Um, hi?
Well, not sure what to say to a bunch of people who thought I was dead for half a year. I now know how Leo feels. I guess that's a good thing(?)
I'm sorry! I had this huge move which was very stressful, and I just couldn't get myself to write! But now that it's summer vacation, I will be sure to save more time for all you wonderful people! I really hope you enjoy this chapter. I worked really hard on it!
Warning: You are about to witness some of the worst song-writing in the history of song-writing. It was so bad that I had to call upon my younger sister for assistance (the shame...). If you at all value your eyesight or sanity, you will not read any further than this. You have been warned.
And with that cheerful message, enjoy!
Three years after that dreadful incident, the kingdom had long given up their black attire after three whole months of mourning. Yet, life goes on, and the residents of Olympus had painfully decided that Hephaestus and Esperanza Valdez would prefer that they don't dwell over such topics for so long. The king himself had already established a memorial for his finest son and daughter in law, and though they had shared many conflicts (many including Queen Hera), Zeus has put them all behind him.
On this day, the kingdom not only had resumed its usual boisterous and loud behavior, but it seemed unusually more cheerful than usual. However, the source of this unlimited source of cheeriness wasn't a mystery to anyone. Today was the day that Leo Valdez, heir to the throne, was turning eighteen. Today was Coronation Day.
Zeus didn't have any children in the castle. They had all either married someone in another kingdom, ran away to make a new life without the responsibility of kingship, or settled in at Camp Demigod (this only applied to two of his children, though it was rumored that one of them had joined the Hunters of Artemis). Leo and Harley were the only princes that resided at the castle, and since Leo was the eldest, it was his responsibility to take up the throne.
All around the town, people were rushing about, struggling to get ready for the celebration. The night after the Coronation, the streets would be filled with people having parties and dancing while wearing their finest attire. Inside each house, women were trying out different gowns and practicing their dancing, while the men were busy outside setting up decorations to mark the joyous occasion. The younger children were running around everywhere, laughing happily while evading their tired and frustrated mothers. Just entering the town were several ships currently docking at the port. All eyes were turned to one that was just starting to unload, though it wasn't because the size (it was indeed the largest ship) or even the sail with the two bright letters, CD, that decorated the sails. It was the feeling the ship gave. An aura of magic.
Yes, the campers from Camp Demigod had decided to show their faces and join in on the celebration. Most, of course, were nervous, and a bunch of ADD kids who were more fidgety than usual was not a good thing. But no one had been left behind at the camp, and though everyone was a bit wary of the mortals, they all couldn't wait for the celebrations.
A nineteen year old girl with brown hair, brown eyes, and wearing a beautiful lime-green gown was busy fussing over a boy a little older than her with curly brown hair and blue eyes. Another boy, looking identical to the first (though he was a bit shorter and obviously a few years younger) was watching the two with an amused look in his eyes.
"Katie, will you stop it?" The older boy protested.
"You just simply cannot go to the Coronation looking like that, Travis!" the girl, Katie, argued, "Will you just hold still?"
Travis sent a pleading look to the boy who was obviously his brother, but he just shrugged, making it clear he was on his own
"I will get you for this, Connor," Travis mumbled under his breath. Connor, who managed to hear this, immediately started laughing.
A straw-colored haired boy sent them a look of disgust. The nerve of the boy to not come to the Coronation looking how they are supposed to! And it was obvious that the stupid girl was only making things worse!
Things would be so much better with me in charge, Octavian thought to himself.
Of course, Octavian wouldn't dare say that out loud. Him taking Reyna's place as praetor was laughable. He had already made a fool of himself countless times. Even at that very moment people were shooting him weird looks left and right. However, Octavian kept his head held high and ignored the constant stares directed at his suit.
With the constant supply of demigods that day, the townspeople had seen enough different colors and patterns to last them a lifetime. However, Octavian's suit definitely took the cake for the most vibrant, not to mention just outright strange. It was a sight to see a sixteen year old boy walk the streets of Olympus wearing a belt of different colored teddybears with his outfit. I didn't even match the suit! Octavian didn't let the looks and whispers that trailed him everywhere he went get to him. He knew in his heart that he was far more superior to all of them, and that one day, they wouldn't dare whisper behind his back.
One day, they will all be sorry.
"Ah, Olympus," Octavian said to himself, "A most mysterious kingdom. Don't you agree?"
