Hello Lovelies! Here's the next installment…please enjoy and remember that I don't own PJO no matter how much I wish I did.

Keyx groaned and shook his head. Whatever had been in that orb was more power then he had ever felt.

"Sorry about that," a laughing voice said from overhead.

Keyx merely groaned, his eyes still shut as he tried to calm the rolling of his stomach. "Here," the voice said. "This should help."

Cool hands were pressed to Keyx's forehead and he instantly felt better. He opened his eyes to see almost a mirror image of himself standing there except this one had black hair. The mirror image smiled. "Hello there."

Keyx didn't know what to say, so he just sat there no doubt looking quite dumb.

The mirror image snorted behind his hand and then glanced back at Keyx. "I know this is confusing, but we don't have a lot of time."

Keyx blinked. "What do you mean?"

The mirror image sighed. "I know what's happening." He glanced over at Keyx, "if we don't do something, then there won't be a world to save."

Keyx closed his eyes as he was reminded of what was happening. His mirror image was right. He opened his eyes, "I thought that's what I was doing when I grabbed the energy."

The mirror image nodded, "that was only one part. There is a way to bring me to life without having to give up your body. It's long been forgotten but I know." He bit his lip, "it won't be easy and it will most likely be painful." He glanced over at Keyx, "but only you can do this. Will you help?"

Keyx nodded. "What do I have to do?"

His mirror image smiled, "just be yourself."

Before Keyx could do anything, his mirror image moved forward and grabbed Keyx's hand. Keyx swallowed his yell when a small cut appeared on both of his palms and again swallowed his voice when their hands were pressed together.

His mirror image began to chant as he pressed his forehead into Keyx's and soon their breathing became one. Keyx could feel the magic in the air and for one minute, it was like they were the same person.

All of a sudden, Keyx was slammed back into reality. He couldn't stop the scream that escaped his mouth. It felt like everything inside of him was being pulled apart and put back together. When it was all over, his breathing was labored and he glanced over to his right to see his mirror image laying next to him with his eyes closed.

The young man slowly opened his eyes. Bright blue orbs that shone with a hidden power glanced around the cavern, slowly coming to a rest on Keyx. He smiled, "well that was a doozy."

Keyx scowled, "what did you do?"

His mirror image sighed, "I basically took half of your body but infused it with my DNA." He grinned over at Keyx, "just think of me like your twin." He wiggled his fingers, "do you remember me pressing our palms together?"

Keyx nodded.

His twin smiled, "well we shared blood…we're one and the same. We have a connection no-one else on Earth has. You shared your body with me, so I shared my power with you."

Keyx closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I know it might be a little confusing," his twin began. "But…this was the only way I could think of without actually taking over your body. I'm sure your mother will be pleased."

Keyx swallowed, "so…what do I call you then?"

His twin grinned, "well I don't really like Darrius so why don't you name me?"

Keyx pursed his lips, "what about Jace?"

Darrius or Jace's smile grew, "I like it." He turned to Eros and Ophion, "my name is Jace." He frowned, "don't call me Darrius ever again."

The two gods were standing there with matching shocked looks on their faces. Jace sighed. He stepped forwards and snapped his fingers. Instantly both Eros and Ophion blinked. Eros arched his eyebrow, "what you did was…foolish."

Ophion sighed, "you do know what it means…do you not?"

Jace closed his eyes and nodded. "I do and I don't regret it."

Keyx wasn't sure what was going on. "What," he reached over and grabbed Jace's arm, "are they talking about?"

Jace gazed down at Keyx who inwardly frowned at the height difference. "The reason this ritual was forgotten was because…if one of us dies…then the other one will die as well."

Pontus frowned as he gripped the window sill under his hands. He couldn't describe it but something was coming.

He could feel it.

He curled his lips and turned away from the window. He crossed his arms with a scowl, "I know you are there Achlys. You can't hide from me here."

