Chapter 39: Moving Into the Darkness

AN: Again, for some of the italicized bold that was something Rick said happened but I just put into Dialogue. Other pieced are original scenes based on what was said, like exact things of treatments in infirmary and Pollux's speech.

Nico interrupted. "Percy is going to mess this up so I'll explain. Daedalus didn't die a death like most of us. He had an animus that was supposed to be back in Hades long ago but he trapped it in different automatons over millennia. I released his animus. It wasn't killing him. More like turning the power off the machine."

"It wasn't suicide or murder," Percy agreed. "The only killing was done during the battle."

"And I'm wondering why the inventor couldn't wait until after you took care of your camp? There was work to be done and those who needed to be tended too," Reyna said with a raised eyebrow.

"We weren't the only uninjured ones," Percy reminded her.

"And we needed to stop Kronos's army from anything then," Annabeth agreed. "Other campers took care of each other and Chiron. Percy just made sure the clean up was a little more organized after."

"You mean you did."

"We all pitched in," Annabeth finished.

"Not fun," Tyson said sadly. "Cleaning is but a fight is not."

Several of them winced with flashbacks, to the fight at Brooklyn House, the Fight at Fenris's island, Aphophis's rise and fall, the battle of Manhattan, and then the fight against Gaea and the giants. Their reactions only got worse as the scene changed in front of him.

They had skipped to a clean camp and somber campers standing around a campfire. Several campers from the Apollo's cabin walked forward first and put a body wrapped in a plain golden shroud onto the unlit pyre nearby the campfire burned black.

Will's eyes widened with tears. On one side of him, Apollo put an arm around the living son next to him, even if they appeared the same age at the moment, just to remind him that he was still alive. Nico grasped Will's other hand and squeezed.

"I lost too many of you," Apollo frowned. "I've never been the best godly parent. I tried to claim as many of you as I can but I had lots of children and I've never been the best to most of them."

"Lee didn't think so," Will disagreed. "Neither did Michael. And most of the cabin agreed. We had fewer people switching sides than others. Maybe because after Lee we were all just too mad at the other side to give up."

"You were all too young for what you had to do," Apollo said sadly. "Lee was at least almost seventeen. Michael was too. And you…You're just—"

"Don't say I'm just a kid. Treating wounds through two wars and becoming a cabin head in the middle of one. I might be young physically but I'm not a kid. I don't think Lee blamed you for a thing. Neither did Michael or even me."

A teary-eyed Apollo camper stood in front of the crowd. He was short and his eyes were squinted, from tears or just naturally.

"Lee was my best friend, my closest brother, the best cabin leader any of us could ask for," Michael sniffled. "He was always looking at the future with giant plans and it took a giant to take those down. Now he'll never produce music or go to the Olympics. He gave that all up fighting bravely to save the rest of his cabin and his camp."

"How many dead?" Carter asked. All the casualties he had seen had been adults. Several of whom had lived very long lives.

"It all blends together," Percy said. "I think maybe ten or fifteen. Most of them I barely knew. Not even their names, just Lee's. Now I try and make sure I know every camper."

"You do," Will reassured him. "The younger ones never shut up when they hear you're coming to visit."

"Most of the younger ones aren't even there during the winter anymore," Percy reminded him. "Just summer. I think the youngest is Harley."

"Sounds right," Leo agreed. "I miss that kid. Though not his punches."

"You deserved it," chorused the entirety of the Greeks and Romans. Leo just pouted in response.

Several more shrouds were put down. The speeches were skipped through and the scene went back to normal time as a last shroud of purple and embroidered with grapevines was taken forward. A boy identical to the one Percy had seen killed by an enemy half-blood wept over the shroud giving it a last hug. Then he stood up and looked around.

"Castor and I… We've been here for three years. We were lost fourteen-year-olds…. Every moment…Castor… Oh gods, Castor…," Pollux choked. He sobbed and wasn't able to say anything as he took the torch and lit the pyre. All the shrouds were engulfed in seconds as the setting sun shone behind them.

"That was Bacchus's son?" asked Jason. "I met Pollux. I knew he had a twin. I just never knew what happened."

