Mr. Spock only came down for threats against the camp and this was one of those times. A group of hellhounds were fast approaching, following three campers. They were coming back from a city trip and were strolling up the hill to their home. The three, two girls and a boy around 12, were oblivious to their surroundings. A small flutter alerted Aiden that the shadow had finally come down the tree. Aiden jumped up ready to talk to Mr. Spock but he was not spared a glance.

The shadow, for he was a shadow as he was dressed in a black hooded cloak, rushed towards the campers. Suprised by the sudden arrival of a cloaked man, they closed their eyes to the inevitable. They would die by the hand of a shadow man. No weapons to save them, they were in the city with no way to conceal weapons. Not everyone had a pen or a coin.

Mr. Spock made quick work of the hell hounds, he had moved so quickly. A pace only someone who had more than a lifetime of experience. When the campers opened their eyes the cloaked man was gone and gold dust flowed around in the breeze and littered the grass. They rushed into camp running to Chiron. They didn't understand, they needed answers. Who was their protector?

Aiden stood where he'd been the whole time. He saw Mr. Spock climb back up the tree as quickly as he could to avoid anyone but Aiden could have sworn that he had paused for just a second and look at him before climbing. Maybe he was getting somewhere.

Yelling alerted the camp that something was up. The three campers ran toward the Big House all the while hollering about a shadow man. The immortal councilers knew exactly who they ment. They had all been taking care of one matter or the other but quickly congregated near the Big House.

Chiron opened the front door, motioning the group in.

"Everything alright, Chiron?" Frank asked skeptical but not worried. Chiron looked tired, not alarmed. The campers though, looked about ready to faint.

"These young ladies and gentleman witnessed our protector doing his job. Got a little spooked is all." Chiron said evenly. Every once in awhile Percy would have to come down from the tree and defend the camp. Not many monsters dared to attack since Percy started his self imposed quest.

"H-he...came r-r-right at us," the boy stuttered out. The girls nodded along. Chiron picked up the explanation.

"The hellhounds had followed them from the city, thought they were way targets I guess. They were right behind the youngsters so our guardian scared them in his duty to protect them. That's all this was."

"Are you guys alright?" Piper asked the children. They nodded and shuffled out, a little more than embarrassed to their reactions. Piper turned to Chiron, "They wouldn't be so scared if they knew who he was."

"That is not our choice to make. We cannot force him to come out," Chiron said.

"Is he not affected by what happens inside this camp anymore? Does he not realize the effect he had on others. Sure the camp is safe but they're scared." Piper gritted out.

"The campers will soon forget like they always do," Chiron reassured. Hazel stepped in.

"Till next time."

"Yes, till next time." Chiron echoed.

"Maybe it's time, Chiron. It's been half a century already. We didn't push him them and we aren't now. How long do we have to wait?" Nico took a breath. He'd been holding back for awhile now and he couldn't any longer. "In the beginning it was grief, but now he's practically exhiled himself from the world. What kind of life is his?"

"We cannot help him, my boy." Chiron replied.

"Doesn't mean we can't try." Nico said.

"Doesn't mean someone isn't," Jason piped up.

"You referring to Mr. Spock's little shadow?" Jason nodded. "I had hoped Aiden would have more luck by now."

"Sir, we've all been watching closely, waiting for somethin-anything to happen. He wouldn't have let any one of us close ourselves off like he has. We need to do what we were supposed to do from the beginning." Frank looked around at everybody as he spoke. The gravity of his words resting on their shoulders, reminding them of what they used to be. Finally Chiron spoke,

"This is what we'll do. Aiden will not be alone in his efforts. I want you guys to be there helping Aiden when you can. Not just in your free time, make sure to carve out some time to talk to Percy. Show him we are putting in effort to reach him. There may not be a response but we have to try." Chiron took a deep breath, "remind him of who he was."