Author's Note: For those who do not have a fanfiction account you may want to consider making one so you can follow this story. I'll be releasing quite frequently, and if you want to stay updated it would be best to make an account and follow~ Otherwise, if you're a casual reader go ahead! I began my aimless storytelling adventure over 7 years ago and revisited it as I grew older. I wrote 35 chapters as a 13 year old and watched my writing style change over the years to something I began to love more and more. As a result, this first posting actually begins in the middle of my series; however, the plot preceding this chapter is not too important and was only experimentation with my work. You'll notice this chapter starts at 20. This is because it is part of the 2nd series I've written that continues off of my old work. Starting here, however, marks a period of time where my writing style altered drastically.

As for context aside, since I am dropping you in the middle of my work (it can actually stand alone I suppose), Annabeth and Percy were dating until he lost his memory (which begins here at the start of the chapter). Nico and Amy (new character) are dating as well. Percy died previously and Nico and Amy ventured into Hades' cells to fetch him and bring him back to the land of the living.

I've plotted what the main arc is going to be about and the ending. So after about 7 years of work and meandering (where over 90% of my work has been cut out since I think it's irrelevant to my new story), I've actually finally decided on an actual plot to end things!

Chapters 1-5 were written a few years back (when I was 16 I believe). 6 is much more recent and 7/8 (as of 9/4/2017) are around a week old.

Another Conundrum

"What?" Nico asked incredulously, stepping forward. His hazy eyes were full of surprise.

Percy frowned, feeling his heart skip a beat. "Who's Annabeth?"

Amy joined Nico, and out of the corner of Percy's eye, he saw her hand grasp towards Nico's seemingly frozen fingers. "What do you mean who's Annabeth?" She asked. Concern wrought her face.

Their reactions shocked Percy to his very core—yet also puzzled him to a different extent …

"Am I supposed to know her?" He asked, falling back a step. The light in the hallway grew dimmer, and a misty fog descended. Another light emerged—a bright light—far behind his friends. Percy's eyes darted toward it, captivated by its luminosity.

"This isn't a joke, Percy." Nico's stare had turned glassy, and with a stammer in his voice, he said, "Let's go."

His friend's hand hooked around Percy's arm, tugging him toward the light, though Percy was almost certain his friends were still unaware that it had appeared.

"I'm not joking." Percy grunted and wrenched away from Nico's grip. "Who the hell is Annabeth?"

"She—," Nico began, and then stopped. Surprise flickered through his eyes. Nico glanced down at Amy, whom gazed back with a flare within her own eyes.

The two puzzled Percy. Boneheads, he thought with a smile.

Amy's eyes shone—though they were no longer warm—and sent a message straight to Nico without a single whispered word. Understanding began to course through Nico; Percy was not joking.

With a slight nod, he turned from Amy and to Percy, whom had a crooked smile dancing at his lips. Yep. Something was wrong, most definitely wrong.

"Percy," Nico said, forcing a smile. "It was a joke. Forget about it."

"Knew it," his friend replied, and shoved past him and Amy. "Boneheads."

"What do we do?" Amy whispered. She quivered with a worry that sent chills racing down Nico's spine. "He doesn't remember—he doesn't …"

"I'll think of something." Nico's voice sounded numb. Dead, even. He hesitated, suddenly having a thought if he followed Percy out the tunnels nothing would be the same again. Was it okay to leave things like this? Undisturbed and untouched—to let things play out on their own?

He shook his head in his mind's eye, a habit accumulated over the past year. It was manifest a small piece of Percy was lost somewhere, and without that piece he would continue to live as half a shell, never complete. Would that smiling Percy be the real Percy, or would he only become a shadow of his former self—a different person—a person Nico wasn't sure if he would ever grow accustomed to. How would Percy ever be the same if he was missing a piece of his life? Questions fell through Nico's mind, hundreds—thousands. How did things come to be like this? What had happened to Percy? Nico shook his head, this time physically. No, Percy would not be the same.

If this was a cruel prank from Hades, it was an unforgiveable one. Father or not, regardless of their bloodline, if what he thought was true—no ... his father wouldn't. Despite Hades' cruel methods of torture, this was uncharacteristic of the god. Pain was the preferred method, not this, this wasn't pain. It was wrong—that much Nico understood.

"Think of what?" Amy's voice floated over his head like a hazy dream, soft and fluid. "Is there a way …?"

Nico went reeling back to the present. He felt his vision spiral and then steady on the worried brunette that clasped onto his hand. "There's always a solution," he assured her, but deep inside he felt an uncertainty that could not be waved away.

