Percy didn't know what happened. He woke up to Apollo, Aphrodite and Asclepius* on the ground, both looking pale and old. Percy's throat was dry and scratchy. "Water," he whispered hoarsely. He smelt smoke and his skin stung.

Apollo got a glass from the side table lifted it to Percy's lips. He drank greedily, the water powering him. He was able to sit up by himself.

The gods were looking at Percy, horror and astonishment on their faces. Apollo gaped. "H-How?" he let out.

Asclepius held the same expression. "We used enough power to kill a Titan." He turned to his father. "Is this possible?"

Apollo just shook his head. "I heard the son of Zeus was brought back to life after he saw Hera's true form. The Aphrodite girl charmspoke him back. I guess anything is possible with a child of the Big Three."

Aphrodite looked concerned. "Do you feel okay? Apollo is right. You should be ashes right now."

Thanks Aphrodite, Percy thought. He cleared his throat. "A little disoriented. What happened?"

"Do you not remember what happened?" Aphrodite asked, standing from the ground. Her hair was tangled and her make-up was smudged. With the snap of her hand, her hair straightened and her make-up fixed itself.

Percy tried to remember. He was fighting with Annabeth, then… Percy's eyes widened. He looked down at his body but found no marks. "Shouldn't I be-"

Asclepius interrupted him. "Dead? Yep. You should be down with my great uncle right now."

"How am I not hurt or anything?"

Aphrodite grimaced. A mirror appeared in her hand. She held it up.

Percy gasped. A thick, white, jagged, ugly scar ran down the left side of his face, from his eyebrow to his chin. It stood out against his tan skin. It was the first thing you noticed if you looked at him. He ran his hand down it. It made his face look completely different. He looked intimidating and scary like a mother would pull her child away from him if they saw Percy walking down the street.

"Can you heal it nectar or ambrosia?" he asked, pulling his eyes away from his reflection.

Apollo shook his head. "Whatever cut you must have had poison on its claws. The scar can't go away."

Percy felt his breathing pick up. Will people look away when they see him? Will Annabeth love him even though he looked like this? Annabeth…

"Where's Annabeth? How is she?" he demanded.

Aphrodite grimaced. "Percy…she's been, well, for the lack of better words, miserable. It's almost painful to watch. I didn't want my favorite couple to be broken up so I volunteered to help. I charmspoke like Piper did with Jason."

"I need to get to Camp and-" Percy started but Apollo interrupted him.

"You're not leaving this room unless I say so. The amount of energy can still burn you up if you're not monitored. You'll be able to leave soon. Just not now," he said sternly.

Suddenly, the door slammed open and Poseidon came rushing in. "They told me…" He trailed off when he saw Percy sitting up, alive, in his bed. "Percy." In one step, Poseidon was in front of him and hugging him tightly. "Annabeth will never believe this," he whispered in Percy's ear.

Percy laughed and pulled back smiling. He was alive.

Apollo was right. Over the next few days, Percy had a 105°F fever, the magic coming back to bite him in the butt.

There was always someone at his bedside with a frozen washcloth on his head. If he were to drink anymore nectar or eat any more ambrosia, Apollo was sure Percy would be ashes in the wind.

But he recovered and soon he was back on his feet, anxious to go home. No one knew of his resurrection, not even Chiron.

Percy tried to look happy and upbeat while on Olympus but the gods could tell. Percy's confidence had dropped because of the scar. He refused to look them in the eye. He always kept his head down while walking the streets of Olympus.

He only felt comfortable around Hestia, whose fire was burning bright and warm. They'd sit on a log and talk for hours about anything from school to Annabeth to cookies. She reminded Percy of his mom, her protective and caring nature much like a mother's.

Finally, Apollo said that he could go home. Percy, like a child on Christmas, packed his bags. Apollo and he went to Camp. Percy couldn't stop bouncing his knee during the ride. His nervousness had taken over.

They were in the back of a New York taxi. It was funny to see the god of the Sun in the back of a taxi. He kept mumbling on how his Maserati was so much better and that they wouldn't have to be waiting in traffic. An hour later they reached Camp.

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Apollo had to push Percy up the hills.

He started to second guess himself. They all thought he was dead. Maybe Camp had some peace without him.

"Without me, Camp is pe-" Percy tried to say.

