This will be sad but I have a lot more planned so bare with me.
Disclaimer: What the heck do you think?

Percy lay beside his friend's body and comforted him as his breathing became more and more shallow.

He wouldn't last much longer but he carried on making jokes about whatever came to mind. Anything to make his loved ones feel better.

There was no denying it. Blackjack felt scared. He wasn't sure what lay ahead for him. There was no underworld for him to go to. He supposed he would be reincarnated and he hoped it would be something that lived in the ocean. He was of course loyal to Poseidon-his creator- but he knew his chances of getting to be a Pegasus twice in a row were slim, so he figured a fish would be the next best thing.

Maybe he would get to see Percy again that way, but he didn't know if he'd remember this life. And it made him sad.

As his body grew weaker, his fears lessened. There was nothing he could do. Just wait and see how fate played out.

Percy felt Blackjacks change in attitude. He was almost determined now and that's how Percy knew it was nearly over.

I know you'll take care of Annabeth, so just make sure you take care of yourself yeah? The Pegasus asked.

"I will," came the quiet reply.

Then I'm quite happy. And Percy knew it was true.

He looked straight into Blackjacks eyes as they closed and his laboured breathing slowed to a halt.

"Goodbye." Percy choked. He no longer trusted his own voice, but he allowed all the sobs he'd been holding back to flow freely from him. He lay down and let his head rest against Blackjack's side.

He didn't remember falling asleep but it was dark when he woke up. Porkpie stirred next to him.

My lord, he started, There have been voices calling out for you for a couple of hours now. I let you sleep but you must return to the big house. Chiron isn't at all pleased, neither is Thalia or Nico. Annabeth is still in the infirmary.

Thalia's here?

Yes my lord, from what I've overheard, she came straight here as soon as she heard Annabeth had been injured. She must be worried about you too.

"And no one thought o look in here?"

No Perseus. Most people prefer to stay away from the stables lest they be asked to clean them.

Only one came in here, Another said.

"Who?"

Pause

Your father, said Guido softly. He wouldn't make you leave but he said to tell you to return as soon as you were ready. I think he wanted to stay and comfort you but he knew you wouldn't want to be disturbed after Blackjack... He trailed off, holding back his own grief.

Percy was momentarily surprised by this but sent a prayer of thanks to his father.

He looked at his friend's lifeless body and felt new tears fall down his face. He wiped them away quickly. What will you do with his...body?, he silently asked.

Whatever our owners decide my lord. But...

"But what?"

Well, when we die, we all have one last wish, but it never really happens. In the old days our bodies were burned as a sacrifice to the gods, but we have always wished to have our bodies place I the ocean when we are gone. To return from the place we came from...

"Well," Percy started, "I think Blackjack has sacrificed enough. I will make sure that it will be so if that's what he really wanted."

It is-...it was my lord. Thank you.

Percy collected himself before standing tall. He didn't know how he was able to push his guilt and hurt away but he figured he was still in shock. He half expected to wake up from this terrible nightmare anytime now. He'd go to breakfast as normal and see his father. He'd then resume his usual activities, maybe Pegasus riding, and great Black jack as he usually did.

But this wasn't a nightmare. And there was no waking up.

He walked towards the door, leaving the pegusi to mourn for their loss in peace. He turned around for the last time. "And guys," he said quietly. "Please drop the formal stuff. Call me Percy."

With that he left. It was quite cold outside but that didn't bother him too much. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was 8:15pm. Parent's day would be over in an hour and 15 minutes. He found the strength to walk towards the infirmary, where he knew everyone would be gathered. His friends wouldn't have left Annabeth's side until she was absolutely fine.

He could hear chatting from down the hall and realised his father wouldn't have told anyone in case they disturbed him in the stables. Once again he was very grateful.

He stopped for a moment before he opened the door. He stood in the doorway and he could see who was there; he saw Clarisse, Athena and Thalia beside Annabeth's bed she lay in; Chiron stood at the end of it looking still a tad concerned but mostly relieved; Apollo sat in a corner in conversation with Nico and his Dad while Hermes tried to knick the keys to his sun chariot from his pocket. Thalia was the first to notice him.

"You!" She shouted. "Where the hell've you been? Annabeth's been extremely sick and you just wondered off." He wanted to stop her but Thalia was on a roll, her worry for him turning into anger that e had disappeared in the first place. "We've been searching everywhere. The entire camp had wasted parent's day to look for you and you think you can just saunter in here and-"

"Thalia, please." Thalia probably wouldn't have said as much if she could have seen the state of her friend properly but due to the dim light this she couldn't. Chiron's warning silenced her though and she sat down but continued to glare at her. Clarisse however, was never very good at doing what she was told0 unless it was of course in battle.

"Chiron, he's been sooo selfish. He should've been here by Annabeth's side but no! He decided to shove off, the one time he's ever been wanted around here, he naturally pissed off!"

"Clarisse, let Percy speak," Nico's voice was quiet but commanding. "You can't know what he's been through." Nico could sense some sort of death, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. (A/N: he can only sense mortal souls).

Poseidon stayed quiet knowing his son wouldn't want his interference but he was fuming on the inside and found himself liking the Hades kid more and more.

Percy also stayed silent, not knowing what to say. He also couldn't say it out loud but he knew they had to know- Annabeth especially.

Mr D strolled in having been told by someone Percy had been seen going to the infirmary. Unlike everyone else (not including Poseidon) he was aware of what had happened. Underneath his uncaring facade, he was quite a kind god who only resented demi-gods because of one specific son of Poseidon that had lived a long time ago. But Percy had shown him they were heroes and earned his respect, though he would never admit it. Mr D was in fact a softy. He had always noticed the small things and knew how important an individual was. That is why he was the only person other than Percy who had seen Blackjack retreat to the stables and know what had happened.

"Come in boy."

Percy stepped into the light of the room, and people gasped as they took in his appearance. His hair was a mess, his clothes were shredded, his eyes were swollen from crying and his face was pale from grief and his current condition.

Annabeth stared at him wide eyed and he locked his gaze with hers.

Thalia already looked guilty but said nothing.

Hermes –who had sat silently for once through the commotion- had always had a soft spot for Percy after the war and he also looked shocked but managed to say, "Percy, what on earth-"

He cut himself off as Percy ran to Annabeth and lay on the bed crying into her shoulder. It jolted her back into reality but she was still more than a little surprised.

The rest of them just sat and stared. Apart from Annabeth, Chiron and Poseidon, no one had ever seen him cry before. He was always the strong one and was very good at hiding his feelings, but once again his tiredness had got the better of him and he let it all out.

Annabeth's face got paler as he whispered in her ear. The others strained to hear what he was saying to no avail, but Annabeth would never forget those words for as long as she lived. The utter pain in them alone made her want to cry. They sounded in her head repeatedly as she tried to understand what he'd said.

"He's gone Annabeth. He's gone and it my fault. Blackjack's dead."

Hahaha! I'm evil, leaving it on a cliff hanger. Don't worry PJO fans! I'm not finished yet. There are more twists and turns to come so stay with me! Please! I beg of you!

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