"Yeah. I think Pollux is at NYU now. I don't remember what he studies but he comes to camp from time to time."

The scene skipped. It was day again and Will was in the background directing others around as they treated all the wounded campers in the big house. Almost everyone was hurt. Those with fewer injuries helped out and treated each other with basic aid as the Apollo campers worked on those more wounded. Annabeth was seen rationing Ambrosia and Nectar which the Apollo campers gave to those who needed it most. Nico and Percy were seen arguing with the former in bed and the younger tried to get out when Percy pushed him back and said he needed to rest. Will walked over and handed him just the smallest amount of Ambrosia with a bright smile. Nico thanked him silently.

Percy glared at him again. "Sleep."

"Whatever."

Then Percy turned to Will. "What else do you need?"

"Wash and clean out people's injuries and then maybe some tools," Will said as he hurried to his next patient.

"Good," Apollo muttered. "I know how hard it was to keep working."

Will grinned back hearing the unspoken 'I'm proud of you all.'

The scene changed to the grove of the council of Cloven Elders. The elder satyrs sat in their rosebud thrones. Chiron sat nearby in his wheelchair and directly in front of them stood Grover with Juniper, Annabeth, and Percy at his side. Hundreds of dryads, naiads, and satyrs surrounded them watching anxiously.

"They couldn't put this off?" Magnus asked incredulously. "I'm all for the protection of nature and it's order but you had injured people."

"No. As soon as Chiron was said to be okay and just told to stay in his wheelchair for months they decided to hold the meeting," Juniper complained. "It wasn't fair. They wouldn't listen to my Grover."

"I didn't need them too," Grover told her. "Not anymore."

One of the Satyrs called for silence so they could make a decision. SIlenus yelled immediately. "Exile!"

"Hear out the evidence first," Chiron persuaded him. "Percy, Annabeth?"

"While we were in the Labyrinth the first time on the way to Lord Hephaestus's workshop Grover sensed the presence of Pan. He separated from us with Tyson," Annabeth started.

"When we were back in the Labyrinth running from Mt. Othyrs we came across them. Grover had passed out from the strong presence and we managed to wake him. Then we went into the crystal caves."

"Lord Pan sat there on a bed surrounded by grass, flowers and so much other flora it would take years to describe. The room was bright and felt like spring and there were several animals there that shouldn't have been. A wooly mammoth, a dodo bird, a Tasmanian tiger I believe—"

Percy continued describing Pan's words to them all and him dissolving with a bit more essence in Grover.

"Are they believing any of this?" Blitz asked.

"What do you think?" Grover replied.

Blitz just sighed in response.

Chiron then asked several satyrs to come forward. They described the yell Grover had made that drove the Titan's army away. Juniper was the last to go and when she finished her description she looked straight at the Cloven Elders and insisted it was Panic. Grover summoned the power of the wild god.

"I think everyone was a little panicked," pointed out Leo.

"Not that kind. The origin of the word" explained Annabeth. "Panic was the—"

"I guess it's finally going to explain it."

Annabeth nodded as she bemoaned this thing that stopped them talking again. It was annoying trying to continue to speak and finding no sound came from your mouth and then your lips couldn't move.

Percy asked Panic. Chiron explained during the first war with the titans Pan gave a horrible cry that scared away enemy armies. It is, Chiron started then moved to the past tense and said, was his greatest power. A wave of fear that helped the gods win. The word panic was named after that and Pan. Grover used that power calling it from inside himself.

"So you can do that now?" asked Alex. "You can just scream and spread that fear whenever you want?"

"No," Grover shook his head. "That's the only time I've done it."

"He could probably do it again," Annabeth theorized. "But the situation needs to be dire enough."

"When's that because there are at least five times I count as dire situations after this and it didn't happen," Percy asked her.

"I don't know! I'm just guessing."

"Really?" Percy asked nuzzling his nose into her hair. "You don't know?"

"Shut it."

SIlenus yelled that was preposterous. Sacrilege. Perhaps Pan had favored them with a blessing. Or Grover's music was so bad it scared the enemy away.