The shadows within the room shook slightly as a young woman appeared. She tossed her dark hair over her shoulder and came to stand next to Pontus. Her lips formed a smirk as she crossed her arms and she gazed at Pontus. "Pontus. How…delightful to see you," she mused.

Pontus snorted, "don't be so fake." He smirked down at her, "I know why you're here."

Her lips pouted, "you do?"

Pontus leaned down and pressed his lips to her ears, "and if you think I'll let you kill me, then you have been asleep for too long." Before she could say anything, he slipped his ice dagger into her side.

She snarled and pushed him away, holding her hand to attempt to stop the golden blood that flowed down. "You…," she bit down on her lip and raised her arm. A dark mist shot out heading straight for Pontus, but he was faster.

He waved his hand and a wall of water formed in front of him blocking the spell. He teleported behind her and pressed his dagger against her throat. "You never could win in a fight." Before Achlys could say anything, he sliced her throat.

He let go of her body and it fell to the floor where it landed with a soft thud. A few seconds later the body disintegrated into dust.

"Erebus! Ananke!" He shouted as he strode from the room. He willed the water of the ocean to surround him and his armor formed to his body as he moved.

The two instantly formed behind him.

Ananke bowed his head, "what is it?"

Pontus stopped and turned over his shoulder, "bring me the twins. I have a plan."

Erebus crossed his arms with a slight frown. "And what do you plan to do with them? I thought they were vital to your cause?"

Pontus smirked. "They were until they weren't. I have a much better plan."

There was a clamor of noise as the two were brought in rather roughly and thrown at Pontus' feet. Julian glared up at Pontus, "I told you…we will never help you."

Pontus bent down and yanked Julian's hair back causing Julian to cry out in pain. "You'll help us wether you want to or not." He glanced up, "do you have it Nyx?"

She appeared in a haze of shadows. She grinned, "of course. Straight from Tartarus himself."

Erebus's eyes widened as he caught on. "Sneaky Pontus." He grinned, "and just perfect. They won't know what hit them."

Julian shared a glance with Juliet before he glanced back at Nyx. He could barely make out some sort of small silver object in her hands.

Pontus grabbed it and before Julian could do anything, Pontus stabbed him straight in his heart. Julian hissed as whatever was in the syringe was pushed straight into his heart and when it was over, Pontus threw him down on the ground where he lay gasping for breath.

He glared up at Pontus, "what did you do?"

Pontus's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he leaned down to hiss in Julian's ear. "You have 48 hours to deliver Olympus to me." He leaned back, "if not…well then you can say goodbye to everyone you know."

He snapped his fingers and Juliet flew into his arms. Pontus roughly turned her around and wrapped his hands on her throat. "And incentive…should you fail…not only will you lose your life but so will she."

Pontus snapped his fingers and before Julian could move, he was falling.

Will was sitting by his desk rubbing his forehead. He had a headache from fighting with Nico yet again. His husband was being stubborn and he refused to listen to Will.

The only thing keeping Will in his office was the fact that he knew there were wards around the island that kept people from leaving.

Nico wasn't going anywhere.

The whole situation with Julian and Juliet added to the tense situation with Percy. There was a tense atmosphere within the camp that he hadn't felt in years. Thankfully, he wasn't the only one. Annabeth was worried as well with Keyx disappearing.

"Will! Come quick!" Adrian's voice yelled.

Will stood up and ran out of his office and stopped when his eyes landed on what everyone else was staring at.

"Julian," he said as he rushed forward. His son was breathing hard and when Will met his eyes, he could tell that Julian just wasn't his son anymore. His eyes were older…held more then any teenager's eyes should hold.

Julian's hand reached up and grabbed his dad's sleeve. "Dad," he whispered. "Call…" he coughed violently causing Will to yell out orders to one of his brother's or sisters. Julian pulled his sleeve making his dad turn to face him. "Grandfather…call him."

Will frowned. Right now, Julian needed to be taken to the infirmary but something told him to listen.

He snapped his fingers and summoned a golden orb that floated in front of him. "Dad. I need you at camp. It's urgent."

