"Reality is easy. It's deception that's the hard work."

~ Lauryn Hill

It wasn't the smoothest explanation Persephone realized, having to explain to Lou just how she managed to change her appearance to mimic Lou's so closely. The only differences seen between the two would be their builds. Persephone was an inch or two taller than Lou, and her frame was considerably more lithe and predatory than the witch's. But still, to try and convince her that every change was thanks to one Titaness, or more specifically the girl's mother Hecate, was a difficult task.

The Titaness and Persephone held a relationship of mutual respect. Hecate didn't help the gods try and find her, and Persephone swore to leave her, her children, and her creations alone. So when the Titaness of witchcraft came to her with a proposition to help her retrieve her sword, who is she to turn down the offer?

Persephone came too in her shower - albeit the shower and the entirety of her bathroom was frozen solid. Coils of the clear, cold substance hung suspended in the air and the floor was dusted with a thin sheen of powdery snow, as if someone had set of a liquid nitrogen bomb in then frozen the effects in time. Persephone admired the beauty from her position sprawled on the floor, before the emotions from the flashback converged on her with unrelenting brutality.

With an angry snarl, Persephone thawed the room, imagining all her fears and doubts dispersing with the water down the drain. She breathed in and willed herself dry before moving towards her sink. Leaning over it, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, hanging around in tangled strands and dark circles surrounded her shattered, emerald eyes. Sighing in frustration, she grabbed a nearby brush and began to try and untangle her hair, grimacing as the bristles struggled to undo the knots.

After a few more minutes of futile struggling, Persephone threw the brush down in frustration. Making her way out of the bathroom, Persephone was still lost in thought. She regretted having to kill Will. She truly did. For days after she had left, she barely ate anything, her guilt devouring her from the inside out. And for months she had almost given up completely, it was only when Nyx whispered in her ear, giving her purpose once again, did she start to recover.

She had started searching for other demigods, either unclaimed or those who decided to leave camp. She would track them, their tendencies to attract monsters and trouble alike made them easy targets for those who knew what to look for. But she also knew she had to be careful. There was no doubt in her mind that while she sought out these unknowns, that Camp and the Gods would be hunting her as well.

She had found a handful of demigods over the years, some with parents from the council and some who were descendants of lesser known deities. Six total people, and four of them too young and inexperienced to make it far on their own. Persephone couldn't leave them to face the world unprepared on good conscious. So she did the obvious action at the time. She trained them. She adopted the guise of a servant of the Gods and claimed to be sent by their parents to assist them in dealing with monsters before they made their way to camp.

She focused primarily on weapon training with the youngbloods, but made sure they were educated on the different gods and goddesses, which ones were quick to anger and which ones might assist them. Persephone taught them which monsters they could beat, and which ones that they could not. And afterwards, she started them on the trail to camp leaving them with one last thing, a phrase for them to remember: "Night harbors honest intentions."

The two others she had encountered were both fully aware of their demigod status and had decided to make a life for themselves out in the real world rather than hide at Camp. One wanted nothing to do with her or the mythological world, and Persephone left him feeling discontent with how things turned out. Thankfully the other demigod was a bit more cooperative with her.

Jacob Ruck, a son Demeter who made a living in biological research. He excelled in mythological research, discovering weaknesses in monsters and potency of different substances on demigod blood. Of course, he hid this research under his incredible understanding of botany. When they first met, Jacob drew a dagger and a syringe on her before they decided to to talk. Now, Persephone has an easy supply on special demigod painkillers and medicine when she couldn't obtain any ambrosia and nectar for her healing.

Now, she had a new purpose. She was determined to retrieve Anaklusmos from its position at Camp Half-Blood, and she expected to have to do it alone. So with a disgruntled sigh, Persephone made her way out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. She began to search through her dressers, looking for some adequate clothing to go out tonight. Maybe I should visit Jacob for some meds, grab some food, and begin making a plan of attack, she thought.

"That won't be necessary dear," a female voice spoke from behind her. Instantly, the exiled demigoddess whirled around, shadows coalescing in her hand as her staff appeared. The end of the staff was already in motion on a collision path for the intruders temple, but before it could connect, a flash of energy blocked the staff sending it rebounding backwards. "That's enough of that Persephone, I am not here for conflict."

Agitated, Persephone took a closer look at the unwanted woman in her appartment. Fierce, violet eyes stared back at her. An elegant, yet regal bun of deep, red hair rested upon her head. It took a few moments for Persephone to recognize the woman in front of her. "Hecate," she said, her voice even. The most recent news involving Hecate had been vague and uninformed, but implied that Hecate wasn't happy with Olympus currently. "So you're hounding me for Olympus now too?"

