Percy's POV:

Well damn. I thought there would be a lot more in my head than... whatever this is. I was hoping for at least a couch for me to sit on, but noooo just an endless expanse of black. With an odd rippling solid right underneath my feet, very similar to water. Was this how, what's his name felt when he walked on water? Cool. Except I can see me perfectly clear.

Wait, just one damn minute! How did I even get here!? Did I die? No, maybe not. I've been to the underworld and this is not the underworld. What if it is a new foyer? Is this my head?

Oh gods, what if I pissed off Hades a little too much and he threw me into Tartarus! Is this Tartarus!? I don't deserve Tartarus! Hopefully! O all that is holy and righteous I hope not! I don't want to go insane in this landscape of nothing! Also the enemies, monsters, freaks with matted carpets, and overall evil things lurk down here. Ew, I don't want to run into them; bad history, old wounds. Ugh what a pain!

Wait a minute. Wait just. A. Damn. Minute. How did I get here? Seriously though.

The last thing I remember... Hmm, the last thing I remember? Uhh, let's see. There was a forest that snowed, I know that.

I plopped onto the ground resting my chin on my fist, contemplatively.

Snowing and something familiar, someone I recognized... that is it. That is the last thing I remember. Everything else feels like a jigsaw puzzle without box and half the pieces are missing.

Pop!*

I jumped up scanning the area. Nothing. I know that sound, I will never be able to unhear it. The popping of one's shoulder back into place.

"What is the rush?"

"AAHHHHH!" I jumped even higher screaming louder than a little girl. Not my manliest moment. I landed abruptly, instinctually reaching for Riptide while ducking low to the ground. Except, no Riptide... and no pants... Huh that's new.

"What the hell man!? Did you take my pants!? Give me my pants back!" Yea that should probably not be my priority. But in my defense I'm standing practically naked in a dark abyss. The only clothing is the cloak on my back and the underwear sticking to my bum... Funny enough, I don't really feel all that embarrassed. Wow, when did my life go so far down hill I chuckle at the prospect of being seen in my underwear by a... god? Titan? No idea.

"I most certainly will not! Do you have any idea how hard it was to take them off?!" The thingy shouted back. Yet, the way it spoke leads me to believe utterly exhausted and pissed. I can feel it glaring at me. I honestly can't see what it looks like, but a dark silhouette. A short shadow. Hehe. Everything not immediately around me is black. That's it, nothing else.

"Pfft. Ha! Yea right. Doubt it." I sputtered like a not so innocent child with no clue what I was talking about. A second passed in awkward silence, "Can I please have my pants back?" I relented doubting I will win.

"No! I do not trust you!" It answered. That vaguely sounded like a lie, but who am I to judge here of all places. I lifted my finger about to respond, but then it hit me. I really don't know much of anything.

"Fair enough." I plopped back onto the ground laying flat on my back. The ground's soaked up warm seeped through my cloak. I'm not exactly in my element here. I can't even remember anything after the snowy forest overlooking a seaside cliff.

"That is it?" The strange figure questioned my lack of initiative. "Really? I was expecting more of a fight from the likes of m- you." It fumbled over it's words a little, probably thinking I didn't notice. I did.

"Yes, really." I tucked my arms underneath my head making myself comfortable. Ugh, I do not want to be dealing with another mystery right now. Let alone happy go lucky over here playing coy with me. Stupid shadow refusing to give me back my pants.

"Damn, how the mighty have fallen. I expected more from the great Percy Jackson. A quip, sarcasm, maybe even a brawl." It sighed. I heard a soft thud behind me. Was Mr. void sitting down too? "I did not take m- you for someone to give up so easily." Again that slip up.

"I have a lot on my plate." That's a stupid excuse as far as excuses go.

"Yes, yes, yes, I know about it all." The shadow folk had the gall to sass me, but I won't take the bait. Especially with that ridiculous way of refusing to use contractions. It's annoying.

