Welcome Back.

Shadowhunter2077: "Matt will be lucky if Harper only do to him the same thing Annabeth did to Percy in Mark of Athena"

Response: So true. Just keep reading, you'll find out in Book Two what she will do to him lol.

firefrog600: "nice chapter though I'm less a fan of the side stories thing some people do. As in side stories away from the main character I mean. Hope its not as many chapters as the last twenty before we get back to our mc hoping its more like 6 chapters at most."

Response: Thanks. And I understand, I just wanted to develop the characters more and these short stories are fun to write being honest. Don't worry, this mini book will be only five to six chapters, Book Two will be about thirty or so, getting back to Matt soon.

Jay: "My boi Talon needs a girl of his own imo. At this rate with Malachi and Sera back and with Percabeth plus Matt X Harper... he's the Leo of the group lol"

Response: Wow that's actually a good parallel, since that makes seven in total just like in Heroes of Olympus. But remember, Leo got Calypso, so maybe Talon will get his own too...gotta read to find out. Oh and he actually had a love interest when he was younger but she's dead. He mentioned it when they were in Texas. More of that will be explored in his short story chapter.

thesuperone342: "Uh oh. She is gonna be so fucking pissed lmao"

Response: Lol of course she will. I have an interesting plan for how she's going to get back at him in Book Two.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (except the OC's) Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Heroes Of Olympus, or Trials Of Apollo. All of that belongs to Rick Riordan.

This short story is centered around Aiden Walker, who you know as Harper's brave half brother. This takes place shortly after the gang left for the SOH quest, so around chapter six and seven of the first book. Matt told Aiden to keep an eye on things, and he takes it to heart...

2. Keeping Things In Line

Aiden's POV

Swinging my sword around in the training arena, I felt a sense of importance.

Matt had told me to keep things in line...that the camp needed me.

I wouldn't let him down.

What's up, Aiden Walker here, if you couldn't already tell. The super badass Son of Nemesis at your service.

Okay, I'm not really a badass.

I try to be though. I usually sit around a lot sharpening my sword, wearing dark clothing, and even trying to grow my hair out a little to look cooler. None of it fools anyone. My swords looks brand new, I've never actually been in any winning fights besides the ones in fighting class here at Camp. I've lost a few to monsters, but that's about it. My appearance isn't intimidating due to my scrawny physique and skater punk hairstyle. I basically look like a scarecrow with a shiny sword.

The truth was I wanted to be noticed, I wanted people to see me as more than a loser. I wanted girls to swoon over me, and boys to wish they were me, I wanted glory, to put it plainly.

But it's hard when you're...well, me.

That's why I admired Matt so much. He was everything I wasn't. Strong, good looking, brave, and badass. I mean, when he stood up to Jett and beat the piss out of him, I was in utter awe. Nobody besides Nico had ever stood up to Jett and walked away the victor. I had always wanted revenge on that bastard for messing with my sister, but his gang would always pummel me, not giving me a chance to even strike. This went on for a while, then all of a sudden this dude shows up and wipes the floor with the dirtbag.

The boy campers murmured praise at him, and how they knew he would be the next Percy Jackson, while the hot daughters of Aphrodite gushed over him. Hell, my sister gushed over him. And she never gushes. I couldn't blame them though.

I guess you're gonna ask me if I gush over him as well, huh?

Truth is...I don't know for sure. I admire the guy, of course, but am I like...crushing on him? I don't know. I like girls, definitely, but maybe this was the same thing too.

Nah, doubt it.

Either way, I wanted to be more like him. He had trusted me to keep things in line here, and by Olympus, I would do it.

It was now the evening after they left, I had began practicing with my sword the very moment Percy's car left Camp, taking long extra lessons from Chiron, and the other older campers, improving my form, and all sorts of other stuff. I wasn't bad, which made me feel awesome. I could tell that if I practiced everyday, I would become pretty good.

But still, even a brat like me understands that things take time, and I wouldn't become a master overnight. My dad always told me patience was key. He was the guy I admired even more than Matt. My dad was my role model...and still is to be honest. I wanted to make him proud too, wherever he is.

If you didn't already know, he died in a car accident.

Yep, just a regular old car accident. No monsters, no supernatural occurrences, just a mistake on the road that resulted in his death.

