Poor Leo, poor Piper, at least Jason has some basic first aid knowledge. Anyway, please enjoy.
Also, for the Roman AU. Should I stick with the name Percy or something different- feel free to make suggestions if you think of any- if not I will keep it as Persephone.
The Official Clarisse: Hahahaha. It'll be fun to watch you squirm while you wait to see what I do. This should be fun.
Undeath9087: Oh there's ways to bring her back, ways to leave her dead- I had lots of different possible plans so you'll have to wait and see, which will be fun, and not so much action in this one but I mean, there's pain? Does that help.
Guest: There's so many different ways, I came up with ideas and plans and options and spent hours and hours and hours figuring out what I wanted to do- that's the fun part. But, a little hint, we will be seeing Bianca again before the SON storyline, and, well, I have every intention of Rachel sticking close to Annabeth during this quest.
Vulpixtales: Yeah, poor Leo. And believe me if he was brought back they would all want to take it in turns to murder him brutally.
PJ Fan 285: I can't say too much, don't wanna spoil my plans after all, but there's lots of possibilities, and I know how to use red herrings so you'll have to wait and see, 'Cue evil laughter' and don't worry. I'm taking my time with the writing.
Anonymously96: Nico isn't allowed into the Underworld at the moment and I genuinely don't believe they'd hear about what's happening in the world of the living in Elysium, and Percy was, while not exactly fully happy, she was content with her death, and she's having a damn good time in Elysium- seriously I know what she'd be doing, who she'd be friends with, all stuff like that, and you can't blame her. For the first time since she's twelve she doesn't have an insane stalker, or her evil grandfather looming over her head. She's free to be content and happy.
Leo was used to pain- really was, but that didn't make it any nicer and he almost blacked out at the feeling of Jason popping his shoulder back into place.
Everything seemed to white out- he slumped backwards against Piper- and when the pain eased somewhat and his vision cleared and the roaring of his blood in his ears quietened and he could hear Piper's shaking voice, "-O? Leo are you okay? Jason is he okay?"
"I-" Jason's voice was shaking slightly, "I think so. Leo-"
"I'll be fine." Leo shifted slightly, hissing in pain, "I'll be fine, it hurts but I've had worse." he took a deep breath, straightening up and slowly rolling his shoulder- which hurt like fuck but at least he could use it if he had to.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." Leo grimaced, taking a deep breath, "What do we do now?"
"I don't know." Jason glanced between Piper and Leo, "Sorry. I know I'm supposed to be leading this quest. Leo you've done more of the leading than I have- and it's not fair I was given the prophecy I should be taking responsibility-"
"Dude you have amnesia no one expects you to be some epic leader guy, right Pipes?"
"Leo's right." Piper nodded, "You're doing your best. Besides, it's fine, we have the great Leo Valdez right?"
And Leo gave a small grin, "Damn right you do." he looked around, "Okay, first things first. We figure out where we are- and I figure out what the Hades happened to Festus."
"What did happen?" Piper's brows furrowed, "I was asleep, I woke up and you were screaming and grabbing me."
"I felt something go wrong." Leo's brows furrowed, "Like- a chill down my spine or whatever. I knew something wasn't right and- I don't know." he shook his head, "It didn't feel normal. I know Festus- I've spent more time with Festus than I have with most people. I know what it feels like when something normal is wrong with him and it didn't feel normal. I'll need to get to him and check him out to see if I can find out why for sure but something happened."
"Right. So, we find your dragon and figure out what went wrong with him." Jason's voice was firm. "And we find out where we are."
he paused, "How would we work out where we are?"
"Well-" Leo slipped his hand into his pocket, wincing slightly when he pulled out his phone and saw that the screen was so badly cracked that he doubted he'd even be able to touch it without slicing his finger open. "Okay so maybe just using google maps isn't gonna work." He looked around, eyes narrowed as he examined the warehouse as best as he could, eyes narrowing when he spotted something beneath layers of graffiti on the wall. A large red eye with the stencilled words: monocle motors, assembly plant 1. "A closed car plant then." he said firmly, "That would probably mean Detroit I'd guess."
"Right." Piper nodded, "And how far is that from Chicago?"
Jason shook his head. "Maybe three-fourths of the way from Quebec? The thing is, without the dragon, we're stuck travelling overland."
"No way," Leo said quickly. "It isn't safe. We do not want Queen Dirtface to be able to locate us which she will if we travel overland."
"You're right." Piper nodded, "But- Jason I doubt you can fly all three of us that far by yourself could you?"
"No way."
"I have to get to Festus- try and fix him up." Leo's voice was firm, "Depending on what's wrong there's a chance, and I do have some spare wings in the storage hatch as well." he looked at Piper, "You're gonna have a pair, I'll teach you how to use them-"
"That would be awesome." Piper looked relieved, "I love you both but I'd rather not have to rely on you guys to fly in and save me."
"It would be comforting." Jason admitted, "As long as they're okay- he kinda blew up right?"
"I'm not sure- he can withstand a heck of a beating though." Leo's voice was fond, "Festus is tough. I have to have faith-"
"Before we do anything-" Piper shrugged her backpack off of her back, unzipping it- "Drew gave me this." she pulled out a large bright green first aid kit, and she opened it quickly, pulling out an unopened package that, according to the label, contained a sling.
"You're gonna wear this Leo- and no complaints." she gave him a warning look when he opened his mouth to argue, "Leo you dislocated your shoulder, even with the ambrosia you should still be keeping it as still as you can-"
"Pipes we're on a quest-"
"I know, and I know you'll still have to use it but you are going to wear that sling as much as you can or I swear I will order you too-"
"Oh." Leo's eyes widened, "Okay. Okay I get it." because Piper had to be really worried to threaten that- he knew her well enough to know that the idea of being able to control people wouldn't sit well with her. She must be terrified.