"Ha! As if you know anything." I curled my knees up resting my left knee pit on my right kneecap while resting on my elbows feigning more confidence than I had.

"Do you take me for a fool?" I'm getting the distinct feeling he's lifting a brow at me in question. A shiver ran down my spine just thinking about it. Why does this feel so... wrong.

"In short, yes. Anyway, do you have the time? I think it's about time for my nap." Ugh, I feel so damn exhausted. Like I've been chatting for a week straight through bites of gravel. It's weird enough the vibe I'm getting off this guy, but it should have just stopped there.

"Time is a social construct here." What in the living tombstone cutlery does that even mean!? Scratch that, what is living tombstone cutlery? How did I even come up with that?

"How about place? Is there place here? I would like to know what place this is." Awkward phrasing, but that is besides the point.

"It is whatever you want it to be." Again with the cryptid shiiiiiiii- crap. Yeah that was what I was going for. Oh who am I kidding? Apparently myself.

"Oh for the love of!- Enough of the cryptic skittle de pop! Just give me a straight answer already."

"That is ironic, coming from you. You never do the same. But I digress." He does have a point there.

"So? Where exactly am I?" I looked around, but still nothing. Still a void.

"Do not you recognize your own mind? Granted a coma makes it tough to imagine really anything." Huh that's a new one.

"This is my mind!? It! It is so! It's!" I stuttered with the right word on the tip of my tongue.

"Spit it out already."

"Boring!" That was not the right word, but close enough. I was hoping for a little more pizzazz from myself.

"Yea, well, usually this place is occupied by dreams, nightmares, visions, you know." It dismissed, "Most, if not all, people who go under sedation wake up in a *snap*" I heard his fingers click together causing a resounding echo.

"Woah... who are you?" Can't believe me it took this long to ask that question.

"I'm you. Well, an older you. It is hard to explain." That's not the most absurd thing I've ever heard, but it definitely hits my top ten list.

"Can you at least try? I'm kinda freaking out here." I'm having that weird half laugh where there is no humor behind it.

"I am you. You are me. I am the older part of you that is currently alive. You are the younger me that somehow managed to survive within me. How? I do not know. I guess I did not want to be alone in my head while I heal. It is creepy though. Things have changed so much since what?... Being Ten? Gods that is so messed up. I'm acting like a damn veteran with how I am talking to myself." He sighed and I can't help get the feeling that I'm laying flat on the ground.

"Then why can't I see you? Me." I ask he. The he that is me body. Not the mentally me. Which is me. The he that is outside of me. That me. I mean he.

"Trust me, you'd be better off not doing that. There should be at least one of me that can stay innocent." Oh my gods, I'm getting a headache just thinking about me. Him! Ugh! That one!

"Really?" I looked at him not convinced, "I lost all sense of that word a long time ago." I mentioned rubbing my forehead.

"Maybe. But I also wanted to see myself before everything started to change." He, I-; I guess, didn't continue, but it was a little too clear what he was implying.

"Dude, you're starting to sound like an old man. What's up with that?"

He chuckled, "I'm fourteen." He numbly chuckled a little more before hitting a fit.

"If you die, I will kick your ass. We made a promise. We swore." He better not have forgotten that. Otherwise I will personally deal with myself.

"Right, I'm a smartass..." It's like he can read my mi- oh right. "Hey, can I ask you a favor?"

"Who else are you going to ask?" Funny enough; flashes, memories, and circumstances flashed through the void like lightning. None of which I recognize. Meaning that they are the future me's memories.

Who the hell is that!? Is that a shirt I'm wearing?! Is that a real sword!? Oh? Oooohhhh. I should not have seen that.

"Please come back." My attention snapped back to me. My eyes bore back into me. The living sea green clashing with the icy blue for dominance. That iciness clearly fighting back with more vigor.

