Hey guys, so pain this chapter- and I hope you guys enjoy it!
Replies:
Guest: I mean, Ra won't be getting his sanity back for months.
Guest: It's like a real nasty cold right now- I dread to think what it would have been like if I wasn't vaxxed. And you'll have to see, I have it all planned out but I don't think it's likely to happen how you think it will lol.
Unknownloser097: I mean, he's a badass, let's be real.
Jubby1905: Why thank you! I do love reviews like that.
Undeath9087: In some ways it makes things better, but the rebels are still gonna rebel, and Desjardins isn't nearly as strong as he once was so while he can help there's only so much he can do.
Guest: Believe me I hope so too.
Batmanuchiha: Thank you! And yeah, Desjardins is not capable of ruling right now.
PJ Fan 285: She's still wearing two of her Amulets so she's still hidden, though any Greeks or monster might be able to sense her if they got close- which like, no one would let happen.

"Michel-" Amos' eyes were wide with shock, which Carter couldn't blame him for, "I don't-"

"No." Desjardins shook his head, "Do not argue Amos. I do not have the strength to continue on- and I may not for some time. Menshikov did much damage that I was blind to until it was too late. If young Persephone- well."

"Desjardins-" Zia's eyes were wide, "What happened- Menshikov-"

"It was not just what he did." Desjardins admitted, closing his eyes, "I attempted to execrate Apophis."

"What?" Walt almost choked the question, his eyes wide, "But that-"

"It would have killed you." Amos breathed out, "By all the gods... Michel it- how are you alive."

"I didn't let him." Carter's voice was tight as he admitted the truth, "I tackled him. I didn't- I couldn't let him finish the spell."

"Carter-" Zia was frowning, "As much as I am glad that Desjardins is alive... to try and stop him- why would you-" and Carter winced at the question- for someone who didn't know the details it did sound kind of bad.

"No-no. Carter was right to stop me." Desjardins held up a hand, "It would have worked, I have no doubt of that but
then three would have died not one-"

"For now it's one." Sadie whispered the words, which made Carter's stomach twist horribly, as much as she was right it wasn't something he wanted to be reminded of, how close his sister probably still was to death.

"What are you talking about?" Amos frowned, "You- what aren't you telling us?" the expression on his face was almost fearful and his eyes flicked to the bundle on the couch, and Carter shifted, moving slowly to gently unwrap the cloak from around Percy.

There were three sharp intakes of breath when Carter pulled the cape away from Percy's face, revealing the burned reddened skin, the snow white hair.

"Percy-" Zia's eyes widened, "What happened to her?"

"I brought her with me." Desjardins stated quietly, "I did not trust Menshikov not to send people to fetch her for whatever his plans were, so when I left to join young Carter and Sadie I brought her with me- not that I believe she would have stayed behind willingly in any case, after the lecture she gave me when I woke her."

"It wasn't you who expelled Apophis." Amos focused on Desjardins, his eyes flicking between the ex Chief Lector, and Carter and Sadie.

"No. It wasn't." Desjardins shook his head, "I cannot take credit for that-"

"It was Percy." Carter spoke quietly, closing his eyes, "We know what he wanted with her now. He wanted a host-"

Walt cursed softly, Amos went ashen and Zia's hand flew up to press over her mouth, her eyes shining with horror at Carter's words.

"Did-" Amos' voice was almost hesitant, "You cannot be saying that-"

"I stopped Desjardins from doing the execration because it would have killed Percy. Apophis possessed her. We were all- it looked like it was just Menshikov if Desjardins hadn't noticed then Ra would have been a goner before we even realised what was really happening."

"She- she didn't stop fighting him even for a second." Sadie piped up, and there was pride in her voice despite the pain also there. "I- I have never seen anything like it uncle Amos she- she managed to take back control and force him out and I don't know how she did it but she did."

"The-" Amos seemed lost for words as he stared down at Percy, reaching out slowly, fingers brushing over her hair before he paused when the touch made her head shift slightly, exposing the mark on her neck. "He marked her."

"Yeah." Carter's fingers curled into fists, and he felt a rush of anger at that sight- maybe he always would. If she survived that was. "Yeah he did." and Sadie's hand grabbed his, Carter forced himself to exhale slowly. "We don't know how much damage was done- I think- I think she needs to go to the First Nome."

"I'll take her with me." Amos stated quietly, "If I'm to take over as the Chief Lector then I'll have to go today- I think leaving at sunset would be for the best, all things considered."

"I will come with you." Desjardins added, "As I said, I will throw my support behind you and offer you any help you need."

"Thank you." Amos nodded, "I think I may need as much help as I can get. We will leave at sunset."

"Of course." Carter nodded, his heart feeling heavy- he hated the idea of them leaving, "We- we're going to be visiting as much as we can you know that right?"

"Yeah." Sadie nodded, "You won't be able to keep us away."

"Of that I have no doubt." Desjardins managed a wry smile, "You Kanes are always surprising me it seems." he shook his head.

"And we're proud of that fact." Sadie gave a strained smile.

"I guess-" Carter hesitated, "We should talk to the others now."

"We can send in Jaz." Walt suggested, "She's an amazing healer- she probably- I mean I'm not sure how much she can actually do but she can tend to Percy until you guys leave for the First Nome."

