After picking our damp eyed, mush-ball, weepy selves off the floor we decided we should leave a depilated Control Room. With our combined strength the five of us pushed open the heavy wooden door. We nearly toppled over since the door was wedged shut.

The Sphinx's head of golden brown, hair spray sticky hair popped up. She looked frazzled at the sight of us. Making her face into a mask, she raised an eyebrow, "So Joy's recruited you? That was fast."

"Not really," Sadie corrected tiredly.

"She-she didn't let you go, did she? She's ruthless, even in body of five to six year old." The Sphinx said disbelievingly.

"No, Joy's not that forgiving. She's currently floating around in the Underworld, waiting to be thrown to some terrible monster." Arissa laughed mirthlessly, a wild look in her eye. I gulped, hoping she wouldn't do anything rash.

"She's dead? No not…" the Sphinx instantly forgot us and frantically tapped something into the keyboard. Suddenly, crews of everything from the elegant, polished Hesprides to the rough around the edges Cyclopes dropped into the room. Of course standing right in the middle is our favorite villain Alex. I groaned; my head spun in circles just looking at him.

He surveyed us coolly, never directly meeting my gaze. A very large, angry part of me wanted to re-brake his nose, but I rooted my feet into the ground. Arissa, on the other hand, has less self restraint. She tensed, her vibrant blue eyes flashing, I grabbed her wrist before she could lunge.

Shane was having similar difficulties whispered to me, "Can I kill him?"

"You don't even really know him!" I hissed back.

"So? You don't like him and that good enough for me."

I smiled a little, "As sweet as that is no killing people, Shane."

"The Boss has fallen! We must escape!" the Sphinx cried hysterically.

"Why?" asked Alex harshly, "Wouldn't it be better to stay?"

"No, you foolish boy." A Hesprides snapped.

"Sisters were we mistaken in offering the godling immortality?" another asked.

Alex gulped nervously. "Ladies, let not be rash-"

"We'll keep the boy, sisters." One of them decided, "He could be useful."

Alex sprinted over to us. "Luna, I'm sorry…. for everything. I made a mistake and I can't fix it."

"You can say that again," Arissa muttered savagely.

"I apologize to you too, Rissy." His voice softened at her old nickname.

Arissa stood still as stone. Her eyes and face were unreadable.

Damon's eyes locked on mine and he whispered, "One…two…three!" in perfect unison with Arissa's sharp slap to Alex's face.

"That hurt." He reeled back then mumbled, rubbing the sore spot on his cheek. "You both want to kill me don't you?"

Neither of us spoke.

"Don't you?" he demanded his voice rising, "I thought, I thought you'd both forgive me…But, that just proves how stupid I am, doesn't it? I can't believe…"

"Alex," I started my voice echoing off the sickly yellow walls.

"Kill me." Alex interrupted harshly. "Do it!"

"What? I-Don't…Alex, no!" I sputtered helplessly.

"It would be easy. You have a dagger." He looked at me with those eyes- eyes I'd known for almost as long as I can remember. In them hidden with the hurt, anger, and, confusion was a little glimmer of the little six year old boy I used to know. If I killed Alex, even though he was now morphed into some I barely recognized, I would kill the sweet kid I used to know.

I felt as if I was choking on air. Taking deep even breathes I shook my head vigorously. "No."

The Sphinx screeched out, "Everyone go, go!"

The Sphinx rocketed over to a plain grey elevator, her red high heels poking the ground. She tapped the buttons while the remaining posse followed her in with disgruntled murmurs. Suddenly the doors snapped open and she began shooing everyone in. Alex's eyes locked with mine for a second and we both nodded, then he left to get into the elevator. We just had come to an understanding, the closest to being friends we would ever get after his painful betrayal. Strangely, I didn't blame him anymore. If I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't what I would've done in his place.

Once everyone was piled inside the doors snapped shut and it took off, disappearing entirely except for the electrical hum. I blinked then looked back at my friends. They all looked as stunned as I'm sure I did.

"So, I guess we can go back to Camp now." It felt strange to say that; I didn't have that feeling of closure that signified the quest was finished. It seemed like it was ages ago when the entire quest entailed was getting five newbie demi gods and herding them back to Camp. Even that plan got derailed. Kristen had joined the Hunt, we still had Shane, Sadie, and, Nathan was safe at Camp. And our last charge the cheery Matt Huller. Zeus only knows where the poor boy is now. Mostly likely he was trapped in a leftover prison of Joy's. I cringed guiltily, I knew that in would be foolish and impossible to rescue him now, but I still felt responsible.

"Wait! Rachel said," Damon blurted out. He recited it carefully:

"The half-bloods shall seek five of their kind,

Ignorant to the danger they shall find,

Demi gods, monsters, and, a rebel found,

To face the great hell hound."

Mentally, I dissected Rachel's prophesy.

The half-bloods shall seek five of their kind.

We did find five half-bloods, but we lost one.

Ignorant to the danger they shall find.

Truthfully, we ran head first into the quest, deaf to the warning. And there was danger.

Demi gods, monsters, and, a rebel found.

As I said, we found who we needed to, there were plenty of monsters, and either Alex or Kristen could be the rebel. Maybe even both.

To face the great hell hound.

"Wait, great hell hound?" I said aloud. We all stared at each other in shock.

Of course, for everyone else the hell hound would be hidden and forgotten, but ours had the good manners and courtesy to come bounding in, foam at the mouth.

"Nice going, Luna." growled Arissa.

So? How did I do? I honestly am not sure of my feelings on this chapter. Reviews are appreciated.