CHAPTER 2: GUESS WHO'S BACK.
1 year later…
''Yes Marshall, I just brought him into custody'' the young officer spoke into the telephone. He sat at his desk in the Redstone County jail in Oklahoma, casually dipping a donut into his coffee, his recent arrest sitting behind him on the bench in handcuffs, silent.
''He's just a teenager, about 16. Said he was all the way from Los Angeles, heading to New York. Uh, Marshall he also admitted to…apparently murdering his 12 year old sister'' the officer continued.
''Did he now?'' the Marshall asked. ''He just a teenager? What's his name?''
''About 16 from the looks of it…won't tell me his name'' the young officer said, taking a chunk out of his soggy donut, spilling coffee drops and crumbs onto his paperwork. Unbeknownst to him, the arrested teenager quietly slipped his handcuffs from underneath his legs, so they were now facing in the front and walked up behind the unsuspecting cop.
''Alright Marshall, I'll write it down as a possible crime of passion…yeah, I got it covered.''
In one swift motion, the teenager wrapped the chain of his handcuffs around the throat of the police man and pulled back, yanking him out of his chair. The surprised cop spilled his coffee and tried to reach his gun but the teenager was stronger, pulling the chain harder across his throat, cutting off air supply and fell backwards, taking the gasping officer with him, who struggled in vain, eyes bulging, face red as the life slipped from him. The attacker smiled as he felt his victim's struggling cease. He had nearly forgotten what it was like to feel the last breath of air leave a vessel.
Once the cop stopped struggling, he got up, unlocking the bloodied cuffs and answered the dangling telephone.
''Hello?'' asked the Marshall on the other end of the line. ''Officer Randy, you there?''
Brushing his short, blonde hair to the side, he spoke into the phone. ''Hey there'' came a raspy voice which did not sound like that of a 16 year old boy. It sent shivers down the Marshall's spine. It sounded otherworldly. ''Marshall.''
''Who are you?!'' he demanded.
''Oh Marshall, I have a confession to make. Its been millennia, but I remember my sister like it was yesterday - long black hair, olive skin and the prettiest smile ever for the daughter of a corpse god– daddy's perfect angel. I still remember her dead eyes when I drove my spear into her. It's funny you called it, 'crime of passion' but there wasn't any passion to it. I knew I was going to Hell. Your officer is there right now'' the teen answered, casually playing with the telephone cord.
The Marshall had no clue what the little psychopath was talking about with gods, but he had just murdered one of his officers. ''Now you look here, you son of a bitch. You damn right you going to Hell for what you did!'' the Marshall yelled angrily on the phone.
''Where do you think I came from? No, I've spent enough time there and I am not going back. Not yet'' the boy calmly responded. ''Oh and…my name? Call me Eric.'' He shut the phone down.
Two hours later, red fire trucks and wailing police cars circled the smoking building like coyotes around a deer carcass. The authorities had reached the custody holding just in time to see it ablaze and the fire department had to be called. The fire destroyed the camera footage in the building and had burned the dead officer's body beyond recognition. The Marshall looked up at the blackened gap in the ceiling, as though a bolt of lightning had shot down from the sky and seared a hole through the building.
''Mother of God…'' a young officer next to him said, her eyes wide in shock at the gaping hole.
''She had nothing to with this…'' the Marshall commented.
A few weeks later…
PIPER
Piper awoke in her bunk, the familiar scent of designer perfume greeting her nose; as was the case in the Aphrodite cabin. Rolling her head to the side, she looked at the cabin window. Pretty roses sat in pots upon the window sill, radiant red in the sunlight, their thorns gleaming wickedly in the morning glare. A distant memory came rushing to her, like deja vu – the son of Jupiter knocking on the glass at midnight, asking her to come to the rooftop of the Zeus cabin for stargazing and a romantic kiss. For whatever reason, she half expected her to see him there.
No, stop it, she silently told herself. Shaking her head, she got out of bed and changed from her night clothes into a pair of shorts, sneakers and an orange Camp Half Blood tee. Braiding her hair with a harpy feather, she stepped out of her cabin and walked over to the mess hall. As she ate her eggs and bacon, she tuned out her sibling's conversations on camp gossip, though she couldn't help but overhear their whispers of the recent break-up. Her eyes drifted over to the Apollo table, where Will Solace sat amongst his siblings, dejectedly playing with his fried eggs with his fork.
