The Mark of Athena (Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 19- Percy

     Leo choked on his food. “What did you just say, Beauty Queen?”

     “You are seriously immature, Leo. Sometimes I hate your guts,” Piper said with a grin. “I wanted to tell you in French so your fragile heart wouldn’t break.”

     “Reina de belleza, a veces yo también te odio,” Leo spat in Spanish. “Eres más malo que soy,” he said smugly.

     “Eh bien, je ne vous comprends pas, et vous ne pouvez pas me comprendre,” Piper growled.

     “Te odio, el gaitero.” Leo snarled.

     “Tais-toi, Leo. Jason serait dégoûté si il a découvert ce que je disais,” Piper said with a scowl.  “Mais je n'ai aucune idée de ce que vous dites,” she finished.

     “Hold up,” Jason said, confused. “What on earth are you saying? And how can you understand each other?”

     “We can’t,” Piper and Leo interjected at the same time before they both began to crack up.

     “Stop being idiots,” Hazel scolded, standing up. “I’m getting ready. Piper, please dress in something nice.”

     Scowling, Piper threw away her trash and stormed to her room.

     “She’s in a bad mood,” Hazel remarked. “I understood some of her speech. She really doesn’t like Leo right now.”

     Piper came back outside in regular clothes. “I’m not fighting in a dress,” she insisted. “I did it once. Worst fight ever, if I may say so myself.”

     Annabeth and Hazel stared at each other and sighed. They must have surrendered because Piper grinned.

     Percy went to his room and got the things he needed. A small baggie of ambrosia was a must. And Riptide, but that was always in his pocket. What else to take? He looked around his room and found nothing. With a sigh, he walked out of the room.

     Everyone looked ready for a fight. They had their weapons ready and simple clothes. Annabeth had a bag over her shoulder with everything the seven needed in a fight.

     All eyes were on Piper. Her changing unfocused and she was very still.

     To Annabeth, Percy whispered, “Why are we looking at her?”

     “Her dreams from Gaea,” she replied. “She has the answers.”

     Piper’s eyes focused. “It has to be around eleven or midnight. That’s all I know.” She blushed, obviously not liking the attention. “Someone can lead the way.”

     Even though Percy didn’t want to, he took the lead. They trekked through the small meadow and through the outskirts out town. Suddenly, Piper cocked her head.

     “Run!” she suddenly yelled, putting on a burst of speed that left everyone in the dust. She took the lead and led them down an alley.

     “What’s going on?” Annabeth asked, looking shocked.

     “Hellhound,” Piper spat out as she turned another alley but instantly stopped. It was a dead end. She cursed in Ancient Greek before taking a battle stance. “Get ready to fight.”

     Percy ended up in front with Jason at his side. They were in the same stance and had the same look of anger on their faces.

     A hellhound blended from the shadows, along with three others. Their beady red eyes were crazed and angry. All their eyes focused beyond the front line to Piper.