Hahaha, I hope you all enjoy this chapter- it has a lil bit of pain in it- also some cute sibling stuff and all. Please do review and tell me what you think.

It turned out that Leo and Festus were in the woods- Percy and Luke found them after a bit of searching and Percy had to smile.

The once rogue bronze dragon was huge, he'd definitely be big enough to carry all of them if it came down to it- his head was nearly as big as Leo's body- that should have made him intimidating- and it did. Usually- but not when the dragon was curled up in a clearing in the woods, with Leo tucked into his side under one of his wings, both of them asleep, Leo's snoring was soft in the woods, and Percy made her way towards the dragon and the boy- and she laughed to herself when one of the dragons ruby eyes lit up, though he didn't move- he recognised Percy it seemed- and honestly Percy was pretty sure that Leo was right about Festus- the Bronze dragon did seem to be sentient- he was certainly protective of his favourite son of Hephaestus. Still, he clearly knew Percy wasn't a threat.

"Leo." Percy reached out, gripping Leo's shoulder gently and shaking it. "Hey Flameo."

"Wha?" Leo opened his eyes slowly, stifling a yawn, "What's up? Percy-"

"You fell asleep out here dumbo." Percy gave a soft grin, "Lucky for you I won't go telling on you if you do me a favor."

"What's the favor."

"Can you fly us too Westport, Connecticut?"

"Uh- yeah." Leo straightened up, "On Festus right?"

"Of course." Luke nodded, "We need to get there as fast as possible-"

"And hey." Percy grinned, "At least we know Lord Zeus is too distracted to actually try to strike me out of the sky-"

"Not funny." Luke shoved Percy and she toppled over, landing on Leo, who let out a yelp.

"HEY!"

"LUKE! I'm gonna murder you!" Percy scrambled to her feet, hauling Leo up with her as Festus let out a huff, as if he was thinking 'Idiots'.

And Luke scrambled backwards as Percy launched herself at him, laughing loudly. "It's your own fault for making a dumb joke-"

"And people say I'm immature." Leo was grinning as he brushed himself down and Festus shifted, standing up slowly, "So you want me to take you to Connecticut. Festus can do that." he reached out, laying his hand on the metal of the dragons neck- and the huge creature was beautiful- the metal scales catching the sunlight as it moved and glittering, the huge bat shaped wings unfurling and making a noise like coins cascading out of a slot machine every time they moved.

"Let's go then." Percy grinned as Leo scrambled on Festus' back with practised ease, and Percy moved closer, reaching up as Leo leaned down, and he hauled her up, and she slip on Festus' back, Luke joining them a moment later, sliding on behind Percy.

And then they were taking off, and Percy had to admit that she'd never forget the flight.

Up high, the air was freezing cold; but the dragon's metal hide generated so much heat, it was like they were flying in a protective bubble, a fact that Percy was incredibly grateful for. And it was comfortable too, the grooves in the dragon's back were designed like high-tech saddles, so they weren't uncomfortable at all. Leo showed them how to hook their feet in the chinks of the armor, like in stirrups, and use the leather safety harnesses cleverly concealed under the exterior plating.

Percy could see from the way he acted that he loved the dragon like it was his own child.

And Leo used the reigns to control the dragon like he'd done it his whole life- it was the first time Percy had flown on the dragon with him- it was fairly rare anyone else went with Leo on the Festus missions- mostly because Festus only liked Leo and Beckendorf.

The flight didn't take too long- Percy was grateful for that, even if Festus was a smooth ride and she was confident that Zeus was too busy to smite her for daring to fly that didn't mean she actively enjoyed flying, and when Luke leaned over her shoulder and started giving Leo directions Percy was painfully grateful- and as they landed Percy wondered what mortals would see- if it would be some sort of drone or something- or a small plane- that thought made her snort as she and Luke dismounted while Leo leaned forward over Festus' neck, whispering something to the dragon, and as their feet hit the ground Percy looked around at the wild looking garden- the creepy old and somewhat mouldy looking stuffed beanbag animals that lined the path- it was distantly familiar, but still, it was so much worse than she remembered.