How did things come to be like this?

Then Nico's eyes caught hold of the bright light at the end of the tunnel once more—the light he and Amy had saw when turning to leave the cells. The light warmed him, like a candle lit on a frosty winter eve. Hope began to pulsate within his veins, flooding his body with a feeling much different from hopelessness. Maybe there was a chance after all.

He felt Amy's fingers tighten around his own, and he glanced down. Her own eyes were also gazing distantly into the light. They sparkled like a fine gem in the morning sun. And in that moment Nico realized it was their problem to solve—the two of them.

Percy could not remain like this. They had to put an end to the fun and games. The person, or god, who cultivated the trick, had to be revealed.

And stopped …

A quiet chirping stirred her from sleep. The melodic song of a bird filled her body and soul with vigor. The scent of fresh wild berries filled her nostrils, calming the tingling nerves in her fingers.

Sun danced upon the tip of her eyelids. Bright yellow washed over her, like a calm wave rolling along sandy beaches. Her eyes fluttered open and found a beautiful world—a beautiful world full of tall oak trees that stretched skyward, a world filled with hundreds of blueberry bushes and a huge meadow that led to huge rolling hills and thousands of beautiful vibrantly-colored roses. And like every peaceful haven a golden haze coated the air, like a mist descending from the confinements of heaven.

A pair of blue jays flapped around the treetops, chasing one another from branch to branch. Warmth flooded her fingertips, coursing to her heart like a drug.

Where am I?

She sat up and felt the curls of her hair fall down to her shoulders. They brushed against her sensitive skin, sending a coupling of sensations down her back. A hazy memory clouded her mind, though she still retained the more important bits.

Her name was something she still remembered. But how she came to be in a beautiful grove, or when it happened remained a shrouded mystery.

"Annabeth Chase," she said, with a sigh slipping through her lips. Glancing at the sight laid before her, she grasped a large branch that hung overhead and used it to pull herself upward. She felt weird then, and glanced down. She was dressed in a yellow and silk thin-strapped dress. It dropped down low, hanging just above her heel. Something there also sparked her attention. Lifting the hem of her dress, Annabeth peered down. A set of black heels were strapped to her feet.

A growing piece of puzzlement formed in Annabeth's chest. What was going on?

She gathered her dress and pushed forward, aiming towards the trees. Her memories were coming back in a flurry. The more she tried to remember, the more bits and pieces flew back to her.

There were things she knew she didn't remember before that she recalled. There was a conflict—a bitter conflict between her mother and someone—it was a boy—that she remembered. But who was it?

Her heart beat wildly as she pushed to remember. He was handsome, but his features were blurred. Annabeth struggled with her memory. He had been someone important, very important. A thin line of frustration crossed her mind, but it was shoved away quickly. It was no use to be angry at something as small as a memory.

Finally letting her mind rest, she decided it was better to let it emerge on its own. Things were better like that anyways.

Annabeth stepped forward, deeper into the line of trees. She knew this forest thoroughly. It was nearby Camp Half-Blood. The blurry vision of the boy flashed through her mind. She had met him here before.

But when, and how?

"Hurry up, Nico," Percy called from far ahead. The shape of his body grew smaller with every passing minute, Nico thought. His breaths came steady as he walked down the tunnel. Where did Percy get this sudden abundance in energy?

Nico felt a hand release from his. His face turned to find Amy's, who stared worriedly into his eyes. A shiny line of resolution seemed to radiate from her gaze and Amy pressed forward past Nico, whom was filled with a thousand clouded thoughts.

After what seemed like an eternity, the tunnel finally ended, opening up to the world of the living. Living. Such a word was welcome any time to the son of the god of the dead. Nico had enough of the dead as it was. He was just glad he managed to get Percy out as a healthy and breathing person.

But a worry danced about within his mind. His father surely wouldn't have let the three of them escape without some sort of repercussion.

"Nico," Amy's voice called out to him. He turned his eyes to her, finding her leaned against a tree. "Did we take the wrong tunnel out?"

He frowned, feeling his brow crumple like a piece of paper. "No. We took the right tunnel. I'm sure of that."

Amy blinked, and then wordlessly shifted away from the tree. What she revealed widened Nico's eyes. Her body had been blocking a thin and worn out sign crooked in the dirt.

Welcome to New York!

That was what he read on the sign. Nico's veins froze over, like an ice creek in the winter of Idaho. "What the …?"

"Welcome to New York!" Nico jumped at the intensity in the voice and found Percy studying the sign with an unnecessary scrutiny.