"Eh," Percy shrugged. "He's gotten better. I don't think he could scare anyone away with it now."

"Percy!" Grover bleated with mock hurt.

"Nah, you're a good musician goat boy. You just need better taste. Like Muskrat love, really?"

"Hey, it's a sweet song."

"Sure."

Grover calmly said that wasn't it. He continued that Pan had let his spirit pass into all of them. They had to act. Each of them had to renew the wild and protect what was left. They had to spread the word. Pan was dead. There was no one but them.

Thalia grinned at him again. "That's it Goat Boy. Speak up for yourself."

"Kind of needed to learn too after being around you and Percy so much."

"I'm so proud," Thalia sniffled and wiped a fake tear from her eye.

Silenus cried that he wanted them to believe that after two thousand years of searching? No. They had to continue the search and exile the traitor. Other older satyrs muttered in agreement.

"I guess it's hard to give up on hope like that after so long."

"It's asking them to give up on something they've wanted their whole lives, they're whole belief system and purpose in life for most of the."

"And that's why Grover was chosen for it. Because he was strong enough to agree with Pan and find something else to believe in and dream about. Letting Pan's legacy live on," Percy said proudly. "And he's doing a good job of it."

"Thanks, man."

Silenus demanded a vote. Who would believe the ridiculous young satyr anyway? A voice said I would and they all turned as Dionysus walked into the grove. He wore a black suit and a deep purple tie and violet dress shirt. His hair was combed too. His eyes were bloodshot and his face a little red but more from tear streaks than not drinking.

"Is he crying?" asked an incredulous Piper.

"Us gods can mourn too," Apollo told her angrily.

"It's just Mr. D…"

"He loves his children too," Percy said. "Even if he can't show it."

"His children lived at camp."

"But he wasn't allowed to talk to them. He found ways I think to show support and stuff but there was close watch," Percy said looking at Apollo. "From your dad, right?"

"I think so."

The satyrs all stood and bowed. Dionysus waved his hand and a chair grew out of the ground next to SIlenus's. A throne of grapevines. He sat and crossed his legs then snapped his fingers and a second later a satyr ran forward with a plate of cheese, crackers, and diet coke. The god looked around and asked if they missed him. All the satyrs nodded and bowed saying yes, very much, and called him sire.

"Do they do that all the time around him?"

"The Satyrs and D have a very special relationship," Apollo explained.

"Not all of us," Grover said. "I mean, not me, and I don't think Mr. Hedge. We still respect him though. We can't all be like Percy."

"Hey!"

"It's true," Frank interrupted. "Grover is right. I thought you were going to get us killed that way several times."

Percy shrugged. "Someone has to show them."

"It's a wonder you're not dead yet."

Dionysus snapped he didn't miss this place. He bore bad news. Evil news. The minor gods were changing sides. Morpheus had gone over to the enemy. So had Hecate, Janus, and Nemesis. Only Zeus knew how many more.

"They switched sides?" Carter asked.

"They wanted respect, same as the demigods," Percy explained. "Most of them are back on our side."

"They fought with us in the next war," Hazel agreed thinking of the two she had met.

"Also several of them are of Titan blood. Hecate for example. She's more titan than god herself," Annabeth said.

"That shouldn't matter," Calypso said again. "I've learned that."

"She hadn't. None of them had."

Thunder rumbled and Dionysus said to strike that. Even Zeus didn't know. Now, he wanted to hear Grover's story again from the top.

Everyone laughed when Dionysus had interpreted the thunder.

"Dad didn't know?" Jason asked.

"There's a lot of minor gods," Thalia shrugged. "The wind gods stayed on our side in this war. Hypnos, Morpheus, Hecate, Nemesis, and others didn't and the next war it was different."

"Well at least he wants to hear Grover out," Piper said with a gesture at Mr. D.

"At least," repeated Juniper with a huff. "They should all listen to him."

"I get what I can," Grover told her. "And it all worked out."

Silenus protested it was just nonsense. Dionysus's eyes filled with purple fire as he said he just learned his son Castor had died. He wasn't in a good mood. Silenus should do well to humor him. Silenus gulped and waved at Grover to start talking.