The orb flared and seconds later, Apollo stepped through a golden gate. His eyes widened when they landed on Julian. "What happened," he asked, rushing over and kneeling down next to Julian.

"Pontus," Julian wheezed. "Tartarus…" was all he could get out before his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed in Will's arms.

Will glanced over at his dad only to frown when he noticed how pale Apollo had gotten. "Dad," he said. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Apollo closed his eyes. "Julian's been poisoned with the blood of Tartarus. It's the most potent poison you can find and works in days." He glanced down at Julian. "I would say that Julian only has 48 hours until…"

He trailed off and Will paled.

"Is there an antidote?" Will turned as Nico stalked forward and crossed his arms, glaring at Apollo.

Apollo sighed, "there's only one known antidote. The tears of Chaos are the only thing that can save Julian."

Nico clenched his fists by his sides, "then where can I find them? Just tell me," he growled.

Will grabbed his arm to hold him back. "Nico. Don't," he warned.

Apollo shook his head. "That's just it." He gazed over at Nico, "you can't just go and get the tears of Chaos. They can only be found once every thousand years. And to find the tears requires you to be pure of heart."

He stared at Nico, who in the end had to glance away.

Will put his hand on Nico's arm, turning to his dad. "Is there anything we can do?"

Just as Apollo was about to open his mouth, a voice cut him off. "We'll go."

Everyone turned to see none other then Keyx walking forward. Next to him was another young man who strangely looked just like him but with black hair.

Annabeth stepped forward, "Keyx. Where did you go? You know you can't leave the island."

Keyx ignored Annabeth and looked straight at Apollo. "We can do it." He turned to the strange man, "right?"

The young man closed his eyes and sighed. "If it's what you want then I guess we can take a detour."

Keyx hit the young man in the stomach. "Julian is my friend. Of course I'm going to do everything I can to save him."

The young man's shoulders dropped. "Very well."

Annabeth opened her mouth to comment when Melody pushed through the crowd. Her blue eyes grew wide when they landed on the young man and she reached out with a hesitant hand. "…Darrius?"

The young man wrinkled his nose. "My name is Jace." His gaze softened though as he regarded the ex-hunter. "It's good to see you…mother."

Melody ran forward and threw her arms around Jace and Keyx had to hold back his laughter at the look on Jace's face.

Jace frowned and threw a rude finger gesture behind Melody's back but it only made Keyx laugh harder.

After a few minutes, Melody pulled back with a slight frown. "I don't understand though." She looked between Jace and Keyx. "I thought…"

Jace shook his head. "I know you're confused and I promise I'll tell you later but right now we have more important things to deal with." He glanced over at Apollo, "you can put him in a stasis…right? That should help keep the poison from spreading."

Apollo nodded. "That's correct."

Jace nodded back, "then do that." He glanced over at Chiron, "from Julian's illness I would expect an attack to happen soon. You need to be prepared."

Chiron nodded and barked orders for everyone to meet at the pavilion. Annabeth hung back as did Will, Nico and Melody.

Apollo closed his eyes and scooped Julian up in his arms. "Will. Let's go. I'll need your help."

Will nodded and turned after his father but not before squeezing Nico's hand. Nico turned to both Keyx and Jace and bowed his head. "Please…save them."

Keyx was slightly taken aback. He'd never known his Uncle Nico to be so humble but he guessed it had something to do with being a parent. He startled when he felt his mother's hand gently touch his shoulder and Keyx turned to his mother and she had such a depressing look on her face that he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"Don't worry mom," he whispered. "I'll be okay." He pulled away and met her eyes, "I promise I'll save dad's soul."

Tears ran down Annabeth's cheeks as she slowly nodded and Keyx nudged her over to Adrian who put his arm around her shoulders and led her off.

Keyx then looked over at Jace who had said his goodbyes to Melody and the two of them nodded. Jace held out his hand and the minute that Keyx touched it, they vanished.

Whew! I'm finished. I hope you've enjoyed the next chapter…stay tuned.