The Titanesses' eyes flared, irritation radiating from her being. "Do not presume I answer to those pompous fools. They have little respect for any of the Titanomachy, and they treat any who acknowledge themselves as a Titan beneath them." She moved across the room, seeming to glide above the cheap carpet as if she was above touching such a mundane thing. She spared the dusty, old chair in the corner of the room a quick, disgusted glance, and with a snap of her fingers morphed it into a plush recliner and sat down. "No I am here to offer you my assistance."

Persephone regarded the Titaness closely, her emerald eyes boring into Hecate's violet orbs. "And how exactly would you help?"

Hecate smiled fiercely, her eyes alight with a vicious, predatory fire. "I would get you into camp unnoticed, and also provide you with a way to retrieve your sword." Persephone raised an eyebrow, waiting for further explanation. "I am the Titaness of the Crossroads demigod, I know when an important decision is made."

"And what will it cost me?" There's always a catch.

"You leave my children out of this. They did not slight you when you left, and they hold no grudge towards you."

Persephone pursed her lips in thought. She could keep the children of Hecate out of her fight. Lou hadn't fought against her, she had no reason to fight her. So she stuck out her hand to the Titaness and said, "You've got yourself a deal."

Hecate clasped her hand, and then they began.

Lou Ellen looked at her, her vibrant eyes piercing through Persephone. Persephone shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "Uh...Hec-..." she stammered awkwardly and let out a short cough. "Your mom sent me."

Lou Ellen's gaze didn't falter. "I know," she said sagely, with an air of omniscience around her.

"Okay…" responded Persephone. "Well I'm here for-"

"Anaklusmos, I know."

"-my sword…" Persephone eyed her suspiciously. Continuing, she began, "Well I need to know what defenses are-"

At the same time Lou stated, "Two sentries are stationed around the sword at all times. An alarm system has been installed for the instant the sword is touched, and Leo has installed a new automated turret system that overwatches the area and is activated with the alarm."

"-put in place..." Persephone finished. She sighed and pinched her nose. "Lemme guess: Hecate."

"Yes," Lou responded simply. She and Persephone made eye contact before both simultaneously blurting out:

"Spinach!"

"Chickadees!"

"Kanye 2020!"

"Stop reading my mind!"

"Blue spaghetti!"

"Gahh!"

There was a pregnant pause where neither of them said anything, the only sound being the exasperated breathing of the disguised infiltrator. Their eyes locked, Lou's pure amethyst eyes glinting with mirth and Persephone's emerald orbs flashing with annoyance. Persephone raised one eyebrow, Lou mimicking the movement. "You finished?" the daughter of Poseidon asked.

"Yup," Lou responded cheekily, a cheeky grin plastered on her face.

"Good," Persephone replied. "Is there any more relevant information? Like who is on sentry duty right now?"

"Oh you don't need to worry about the demigods here," Lou started, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture. "All the experienced demigods - the veterans and such - are all out looking for you. Chase, Nico, and Jason are going to the Avengers while the others are out scouring the streets for you. The only veteran here is Leo, who isn't very supportive of the bounty on your head anyways."

Persephone was stunned. Were they so desperate to find her that they left the camp practically unguarded? Annabeth had to know that they did not have any new campers who could hope to match her in combat. Persephone was even more wary now. Did Annabeth leave traps or contingencies behind just in case she returned?

"I'm not worried about the sentries," started Persephone, a contemplative look upon her face. "But how am I going to get past the turrets?" The daughter of Poseidon knew that Leo was a genius inventor, but if was able to create a functioning automated turret system that used Celestial Bronze then he was even better than she thought.

"They're mechanical, but the only people who have control of them are Leo, Annabeth, and Chiron. You're best bet is to go quickly before either of them can react," Lou responded.

Well that's swell, Persephone thought. Annabeth would be quick to figure out what was happening back at camp, that fact was unquestionable. Persephone would pray to Hermes for speed, but praying to the gods that wanted her dead seemed like an unwise decision, even if Hermes was one of her favorites. At least I can shadow travel out of here.

"Alrighty, sounds like this will go smoothly," Persephone said sarcastically. She knew better than to expect that anything she is involved with will go smoothly. At least this time Persephone at least had the slim advantage of surprise on her side. "Oh and Lou?"

The witch merely raised a delicate eyebrow at the daughter of Poseidon.

"Keep your head down until this storm has blown over," she began, her eyes lighting with a faint fire of desire. "And when this is over, come find me. I imagine that we can have a better time than this when in such close proximity to a bed."

