You know the story of how the Roman Gods destroyed the Titans and Gaea. The Big Three sacrificed their youth to destroy the weapon that could make the gods age and potentially kill them. Here's part of the story you don't know: Pluto had been on the Titans side for most of the war. The Titans had bought that he didn't agree with his siblings on what they should do. The real reason was so Pluto could learn their plans and tell his siblings of it so they could foil it. Basically he was a spy.
Before the Big Three made Gaea fall into an 'internal' sleep, she put a curse on Pluto. "How dare you betray me?!" She screeched as her energy depleted away. She used the last of her strength for the curse, "Because of this, one of your future children shall be the one to kill the Flame of Olympus! And they shall die along with it!"
An agreement became known to the three siblings. They would do everything in their power to make sure Pluto's children never come near the flame on Olympus, which is the source of their power.
Years later, Vesta came to them with an idea of place a part of the flame inside a girl so that if the flame on Olympus were to diminish, the girl can re-lit and create an even stronger flame. The flame would, of course, move from girl to girl when they die. She would be the 'daughter of Vesta'. Jupiter agreed with the plan thinking it was great, but Pluto and Neptune realized Gaea knew that this was going to happen.
She had cursed one of Pluto's children so they could put to end the reincarnation of the flame. It was suicide!
The thing is the Big Three don't know who that special girl is or where she is, so preventing his children from killing her was near impossible.
Many, many years later after World War II had ended the brothers made another agreement: they would stop having demigod children.
Jupiter was the first to break the rule, but as his Greek counterpart, by having his daughter, Thalia Grace. His two brothers had no idea until a few years later. But, five years after Thalia was born, Neptune as his Greek self broke the treaty by having his son, Perseus Jackson. A year after that Jupiter himself had another child, Jason Grace, with the same woman as before. Sadly Jason died at the age of three.
The way Pluto found out about Thalia and Perseus were completely different. Neptune felt guilty about breaking the vow and told his elder brother the truth about his son a few minutes before his birth. Pluto was the first person, besides the parents, to hold Percy at the hospital. Obviously, Pluto forgave his younger brother because he did indeed tell the truth.
How he found out about Thalia was quite stupid on Jupiter's part.
He was arguing with his wife, Juno, about her when Pluto walked by and heard all about it. Determined to make Jupiter pay he sent furies and any/all monsters after her and the friends with her. Thalia sacrificed herself to save her two friends and turned into a tree, which created the protective barrier around Camp Half-Blood. Her act of bravery surprised Pluto. One thought appeared in his mind that day; maybe she wasn't like her father after all.
When Jupiter found out about Percy though, he freaked out on Neptune, wondering how he could break their agreement. The God of the Seas countered by saying his daughter's name. Out of rage Jupiter blamed his son for stealing the Lightning Bolt. But you already know that story.
You also know Pluto had regain two of his children, full-blooded siblings, one a girl and the other a boy slightly younger. Turns out they where in hiding at a Lotus Casino and Hotel for many years.
His daughter, Bianca, died because of a selfless act. She stole a small figurine for her brother from a god's sacred scrapyard. To redeem herself, she climbed inside a large bionic man machine to deactivate it to save her friend, Percy, who she didn't know was her cousin.
His son, Nico, is still alive. In fact about four to five years after his sister's death he went back to the underworld to find her. Instead he found his thirteen year-old half-sister, Hazel Levesque walking around aimlessly and decided to take her back to the upper ground instead.
Now this meant Pluto had gain two of children, but he never broke the promise he made to his brothers. He had thought the curse placed on him was just a bluff. But right when Hazel escaped from the Underworld-
The Flame of Olympus was found and was very week.
The girl's mother died from sickness causing the girl to become very depressed. The flame on Olympus had burned out a couple months after the mother's death. Luckily the girl was able to relight the flame and stay alive afterwards.
All of the adventures that the girl (the "Flame") and her companions went on was during the switch of the Greek demigod with the Roman demigod and during the Seven Heroes of Olympus's journey to defeat the Giants and prevent Gaea from waking up again.
This is also the one of the soul reasons why the immortals didn't keep true to the promise they made about paying attention to their children; they were too busy with helping the Flame control her powers and making her comfortable on Olympus.
Now that you're caught up, shall we get on with the story?
It was the beginning of the summer after the war with Gaea. Everyone seemed to be happy because they didn't know what was to come.
The teenage demigods that lived in Camp Jupiter went to visit Camp Half-Blood along with the Amazons and the Hunters of Artemis. The reason for doing so was the Olympians were visiting for the summer to somewhat apologize for not keeping the promise. The Romans came a couple weeks before to feel more comfortable, but the Amazons and Hunters decide it would be best for them to arrive a couple days before.