"Never thought I'd say this but thank the gods for Mr. D," Thalia gaped.

"He's slowly moved up on my list," Percy said. "Because he at least cares for his kids."

"Who's at the top?" Thalia asked.

"Hestia. Then Dad. I won't apologize to him for that."

"No, Hestia is the best," Nico said.

"I think all of us love Auntie H most," Apollo agreed. "I don't think your dad would be too mad as long as he's a pretty close second."

Percy shrugged. "Well, I'm not telling him any of that."

Grover finished his second explanation and Mr. D nodded. He said it sounded like the sort of thing Pan would do. Grover was right. The search was tiresome. The had to start thinking for themselves Mr. D turned to a satyr and yelled for him to bring some peeled grapes right away. The satyr yelled yes sire and ran off.

"Because that's thinking for themselves," snorted Sadie.

"Most of them learned," Grover said.

"I mean, imagine anyone telling Coach Hedge what to do," Leo said with a laugh sending a lot of the other Greek and Roman's into laughter.

"Well, I think he didn't need that order from Mr. D in the first place," Grover agreed.

"The god was right," Reyna said. "The satyrs just a little more competent than our fawns when I see this. If you could show them more about acting and working for themselves too I'd appreciate it."

"After I finish up in LA," Grover said. "While I'm still in California. Then I'm going home."

"Finally," Juniper sighed.

Silenus insisted again they had to exile the traitor. Dionysus said he said no. That was his vote. Chiron said he voted no as well. Silenus clenched his jaw and asked all in favor of the exile? He raised his hand and so did the other two old satyrs. He said three to two.

"I don't think that's what Bacchus meant when he said to think for themselves," Frank frowned.

"The council of Cloven Elders were idiots," Percy said simply.

Dionysus said ah, yes. But unfortunately for them, a god's vote counted twice. And because he voted against they were tied.

"He's moving up a little on my list too," Jason said incredulously. "I wasn't a huge fan after the Coliseum."

"Greek Vs. Roman."

"Dionysus then."

Silenus stood indignantly and yelled this was an outrage. The council couldn't be at an impasse. Mr. D set to let it be dissolved then. He didn't care. Silenus bowed stiffly with a frown and he and the other two council members left the grove. Twenty other satyrs followed. The others stood around and muttered.

"They believe you," Hearth signed surprised.

"It was the older generation that was the issue," Chris responded.

"Isn't it always?" snorted Sadie as several other people nodded wholeheartedly in agreement beside her.

"I'll have you know I'm an older generation," Nico pointed out.

"I still stand by it then," said Thalia who had agreed with Sadie before. "You're trouble."

"You're both old," Percy pointed out. "And I think it differs. Those guys were just stubborn old goats. The other satyrs and spirits were ready for change and to take a leap of faith. They weren't stuck like their leaders. Well, their old one. Their new one does pretty well."

Grover blushed.

Grover told them not to worry. They didn't need the council to tell them what to do. They could figure it out themselves. Then he looked around. With a grin and nod from his friends and girlfriend, he stood up straighter.

"We have to do what Pan said. He's not coming back. It's our job. We need to save the wild a little at a time. We work hard and work together and we can do it."

"Wow, good job Grover."

"You know," Thalia said. "It's kind of crazy. The little crew we were on the run when you picked us up, we've all gone so far. You were the same age when I woke up G-man but give it two years and you got that much older and became a leader too. I mean, so did Annabeth, Luke, and I, though he didn't do it in such a great way. But you lead every nature spirit out there."

"Not everyone."

"Most of them," Juniper said proudly.

"Definitely not the same satyr from that first quest," Rachel said.

"Yeah. He's not a coward anymore," Clarisse agreed.

"He was never."

"We need to start now. We'll start with three or four. One goes to national parks. One to find the last wild places, one to stay as protectors for now and another to take care of parks and spirits in big cities. Good?"

All the satyrs nodded quickly.

"Good plan," Carter said in agreement.

"It wasn't enough."

"It was a good start with what you had."

