Fated To Fall: PJO

2.02

Theo stared at Chiron with a slack jaw. "You can't be fired! You are the camp!"

The centaur's tail flicked lightly as he gazed into the distance. "My boy, it is the will of the gods."

Theo clenched his jaw. "The gods know that you would never poison the tree! Why are you letting this happen?" He froze as the implications hit him. Chiron's wish.

"What's going to happen to you?" He whispered, eyes wide.

"What do you mean?"

"Your wish. You once said that your wish to the gods was to retain immortality so long as you were needed by heroes." Theo's voice was shaky. "If you're no longer at camp..." He trailed off.

"Why wouldn't he be at camp?" A familiar voice said from behind him.

Theo turned around. "Annabeth," he breathed.

She shot him a shaky smile before asking again, "Why wouldn't Chiron be at camp?"

Theo avoided her gaze. "I thought you were staying at your dad's."

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "Teddy."

Theo swallowed harshly, "Chiron's been fired and replaced with Tantalus! Thalia's tree was poisoned and the gods are making him take the blame." He rushed the words out.

Annabeth froze. "Thalia?"

Theo nodded.

Annabeth's face went blank as she turned around and made her way to the arena.

Theo glanced at Chiron, who shared a worried look with him. "That's not going to end well, is it?"

Chiron merely shook his head.

He sighed, "I'll take care of her."

Chiron gave him a thankful nod and returned to packing his things.

By the time Theo arrived at the arena, Annabeth had already destroyed half of their training dummies. A few of the Hermes kids who were scheduled for training were limping away.

"Annabeth," he called.

She didn't even glance is way.

"Annabeth."

She huffed and retreated farther into the arena.

Theo sighed, "Lottie?"

Annabeth stiffened. "You can't use my middle name every time you don't get your way."

Theo forced a smirk on his face. "Why not? It works."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, ignoring the sting.

"Look there's no way that this is permanent. Even the gods aren't unstable to keep Tantalus in charge."

"And if it's too late? If Chiron..." Annabeth trailed off, her voice cracking.

Theo pulled her into a hug. "It won't be. I'm sure of it."

Annabeth sniffled. She nodded, pulling away. "I have to leave."

Theo shook his head. "What? No, I get that this isn't ideal--"

"I need to get Percy." She cut him off. "He's supposed to be here soon anyway and I'd rather him hear about it from me. Or you."

Theo stopped, that made sense. "Okay. Yeah."

Annabeth had already turned away, muttering to herself, planning and plotting.

"Annabeth."

She turned around and looked like she had forgotten he was there.