And before they were even on the path the door was swinging open and Percy's eyes widened as she let out a relieved gasp and sprinted up the path, meeting Rachel halfway,
wrapping her arms around the other girl and spinning her, "Rache!"

"Percy! What are you doing here?" Rachel let out a breathless little laugh, "Gods I didn't think I'd see you again-"

"We could ask you the same thing." Luke spoke up, "Percy had one of her dreams."

"You did?" Rachel's gaze was on Percy's a worried look in those stunning forest green eyes. "What did you see?"

"You. Last night." Percy admitted, "The- thing with your dad and you deciding to come here." and Rachel tensed slightly, eyes searching Percy's expression.

"You saw the paintings?"

"Yeah." Percy whispered the word, "I- did not like one of them."

"Neither did I." Rachel shook her head, "That one- I just- it was a flash in my dream and I had to paint it but that one out of all of them makes the least sense."

"It really does. You know that right I'd never-"

"I know." Rachel nodded, pulling back slightly and grabbing Percy's hands, squeezing them gently, "I know-"

"Uh, am I the only one in the dark here?" that came from Leo, who was sliding off of Festus' back, a confused look on his face, and Luke let out a snort.

"Not even nearly. But I feel like asking won't get us anywhere." Luke shoved his hands into his pockets, "But I do have to ask... why are you here?"

"I saw your mom in my dreams." Rachel hesitated, "I saw what happened to her?"

"What?" all the color seemed to drain from Luke's face at that. "What- you know what happened?"

"I do." Rachel gave a small nod, a sympathetic look on her face, "Your dad tried to stop her from doing it but when you were a baby she decided- she had the gift of prophecy.
She thought- she was convinced that she was the next Oracle of Delphi."

"What?" Luke's voice was incredibly small, "I don't- but the Oracle's the mummy-"

"There's a curse on her. The spirit of Delphi can't move on to a new host until... honestly I don't know exactly when. Until something happens. But- your mom was convinced and when she tried to take the spirit-"

"It showed her my possible future-"

"What?" that came from Leo, "Your possible future?"

"It- it's complicated, I don't know the details." Luke admitted, "But I know my fate was nearly pretty bad? Then my mother got the choice- keep me with her or give me to mom to raise and she chose to send me away and that- that saved me I guess. But- the damage was already done. What she saw drove her insane-"

"Your mom-"

"Is- yeah." Luke's expression was pained, "Yeah she is. It's not- you'll understand when you see her."

"She knew I was coming." Rachel said suddenly, "She seemed almost lucid when I first got here- and she said you were coming but- I mean-"

"You thought it was just her insanity." Luke's voice was quiet, "I don't blame you for thinking that- she has mouldy sandwiches and cookies saved up for me for when I come home.

"Yummy." Leo's face scrunched up. "Sounds great."

"She's inside waiting." Rachel's voice was soft, "She said she needs to talk with you two."

"Does that mean I can stay outside and avoid the mouldy sandwiches and cookies?" Leo's voice was uneasy.

Luke nodded, "Of course." he let out a breath, "You stay with Festus, you can be on guard duty." he slung an arm over Percy's shoulder, and, with Rachel leading the way they headed up the path and into the house, Rachel leading them to the kitchen- where May was waiting, sat at the table- which was filled with tubs of cookies and mouldy peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

She stood up as soon as they walked in, a huge smile crossing her face. "Oh Luke! My beautiful boy you came home again- and Percy, so pretty and grown up now just look at you!"

"Hey mom." Luke's smile was nervous, hesitant, "It- it's good to see you again-"

"I knew you'd come home. I knew you'd come today." May's voice was almost excited as she moved towards them, totally ignoring Rachel, "Oh look at you both-" her expression softened, "My precious baby boy- so good. I saved you. I saved you, you know. I saved you."

"I know mom." Luke swallowed hard as he nodded, "I know you did. And I'll never not be grateful for that."

May's expression faltered, "You'll still hurt though." her voice was sad, "You'll hurt so much my son but there's nothing anyone can do-"

"What-" Luke's voice was panicked, "What do you mean mom-"

"When the time comes you won't be able to stop it-"

"Stop what?" Luke looked terrified as his gaze swung to Percy.