It had been two weeks since the camp's power couple, (after Percy and Annabeth had left for college) Nico and Will, had ended their relationship. She could relate. Piper and Jason's break up had at least been amicable but this one was bad. It had been two weeks since they had broken up. Just yesterday, Nico had taken permission from Chiron to go visit Hazel in Camp Jupiter. The Hades table sat empty in the mess hall.
As she was finishing her dinner, she caught a glimpse of Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the camp oracle, frantically run up to Chiron at the head table. She looked alarmed about something and appeared to be talking urgently to him. Piper couldn't hear what was being discussed but it sounded important. Chiron put a hand on her shoulder and said something. She calmed down a little bit, but still looked tense. Across the mess hall, she locked her sea green eyes with Piper and a nervous chill settled on Piper. She remembered her first day in camp when Hera sent a message to Piper through Rachel. She still had nightmares of green mist coming out of her mouth and speaking in another voice like she was possessed.
Hm, wonder what that's about, she thought as she continued eating.
After breakfast, she walked over to the forge to see Leo. As she crossed the canoe lake, she saw a pair of Naiads splashing water at a couple campers on the pier. Looking at the lake, a distant memory came rushing back to her, the day she had first arrived at Camp Half Blood in a flying chariot which crashed into the water. Seemed like it was decades ago. A year had passed since Piper had returned to Camp Half Blood, occasionally visiting her dad in Oklahoma. When she'd first returned, it had been hard. No matter where Piper went in the camp, she saw his face. She relived all the memories they had together. Piper was the sentimental sort, even if her sentimentality caused her pain, but she had adjusted here. Life went on.
She stopped by the forge, where the burly Hephaestus kids hammered away, crafting weapons and armour. Next to the building, Festus the metal dragon lay on the grass, bronze scales gleaming in the sunshine, his mouth propped open like a crocodile's, revealing multiple drill-like teeth which could tear the arm off a grown cyclops. His master was undeterred, lying flat inside the automaton's lethal maw, only his skinny legs poking out. Sparks flew out from inside as if he was welding something.
''Leo'' Piper called. He did not respond.
''Leo!'' Piper repeated, louder. The son of Hephaestus probably couldn't hear her because of the welding and the sound of pounding metal from within the forge. Sighing in frustration, Piper grabbed the boy's shoes and pulled him out.
''AHH, WHAT THE FU-!'' Leo panicked, struggling. Piper dragged a screaming Leo out of Festus's mouth, breaking into a laugh as Leo looked around bewildered, accidentally bonking his head on the dragon's upper jaw. He looked ridiculous with his crazy-looking curly hair, welding goggles, apron and gloves, his magical tool belt around his waist over his jeans and white t-shirt. His face and clothes were splattered with soot, grease and oil his and his left eyebrow was on fire. He looked like a steampunk mad scientist.
''Very funny, Pipes'' Leo said grinning, rubbing his head.
''Whatchu doing?'' Piper asked, patting Festus's snout. The dragon blew steam from his nostrils like a kettle with teeth.
''Oh, just finished some repairs. I'm gonna take a break now'' he said, wiping the soot off his face with a rag, before tossing it towards Piper mischievously.
''Did you get a chance to talk with Will this morning?'' Piper asked, crossing her arms and leaning against the side of Festus.
Leo fiddled with a piece of wire absently. ''A little bit…I think he's doing better than he was a week ago. He's started to laugh more.''
Calypso came walking up to them, holding two glasses full of red liquid. She wore jeans, a beige t-shirt which read 'Lutheran High-school'. Her cinnamon hair was tied back in a green bandana and her face and clothes were flecked with grass and mud as if she'd picked a fight with a lawnmower. Her feet were bare.
''Hey'' she greeted. ''Just got done helping the satyrs and the Demeter kids out with the harvest. Got some fresh strawberry juice for you.''
''Ah yes, just what the doctor ordered'' Leo claimed, wiping sweat off his forehead and happily taking the drink, ice cubes clinking against the glass.
''You better drink up Valdez. Fresh fruit juice is good for you. Better than those energy soft drinks you keep getting!'' Calypso chided.
''Hey, I'm a big boy! I need my caffeinated beverages!'' Leo protested.
''Cal's right, Leo. You of all people do not need any more caffeine'' Piper concurred. Even by demigod standards, Leo was seriously ADHD. His hands were never still. Calypso had recently been trying to get him to eat healthier.
Leo rolled his eyes. ''Alright fine, mom!'' he retorted, sipping his strawberry juice.
''Hey guys!'' someone called.