Grover pointed out different areas of the grove as designated areas for the jobs and told the satyrs to move to which part they wanted. Once the satyrs scrambled, several of them taking a while indecisively then Grover nodded. "Okay. Good. I'm going to move a few of you around. Gleeson, you think you could handle the cities? I think it might suit you a little better."

"Hey! That's Coach Hedge," Leo grinned.

"Yeah."

"Definitely right about that assignment," muttered Percy.

Grover moved a few more satyrs around. Annabeth looked over at Grover and said that Grover seemed to be growing up.

"You all are," Thalia said then wiped another fake tear away. "My little babies."

"We're all older than you now," Percy pointed out.

"Chronologically," Thalia reasoned.

"That's true."

"But definitely easier to see how you got here now," Jason said to Grover. "It was hard to recognize you during the first quest. You seem a lot different now."

"Not that different," Percy said. "He's always been the bravest satyr I know."

"What about Coach Hedge?" Piper asked.

"I'm not sure if it's brave or suicidal," Percy shrugged. "It's a different type of brave."

"Sounds right," Nico said. The other Greeks and Romans let out an array of chuckles, snorts, and an occasional giggle.

The scene changed to Tyson on the beach with Briares. Briares was building a sandcastle with half of his hands. The castle consisted of a moat, fortified walls, and a drawbridge. Tyson was drawing a map in the sand with one hand speaking as he did. He told Briares to go left at the reef. Then straight down when they see the sunken ship. The one mile east past the mermaid graveyard he'd start to see the fires burning. Percy asked if he was giving him directions to the forge?

"The Cyclops forge?" Leo asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, under the sea."

"So I can't go?" Leo sighed.

"I might be able to bring you there," Percy mused. "I mean, I'm not sure if I can bring people that far down. The pressure is…. It's…"

"Ehh, I guess seeing dad's forge or Daedalus's workshop through this is good enough for me right now."

Tyson agreed. He said Briares wanted to help. He'd teach Cyclopes ways they'd' forgotten like how to make even better weapons and armor. Briares said he wanted to see Cyclopes. He didn't want to be lonely anymore. Percy looked at the ocean and his voice was a bit cracked as he said he doubted Briares would be lonely down there. They were going to keep him really busy.

"What was that?" Jason demanded.

"What was what?"

"Your voice?"

"Oh," Percy said. "Dad's kingdom. I wanted to go."

Jason nodded. He wouldn't say anything about that. All of them wanted some type of recognition or affection from their parents. He knew for a fact Percy didn't feel so much of that anymore. He was fairly sure that he'd visited Poseidon's kingdom and that was it.

Briares face moved into a happy expression. He said busy sounded good. He only wished Tyson could go too. Tyson blushed under his hero's praise. He said he needed to stay there with his brother. Briares would do fine. He said thank you.

"Did you ever get to work with him?" Hazel asked almost cooing at how sweet it was.

"Yes." Tyson nodded with a huge grin. "Briares is my friend now. He teaches me a lot and I help him so he is not lonely."

Briares shook Percy's hand with each of his hands. He said they would meet again. He knew it. Then he gave Tyson a huge hug before wading into the ocean. It took a few minutes before he disappeared back under the waves.

"Do you ever see him again?" Blitz asked.

"Yeah," Percy said. "That's all I'm gonna answer though."

Percy clapped Tyson on the back with a proud grin. He said he'd helped Briares a lot. Tyson said he only talked to him. Percy said he believed in him. Without Briares they never would've taken down Kampe.

"It's true," Percy grinned again. "I can't count how many times I would have failed without you believing in me on our quests. Or in anything. Just that first year in school together I tried to keep it together for you."

"And Sally," Annabeth said with a reminder.

"And Mom."

"You believe in me too," Tyson beamed back. "Family believes in each other."

"Only a good family."

Magnus didn't hear who muttered that last thing but he looked at his own friends. "The best kind. The ones you choose on your own."

Tyson grinned and said Briares threw good rocks.

Everyone laughed.

"Really good rocks," Chris chuckled.

Percy laughed and said yeah. He threw really good rocks. Then he said come on and called Tyson big guy. It was time for dinner.

"Does that count?" Chris asked.

"Yes."

