Whoop, here's some Hazel and you guys have to wonder what's up with Percy and Archie for another day! Hahahahah.
Replies:
Weirdhead: Honestly, Reyna and Bianca are both being idiots about it.
Lori234: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Am I evil? Am I? Maybe, maybe I am.
Loki the necrogod: I have got some thoughts but I won't say too much at the moment.
Quip Scarlet: I mean, she would have deserved it lets me honest.
Collins: Whoop, I may be kinda evil huh? Since she's now alone with him.
The Official Clarisse: So random right? Percy's just there like 'I have a very bad feeling but I do not know why and I do not like it- but also something about him is oddly familiar and comforting' because he knows that those things would remind her of Annabeth and Rachel. I do love a twisted evil dude. And yes he no longer has the curse of Achilles and he still has her necklace- though that won't come up again yet.
Guest: Reyna's still got those pesky feelings for Jason- which are more her thinking that's what she's supposed to do, which complicates things a lot. Bianca has things for girls who she thinks wouldn't be at all interested for various reasons. Hehehehe. And you must wait and see.
JjlovesPJO: HAHAHAHAH. But Bianca doesn't actually know- she feels suspicious but as you will see in this chapter she doesn't want to consider it possible- after all she doesn't know he's the one who followed them back, but she does suspect- but also she has no legitimate reason to stop them.
Drizzle: I mean, I really hope you don't like him, and don't worry, she'll be in the Fifth
Oujiswan: He is definitely an asshole I'll say that much.
Undeath9087: Yes I do- and he does have some brains I must admit, it's a great way to try and make Percy let her guard down- though as you could tell she could almost sense that something wasn't right.
PJ Fan285: Heheheheh. Am I evil? And yeah, I have some rough plans for eventually but I can't fully promise.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: In some ways- but not in others lol.

Hazel watched Percy go before she turned her head to look at Bianca, who looked- it was hard to say- when she'd first seen Percy it had been like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and Hazel had noticed how tense Bianca had been lately. It had started in April- Bianca had looked like she'd been crying before one of her visits but she'd refused to explain why. It wasn't like her sister so Hazel had been worried about her. And she'd become almost obsessed- any new arrivals and Bianca wanted to know all about them. She'd been waiting for Percy Hazel was sure. But something had unsettled her with Archie.

"Is everything okay Bianca?"

"I-" Bianca hesitated "Has he been claimed yet?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"I- it's probably nothing I just-" Bianca seemed deeply worried but she shook herself, "It can't be. We'd- I'd have known if it was I'm sure. Dad would have- it's fine. Percy will be fine. I'm wrong I have to be."

"You really know her?"

"I do." Bianca nodded, "I've known Percy for a few years." she gave a tight smile, "I wish I could explain more, to both of you. But- if there's one thing I do know is that you can trust Percy with your life."

"Really?" Hazel raised an eyebrow, "That's pretty high praise-"

"Yeah." Bianca gave a sad smile, "Percy's special Hazel. My advice would be to get close to her- you'd much rather be her friend than her enemy-" she snorted, "she makes a lot of those-"

"I thought she was going to hit Octavian earlier."

"Hm." Bianca frowned, "What happened? He didn't cut up her panda?"

"She asked him not to." Hazel pulled a face, "The way he was looking at her Bianca- I don't like it. It was like-"

"Was it a 'sizing her up as a threat' kind of look or was it a 'she's a very attractive girl who I want' kind of look?"

"A mix of both."

"Oh great." Bianca snorted, "That's gonna end badly- hopefully he'll lose interest. The last thing she needs is to have to deal with another creep."

"Another creep?" Hazel jumped on the clue, "Was there some other guy?"

"Yeah." Bianca gave Hazel a slightly strained look again, "Yeah there was. He- she went through a lot. More than most people would be able to stand." she paused, "I shouldn't say this but- in certain ways she's like you." and that made Hazel freeze, her eyes going wide.

"You mean-"

"Yes." Bianca grimaced, "I was asked to bring her back by someone- Lady Juno intercepted us when I first did bring her back. She- I think she was tempted to stay but Percy's always been too good for her own good. If there's people she can help she'll do it. She took her memories, and I cannot say any more than that Hazel." And Hazel felt as if she'd been struck.

