Chapter Six The First Foray Into Camp

The splitting headache is what greets both of our problematic partners as they rise from their beds in the infirmary. What is a surprise to them is that Grover is already healed and out of the infirmary. The medic on duty is apparently a blonde haired girl who fits the motif of a California girl to a tee. She approaches Perce first and asks them what seems to be a million questions while feeding Perce something that tastes like cookies. When Perce cant answer any of the questions to the medics liking, she glares at Ed and starts the same process but with a fresh glass that tastes like Peach cobbler. When Ed can also not really answer the questions about everything she has asked and can only really answer the minotaur fight questions. She seems to think a little and then disappear out the door. "What was that all about?" Ed asks Perce who is equal parts confused at what their doctor just did. "Well lets go and find out Ed" Ed takes a deep dramatic gasp and asks, "is this a mission for super special spies Sparrow and Seaweed?" Perce only grins in response as they both exit their beds and look out the door to see what is happening. As they peer through the door they see four people having a conversation, The California girl, A man in a leopard print Hawaiian shirt, Grover and what looks to be Mr Brunner except you know the horse legs for legs. Grover catches the infirmary door opening and our spies spying but continues to speak as if nothing is happening. Our dynamic duo our unable to hear all of what they are saying but they can catch a little bit, "Prophecy, No, Thief and enchiladas." Special agents Seaweed and sparrow notice that the conversation is wrapping up after the code word was deployed and get back into their infirmary beds. The California girl along with the Mr Brunner horse edition enter the infirmary and Speak. "Mr Finch, Ms Jackson it's a pleasure to have you at camp despite your circumstances, I am Mr Brunner your history teacher at Yancy but I am also Chiron the trainer of heroes." Horse Brunner now Chiron says in a pleasant and measured tone. "I don't mean to be rude to someone infinitely older then myself but didn't you die? in the myths Chiron was accidently shot by Heracles with an arrow poisoned by Hydra venom and it was so painful you begged for death and thus were put into the sky as the Sagittarius constellation, So if you died how did you live?" States Ed with a puzzled look upon his face as Perce is seen nodding her head in agreement of this question. Mr Brunner sighs and says "Well its simple but complex, I pledged to the Olympians to give my services for all eternity if they healed me, Apollo being the god of medicine alongside my student Asclepius worked together and managed to heal me 85% of the way which is why I have a Wheelchair whenever the pain flairs up to much." Ed and Perce sigh in an 'Ah' motion at the explanation while the California girl seems to glare at Ed to see if that will answer her questions about him. "Well anyways as you have made it past the protective barrier around camp, Congratulations your a Demigod of one of the Greek gods or goddesses" as this is said the California girl sighs before pulling on one of those party streamers. Mr Brunner Continues with his explanation "Now if you would please follow me to the living room we have an orientation film for you to watch."

The orientation film was dreadfully boring and didn't explain what it was meant to well but it did give the general gist of what was happening. Apparently the Greek gods are alive and American now, they are also concealed from the world with the help of the mist, However it also means that all the Greek monsters are alive and well and they hunt demigods based off of scent. That was all that was said that was important the rest o the orientation was explaining what the facilities of camp where like and to ask their tour guide for any questions they may have. "Well now that you have seen the orientation, Annabeth please guide them towards Hermes cabin and show them around camp." The California girl now known as Annabeth sighs once again and begins the tour of the camp. "Now over here is the U of all cabins you'll be staying in cabin 11 with the Hermes kids and other unclaimed." As the group begins to walk over they see a tall blonde seventeen year old with a scar on his face. "Hey Luke got a couple new campers for you." Luke opens his mouth and responds "Are they regulars or unclaimed?" "Unclaimed, can you get them the starter pack and settle them in to Hermes cabin." Luke seems to groan at the unclaimed remark but complies he shouts something into the Hermes cabin sounding like Conner and Travis but our dynamic duo isn't really sure. Luke continues speaking to the group "Well welcome to Hermes cabin where all the bunks are packed but hey our floor is comfy, Speaking of floor there's your spot of the floor you can sleep on, Oh word of advice keep your stuff under lock and key Hermes cabin is the place of travelers but also the place of thieves. Well that's it for your bonafede exclusive tour of Hermes cabin, while your with Hermes cabin ill be your counselor so come to me with any problems you may have, I also teach swordsmanship so pop by one of my classes. Well Annabeth I return your campers to you so continue the tour." Annabeth