Carter is an amazing big brother, Percy is a little bit insecure about some stuff at this stage, and also, she's kind of adorable and so is he. And I did say in the last chapter in my reply to one of the reviews but Drew isn't at the school yet and neither is Lacy I'm afraid- it doesn't work timing wise.
Replies:
Thickneck: They never really get to have a conversation about it lol- something always gets in the way.
Guest: I mean, she's a ten year old kid who is very aware that the world is going to end and who's been through a lot. I'm pretty sure most kinds would want a little bit of fun before they die- especially after a five month long coma. Is it the smartest most practical thing? Maybe not but she's a kid- and Carter's not annoyed or anything, exasperated maybe, but he's also aware that they all need something good.
Ryan Fowler: Let's be honest Carter gets in just as much trouble half the time, he just doesn't mean too, at least Sadie and Percy are usually actively choosing chaos.
Undeath9087: Zia would just find it rather funny- and sweet. And as I've said above because of timelines Drew and Lacy aren't here yet.
Rage2091: Carter cannot resist them.
1 Anxious Cucumber: It would mess with the ages too much so she won't be in this chapter.
NotLordChaos: Carter knows his sisters well, and Percy knows how to get what she wants.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: As I've said above, unfortunately Drew and Lacy will not be in this chapter- sorry my guys!

Percy had never been to a school dance before- she'd only went to school for one year when she was younger after all- and even if it wasn't her school dance, she had to admit that she was very excited, she had faith in her big siblings ability to sneak her into the school dance, so she headed up to her room, bouncing happily as she got changed.

She picked out a simple but pretty dark blue dress with a gold ribbon belt, and some black ballet flats. Then she stared into the mirror, tugging on her braid- she'd redone it when she'd got changed that morning, it was just easier to keep it out of her face, that way she didn't have to think about her hair much but- she bit her lip, pulling the hair elastic free and finger combing it loose.

She stared at herself in the mirror.

It looked so strange, so different from what she was used to, though at least she'd managed to get some sun in Egypt- she'd been so very pale when she'd first woken up, she'd looked half dead. Now there was color in her cheeks, she looked alive now. Which just made the white of her hair stand out even more somehow.

She bit her lip- she could pull it back again maybe, wear a hat or something but- she was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock on the door and Percy turned her head, "Come in!"

A moment later Carter was poking his head around the door, "Hey."

"Carter." Percy beamed at him before she started to giggle as Carter stepped into her room. He was dressed like a junior professor, in a coat and tie, button-down shirt, and trousers.

He mock glared at her when she started to giggle. "Shut up. Sadie's going to be bad enough." he grumbled the words, moving to sit down on her bed, "You look nice Percy." she could feel his eyes lingering on her hair and she reached up, grabbing a handful of it and lifting it to look at it.

"I- I'll put it in a bun or-"

"No-" Carter shook his head "No- no Percy-" his voice was soft, "I was just surprised. You never wear it down anymore. I was surprised is all."

"I-" Percy ducked her head, looking down at her feet, "I- I look at it and I think about what happened-"

"Percy-" Carter was on his feet in an instant, moving towards Percy and gripping her shoulders gently. "Percy you- what happened was horrible- it was horrible and it was probably so much worse for you but- this-" he brushed Percy's hair out of her face gently, "And this-" his hand moved to press against the bandage on her neck, "I get why you might feel weird about them but- all they are is proof, proof that you, Percy Kane, managed to fend off Apophis. You shouldn't be ashamed of them. They're not signs that Apophis possessed you Percy. They're the proof that you managed to force him out. They're signs of victory not weakness."

"Carter I-" Percy's voice caught and she bit her lip. "You really think that?"

"Of course I do." he pressed his lips to the top of her head, "Come on Percy you know I wouldn't lie. Not about this."

"What if other people think I look weird-"

"Who gives a crap what other people think." Carter's voice was fierce, "You're amazing Percy you know that-"

"Am I?" Percy's voice was small, "Carter he- he made me- I- it was him in control but it was my body."

"Oh Percy." Carter pressed his lips to the top of Percy's head. "I know. I know and it must have been so hard and so scary for you but- but even if it was your body that-"

"I killed Menshikov-" and that made Carter flinch as if he'd been struck. "I killed him. I blew him up Carter-"

"No! No you cannot blame yourself for what Apophis used you to do." Carter almost snapped the words, pressing his lips to the top of Percy's head. "Percy- I genuinely don't think anyone else would have managed what you did. He is- Apophis is one of the most powerful beings in existence and you didn't just fight him, you won." he cupped her cheeks in the palms of his hands, "That makes you the most amazing person alive you know that right-" and Percy could feel her eyes stinging with unshed tears at her big brothers words. "And the things you got fighting him off? You should never be ashamed. They might be different but by the gods they prove that you are so amaz-" he was cut off by Percy lurching forward, hitting his chest hard with her face, pressing herself against him and hugging him tightly.

"Thank you." her voice was small, and Carter wrapped his arms around her gently.

"Come on now." he murmured the words, "It's okay Percy. Everything's okay." he pressed his lips to the top of her head, "Now you, my amazing annoying baby sister, are going to cheer up, and stop feeling like this-" Percy giggled.
"You can't just tell me how to feel-"

"Uh, excuse me I'm your big brother, yes I can." Carter declared as he pulled back, "It's in the job description. Now-" Carter pulled a face, "Let's get this over with,"

"You can dance with me." Percy offered- which made Carter smile softly.

