Sorry for the wait! I've been Christmas shopping for my friends, like ChrlesLawhorne. I even baked something for my family and something for my friends. I've been writing in every class for you guys to keep you fed. I came up with an extra chapter. I appreciate every single one of you wonderful people. I will try to update during Christmas break. I might not be able to on the 21st because I'm going to a friend's house for most of the day, but I might surprise you. Movie day is Friday this week at my school and while I watch a movie, I'll be writing to keep you guys happy :). Now, I would like to present you with the next chapter, my lovely readers.

Chapter Eleven: At CHB.

Point of view: Perseus Jackson

I open my eyes slowly to the bright morning light, shining through the window. I look over and see that everyone is still asleep and I raise my eyes to the ceiling.

I cannot believe I cried like that in front of the entire Hunt. I'm not embarrassed because they knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Whether rage came first or not. I just don't want to look weak to my family. I feel unbelieveably light and cheery. I've never felt so...giddy in all my life.

Did I have to go through the dark to gain such solace? Was it worth it in the end? Maybe. But nothing ever lasts long, so I'll cherish it for as long as I can.

I sit up and look around the cabin. They are still sleeping. I slide out from underneath the covers. Someone must've draped them over me. A small smile reaches my lips.

"My little sisters." I whisper to myself.

I get up, walk to the bathroom, get ready, and change into clothes that hide my arms. Another black sweater, that clings to my form and I blame Aphrodite for that one, blue jeans, and my hunting shoes. I feel like normalcy today instead of my hunter outfit. It's styled for males and it's black, but it's basically the same as the other hunters.

I walk in. They must be tired if they are still asleep. I change into a wolf and howl loudly, then switch back to human. "Rise and shine. We get to train the amateurs today." Isay. All the hunters are up and about in a few seconds.

"This is going to be fun." Phoebe smirks.

"I agree with that sister." Thalia says.

They all look at me expectantly. "I shall wait outside. Come and get me when you are ready." I say and leave the cabin. Once I close the door, I sit in the grass and look up at the sky.

Someone sits next to me. "We are sorry you know." It's Piper.

"Yeah, Pipes? I'm sure you are. But I didn't expect the rest of the seven to be swayed so easily after what we went through together." I tell her and glance over at her. I return my gaze to the sky.

1...2...3..4.5...6..7..8..9...10. Okay, I'm fine. Apolo, this isn't working!

"Jackson. Whatever you may think, we should never have treated you that way." A male voice sounds to my left.

"Really, Grace? Yet you did." I say and he sits on my other side.

After a few minutes, "What do you both want from me? Forgiveness? You need to earn it, like I earned my family's. I won't just come crawling back like I would've before. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my family." I say, getting up. I sense Jade behind me and she tackles my legs.

"C'mon! Artemis wants to tell us something!" Jade tells me excitedly.

"Alright, alright." I chuckle, taking her hand and letting her pull me along.

A hand grabs my other one. I look back to see Jason. "Man, was it really that bad for you?" He asks, not taking it serious.

I breathe deeply. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. "Two words Jason. Two words. What is my fatal flaw, in two words?" I ask him and jerk my hand from his grasp.

His eyes widen. "Personal loyalty." He whispers and looks down.

"And what did I tell you last night about my fatal flaw?" I ask angrily.

"You said it's broken." Piper answers for her boyfriend.

"Yes, I did. It's ripped apart just like my heart and soul. The Hunters and Artemis herself are my only drive. My desire to live resides with them. I must attend to my duties. I'll see you after breakfast at the meeting." I walk into the cabin with Jade.

"Who were they?" Jade looks up at me, craning her next.

I crouch down to her level, making it easy for her. "A couple of old friends that I'm not on good terms with at the moment. Don't worry, it'll all be fine some time in the future." I tell her and ruffle her long, spiky black hair. She styled it like Thalia's because she like the 'pretty points' of her hair. Needless to say that Thalia is proud that she is setting trends amongst the young hunters.