"She doesn't even know does she? Is that why you looked like that when she said about you telling her family? Because-"

"They're not worried- they miss her but they're not worrying because they don't know she's alive." Bianca looked almost like she was about to cry. "It isn't fair- none of this is, for either of you. Both of you deserve better."

Hazel winced at that, looking away. "I don't-"

"Hazel-" Bianca laid a hand on her shoulder gently, comfortingly, "Listen believe me. I know how hard this is- though for the record none of what happened was your fault, but you do have a second chance now. To make things right."

"How could you possibly understand?"

"I-" Bianca hesitated before sighing, "There was a fight- don't ask me for details, I can't give them. But at the time I was desperate for information about my mom. I couldn't remember her. So I refused to leave the Underworld- dad wouldn't leave me down there alone because it was too dangerous and I think- he worried about me." there was a sad smile on her lips, "He didn't want to leave anyone else with me because back then- I wasn't bad with my powers but I didn't exactly have much practise. And he didn't trust anyone else to guard me. The only person he might have trusted to- he couldn't stay with me- he wasn't willing to stay away from the fight." she stared after where Percy had left. "Sometimes I wonder if I hadn't been such a brat- would Percy have-"

"It was the fight that killed Percy?" Hazel's eyes widened. And that explained some things while causing so many more questions.

"Yes." Bianca closed her eyes, "If we'd have come sooner- I know it probably wouldn't have helped but- you can't help but blame yourself for things like that. So I get it Hazel." she gave a wry smile. "You should tell Percy- that girl will forgive anything honestly- and she's good at making people feel better about things. You'd do well to have her as a friend."

"Were you friends?"

"We-" Bianca paused, "I think so. Kind of. It was more complicated than that-" her eyes darkened- and not for the first time Hazel found herself wondering what Bianca was thinking of. She'd overheard Bianca on the phone a few times talking to someone she called Nico- Hazel didn't know who he was but- well, even just being on a phone was weird. Demigods couldn't use them but Bianca had told Hazel that her's was specially designed for Demigod use- and she'd sworn Hazel to secrecy about it. "I'm sure Percy will explain once she remembers her past."

"But you won't-"

"If I did then Juno would- it would be bad okay." she reached out, ruffling Hazel's hair- which made Hazel yelp and duck away, her face flushing.

"Bianca!"

"Sorry." Bianca didn't look sorry, she looked amused, nostalgic even. As if she'd had a similar interaction dozens of times. "Anyway. The point stands Hazel. You deserve a second chance. A chance to make things right."

"Nothing about this is right," Hazel said. "If they find out the truth about me—"

"They won't Hazel." Bianca said firmly, "And if they do- you have done nothing wrong- talk to Percy. Get her on your side. Believe me it'll be the best decision you've ever made. I have been on the wrong side of her before, it's not a nice place to be." she grimaced.

"Did she hurt you?" Hazel's brows furrowed, a rush of concern filling her. Bianca would deny it but Hazel was fairly sure that between the two of them, she was the oldest, so while Bianca clearly was trying to fill a big sister role Hazel often found herself looking at Bianca as if she was younger- which was ridiculous because she knew that Bianca was no weakling. But still- she didn't like the look on Bianca's face when she'd said that.

"She was grieving and she didn't mean to. That's the curse of being a big three kid." Bianca gave a bitter smile, "We're dangerous if we lose control- Percy moreso than most
honestly." she hesitated, "If I'm being honest she might be one of the most powerful demigods in history- though she'd argue otherwise knowing her."

"Seriously?" Hazel frowned, "But how haven't we heard of her before then-"

"It's complicated Hazel." Bianca wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "I really do wish I could explain. But it wouldn't go well if I did. But- like I said. You should try and get as close to her as you can."

"You really think she wouldn't judge me for it?"

"Oh she'd probably beat the shit into anyone who did judge you." Bianca smiled and shook her head. "And- make sure when the quest comes- and it will come they won't have a choice, make sure you go with them- Percy will, even if she's not asked to she'll come along-" there was another amused smile on her lips- as if she was remembering something funny. "You'll prove yourself Hazel, never doubt that."