For the first time since he arrived, Octavian addressed his two traveling companions (Octavian often thought of them as his servants). The first one, who had perked up when he had heard his leader speak, nodded his head eagerly (or at least he hoped it looked eager). The other one, who had been gazing at the kingdom with wonder in his eyes, wasn't as lucky. It was only when Octavian impatiently cleared his throat that he whipped towards him, his eyes now filled with fear instead of wonder.
"As I was saying," Octavian continued, "This is quite a mysterious kingdom. I believe this is the kingdom where the Valdez family resides?"
As if on cue, the two demigods vigorously nodded their head (the second one desperately hoping to make up for his previous mistake).
"Or I guess I should say, what's left of the Valdez family," Octavian said with a slight smirk, "Another mystery that has yet to be unfolded! I'm telling you, this is what I really intend to do here! What kind of demigod spends time around mortal parties?"
Octavian shuddered, as if he was suddenly ailed with a strong chill.
"Well, the sooner I find that out, the sooner I can stop it from ever happening again!" Octavian was now mumbling to himself once again, "After all, I can't have any accidents happening when I am ruler of Olympus!"
Octavian was brought short by the confused looks from his comrades. Octavian froze, a slight blush forming on his pale cheeks.
"Um, did I say that out loud?"
A little bit away, a fifteen year old boy with sky blue eyes and golden-blonde hair sent them a questioning look, but shruged it off and returned his attention to his friend's heated discussion on the appropriate attire that was required to attend the Coronation. It was clear that she had much more to say on the topic than Travis.
"I can't believe I had to take out my highlights!" the girl protested. She had grown a lot since the Valdez family requested her help in healing their younger son, but Lou Ellen had kept her long black hair and bright green eyes. She was dressed in a black, knee length dress and combat boots, for that was as far as her tolerance had gone. However, she did have to make a few sacrifices, such as the bright purple highlight she had recently put in her hair. The fight wasn't pretty.
"Lou, will you give it a break?" another boy in their little group groaned. He had shaggy black hair and green eyes, though he did share a certain resemblance to the two brothers close to them. Maybe it was the similar mischievous glint in his eye.
"No, I will not Cecil!" Lou Ellen retorted, "And don't call me Lou! I don't care if we are dating!"
The boy with the blonde hair rolled his eyes, and looked down at the fourth member of their posse, who had not spoken the entire trip. The boy had been even more stubborn than Lou Ellen, wearing a black leather jacket over a black T-shirt and black pants. His dark brown eyes were hidden under a mop of black hair, and he seemed extremely uncomfortable, like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was now.
"What's wrong, Nico?" asked the blonde.
"Nothing, Will," Nico replied, "Will you stop fussing over me for just two seconds? I haven't shadow traveled in six months!"
"I know," Will replied with a smile, "You have been a good little patient, haven't you?"
Nico sent a glare Will's way, Will responding with laughter.
"Well, do I get a lollipop for being a "good little patient"? Nico asked sarcastically.
"No, they are terrible for your teeth."
"Oh, so now you are a dentist?"
Will shrugged and sent Nico a mysterious look, "Maybe."
Nico sighed at Will's silliness, and returned to his sulking. Will, seeing an opening, gave the younger boy a quick peck on the cheek.
"Is that a good enough award?" Will asked Nico, a triumphant grin on his face.
Said boy was blushing madly. Cecil sent a teasing look at Nico, while Lou Ellen cooed at the cuteness of it all. Will smiled his bright smile, hugging his boyfriend, while Nico just stood there hating everything (especially Will).
Lou Ellen wasn't the only person fangirling, for a little bit away a small couple were giving each other knowing smiles. Piper was wearing a peacock-blue dress and a matching blue feather braided in her hair, while Jason had decided to dress a bit more formal than most of the other boys that came from Camp Demigod by wearing an actual suit (he had gotten many complaints about being too "uptight"). The four others in their group were all walking silently together, taking in the beautiful scenery.
"Ah, Olympus," said Percy, who was attracting many stares by wearing bright, ocean-blue clothes, "It really has been a while, hasn't it?"
"Don't tell me you missed this place," Annabeth said, rolling her eyes.
"Of course not! Camp Demigod will always be my home!"
"Good," said Frank, "Camp Demigod just wouldn't be the same without you."