Everyone turned to the source of the voice to see Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the camp's resident oracle running towards them. The mortal girl wore blue jeans scribbled with random doodles in gold marker and a green t-shirt with a mosaic of some Roman emperor (which Piper did not like). Her frizzy red hair was tied back in a crimson ponytail and was barefoot. Those artistic types had a knack for walking without shoes. She looked like she had been in a hurry.
''Hey Rachel, what's going on?'' Piper asked. She had gotten really close with the oracle the past year. They'd hang out in arts and crafts together or occasionally smoke up in the oracle cave. They would often converse in French with each other and joke around. Rachel took a moment to catch her breath. Her green eyes looked worried.
Calypso frowned in concern. ''You okay?''
''Chiron wants to see Piper and Leo right now. It's urgent!'' she stated.
''What's going on, is everything okay?'' Leo asked.
Rachel paused, glancing nervously at Piper. ''That remains to be seen.''
They all speed walked over to the Big House. They went inside and there sat Chiron in wheelchair form. Seymour the leopard head turned to watch them as they entered the room. Next to the camp instructor on the sofa sat Will. In his jeans, flip flops and orange camp tee, a stethoscope crookedly hanging from his neck like a tie, he looked like a Florida doctor. Hovering above the table was an Iris message, the form of Frank Zhang shimmering in the rainbow.
''We're here, Chiron'' Rachel announced, tossing a sausage into Seymour's mouth which seemed to please the mounted leopard head.
Chiron looked lost in thought, his brown eyes distracted. In his blue, collared shirt he looked like a college professor. ''Ah, good you're here'' he said.
''Hey amigo, how've you been?'' Leo exclaimed, grinning madly at New Rome's praetor, spreading his arms as if he was going to hug the rainbow.
''Frank, it's so good to see you!'' Piper greeted. The son of Mars looked nervous. His eyes were etched in worry. Nonetheless, he smiled.
''Hey guys, I'm good.''
Chiron cleared his throat. ''Praetor Zhang, tell them everything you just told me before I called them here'' he said.
''What's going on?'' Will questioned.
''I'll explain that…You guys should have a seat. Something happened this morning at camp'' Frank started ominously.
They sat down. Piper poured herself some tea. Leo tried to grab a can of diet coke (probably part of Mr. D's stash) but Calypso slapped his hand away.
Frank sighed deeply, running his hand over his scalp. ''Let me start from the beginning. This morning in camp, while everyone was still asleep, there was a massive earthquake. Everyone rushed outside into the rain. Hazel tracked the source of the tremors to the field of Mars. There, in the rain…we found Nico there. He was badly wounded and barely conscious but-''
''Wait, what?!'' Will exclaimed, blue eyes wide in concern. ''Is he okay? Is he-''
''Don't worry, Nico's fine. We patched him up in the infirmary. He's unconscious for now but Hazel and Reyna are with him. But you won't believe who the attacker was…'' he said, trailing off.
''Guess who's back…'' Rachel asked, leaning with her arms folded against the wall. It sounded like a rhetorical question. She looked at Piper and though her face looked wary, she smiled a little - the sort of smile that implied there was a bit of good news in what seemed like a unpleasant situation.
''Wait what, what do you mean? Who's back?'' Piper asked.
''Who attacked him?'' Will asked.
Frank sighed, shaking his head in dumbfounded amazement, before looking them dead in the eyes. ''Jason Grace'' he stated. ''He's back.''
The answer to her question hit her like a ton of bricks. For a moment everyone was silent. The look of abject shock and disbelief was evident on everyone's faces. Piper looked at Chiron and Rachel. Both of them looked dead serious. They were serious.
Will ran a hand through his golden hair, looking flabbergasted. ''Huh..?'' he muttered in shock. ''Wait, what?''
The tea cup dropped out of her hand and broke on the ground, causing Seymour to snarl. How…what? He was dead. She knew he was dead. She was there when he died.
''Wha…how? That's…that's not possible. He's dead. I was there when he died! Nico talked with his ghost!'' Piper said in disbelief.
''I know, my dear…but Frank is telling the truth'' Chiron stated calmly, his eyes sympathetic.
''Guys, I swear on the river Styx, he is back. I am not joking. He's here at Camp Jupiter'' Frank promised as Leo got up from his chair and began pacing in astonishment. Calypso blinked in surprise. Piper couldn't believe it. Oh my gods…
Rachel nodded. ''He is…I saw what happened in a vision before the message came. I ran to warn Chiron. I saw Jason attack Nico in the field of Mars. He just came out of nowhere and tried to kill him. That fight was nasty but Nico managed to render him unconscious'' she added.
