of her children would take some interest in academic electives.

Athena knew her daughter didn't know her true identity, but she knew she would figure it out eventually. When she does figure it out...

Athena shook her head; it would not be sunshine and daisies, especially after what had happened during the war with Gaea.

She felt guilty and had not yet apologized for sending her daughter on a death mission.

Even if she was in her Roman form (which she was never in willingly, but the war had other plans in mind), she threatened disownment if Annabeth worked with the Romans. Not to mention the fact she took away her magical hat in anger. Desperate for revenge against the Romans, she sent her child to a quest none of her other children ever came back from.

Athena scribbled on a piece of paper, if Annabeth figured it out, she would never want to be around her during her mortal punishment.

"Hey Sophia!" Her daughter greeted.

"Hey!" Athena smiled back.

Might as well save whatever relationship they have before Annabeth shuts her out.

Lunch

The gods sat besides the demigods as they ate their lunch. Athena wrinkled her nose at the chicken, "Is that even edible?"

"Yep," Apollo said, swallowing another mouthful of the chicken and rice.

Artemis rolled her eyes, "You're disgusting."

"Thanks, little sis!"

Athena grabbed Artemis's hand out of reflex, "Anyways, did you guys do anything fun this summer?"

She internally winced at her own comment, but they weren't supposed to know them, it seemed like an innocent question to an outsider.

Percy snorted, "Fun?"

All the gods had to hold their wince back at that comment, and Poseidon stared at his plate in shame.

Thalia jabbed Percy in the ribs, "What he means to say is that we've been busy over the summer volunteering at a um..." Thalia paused thinking what she was going to say, "An Environmental Group."

Annabeth raised her eyebrow at Thalia.

Zeus smirked at her answer, "An environmental group?"

"Yes! We um - we picked up trash around parks and the beach."

"The beach huh... I want to go to the beach over the weekend." Poseidon said, mostly to himself.

"And do what?" Hades asked. Was Poseidon planning on going back to his kingdom? If he was then he'll have to put a stop to it. Hera might extend their punishment if any of them went back to their domains.

Poseidon shrugged, "Surfing."

Percy said, "I don't know how to surf."

"You don't?" Poseidon asked incredulously. He's the son of the sea god, for goodness sake! How could he not know how to surf?

"I guess I never even tried. Every summer I've been busy with the uh - environment group. Not many people surf up here anyways."

"Really? I mean, if you're free over the weekend, I can show you."

"Adrian." Zeus growled.

"We can all go to the beach if you all are free. The water is still fairly warm, and fall is approaching, so we don't have much time."

"Yes! I can work on my tan." Apollo cheered.

Percy, Annabeth, and Piper shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

Fourth Period (B4)

In world history class, Apollo and Artemis were quietly arguing.

"C'mon Luna, take a break and join us!"

"Why would I ever want to go to the beach? That's where women get objectified at." Artemis hissed.

"Please, no man is going to touch you when your older brother, A.K.A me, is there. Plus, you need some vitamin D! You're reflecting the moon."

Artemis rolled her eyes and sarcastically said, "Oh, I wonder why that is?"

"Miss. and Mr. Lyre, is there something you want to share with the class."

"No, Mr. Craig; we are just copying the notes." Apollo said with a smile.

"Let's keep it that way. Now, class, let's turn to page twelve and begin our discussion of the Mesopotamian era."

Thalia leaned against the outside of the school's wall. She was alone, watching Luna and her supposed siblings and cousins getting onto a bus.

Thalia craved a cigarette, something she had never craved before. Her mother smoked because she used it to lose weight for her role. Thalia never enjoyed the smell, but now it was a comfort she needed as her stress soared.

She figured it out over lunch; Luna was Artemis. But why would Artemis do this? Was it a test?

What bothered Thalia the most was that Artemis was around males. Artemis would never subject herself to being around them unless she had to.

She huffed a breath as the bus took off. Is something else brewing? They just had two wars back to back, Thalia didn't know if she could handle a third.