On My Own

A "The Dimension Walker" Short Story

Summary: Leo was convinced the Fates hated him. He and Calypso were supposed to return to Camp Half-Blood. He was supposed to be reunited with his friends. Things were supposed to be semi-normal again. But no, that wasn't the case. Calypso turned out to be a backstabbing liar. Ogygia was a dimension where time literally stopped. Camp Half-Blood had changed. And, the most important of all, his friends were gone.

Disclaimer: I do not own Leo Valdez. He belongs to Uncle Rick. Also, some OC's do not belong to me, but belong to my friend Cara, aka Carabootoo.

A/N: Another side/backstory for my "The Dimension Walker" series. Starring Leo Valdez and my take on what happens to him after getting Calypso!

Takes place one year after BoO and during "The Dimension Walker: The Pearl of Chaos".

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~Chapter One~

~Leo~

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Leo didn't know how long they've been flying for. All through the flight, he saw nothing but clouds and bright skies. Days could have passed, or months. Heck, it could've been years! Calypso said time was different in Ogygia. Maybe time was really fast there, or maybe it wasn't. Gods know how long Leo had been gone. He was almost relieved when they finally saw tall trees and clear blue skies. Down below them, there was a small town. Leo quickly guided them to someplace where no one could see them. Can't have someone looking up and getting distracted by the flying bronze dragon that was carrying two teenagers. But then again, the mist would mask the magical. What would the mortals see? A really giant bird carrying them?

"Leo, where are we?" Calypso asked. "Is this the New York you were telling me about?"

"Nope," Leo answered. "New York is a lot bigger, has bigger buildings, and not surrounded by trees." He looked around and clicked his tongue. "The weather reminds me of California, to be honest. Hey! Maybe we're close to Camp Jupiter. The war's over and I could introduce you to Hazel and Frank."

"Leo, I told you that—"

"—Time is different in Ogygia and gods know how long we've been gone. Sunshine, you gotta stay positive! Maybe it's only been a couple of months or a year."

"Leo..."

"Trust me! I know what I'm doing."

"No, Leo." Calypso grabbed his arm. "I feel like this is not where we should be. I just...know it."

If the situation were different, Leo would be blushing and dismissing Calypso. But, seeing the look in Calypso's dark eyes, he knew she was dead serious.

Fetus landed in the middle of an empty football field, right behind a large, aqua-blue building. A loud, ringing sound echoed and Leo could see movement from behind the windows. It was a school; a high school to be more exact. Leo quickly got off Fetus and started walking towards the school.

"Leo!" Calypso called, running after him. "What in the name of the gods do you think you're doing?"

"It's probably lunch time," Leo told her. "Maybe, if I act like a newbie student, I can find out where we are and if we're close to where Camp Jupiter is."

"How are you so sure the students won't be suspicious of you?"

"Calypso, my dear, this is high school. There are cliques and groups, one of them being the newbie students."

Calypso sighed in defeat. "I hope you're right..."

They entered the school to find everyone headed towards the cafeteria. Leo and Calypso ended up following the crowd, walking behind three girls. They were talking excitedly, while linking their arms together. At first, Leo thought they were the popular girls of the school. But then, he eavesdropped on their conversation.

"I can't bloody wait for summer to start," said one British girl with honey-blonde hair and light blue eyes. "Blimey! Think of all the nothing we could do!"

"My mom and dad says we might take a trip to Greece in July," said a brunette girl with amber highlights and owlish brown eyes. "I can't wait! I can go to all the places that were mentioned in the HoO books!"

"I just want to spend my summer reading, watching TV, and relaxing," said a pale girl with dark brown hair and dark eyes. "I...also want to spend some time in the cemetery. Gotta keep my resolution, ya know."

"Avril..." said the owl-eyed girl.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me," the pale girl, Avril, quickly dismissed.

"If you're sure..."

"I am," Avril snapped, causing Leo to flinch.

Somehow, this girl reminded him of Nico di Angelo. She had the same dark hair and eyes and pale skin. She even had a skull ring like his, and made him nervous like Nico. This Avril girl could be Nico's female alternate version, hands down. All she needed was the creepy Hades powers, aviator jacket, and black sword to pull it off. The more Leo thought about it, the more he thought this girl could possibly be a daughter of Hades or Pluto. But if she was, why wasn't she discovered yet? Wasn't there supposed to be a satyr to get her, or she had to go to some wolves?

