We have just left camp a few days ago, and the surprising or unsurprising thing is that Thalia Annabeth and I started dating. Which I'll admit is a bit weird, especially when my sisters poke fun at us most of the time, when we aren't training or hunting, and when uncle Apollo tries giving dating advice, which we all ignore. Thalia also electrocuted him once...ok fine twice daily, since we left camp.

Anyway after we just cleared a big monster nest we found, Apollo asked, " so sis what are we hunting next...you know considering your son and his girlfriends killed most of the dangerous stuff already"

"but I haven't killed anything" Thalia protested

"Ehh but you served the perfect distraction so Percy could get the kill on that lion" Apollo replied, "so you get some credit" Thalia rolled her eyes at this...and then promptly electrocuted him. You would think he would have learned by now, but no my uncle apparently has lost his brain. If you find it please send it to the hunt's PO box.

"Well there's still all the different Hydras, the manticore still lives, multiple sea monsters, numerous cyclops, the Laistrygonian giants, Lamia, the Caucasian eagle, the Colchian Dragon, all the Drakons, and likely numerous lesser monsters along the way little brother" Mom said to Apollo's question

"I vote the cyclops" Apollo said, "they are no match for the cyclops slayer"

"Uncle I'm not doing all the work for you" I responded

"Damn I really hoped that that would work"

"I could still go for some dam French fries" Thalia said with a cheeky grin

"You never got your dam T-shirt too" I responded

"Well we never visited the dam gift shop" Thalia shot back

"Well do you still need to use the dam restroom or are you good now" I asked

"I went to the dam restroom before we left" Thalia answered

"WHAT THE HADES IS GOING ON" Apollo asked

"I wish I knew" Zoë said

"Same" replied Annabeth

"You all won't get it" Thalia and I responded, "though we might tell Annabeth later" I added

That just got Apollo and Zoë to let out an annoyed sigh

"Well all dams aside. Percy, Thalia, and Annabeth you three will be accompanying Apollo and I hunting down the sea monsters, the hydra and the manticore until summer" mom ordered

"And Zoë you are to lead the hunt destroying monster nests during this time. I know you all wish to be with your brother but he and his two girlfriends have training to complete" mom said

"Of course milady" Zoë said packing up the hunt and getting them all out in search of monster nests

"Wait sis you sure about this"

"Yes I'm sure you doofus. It's the best way to train them. It also provides less distractions to them. Now let's go. The Manticore is still in California according to our intelligence" mom said beginning to track down the manticore.

We've been tracking the manticore for 5 days and are closing in on him now. We had to cross the border down into Baja California and I can only assume he's trying to meet Luke to get back on the ship, Princess Andromeda.

We haven't done much training during this time, unless you count tracking skills and mental awareness, but it was a close goal now.

"Annabeth What are the powers that Percy and Thalia poses" mom randomly blurred out

"Well Thalia has powers over lightning and has a far better control over it than Percy, she also is a beneficiary of having above average demigod strength, speed, agility, and natural fighting skills. Thalia also theoretically has control over some storms and the winds, but she hasn't yet displayed those powers in an obvious public manner" Annabeth started

"Good" mom said, " and Percy"

"Percy has the powers of yourself and Hestia, on account of him being your adopted son and lady Hestia's Champion. He also has the powers of which Thalia does, though I'm unsure of the air control, where as he differs having displayed control over storms. He has the ability to bend water to his will seemingly down to a molecular level, and has an enhanced archery, and medical ability from Apollo. Percy also theoretically has the power to create earthquakes as well"

"Good. It's important to know your allies abilities when strategizing" mom complimented, "for instance having a swordsman in a tree is like sending Thalia off by herself to kill sea monsters. Or that annoying Poseidon kid, uhhh what's his name, Pierre"

"No it's Peter, sis" Apollo replied

"Why should I care about Pedro. Anyways it would be like sending him to kill a monster of the sky. It's just simply not their thing due to their fathers" mom said

"Then what about Percy" Annabeth asked

"He's versatile. Poseidon wishes to regain his favor, Zeus has blessed him and gave him permission to enter his domain and hades banned him from the underworld, yet has no qualms with him" mom answered, "though your job as a strategist isn't to learn just their strong suits but to know the strong suits of all the campers, and then give advice and strategies on how best to utilize those strengths and abilities" mom continued explaining

"But"

"It's a lot of information, but you are capable. You only need to have faith in yourself and your decision Annabeth. View it as a chess game. You have your powerful pieces such as Percy, Thalia and Clarisse. Then you have the grunts or soldiers. It's about playing them correctly and in the right position"

"Except you know it's with people's lives and all instead of just a boring game" Apollo added

"Not helping Apollo" Annabeth said, he at least had the shame to look a little guilty.

"We will go over strategies later Annabeth" mom said, " but for now come up with a strategy using Percy Thalia and yourself to defeat the manticore"

"Why" Thalia asked

"You three still need to train and I know you are capable of defeating the manticore. And there is no better practical training than being able to go unrestricted in a fight" mom answered Thalia

"But the last time" Annabeth stated

"Only one of you listened to the plan" mom responded, at which Thalia took a keen interest in her shoes, "and the one that did had to stop so he could protect the biggest problem of not listening"

"Ok I messed up but I'll listen this time" Thalia responded

"Good" mom replied, "now Annabeth"

"Ummm...Thalia use your powers and shield to distract the manticore, so Percy can flank and cut off its tail" Annabeth started

"That's a good start" mom replied, "but how should he disable the tail"

Annabeth took a moment to think, "you still have Blackbeard's cutlass" she asked, and I nodded pulling it out, "use that. The extra weight of the blade should help you cut through it" she told me

"And what shall you be doing" Thalia asked

"Well I'll be going around the other flank and when he turns to focus on Percy because of the tail thing, I'll jump on his back again, and split his focus for you to charge in and stab him through the side with your spear. And please no battle cry for your charge Thalia" Annabeth said

Honestly I like her plan. And it's much better than what I had in mind, as hers actually causes us to provoke him, where as mine relied on a nice arrow and him not knowing.

"I like your plan niece. And where shall Apollo and I be" mom asked

Annabeth thought for a moment, "well depending on where. A nearby rooftop or in a nearby tree"

"An excellent plan niece" mom said, to which Annabeth blushed