This chapter has much sadness, poor poor Kanes am I right? Carter just wants his baby sister back, he doesn't want to have to admit what happened to her because who would? And also- we all love Zia.
Replies:
Ryan Fowler: Horus would be genuinely nervous around her lol.
Batmanuchiha: Hm... I mean, I enjoy the pain though.
Drizzle: You get some sadness here.
Unknownloser097: I'm afraid I don't- and I know, I do enjoy pain. And hey, here's some more.

Things shifted after the two Kanes returned to Brooklyn house.

Things were so busy, Carter and Sadie had recorded another tape, sent out word once more- they'd need as much help as they could get, as Sadie had pointed out to Carter, and maybe if they got word out more magicians would listen to them, believe them.

Amos and Desjardins were doing their part as well of course- but two distinct camps were forming, those that believed that Desjardins had been corrupted by the Kanes, who were responsible for everything wrong in the world- clearly, and those who believed the Kanes, who were willing to listen to their story.

So yeah, things had been busy and stressful- though at least there hadn't been any attacks. And Carter and Sadie both knew that they'd been avoiding one thing that they needed to do.

They needed to visit the First Nome- they'd received calls and messages daily of course, Sally made sure to keep they up to date on things with Percy, and on how Amos and Desjardins were doing- but they hadn't visited in the two weeks since things had gone so very wrong.

They knew that Percy was stable at least, that the healers had managed to heal any injuries on the outside, the burns were gone- the only thing that hadn't healed was the brand on her neck- and truthfully Carter didn't think that would ever heal, no matter what was done to try and get rid of it.

But- Zia had cornered Carter and Sadie after their lessons finished and had torn into them- and Carter was grateful for that. He loved her so much- he knew that they hadn't been together for that long but he really did. She'd ripped them to shreds- and she'd been right to do so.

He and Sadie had both been avoiding it. Neither of them wanted to have to see Percy like that again. If they didn't have to see it they could almost pretend that she was fine, that she was just off with their mom, that none of the horrible stuff had happened to her. And Carter knew that both he and Sadie had had nightmares about what had happened- he didn't think he'd ever forget the horror of that realisation, the moment he'd seen Ra hiding behind Desjardins, hiding from Percy, from sweet brave fierce Percy who was one of the best people Carter had ever known, his baby sister who always tried to do what was right.

Seeing Percy being controlled by the most evil being in existence was jarring to say the least, and he could still almost feel it- the sand suddenly sucking him in, pulling him deeper and deeper as that monster using Percy's body had Sadie at his mercy.

So it had been two weeks since they'd seen her, two weeks since everything had changed, when Sadie and Carter forced themselves to portal to the Cairo airport, and Carter led the way as they headed into the First Nome for the first time since they'd defeated Set months earlier.

And while, now that they were there they both wanted to head straight to visit Percy, they both knew that they needed to visit someone else first- and so they headed to the Hall of Ages, Carter silently reaching out for Sadie's hand as people turned to stare at them, and they heard whispers

And then they entered the hall of Ages, walking towards the steps that led up to the throne- as soon as they'd arrived they'd been told that was where they'd find Amos and Desjardins, and sure enough the two men were there, talking seriously about... something. Sadie and Carter couldn't hear from where they were, but Sadie let out a relieved cry, a smile splitting across her lips at the sight, "Uncle Amos!" and both men lifted their heads and turned to look at them- and they both looked good.

Amos was stood tall and proud, in his usual impeccable style, with the leopard skin cloak fastened firmly around his neck.

And Desjardins looked a thousand times better than he had- his skin had regained some if it's color, his face was less gaunt then it had been and he didn't look like he was weighed down by the weight of the world anymore.

Amos smiled widely as Sadie instantly broke into a run, letting go of Carter's hand and sprinting towards him- and he caught her, hugging her tightly. "Sadie! And Carter! It's wonderful to see you both. How are things back at Brooklyn House."

"Busy." Carter straightened his back slightly as he headed towards the dais too. "But you know how it is. You've probably been just as busy."

"It has been hard." Desjardins spoke up, "But things are going better than I would have expected, truthfully."

"Thanks to Desjardins word I haven't had to deal with too much open opposition yet." Amos explained.

"Good." Sadie declared, "Because if you did then Carter and I would have to go around kicking butt for you-"

"There's no need for that now-" Amos paused, "Carter are you okay?" because Carter had paused, his eyes had focused on the flickering curtain of light.

Last time he'd seen it he'd been dreaming, he'd wondered what the image was showing- who the image was showing, the figures grappling in front of a burning chair, over the throne of fire.

It had been hard to see then, unclear to say the least.

But he knew what it was showing now. It made his heart clench painfully to look at it- one of the figures, so much smaller than the other.

"Carter?" Sadie's voice was quiet, "Is everything-"

"It was you and her." he turned his head to look at Desjardins, "The- the image-"

And Desjardins nodded, a heavy look on his face. "I am aware."

"What-" Sadie followed his gaze and her breath caught. "Oh. Oh. I think I get it." she looked away, and Amos wrapped his arm around her shoulder, squeezing gently, a pained look on his face.

"There is no point in dwelling on what happened." his voice was incredibly soft. "Not now. None of you could have known
what it was showing until it happened."