"Yeah, but it probably would save a few headaches," Jason cut in.
Percy looked mock-offended.
"How dare you insult me like that?" Percy protested, "I am perfectly tolerable! In fact, I shall prove my point!"
Jason started laughing, but was caught short when Percy started to roughly rub his head, tousling his neatly combed hair.
"Hey, stop it!" Jason yelled as he blindly swiped his arms in Percy's general direction (his hair was in his face, therefore blocking his view), "How is this supposed to make you more tolerable!?"
Hazel watched this with slight anxiety, but the rest of the crew seemed to perfectly enjoy the younger blonde's torture. Annabeth and Piper gazed at their boyfriends with a mixture of sympathy, amusement, and affection.
"Piper, I thought you loved me!" Jason yelled, "HELP ME!"
Piper considered it for a moment, and then shook her head while sending Jason a sorry-looking expression.
"I hated that hair-do anyway," Piper said.
Piper's smile turned into disgust when she heard a bunch of giggles from a group of pink-clad girls walking and gossiping past them. Piper shook her head in disapproval.
"I still don't see how I am related to them!" Piper exclaimed.
"We know you are better than all of them," said Annabeth, "For one thing, you don't need makeup to look pretty."
Piper smiled at the complement, but nonetheless frowned when she heard a few words from her half-sisters.
"I just can't wait to see the king!"
"Do you think he will like my dress?"
"The young prince should be there, too!"
"I heard that they are hot!"
"I bet they are so handsome!"
Piper sighed at their foolishness. She knew the king wasn't planning on marrying soon, and she knew barely anything about the prince, besides the story that was occasionally told at campfire about the time the Valdez family came to the camp in need of their help. The prince had an enchanted burn, though the cause was unknown. At least, that is what they all say. Chiron had called it "classified information", and rumor has it he used the Mist to make those who knew the answer forget. It was a steady topic among the camp and a great conversation starter.
"Well, we shall see how handsome they really are," Piper said to no one in particular.
"Probably much less than they think," Hazel laughed.
The groups all continued on their way towards the looming castle.
Inside the castle itself, the said prince was fast asleep, despite the hour. Harley had long-since taught himself to sleep late, as it killed time. At least it was better than sitting around doing nothing for hours at a time.
Contrary to what the Aphrodite girls had conjured up inside their wildly imaginative minds, Harley was definitely not the definition of handsome. At least, not this second. He was snoring loudly, a slight trickle of drool flowing from the corner of his mouth. His curly hair was everywhere, a brown, tangled mess. He looked like he could sleep through a herd of stampeding elephants.
His sweet dreams were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Harley?" came a voice from outside, "Harley, you have to get up!"
Harley groaned and slightly opened one eye. He rose up to a sitting position and started to stretch.
"Who is it?" he called out to the voice behind the door.
"It's me, Your Highness," Harley distinctly recognized the voice as belonging to Grover, head of the Counsel of Cloven Elders (AKA a bunch of nature freaks that were especially fond of preparing the meals and tending the castle garden. They were the closest Harley would ever get to having friends).
"I'm very sorry, have I woken you?" Grover's voice sounded concerned, though that wasn't a shock to Harley. Though he did have his moments (and those were moments indeed), Grover did get nervous very easily, especially because of the day his two best friends disappeared with the miners and never came back. However, he was a hard worker and a loyal adviser, and Harley was glad he had him.
Reassuring Grover was second nature to Harley.
"Of course not!" Harley replied, trying (and failing) to keep the drowsiness out of his voice. However, his efforts were in vain as his body once again began to relax and he started to snore. This time, however, he was quick to recover.
"Who is it!?"
"Um, still me, Your Highness," Grover replied, and Harley could sense him rolling his eyes from the other side of the door, "You have to get up! Today is the big day! You need to get ready!"
"Oh, of course!" Harley said, racking his brain to remember what kind of occasion could possibly be this important. Had he forgotten Earth Day again?
"Um, ready for what?"
"Your brother's Coronation, Your Highness."
"Oh yeah," Harley said, trying to adjust to the sudden daylight, "My brother's Corner-ation. Right, I knew that!"
Suddenly, Harley's eyes landed on a clean and neatly pressed outfit folded at the end of his bed. It all finally dawned upon him. He let out a gasp, now completely awake.