Lou's eyes lost their distant gaze as a similar fire to Persephone's ignited in her's as well. "I'll hold you to it," Lou said, a playful smirk playing on her lips.

With a quick laugh and a smirk of her own, Persephone exited the Hecate cabin. One way or another, she was leaving this camp with Anaklusmos in her hands.

xXxXx

"Sir, there are three adolescents at the main entrance asking for the Avengers," the A.I. Jarvis said to his creator. Tony Stark was currently working on refurbishing the main lounge of the Avengers after the battle with Persephone. He was replacing the windows with the help of his inventions when Jarvis interrupted him.

Tony sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What is with teenagers these days?" he muttered to himself, before speaking to Jarvis, "What do they want Jarvis?"

After a slight pause, the intelligence responded, "They claim to have knowledge of one Persephone Jackson." Jarvis placed a feed of the main lobby before Tony, where he saw a curly blonde California girl, a goth looking guy with dark hair and pale skin, and a guy with short cut blonde hair and a stern expression. All three of them wore similar outfits.

The girl had wore jeans and a bright orange shirt that read Camp Half-Blood. She was pulling back her hair into a ponytail when Tony caught sight of the necklace around her neck. An assortment of clay beads adorning the small strip of leather. Tony couldn't make out what was on them at the moment, but they definitely piqued his interest. They seemed so familiar.

The goth guy wore black jeans and a black leather jacket. The orange shirt beneath shined like a beacon and it was identical to the blond girls. He too had a necklace with beads, though he had far fewer than the girl.

The blond guy seemed like a miniature version of Captain America. Military cut blond hair, piercing blue eyes that shown even through the camera. He had a small scar on his lips. His clothes were slightly different. His shirt was a deep purple with no identifying marks. He wore jeans, but he did not have a necklace. Instead, Tony noticed that he had a tattoo on the inside of his forearm with some unidentifiable marks.

Tony took a few moments to process the name given, but then it clicked. They knew of the girl. The girl. Something that they had not yet accomplished. Tony had Jarvis attempting to run a facial recognition on Persephone, but apparently her face was constantly obscured by some sort of fog and he couldn't get a good picture. A fact that irked Tony to no end. To find out who she was… Tony had to know.

"Send them up Jarvis, and alert Natasha, Clint, and Steve," said Tony. Caution was to be exercised. If they knew this Persephone Jackson, then there was a chance that they too could have powers. And with three of them, they needed to be prepared. He would have Thor with them, but he was dealing with Loki's containment and avoiding Tony's calls.

It took less than five minutes for the Avengers minus Banner and Thor to arm themselves and meet in the lounge. After Natasha walked in with a miniature arsenal of both lethal and nonlethal weaponry, the elevator sounded and three teenagers walked out.

They stood there, awkwardly facing each other. This close, Tony could make out some details he missed on the footage. The girl had stern grey eyes that possessed the inquisitive nature of Tony's own eyes and the fierceness of Natasha's, while somehow mixing in the tired wisdom Tony remembered seeing in Banner's. The goth's eyes seemed even darker than before, like staring into an abyss. He possessed the same exhausted expression Tony would see Clint wearing after the alien invasion. Lastly, the blond military man's eyes had more in common with Thor's than Captain's, as they radiated power and seemed to crackle with electricity.

"So…" Tony began, trying to break the ice. He picked up a bowl of popcorn from the nearby table. "Popcorn anyone?"

The teenagers said nothing. Natasha facepalmed.

"Okay then, more for me," Tony continued. "Names?"

The three teenagers made eye contact with each other, a silent conversation going between them. The blond girl stepped forward.

"Annabeth Chase," she said.

"Nico di Angelo," said the goth.

"Jason Grace," said Thor 2.0.

"Tony Stark, but I guess you already knew that since you're in my tower and all," replied Tony. His face grew more serious. "Now tell me what you know of Persephone Jackson."

A/N: Thank everyone who is still here, reading this as I post them. And I am a terrible person. I apologized last time for the long update time, and I'll do it again next time I post, whenever that may be. I've struggled making time to write this, as my schedule is busy. I've got college apps, summer homework, two jobs, baseball, football, a girlfriend, and a social life to try and balance. I'm fighting through all of that in conjecture with a case of insomnia and mild depression. I know I'm not special in this case at all, and don't ask for any pity, just for understanding as to why it is taking me so long to write and post these chapters. For everyone who still follows me and still leaves reviews saying how much you love this story or question you still have, thank you. Everytime I see the notification it brings a smile to my face, knowing that I could hopefully do the same for you. Anywho, that's enough about me. Let me know what you thought of the chapter, and I'll work on the next one as I can.

Peace,

C.P. Nightshade