DISCLAIMER: I totally forgot about this for like the past two chapters. I DON'T OWN PERCY JACKSON. I REALLY WISH I DID THOUGH

Chapter 9

RYAN

Ryan hated talking to people. Specifically any god. Yet, here he was, conversing with Apollo, the sun god: the man who had prophesized his beloved friend's downfall.

"What have you been up to, man? Seems like forever ago that I last saw you." Apollo addressed Ryan, grabbing a drink from a nymph whizzing by.

"Fifty years to be exact." Ryan didn't trust the refreshments on the table, "Fox and I have been on missions." He turned to Percy, "Then we picked up our third member, two years ago."

Percy shot Ryan a smile, which he didn't return. Ryan didn't smile. Not ever.

"Fox came and found me," he pointed out, "You were a grouchy, old man back then."

Ryan allowed amusement to flash onto his face, "And you were a young, clumsy demigod." He pointed out.

Apollo chuckled at them, gazing into the distance. Ryan followed his line of sight and saw Fox, talking to the satyr he had been threatening, "Pretty thing, isn't she?"

Ryan moved into Apollo's line of sight, blocking Fox from view. Percy looked at him, confused, but Ryan just crossed his arms, "She's not one of your conquests." He snapped, his temper rising.

Fox was his most constant companion. For a hundred years, they had trained and fought together. They always had each other's backs. This time was no exception.

Apollo smirked arrogantly, "They all fall for me eventually." He stared at Ryan, who refused to budge. The god's eyes grew brighter, dancing with the fire of the sun.

"Not when you prophesized her death." Ryan spat.

Apollo looked mildly surprised, "Her death?" He shook his head, "I never prophesized her death. Only her downfall."

Percy looked bewildered at this point, "Whoa, whoa. She's going to die?" He asked in a low voice, "That's not possible. She's the best warrior the universe has ever seen!"

Apollo nodded, "I'm not disagreeing with you there, buddy. I've seen her in action." He suddenly looked very dreamy, and Ryan fought the urge to pummel him. Or maybe that was Ares' doing. Ryan moved away from the war god that had just stomped over, Aphrodite, giggling.

"You the assassins of Chaos, punks?" Ares growled, Aphrodite fawning over him as he did so.

Ryan wanted to wrinkle his nose, "Lord Ares. Always a pleasure." Ares looked at him, his eyes smoldering. He was probably trying to detect any signs of sarcasm, but Ryan knew he was too dumb to pick it out.

Ares turned to Percy, the flame in his eyes growing brighter. Aphrodite giggled, "It's you isn't it? I told you, bunny!" She turned to Ares.

Ryan tore his gaze from the pair. He glanced at Percy, who was gripping his pen tightly.

Aphrodite let go of Ares and advanced on Percy, "Percy Jackson," she smiled, "It's been a long time since I've had a good love story."

Percy tensed, his eyes narrowing, "You said you'd make it hard," his voice was rough, "But I never expected you to be this cruel."

Ryan glanced at the goddess to see if she had taken any offence. She hadn't, but Ares did.

"Listen here, you little punk-" He began loudly, drawing the attention of everyone around them.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ryan saw Fox start their way, an angry scowl on her face.

"Bunny, it's okay." Aphrodite soothed, "He's just angry because Annabeth found Tybalt."

Percy was nearly shaking with fury. Ryan placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping to comfort him. Fox came up on his other side and gave the boy a one-armed hug.

"I think you've done enough." Fox told Aphrodite coldly, "If I were you, I'd back off before we decide the gods aren't worth our time."

Aphrodite gasped, a perfect hand coming up to her perfect mouth. She looked exactly like a Barbie doll. Fox looked smug.

"Whatever your real name is – Fox, I can make you fall in love with a bear if I wanted to!" she calmed down, "We'll see what your love life looks like." Aphrodite huffed and exited dramatically, Ares trailing behind her like a lost puppy.

Fox rolled her eyes and turned to Percy.

"You okay, Trident-Boy?" Fox asked, letting go of Percy's shoulders.

He nodded numbly, glancing around at the demigods again, "It's just…" he lowered his voice, "I've been seeing her all night with that-" he stopped himself, glancing self-consciously at Apollo, who raised his hands in surrender.

"I get it, man. I'm going." He said, shooting Fox a wink and a gleaming grin. She glared back furiously, her hand shooting to wear her fob watch rested. Apollo shot her a terrified look and skedaddled.

"Let's go someplace quiet, yeah? We can go to camp if you want to." Fox said, concerned.

Ryan nodded, "I'll let Chiron know."

Percy shook his head, "No. Let's just walk around outside for a bit."

The three lonely assassins slipped out of the throne room and into fresh air. Ryan exchanged a look with Fox, mutually agreeing not to push the boy too hard. After all, Ryan thought to himself, Percy was only an eighteen year old boy with teenager-y problems.

"There was this girl." Percy started, hollowly, "and she left me when I thought she loved me."

Ryan had gathered this much already.

"She was my world." Percy continued, then turned away angrily, "That's it."

Fox reached over and placed a comforting hand on his back, but he shrugged it away and marched off into a garden.

Ryan suddenly had a feeling that he was some old father or something. He didn't like it.

Fox and Ryan stayed, staring after their friend.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Fox asked, worry evident in her emerald green eyes.

Ryan nodded, tapping his fingers alongside the sheathe of his sword. He had chosen his blade nearly two hundred years ago, not bothering to get a magical one. He always felt too bare without his sword pressing into his side.

He spotted a park bench and headed over to it, Fox following behind him.

"You know what Lord Jerk-Face said fifty years ago?" Fox asked, nervously putting a hand in her pocket. Ryan knew she was running her thumb along the strange etchings on her fob watch.

"Apollo?" Ryan clarified, amused.

Fox shrugged, "Same difference. Do you remember?"

Ryan's mood lowered, "Yes. How could I forget?" He retorted.

Fox closed her eyes, hugging her legs to her chest, her fob watch in her hand, "Do you think it's true? It's going to happen soon?"

Ryan didn't say anything for a long minute. He gathered up his thoughts and sighed through his nose, "It doesn't matter," he growled, "Percy and I will be with you all the way."

Fox opened her eyes and grinned, "Where else would my boys be?" She suddenly jumped onto her feet and took off, shouting, "Catch me if you can!"

It was an old game they played, where Ryan would try to tag her, always unsuccessfully.

Ryan smiled to himself for the first time in ages, then quickly glanced around to see if anyone had saw. Then, he stood, excitement pounding in his veins – not that he would ever say so.

"I'll get you this time!" He shouted, his voice laced with laughter.

A/N: Mehhh... Not my best chapter, but I woke up extra early just to post it!

Lately, I've been writing really late at night... Maybe that's why... hahah anyway, I hope you guys liked it!

ANYWAY: REVIEWS!

annabethgrace6: Thank you! It means so much to me that you were smiling all the way through! :D

the Oracle of Akemi: Thank you for reviewing!

Both of you made my day :D

Next time:

Whoo! WE'RE GOING TO CAMP! Will anyone recognize Percy? OH HI NICO!

Please review! Every time someone does, I feel like jumping around screaming at the top of my lungs!

LOVE YOU ALL MWAHMWAH

-ALICE