Leo

Yes, Leo Valdez is back! It was so going to be back. Of course, it took me a whole year to get back, but I wasn't going to leave Calypso on that island another second. Everyone was very surprised when I returned, they actually thought that I was dead. One thing they should learn by now is that nothing can keep back Leo Valdez. So yeah. After I made my big announcement that I had returned, I immediately told Nico, Frank, Rachel, and this other girl whose name I forgot, what happened after I heroically defeated Gaea. So I went to go get calypso, but afterward, we got terribly lost. Now I don't know how considering that the GPS I made was flawless. But we were everywhere, all the way from Italy to Japan, and by the way, I do not like sushi. Of course, I didn't know it was raw fish until after I swallowed it. Of course, we had to stop to get food and other things like shelter. Of course, everywhere we went, the machine shops were very difficult to locate. Though, us getting here in the summer, might also have to do with Calypso wanting to shop and eat everywhere we went. Though I can't blame her, the gods sent her to that island alone and she made all her clothes, but hers are fireproof. So anyway, after I told them what happened Calypso wanted to find somewhere to sleep.

Afterward, I decided headed to the armory. Not sure why, I guess I just wanted to clear my head, considering everyone thinking I was dead. But when I go to say hi to a camper, she almost decapitated me. Well, I guess decapitated is a little dramatic, more like slit my throat. Though as I walked her down to the Big House, she seemed nice. She didn't interrupt me with questions, unlike some people. However, I got this weird vibe on her like I don't know. Then after I dropped her off, I decided to hit the hay.

Now I just woke up and it is 5:30. Oh no! I'm late for dinner. I run to the dinner table and sit down. As I sat down everyone was all excited and gave me pats on the back. When I get in line to offer the gods some of my lasagna, Nico and Ash came up behind me. I saw that Nico was having some sort of pasta, except the noodles were in a cone shape. And Ash had a crab cake and what looked like a cherry pie.

"Hey, guys, what's up!" Leo asked.

"Nothing much, just going to have some Penne. Also, maybe we can talk later about contacting Percy, Jason, Piper, and all our other friends that you're alive!" Nico exclaimed.

"Don't worry, I was planning on going to camp Jupiter tomorrow, but first I need something to eat, then I can tell you how where I was the past year. By the way Ash, you think I could try a piece of your cherry pie?"

"Actually, it's beet pie." She said blankly.

"Oh, that's cool. I didn't know that was a thing, where did you get it?" Leo asked.

Ash winced, she looked hurt, and possibly angry. And I don't want to get on Ash's bad side after she almost cut my throat earlier.

"My mom made it for me when I was little, but now… " She trailed off. Ash stared at the ground as if she was reliving a happy but painful memory. I know what that's like. Everyone one of my friends, including me, have not had the greatest childhood. But you know what, if it weren't for what had happened to me in the past, then I might have never met the most wonderful friends in the world or an amazing girlfriend.

"Um, Leo," Nico said as he pointed up ahead. A big empty space was in front of me. I was holding up the line, ops! I quickly dumped some of my lasagna into the fire. I am so glad that Nico said something, and ended that awkward silence. I walk over to the Hephaestus table and everyone cheered, some even gave me pats on the back. Everyone started to huddle around the table, demanding me to tell them what happened. After I rapidly ate my lasagna, I decided to have a slice of chocolate cake. But just as I was about to dig in, I noticed in the corner of my eye, I see Ash and Calypso just standing awkwardly. I guess they don't have a table, I wonder who Ash's godly parent is, my money is Ares. I get up and walk over to them.

"What's the problem?" I ask.

"We don't have anywhere to sit," Ash said.

"Where is Nico?"

"He went to go get Chiron, by the way where is Dionysus? I would love to speak to him about how the gods are going to treat me, now that I'm free. I think they were the reason why we didn't get here earlier." Calypso said. I was going to give Calypso that he was behind her., but Ash beat me to it.

"Is that him?" Ash asked as she pointed at the front of the dinner tables.

Yup. Nothing much has changed since I've been away. Mr. D was wearing a t-shirt that had two wine glasses, and brown shorts, with Nike sneakers. We all quickly ran up to Mr. D and told him about our problem.