Nico raised his eyebrows, feeling a tinge of agitation. "Yes, congratulations on reading: a feat that has been unachievable by the demigod natural world."

"It really hasn't," Amy said, joining his side. Nico couldn't help but smile at her humor. "Even Annabeth can't read. Dyslexia has its toll on all of us."

Percy only smiled. His gayness was beginning to make Nico uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?" Nico asked, fearing the worst.

"I'm fine." Percy's smile disappeared, replaced with the look Nico was used to. The fear dissipated from Nico's stomach.

"Being dead really does have its tolls, though." Percy's smile flashed out again, and then he ducked underneath the branch of a tree and started toward Camp Half-Blood.

"No kidding," Nico muttered, glancing toward Amy. Her eyes were focused on the dimming form of Percy. "Let's go?" Nico nudged Amy lightly in her ribs, and he received a small smile.

"We've been through a lot these days," she said, laying her head against his shoulder. He liked that—feeling the pulse of her body. It made him feel as if they could stay like this forever.

And ever.

The sun shined brightly overhead like a huge lantern in a small room. Annabeth sighed with relief as she entered an even more familiar scene. Camp Half-Blood was her home, and it would always hold a special place in her heart.

"Annabeth?" a voice suddenly lashed out. She nearly cringed from its surprise and harshness. "Annabeth!"

A strong pair of arms wrapped themselves around her waist, and she turned in confusion. A girl stood before her, though Annabeth could not see her face for it was buried in her dress.

After a moment, the girl lifted her face and the familiarity dawned upon Annabeth. Joy filled her heart, and as her chest heaved, she managed to breath out a single word:

"Thalia!"

Thalia beamed at the sound of her name. "I thought you were dead."

Annabeth froze, the sudden warmness that had been in her fingers for so long vanished like a fire being put away from icy waters. "D-dead?" she stammered.

"You don't remember?" Thalia let go of her and backed away a little. Annabeth saw her clearer this way. The usual huntress' bow was still in its usual place, strapped finely to Thalia's back. Her uniform still retained its luster—Annabeth had no doubt Thalia would keep the outfit in prime condition. A cape was tied to her neck—a different cape from before, Annabeth recalled. This cape was a different hue, being a cool and relaxed dark green. It was not its former silver, nor was it as vibrant.

"Bah," Thalia continued. "Of course your thick head wouldn't remember."

At least that part of her remained unchanged. Annabeth lifted her eyebrows. "Me? Thickheaded, you say." Annabeth laughed and lightly tapped her friend against the shoulder. "I believe you were the one who kept dragging people around."

Thalia giggled, flashing out a set of perfect white teeth. "Percy was a dumb one, he—,"

She froze then, her eyes become so still it looked like a piece of ice. "Percy …," Thalia whispered. Annabeth frowned and leaned forward until she was inches away from her friend's eyes.

"Percy …?" Annabeth asked, and then a sudden wave of memories crushed down upon her shoulders. There was a Percy—he spoke out against Athena—she loved him. And he? Yes, he also loved her with an intensity that would shun the sun. It was an unfamiliar memory lashed out before her eyes—a memory she'd never possessed the day she met Percy at the archery range.

Three months.

Those two words suddenly broke free and entered her mind unexpectedly, as unexpected as a long lost family member at one's doorstep. Three months was how long he'd strived to be with her again. Three months of arduous and painful tasks, life risking tasks. She held back a flow of tears that were certain to flow, though she could feel her eyes shining brightly in the light.

Annabeth's heart also beat differently at the thought of Percy's name, at the vision of his clear eyes, at the curve of his mouth, at the touch of his hand. Placing her hand across her breast, Annabeth crumbled to the ground, unable to withstand the sudden influx of memories. Thalia rushed to her side, wrapping thin but strong arms about Annabeth's shoulders.

"Annabeth," Thalia whispered, and then a little more urgently, "Annabeth!"

Annabeth turned her head slowly until it faced her friend. She smiled sadly with tears glistening in her eyes. "I remember everything," she said. "I remember everything perfectly now."

"Hey, someone's coming up the base of the hill," a camper yelled in the distance. The urgency in the camper's voice tugged Annabeth's attention toward the spectacle. "Three people," the camper continued eagerly, peering farther down the hill.

As Annabeth stared harder at the three people clambering up the side of the hill, one face stood out more to her than the rest—one that ignited her heart more than anyone else.

Joy radiated through her chest and it showed onto her face as well. Without fearing for her safety in improper footwear, Annabeth stood up feeling the wind whip across her cheeks. "Percy?" she called, breaking into a quick stride.

Nothing would stop her this time. No blocks, no more cracks in a road.

