The Wall

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I don't own the Percy Jackson series.

Percy stopped in his tracks, staring at the side of the arts and crafts cabin. While not much seemed to have changed at the camp since last summer, the giant dry-erase board was new. What was even stranger was the question, glowing faintly, written across the top:

"What do you wish someone had told you when you first got to Camp Half Blood?"

The answers ranged from practical advice, to sentimental musing, and the hilarious but true. Some were signed, some weren't, and some you could tell who wrote them just by what was said. He smiled slightly as he started reading, trying to assign names to the unsigned ones.

"That making friends Hermes Cabin is essential if you ever want to have any fun. Come on guys, I didn't mean it!"

"Don't piss off Hermes, the god or the cabin. Payback sucks."

Percy thought the first one had to be one of the new Aphrodite girls who'd said that the slightly elfish features looked dorky… and the second was probably Ned Jones, a son of Ares, who had called Hermes a wimp right after he arrived at camp… He'd probably been the first to receive every prank the Hermes cabin has come up with since, and apparently he had no luck when traveling either.

"Don't try sword practice with the Ares kids, they'll kill you… And laugh." Laura Keller, Aphrodite

He nodded, he remembered that fight… Two years ago. She was in the infirmary for the better part of a week and it was over a month before the Ares kids quite laughing about it.

"Keep on Apollo cabin's good side, they can you kill from across camp." Chuck Samuel, Hermes

Chuck… Oh yeah, the kid last year who pulled that prank on the Apollo cabin, even after Conner Stoll told him it was a bad idea to take their bow strings and use them to set up a clothes line to string up their underwear. He pulled it off in record time… Especially since was alone. The Apollo kids weren't impressed though, he'd had to wear armor everywhere for the rest of the summer, and still ended up in the infirmary a couple times for arrows in rather painful places… Percy looked around, and spotted Chuck, still wearing armor and casting nervous glances at the Apollo kids who were still glaring at him.

Percy shook his head, his smile growing wider as he continued reading.

"If you get invited Hermes cabin party, go. If Apollo's cabin invites to one their parties, ditch the Hermes party if you have to, and if the Dionysus kids invite you to their party, ditch both cabins if necessary. They'll understand."

Percy had no clue who wrote that one, but he had to laugh… And agree, all three cabins threw great parties; but even the Apollo kids ditched their party when they got invited to a party thrown by one of Mr. D's kids.

"If the Hermes Cabin and the Apollo Cabin are on the same team for capture the flag, you may want sit out the game if your cabin isn't. There is no telling what they'll be shooting at you." Annabeth Chase, Athena

So that was she always makes sure at least one of them is on her team… Percy thought idly.

"Apollo kids like high places, are never without their bows, have excellent aim, and contrary to popular belief; they can hold a grudge." Henry Kinsly, Aphrodite

Percy raised a brow, wondering what that kid did to make them mad.

"Don't go near the Apollo girls, even if their brothers are on the other side of camp, you'll still end up with an arrow in your ass. And just so you know: that hurts." Mark Andrews, Ares

It was amazing the number of campers that wished they had been warned about the Apollo cabin, they never seemed that bad to him. But then again, he'd been smart enough to figure out not to piss off the group that could kill him without him ever seeing them.

"Don't race the satyrs up the rock wall, it's a good way to get burnt and fall off." Clarisse LaRue, Ares

Percy's brows shot up, he'd never have thought she would admit to that.

"The great friends I'd make, and how much it would hurt when I lost them." Katie Gardner, Demeter

Percy's smile faded a little at that, and had to disagree. He wouldn't have wanted to know how much it was going to hurt; he'd have never made it through if he had.

"Don't litter, you'll end up with slugs in places you never thought they could end up…"

He laughed, that one could have been written by pretty much anyone… Every camper had made that mistake at least once.

"Don't mess with the Hermes girls, their brothers are creatively overprotective." Leon Jones, Athena

Percy winced, he'd seen some the things the Hermes kids had done as pranks to people they liked… He didn't want to think about what they'd do to guys sniffing around their sisters. He almost wondered why there weren't more wishing they had been warned about the Ares kids, but then again, Ares' kids tended to warn off the new kids themselves.

"Leave the Aphrodite boys alone, they'll just break your heart." Leslie Fortuna, Apollo

Percy couldn't help but be pretty sure that one was the reason for at least one of the Aphrodite guys wishing they had been warned about the Apollo cabin.

"That this place is run according to prophecies… I wouldn't have stayed if I'd known that." Cassie McNova, Apollo

Percy frowned slightly there, it seemed odd that one of Apollo's kids would be anti-prophecy. Their dad was the god of prophecy after all. He shrugged; there was really no judging by their parents in some matters.

"Don't get into a prank war with a Hermes kid." Jason Sol, Apollo

Percy had to agree that sounded like a bad idea, but it might be fun to watch someone else do it.

"Make friends in the Hermes cabin, they're the best at what they do and you don't want them to do it to you." Carrie Chill, Hephaestus

It was then that Percy noticed the marker and grinned before adding his own answer to a blank corner.

"The friends you make here will have your back, anywhere, anytime, for pretty much any reason. No matter what you may be facing, and whether or not there's even half a chance you'll survive, they'll be there to back you up. Just don't think that means Capture the Flag will any less vicious if you're on opposing teams." Percy Jackson, Poseidon

Author's Note: I'm think of making more chapters here, with other questions. The wall is also going to be a feature at the camp in the other story I'm working on for this genre, as will some of the original characters (and possibly the events) mentioned on it.