Hey, why not—some more altered scenes, twisted to be more Percabethish. My thanks to the three reviewers.

Camzy—Yes, I have to agree with you. The first part was mildly struck by the drama llamas, but the second scene did turn out fairly well.

alyssa21—The song made that chapter worth reading. I was mulling it over and almost didn't feel like going through with the idea at all, but the song was perfect and made it something I could be mildly proud of. The best part was, I didn't have to alter a single word of the song to make it fit. It's "Broken" by Seether and Amy Lee.

Omgoth—You asked for more, (which I love when people do) so here's another chapter, at your request.

This set of altered scenes comes from The Battle of the Labyrinth, beginning while Percy is on Calypso's island. Enjoy! Oh, and please leave a review if you like it.

"Look, sometimes bad things happen—"

"Simba!"

"—and there's nothing you can do about it! So why worry?"

"Because it's your responsibility!"

Simba and Nala, The Lion King

"You could stay with me, Percy." Calypso said quietly. Her voice trembled slightly, and I thought I saw tears form in her eyes. "I'm sorry. But that is the only way you could help me." I stopped. My mouth opened and snapped shut, no words ready to come out.

I could stay. Stay and be immortal. Hephaestus had allowed me the decision, whether I wanted to go back. If he was fine with it, the other gods would be too. No more dealing with Athena suggesting I be killed, or Ares plotting to have someone do me in. No more 'Great Prophecy' looming over me.

And no fear of death. I would escape Hades forever. Never to be in Charon's waiting room, never to be crossing the Styx, never to be heading to those terrible gates. I wouldn't have to worry about getting to Elysium, wouldn't have to be afraod that I might end up spending forever in the depressing Fields of Asphodel. I could stay here, tended to by invisible servants, relaxing on the beach, or helping in Calypso's amazing garden. She would appreciate me. She loved me, for being me. She didn't except me to become a hero or an honor role student or fulfil a prophecy. I glanced at the beautiful goddess, uncertain. She sat quietly, watching, waiting patiently for my decision.

But what about everyone else? Annabeth? Mom? Grover? Tyson? Would they think I was dead? Hephaestus hadn't told anyone whether I was dead or alive. Would my father? Would he tell everyone that I had run away to spend forever on an island paradise? Or would he just let them think I was dead—killed in the volcano's explosion? I imagined Annabeth back at camp, at my funeral. They'd burn a shroud for me, and she'd probably be crying. The Poseidon cabin would be empty again. I wondered who would call my mom, and let her know I was dead. Chiron, probably. Or maybe Annabeth. It had been her quest. She would probably think it was her duty. I looked around the island again. A wave of emotions hit me, and my throat threatened to close up.

"I can't stay." I said, trying to sound decided. I forced myself to look at the goddess. "I'm sorry. This… this, is all I could ever ask for in a home. And if I was to spend eternity with one person, I couldn't hope to find someone more wonderful than you," I tried to explain. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I wiped it away. "But I've got responsibilities. A war is coming. My friends are counting on me to come home. They're counting on me to be there for them, to fight for what's right, to help them survive." If I had been honest, they and them wasn't the right word. She and her was. Annabeth…

"You owe me no explanation." Calypso said quietly. "I understand." She hesitated, then gently removed a small plant from her garden before standing. "When you get back to Manhattan…" she forced a small smile, and held the plant out. "Will you plant it? For me?" I accepted it and placed it in my front shirt-pocket, then buttoned it shut securely.

"I'll do that." I promised. It was a tiny favor, but somehow, she seemed a little less sad.

Hours later, the raft floated ashore the beach of Camp Half-Blood. I stepped ashore, then paused, wondering what would happen to the raft. Maybe I should tie it up… na. It was magical, after all. I had been on some island near the west coast of the USA, now I was on the east coast, several hours later. I left it and headed up the beach, wincing as I avoided the rough grasses and rocks along the edge of the sand. I surveyed camp. For better or for worse, I was back and Calypso was alone again.

Empty. Everything I saw was empty, even thought it was only mid-afternoon. I froze, an awful possibility occurring… what if Kronos had attacked? Had everyone fled to Olympus? Or… died?

Duh, no. The camp would've been torched if Kronos has raided it. I did see smoke rising up near the amphitheater, though, so I headed over there. Theater, in case you didn't know, was big in Greek culture. They'd carve out almost small stadiums in hillsides, kind of like a half-bowl. There would be stone seats along the side of the bowl (we had wooden ones with cushions) and a speaker at the bottom. Thanks to special designs with the rocks and stuff, thousands of people could hear the people talk.

Camp Half-Blood didn't have thousands of people, though, so our theater was a lot smaller, and looked more like the big assembly room that every school had, with a distinct Greek theme.

I could hear voices as I got closer, but couldn't make it what they were saying. I finally reached the top of the little rise overlooking the amphitheater—

It was filled. Everyone was there. Onstage, the small stone circle had a fire blazing in it. Annabeth stood nearby, holding a green shroud with a glittering trident on it. Her eyes were puffy and red and her hair wasn't in a ponytail, for once.

"Unfortunately, it is unlikely that our prayers will be answered." Chiron said mournfully, standing maybe a dozen feet from Annabeth. "I have asked his best friend to do the final honors." It hit me just what was happening, and I literally stumbled backwards and fell on my butt. A few campers were close enough to hear, but didn't turn.

It was my shroud. They were burning my shroud. I was attending my own funeral—or at least the closest thing the Greeks had to an American funeral. Annabeth placed the shroud over the fire, giving it to the flames. My lingering doubts about whether I had made the right choice evaporated. I had definitely made the right choice.

