Pegasus and the Mirrored Ones

Chapter 7

Emily's POV:

Percy walked into the clearing. A large crowd had gathered. The Greek version of Chiron had said it was because I was a new kid; they hadn't seen what I was capable of. I had already made up my mind; I couldn't use my powers. There was too much of a risk because these demigods were mortal. the fact that I wasn't sure what I could do now.

I looked behind me. Annabeth glared, poison radiating from her eyes. A rather warm welcome, she openly showed her hatred.

Ahead of me, Percy was pouring water on to his head. I mentally rolled my eyes. We hadn't even begun, and he was already sweaty. I smiled to myself. This boy was about to get the biggest kick-ass the Earth, the all the worlds will ever see.

The crowd roared as Percy uncapped a pen, transforming it into a glowing bronze sword. Celestial bronze, I thought to myself. A chant went up. "Percy! Percy! Percy!"

The said Percy Jackson stood in the middle; hand raised for silence. The chant disappeared. "Now, remember that this a practice for one of our new campers. Not a competition, okay? Emily here hasn't used a sword before so..."

He was cut off as I wielded a twisted silver sword. It was lighter than usual, I thought. But then again, these were for demigods, I was used to Olympian weapons.

To his credit, Percy got over his surprise quickly. He held his pen/sword at an angle, poised to attack. "Now Emily," he started. Again, I silenced him as I span the sword in my hand and jabbed to his right.

The crowd gasped. Percy grinned at me. "So, not a beginner?" I nodded my head. "Nope." He shook his head. "Well then, I say we do this properly."

I couldn't help but match his infectious enthusiasm.

"Agreed."

Around us, a large mob of campers watched anxiously as and I duelled. To be honest, he was a good fighter, but nothing compared with Diana.

As we duelled, I couldn't think that Percy looked and acted like Paelen, and of course that only made me fight harder.

Percy swiped. I ducked. I jabbed. He turned to one side. He took a swipe. I backflipped and skidded in the dust. I tried to feint, but Percy had seen this move before, and he blocked it with ease. "Okay then, I whispered under my breath. "Stage 2." Percy nodded, like he could hear me.

With a shout, he pointed at me. I felt it, the rumbling. Water shot out from all sides, putting a swirling tornado around me. I felt myself lift in the air. A Neptune child, as Piper had said. I ached to release the Flame onto him, but I couldn't, I had promised myself.

Instead, I raised my hand. "Do you mind if I change my weapon, seeing as this is a practice?"

Percy nodded. "Sure,"

I ran to the Hermes cabin, opened my bag and drew out the golden flame-sword. It held many unwanted memories which flooded into my head. Those would have to wait.

As I arrived back at the clearing, Percy was talking to another camper. Ahh, Annabeth. She seemed to really hate my guts for no reason.

I walked in. With a penknife, I cut my finger and wiped it along the edge of my sword. It burst into flames. Thank Olympus that Vulcan had created these with Stella. I looked back up. Percy's mouth hung open, as did every camper. Other than that infuriating Annabeth Chase. She literally gave off Oder de' Mean Girl as she rolled her eyes.

Percy called the water again. It flew in circles around me, as I slashed, evaporating it. I might have slightly singed his eyebrows as I swiped. He seemed to realise that if he didn't block my moves, he would be a piece of nicely cooked meat.

At the same time, I knew that I couldn't beat Percy. It wasn't because of my ability; it was because I needed to fit in with the campers. And beating their champion swordfighter would not help matters.

So, I tried to extinguish the flaming sword. It worked. Percy jabbed at me, and I blocked it. He pressed harder as he 'pushed' me to the ground. I held both hands up as a surrender. The crowd began to roar again. "Percy, Percy, PERCY!"

I smiled as I walked to him. "A pleasure, duelling the Camp Half-Blood sword-fighting champion." I said, holding out my hand. Percy grinned at me and shook it firmly. "You're a neat swordfighter yourself, Emily."

I knew then that in this weird environment, somebody would care.