Quip Scarlet: I can just picture Leo being all, 'Wait! I'm immortal!' and doing something incredibly stupid and having everyone chasing him yelling at him'.
Undeath9087: Yeah, Annabeth and Rachel are doing their best and we support them- and they may be mourning but by the gods they're still helpful to their family. I hope you enjoy.
Weirdhead: Sorry but no Thalia on this quest- but she will pop up in a later chapter and I like to think it's an amusing scene.
The Official Clarisse: Hades when Leo dies: Oh gods Percy was bad enough why am I responsible for these brats?! Nope, nope get out you little shit.'
Guest: I have considered giving her a trident but I'm not sure how easy it would be to fight with one if I'm honest.
PJ fan 285: That's ridiculously sweet thank you, believe me I won't be pressuring myself too much, it's mostly just that my life has gone hectic lately with family stuff but it'll settle.
Guest: Yeah, big three kids quests are rarely fun. As for Thalia- well she won't be going on the quest but she will be more involved in some senses in later parts, you'll have to wait and see, as for Bianca, I have my plans all sorted for her- but her relationship with Nico isn't so good at this stage but you will learn more about that in the next minific- You'll want to hug Bianca I have to admit.
Drizzle: Well Hazel is already back at this stage, like in cannon, though as you may have guessed Nico didn't do it, so I'm looking forward to seeing what people think of how I'm doing it.
Guest: I won't say I'll shorten it. I believe overall it's around 55 chapters but they are shorter than actual chapters in the book so I mean, we'll see.
The rest of the campfire went fairly well, Piper came over and joined Jason and Leo- and they'd all agreed to meet early the next morning to discuss the plan for the quest- and Leo had left early- he'd kissed Calypso and promised to talk to her later- she seemed sad that he was going on a quest but she wasn't angry at least- or at least she hadn't been acting angry when they'd parted ways- and Leo had headed down to the beach- after all he'd said he'd check up on Annabeth and Rachel.
It didn't take him long to spot them, they were sat on the sand, both wearing hoodies that Leo knew for a fact belonged had to Percy- he didn't blame them for that. They wanted to feel close to her, to savor what was left of his big sister who they'd both loved so much.
They both had their backs to him and Annabeth was curled into Rachel's side, Rachel had her arm wrapped protectively around the other girl.
He made sure to make his footsteps loud- scaring either of the teens usually ended with knives thrown at you and a dagger to the throat.
As he approached Annabeth shifted and turned her head slightly, Leo couldn't see her expression from the distance but he saw her lift a hand and wave him closer so he jogged the rest of the way. "Hey you two. I would ask how you're doing but I probably know the answer already." as he did reach them Leo could see how bad they both looked- Annabeth's eyes were slightly swollen and puffy from crying, and Rachel looked like she hadn't slept in weeks, her eyes had bags under their bags and she looked pale, she clearly hadn't done her hair in days because it looked even wilder than usual.
"We're surviving." Rachel squeezed Annabeth's hand tightly, "Annabeth got a bit upset earlier so- we always feel better out here." her voice was sad and her smile was shaky and even more fake than the ones Leo used to give when he was hurting and trying to hide it.
"What's up?"
"I just came here to check up on you." Leo dropped down onto the sand facing Annabeth and Rachel, closing his eyes and breathing in deeply, taking a second to savour the almost salty smell of the sea, the feeling of the sand already finding its way into his clothes.
It reminded him of Percy- and gods but he did miss her too. He got why they'd come to the beach he really did. "Luke said you guys were down here."
"Yeah, I think all of us have been coming here since Percy- y'know I saw Ethan stood by the water yesterday." Rachel's voice was quiet. "And Nico and Will too- though Nico's been too busy searching for you to come here much over the last month. Will had to
threaten him into behaving."
"Sounds like Nico." Leo let out a weak laugh before he shook his head, "I saw him earlier- he's still pretty pale but Will seems to have him on a short leash-"
"There's only one person who can boss Nico Di Angelo around and his names Will." Annabeth had a very faint smile on her lips.
"He'll be okay. We all will." Leo's voice was firm, "And things are gonna be okay Annabeth. I promise. The thing is- the second great prophecy's begun-"
"What?!" Annabeth's eyes widened, "It's been less than a year it can't be! It's not fair Percy di-"
"Annabeth-" only Rachel's grip on Annabeth's arm stopped the blonde from rocketing to her feet and going on a tirade.