"Okay!" She hugs me. I hug her back and she runs over to Kerra to chat with her excitedly.

I push on my knees and rise. "So, who's running what class today?" I ask no one in particular.

"You are." Is all that Phoebe says.

"Which ones?" I reply.

"All of them! We want to learn from you!" Layla sounds hyper. Did she drink Kool-Aid again?

"Uh...shouldn't you be running archery or hunting knives?" I ask.

"You're really great at it now! You'll be fine." Thalia claps me on the back.

"Oh, whatever. Lady Artemis, are you sure?" I turn to her.

"Yes, you are qualified to teach any weapon. I believe it's why father wanted us to train them in the first place. Because you are a master in every one of them. The girls and I want to learn close combat in case we are ever without our bows." Artemis answers.

"Sounds...nice. I won't spar with you until I know I won't hurt you." I state seriously.

"We can take you. Do not worry brother." Atalanta replies proudly.

I shake my head. "No. I hold myself back all the time. I never fight to my full potential. Monsters are childsplay for me. If my fists were made out of clestial bronze, I would fight in hand-to-hand combat. It would be against my oath to harm you."

"Not if it's training." Thalia says.

 I shake my head again. "The Styx isn't specific unless you specifically state it in that manner. For all I know, I could die because I fell on top of you by accident." I put my hands in my pockets.

"You're still training us." Phoebe pouts.

"Never said I wasn't" I smile. "If it helps protect you, then it will help me keep my oath all the better. And you'll be safer. It's all I wish."

"Good. What are we learning first?" Crena asks.

"Whatever you want." I shrug. "It matters not to me."

"Can we learn how to wield a spear?" Joslyn jumps at me and bounces up and down. Oh, dear. Did they all have Kool-Aid?

"I don't see why not. We won't spend all day on it though. And it will take the little ones longer because of their size. Years if they don't take it seriously." I explain.

"Can I learn how to use a trident? I always find it interesting and not many opponents who use it are that smart." Asks Crena.

"Sure. I'll teach you all individually in whatever weapon of choice. I just need to know who is using what weapon. It won't take me long to show you the basics of your weapon of choice." I say.

The conch horn blows. "Lets head down to breakfast." Thalia says.

At breakfast I am bombarded with a volley of demands and questions.

"How man tehniques do you know?"

"How long did it take you to learn each one?"

"Can you teach me how to dual wield swords like we do with hunting knives?"

"You should join us in showing Apollo's kids how to shoot a bow."

"We should have combat tests!"

"I should like to learn the ways of a sword without having Ares trying to impale me with one like a spear."

"Thalia! We could learn so much more in the spear!" High five between Phoebe and Thalia.

"Are we holding lessons in the Arena?"

"I wonder what the campers think."

"Won't he have to prove he can teach them all?"

"I can learn to use a shield, right?"

"Calm down, girls. We can do all that." I rub my temples.

The campers were watching us like we were having a super extreme tennis match.

A hand touches my back. I look over my shoulder and see Chiron. "What do you want, centaur?" I ask and turn to my breakfast. Chiron flinches and removes his hand. "I am uninterested in your apologies. If that's what this is, I am not in the mood." I tell him flatly.

"Please, let me make amends." Chiron begs.

I lift my goblet. "And why is that?" I ask and take a drink.

"Because I must right my wrongs." He answers, pleading with his tone.

I set my cup down. "No, you mustn't. You want to. I however want to fill my role here and be done as soon as possible. I have conceded in meeting a majority of you already. I expect most of them to corner me sometime afterwards or challenge me to a duel. MAybe in the game tonight, maybe after, maybe before. The challenge stakes...my best guess is they would be my forgiveness versus the challenger's stupidity and dignity. As I said before, you must earn my forgiveness. I am not the kid you used to know. Not anymore."

"Percy-" Chiron begins.

"Is not available at this point in time. I must see to it that my duties are fulfilled. I suggest that you leave before my anger bests me." I take another drink.