"That's a good idea." Carter closed his eyes, "We need- we need to focus on fixing up the place. We can't do anything else for Percy right now."

"I will stay with her." Desjardins offered, "I doubt I could do even the simplest of magic now- not even with the rising of Ra but I will stay with her while you do what must be done."

"Thank you." Amos nodded- and Carter let Zia pull him out of the room- it was easy enough to find Jaz and tell her to go and see what she could do for Percy.

And by sunset Brooklyn House was back in order- there were several meetings throughout the day but all things considered it went as well as anyone could expect. Carter could almost sense the way things were changing, it was like a current in the air- and he wondered how long the shock would last.

Of course, Carter was pretty sure the most painful part since their victory- and it felt almost hollow, calling it a victory given what they'd lost, had been around midday, when Sally had walked through the doors.

The moment he'd laid eyes on his mom Carter had felt his heart breaking.

She knew. That much was so very painfully obvious the moment that Carter had seen her- she'd probably been watching with Julius and Ruby. Her eyes were red from crying- and Carter and Sadie had almost moved in unison, sprinting across the Great Hall to hug her tightly, and Sally had folded her arms around them, whispering that they'd been so brave, that it wasn't their fault, Carter had almost broken at that.

Of course logically he knew that none of what had happened was his fault, that what had happened to Percy wasn't on him but, well, his baby sister was hurt and he hadn't been able to protect her. It would take him a very long time to move past that

After that they quickly led Sally to Percy, and she sat down, pulling Percy's head into her lap and talking quietly to Desjardins as Jaz kept doing what she could for her.

And when, shortly before sunset, Sally told them that she'd be going to the First Nome with Amos, Desjardins and Percy, at least until Percy was safe and settled, neither Carter or Sadie were surprised.

The goodbyes were painful, Amos carried Percy through the portal, flanked on either side by Sally and Desjardins.
Zia had, after the trio had left, tactfully left Carter and Sadie alone on the roof, where they'd found themselves sitting side by side, staring at the sky as the sun set.

That was where Bast found them when she reappeared. Instead of her usual bodysuit she wore a formal Egyptian dress and heavy jewelry that looked quite uncomfortable.

"I'd forgotten how hard it is riding the sun boat through the sky," she said, wiping her brow as she walked towards them.
"And hot. Next time, I'll bring a saucer and a cooler full of milk."

"Is Ra okay?" Sadie asked quietly.

The cat goddess pursed her lips. "Well…he's the same. I steered the boat to the throne room of the gods. They're getting a fresh crew ready for tonight's journey. But you should come see him before he leaves."

"Tonight's journey?" Carter asked incredulously. "Through the Duat? We just brought him back!"

Bast spread her hands. "What did you expect? You've restarted the ancient cycle. Ra will spend the days in the heavens and the nights on the river. The gods will have to guard him as they used to. Come on; we only have a few minutes."

"But-"

"And- is Percy with you?" and Carter flinched at that, Sadie sucking in a sharp breath, her eyes wide.

"You- you don't know?"

"Don't know what?" Bast raised an eyebrow, "I've been a little bit busy- we all have. Is she okay?"

"She-" Carter swallowed hard, "Percy's been taken to the First Nome- do- were they not watching us-"

"Your parents probably were, and Horus and Isis may have some idea of what happened, if not the details but it's been rather busy you two." Bast paused, "What happened my kittens? I know you stopped Apophis- I know things aren't exactly perfect with Ra but-"

"Apophis made her his host." Sadie's voice was sharp, "She's about as far from fine as it's possible to be while still being alive."

"What?" Bast's voice was stunned, "I- but how-"

"She managed to force him out." Carter looked away, "The gods only know how she did it but she did."

"Apophis has never-" Bast shook her head, "He's never chosen to take a host before- not ever. Possession yes not a full...not to actually... That he did this time..."

"He said how he chose well." Sadie muttered bitterly, "Because he knew we wouldn't be able to hurt her. Wouldn't be able to fight him."

"Oh kittens-" Bast expression turned pained. "I'm so sorry- I really am- is-"

"Like Carter said," Sadie looked away, "She's been taken to the First Nome. Hopefully they can help her there. But. I dunno. We don't know how to help her. Jaz did what she could but- there's some things that I guess-"

"The damage of such a possession won't be easily healed." Bast looked worried, "But- I am sure that they'll do what they
can for her. And she must have incredible willpower to have forced my old enemy out of herself and back into the Duat. If anyone can survive such a thing I'm sure it's her." she shook her head, "I suppose- under the circumstances we'll have to go without her."

"Not like we have any choice." Carter let out a breath, "So how-" before Carter could finish his question a door of pure shadow opened in the middle of the air. Anubis stepped through.

Carter couldn't help but glance at Sadie- and really it was a testament to how everything that had happened was effecting her because she didn't even get that wide eyed look when she saw him.

"Hello, Sadie," he said.

"So it's you." Sadie wasn't able to muster up her usual enthusiasm, "Missed you in the underworld while we were gambling our souls away."

"Yes, I'm glad you survived," he said. "Your eulogy would've been hard to write."

"Oh, ha-ha. Where were you?"

"A side project," he said. "But right now, we should hurry."

He gestured toward the door of darkness.

Carter turned his head, meeting Sadie's gaze and she gave a small nod, reaching out her hand towards him, and he took it before together, they stepped through.