"Right." but still, Carter felt a rush of guilt because- if he'd somehow figured it out- maybe he could have stopped it- but he knew he was being stupid thinking like that, there was never anything he could have done to stop what had happened.

"I assume you're both here to visit her?" Amos' voice was gentle, almost coaxing. "Sally's with her right now, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you both too." and if anything Amos' words just made Carter feel even more guilty- their pregnant mother shouldn't have been dealing with this without them. They should have come sooner.

"Of course." Sadie was the one who answered his question. "We- is she-"

"There's still no change." Amos shook his head, "Our medics are doing everything they can for her but there's no sign of her waking yet. Physically she's fine, and she will stay fine, I promise you both that. But- she just won't wake up."

"It's Percy." Sadie gave a weak smile, "She's probably just waiting for the most dramatic moment."

"I'm sure." but Amos' strained smile said everything Carter needed to know- and as they headed off to see her Carter lingered behind slightly, Amos and Sadie leading the way- and when Carter noticed Desjardins falling into step with him he raised an eyebrow, not even needing to voice his question.

"I'll be leaving to contact some of the other Nomes about their defences in a moment." Desjardins voice was slightly lower than usual, "But I imagine-"

"Amos said she's physically fine but- we both know that it's not just her physical condition that matters."

"You are right." Desjardins nodded, "Percy- what she did damaged her very soul- her Ka and Ba were damaged- and there's only so much that can be done to heal such damage. It will depend entirely on her own strength and willpower."

And Carter swallowed hard. Ka and Ba, her life force- her very life force itself had been damaged when she'd expelled Apophis- and her Ba, the part of her soul that represented- well, represented herself, who she was.

It wasn't pleasant to hear, and it was deeply worrying but Carter found that he wasn't even surprised. He'd known, he'd know that what Percy had done would have caused damaged- after all she'd done something that most people wouldn't even believe was possible. She'd fought of Apophis, she'd forced him out.

"I see." Carter forced himself to take a slow deep breath, nodding at the other man, "Thank you. For telling me."

"You have a right to know. I believe your uncle is struggling with it- the damage- none of our healers have ever dealt with anything quite like the damage that was done to her."

"If there's anyone that can fight her way through something like that it's Percy."

"Of that I have no doubt." Desjardins nodded, a faint smile flickering across his face, which made Carter frown thoughtfully.

"You like her." he said after a moment, "Don't you?"

"She's... an impressive child. Courageous. I respect the girl. And yes, I like her- certainly more than I like the rest of you Kanes."

And Carter managed a faint laugh. "I'm glad that we're not enemies anymore. I know my uncle and Zia both think highly of you. And I know you only ever did what you believed was for the best of the House even if we did disagree."

"Well we are on the same side now Carter Kane." Desjardins nodded, "I can acknowledge my past mistakes. From now on we are allies- but if your family ever destroy the Rosetta Stone again..." and Carter laughed despite himself.

"You really took that personally huh?" and Desjardins gave a small smile before it slipped and he gave a heavy sigh, "I must leave you now- good luck Carter Kane." and Carter watched Desjardins split away to go do whatever he needed to do, before his gaze swung back to Sadie and Amos, who had gotten further ahead- and Carter sped up quickly.

He caught up with them as they headed into what had to be the infirmary, there were rows of beds, many of them were occupied with people who must have had curses backfire, or people with other sicknesses or injuries- they were led past dozens of beds to a more private room, and Amos knocked twice before he opened the door, and Carter's breath caught as he and Sadie stepped into the room.

Sally was sat next to the bed, her laptop on a little desk that had been brought in for her- a cup of coffee set down next to it- she gave them a tired smile when they stepped inside, standing up.

She was pale, with bags under her eyes.

"Hey you two." her voice was soft, filled with relief, "Look at you both- come here." and Sadie rushed forward with a gasped;

"Mum!" and melted into Sally's arms, but Carter didn't move, his eyes glued to Percy, who looked so very small and pale on the bed.

Her skin was back to normal- except no, no it wasn't it was paler. Carter had never seen Percy so pale- she usually had a deep tan from all the time they spent outside in places like Egypt.

Now she looked as if she hadn't seen the sun for a month, her skin was deathly pale, only a few shades darker than her
white hair.

His eyes were drawn to the mark on her neck- Isfet. Every time he saw it he felt sick, it was a deep nasty red even though it was starting to heal- it would scar, she'd be marked forever- even if she woke up.

Other than that though she looked almost like she was asleep- peaceful, her chest rising and falling.

Carter could hear Amos saying something softly, hear him leaving and shutting the door behind him but Carter didn't move until Sally spoke again.

"I know baby. Come here." she shifted so that, while one arm was still around Sadie, she could hold out her other arm for Carter- and he surged forward, crashing into her and pressing his face into her shoulder.

"Mom-"

"I know. I know baby." she soothed gently. "I know you two."

And they all cried- by the time the tears stopped Carter felt drained, and they all sat down, Sally in her chair, Sadie by her feet with her head resting against their moms knee, and Carter with his back to Percy's bed, shifting so that he could rest his arm on the bed, sliding his hand into Percy's.

And Sally read to all three of her children, she read them her latest book- and when she started reading Carter forced back a soft sob.

Because their mom was writing their story.

The story of three siblings saving the world. Together.

And maybe it was Carter's imagination, but for just a split second he thought he felt Percy's fingers twitch against his.