''Wh-what-wait, hold on a minute! Time out! What do you mean, he's back?! How is he back? And why would he attack Nico di Angelo?'' Leo demanded.
Frank spread his big hands helplessly. ''I don't know! We're just as confused as you are. We found his unconscious body a few feet away from Nico. Right before he passed out…Nico told us he'd been possessed by an eidolon.''
''Those nasty ghosts that possessed me and the others!'' Leo yelled, smacking the table, making Calypso flinch.
Piper nodded. ''I remember'' she murmured. This was all happening so fast. She felt such sheer disbelief that this was even happening…
Calypso chimed in. ''I don't understand how he could be back from the dead… Hades would never allow anyone back.''
''You're right'' Chiron agreed. ''But this isn't the first time people who should be dead suddenly and inexplicably return. Sisyphus, Hippolytus, the Triumvirate, all the Underworld escapees from when the Doors of Death were reopened…even Leo and Hazel. It can be possible. We just don't know how yet…'' Chiron said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
Piper looked at Frank. ''Where is he right now?''
''He's in one of the holding cells. If there is an eidolon inside him like Nico says there is, we can't take any risk letting him out…which is why we need you guys to come over here right now. Piper you were the one who forced the eidolon out of him last time. You and Nico-''
He glanced at Will. ''- Once he's recovered, you two need to excise that thing out of him'' Frank finished.
Piper took a deep breath. This was really happening…
''Piper, Leo, you should start packing immediately'' Chiron said.
''We'll take Festus. I just finished his repairs. It's the fastest way there; a couple hours most'' Leo said, his fingers drumming the table like a piano in excitement.
''If you want anyone else to come with you, you can ask them'' he added.
''By the way, Hazel contacted Thalia as well. You'll have to pick her up on the way there. She'll send you a message where'' Frank remarked. Though his voice was serious, a thin smile began to spread on his lips. In spite of the situation, somehow the other, Jason Grace was back.
There was a chance she could see him again…
''I'll see you there then…we're gonna get our friend back'' he promised, his smile broadening, before waving his hand through the rainbow, ending the mission.
''I have faith'' Chiron started, his eyes kind and supportive. ''That you will be able to force that spirit of the Underworld out of him. You've done it before and once Nico is up and about…'' he stopped to give a reassuring nod to Will, who played with his stethoscope in worry. ''His powers over the dead will help banish him.''
Piper nodded, energy beginning to surge into her. She felt restless, probably how Leo felt most of the time. ''I will'' she promised.
''May the gods be with you'' Chiron said, before his kindly, old expression changed to be a bit more cheerful. With a wee smile, he said, ''Now, go get ready. Your friend awaits.''
Hope filled Piper. A small laugh escaped her mouth. She looked at everyone in the room – Will, Rachel and Calypso, all looked worried about the situation but smiled, knowing that their friend could come back.
She faced Leo and they both burst into joyous laughter and Piper threw her arms around him in a hug. Chiron chuckled as they both hugged and laughed. One way or another, they were going to meet Jason again.
A few hours later…
''How much longer'' Thalia asked, her eyes shut tight in fear, as she clutched onto the sides of her seat. They sat atop Festus as he soared through the clouds, hundreds of feet in the air. Piper sat in front of her and had been trying her best to calm the daughter of Zeus down. She did not handle heights that well.
''Should be there any moment now!'' Leo answered from up front where he sat at the reigns. They had made quite the incredible pace, flying cross country in a few hours. Calypso rested her chin on Leo's shoulder, snaking her arms across his waist. Her cinnamon-toast ponytail whipped about in the wind like a flag.
''So what's our plan to fix your friend? How are we going to go about this?'' she asked.
''Frank said Jason is in custody right now. Piper did it last time, where she charmspoke a bunch of those things out of us on the Argo 2. Assuming Father Nico is recovered, him and Mother Piper are gonna perform an exorcism'' Leo answered jokingly.
Thalia opened her eyes for a moment, careful not to look down. ''Piper, are you sure you can do this?'' she asked. She wore silvery camo trousers, hunting boots and a black tank top. She'd a blue streak in her hair.
Piper squeezed her hand and nodded. ''I'm sure. I've done it before and this time Nico will be there to help me. We're going to see him again'' she assured. Piper wished she could charmspeak herself. A weird tension swirled around in her gut. It wasn't altitude sickness. She felt excited to see Jason, but also a little nervous. Her thoughts were interrupted when Leo took a sharp turn to the left; the dragon tilting a little and Thalia yelped and squeezed Piper's hand so hard it hurt, though she had to admit, seeing the usually badass Thalia scared of heights was a little funny.