"I know. It's really not fair." Leo shifted nervously, "Here's the thing. She's been kidnapped and she reached out to Jason because apparently he's her champion- which he is so not happy about by the way- and she's been captured by- well it must be a giant I guess because of the prophecy?"
"A prophecy?" Annabeth straightened up her eyes widening. "Wait he's being sent on a quest?"
"With me and Piper- I was right by the way- and weirdly enough she and Drew have definitely bonded."
"Wait- the she devil has made a friend?" Rachel mock gasped, "The horror."
"So what's the prophecy?" Annabeth leaned forward, "I'm not going with you- not if it involves helping that bitch but if I can help you figure it out before you go I'd at least feel like I've done some good."
"Oh come on you always do good." Leo pointed out lightly, "But sure, I'd love your help, no one's smarter than you with this sort of thing. The prophecy went- Child of lightning, beware the earth, The giants' revenge the seven shall birth, The forge and dove shall break the cage, And death unleash through Hera's rage. "
"Oh that sounds bad." Rachel's brows furrowed.
"Giants-" Annabeth's eyes narrowed, "Luke and I dealt with a giant back in Septemeber." she said after a moment, "Remember Rache, I told you about it."
"Oh yeah." Rachel nodded, "So whatever this is might have been stirring back then."
"What do you know about Giants?"
"They were born to Gaea and Tartarus to get revenge against the gods for their defeat of the Titans- one to oppose each of the Olympians. They could only be killed by a demigod and a god working together-"
"Oh that's real comforting." Leo huffed, "I hate prophecies. Still that's helpful-" he paused, "Oh gods- beware the Earth- giants-"
"Gaea's rising." Annabeth finished, "With the giants- it has to be." she shook her head, "Seven heroes shall answer the call-"
"To fire or storm the world must fall." Rachel breathed the words- "Oh my gods-"
"The world." Leo's eyes were almost bulging, "The Earth- as in Gaea- oh shit-"
"We can't tell everyone yet." Annabeth shook her head, "People are gonna panic. But I'll talk to Chiron and Luke. You can handle telling Jason and Piper-"
"This is so bad." Rachel groaned, "Like the Titans weren't bad enough."
"Percy literally died during the last prophecy." Leo felt like he was going to be sick, "And now I'm one of the Seven and I'm no way near her level. And Piper and Jason are involved too."
"Any idea who the other four will be?"
"Not a clue yet." Leo shrugged, "We have to see what's going to happen. But we'll figure it out."
"You be careful on your quest." Rachel reached out to Leo's arm gently, "Or I'll have to beat you up later okay?"
"Rachel's right." Annabeth gave Leo a worried look, "This quest is going to be dangerous. And- beware the earth-" Annabeth tensed up, her face pale, "You can't travel across land- if we're right about this being Gaea-"
"How are they supposed to travel then?" Rachel looked worried, "If they can't go on land-"
"We can fly." Leo felt a wide smile spreading across his lips. "Transport isn't going to be a problem."
"But-" and then Annabeth laughed, "Oh, I get it. Festus right?"
"Best way to travel." Leo winked, "It's about time I took him for a long ride anyways. We haven't been out for more than short trips with him since I picked up Calypso."
"Is he okay for travel?"
"I'll check up on him but he should be."
"Are you going to be okay to handle things?" Annabeth's voice was worried, "I know you're capable but-"
"I can handle it." Leo gave a small grin, "Technically it's not my quest-"
"Your new buddy Jason doesn't even remember anything and Piper is a newbie- we both know that you're going to have to take a leadership role in this quest." Annabeth gave a wry smile, "Looks like you're all grown up- which is weird because I remember the kid who nearly chopped Luke in half the first time he tried using a sword-"
"Mock me all you like you probably weren't much better than I was as a kid-"
"Leo when I met you you were what, thirteen? Back when I was thirteen I'd already been on two quests and was a seasoned hero." her voice was teasing. "I don't think you can say there's much you did younger than me-"
"I held the sky at thirteen." Leo gave a sly grin, "You were fourteen years old, I was younger than you were so technically-"
"Oh come on-" Annabeth paused then as Rachel started to giggle.