"I want the money jar then," Chris said as the blue jar appeared before him and he put a few bills in.

The scene picked up again at the end of dinner with Percy and Tyson at the Poseidon table. Percy was talking with Tyson but looked at the corner of the pavilion and the shadows where Nico stood concerned.

"Nico," Hazel sighed.

"I wasn't ready yet," Nico told her. "And I had some other things to take care of."

"Like what?" Jason asked.

"You'll see."

Someone from the Apollo cabin yelled singalong and the campers went to the amphitheater. Percy got up with everyone else but watched as Nico disappeared into the woods. He looked at the campfire then disappeared after Nico into the woods. Percy walked through the woods with Riptide out in pen form looking at the shadows under the trees sadly.

"What's wrong? You're on guard," Sam noted.

"A monster?" Zia asked. "A leftover who didn't run?"

"I don't remember any being around," Nico frowned.

"There weren't," Percy said. "It was just right after the battle. The woods never scared me before but I just thought of everything and all the death and destruction when I walked through. It's better now with time but that's what happens when you fight a war."

Finally, in the distance, there was a glow. Percy narrowed his eyes and walked forward and watched the ghost of Bianca smiling at Nico. She reached out to touch his face with a smile but her hand dissipated and she drew back. Her mouth moved but it wasn't hearable. Then she disappeared.

Nico stiffened a little more at the scene in front of him but his tenseness disappeared under the arm that Will wrapped around him and the kiss on his temple.

Nico turned and saw Percy. His face was shadowed, not mad but a little sad and wistful. There were some other emotions there too but they passed to fast. He told Percy hoarsely they were saying good-bye. Percy said they missed him at dinner. Nico could've sat with him. Nico said no.

"You need to eat," Hazel told him.

"I do."

"You didn't then," Reyna pointed out. "Now that you have a personal nurse that is different."

"And a doctor's note," Will added. "That's why he eats."

Percy snorted. "Sorry I wasn't good enough."

"I've already told you that you aren't my type," Nico told him.

"I don't care about that. But seriously, no more making any of us worry about meals like that. This was in the past but don't do it in the future," Percy said strictly.

"I'm not planning on it."

"Not like I would let him either," Will insisted.

Percy said Nico couldn't miss every meal. If he didn't want to stay in the Hermes cabin they'd make an exception and put him in the big house. They had plenty of rooms.

"You know that isn't it," Nico told him.

"I do now. I just wanted you to feel welcome. At home."

"The issue wasn't with camp but with me," Nico told him again. "I didn't think I could ever feel happy or at home."

"But you can," Jason cried out.

"I already do."

Nico said he wasn't staying. Percy said he couldn't just leave. It was too dangerous for a lone half-blood. He needed to train.

"What about you?" Piper asked. "Aren't you a lone half-blood?"

"I was living somewhere," Percy answered. "Nico was wandering. I had training."

"Several summers and some self-taught," Annabeth pointed out. "Nico was also just a few months and what he'd learned on his own."

"Same with me," Thalia interjected. "I feel like us Greek big three kids learn it well enough on our own."

"Which makes me wonder what you guys could have done with years of training. Year-round," muttered Piper.

"Either way," Percy interrupted. "What I was saying was less about training. It was Nico being safe and not having to be alone. He needed to know people cared about him."

"Trust me, with all the smothering I know that you guys do," Nico said with a glare all of them could tell wasn't real.

Nico said he trained with the dead. Camp wasn't for him. There was a reason there wasn't a cabin for the kids of Hades. He wasn't welcome here any more than on Olympus. He didn't belong. He had to go.

"No one say anything," Nico said glaring especially at Jason who was opening his mouth.

Jason closed his mouth then smiled. "Fine. Just that we love you."

"Oh shut it."

"That means he loves you too," Will interpreted. Nico sighed. He was welcome at Camp. Even with the reasons, he thought he wasn't. The Greeks pretty much were patrons of same-sex relationships and about his father, the campers didn't care. They weren't their parents after all.

Percy sighed. He looked like he wanted to argue but instead asked when Nico would go. Nico said right away. He had tons of questions. Like who his mother was, who paid for him and Bianca's things at school, and how they got out of the Lotus Casino. He knew nothing about his past. He needed to find out.

