I DO NOT OWN THE PJO/HoO SERIES!!! ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO RICK RIORDAN!!!

Chapter 5

The first thought that crossed Celeste's mind as Francis lunged at her with a practice sword was : Run!

But instead she raised her sword in a desperate parry and smiled when Francis couldn't hit her.

Francis leaned back, wiping sweat off his forehead and flicking his blue tail.

"Nice job. You're a natural. You sure you've never done this before?" Francis asked.

Celeste blushed. Francis was cute, but he was 18. Celeste was 4.

Little bit of an age gap.

He had tousled blond hair that constantly went into his eyes, making him push it back in annoyance constantly. His eyes were a warm brown and his fingers were webbed like Nora's. His teeth weren't severely sharp, but they were definitely more pointed than a human's. Scales danced on his bare skin and his chest was exposed.

A long blue tail protruded from his waist and Celeste had to fight to urge to ask to touch it. It was so slimy and she really wanted to know what it felt like.

Nora was in the corner of the room, clapping as she saw Celeste doing well.

"Alright, Celeste, let's see about your powers than, shall we?" Francis said, flashing his pointy white teeth.

Celeste nodded, forming a stance that Francis had taught her.

"Aw!" Nora exclaimed from the corner.

"I'm trying to look deadly, not cute!" Celeste called in frustration.

Nora laughed.

Francis adjusted parts of Celeste's stance and then faced her. "Okay, just move the water to your will. Concentrate, it takes severe focus."

Celeste nodded and shut her eyes, processing her thoughts.

She felt the ocean current move with her as if it was a part of her, the ocean her home. The waves moved back and forth with her will and she moved it in all sorts of directions. She faintly heard Francis's approval just as Percy's face flashed into her mind.

Her clone was beside him, smiling. She held a knife and then drove it into Percy. Celeste screamed and her concentration broke, darkness curling around her.

The water whirled, scattering in several directions, and there were several clanks and sounds of protest just as the power died down.

The room was silent and Celeste opened her eyes.

Francis was unconscious, slumped against the wall and Nora was on the ground, struggling to get up.

Celeste gasped in horror and ran to Nora. Nora whimpered and flicked her tail, backing away.

Celeste ran into the hallway and cried for help. Other merfolk rushed in but didn't ask what had happened.

Maybe they already knew.

Francis died later that day from a severe head injury that shut down his brain...

•••

1 year later

Celeste ran into her father's throne room where he was talking to several different merfolk and sea creatures at once.

"Daddy?" Celeste called.

Poseidon glanced up. Celeste was standing there with her hands crossed in front of her. She blinked nervously.

"Celeste. What is it? I'm busy." Poseidon said.

Celeste looked at her shoes in embarrassment. Everyone in the room was staring at her.

"Um...well it's my birthday, I was wondering if I could do something special, maybe?" Celeste asked.

Poseidon blinked. "Your birthday? Oh, of course. Do whatever you want, Celeste."

He immediately turned back to his subjects and Celeste sighed, leaving the room in a hurry.

She ran into Nora in the hallway.

The mergirl smiled. "Hey, birthday girl, how are you?"

Celeste smiled. "I'm fine, thanks."

Nora had never been the same since Francis had died. Especially around Celeste. Her usual happy flame had died out, but she never mentioned the incident, always being polite. She smiled occasionally but was usually quiet and avoiding everyone.

Celeste couldn't help the guilt in her stomach as she realized she had caused this change of personality.

She also couldn't stop thinking about how she killed Francis.

She put the thought in the back of her mind and tried to think of happy things.

It was her birthday after all.

"So! I had a good idea! I haven't talked to my brother, Percy in almost forever, so I was thinking maybe I could contact him in some way for my birthday present?" Celeste said.

Nora pondered it and then nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

Celeste smiled and followed her friend down the hall and back into her own room.

There was a magical phone made out of a shell (which Celeste called a shell phone for laughs) on her bedside table.

She picked it up and dialed, ready to hear Percy's voice after a year. They shared a birthday after all.

The line picked up and Percy's voice answered, "Hello?"

Celeste burst out into song:

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Percy! Happy birthday to you!"

The line was silent.

"Percy? You still there?" Celeste chuckled.

"Um...yeah. Who is this again?" Percy asked.

Celeste rolled her eyes. "Me you idiot. Your sister, Celeste. Oh come on, don't tell me you don't miss me."

Percy's voice sounded nervous and confused. "Um, no, I think you have the wrong number. I'm an only child. Are you a friend of my mom's?"

Celeste fell silent.

"Celeste, you okay?" Nora asked.

"Hello?" Percy asked.

Only child...

"Hello!?" Percy exclaimed, sounding annoyed.

"No, you're right. Wrong number. I'm so sorry. Enjoy your day." Celeste muttered.

"Um...thanks. You too." Percy said.

The line buzzed, indicating Percy had hung up.

Celeste let the phone clatter out of her hands. Nora blinked. "What happened? Celeste, talk to me."

Celeste opened her mouth to speak, but her throat was dry. Her eyes puffed up and a stray tear slipped down her cheek.

Nora jerked. "Celeste! Hey, don't cry honey. What happened?" Nora soothed, wrapping her arms around Celeste.

Celeste hugged Nora tight and sobbed into her silk blouse. "He doesn't remember me, Nora! He had no idea who I was!"

Tears choked Celeste and she coughed, wiping her eyes harshly.

A knock at the door made them both jump.

"Come in." Nora said since Celeste was still crying.

Poseidon walked in with a small box in his hands but he quickly saw Celeste and stiffened.

"Celeste? What's wrong?" Poseidon asked.

Celeste ran up and hugged her father, making him flinch in surprise like he always did when Celeste showed affection.

"He didn't remember me, Daddy." Celeste sobbed.

"Who?" Poseidon asked.

"Percy!" Celeste cried, letting the tears flow.

Poseidon stiffened and then awkwardly patted Celeste on the back.

He couldn't tell her. Not yet.

"I don't understand." Celeste sniffled, wiping her eyes hastily.

"Are you sure he wasn't just joking? You know how Percy is." Poseidon said.

Celeste shook her head. "No. He was definitely serious. How could he forget me!?"

Celeste began to wail again.

"Celeste, look, I know it's your birthday, I brought something that I thought you would like. Maybe it'll cheer you up?" Poseidon stalled, trying to direct Celeste's attention away from Percy.

Celeste blinked and nodded slowly. "I guess so." She mumbled, her voice tinged with sadness.

Poseidon sighed and held out the box he was holding. Celeste it took it with shaky hands and slowly peeled off the wrapping.

She gasped.

Inside was a long pearl necklace, made from actual pearls. The jewels sparkled and reflected in Celeste's wide sea green eyes.

Behind her, Nora was in shock. "It's beautiful..." She trailed off as she stared at the necklace in awe.

Poseidon pulled the necklace from the box and hooked it around Celeste's neck. The pearls looked perfect on her as if they were made for her.

"Thank you." Celeste whispered.

She fingered the pearls, amazed.

"I'm glad you like it." Poseidon said.

Celeste glanced up at him and he saw a faint darkness dance around in her bright eyes.

He took a deep breath.

There was nothing to worry about.

Celeste was fine.

There was nothing wrong with her.

"Happy birthday, Celeste." Poseidon said before leaving once more.

Celeste smiled faintly and for he rest of the day didn't even think about Percy.