Heroes of Olympus: Next Gen

Luke

I could tell something went down. When I asked what happened, Grace told me that we'll talk about it later and "we have bigger things to worry about".

Talk about avoiding your problems.

March 14th definitely wasn't the best birthday. We got our new weapons, and we learned of a dangerous prophecy on the same day. Now, it's been nonstop training for weeks. Everyone is stressed out but Grace more so than the others today. I knew why, I always knew. But I'm waiting for her to come to me when she's ready.

"Hey what do you think about hitting the rock wall?" I said, addressing everyone.

"I would love to, but I'm better at doing close combat than obstacle courses so I'm out." Xena said, and she walked out.

Sammy, Marie, and Emily were all about it. Bianca didn't really seem to care. This gave me and Grace an opportunity to compete against each other because you know, sibling rivalry and all. I looked over at her, waiting for an answer. Her expression seemed to fill with fire, determination, and spark-her signature I-never-back-down-from-a-challenge-look.

"Hmf. Prepare to get whooped, Luke."

"In your dreams, fish-brains."

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When we made it to the wall, we picked our partners. They are always the same, because of siblings. Grace and I, Marie and Emily, and finally, Sammy and Bianca.

"Why am I always stuck with the overdressed grease monkey?" Bianca said

"Because this overdressed grease monkey is going to smoke you."

"Very funny, Valdez."

"I try, I try."

"Since your so funny, Sammy," I said, "you wouldn't mind volunteering to go first with Bianca would you?" I smiled cheekily to Sammy's annoyance.

He took off his coat, and his undercoat, to reveal his shirt and suspenders and his tool belt. He took off his fedora and put it on my head in retaliation to me putting him on the spot, and he put on his headband to keep his hair out of his face. He only wears his headband when he's working in the forge, or if he's doing physical activities like this.

"Let's go Bianca!" He smiled his usual smile that always looks mischievous, mostly because he's always up to something and that usually lands him in good association with the Aphrodite girls.

"Valdez, when are you going to learn that you should've stayed in the forge like a good grease monkey?" Said Bianca

"I'd prefer to call myself supreme lord of the forge, thank you."

Marie took the lead of count down.

"Are you both ready?"

They nodded in reply, both looking very determined to win.

Marie put up 3 fingers.

"3, 2, 1.....Go!"

When they started, we were all a little startled. Bianca was making progress, but that wasn't the problem. Sammy was still on the ground, fiddeling with something.

"Sammy, what are you doing?" Bianca yelled, "You can't beat me by just standing there! This is an insult to my abilities!"

Sammy either didn't hear, or just didn't care, because he kept tinkering and pulling things out of his magic tool belt.

At first, he pulled out what looked like rope, and a grappling hook. He then started making what looked like some sort of revolver. When he was done, he had what looked like a rope launcher with a compass.