Calypso nudged his arm. "Leo, you're staring."

Leo glanced over at her. "Sorry...I was thinking."

"Oh no."

"Naw...it's not anything bad. Just...this girl seems to be like Hazel's brother, Nico di Angelo. I'm thinking she's a demigod."

Calypso looked at Avril, and her eyes widen. "Leo..."

"Wait, can you sense if someone is a demigod?"

The golden brown-haired girl rolled her eyes. "Yes, I am a daughter of a Titan. Titans and gods can senses heroes. But this girl...her aura is different. Demigod-like, but more powerful."

Leo frowned, and looked back at the girl. She was glancing back at them. Their eyes met, and a chill went down Leo's spine. Avril blinked, and quickly looked away.

They soon entered the cafeteria, where loud music was booming out of the intercom and kids were wandering around. Banners hung on the walls and ceiling, saying stuff like "HAPPY END OF SCHOOL YEAR" and "HAVE A GOOD SUMMER, SIERRA RIVERA HUNTERS". All around, students were chatting, signing yearbooks, and some even flirting and/or making out. Leo almost wished he went to a school like this, where students were allowed to party at the end of the year.

Calypso gripped his arm, nodding her head towards the girls they were following. They were walking over to the less crowded areas of the cafeteria, where the non-populars were hanging out. Leo quickly guided her over there, sitting down at a table. One of the nerds—a kid with large glasses and a sweater vest—looked up and gasped. He stared at Calypso, wide eyed.

"You look like a modern Greek goddess," he blurted out, then proceeded to blush furiously.

Calypso chuckled. "Thank you."

Leo was almost tempted to say he was right. Instead he said, "That's my girl you're talking to." Calypso elbowed him in the side, giving him a look.

"S-Sorry, man," the nerd said. "But your girlfriend is gorgeous. She's as beautiful as Aphrodite, or even more beautiful. How did you get her?"

He and Calypso shared a look. "Let's just say I kinda saved her life," the Latino laughed.

"Awesome," the nerd said. "Hey, I never seen you around school before. What's your names?"

Leo smirked. "Leo Valdez, at your service. Bad Boy Supreme and a supersized McShizzle."

"Just call me Calypso," Calypso said with a smile.

"Even your name is beautiful," the nerd sighed. "The name's Jason, Jason McGee. Most people at school call me McGee, though."

Leo's mood instantly dampened. Hearing the nerd's name made him remember. His best friend, Jason Grace, probably thought he was dead and gone for good. Piper and the others probably thought the same thing too. The thought almost made him regret his choice. But then, he remember someone from the Seven had to die. And plus, he had to find a way to get Calypso. She was the first girl to not rejected him and to love him the way he loved her.

Calypso must've seen his face. She smiled at McGee and said, "Well McGee, my...father is thinking of moving out of the town over the summer. But, he refuses to tell me where. I think we are probably moving to a bigger city. Are there any big city near here?"

Leo let out a quiet sigh. Thanks the gods for Calypso, he thought.

"Well..." McGee tapped his chin. "Hayward is close to the north. So, the nearest big city is either San Francisco or Sacramento. But then again, your folks might want to move somewhere far so they could probably head south and go to LA or San Diego."

"Thank you," Calypso said.

McGee grinned. "Hey, anything for a pretty girl that hasn't made fun of me or tried to insult me. Not really a big shocker, but some of the girls at this school can be jerks. Except for Ally Σοφία...now there's a Greek beauty with manners and kindness..."

McGee looked over at the table where the three girls Leo had eavesdropped. He was smiling dreamily and staring at the owl-eyed girl. Leo snorted, and quickly guided Calypso out of the cafeteria. They walked through the halls before stopping at a locker. Leo leaned against it, biting his lip in thought. Calypso tilted her head, looking around the hall.

"So...this is what modern school is like?" she asked. "Teens ridiculing each other and there only being a few good ones?"

"Pretty much," Leo shrugged. "Back in Wilderness School, there was a girl named Isabel who always made fun of my friend Piper for being a Native American."

Calypso frowned. "That is not very nice."

The Latino rolled his eyes and snorted. "You don't know the half of it." Leo soon started to walk. "Come on, let's get going. The faster we get to Camp Jupiter, the better. I really want to know what happened while I was gone."

"Well, at least no monsters has attacked us yet," Calypso said.