"Okay, okay so I will admit that doesn't sound too bad." and together they made their way out of Percy's room, bumping into a somewhat downcast looking Sadie, though she perked up when she saw them, a smile spreading across her lips.

"Looking good Percy." She declared brightly, "Love the hair- and-" she blinked at Carter, her lips twitching, "Carter. You uh... you look wonderful." she was trying not to laugh that much was very obvious, "You do realise that it's not a funeral right?"

"Shut up." Carter shot back. "Let's just get this over with- I'm gonna stick with my favorite sibling-"

"Of course you are." Sadie snickered, "Zia's not here so gods forbid you do anything fun-"

"I'm not gonna dance with strangers who aren't my girlfriend."

"You will dance with me right?" Percy gave Carter a hopeful grin and he smiled softly in return.

"Of course, I'm sure Zia wouldn't get too jealous." he tossed his arm over Percy's shoulder, drawing her into his side.
And soon enough they were on their way.

Most of Brooklyn House went to Brooklyn Academy for the gifted, as Carter told Percy, and she made a mental note of that- after all maybe once Apophis was defeated she could get enrolled too.

In any case, when they arrived Percy decided it was pretty cool. The school campus was almost like a park, with acres of green lawns, well-tended trees and hedges, even a small lake with ducks and swans.

The dance was held in a pavilion in front of the administration building. A band played in the gazebo. Lights were strung in the trees. Teacher chaperones walked the perimeter on "bush patrol," making sure none of the older students sneaked off into the shrubbery.

Once they all arrived most of the residents of Brooklyn House dispersed amongst the crowds, and Percy grinned as she grabbed Carter's hand, dragging him towards the crowds- and she saw Sadie laughing and giving her a thumbs up.

And credit where it was due, Carter didn't put up a fight even if Percy knew he felt awkward about the school dance- it wasn't something that either of them were used too.

But he didn't even complain when Percy grabbed his hands and they started to dance- but he soon loosened up and they were dancing like they had when she'd been younger, before everything had gone crazy, and Carter actually started to laugh when Percy did a little twirl, and when she twirled back towards him Carter caught her, swinging her around off her feet- and Percy let out peals of bright, bubbly laughter- out of the corner of her eye she noticed Cleo and Jaz watching them with their phones out, maybe taking pictures or something but Percy didn't care.

She hadn't felt this cheerful and carefree in a long time.

She almost squealed when Carter practically tossed her in the air- and she could feel several people watching them, she saw one girl cooing over it and staring at Carter- and she could almost see the hearts in the girls eyes- Percy resisted the urge to cackle.

As gross as it was for her to consider she knew her big brother was getting pretty handsome, there were a few girls with crushes on him she was sure.

Not that it would ever work out for any of them. Carter was only interested in Zia- honestly Percy could acknowledge the fact that they were kinda cute together.

It was as they were spinning that Percy noticed that Sadie was dancing with someone, and she let out a sharp little gasp when she saw who it was. "Carter..." She hissed his name, "Carter look." she nodded towards Sadie and Anubis, and she heard Carter snort.

"What about Walt?"

"I dunno." Percy resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "But she looks happy." and that made Carter falter.

"You're not wrong." he admitted, "Wait are they-"

"Floating." Percy giggled- it wasn't enough to be very noticeable but they were floating maybe an inch off the ground, at the most. It was only noticeable if you were looking closely.

"Maybe we should break them u-" Percy stomped on Carter's foot before he could finish what he was saying and he let out a pained noise. "Ow!"

"Don't you dare." Percy poked his shoulder, "You'd be grumpy if she did it to you and Zia-"

"It is so not the same thing."

"Is too-"

"You're so annoying-"

"'Sides, Anubis tried to help her- right?" Percy tilted her head, "He gave her a hint about the shadow box." she let Carter twirl her, "So maybe he'll tell her something else useful while they're dancing."

"I-" Carter pulled a face, "I really, really hate the fact that you're right." he grumbled the words.

"C'mon." Percy gripped both of his hands and spun them both, and Carter let out a startled noise, swinging with her so that they were whirling in a circle, "Let Sadie talk to her crush, I'm the one you're dancing with!"

"I'll show you-" and Percy let out a yelp when Carter yanked her closer, lifting her so that her legs flew backwards, and she squealed, wrapping her arms around her big brothers neck, pressing her face into his shoulder as he swung her around.

And she'd missed this, missed having fun with her big brother- they hadn't done anything like this since- well, since before the museum. Oh she and Sadie had messed around and had fun but Carter had been stepping up that bit more than either of them, he hadn't been able to mess around too much, it was nice seeing that wide grin on his lips.

"Remember that time in Greece-"

"Of course I do!" Percy laughed, "We should go back there-"

"Do you remember when you put that music on-"

"Yeah!" Percy giggled as Carter set her down again and she twirled away from him, "It was so much fun!"

"It was the last time you and I really did something like this." Carter pointed out, "Dad started acting weird not long after that and then-"

"The end of the world started." Percy nodded as he caught her hand and whirled her in closer. "And it'll be over soon."

"Once we've done this, we'll go back to Greece." Carter declared, "Bring Sadie with us. Just the three of us- maybe mom and the babies too if she wants too."

"That sounds awesome." Percy beamed, "We could see the Parthenon aga- who's that-" Percy was looking towards a man stood between Sadie and Anubis- wearing old-fashioned aviator's outfit—leather helmet, goggles, scarf, and a bomber's jacket, something about him looked off even from a distance- but before Carter could respond there was an explosion of air and the world went black.