She passed several campers on the way down, smiling apologetically when she nearly pushed one of them onto their knees. Percy grew nearer and nearer, a similar smile also gracing his face.

When they were close enough, she threw her arms around him, taking in his scent. Fresh pine, bushes, berries, and grass scents surrounded her as she inhaled. It felt good to touch him.

"Um," his voice suddenly came. "I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?"

Her happiness evaporated quickly, like steam out of a kettle. "W—what do you mean?" her words stumbled over one another. She let go of him quickly, feeling suddenly that her touching him was suddenly inappropriate.

The smile still stood in Percy's face—the familiar crooked one—the one she found so attractive. When Annabeth didn't answer the smile faded somewhat, but it was still large enough to show his snow-white teeth.

"I'm Percy," he said, holding his hand toward her. It was then Annabeth noticed Nico and Amy, both without smiles. The look in Amy's eyes chilled Annabeth's blood as cold as a frozen pond.

He … he didn't remember her.

Annabeth bit her lip, and then, slightly trembling, she extended her own hand and took his. When their fingers touched, a shiver shot up her arm and into her shoulder. She forced out her words, "I'm sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else."

She shook his hand twice, and when they let go, she added slowly, emphasizing each word carefully, "Nice to meet you, Percy."

His smile widened. "It's all right. Very nice to meet you, too."

Then he passed her, their shoulders brushing very slightly. As he left, a sigh left her lips. It hurt, and she gasped, nearly choking. A tear ran down the corner of her cheek.

I don't mean to be rude, but who are you? I'm Percy.

He wasn't the same anymore—he didn't know her. He still had his memories of Nico and Amy—that was obvious—he remembered everything.

Everything but me.

Another choked-gasp escaped her lips, and finding her hand clutched against her chest, Annabeth sank to the ground. Nico and Amy rushed to her side, both on each side. They hooked their arms underneath hers and brought her back to her feet. The ground seemed unsteady, like a surreal world.

Percy? Is that you? Will we be together like before?

Her heart ached and her head throbbed intensively. Feeling lightheaded as well, Annabeth's vision of the once beautiful world around her—which had been incorrigible—was suddenly prominent of one fault.

Her heart ached for Percy—it ached for the things they used to do, it ached for his fingers against her skin, it ached for the tenderness of his lips against hers.

"You'll be fine," Nico's voice echoed from a faraway place. "He'll come around …"

But in her heart Annabeth felt bleakness that was light and hollow. Why hadn't the tears come flowing yet? Her mind raced across the millions of perfect little memories she had of Percy, unable to cope with the knowledge that now he no longer knew who she was. He didn't know her soul like he used to, or the sweet smiles she had for him every day.

It's very nice to meet you, too.

Percy? She felt another devastating wave of anguish crush her deeper. The hand at her chest tightened, and she felt her nails digging into her palm. The grass underneath her body shimmered underneath a watery film.

Why didn't the tears come?

Then, the vision of their first kiss flashed before her eyes. She saw them—Percy and her, standing—her arms around him, and his arms around her. Then, very slowly, as he bent toward her with his eyes shut, they began to fade away—like a hazy memory of a dream, the vision became opaque until it vanished like a wisp of smoke.

Annabeth choked slightly, and then brought her hand to her mouth. As the last parts of her vision disappeared, the tears started to pour down the corners of her eyes, dripping down onto the hem of her dress.

She sobbed with tears flowing down her tears unlike before. She sobbed as if her heart would break, and she sobbed for the knowledge that there would be no one there to put it back together.

The pieces would be carried away by a passing wind—a breeze, swept off into a different world where no one could follow.

It seemed unimaginable to be in a world without Percy. How could the Gods do this to her? Without thinking, she clasped her hands together as her father would do when times were tougher, and then prayed.

She no longer cared how unorthodox it was, and the words came pouring out of her mouth. She prayed for Percy, and for the peacefulness to return to her heart. She prayed for the strength to continue to live with the whole heartedness Percy once had, and for a stronger will. She prayed for the future, and what it might hold for her, and prayed for the companionship she'd been graced with.

"Please," she whispered. "I will do anything to see him love me as I still love him."

And she prayed more—praying until Amy and Nico fell asleep grasping her arms. She wished desperately for it to be a game of the Gods, to be just a dream, or a prank that they ended at sunset, but deep down she knew better.

She could only pray—and so she did, sitting there until the glorious sun retreated behind the rolling hills of New York, its shining beams of light vanishing entirely from the surface of the world. Annabeth's eyes traced the sphere until the end, and the world drifted off into shadows.