"Chiron, he'll be at the Big House. Don't push him. He just might blow up camp at this point. His past is a painful reminder. Our father asking him to return is enough for now." Artemis tells Chiron.

"He hates Zeus though." Chiron states, puzzled.

"I never hated my father. I was angry that he wanted to kill me over something that he himself did twice and it wasn't my fault I was born or supposed to be part of the prophecies. It was unjust. He has seen this mistake and has apologized. Thalia and I mess with him all the time. I do believe the king of the gods is finally losing his cold demeanor, just like Hera." I say simply.

"Oh, that last one I about rolled over. That was perfect. His face was priceless." Thalia giggles.

I grin at her mischievously. "Indeed. It is long overdue for another one. Hestia wishes to help this time." I tell her.

"This should be fun. We'll plan it later." Thalia promises and I nod, smiling.

"Still here, centaur?" I ask without looking.

"Guardian of  the Hunt, will you please follow me out of the pavilion?" Chiron asks quietly.

I glance over at Artemis, who nods. I sigh and stand. "It's your funeral." I say and Chiron pales slightly.

I trail behind Chiron and we end up at the edge of the forest.

"What do you want from me?" I sigh and put my hands in my pockets.

"For you to spare a moment of your time." Chiron replies.

"Well. Here I am. I'm just getting older." I say and observe the trees.

"Will you let me say what I need to say without interrupting?" Chiron asks.

"I'll try, I make no promises. My ADHD prefers to answer spitingly if it feels lie it. Impulsive." I say. "Speak and I will do my best to care and listen as Guardian of the Hunt, not as anyone else. If someone else answers, then so be it."

"I should never have expelled you. I am truly sorry. If you'll let me, I'd like to make it up to you somehow. How can I regain your respect? Will you explain to me why you will not call me by my name? Why do the Hunters lok at me in that way? Artemis? Even Thalia looks at me coldly. Why did Derek push you out? Why would Poseidon disown you so easily? I think he would've noticed some unseen force probing his mind and controlling him, especially after all that happening. Explain." He pleads with me.

"No, you shouldn't have expelled me. Sorry? That doesn't cover it. You took my only safe haven from monsters away and left my parents defenseless. Make it up? Let you? I told you already, you can try, but it doesn't mean I'll give you respect. My respect? Hard to earn nowadays. I do not call you by your name because I have no respect for you anymore. I call you by your breed, we hunt the evil ones. Like the ones that sided with the Giants in the last war. The Party Ponies are just troublesome and rowdy. They move around constantly. They are safe. Allies and pardoned for helping defend Olympus. My sisters look at you coldly because of what you did, what you all did. They hated coming here in the first place, they only return because I myself must be here. Artemis and I are bonded, she feels what I feel and vice versa. She knows exactly why I do not like you. She understands and has come to the same view of you as I do. Thalia doesn't appreciate my being cast out. She wants to kill practically the whole of the camp. Except her little brother, lightning boy, though she's pretty ticked off at him for being such a and I quote 'a ridiculously stupid little boy.' Derek? The devil himself. Probably a fatal flaw like hubris or jealously. Maybe greed. Like most of my ancient half-brothers. He saw me as a threat of taking power, so he pulled little stunts and planted evidence to get rid of me. Poseidon? I'm impartial to the god of the seas at the moment. Yes, which is why I asked him about something like that. He said there was nothing. So he felt the deepest shame. What about you, centaur? You feel anything like a higher power inside your brain? I think Derek is just a coniving, deceitful, lying, idiotic...thing. You'll find that I only talk with Poseidon if I deem it absolutely necessary. He visits me every now and then, trying to get me to call him father. He insisted on Lord Poseidon before, so that's what I call him. Anything else?" I tell him.

"I-I...I just want your trust back. I want that kid who had a troublemaker smile and sparkling eyes. Not this...shell of a man." Chiron gestures at me.

"But that's what I am. I am only unlike this around my parents, patrons, and sisters." I tilt my head. "I am curious however. Why do you think I should forgive you?"