takes a moment to comply as she seems lost in thoughts about herself and Luke but nods in the affirmative. Now here at the center of the U is the Bonfire we sing camp songs around it every night. As our dynamic duo looks over they see a small girl tending to the fire Perce makes to go towards them but Annabeth grabs her hand continues the tour those cabins at the end are 1,2,3 and four and they are for Zeus, Hera, Poseidon and Demeter respectively. Now let me bring you towards the pantheon where we eat our meals and get announcements from Mr D but mostly Chiron. She continues on the tour seemingly still lost in thought but this provides Ed and Perce a chance to talk a little. "Why did you try to approach that girl by the fire Perce?" Ed asks with a comforting smile. "She felt warm and like my mom." Perce replies and before she can go to deep down the rabbit hole of sadness Ed wraps her up in a comforting hug. "Hey were you even listening to what i was saying?" Says Annabeth now out of Lala Luke Land, Taking a quick glance around Ed replies with a tone of theatre, "You were talking about the disasters that unfurl when competition is conducted on the climbing wall of DOOM, also how the showers are right over to the left of it." Annabeth seemingly placated with that answer resumes the tour until your favourite family friendly faun Grover appears to help with the tour. "And that's the complete camp half blood tour, now im going to hang out with…" Annabeth starts to speak only to shut her mouth and glare at the oncoming people from cabin 5."Clarisse" Annabeth Hisses as if the very name was a terrible curse. "Hey Annabeth see your escorting the runts around, care to leave them with me for the camp initiation?" The now named Clarisse who looks built like an ox and as ugly as one says in mocking demeanor with her followers cackling in the background. Ed and Perce share a look that says, Nancy action plan Madonna. "Now, Now you wouldn't happen to be Clarisse the Cruel of Camp" Ed asks as Perce maneuvers around as he continues "Because based off of the description given you fit the bill but I want to make sure it's who i'm thinking of before I jump to conclusions." Clarisse seems to preen at the recognition of her name until her face immediately sours at the potential rumors surrounding her". Alright runt who told rumors about me rat them out and I'll let you off the hook with only a swirly." Clarisse says while grabbing Ed by his shirt and glaring him in the eyes, "Well the rumors are that Clarisse is built as an ox" Ed starts and Clarisse seems pleased until Ed follows up with "And looks about as pretty as one too, And honey I fought the Minotaur and they have a prettier face then yours, so I think those rumors are true." Clarisse seems to see red and starts to drag Ed towards the bathroom until her knee is kicked from behind by Perce who just knocked her followers skulls together and she falls to the ground her face falling in a muddy puddle. Ed and Perce share a high five as they look down on Clarisse, its now that Clarisse realizes that a ton of campers where watching this initiation attempt just go wrong and are now laughing their asses off. Clarisse gets to her feet quickly and shouts "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS RUNTS."

Annabeth seems to have a calculating look in her eyes as she glares at our dynamic duo before speaking to the two, "I think I want you on my team for capture the flag" she says in a curt manner as one can almost see the gears of a great plan forming in her head. The remainder of the week of camp is filled with classic camp activities like sword fighting and climbing the climbing wall of catastrophic harm, there was also canoeing. Ed seems to have a knack for plants, Archery and his dyslexia isn't as severe as the other members of camp, the campers bet on who his godly guardian is say he is a dead ringer for Apollo cabin because of his blonde hair and icy blue eyes, however the Athena cabin thinks he may be one of their own, whilst the Demeter cabin thinks he is one of theirs as well. Perce on the other hand definitely made an impression on the archery range, after all it's not everyday that you see an arrow get shot backwards into Chiron who is instructing a student for their first lesson. Because of that Perce was assigned more mucking of the stables and since one was in the stables the other was too it was here they learned of Perce being able to speak to horses and pegasi. However it wasn't all bad in Luke's sword fighting class our dynamic duo learns quick but are inexperienced with the actual fighting aspects, though Ed has a higher repertoire due to the play Mr Brunner now Chiron ran where he was Theseus. However through out all the fun experiences where they did the camp activities was Clarisse giving them a death glare and the camp ostracizing them for picking a fight with Clarisse on their first day in camp. It was the day before capture the flag and Ed and Perce where hanging out with the person who was by the fire when Clarisse and her goons snuck up and grabbed them both and said "Prepare to get destroyed Runts." they threw them down and walked off one can almost see their two braincells smashing together for revenge against those that humiliated them. They return to sitting by the fire with each other in a comfortable silence.