"Well, I suppose you guys can sit with the Hermes kids, or… " He waved his hand, a table appeared right next to were Nico was still eating his Penne.

"Thanks. But Dionysus, I would like to talk to you about how the gods will treat me, now that I am free." Calypso said.

"Sure. Here… " Mr. D Flicked his wrist, and a chair appeared right next to him. "Let's talk"

"You guys go ahead, I have a lot to discuss with Dionysus."

"Ok. See you later sunshine," I told Calypso.

As I and ash walked to our tables, I decided to build up the courage of asking her who her godly parent is.

"So Ash. Who is your godly parent?"

She looked at me with a death stare. I am scared she might slit my throat for real this time. But then she just let out a big sigh.

"If I tell you then you won't want to be friends with me," Ash said.

I was confused, I mean I knew the gods were always big jerks, but Ash being ashamed of who her godly parent is. I decide to stay quiet. I and Ash get to our tables without speaking to each other. Then Ash got up to talk to Nico, I guess she didn't know that we weren't allowed to sit at other cabins tables, or she just didn't care. But just as I was about to finally eat my chocolate cake, I saw a camper I didn't recognize take Ash's beet pie. He ran towards a group table I didn't recognize. Everyone was laughing and giggling. I was about to get up to tell Ash what happened, but then she turns around and darted her eyes directly at that table. She immediately got up and ran towards that table. Then she went right behind the kid who has her half-eaten pie.

"Hey!" She shouted at the kid. She had this angry, determined look on her face. I can't understand why she was so upset over a piece of pie when she can just get another plate.

The kid turns around while eating the pie. I was actually worried for the kid. He looked at only 12, which means he doesn't have a lot of experience in combat fighting. And I as I already learned earlier, Ash was a skilled fighter. So the kid's chance of survival was… Zero! I jump out of my seat, and I nod at Nico, and he seemed to get the hint. I put myself between the dumb kid and Ash.

"Hey settle down Ash, it's just a pie, you can get another plate and it'll make a new one appear," I told Ash. She gave me this look as if saying "Only this one time", which kinda made me wonder why this pie is so important to her. It looked like she was about to say something, but then Nico put his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him and sighed. Then he put his hand down. I guess it was kinda weird, considering that Nico doesn't like to be touched, and I guess neither does Ash.

"Fine," Ash said sternly before turning around and walking back to her table. But before any of us could say anything, the boy took the plate and threw the pie at Ash. She tried to step out of the way, but some of it got on her denim jacket, and that's when she snapped.

Ash picked up a knife on one of the tables, lighting fast, and threw it at the boy. None of us had time to react, I knew that kid was a goner, I just didn't think that he was an actual goner! I mean knew she was a bit aggressive, but how could have done this! Everyone one was silent, I swear you could hear a pin drop. But of course, she timed it perfectly. I was still staring at Ash in disbelief until I heard a small whimper. I turn around and see the boy holding the plate that the pie was on, in front of his face.

"Sorry," Ash said.

Just at that moment, a light appeared over Ash's head. No, it wasn't a light, it was a symbol, but it was like black, and it shined really bright. The whole dining pavilion seemed cold. Then suddenly Chiron stood up and galloped off, most likely to go get Mr. D. We all sat there unsure what to do. Chiron and Mr. D came back, a worried expression on their faces. But then Rachel stood up from her chair with smoke coming out of her. She started walking towards Ash. Ash looked surprised and confused, I guess she never saw a girl have smoke coming out of her, I mean I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that Rachel was an Oracle. But then Rachel started to say a prophecy.

Four demigods shall go to the land of rule

There they will meet the branch of joule

They head towards the children of the tree

Doom's child must duel under the sea

In Order to earn the sword of victory

At the end of the struggle against envy

There will still be partiality

"Ugh, what happened, and why am I over here?" Rachel asked.

"I think Ash was just given a quest," Will said.

Mr. D and Chiron exchanged concerned looks at each other. Maybe it had to do with the part if the prophecy that said joule. It sounds like a type of horse.

"All camp leaders, please meet in 5 minutes!" Chiron shouted.

"And the new camper too, everyone else continue with your regular schedule." Mr. D announced.