"I will never betray you ever again. I swear this on the River Styx." Chiron promises me. Thundr claps in the distance.

"You think that solves it all, do you? You should never have done that. Now, even if it isn't your fault next time, you will be sentenced to death. I find this interesting. Very well, centaur. I will watch you and see if you are worthy. For now, breakfast is over and I do believe we have a meeting to be in. Shall we? Or must I go alone? Either way suits me fine, I don't really care whether your presence is accounted for at the meeting. It will make no difference. Can you stomach what you see? As I recall, you're soft for a centaur." I muse and start walking, he trots beside me, keeping pace.

"Tell me, what do you think of the camp in general?What about Camp Jupiter?Why did you not go there?" Chiron asks.

I sigh tiredly. "I stayed for Annabeth. Biggest mistake of my life. I should have left and served in the legion with Reyna. Whether Frank and Hazel hated me or not. I could've handled two, but not an entire camp. By now, if I'd have gone, I could've had three to four more years of service in. But I enjoy the Hunt more than anything. I wouldn't leave even if the world was ending. I couldn't care less about anyone's but the Hunt's problems. I only live for them. You have Lady Artemis to thank for making me try life again." I say.

"Why did she offer you to be Guardian?" Chiron asks.

"Enough. Your questions will be answered at the meeting. I do not like repeating this. It's tedious and I do not speak of it unless commanded by my mistress or if I feel like I want to. I will show you the sequence of events, including the throne room." I say with a tone of finality.

We enter the Big House and the meeting room. "Everbody is here. Good. I see we don't have to track anyone down. Ah, son of Poseidon. You were able to make it safely I hope?" I glare at him sideways and he bobs his head fast, almost looks like it'll roll off his shoulders from the movement. I'd like to see that myself. I sigh inwardly. Oh, well.

"What all are we seeing?" Jason asks.

"Everything. From the moment my dear little half-brother screamed like the frightened child he is." I say. I conjure up mist and the light from the window creates a rainbow. "O' Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, please accept this offering and show my life when it started to spiral downwards." I throw five drachmas in. Iris and Fleecy deserve more than one for showing this huge and horrific film-like viewing.

"Why did you throw so many in?" Clarisse asks.

"Because, Iris and Fleecy appreciate it for showing something so long. It's worth more than one drachma for Zeus's sake." I tel her and thunder booms. "Sorry dad." The thunder stops rumbling and the sky lightens.

After about an hour, the IM shuts off and after another hour of silence, someone speaks. "Oh my gods..." Of course, it's Piper.

"Well! That was truly fun seeing that movie again. I think it knocks the socks off of 'Ouija.' Right, Thals?" I chuckle.

"Absolutely. I think we should film it and sell it." Thalia giggles back, we all grew used to it.

"We might get sued. It looks a little real." I whisper loudly for effect.

"Yeah, we might have to put makeup on you to hide everything to make them think it wasn't real. Good call. It might be too scary for mortal eyes. Would they be able to see it?" Thalia asks curiously.

"Probably not. Shoot, we could've been rich." I laugh and she falls out of her chair, dying of laughter.

Everybody just looks at us weirdly. "What? We got used to it a while ago. And yes, I'm perfectly sane. I just have a tough time with wee little anger issues when it comes to my past. Or maybe I should say explosion worthy anger issues." I think over it.

"But..." Travis can't come up with words, speechless.

"Now to class. I am running everything today apparently. We will start off with archery. Lets move!" I yell and everyone scrambles to get out of their chairs and through the door.

"I agree with Phoebe, this is going to be so much fun. Lets go sister." I laugh with Thalia and we race each other to the archery range.

Sorry it took so long. I was dying of giggle fits. Blame Charles. I almost died of laughter. *Snort* You should've heard him. I couldn't breathe for the longest time. I'll try to update a bit faster for you guys next time. PJO/HOO belong to Rick Riordan. To next time, my lovely readers!