"Oh my gods! It's Coronation Day!"
Harley ripped the covers off his bed, grabbed his outfit, and was running out of his bedroom in less than two minutes. Harley couldn't help but smile as he grabbed a bewildered Grover and spun him around in his excitement.
"It's Coronation Day!" Harley once again exclaimed, letting those delicious words hit his ears once again.
As Harley ran off again. Grover couldn't help but smile.
Caught up in the moment, Harley started to sing.
"For years I have waited in the past
When the gates would be lifted at long last
Because of my older brother's stupid rule!"
Harley was running through the halls at top speed, turning his head back and forth so fast his neck was plotting his demise. But he couldn't help it. Though he knew the castle by heart, all of the windows had been shut tight, and he was never allowed to leave the castle. Seeing all the servants open the windows wide brought Harley a never-ending sense of joy. Harley quickly ran over to one of the windows.
"I have roamed these halls for countless years
Lived like a ghost, feeding on my fears
Of loneliness and hopelessness, so cruel!"
The feeling of the warm sunshine on his face was almost like a warm hug from his mother. But the thought of his parents right now didn't make him feel sad at all. He had a feeling they were in Elysium right now, smiling up at him. He made sure that his smile was large enough so that they could see it.
"But the wait is now finally over!
And the windows are open wide!
I'm all too ready for this wild ride!"
In one smooth motion, Harley climbed out of the window and placed his foot on a wooden plank suspended by two long ropes. This was the swing that he and Leo had made together. They used to play on it all the time.
Harley didn't even let the thoughts of his brother get to him.
"'Cause for the first time in forever
The town is filled with song!"
With each line he sang, he pulled downward on the rope that kept him from falling a few stories to his death, slowly but surely making his platform rise.
"For the first time in forever
I can dance the whole night long!"
Harley was now so high up that he could see the ships arriving from who knew where. Among them, he saw the symbol of Camp Demigod.
Leo invited those people? Harley thought, his excitement rising, Maybe I can meet some of them! Those would be some cool friends to have!
Harley's chest was fit to burst. Harley swung on his tiny swing a few times for good measure, not sure if it was because of ADHD or his elated feeling that filled him up like a balloon.
"At least now I can see the reason
behind my brother's insanity!
'Cause for the first time in forever!"
As Harley held that last note, Harley let go of the rope. His miniature swing-set went plummeting down, Harley completely unfazed by anything. At the last second, before he became a pancake on the ground below, Harley grabbed the rope just in time to slow his descent before he jumped the remaining few feet.
"We can be together as a family!"
Harley breathed in the fresh air that only the castle garden could grant him. The plain fact that this small place was outside made it one of Harley's favorite places in the entire castle. He wasn't like the Cloven Elders, who came here just because they loved nature. At least they could leave the castle. This had made Harley envy them and the rest of the servants more than once, though he had never really been angry with them. How could be angry at someone who took care of your every want and need?
A small group of ducks waddled their way towards him; the group was composed of one mother and three ducklings (Harley always wondered who the father was, but it didn't bother him today).
"Hey Pam," he greeted the mother duck, who in turn quacked a response. The ducks had long since acknowledged the names Harley had given them long ago.
"Hi Tiffany." The first duck quacked a hello. "Clara, looking good!"
The second ruffled her feathers in appreciation.
"And Steve! What's up, my main man?"
The third duck jumped in to Harley's hands, which Harley had held out as a tiny platform for Steve to stand on.
"Do you know what today is?"
The ducks didn't answer. That must have been a no.
"It's Coronation Day!" Harley said, spinning Steve around a bit in his excitement. The other ducks started to pick up on his mood and started honking like mad. Harley laughed out loud.
"I can go outside!" Harley said, giggling slightly, "And Leo had invited so many people! I can't wait to meet everyone!"
Harley suddenly gasped.
"Do you think I will meet... The One?"
The ducks didn't reply. Suddenly, they started shaking their heads.
Harley must have expected this.
"Nah," he said, laughing at his own foolishness, "I am much too young to be thinking of finding true love, or whatever they call it these days."
Still laughing at how childish the previous thought had been, he bade farewell to his friends and reentered the castle. A delicious aroma suddenly greeted his nostrils, and Harley managed to identify it at once.
Chocolate, he thought dreamily.