They both knew what she was talking about- there wasn't even a question really. There was only one thing that would hurt Luke that much.

"You'll be there. When the time comes. You two against the world- just as it should be. Then... then you'll- I- I'm sorry- I'm so sorry all I wanted was to protect you I'm so sorry- I didn't- you- to die like that- protecting-" her eyes moved to Percy- and that- it couldn't be what it sounded like. That- that made it sound like Luke was going to die protecting her. But- but that wasn't possible. It wasn't.

"Mom- mom-" and Luke's voice cracked, "Please- please stop-"

"Oh gods." Rachel looked like she wanted to cry too.

Percy felt a rush of panic at that, though she forced it down, fighting back the urge to sob- Luke was going to be fine, he wasn't going to die. She was the one who was meant to die. May had to be mistaken. Her brother wasn't going to die she wouldn't allow it. "It's going to be fine Luke. It has to be."

"But-"

"Luke." Percy met her brothers gaze, "We can't obsess over it. We need to focus on the war. You're not going to die- we both know who it'll be that's likely to die in the end."

"Percy-" Rachel breathed Percy's name, and she gave a sad smile as she looked at her girlfriend.

"Don't you start now." she had to blink rapidly to force back her tears, "And if the worst comes to worst I'm gonna need you guys to look after the others-"

"But-"

"They'll need you." Percy said firmly, "You know that. Both of you-"

"I don't-" Rachel looked like she wanted to cry. "I love you."

"And I love you too Rache. But I want you both to promise me."

"I promise." Rachel nodded, "I swear on the Styx I'll- I'll be there. If you- I'll be there."

"Me too." Luke could barely say the words, and he was shaking slightly, and there was no forcing back his tears, they'd left streaks down his face, "I swear on the Styx that if anything happens to you I'll look after our family- but Percy I'd rather I died than-"

"Thank you." Percy felt herself relax. "Thank you Luke. Now we're done talking about this-"

"I- I can't be in here." Luke shook his head- and Percy couldn't blame him as he rushed out of the kitchen. She knew how much the thought of losing her hurt Luke- but she'd needed him to swear that- if he didn't... then she knew he'd probably shatter when the time came. His oath to her look after the others would force him to keep going. Because she knew she wouldn't let it be him who died she wouldn't. She couldn't, she'd do everything to stop that, no matter what he thought of it.

"I think I need some air too." Rachel whispered the words, "I- I get it Percy but-" she shook her head, "It hurts so much to-"

"I know." Percy whispered the words, "I wish I could make it better." and she watched Rachel follow Luke's lead.

And Percy would have followed her but a hand reached out, catching her wrist.

She frowned, turning her head to meet May's eyes- and they were clear, not clouded like usual- and the woman pressed a small box into Percy's hand, "Your birthday present."

"My-" Percy frowned, "But my birthday's not for-"

"You'll need it." May let go of Percy's wrist and pressed a finger to her lips, "When the time comes."

And Percy frowned, opening the little box and frowning in confusion- it was a ring, a thumb ring by the look of it- it was thick, it would take up up the lower part of thumb, an oval shaped little sparkling aquamarine set into the bronze metal- Cestial bronze Percy was sure- and it was strange- the bottom of the metal was oval shaped, clinging tight to the stone and rounded but the top almost spiked upwards away from the stone, the metal forming a point, pointing towards her nail, stopping just below the joint.
Percy pressed the pad of her thumb against the point- and it was pretty sharp, all things considered.

She hesitated for a moment before she lifted it from the box and slid it onto her thumb, it fit perfectly- the point resting just below her joint.

She lifted her head to look into May's steady gaze. "I don't understand-"

"Remember who he was." May told her softly, "That'll be important Persephone. When the time comes remember who he was before. And know his weakness-"

"I don't understand-"

But the clarity in May's eyes was suddenly gone.

"Don't understand- where's my boy-" she looked around, "He was here just a moment ago wasn't he? He's such a good boy- so much like his father."

And Percy stared at May before she turned and ran.