"That ship has already set sail sir! Reporting for duty!" I chirped mock saluting where I think he is laying. A smile tugged on his lips, I felt that. Not in a creepy way by the way... I don't want to know what has become of me in those four years. My eyes are enough. I do know that if I can't count on anyone out there, I can count on myself. Maybe it is a little sad, but it's not like I'm completely alone, right? "Can I have my pants back?"

Third Person POV:

They discussed this privately. It was agreed upon privately. Yet, hearing Artemis proclaim it in front of everyone? A pang of frustration and hurt fluttered into Zoe's heart. It was supposed to be a mission to get her back, then things go back to normal. As they always were. But, since when has normal ever came back so easily? Even when it does move back in, it's not exactly the same as before. That lingering sense of missing something.

'You are my most trusted Lieutenant. Please. You know I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't serious.' She did know. So she said yes.

Zoe refused to linger behind, she held her head high as they approached the Winter Solstice meeting. Usually only meant for deities, but these were extenuating circumstances. So much so the other partners of her quest were also asked to join.

Once they entered they took their seats. Thalia sat among the Hunters causing a few raised eyebrows from the Olympians. Annabeth sat underneath her mother's throne noticing that the floor is absolutely fascinating. Zoe can't tell if she was nervous or that was the real case. Triton stood tall by Poseidon's throne. Grover? Well he kept shifting avoiding any eye contact, except with Bessie. Who was so kindly placed in a shallow aquarium right in the center.

The only one missing, who's still alive, from their quest is Perseus. Particularly concerning considering his actions have already spread quite the rumor. Those pesky deities and no concept of privacy.

Most gods are already present except for the king himself. Who is always known for doing something dramatic. The millisecond the hour hand struck, Zeus flashed in a cry of thunder and electricity. Immediately the smell of ozone pummeled those present senses'. Zeus stood tall filled with pride in a navy blue modern suit completely with pure lightning cufflinks, golden buttons, and shoes to match. He stood in front of his throne for second glaring forward at no one in particular. Then turned around taking his sea just a tempo above slow motion. Very dramatic.

Those who weren't fully immortal held their breaths. The time was nigh for a decision. History was in the making and these demigods are at the forefront of it all. The decision made now? Well, it is difficult to say, but their are zero cases of no casualties in a war.

"My daughter Artemis," Zeus proclaimed with pride, "has informed the council of your deeds. And has given us valuable information regarding those rising in the west. We have come to a decision." Zeus clenched his fist unhappily "However, it has come to my attention that someone is missing. Before this hearing continues, I want him brought forthwith." Zeus ordered. Looks of confusion bounced around the room. "Well? Where is Perseus Jackson?"

'What the hell? This was supposed to be a meeting regarding a pending war. What does he want with him?' Zoe thought.

"Father, he is a coma at Camp Half-Blood. Why would you need him here?" Apollo questioned. Apollo of all people!

"When Artemis retold tale of what happened, something she said caught my attention. I want to be absolutely certain before we proceed." Zeus breathed out not budging. Artemis thought over everything she relayed, nothing sparks of a need to divulge in deeper. Granted she did withhold some finding it impertinent to the cause.

Apollo sighed, mouthing a quick sorry to his sister before disappearing in a brilliant sun flare. He knew, they all knew, how stubborn the king can be and it'd be best to get it over with considering things were going to drastically change as of now. Apollo wanted it to be him that goes to get Percy, fearing that the other's would be more brutish about handling him. He doesn't have much reason to care, but since Artemis does? That is all he needs.

Within seconds Apollo reappeared in the same flare like fashion. He stood as tall as a human carefully checking the medical equipment. So far so good.

It is one thing to imagine it, but laying your eyes on it? An entirely different case altogether. Poseidon fought with his own emotions, choosing between bewilderment or stoicism. The result, a gaping fish out of water. Just as water, his emotions are shown as clear as day. His eyes raged, his hands clenched, his jaw slack. Overall he looked plain odd. Triton, on the other hand, stared at his father refusing to look.