His heart lurched at that thought as he met his friends gaze- she really was. She wasn't used to any of this- she hadn't dealt with quests before- she'd been thrown in at the deep end just like he had when he'd first found out about Demigods- he remembered how scared he'd been, so sure that he and Percy were going to die- and then after he'd been captured because he'd tried to play hero, he remembered how he'd clung to Sally like a lifeline- the woman who had become a mom to him had probably been the only reason he'd gotten through it as well as he had. She'd kept him calm, reassured him and explained things. And all he'd been doing was waiting for rescue.
Piper had been dragged into all of this, nearly fallen to her death twice, discovered she was a demigod and even more within the last two days. It wasn't remotely fair on her.
"Good." Her voice was a lot stronger than Leo had expected it to be, and he let her carefully tie the sling so that it was supporting his right arm and keeping it steady in one place. "How does that feel."
"That feels good Beauty Queen-"
"Don't call me that." but Piper's lips twitched so Leo was pretty sure he could count that as a victory.
"Right." Jason stood up, holding out a hand to Leo, "As much as I wish we could take a break we should probably go and find Festus-
where did he land Piper and I were a bit too distracted to see-"
"By the porta-potties." Leo's face scrunched up "Which is not gonna be fun."
"Oh gross." Piper pulled a face, "I really hope he's not covered in anything."
"I just hope he's all in one piece." Jason gave Leo a worried look, "Do you really think he could have survived the explosion?"
"He's tough, like I said." Leo got to his feet slowly, grimacing as he did, "I mean, he was salvageable after we fought the Lydian Drakon." he remembered how terrified he'd been- fighting a monster that he knew he couldn't beat, clinging to Festus- there was no way he'd ever have gotten off his Dragons back- if Festus was fighting then so would Leo, he wouldn't make his friend risk his life alone- And Festus really was his friend- gods if his Dragon was too badly damaged he was going to tear whoever was responsible to shreds- because he was definitely sure that someone was responsible for it. It had been some sort of sabotage. "He has to be fine. He has to-" and Piper was looking at him, an almost guilty look on his face as she stared at him, and then she was speaking, cutting
him off mid sentence.
"It was my fault." her voice was shaky- and Piper looked like she almost wanted to burst into tears. "I'm so sorry I'm so sorry you
two it's all my fault-"
"No-" Jason's eyes widened and he laid a hand on Piper's shoulder, "Piper it couldn't be your fault, you were asleep when whatever happened happened. No way was it your fault."
"Jason's right." Leo gave a tight smile, "There was nothing you did wrong or could have done to stop it. I think someone sabotaged us- that's hardly your fault we're on a dangerous quest with a lot of enemies. I should have been expecting it. You're in shock probably- a lot's happened and it's not like you're used to any of this. Honestly you've done amazing to last this long without freaking-"
"That- Leo that's not-" Piper's voice shook and the words seemed to get stuck in her throat. "I-" she shook her head, shoulders slumping as she looked down, closing her eyes- and Leo glanced at Jason, a worried frown on his lips. "Maybe you guys should wait here-"
"What?" Jason's eyes widened, "But Leo you have a bad arm-"
"I'll be fine-"
"No-" Piper lifted her head and shook it, "Leo you don't have to- I'll be okay-"
"Pipes you look like you're in shock, you need to rest-"
"You're more hurt than me-"
"I also have more experience with quests." Leo pointed out, "It's not about physical ability Beauty Queen, it's about mental state, you look like you need a moment to breathe. I can go, see what happened to Festus and come back, let you guys know what I find out and Jason can stay with you-"
"Leo you shouldn't go off on your own." Jason's expression was worried, "What if something happens?"
"Jason, dude, I'm-"
"It's my fault." Piper repeated the words again, her voice cracking- and something in her tone made Leo hesitate.
"Piper why do you keep saying that?"
"They have my father." Piper's voice shook, "They have for days- I've been getting dreams- I didn't understand them- they-" she shook her head, tears flooding down her cheeks, "He told me to come on this quest- to lead you to him and not where we actually need to go if we want to save Hera and I don't know what to do you two I don't- I don't want to betray anyone and I don't want to lose my father and I know I can't- we can't save him and Hera it's not possible we don't have time. I'm sorry I am so sorry you guys I should have told you-"
"Oh gods-" Jason looked horrified, "Piper-" and then he was lurching forward and hugging her, "You should have told us right away- I don't-"
"We'll do both." Leo took a deep breath, staring at Piper as his mind raced, "I don't know how yet but we're going to do both." he tried to run his fingers through his hair but they got caught in the tangled mass of his curls- falling so far with so much wind had not done him any favors. "I get it Pipes- believe me. If I was in your position I don't know how I'd feel but I do know that we are going to do this impossible. We're going to find and rescue your dad from Queen Dirtface's minions and we're going to rescue Queen bitchface from them too."
"Leo-"
"You're my friend Pipes, and we are going to help you. We're going to fix things."
"I-" Piper stared at him for a long moment before scrambling to her feet, pulling away from Jason and throwing herself at Leo, hugging him tightly. "You- Leo you-" she let out a sob, "You're the best friend I've ever had Leo. I- thank you. Thank you so much." and Leo wrapped his arms around her tightly in return, letting the slightly older girl press her face into his shoulder.
"Hey." he let out a slow breath, "It's gonna be okay Beauty Queen. I promise you it's gonna be okay. We're the heroes we don't let the bad guys win right Jason."
"Right." Jason gave a small nod, a determined look on his face "We'll figure this out. Together."