My life changed that day. And I'll never forget it, not one detail...

(Flashback-Third Person POV)

The dark haired boy named Aiden walked from the playground. Recess had just ended, along with the school day. He was coming along nine years old, still bright faced and playful, despite his mother never being around, it only strengthened the bond between him and his father.

Aiden's father was his hero. They did everything together. That was why the boy was so excited all the time, as his father, Tom, would pick him up afterschool and they would usually do something fun together. Whether it be catching a movie, going to the park, the zoo, a restaurant, you name it and they did it. Yes, occasionally they would have to cut back because of financial issues, but little Aiden saw no problem with this. He remained happy, and that was enough for his father.

Aiden was waving goodbye to his friends. A rather large group of young ones that frequent the baseball field, teachers allowing them to use it for games like Kickball, under supervision of course. Aiden glanced at them again, until finally turning around to a much more confusing sight.

Standing in the pickup parking lot area, were two police cars. They were parked, and two large men stood outside of them, grim looks on their faces. Aiden didn't understand why the sight unsettled him. They wore funny uniforms, and they were large, but Aiden knew it was the Police, the good guys. So...why did he feel uneasy?

When he approached the two policeman, one of them bent down to his level, and told him the horrifying news.

"W-what do you mean?" He asked, very confused.

They told him again, his father was dead. But that made no sense...he-he couldn't leave him.

All of a sudden, a kid slightly taller walked behind the guards and made a gesture with his hand, and at that motion, the two officers turned to the kid. He whispered something to them, to which they responded by nodding and walking to their car, driving off after a few seconds.

Meanwhile, Aiden stood there in shock.

The kid walked up to him, and began talking about some Camp, and how it's the only safe place for demigods. Aiden knew the term, he knew what he was, but that made no difference to him, Aiden felt no different than any other kid. He didn't have superpowers or anything, he was just...Aiden.

"I understand you're going through a lot right now, but...you need to come with me. Chiron will explain everything."

"Wh-who are you?" Aiden asked, his eyes watery.

"I'm a friend. A satyr from Camp. Follow me, and everything will be alright." He said this while taking off his cap, revealing two goat horns poking out of curly hair.

Aiden looked around, at nothing in particular, just somewhere to aim his eyesight, "Wh-where's my dad?"

The satyr winced and looked at the boy with sympathy, "H-he's well...just come with me, everything will be explained."

The boy wouldn't do it, "N-no! Not until I know where my dad is!" He began to run away from the satyr, who chased after him frantically, trying to calm Aiden down. To no avail, the dark haired boy sprinted back onto the playground and near the forest.

"Don't go there!" The satyr tried to warn him, for he smelled a monster.

Aiden didn't listen, and was nearly trampled by a strange looking creature. Almost wolf like, only it had scaly legs. The monster was an odd one and even the satyr was taken back. Either way, he did his job and protected the young demigod.

He blew wildly at his reed pipes, to no avail, only annoying the monster. It closed the distance and knocked him aside, blood forming on his forehead.

Aiden barely knew the satyr, but he had tried to save him, so with a sudden boost of strength, he yelled in defiance, grabbed a pointed stick and charged the monster.

The creature didn't see it coming, and Aiden took advantage. He stabbed the stick under the monster's chin, it didn't even have time to react, it was already fading into dust.

Aiden began to help the satyr, but a feeling of nausea came over him, and with a thud, he collapsed.

The next day, he woke up at Camp Half-Blood, his new home.

(Back To Present)

I remembered these details. I could do it, I just needed to put in the time. It would take more than adrenaline to become a hero.

I practiced with my sword for a few more minutes, and decided to call it a day. I walked back outside, seeing some of the other campers playing basketball. But this was different...things were getting heated.

Two people were yelling at each other, both dudes, their friends trying to hold them back.

They were way bigger than me, and normally I would just let it go. But not seeing Chiron anywhere, and since the Senior Counselors had left on a quest...

Keep things in line, the camp needs you. Matt had said.

I tightened my lips, standing up straight. That's right, I was to keep things in line. And that meant stopping two juiceheads from fighting.

I walked over to them, my sword in it's sheath on my waist. They didn't have any weapons, so I hoped that my lack of size would be made up with the fact I had a blade on me, and I kind of sort of knew how to use it.

I got over there, "HEY!"