Poseidon wasn't the only one who gaped. A few, a mere few, other choice Olympians barely managed to hold their restraint.

"Well?" Zeus asked unimpressed.

"Well what?" Apollo questioned his father's motives.

"Wake him." It was an order. Those that knew, openly gasped.

"I can't." Apollo responded squinting his eyes in question.

"I was not asking. Wake him!" Zeus thundered growing impatient, slamming his hand on the edge of his throne.

"And I'm saying I can't." This was not just him being stubborn.

"Then move. This shouldn't be difficult." Ares scoffed stretching his back off his seat. The tension in the room rose.

"Listen, if he wakes now he will die." Apollo's attempt at easing them off only skyrocketed the tension. "And it's not like we can ask Uncle to be a dear and fetch Percy's soul for you." There is a time and place for Apollo's sarcasm, and he decides now is a good place to use it? The guts on him must be massive. Or he has no sense of preservation left. Or it's stupidity. Artemis couldn't decide.

"Zeus? Why must you do this now of all times? We have more important matters to deal with." Hera tried to un-derail this train. On rare occasions she finds herself delegating or shifting the conversation back to where it should be. A war brewing is definitely one of those times.

"I'm being cautious. Your son might be a threat to us." Zeus pointed at Poseidon. "I will not let that stand." Poseidon growled in return, but kept his mouth shut. There was nothing he can say to stop his brother's accusations so he didn't bother. "I don't trust him. Nor will I pretend to do so. We know nothing about him! Everything we know about him is second hand!" Zeus's voice boomed, "He poses a risk and the second, and I do mean the second he wakes, I will get a straight answer out of him! We all will. I want him watched, guarded, imprisoned, I don't care! This conniving brat pisses me off, and once he wakes we will hold another meeting regarding him. I want to know everything." Zeus ordered. "Is that understood?" His voiced dropped an octave eyeing the other's.

About half the Olympians nodded their heads. The rest stayed silent or seethed in anger forced to see the logic in their paranoid king. Even Poseidon, Percy's father, knew very little about his son. He thought it be for the best, but it backfiring this colossally? Poseidon didn't see coming. It was not in the rest of the audience's place to say something back.

"Shall we proceed?" Athena asked wishing to get on with the meeting already. She may favor Percy, but she isn't stupid enough to go against logic. Zeus nodded in acknowledgement. "Now considering everything you heroes have done for us, barring Triton of course." Triton didn't really care, "We believe an award is fitting. Yes?" Athena gazed around getting nods of recognition.

"Who would like to start?" Hera asked, not believing the next words out of her husband's mouth were gonna be anything productive. Lately she's been feeling as a delegator.

"I shall. Considering I lost one my one, I feel it be necessary to make things official." Artemis started standing from her seat, shrinking herself down to a normal adult. "Thalia," she softly calling her towards the center. "Though I hate to admit it, but if it were not for the glorified Barbie doll, you wouldn't be standing before me today." Aphrodite smirked with a knowing smile. "I lost one sister and have gained another. Unofficially however. So Thalia, would you like to officially join the hunt."

"I will." Thalia didn't hesitate. Ever since she came back, she felt as she was sitting in somebody else's chair. Letting someone else take the reigns for once had been reassuring. All her life she was depended on, sought for answers, put on a pedestal... She's had enough. For once she is making the decision for herself. Not for anyone else. Most of her actions were for the masses, decisions made in place by a leader. For now though? She feels like she actually belongs somewhere.

Thalia knelt before Artemis repeating the oath that Bianca did before her.

'Oh gods, what about Nico?' Annabeth's mind wandered a bit realizing Bianca did the same thing. Only she did it leaving her brother behind. A quick glance over to Triton gave her a peek she wasn't quite expected. Remorse. For what? Then realization.

