I don't own Transformers or the Riordanverse; they belong to their owners.

This chapter contains several instances of canon dialogue from the book Lost Hero; all credit for that dialogue goes to Rick Riordan.

Chapter 25: A Place I Belong.

It took a lot of hard work, and Blades got really banged up on the way there, but we did it. Me Jason and Leo freed Hera and completed our quest.

Going back to camp afterward was surreal. I was a hero. I got asked a million questions by the campers, but Chiron, thankfully, could see how tired we were and how much we needed some rest.

It was actually good to go back to the Aphrodite cabin and sleep on a proper mattress. Even Drew waking me up the next morning just to boss me around didn't feel all that bad.

Besides, it wasn't gonna last forever. I'd been through far too much to listen to her anymore. But I wanted to wait to make my move. Thundercracker deserved to see this...

After breakfast, I got permission from Chiron to go to his office and call my dad over video. It turns out demigods aren't allowed to use modern communication technology much because it attracts monsters, so all calls to and from camp had to go through Chiron.

Chiron's office was decked out with photos like a hall of fame. Pictures of former campers were littered around; I saw a few names I recognized from history lessons or even people my dad knew (if only I'd known I was half-siblings with some famous actors earlier...). Other names I didn't recognize, like Conrad Hauser, Courtney Krieger, Adam Park, or Wendel Metzger, One of the newer photos was of a kid with sea-green eyes arm in arm with Annabeth, who I guessed was her boyfriend Percy Jackson.

And of course, some of the other newer photos had some of the Autobots in them. I guess my hunch that they were an uncommon sight at the camp was right.

The video call went great. It ended prematurely, but Dad seemed genuinely annoyed; he couldn't talk to me anymore.

Plus, Thundercracker was on his way here.

I waited outside the main building until a green portal opened, and out of it stepped Thundercracker, Springer, and Wheeljack.

The moment Thundercracker stepped out, I gave him a big hug on his leg.

"Good to see you too, Pipes." Thundercracker said.

"So..." Springer remarked, looking around, "This is the famous Camp Half Blood I've heard so many stories about?"

"Looks nice... Looks peaceful..." Wheeljack said, "So, uh...where's Leo?"

"He's with his siblings at Cabin Nine," I explained. "I think you'll get along well with them. And Springer? Jason's at the training grounds."

Springer and Wheeljack departed, leaving me and Thundercracker on our own.

"So what's this thing you wanted me here for?" Thundercracker asked.

I smirked and led him to the Aphrodite cabin, where Drew and several of my half-siblings were hanging out.

I walked in.

"Urg. There you are, hon." Drew laughed. "You mind doing trash detail today? After all, it's what a big, mighty hero would do—to spare us the work."

I laughed back. "No, Drew. You are the one doing garbage detail today."

"Um? Excuse me?" Drew asked offended. She stood up angrily.

"I challenge you, Drew! To be the head consular of Cabin Ten!" I declared

Drew looked astonished. "Wha-"

The other Aphrodite kids, like Mitchell, Lacy, and Rosalie,, smiled tentatively.

"You little witch!" Drew snarled, "You can't just challenge me! I've been here the longest! Those are the rules-"

"Oh really?" I asked, "Well,, I read the rules too, and they say any camper who's gone on a quest can qualify to be the senior consular of their cabin."

"She's right," Mitchell confirmed with a huge grin. Lacy was bouncing up and down, all excited.

"Mitchell, shut it!" Drew ordered.

"No Mitchell. Don't shut it." I said proudly.

Drew glared at me.

"So what's it gonna be, Drew?" I asked, pulling my dagger out as fast as Jason's lightning, "Accept my challenge or step down?"

"Step down!?" Drew shrieked, "You're crazy!"

"Maybe I am!" I laughed, "But I also know what Aphrodite is really about: spreading love and beauty.; good friends, good times, and good deeds. And if you don't like it, Drew, like I said when we first met, You can take it up with my associate." I gestured to Thundercracker, who crossed his arms.

"Wanna repeat of the bonfire?" he asked, smirking.

Drew gulped "But... but..." she stammered. "I thought you said he wasn't-"

"No." I said, "Thundercracker is my friend. More than that. He's family."

Thundercracker smiled the biggest smile ever.

Drew growled and glared at both of us. "Fine," she finally said. "I step down..." She walked away.

"Oh, and Drew?" I asked.

Drew paused, turned around, and glared at me again.

"Don't even think about touching Jason Grace. He's mine." I said.

"Yeah! Go Piper!" cheered Thundercracker.

Drew gave one final growl and left.

I turned back to the other Aphrodite campers—my siblings. They all cheered so loudly that you could hear it all across the camp.

"Piper and Thundercracker! Piper and Thundercracker!" they shouted, lifting me up from the ground and carrying me on their shoulders. I got the feeling they would have done the same for Thundercracker, but he was too big. Instead, he just walked beside us happily.

It was the greatest and proudest moment of my life.

After I was done going through my senior consular duties for the day, I found Jason in the training area with Springer. The two were practicing sword moves. It was a little strange to see a giant Transformer being coached by a human teenager, but it seemed to be working for them.

Thundercracker and I exchanged winks. "Hey, Springer!" Thundercracker called.

Springer paused mid-sword swing and looked over. "What's up?" he asked.

"Can you... come with me? I think Wheeljack and Leo want to show us something." Thundercracker said, gesturing for Springer to leave.

Springer shrugged and left with Thundercracker, leaving me and Jason on our own.

"Guess I got a Transformer buddy of my own now," laughed Jason.

"Take it from me; they're some of the best buddies you can ever have," I said.

Jason looked great in his orange tank top and shorts. He was so sweaty and tan right now...

"So you're the new head of Cabin Ten?" Jason asked.

"I wasn't going to let Drew push me around anymore," I answered.

"You're going to be great at it," Jason assured me.

I smiled. "So, how are you doing?" I asked, sitting down on a bench.

Jason joined me, and his expression turned serious. "I think my memories are coming back..." he said.

"That's good, isn't it?"

"Maybe. It's still a bit fuzzy right now... but from what I've seen, it might mean more trouble," he remarked.

"What kind of trouble?" I asked.

"Not sure yet."

"Hey. We tag-teamed a brainwashed Transformer together." I pointed out, "We can handle anything."

Jason laughed. "You're in a good mood," he noted.

"I have a lot to be happy about." I said, "I feel like...for once, I'm where I belong. Like I finally know who I'm meant to be."

"Good to hear."

I saw a few of my half-siblings across the common area. It looksoks like they were taking bets. It didn't take a genius to guess on what.

"So..." I muttered, "Remember anyone from your old life?"

"Some people," Jason answered. "It's not all clear, though."

"Anyone important?"

"A few friends."

I couldn't take it anymore. "A girl?"

Jason sighed. "Yeah, but it's complicated," he answered.

"Oh..." I muttered. All the confidence I had suddenly started fading away.

"We weren't dating, if that's what you're worried about."

And now that confidence was replaced with embarrassment as my face turned red. "Oh. I... I- I didn't mean-"

Jason laughed, and he took his hand in mine. "Come on. Why don't we go see what Leo's up to?"

I smiled. "Sounds perfect."

The other Aphrodite Camper's groaned as it looked like there would be no kiss. But I don't think they would have to wait long.

Something told me and Jason were gonna be something special.

Call it a Daughter of the Goddess of Love thing.

Only three more chapters til the end! We're in the home stretch people!

As always, thanks for reading, and please leave a review!