"Percy…" She stopped for a moment, as if she was about to start crying. Chiron stepped forward as if to say she could go, but she kept on going. "Percy was the bravest, best friend I've ever had. He was always there for me. It didn't matter…" she paused and swallowed, tears streaking down her face.. "It didn't matter to him that our parents aren't friends. It didn't matter if I got angry and snapped at him or called him names. He never let me down, ever." I finally overcame the shock and novelty of attending my own funeral and stood up. Annabeth was still giving my monologue.

"I will truly miss him." Annabeth was finishing, now half-sobbing. "He was a hero—"

"I'm really sorry I'm late." I called loudly to Chiron and Annabeth, making most of the campers turn around. "Who died?" Annabeth froze. The sobbing, grieving look evaporated and became a mix of relief, joy, and anger.

"You did, you idiot!" Annabeth nearly shrieked from the front of the amphitheater. "Where were you!?" I was about to answer, but fellow campers surrounded me. Beckendorf was grinning. Clarisse rolled her eyes as though I had just pulled a hugely immature prank. The Stoll brothers were patting me on the back, and for once I didn't have any cash for them to steal. Annabeth broke through the crowd and gave me a fierce hug, almost tackling me to the ground. I hugged her back tightly, closing my eyes for a moment as I breathed her scent in. I had definitely made the right choice. A moment passed and Annabeth suddenly released me, looking embarrassed. The campers were chortling.

"We thought you were dead!" She told me. "You were gone two weeks! Where have you been?"

"You mean, after I got blasted out of Mt. St. Helena?" I laughed. "Long story. But it's awesome to see you again." Chiron appeared next to her.

"I think we need to discuss this in private quarters." He grabbed us both and tossed us on his back as easily as if we were made of styrofoam. "Everyone else, take the rest of the day off! A hero has returned!"

"So… I somehow made the volcano erupt." I summarized, a little sheepishly. "It was an accident. But you made it out okay, right?"

"Yeah." Annabeth nodded, taking a sip of hot chocolate. A similar mug sat before me, but I had already drained it. Twice. "Then what happened? You were blasted out?" Chiron was standing at the head of the table, watching me intently.

"Waaaayyy into the sky." I grinned, shaking my head as I remembered it. "I'm surprised Z--, um, Thalia's dad didn't strike me with a lightening bolt." I was going to continue, but a tiny voice warned me. Say it right or you'll regret it.

"Then what?" Annabeth prodded.

"I woke up on this strange little island." I sighed. "Luckily, someone found me on the beach and patched me up. I had been pretty badly hurt. Couldn't even stand for a few days. Then a magic raft appeared after I was better and carried me here."

"You drifted to Ogygia?" Chiron asked, eyebrows raised. I nodded.

"What?" Annabeth demanded. "You went to Calypso's island?"

"Went means you chose to go there." I shrugged. "I got blasted out of a volcano. I have no clue how I ended up there, and not as a splatter on some parking lot or roof." Annabeth looked ticked.

"I can't believe this." Annabeth muttered, looking very angry. I took her hand and kissed it.

"Hey, I came back." I reminded her. "What are you so upset about?" She gave me the look and ripped her hand away from mine.

"You…" She sputtered. "You are the single most annoying person I have ever met!" With that, she stormed out of the Big House, slamming the door behind her. I groaned, then looked to Chiron. He smiled.

"Don't worry about it. She'll cool down within a few hours." He assured me. "Go talk to her after supper." I nodded, getting up to leave. My hand was on the doorknob when Chiron added, "Percy?" I turned around. He looked very pleased. "I'm proud of you. Despite all the troubles here, you came back."

"Thank you."

I hadn't had any luck finding her (you try finding someone who has an invisibility cap, tell me how that works out) even after dinner was over, so I finally gutted it up and knocked on the door of the Athena cabin. One of Annabeth's many brothers answered, smirking when he saw me.

"Hey, is Annabeth here?" I asked, tring to sound normal. He nodded, opening the door wider. I stepped inside, my eyes roaming over the rows of bunks shoved against the wall. Annabeth was on her bunk, studying some books on architecture.

"Your boyfriend's here." Her brother sang loudly. A wave of color appeared on her face, but she didn't look happy to see me.

"What?" She asked flatly. I was taken off guard.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you." I asked, trying to sound normal.

"Well, you didn't give me much of a choice, now did you?" Annabeth observed, raising her eyebrows. I didn't move. She sighed, putting a paper in the book to mark her place. "Fine."

"Thanks." I said gratefully. She got up and followed me outside, her siblings laughing and murmuring behind us. I shut the door firmly, leaving us in the dark outside.

"Well?" She said, looking out at the half-circle of cabins. It might have been my imagination, but she sounded a little less irritated. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I'm sorry I made you mad earlier." I apologized, even though I was pretty sure it had been her fault. "I am really glad to see you again." She turned to look me, a hint of amusement on her face.

"Oh? Glad to see me? And not the camp?" She asked mildly.

"Yeah, you." I smiled. "I mean, the camp is nice too, and all… but I—" I paused, not sure that I of what I was seeing. "Are you laughing at me?"

"No." She was trying not to, at least, and mostly failing. Girls and mood swings. I'll never understand them.

"Well, I probably shouldn't waste anymore of your time." I said formally. She looked disappointed, as if she was expecting something. I opened the cabin door for her. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay." Annabeth replied, seeming a little hesitant as she walked back inside, with all of her siblings staring, waiting for something to happen. I started to close the door, then opened it back again, as if I had just remembered something.

"Love ya." I added casually. Her face turned bright red, and her brothers and sisters simultaneous started giggling and going 'aww'.

"You—" Annabeth started to say something, sounding incredulous. I shut the door and ran for the Poseidon cabin, trying not to laugh too loudly.