Coach Hedge, who sat behind Thalia, looked down and whistled appreciatively. ''Well the clouds have parted. You can see the Berkeley hills below us. Pan's pipes, we're high up! Those redwoods look like ants! Imagine falling from this height, you'd become a bloodied stain the moment you hit the –''
''Coach!'' Thalia yelled. Gleeson Hedge wasn't exactly helping sooth her fears. The old satyr had insisted on coming. In his green polo shirt, baseball cap and yellow whistle he looked ready to coach the L.A Lakers.
''We're here'' Leo announced. Sure enough, Camp Jupiter came into view. Ringed by the Oakland Hills, the valley was at least twice the size of Camp Half-Blood. The Little Tiber snaked around one side and curled towards the center like a capital letter G, emptying into a sparkling blue lake. Nestled at the edge of the lake, the city of New Rome gleamed in the sunlight. Half a mile west stood a Roman fort atop a hill.
''Hold onto your butts'' Leo said and spurred Festus. The dragon dove downwards, beginning their descent. Thalia tensed up as they dipped down and flew over the city rooftops. Festus let out a massive mechanical roar, no doubt frightening some of the inhabitants. As they flew into the fort, the Camp Jupiter residents gathered around, holding weapons. Festus flapped his massive bronze wings as he prepared to land.
''EARTHLINGS! I COME IN PEACE!'' Leo shouted, doing a peace sign as Festus landed onto the gravel with a thunderous thud. A crowd of boys and girls in armour and purple t-shirts eyed the metal monstrosity cautiously. Festus blew a breath of fire into the air, making the Romans flinch and a couple fauns running away in fear yelling, ''Please don't eat me!''
Piper spotted Hazel pushing through the crowd, Reyna and Nico right behind her.
''Guys, it's okay'' Hazel said, calming everyone down. Her heart warmed to see her old friend. The praetor of New Rome wore her golden armour over her purple camp shirt and jeans, war medals pinned to her chest and a red praetor's cape. Festus lowered his head and they began to disembark. Leo, being the extra sort that he was, slid down the dragon's tail, Flintstones style and landed right in front of Hazel, grinning like a lunatic.
''Hey guys, we're here'' he greeted.
''Show off'' Hazel remarked, smiling. There were hugs and greetings all around. Percy and Annabeth had joined them as well. Both wore their purple New Rome college shirts and jeans. Reyna looked relatively the same as last time Piper saw her; tall and graceful with glossy black hair, in her purple camp tee and jeans, no doubt because of her time with the Hunters. She'd just recently learned from Thalia that the former praetor had resigned.
Piper may have resented her mythological roots but she loved her friends. It felt good seeing everyone again after so long. The old band's back together again, she thought. The atmosphere suddenly took a darker turn when Annabeth asked, ''Whoa, Nico what happened to your eye?''
Piper hadn't noticed it before but an ugly new scar ran vertically across his right eye. It was recent. If anything it made the son of Hades look even more intimidating, in spite of the fact that he wore the same purple Roman T-shirt instead of his usual black attire. She had asked Will if he wanted to come, but the son of Apollo had rejected, saying it was probably best he and Nico don't see each other for a while.
''Jason'' he replied darkly. Everyone took a moment to consider this. Once again, the real reason as to why she was here dawned on her, her stomach bubbling with anxious anticipation. Seeing the ugly evidence of Nico and Jason's morning duel filled her with a sense of dread. She remembered when she had to stop Jason and Percy from killing each other back in Kansas when the two boys had been possessed.
''Jason did this to you?'' Leo asked, shaking his head in disbelief. ''No way…''
''He's not himself, Leo. He has been possessed by an eidolon'' Annabeth told him.
''Eidolons…'' Percy growled. ''I hate those things.'' Piper knew Jason wouldn't hurt one of his closest friends but whatever was inside him, wasn't the Jason she knew.
''Where is he'' Piper asked, desperation seeping into her voice.
''Yes, where is my brother?'' Thalia demanded, her eyes stormy with emotion.
''He's in the Principia, in one of the holding cells. Frank's keeping an eye on him'' Hazel told her.
Thalia fixed her electric blue eyes on the daughter of Pluto. ''You locked him in a cell?'' she asked incredulously.
''Only temporary'' Nico answered. ''He nearly killed me this morning. Until we make sure he isn't a danger to others and himself, we can't take any risks.'' Thalia folded her arms but nodded understandingly.
