Chapter 9: Percabeth

Annabeth knew Will and Nico had swapped powers, like she and Percy had, but she didn't expect to see Will guarding the flag. Nor did she expect him to be fighting a monster, an empousa maybe, while another snuck up behind him, claws raised. She was about to charge in, and help, but skeletons rose from the ground with a scream of defiance and fear. The two went at it-skeletons facing off against empousa-and the skeletons won. Then, they sunk back into the ground, and Will collapsed on one knee, panting, eyes closed. Annabeth charged in, and knelt beside him, asking if he needed help. "No, I'm fine, I just need to catch my breath." He answered, standing, and placing his hands on the back of his head, allowing him deeper breaths. "Good. And I will be taking this!" She grabbed the flag, and ran off as fast as she could, but she didn't make it. The rest of Will's team crossed over to their area, with the flag, and cheered. At least Annabeth had gotten her hands on the flag. And, even though this was the first time she lost in a while, she didn't care. She loved seeing her friends, and random campers, happy. She loved seeing them cheer and hoist each other up. She loved seeing them parade around, goofing off, and just being them. She set the flag down, smiling, and went to find Percy. He would have fun teasing her. And she would have fun teasing him back.