"Camp is quiet, unhappy, and boring. Percy, the fire has been black for four weeks straight now. And it's not because the Athena cabin lost in Capture the Flag." That shut Percy up.

Peleus regarded them quietly, blowing more steam out of his nose than usual.

When they walked down Half-Blood Hill, no one was seen. There was a blanket of sadness over Camp. Their footsteps were the only things heard.

Percy gulped. He had caused this. Would everyone be happy to see him or mad? His legs and hands started to shake. His scar itched and burned, like it was begging for attention.

The first one to notice them was a nymph child. She was playing with a doll made out of sticks and leaves. She smiled at Apollo and then saw Percy. Her face morphed from horror to disgust to disbelief. She ran into the woods. Percy clenched his jaw and looked down.

"C'mon," Apollo said gently, knowing how hard this was for him.

They continued to walk through Camp, finding no one. They reached the cabins and started to hear talking. They looked across the lake and saw everyone at the amphitheater.

Chiron was standing in front of them, looking solemn but talking. Everyone looked tired and sad. Some people were crying in the crowd.

There were multiple shrouds next to Chiron and a large fire was burning. At the end of the line was a dark blue shroud with a bright green trident and sword crossed in an 'X' in the center. It was wave-patterned.

Percy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Apollo looked at him and got an idea. "Stay here," he said. With them so far away, no one could see them.

Apollo teleported over to the amphitheater. He spoke quietly into Chiron's ear who looked confused. Chiron said something to the awaiting crowd and he and Apollo started to head over to Percy.

Get behind a building so Chiron doesn't see you yet, Apollo spoke in Percy's head. He moved behind a thick tree.

Apollo stopped Chiron a couple feet from Percy.

"I believe you know that we tried all we could with Percy Jackson," Apollo started. "The chances were slim to begin with. We managed to get Aphrodite and my son Asclepius to help. We used all of our power and-" Apollo said but Chiron interrupted him.

"It didn't work. He's still dead." He rubbed his face. "Annabeth and his friends will be torn."

"If you had let me finished," Apollo said, "you would know that we used all of our power and he should be dead, but that boy has a heart."

Chiron gasped. He started to shoot out hundreds of questions but Apollo held up a hand and he went silent. "He's here, but he has some permanent damage. He has a very large scar that you should, well, see for yourself." Apollo gestured to the tree Percy was behind.

Percy stepped out from behind with his head down. He stepped closer to the two.

"Percy," Apollo said sternly.

Taking a deep breath, Percy raised his head and looked at Chiron.

Percy could tell that Chiron was trying to hide it, but Percy saw it. A look of disgust crossed his features. Chiron cleared his throat and forced a smile. He placed his hands on Percy's shoulders.

"I've never been happier," he said, a real twinkle shining in his eyes. "How do you feel?"

Percy tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. "Okay I guess. It hurts every-so-often," Percy said.

"So Chiron, when you go back, continue with the shrouds. When you get to Percy's, tell everyone very gently. Once they figure it out, address his…new looks," Apollo chose his words carefully, "Then we can bring him in."

Chiron nodded.

"Where's Annabeth?" Percy said suddenly. He wanted to see her so badly. He didn't think she was in the amphitheater. It would have been too hard for her.

A pained expression came across Chiron's face. "Percy…She's been very weak. Someone has to watch her every movement. Malcolm is scared that she is suicidal. She's in a deep state of depression right now," he said, not answering his question.

"Where. Is. She." Percy said, clenching his teeth.

"At your mother's. She is there almost every day. She leaves after breakfast and comes home late at night with Argus. She's been sleeping in your cabin."

Percy turned to Apollo. "I have to see her!" he pleaded.

The god shook his head. "Not yet. Let's get this over with. Then you can go and see your mother and Annabeth."

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Apollo teleported Percy behind the stands so he could step out when needed to. Then he went back to the stage next to Chiron. Whispering had broken out in the crowd.

They continued with the shrouds, one burning after another. Campers would could come up and give a couple of tearful words about the deceased person, then sit back down with their cabin. Apollo looked upset when two of his children's shrouds were burned.

More shrouds were burned than Percy wanted. It was at least twice the number from the Titan War.

Finally, they reached the blue shroud and everyone went silent. Most people had silent tears falling down their cheeks. Even Clarisse had a tear falling down.