Reyna put a hand on her shoulder. ''Don't worry. You'll see your brother again'' she comforted. Jason's sister shot her a grateful look. Piper remembered all the funny stories the three of them would exchange on the son of Jupiter. ''Thanks'' she answered.
''We should go there now. Follow me'' Hazel instructed. Some of the excitement dimmed after seeing Nico's scar. They wouldn't be meeting Jason, but whatever Hell-spawn was controlling him. Nonetheless, Leo rubbed his hands excitedly.
''Alright then, let's go do an exorcism!'' he exclaimed, grinning.
They walked over to the Principia where there was already a crowd of Roman demigods gathered. Hazel shooed them away, ordering them to carry on with their usual business and they dispersed. Piper couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for Hazel. She remembered all the times Hazel told her about her time in Camp Jupiter before Percy arrived. Now here she was running the place.
Upon entering, she saw Frank at the table, similarly dressed as Hazel in praetor attire. He was scowling, face clouded with thought. When he saw us, his face lit up. ''Hey guys, you made it!''
He rushed over and met everyone. Same old jolly Frank.
''So, where's Jason?'' Leo asked. His fingers tapped his jeans excitedly. Frank's expression darkened. ''Right this way. He's alright but we're not sure if that eidolon is still inside him. We're going to need Piper and Nico to make sure if it's gone or not.''
This was really happening. Oh gods…
''Huh.'' Coach Hedge hefted his Louisville slugger. ''Well, the last time he got possessed, didn't a good whack over the head knock the spirit right outta him? I got my baseball bat, maybe-''
''Coach, no! We're not going to cause him any head trauma. That won't solve the problem. We have to force them to leave and swear never to come back'' Hazel refuted. Piper agreed. The image of the crazy old satyr smacking Jason upside the head after he had just come back from the dead while screaming, ''DIE, GHOSTS!'' was not a pleasant thought.
''Yeah, right of course!'' Hedge said, though he looked a little disappointed.
Percy smiled. ''Yeah, we already know how many times Jason's been knocked out as it is.'' Everyone chuckled and a fraction of the nervous tension dissolved. Just a fraction…
They went down the hall to the right, before delving into the basement; a corridor lined with iron bars – a prison. Two guards stood over there, chatting with –
His voice hit her like an atom bomb; the voice in her dreams, her nightmares; the ghost of her past. Piper's eyes welled with tears. Oh gods, he's really here… Just hearing his voice triggered so many memories. She wasn't sure if her heart was lifting with joy or being shredded. She and Thalia grasped hands for support. Glancing at Thalia, she noticed her eyes were moist.
''Rodger, Floyd, you guys can go'' Frank said. The two guards nodded and left. They stopped in front of the iron bars and Piper's vision tunneled. There sat Jason Grace, wearing a Camp Jupiter t-shirt and jeans. He hadn't aged a day, the same close-cropped blonde hair, sky blue eyes and his rugged good looks. In fact, he looked even more muscular than before. The little scar on his lip was still there. Piper felt too stunned to move. She felt that if she got any closer to him all the molecules in her body might combust. Time seemed to slow. She had seen and done the impossible, faced giants, battled monsters, put Mother Earth herself to sleep. Yet nothing seemed as impossible as what she saw before her. Sure, Leo had died and come back but the last time she saw Jason was his lifeless corpse disappearing behind the lid of a dark coffin.
Then, he spoke. ''Guys…'' Jason's eyes lit up when he saw them. ''Piper, Thalia!'' He rushed towards the cage and Piper broke. A painful sob escaped her throat. Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall. Seeing him again, in the flesh, alive after everything that had happened, was too much to bear. Her heart felt like it was being ravaged between Festus's jaws. The guilt that Piper had harboured for the past two years erupted like a volcano.
''Jason!'' she screamed. Thalia looked just as broken, dangling on the edge of tears.
''Buddy…'' Percy looked at his friend behind bars.
''Dude, we're here…'' Leo said, slowly moving closer to the cage. For once, his hands were still.
''Guys, what's going on? Why am I in this cell? Frank, why did you put me in here?'' he asked. His voice sounded hurt, as though he couldn't believe his friends would lock him. Hearing the pain in his voice, Piper felt her heart tear apart further. After everything Jason had sacrificed for his friends and family, for her, it felt criminal to lock him up like an animal.
Frank sniffed. ''Its only temporary…'' he said uneasily. Clearly, he didn't want to imprison his friend.
''Jason…'' Thalia reached her hand forward to touch her brother's face through the bars.
''That's not your brother!'' Nico said angrily. Thalia flinched as Nico marched forward. ''That eidolon is still inside him. I can sense it.''