And Hazel leaned into Bianca's side- she was willing to admit that as much as she'd never had a sister before, she was grateful to have one now- Bianca was strange and secretive but Hazel never for even a second doubted that she was safe and loved as long as she was around her. "So it's true. About Death. Is Alcyoneus to blame?" the name felt bitter on her tongue, and she forced back the memories- the voice- Bianca squeezed her closer- she'd clearly noticed the way Hazel had started to curl in on herself.

"I'm sorry. But yeah, it's getting bad in the Underworld. Dad is going crazy trying to keep things under control. From what Percy said about the gorgons things are getting worse up here too. But look, that's why you're here. All that stuff in your past—you can make something good come out of it. You belong at Camp Jupiter."

That sounded so ridiculous, Hazel almost laughed. She didn't belong in this place. She didn't even belong in this century.

She should have known better than to focus on the past, but she remembered the day when her old life had been shattered. The blackout hit her so suddenly, she didn't even have time to say, Uh-oh. She shifted back in time. Not a dream or a vision. The memory washed over her with such perfect clarity, she felt she was actually there.

It was always horrible- and this time was no different- the memories of her last say with Sammy- of her father and her mother- the start of the real nightmare. It had gotten so much worse after that- everything that she regretted most had happened after that.

When it ended she swayed slightly, Bianca had shifted- they were sat down in front of Pluto's shrine- there were diamonds all around them both and Bianca was gripping her shoulders tightly, eyes wide and shining with concern. "-Zel. Hazel can you hear me?" and Hazel blinked rapidly, trembling. Her eyes stung from crying.

"S-sorry-" she almost whispered the words but Bianca cut her off by lurching forward, wrapping her arms around her tightly.

"Hey- hey it's okay. Don't say sorry it's not your fault. Where were you this time?"

"My mother's apartment. The day we moved." Hazel's voice was barely a whisper as Biance smoothed her hair out of her face- and not for the first time Hazel found herself wondering what happened to her sister.

Bianca wasn't just a good sister- from the moment they'd met Bianca had been playing the role of big sister as if she'd been doing it for a lifetime. No one was that good naturally so clearly she'd had another sibling. But she never spoke about them, and Hazel didn't want to ask.

Hazel was pretty sure that Bianca's other sibling must have been younger because Bianca always positioned herself as the big sister even if Hazel was a good few months older than her.

"It's okay Hazel." Bianca's voice was soothing. "Have you managed to get any control at all? I know they're not your fault but- I- it scares me to think that you could get hurt in combat if you had a flashback then."

"I know." Hazel swallowed hard, "I am trying Bianca I swear-"

"Hey-" Bianca shook her head, "Don't get upset." she tapped Hazel's nose, a weak smile on her lips, "I think it's a side effect from... you know. Your time in the Underworld.
Hopefully it'll get easier." Hazel wasn't so sure. After eight months, the blackouts seemed to be getting worse, as if her soul were attempting to live in two different time periods at once. No one had ever come back from the dead before—at least, not the way she had. At least, not until now.

"Bianca- does- does Percy get them too-" and Bianca winced.

"I don't think so. I don't know if it's because of her memory loss or..."

"Or what?"

"Your situations are different." Bianca sighed, "You were in Asphodel. Percy was in Elysium.

"What?" Hazel's eyes widened, "She-"

"She got Elysium for her actions when she was alive. I went there to get her out. It's a long story Hazel but- it's different."

"What did she do?"

"I-" Bianca winced, "I wasn't there- but she made a huge sacrifice to save everyone." she met Hazel's gaze, "Like you did Hazel-"

"I- I can't go north again Bianca." Hazel shook her head, "If I have to go back to where it happened."

"You'll be fine." Bianca stated firmly, "You won't be alone Haze, you'll have Percy with you. If I had to choose one person to go with you- one person for you to have by your side, to protect you it would always be her."

Hazel remembered what Pluto told her long ago: A descendant of Neptune will wash away your curse and give you peace.

Was Percy the one? Maybe, but Hazel sensed it wouldn't be so easy. She wasn't sure even Percy could survive what was waiting in the north. "Where did she come from?" she
asked. "Why do the ghosts call her the Greek?"

Before Bianca could respond, horns blew across the river. The legionnaires were gathering for evening muster.

"We'd better get down there," Bianca said. "I have a feeling tonight's war games are going to be interesting." she looked like she suddenly wanted to laugh.