They didn't stop.

I yelled louder, "HEY! BEEFHEADS!"

That got their attention, they looked at me like I was a pesky bug.

"Who the hell are you?" One said.

That stung a little, not gonna lie. I hated the fact that I wasn't known throughout camp. I mean to be fair, I hadn't put myself out there enough. I kind of just tried to look cool, but never actually did anything cool. Well, hopefully breaking up this fight will help.

"I'm Aiden Walker, Son of Nemesis. Harper's little brother."

They nodded, and began to snicker, "Oh yeah, the one eyed freak." The one to my right said.

I glared at him, "Don't say that about her." I was about to say, do you know who her future boyfriend is? The guy could rip you apart with one hand. But I didn't want to use Matt as a threat. It was time I stood up for her myself.

He mirrored my glare, getting in my face, looking down at me several inches. He was six foot, while I was five seven at best, not very intimidating.

But I stood my ground, "Look, whatever you guys were fighting about, just cool it. We can't have that happening in Camp."

The one to my left said accusingly, "He elbowed me in the face!"

The one to my right said, "Did not. You're just feeling things!"

"GUYS!" I shouted. "It doesn't matter. Just keep going with the game, if you feel your face get hit again, then he elbowed you both times. You should go see Chiron afterwards. Telling him is better than fighting."

They seemed to consider it a second, then howled with laughter, "Who the fuck made you in charge, shrimp?"

"I like shrimp. That supposed to be an insult?" I said rather coolly. I mean it was true, who the hell used shrimp as an insult?

His ears got a little red, "N-no! I meant, uh, you're freak's a sister!"

The dude behind him slapped his shoulder, "No dumbass! His sister's a freak!"

They started arguing with each other, these guys were obviously stupid. The first dude couldn't even get out a sentence right. What were they even doing at this Camp. The place isn't filled with jerks, just a select few, like these idiots.

"She's not a freak. She's been through a lot, and she could kick all of your asses."

She mockingly waved me off, saying "Oh yeah she's a freak. And a freak in the sheets too from what Jett said."

"Heard she begged him for more!" Another doofus said.

I clenched my fists. I wanted to punch them so bad right now, but no, I felt compelled to be civil.

"Guys. Let's just forget it okay? Enjoy your game." I began to walk off, but one of them grabbed my shoulder roughly. I turned and was met with a fist coming at my face. Hours of recent training allowed me to dodge it in time, and deliver a punch to the guy's gut, not doing as much damage as I would have liked.

Another one tried to punch me, and again I threw his fist to the side, kicking him in the leg quickly and punching his nose, that one hit home. I may lack strength, but getting hit in the nose by anything usually hurts. He roared in pain and held it.

My victory didn't last long though, as soon as I got him in the nose, another yanked my sheath off and threw it and the sword to the ground. Decking me in the chest and throwing me along with it.

"Stupid fucker!" They said as they kicked me, "Try to mess with us?!"

The kicks resumed for a little longer, I defended the best I could with my arms, but there were too many.

I thought I was going to get broken ribs when a familiar voice called out, "Hey!"

I noticed the doofuses running away, from a figure in a black coat, an...aviator jacket?

Ah, Nico.

He pulled me to my feet, "Are you okay?"

I groaned, my stomach felt like it had been blended, it was definitely bruising as we spoke.

I tried to put up a tough front, "All good."

He grimaced, "Ares cabin. Think they can do whatever they want. You want me to deal with them?"

I hated it had come to this. I tried to do what Matt said, but I was too weak! I needed to get stronger! I wanted to be able to handle my own problems!

I shook him off, not meaning to be rude, I just needed to be alone right now.

"No...but thanks anyway, Nico." I trudged off into the woods, not giving him a chance to reply.

Thankfully my sheath wasn't broken, just dirty. I got a few hundred feet in and sat on a wide fallen tree, dusting off my sword.

"Idiots." I muttered angrily. Seriously, what was their problem? What was my problem? Why was I so weak?

I stopped and looked up in disappointment, "Sorry I let you down, Matt.

Obviously nothing replied, I probably would have thought I had lost my mind.

I sat in silence for a bit, just accepting that I wasn't tough, cool, or anything. No girl will date me, Matt won't be proud, and my sister will be ashamed of me.

It sucked.