Thalia backed away up from Jason as if he were a dangerous beast. She looked at Nico, knitting her eyebrows. ''How can you be sure?'' she questioned.
''I'm the son of Hades, I can tell when someone's soul isn't their own. He might look like your brother, but that is not your brother'' he stated, shooting a withering glare at Jason, who paled and shrunk back. ''And that is not my friend.'' Nico's skull ring transformed into a battle axe in his hand – a wicked doubled edged blade of black metal, adorned with skulls and Greek symbols.
Reyna spoke up. ''I trust Nico. Nico knows better about these sort of things than anyone else.'' She nodded at Nico, who threw her a grateful look, before turning his focus on Jason. As much as it hurt seeing Jason locked up and scared, uncertain, she trusted Nico's ability to sense the supernatural. If there was something in him, they had to help him. She'd tangoed with eidolons before and knew there was no way for anyone else to tell.
''Leave this body, spirit! The son of Hades commands you!'' Nico yelled. Jason winced, shifting uncomfortably, before growling like a cornered animal. Piper caught her breath. She knew Jason had been raised by wolves but she had never known him to growl like an actual beast. In a flash, his face calmed again.
''Nico, I'm not possessed. I am your friend…'' he spoke, tilting his head. His right eye twitched uncomfortably. Something was up. His words sounded robotic, like an automaton trying to emulate human emotion but failing. This definitely was not Jason.
Thalia looked at Nico pleadingly, grabbing his hand. ''Can you fix him?'' she implored, her big blue eyes desperate.
''Don't worry, we'll get him back'' Nico assured, patting her shoulder. Nico turned towards Piper and they both nodded. Piper gathered herself, a new-found hope reinstalling in her – hope which had been missing for two years. Jason had died for Piper. For years she blamed herself, feeling his death was on her conscience. Now, he was back and Piper was going to do whatever it took to save him, even if it couldn't make up for his sacrifice, she would at least try.
''Eidolon, show yourself'' she commanded, her charmspeak powerful.
For a moment, nothing happened. A tense silence descended on the group. Nico's eyes narrowed. ''Only a coward hides himself, Erikthickton!'' he remarked.
''Who?'' Frank asked, totally perplexed. He asked exactly what everyone else was thinking. At that point, Jason's face went slack and his head went down. Panic rose in Piper's chest because his expression resembled exactly like when he was dead. Then – his eyes snapped open, no longer their gorgeous sky blue, but glassy and gold. His face twisted into a cruel sneer, which was very un-Jason like.
''Well…here I am'' Jason – no, whatever thing was inside Jason, controlling like a puppet – said in a voice as cold and sharp as the edge of a knife, more evil and ancient sounding than the ones Piper had dealt with years prior. An unsettling chill flew down her spine.
Coach Hedge bleated. ''Pan's pipes, that's freaky!''
''Get out of my brother, you bastard!'' Thalia growled, shaking with rage.
Not-Jason looked towards her. ''Another bastard child of Zeus! I never much liked your kind. I take joy in controlling your brother's body'' he taunted. Electricity buzzed across Thalia's eyebrows. One of the lights of the ceiling flickered. Annabeth put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. Piper was surprised she didn't get a bad static shock.
''Hey, lemme you something, ghost-freak!'' Hedge yelled, clutching his baseball bat. ''If you don't leave this kid's body, I'm gonna whack your soul straight back to Tartarus!''
The eidolon laughed – a sound which sounded like a creaky door slowly opening like in horror movies. It sounded otherworldly and haunting but Piper had to steel her nerves. Everyone was counting on her. Jason was counting on her.
''Coach…'' Piper placated and the satyr calmed down. She needed to use her charmspeak to keep the situation under control.
''Who are you?'' Nico demanded. Not-Jason huffed in annoyance. ''Oh come on! Why does nobody know who I am? Has no one been telling the story of Erickthickton, the first eidolon?'' he asked, throwing his hands up dramatically.
We all stared at him blankly. Frank scratched his chin thoughtfully. ''Erickthickton…Erickthickton…nope never heard of him'' Frank relented, to which the eidolon groaned in frustration.
Reyna stepped forward, obsidian eyes steely. ''We don't care much for who you are, spirit'' she said defiantly, no doubt pissed at seeing her old friend trapped under his influence. Eric (she was just going to call him Eric because his full name is just ridiculous) fixed his cold, undead eyes on her. Piper sensed a little unease from her but the daughter of Bellona hid it well.