Triton whispered to Poseidon calling him down. A quick conversation took place, and with a nod of affirmation from daddy dearest Triton melted away in a puddle of sea foam. 'What the hell was that all about?' Annabeth questioned before a faint glow of silver encompassed Thalia and dare she say, looked at peace. For the first time in a long time. Then she took her new place among her sisters.

Annabeth tried not to cry, feeling happy for her friend. They'll have time for the hugging and farewells later.

"Annabeth if you would please stand." Athena rose from her seat, a small smile placed on her lips, "There isn't much I can do to that degree, I'm afraid. But, for your resolve I would like to offer you a day. I would love to see those designs you've come up with." Athena gently placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder.

Annabeth stuttered nonsensically. This is an absolute dream come true! Oh gods, she'll have to plan for everything. Should she invite her siblings? Will they be jealous? 'I'll plan it out to the last detail.' Annabeth thought realizing that everyone else already moved on. How long has she been standing there? "Come on." Athena smiled ushering her away.

"Grover! Come here." Dionysus grumbled. "For your bravery, yadda yadda yadda I hereby remove your restriction regarding your search for pan." Yea, Grover collapsed face first. Some on the hunters laughed.

"Now, what of the Ophiotaurus?" Zeus overlooked the downed satyr.

"W-Wait!" Grover shot up from the floor, "Can-an I ask for a teensy little favor?" Grover shook uncontrollably in front of everyone. His eyes bouncing around the room.

"Proceed." Hera waved. Earning a glare from her Husband.

"Th-ank you. Queen ma'am." Grover abruptly bowed, then straightened out, "Can we postpone this decision until Percy wakes up?" Grover tried not to cower back under their fierce eyes.

"Why?" Zeus glared flexing his fingers, tendrils of electricity flaked between them.

"Well it is just that Percy found him, and took care of him for like at least a couple weeks." Grover fumbled over his words a little, "And I just thought that since he did that, it is only fair he is here when, you know." Poor satyr grew quieter the longer he talked.

"How do you know this?" Athena inquired.

"Bessie told me." Grover spit out

"Bessie?" Apollo chuckled.

"Percy named her that."

"Hmm, one does not usually name something they intend to kill. It gets them too emotionally attached... But it is Percy." Athena mulled over

"Mom!" Annabeth shouted.

"I only speak the truth."

"Let us put it to a vote then." Zeus acknowledged. To Grover's surprise seven on the twelve hands went in favor. Three abstained and the last two were against. "It has been decided... I believe a celebration is in order." Zeus was very fond of Olympic parties.

Apollo took the chance to sneak Percy back to Camp before joining them.

The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, the music was whatever you wanted it to be: the gods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, and it was all the same sound track. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.

Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walked with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time. Nectar and ambrosia overflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowded the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!"

Gods kept walking around to congratulate the young heroes. Thankfully, they had reduced themselves to human size, so they didn't accidentally trample partygoers under their feet. It was a blast. A party that lasted well into the night.

Nico doesn't understand; he saw it, he was there, he felt it. The blood splatter, the wretched pain in his chest, the hoarse throat. Worst of all? He felt like chunks of his flesh were being ripped off. All of it, he felt all of it. He saw him kill her. Now some god wants to take the blame!?

He wished, prayed, cried that it was just a damn nightmare. But ne knew, deep down he knew. All the god did was confirm it. Except lie. Lie about who was to blame.

'I'll kill him. I swear to god that I'm going to kill him.' Nico's mind raged.

Skeletons behind his back, frozen in place dissolving into physical shadows. Before vanishing completely. Nico recalls the dreams, the one where these things attacked his sister. Whatever they really wanted, Nico doesn't care. They'll pay for this. He will pay for this.

The young scrawny boy glared, tendrils of shadows shifting to his side, a kitchen knife he swiped in his hand. No glint, no poetic visuals... just the dead of night. Except, his eyes grew eerily darker over his usually already deep brown ones.

Percy's hospital bed, Percy unconscious, no one would know...

I know it took a long time to update. My apologies. I hope you enjoy.