Leo smiled. "Now that's thinking positive, Sunshine!"

When they arrived back to the football field, they were suddenly grabbed by the arms and thrown to the ground. Leo landed on his butt, and Calypso fell to her side.

"¿Qué mierda, hombre?" Leo exclaimed. [Translation: What the fuck, man?]

"Παρακολουθήστε τα λόγια σας, το ήμισυ του αίματος!" a voice barked. [Translation: Watch your words, half blood!]

Leo stared up at the figures, and nearly yelped in surprise. There were three figures, two females and one male. They had light grey skin, and wispy hair black as coal. The females wore misty, light blue dresses, and the male wore a misty, black toga. Their eyes were solid bronze, and held a cold gaze. The females floated over to Calypso and helped her up.

"Lady Melantha thanks you, daughter of Atlas," they rasped, smiling coldly. "Your wish shall be granted. No more pain, and no more gods. You shall live a free, painless life here."

"W-What?" Leo asked, looking up at Calypso. "Calypso...?"

With a hard look in her dark eyes, she turned away. "I...never loved you, Leo. It was Ogygia's influence. The island made me fall for heroes. It wasn't my choice." She smiled sadly. "I'm flattered you went through so much so you could free me, Leo Valdez. You're a good person with a heart of gold, and I admire that. I...only wish that we could stay friends. But, my savior says that if I must have what I desire, I must forget."

Leo blinked slowly. "I...don't understand."

Calypso sneered, her eyes harden again. "The gods have caused me too much pain, kept me prisoner for too long. I...hoped Percy would have saved me. But, those damn gods did not fulfill his wish. I was miserable, and I wanted vengeance. But, I knew it would be useless. I was not very powerful and I was trapped on my island. There was nothing I could do." Her expression soon grew soft, and a sad light filled her eyes. "Then, she came to me in my dreams. My savior told me I could have my freedom if I followed her. She was the one to cause the second Titan War, for she too wanted revenge on Zeus. But, of course, that plan failed.

"Then, she remembered that her sister, Gaea, was still slumbering and her children, the Giants, were waiting to have their vengeance on Olympus. My savior devised a plan, and came to me. She...told me a son of Hephaestus would come to my island during the Giant War. I had to...gain his trust so I could escape."

"She knew I was going to go to Ogygia?" Leo asked. "How?"

"She's a goddess, Leo!" Calypso exclaimed. "A daughter of the Primordials! The Primordials know many things, some can even see into the future. She knew you would come. My savior said if I gained your trust and got you to fall for me, I could get my wish. But...there was a catch."

A catch, Leo thought. Of course there would be a catch. "What's the catch?"

Calypso looked at the figures. "I had to deliver you to the Shadow People, my savior's loyal minions."

Leo threw his hands up in the air. "Who the hell is your savior? And what does she want with me? I'm not powerful like Jason or Percy! I'm not a genius like Annabeth, or can charmspeak like Piper! I can't control the Mist like Hazel, or turn into animals like Frank! Hell, I'm just a repair man with fire powers!"

The Shadow Man grinned. "Our mistress, Lady Melantha, takes in the Fallen Ones. She gives them power, gives them strength. Lady Melantha can give you want you desire, so long as you stay loyal to her. You are a Fallen One, Leo Valdez. You have the potential to be great, and our mistress sees that."

"She can be the mother you lost," the Shadow Women hissed. "She can be the friend that will not treat you like a seventh wheel. She can be the goddess that can and will help you in any way she can. She can give you everything you want and lost. Lady Melantha can be your savior."

Leo quickly got to his feet, and pulled out a large hammer from his tool belt. "That sounds very tempting and all, but I have to say no." He looked over at Calypso. "Of all the people to betray me, it just had to be you."

Calypso hung her head. "I'm sorry, Leo. I do care about you, remember that."

"Get him!" the Shadow Man roared.

Leo quickly ran towards Fetus, who was rearing to go. The Shadow Women let out a screeh, and flew after him. The Latino jumped onto the bronze dragon, and started cursing in rapid fire Spanish. Just before the Shadow Women could get to him, Fetus took to the skies and flew off. The last thing he saw was Calypso staring sullenly at him, her teary eyes filled with guilt and regret.

...

Gods I hope there wasn't any OOC-ness...

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!

Don't be shy!

I'll see you next time with another chapter. ;)

~Ari