Chiron stepped forward. "I have so much to say about Percy Jackson and I'm sure most people here can say the same. Great personality, a great fighter, but the odds have never been ours. He was killed protecting the people he loved and I'm sure it would be the way he wanted to go."

A couple campers started to push the shroud towards the fire but Chiron held up a hand.

"As some as you know, the gods promised to try their hardest with Mr. Jackson. Apollo even brought in his son and Aphrodite to help. They used enough energy to kill a Titan." Chiron sighed and tried to hold back a smile. "Percy Jackson is strong. He is loyal. He made a promise to never leave his girlfriend." The Aphrodite cabin started to bawl. "We all know that Percy Jackson never breaks a promise."

Some camper from the Athena cabin started to look confused. They noticed that Chiron wasn't using past tense when talking about Percy. The crowd started to shift in their seats, whispering.

"So, using enough power to kill a Titan, life was restored to Percy," Chiron finished.

All at once, the camper rose and started to cheer. The Aphrodite cabin was squealing about 'Percabeth' and the Ares cabin just looked impressed. The Stoll brothers were hugging each other and squealing happily. Jason and Leo were doing the same. Everyone was looking around, to see if he was hiding.

Chiron raised a hand the crowd went silent. "Now, the monster didn't leave Percy flawless. Not even the gods know what attacked Percy. The poison on its claws left an unhealable scar and sometimes, will cause extreme pain. The scar has affected Percy's confidence greatly. Do not make fun of him or talk about it." He gave a pointed look at the Ares cabin. "The punishment for it will be great. Now-" Chiron clapped his hands together, "-the Hero of Olympus, Percy Jackson!"

The campers started to cheer again and chanted his name. "PER-CY! PER-CY! PER-CY!"

With a deep breath, Percy stepped out from behind the amphitheater and walked towards the stage. The cheering got louder. They swarmed the stage, enveloping Percy in the middle.

All of the campers either hugged Percy or shook his hand. Some gave words of encouragement. All glanced at the hideous scar but they didn't care because the heart of Camp was back.

Leo, Piper, Jason (who was transferring between Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood), and Nico couldn't believe their eyes. Leo and Jason both jumped on him and bear tackled him. "Nothing can freaking kill you, man!" Leo exclaimed. "That's my bro!"

Piper hugged him and kissed his cheek. Nico just gave him a sheepish smile and clapped his shoulder. Clarisse gave him a nice bruise on his arm but even she was smiling against her will.

That night, the fire was as high as the trees and bright orange. Happy chatter and laughter filled everyone's ears. Jason, Piper, and Leo sat with Percy at his table.

Percy's favorite moment of the night was when Grover came running into the mess hall. He was looking around frantically when he saw Percy.

"PERCY!" he bleated, running at him. Percy stood from his seat but was immediately tackled to the ground by his best friend. Grover punched Percy multiple times in the stomach. "You freaking jerk! That's for making the entire Camp worried sick," Grover yelled at him. Percy laughed and shoved him off. They 'bro-hugged' once they were both standing. Grover started to sniffle. "We thought you were dead, man."

"I know, Goat Boy, I know."

Juniper came over with a little bundle in her arms. She hugged Percy tightly and kissed his cheek. In her arms was a baby with red-brown hair and light green skin. Percy took the baby from Juniper's arms. The baby looked confused at first but then smiled at him, no teeth to show.

"Her name is Marigold. She's three months old," Grover said proudly. "We want you to be the godfather. Annabeth is the godmother."

Percy smiled at his best friend. "Of course. She's adorable by the way."

Grover smirked. "I know. I make good-looking babies," he joked. Percy and he laughed. "Have you seen Annabeth yet?" Then Grover shook his head. "Nevermind. She's not next to you so you haven't."

Percy nodded. "I'm going over there later, to my mom's."

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I can't keep Percy dead. I would hate myself.

- What'd you think of this chapter? Love it? Hate it? Let me know in a review.

- Again, check out my bio for my new story ideas and tell me what you think.

- Next chapter is the the reunion between Sally, Paul, and Percy. Then I have a nice surprise for Annabeth and Percy's reunion. ;)

-*Asclepius is Apollo's son and god of healing and medicine.

Da Wall is out. REVIEW! (Can we reach five reviews before the next chapter?)