"I can sympathize with that a lot better now," Percy said.

"For sure," Jason agreed.

"You should have a club for amnesiacs," suggested Leo. "Seems like there's a lot of you guys."

"Many," Zia agreed to everyone's surprise. She still didn't remember everything from her Shabti's time with the Kanes.

Percy said it made sense. But he hoped they didn't have to be enemies.

"You didn't do such a good job with that," pointed out Annabeth who was probably the only one who knew most of the things that had happened.

"No."

"My fault," Nico said.

"It was both of ours," Percy said seriously. "Don't argue on that."

"When I was with you guys it didn't seem that way," Thalia frowned.

"Eh. It's all pretty complicated."

Nico looked down and said sorry he was a brat. He should have listened about Bianca.

"Just anyone but an insane ghost," begged Will.

"Anyone?"

"You know what I meant."

Percy said by the way and reached into his pocket. He said Tyson found this while they cleaned out the cabin. He thought Nico might want it. Percy held out the Hades figurine.

"That's the one from the junkyard," Thalia gaped.

"The one you threw and left at camp," Jason agreed.

"I kept it for him," Percy shrugged. "Just in case."

Nico reached for it then drew back. He said he didn't play that game anymore. It was for kids.

"You are a kid," pointed out Walt from next to him.

"You all are," Hearth signed with Blitz nodding.

"Not me," Thalia interrupted. "Or Grover."

"Clarisse and I are in college," Chris pointed out.

"And I'm millennia old," Apollo argued.

"As am I," Walt said. "Or part of me."

"And I'm actually technically 80 or so," Nico said to finish off.

"Mostly," Blitz amended as Hearth nodded.

Percy said in a teasing voice it had four thousand attack power.

"You're going to be an awesome big brother," Annabeth said to him again.

"Nico's different than a baby."

"Ehh," Thalia said from next to them. "I beg to differ."

Nico automatically corrected five thousand. Only if their opponent attacked first though. Percy smiled and said maybe it was okay to be a kid once in a while. Then he tossed him the statue. Nico caught it and looked at it for a few seconds before putting it into his pockets and said thanks.

"You didn't actually take that advice for a few years," Percy told him.

"I bought more games and packs," Nico said.

"Not what I meant."

"I get it. Just promise me that you'll remember too."

"I'll try."

Percy held out his hand and Nico waited a second before shaking. He said he had a lot to investigate. He started to say some of them… then he paused and said if he learns anything useful he'd let Percy know. Percy looked confused but nodded and said keep in touch.

"You did good enough with that," Percy commented.

"What did you mean though?" asked a confused Frank. "About finding things."

"You know you'll see," Percy told him. "But useful, that's a bit of an understatement."

Annabeth snorted. "A little."

"No seriously. Nico changed half the stuff in the war with what I saw," Percy said.

"What?" Nico asked.

"I've seen all of it," Percy told him. "Sorry, didn't mean too."

Nico shrugged. "Too late now."

Nico turned into the woods and the shadows got darker. Percy watched sadly and turned around when a voice spoke and said there was a very troubled young man.

"What's with all the one on one meetings?" asked Magnus.

"Just happened."

Magnus scoffed.

Percy turned and saw Mr. D. He said to walk with him. Percy raised a brow suspiciously.

"That's sketchy," muttered Sadie.

"What does he want with you?" asked Juniper surprised.

"Yeah. Why would Mr. D seek you out?" asked Will.

"It always surprises me."

"Always?" Reyna questioned.

"I can't answer that."

Mr. D said just to the campfire. He was beginning to feel better so he thought he would talk with Percy a bit just because he always managed to annoy him.

"Now that sounds like D," Apollo said.

"But he's just using an excuse to talk to Percy," muttered Thalia. "Weird."

"Very," Grover agreed.

Percy hesitated then said thanks.

"You sound unsure."

"I'll take it. It's flattering when gods find me annoying. Or irritating. Or stubborn."

Annabeth groaned at him.