"Oh- oh could it possibly be that Annabeth Chase the wonderful genius extraordinaire just got outsmarted by Leo Valdez-"
"Hey! Don't act like that's crazy I am totally a genius too." Leo pouted, shoving Rachel gently, "Don't pick on me."
"Oh you are- but you're a mad inventor genius and Annabeth is a tactical and strategic genius." Rachel declared, a proud tone to her voice, "That's two different types of genius. Both very valid but it's rare that someone outsmarts Annabeth-"
"Okay, I can acknowledge that." Leo let out a breath. "Gods I'm not looking forward to this. I hate having to act all responsible- I'm the guy who comes up with the ridiculous crazy plans to save the day I'm not the one who actually leads."
"Y'know." Annabeth's voice was very gentle. "Percy would probably say that too. Or she would have- she never saw herself as a leader, she was just the muscle as far as she was concerned, but she was good at it- like, really good. She inspired people. You two are a lot alike in some ways- the pure chaos you create is dangerous. But you're smart and brave- or you wouldn't have charged the manticore or Atlas the way you did back when we first met you. If you need to step up and lead then you'll do a damn good job I'm sure of it."
"Annabeth is right Leo." Rachel smiled, "You might not be a fighter but you're a damn good hero as far as I'm concerned."
"I don't even know where to start Annabeth." Leo let out a breath, "If I have to be the leader I should be able to figure that out but I dunno-"
"Well." Annabeth frowned thoughtfully, "Start with the monsters, that's always a good place- you were attacked by a Storm Spirit so personally I'd ask a wind god," Annabeth said. "Aeolus is the master of all the winds, but he's a little … unpredictable. No one finds him unless he wants to be found. I'd try one of the four seasonal wind gods that work for Aeolus. The nearest one, the one who has the most dealings with heroes, is Boreas, the North Wind.
"And where would we find him?"
"Oh, he's not hard to find," Annabeth promised. "He settled in North America like all the other gods. So of course he picked the oldest northern settlement, about as far north as you can go. Which means you're going to Quebec."
"See, see without you Percy would have achieved nothing I'm sure of it." Leo lurched forward, throwing his arms around both of them, a soft smile on his lips as he squeezed them both before pulling back, "Thanks Annabeth. Seriously I owe you-"
"Yeah you do." Annabeth let out a breath, "Now off with you Leo, go find your girlfriend and have a talk with her, Rache and I will go and talk with Chiron. Though he probably already suspect's what's going on."
"Should be fun." Rachel said cheerily, "Listen Leo." she gave him a look, "If you need anything then call us and we'll see what we can do okay? You have your phone-"
"Rachel do I ever not have my phone?"
"Okay that is a good point." Rachel laughed, "But you get what we mean, if you need us then just call and we'll find a way to try and get to you."
"I'll call you if I need you-"
"Even if you just need someone to talk to or advice."
"Yeah, get ready for some late night calls." Leo hauled himself to his feet, "And wish me luck, I told Cal that I'd talk to her after I saw you guys-"
"Oooh. That'll be a fun talk." Rachel laughed, "I always hated it when Percy and Annabeth had to rush off without me-"
"Oh come on we brought you along more often than not."
"Not every time." Rachel shifted, "I'll have a word with her tomorrow if you'd like."
"I think she'd like that." Leo admitted, "I'll see you guys." then he turned around and left the beach, heading back towards the
cabins- and when he reached them he spotted a familiar figure sat by the hearth, no one else seemed to be around- it was getting late, that made sense, and he quickly headed towards her, a faint smile playing across his lips.
"Hey sunshine-" and Calypso was on her feet in seconds, rushing towards him and throwing her arms around his shoulders.
"I hate this! I hate this Leo-"
"Cal I'll come back-"
"I know. I know but you've only just come back-"
"I love you you know that-"
"I love you too Leo." Calypso pressed her forehead against his shoulder, "Promise me you'll come back to me."
"I will Cal." Leo pressed his lips to the top of Calypso's head. "I wish you could come with me but-"
"I know. It's a quest." Calypso's voice was pained. "Just- just come back to me."
"I will. I swear to you Cal. I swear on the River Styx that no matter what happens I will always come back to you." and then she was shifting and pressing her lips against his, and Leo found his brain going blank.