After that everyone scattered and a huge wave of talk took over. I look over at Ash and she looked super confused. But then my belly started to grumble, and I look over to my table, but my cake wasn't there anymore. So then I look back at everyone else, and we all just nod our heads and we ran towards the big house.

Once we all got there Mr. D said: "Well I guess I'll have to let four of you guys go on a quest."

"I think Ms. Ash should lead the quest," Chiron suggested.

"But we can't trust her after that little incident." Mr. D said.

"Ahmm"

They turned at Ash, and she said: "I'm still here, and I am sorry about what I did."

"While that may be true Ash, how can we trust that you won't do that again?"

I turn my head to the right and see Miranda Gardener, I think she's from the Demeter cabin. Which makes sense because it's in her name. I couldn't disagree with her, though the oracle did walk up to her and practically gave her a quest. I glance over at everyone else. I see Ash looking as though this is a boring meeting. Then I glance over at Nico and he looked like he was thinking of something else. Will had an "I think we should let her go on a quest" look. Everyone else either agreed with Miranda Gardener or Will. Than others looked like they wanted to get this over with.

"I think we should give her a chance," Will said.

Miranda Gardener's nose wrinkled, and she not happy. I think she just wanted to be right, and win the argument.

"Yes but -", she began, but was interrupted by Mr. D.

"This is not a debate. Tasha, you and three other people of your choice will go on the quest. That's my final decision."

Ash was about to say something, but I and Nico looked at her as if saying "He does it to everyone." I was kinda surprised that Chiron didn't say anything. I look at them and they were exchanging looks at each other. I think they know something that we don't. Why were they keeping it a secret? Maybe they are just trying to keep us from panicking. I mean we all fought a war not that long ago.

"Ok. I'll go, and I choose Nico and Leo."

"You still need one more person," Chiron said.

"Well, I think we know someone," I suggested while looking at Nico.

"I don't care as long as he or she doesn't get in my way," Ash said before getting up to leave.

"Well thank you are for coming, now go to bed!" Mr. D shouted.

We all ran out of the room and headed straight for our cabins, but I ran up to Nico before he went to bed.

"Hey, Nico," I said as I walked up to him.

"Yeah." He said.

"You were thinking of Percy, right?" I asked.

"Yes, I think we can find him at Camp Jupiter," Nico suggested.

"All right, well, good night," I told Nico.

"Hey Leo, before I go to bed I was going to check on Ash. So if you want to come…" He trailed off.

"Oh, thanks but I need to check on Festus," I said.

"Ok. Then Goodnight."

"Good night Nico."

As I head down to bunker 9, that's where I left Fetus, I noticed that it was getting late, so I ran a little faster.

"Hey buddy, great job today," I say as I lay down next to him. Fetus replies with a small puff of steam and his gears turning.

"I know it been a long, and exciting day," I say to him as I drift asleep.

"Mm. Chocolate cake. Gear Shifter. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting . . ."

"Leo, get up you have work to do."

"Huh? Mm."

I open my eyes, and I see that I was no longer in bunker nine, but what looked like a knockoff version of Germany. And I could tell because I saw a guy eating a Twink, and I don't think Germany has Twinkies. But then my eyes dart over to the man that was sitting in a chair right in front of me. I look down, and I was also in a chair, we were sitting next to a small table. It had a tablecloth with a cartoon of a guy in a leaseholder and holding a cup of beer. The man had a dirty apron on top of a blue Nike shirt and blue baggy pants with holes in them. He also had really greasy brown hair.

"Dad?" I mumbled.

"Leo you need to listen to me. You can't go on the quest."

"What?! I don't understand. I was ready to show off my Leo skills and kick some monsters butt!" I exclaimed just as he chuckled.

"And while that would be amazing my son, you must rebuild the ship. But also make it better and you must finish by September 29."

"What! That's in 3 months! Why do I need to build another ship?! And what's so important about September 29?"

"I can't explain now, but all will make sense in time."

Man. Don't get me wrong I love my dad, but sometimes the gods can be quite annoying with their half to no explanations. Does Chiron know what's going on? Hey, Maybe we're getting the gang back together… Oh yeah! I still got to tell everyone else that I'm alive!

"You need to get up Leo and start building. Now!" Was all my father said before I woke straight with sweat on my forehead.

"It looks like we got some work to do, buddy." I say while looking at fetus.