"CAMPERS, THE DAY OF RECKONING IS UPON YOU ARM YOURSELVES AND SPLIT UP FOR CAPTURE THE FLAG." Chiron bellows as a table seemingly appears with armour and weapons. As a honourable member of Hermes cabin we are on blue team with Athena, Apollo, Dionysus and Demeter cabins. Our enemies led by Ares cabin are Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Our grand strategist for the fight, Glorious Adrimal Annabeth tells our dynamic duo to hold the creek on the left flank to stop any covert action to steal the flag. Luke helps us get outfitted with armour that is three sizes too big, A shield that's way to heavy for Perce and A bow that looks about as old as the Olympians for Ed with a sword close to seven pounds. But at least the equipment is the closest in size for our dastardly defenders. As Luke leads the charge to capture the flag Ed and Perce stay behind and wait for any to dare cross their stretch of creek. Ares cabin the best of the red teams forces dares to cross the creek all six of them led by their best warrior Clarisse. It is times like these that make our dynamic duo regret their actions, and as they ready their swords for the attack, Clarisse decides to make it known why their here, "Well runts bet you feel stupid for making a fool of me in front of everyone now, huh" Our dynamic duo starts to sweat in nervousness as Clarisse continues, "Well dont bother asking for mercy, GET EM BOYS." As they charge our duo they fall back to their side of the creek bank but our caught in the middle of the creek Clarisse charges Perce whilst the next biggest camper charges Ed. The fight is a lot more intense then the spars held in Luke's class but Ed is holding on by his very defensive sword play and the defense favourable terrain; Perce is in a one on one dual with Clarisse and is following the same game plan as Ed, three of the Ares Cabin decide to just get the flag and run past whilst the other one stays behind to act as reinforcements. Ed sees a chance to use a move which he used to 'fell' Asterius in the play and as he attempts to stab his opponents foot he is kicked in the face by said foot. Seeing Ed Hurt Perce seems to funnel the water into her and she starts attacking like a wave upon the cliffs. Now it is Clarisse on the defensive as she tries to parry, Dodge or block all the hits she can while trying to get a better footing. Seeing Clarisse struggling against her opponent Ed's opponent joins in, though not before kicking Ed again to attempt to keep him out of the fight. Perce seems to be Pushed back by the two vs one and cant go as heavy on the offensive against Clarisse. Ed is able to regain his footing and shoots an arrow at Clarisse, it misses but forces her to dodge right into Perce's sword swing. Seeing no way to get out of this swing Clarisse raises her spear to block only for the sword to cleave through the shaft. With the breaking of Clarisse's spear and Ed providing Fire support the battle is turning in our defenders favours, or it was until the Ares camper who was waiting sees this and charges at Ed to stop the arrows from helping control his half brother and sister. Forced to draw his sword and duel this Ares member Ed is able feel a pulling at his core and uses that tugging and freezes the creek below him causing the Ares campers charge to turn into a face plant. Using his pommel he strikes the campers helmet knocking him out of the fight. Perce getting caught in the tide of the battle also feels a tugging in her gut and uses the creek to lash out at the Ares campers she is fighting. With Ed resuming his Fire support both of the Ares cabin members are beaten as Luke charges across the creek into friendly territory Winning the game of capture the Flag. The flag with a Boar on it turns into a staff with two snakes and wings atop signaling the end of hostilities, as if to confirm this Chiron bellows loud enough for the entire forest to hear "BLUE TEAM VICTORIOUS STOP FIGHTING." everyone starts pouring out of the woods to hear what their counselors want them to do when two sigils fly over our dynamic duo. A glowing sea green trident appears above Perce and, a glowing icy white cornucopia appear above Ed. Chiron seems shocked for a moment before he regains his bearings and speaks, "All hail Persephone Jackson Daughter of Poseidon god of the seas, Earthshaker, Stormbringer and the father of all horses," the campers all take a knee to pay respects towards her while Chiron continues, "All hail Edward Finch son of Demeter, Harbinger Of Harvest, Sovereign of Seasons and the Witch of Winter."