''Daughter of Bellona…what are you going to do? Kill me? The last loved one you faced who became a ghost was your father. Are you going to do to me, what you-''
''SILENCE!'' Nico yelled and Eric backed up, falling on his rump and scrambling away, his expression fearful. She had no idea what the spirit was talking about but Reyna looked stunned, like she'd been smacked between the eyes. She had never seen the former praetor look this shaken up.
Piper had had enough of this undead prick. It was time for him to go. For Jason, she thought. ''Listen up, eidolon. You will leave this body'' she spoke clearly, charmspeak flowing out in torrents. Eric's face tightened, forehead beaded with sweat.
''I will leave this body'' he relented.
''You will swear on the river Styx that you will not possess any member of either camp'' Nico ordered with force. She reckoned the son of Hades had his own sort of charmspeak over the dead. Eric hissed in protest. Nico grabbed him by the collar through the bars, slamming his head on the metal, making Piper wince. ''You will swear on the river Styx'' he insisted.
''I will swear on the river Styx.'' Eric looked just about ready to shit his pants.
''You are dead'' I told him.
''I am dead'' he agreed, nodding.
''Now get lost'' Nico said disdainfully, pushing him back. It wasn't very hard but Jason slumped back, collapsing on the hay-covered stone floor.
''Jason!'' Piper yelled. She shook the cell door.
''Do you have the key?'' Thalia asked Frank, blue eyes frantic.
''Yeah, right here!'' he said. The son of Mars fumbled the keys out of his pocket and hastily unlocked the prison door. Everyone gathered around him. Piper, Leo and Thalia crouched next to him.
No…no, no, no, no, no, she thought. This was all too familiar to Piper. Flashbacks came rushing back of her kneeling over his dead body on the beach of California after that dreaded booty heist on Caligula's yacht, when she had shaken his body helplessly, screaming his name in the vain hope that he woke up, like he miraculously did in the Wolf House in Sonoma when he'd accidentally gazed upon Hera's true form. Here she was again, after two years, crouching over his still body, hoping against hope that he rise.
''Jason'' Piper called, tears rolling down her face. Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting to see what would happen next. Then, it happened. Jason groaned, eyes snapping open. She remembered staring at his face in the casket, his eyes closed, thinking she would never see those brilliant blues again, but here they were. Piper let out a shaky sigh.
''Buddy, is that you?'' Leo asked, looking concerned. Nico stepped forward. ''Let me take a look'' he said.
Jason looked totally bewildered as he took in his surroundings. ''Piper…guys, what's going on? Why does my brain feel microwaved? Why am I in a cell?'' he asked. He looked beyond confused as Nico examined his face. Holy schist, Piper thought.
''Nico, what are you doing?'' he asked.
''Yup, he's back to normal everyone'' Nico confirmed. Relief washed over everyone. In a rush, all the tension and stress washed away from Piper as she threw her arms around Jason, crying freely into his shirt. Everyone cheered and laughed and got into a group hug with a very clueless Jason. There were many tears and hugs.
Piper breathed in his familiar scent, like rain. Her head rested on his muscular pectoral and his arms hesitantly closed around her form. How long had it been since they had held each other? It felt so familiar, so comforting. It was real. After two years, Jason Grace was back from the fucking dead.
''Grace!'' Coach grinned, before remembering he had a reputation to maintain, donning an angry expression. ''You ever die like that again, I'll knock you into last week!''
''Wait, die?'' Jason asked. Why was he confused? He sacrificed himself to save them.
''You're alive now, man!'' Frank yelled, slapping Jason's shoulder.
''Yeah, of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?'' he questioned. ''Can someone tell me what the Juno is going on?!'' he asked, making a time-out gesture.
''Hang on Sparky, you don't remember what happened?'' Leo asked, laughing.
''I…I remember the ship. We were with Apollo and Meg. I was fighting Caligula…and then that's it'' he answered.
Nico knitted his eyebrows and stepped forward. ''Do you remember what happened after that?'' he queried.
The son of Jupiter shook his head. ''Nothing.''
Everyone all took a moment to consider that. ''Uh, Jason? You might want to sit down… You have missed out a lot. Welcome back to the land of the living'' Hazel said, smiling a little.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Well, there it is. A long chapter 2, long awaited. Apologies for the delay. SAT practice is the bane to my existence. Will complete this story, don't worry.
Alina20001: Thanks! I wanted to make the opening to this story really personal and emotional. Plus, I tackle more mature themes in these stories because that is a part of life, while still staying true to the PJO spirit. Glad u enjoy!