The night before the immortals visit the Greek and Roman children of the Big Three were getting ready for bed along with a certain daughter of Athena. The Poseidon cabin held no conversation until Hazel suddenly asked, "What's your mom like Percy?"
Not sure why the young girl asked him that question, he answered with all honesty (which ended up being her backstory), "She is absolutely beautiful; more beautiful than Aphrodite or Venus could ever hope to be. I have a thought that the best people have the rottenest luck and she is proof. Her parents died in a plane crash when she was young leaving her uncle to take care of her. He ended up getting cancer during her senior year, which caused her to drop out to take care of him. He ended up dying leaving her with no diploma, no family, and no money.
"She took odd jobs, attended night classes to get her diploma, and raised me on her own. But that was until she married Gabe Ugliano, or as I like to call him, Smelly Gabe. She put up with that abusive, alcoholic husband for years to protect me. Luckily Gabe was turned into stone and Mom finally started to get what she deserved. She fell in love with Paul, they dated for a while, and they got married."
"Can we meet her?" Hazel questioned while she manipulated the mist to have the ceiling look like the night sky. "I'd really love to, if you think it's possible."
Percy pondered on the idea for a little bit. His mother has never met his new friends from Camp Jupiter. Heck, the only people she met from Camp Half Blood was Grover, Annabeth, Thalia, and Nico. Just maybe. . .
"I'll ask Mr. D real quick." Percy promised as he started putting on his shoes and a warm jacket for the summer's cool night breeze. "I'll see if she and Paul can make visit for a few hours tomorrow."
"You know they can't." Jason argued as he climbed to the top bed on a set of bunk-beds. "The gods are visiting tomorrow. You know how Jupiter feels about mortals coming to camp."
"I'll make sure they leave before the gods arrive," Percy reassured.
"And if that doesn't work I'll take the blame for it," Reyna offered, who was leaning against the door way, still dressed in her normal clothing. Some of the demigods wondered why she was their while a brother-sister duo was worried about how tired she was. "Think of this as my one act of kindness."
Meanwhile, on Olympus, the gods and goddesses were preparing for their three month long trip to Earth. It was decided that Emily, her father Steve, Joel, and Paelen would come with them. The four were quite confused on why they were even going to Earth in the first.
Which was why Diana needed to speak to Emily, Steve, Joel, and Paelen in the safety of Emily's bedroom. Pegasus, knowing what the 'meeting' was going to be about, stayed with his father and uncles for the time being. He didn't want to be reminded of what happened last summer.
"Where exactly are we going?" Emily asked as she was sitting criss-crossed on her bed in her night clothes along with the others. She was still getting used to her new Olympian body but she was able to control her strength at most times. "And why are we?"
Diana sighed as she leaned up against a wall. "We Olympians made a promise that we did not keep. To redeem ourselves we are going to a camp for Greek campers. The Roman campers of another camp are staying with them for the summer since we, the Olympians, are visiting."
"What camp?" Joel pulled out from the explanation. "And why are the campers so important?"
The goddess groaned, regretting volunteering to explain, because it was simple for all the others. "The campers are children of the gods; half god and half mortal, half bloods, most commonly referred to as demigods. When they become a certain age, the maximum is now thirteen, they become claimed by their parent. To keep the demigods safe there are two camps; Camp Jupiter, the camp for Romans, and Camp Half-Blood, the camp for Greeks and the place we are staying."
"How come I did not hear about them till now?" Paelen questioned Diana.
"I honestly do not know." Diana confessed. "They have been around for generations. World War II had started because of the Big Three's children arguing. Because of that they made a pact, no demigod children. Father and Neptune both broke the pack, but Neptune had one child while Father had two. Pluto did not break the pact but he did gain two children; one from the dead and one who was lost in time.
"Like I said before, we are going to Camp Half-Blood to redeem ourselves for not keeping the promise we made almost two years ago," Diana continued. "Some of the gods will be going in their Greek forms, like Minerva, because their children are all Greek."
"Who's going as their Greek self?" Emily interrogated. "And what will their names be, just so we know."
"I am not sure who all will be in there Greek form." Diana confessed. "I know Minerva is going as Athena because all of her children are Greek. Neptune will go as Poseidon because his son is Greek. As for the others, they might switch forms to make everything fair for all the demigods."
"Do you have any children?" Steve asked worriedly.
She shook her head. "No, sad to say I am an eternal maiden condemned to having no children or falling in love with a man. However, since I am the goddess of the Hunts, I do have followers, my Huntresses who took the pledge to forswear falling for men." She turned to Joel and Paelen and gave them a sharp glare. "I suggest you do not flirt with any of them while we are there."