Percy started to walk back. Next to him, Dionysus trod on air. Percy gave it a strange look for a second then let it go.

"That's so weird," muttered Sadie.

"Ehh," Alex told her.

Sadie's eyes widened. "What?"

"Later."

Carter, Sam, and Magnus exchanged worried glances again.

Mr. D said they'd had many betrayals. Things weren't looking good for Olympus. But he and Annabeth had saved this. He wasn't sure if he should thank him for that.

"He said my name right?" Annabeth asked surprised.

"I didn't even hear. I was just shocked by the conversation."

"Did he just almost thank you?" Nico gaped.

"I think he tried. That's if it didn't mean more work at Camp."

"He complimented you."

"As I said, Mr. D moved up on my list. Though I'm not sure about Bacchus. Sometimes the roman form is better and sometimes it isn't. I like Mars better but I like Bacchus less. Mr. D isn't too bad at times. I think he just pretends to hate us."

Clarisse frowned at him. "Really?"

"Reminder is right next to you."

Clarisse looked at Chris then glared at Percy. "Don't."

Percy said it was a group effort.

"You always say that but none of us would be here if not you."

"And I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for pretty much all of you," Percy replied.

Mr. D shrugged and said regardless it was mildly competent what both of them did. He thought Percy should now it wasn't a total loss.

"Mildly competent?" Rachel asked.

"I'm flattered," Annabeth said flatly.

"You should be with that coming from D," Apollo said.

Annabeth ignored him.

"What did he mean? It was not a total loss in the least. Your camp was saved," pointed out Calypso.

"He was talking about a few other things. And how I felt about the deaths and Daedalus."

They walked into the amphitheater and Mr. D pointed at the campfire were Clarisse was grinning at Chris who was laughing at a joke he'd just told.

"You were cured?" Jaz asked him.

"I mean I'm right here."

"I meant then."

"I was. And luckily most of Camp was understanding. If not Clarisse was there."

She grinned at him proudly. "All those punks deserved what they got."

"I won't argue this time," Percy said.

Percy turned to Dionysus and said he'd cured him? Mr. D answered that Madness was his specialty. It was quite simple. Percy said that he did something nice. Why?

"We're gods," Apollo reminded him. "That means we have a lot of facets."

"You know what I meant."

"No, I don't."

"Whatever."

Mr. D. raised an eyebrow and said he was nice. He oozed niceness. He called Percy Perry Johansson and asked if he hadn't noticed. Percy paused and made a thinking noise. Mr. D continued that perhaps he felt grieved by his son's death. Perhaps he thought that Chris deserved a second chance. At any rate, it improved Clarisse's mood.

"He got our names right," Chris gaped.

"My mood?" Clarisse snarled.

"Ignore that. He paid enough attention to know about your mood," Piper told her.

"What about it?"

"I told you he cares," Percy said with crossed arms and a satisfied smirk. "I think he just tries to distance himself. I think the gods all need too. We're mortal. We fade quickly and to them it…"

"Yes," Apollo agreed. "We care."

"Mr. D watches demigods train and go to war. He lost a son, I think he felt more generous and caring to others then because of it. Just sometimes. He's still Mr. D."

Percy asked why he was telling him this?

"A real answer then. Finally."

Mr. D sighed and said Hades if he knew. But remember that a kind act could sometimes be as powerful as a sword. As a mortal Mr. D was never a great fighter or athlete or poet. He only made wine. The people in his village laughed at him. They said he'd never amount to anything. Now, look at him. Sometimes small things could become very large indeed. Mr. D disappeared and Percy looked at Clarisse and Chris singing alone and smiled.

"That's cryptic."

"What does it have to do with anything?" Leo asked Percy.

"I don't know. Actually, kind of. Either way, it was great advice."

"I'm just always super weirded out when anyone talks about Mr. D as a demigod," Thalia shivered..

"I'm just more curious about that advice still," Annabeth frowned.

"Just go with it," Percy advised. "That's what I do."

"I feel like that's your life motto. Along with the still really cryptic advice."

AN: Muskrat Love mentioned in Demigod Files. Italicized parts are elaborated from summarized Riordan scenes.