I sighed, putting my head on my palm, just thinking about how life was as a loser.

That silence was interrupted however, when I heard a growl behind me.

I knew it was a monster. I turned slowly, and after a moment, finally coming face to face with what I knew to be...

"Laestrygonian." I muttered in fear.

It roared and slammed it's fist down next to me, I rolled out of the way just in time, and drew my sword. I held it firm and in front of me, for defense purposes at first, that's what I had been taught.

The Laestrygonian looked at it's hand, then at me, like it couldn't believe I had dodged.

"That's right, ugly. What you got?" I taunted, but on the inside, I was freaking out! A Laestrygonian, and I was alone? Oh no...

Too late to run, it began closing the distance, and I swiped at it a couple of times to no success. It swung it's meaty fist at my head, to which I barely ducked. Taking my chance, the monster now unguarded, I stabbed him in the stomach, blood coming out and connecting with my blade, the metal a few inches deep.

But it wasn't enough. The Laestrygonian shoved me with it's giant foot ten feet away. I crashed against the ground and skidded on the short grass, my back throbbing in pain.

I got up though, breathing heavily and grunting. I hefted my sword, staring down the monster.

"I will do this. I will not give up! This is my chance!" I charged it, and dodged it's oncoming strikes, every move in fast forward, I had to anticipate it's next strike and then move accordingly to not get pummeled. After a few steps, I thought I had another opening, but the thing wasn't as dumb as it looked. Before I could even swing with my sword, it chest bumped me back into the grass, causing a stinging sensation to shoot up my body, a dull pain afterwards.

I would not let it get to me. I kept going, weaving through trees and using them as shields. One of the things Chiron taught me was how to use your surroundings, how to make them work for you instead of against you.

Right now that knowledge was about to save me. I saw a giant fist coming at me, and I stepped behind a tree, and waited until the fist was just two feet from it, then I rolled back quickly, the Laestrygonian already in full momentum, so it shattered the tree. Glad I wasn't that thing.

I took this chance, getting up with a roll, I ran at it with my sword stretched behind me, I yelled and with all of my strength, stabbed the monster in the shoulder. The blade sunk through it's chest, trying to fight back, roaring at me, I only dug the sword deeper, strain on my face, what little muscles I had burned. But within a few seconds, the Laestrygonian finally fell limp, dropping to the ground.

I fell to one knee, absolutely exhausted and hurting bad. I was debating on how I would get back, when I heard the sound of multiple footsteps and clopping. What?

I looked up barely to see Chiron coming to my aid, helping me up.

"My goodness, are you alright my boy?"

I nodded breathlessly, "Yeah Chiron, thanks."

I noticed Nico pointing at the Laestrygonian, somehow not faded to dust yet.

"Did you take that thing down by yourself?" He said.

It was at that moment that I registered what I had done. It nearly made me fall to the ground again. I had just killed a Laestrygonian! I mean, it wasn't the worst monster out there, but it was good for me! A start! A sign that I was getting better.

I nodded, "Yeah."

Chiron clapped me on the shoulder lightly, "That is no small feat Aiden. You should be proud of yourself. That Laestrygonian must have been left over from the recent games. It's no wonder it didn't attack anyone in Camp."

Another camper said, "H-he saved us!"

Some others murmured in agreement, looking at me with a sudden new interest.

Chiron nodded proudly, "Indeed. Aiden has saved the Camp! Who knew what would have happened had he not caught it in time!"

Some of the campers began to clap, and even cheer. I was stunned, this was all...for me? I couldn't believe it. Here I was sulking about not being strong, when I had just killed that big brute of a monster. And now Chiron was saying I saved the camp? Someone pinch me.

Nico came up and nodded at me, "Nice job, Aiden."

I looked down nervously, "Thanks."

Chiron leaned in towards me, "Well done. But from now on, no going in the forest. Unless supervised by a senior counselor or myself, got it?"

I turned a little red, "Um, y-yes sir."

His proud face reemerged and he ruffled my hair, "Good job boy. You're going to become a fine hero, I know it."

I registered his words, and a big smile formed on my mouth. As we were walking back to Camp, a million thoughts ran through my head. This was incredible, I had to keep practicing, I had to get even better, and kill even more dangerous monsters! I would make Matt proud! I would make Dad proud!

I would keep things in line.

(000)