"Does Pegs know?" Emily said curiously.
Diana sighed once more. "That is another matter I need to discuss." They waited politely as she gathered her thoughts. She began, "Please forgive Pegasus. He will not be acting like himself for a while."
"Why not?"
"In a few days it will be the anniversary of one of his sons' death." Diana explained as carefully as she could. "His son died in the war when monsters attacked him after flying across the sea from America to Rome. He would have survived if the monster's claws did not have poison in them. His rider did what she thought was best and put him out of his misery. Pegasus could feel the pain his son was feeling about leaving his rider and has been depressed ever since. I truly hope you can forgive Pegasus for not telling you."
Emily wanted to be mad at Pegasus, but couldn't find it in her heart. Hearing about the backstory of his son made Emily grateful she had Pegs, unlike the rider who no longer had hers.
"One more thing," Diana said before she were to leave to get ready herself. "Please, be kind to my younger half-brother and half-sister. Father almost never gives them the time of day, unless they desperately need his help. He will act like he is a loving father when you are around, but that is truly not what he is."
Emily seemed a little skeptical. "Are you sure? Maybe your half-siblings were just lying before."
"Many have seen what little he has done for them. Believe me, if you ask his brothers, they will tell you what I did." Getting off topic, she suggested,"You should get ready for the trip. We will be there for quite a while."
"Can my mother and Paul visit camp tomorrow," Percy asked politely and respectfully. He and Reyna were in the Big House trying to convince Mr. D. For some odd reason, Chiron was no where in sight.
The god of wine immediately denied the request as he took a sip of water. "If it was any other time then I would consider it, but I can't. It's too risky with the other Olympians coming the same day."
"I will have them here around eight and leave a little before noon," Percy reassured. When he saw the concern on the camper director's face, Percy did the last thing he could think of; begging. "Please, I will do anything to have them here. It will only be for a couple hours."
"Why do you want them here?"
Taken back he answered, "I miss them and I won't see them that much after I graduate high school."
"Are you sure it's not because Hazel wanted to meet your mother?"
"How did you-"
"I am the director," Mr. D said. "As the director I have to make sure all campers are in their cabins when they are supposed to be. I was walking past when I heard her. The answer is still no because they could get caught."
"I'll take the blame then," Reyna offered speaking for the first time. "Punishment for me will be more lenient since I'm the praetor of New Rome."
"That won't stop Zeus, or Jupiter for your sake. But since you two are so sure you'll have the two gone by the time get here." He paused for dramatic effect. "I'll allow it this one time, but on one condition; they have to be gone by 11:30 at the latest. I was informed the gods will be here at noon sharp to join us for lunch."
"Thank you, Mr. D." Percy thanked him.
As he and Reyna were about to leave Dionysus called out, "Praetor! I need to have a talk with you." She stayed behind as Percy rushed to his cabin to tell Hazel the good news.
She sat on the couch across from his chair. He leaned forward and asked her gently, "Have you slept any?"
She shook her head, "Not yet, but I promise you I have tried. It takes me longer each night before I give up though." Silence flourished the room for a few long minutes until Reyna finally said, "What's the real reason you asked me to stay?"
The god leaned by in his chair, sighing as he rubbed his face, before explaining, "Tomorrow, when the gods arrive, there will be two mortals with them."
"What?" Reyna got off the couch after hearing the proclamation. "Jupiter won't allow mortal demigod parents but he's bringing two mortals who have no blood of the gods! What kind of logic is that?"
"Listen!" Dionysus hissed as he pulled her back down on the couch. "The Flame of Olympus, also known as Vesta's daughter, is arriving with them. The mortals are her father and friend."
The color from her face drained once she heard the girl's title. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Jupiter wants you to show her and her friend around camp," the god of wine provided. "He thought you would be more than willing to be their tour guide as a way to ask for forgiveness for 'dishonoring your camp'."
"When the hell did I dishonor my camp?" Reyna questioned harshly. "All I have ever done is to keep it safe! I made sure everyone is treated fairly!"
Dionysus shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I tried to get him to explain, but he said it happened when you were younger."
"I'm not doing it," Reyna decided as she stood up and headed to the door.
"Rey-"
"No!" She shouted in defiance as she turned to him. "I am not doing anything for him and I am certainly not doing anything for that fake Flame of Olympus!"
She walked out of the Big House and slammed the door as thunder roared in the night sky, causing a light rain. She rolled her eyes as she made her way to the training area that was empty due to the campers going to bed. The thunder and lightning grew causing Reyna to grow annoyed but she didn't care for the moment. She leaned her head against the abused dummy as she muttered, "So, Emily has finally become the Flame of Olympus."