He followed his nostrils towards the ballroom, where the servants had already set out most of the delicacies. The sight of the beautifully decorated ballroom reminded him of the party, and he was once again gripped with the urge to sing.
"All these cakes and treats lined up one by one
Give the air a sense of celabration!
Making me more synched for all the festivities!"
Harley ran down the food isle, making sure to grab a few chocolates on the way before quickly popping them into his mouth. The delicious flavor melted in his mouth, and he resisted the urge to moan in pleasure. He quickly swallowed before continuing his song.
"The people will eat, then eat some more
Making everyone giddy on the dance floor!
Including me, who would be on course number twenty-three!"
That probability was probably very unlikely (since he would be on be on course fifty-two by then), but to Harley, anything was possible now. Before the servants could catch him sneaking food, he quickly exited the ballroom.
"I'll be back," he said to the empty room.
He entered the Hall of Paintings, and his eyes turned at once to the old grandfather clock. It was five minutes to twelve.
"IT'S TIME!" he suddenly exclaimed, causing all servants close to him to drop whatever they were holding in surprise. Yelling an apology to all of them, he started making his way through the hall.
"When that old worn down clock strikes twelve
The king will give out his command
to open up those gates for all the land!"
He yelled out greeting to all of his favorite paintings, quickly following them up with good-byes. He didn't have time to have conversations with them. It was time to have a conversation with a real person.
I wonder what we will talk about? Harley thought to himself, I guess we'll think of something!
As he said his last goodbyes, he exited the Hall of Paintings and continued his journey towards the gates.
"'Cause for the first time in forever
They call all see the real me!
For the first time in forever
I can have some actual company!"
Harley couldn't help himself from singing the next few words.
"And maybe if I am lucky
I can be noticed as more than just a friend!"
Harley suddenly stopped in his tracks. How did that thought cross his mind?
Stupid brain! He thought to himself, a bit annoyed, I am not getting together with a girl!
He shuddered a bit, and then tried to steer his song in a direction that suited his fancy better. It didn't work. His heart was completely in control of the song.
"Cause for the first time in forever
I could have a romance that never ends!"
Finally giving up, Harley stopped singing. Maybe he will meet someone, maybe he won't, and Harley honestly didn't care. All that mattered to him were the gates that were now in his field of vision. His excitement pushed away any unwanted feelings.
It's time.
A few floors above him, Leo was situated at the balcony that had been graciously added to his bedroom, anxiously peering down at the mob of people approaching the castle. He could hear their excited voices even from here, though he felt exactly the opposite of what they were feeling.
He had gotten up even earlier than Harley to get ready. He was dressed in a formal suit (the same one King Zeus had worn at his own Coronation) and a matching red cape. A crown was settled upon his neatly combed hair, though it was the last time he would be wearing it. A new crown would be placed upon his head at the Coronation. A crown that signified the beginning of his reign of Olympus.
The thought of the Coronation made Leo feel sick.
Leo hadn't wanted to invite so many people. He had wanted a quiet and subtle Coronation with only a select people invited. But his servants had pushed the idea, and insisted on inviting not only the whole kingdom, but neighboring kingdoms as well.
Leo would have never agreed if it wasn't for Harley. Harley had been such a patient and amazing brother to him, and Leo knew how much the loneliness was plaguing him. It broke his heart to have to keep Harley cooped up in the castle, but he didn't have a choice. And despite the unfairness of it all, Harley hadn't complained once.
If only I was as amazing of a brother as Harley is, Leo thought sadly, I don't know what I did to deserve him.
Leo didn't remember the last time he had felt so happy as when one of his servants had told Harley the news, and how the servant described in great detail the excitement and happiness it had brought to Harley. He knew that the entire kingdom felt the same way as Harley. Leo was glad he could make Harley happy.
However, as happy as Harley was about the Coronation, it wasn't Harley's Coronation. Today, Leo would become king of all of Olympus. Today belonged to Leo.
So why wasn't he happy?
Though he had gotten up at the crack of dawn to both physically and mentally prepare himself for his Coronation, he felt far from ready. He had practiced his "formal walking" and his hopefully calm-looking expression for hours, and finally mastered how to strut with royalty and how to mask the panic that seemed to be in the mood for jumping-jacks inside his stomach. However, he still wasn't able to pull off the most important part of his Coronation. The Coronation itself.
Leo would have to hold up a scepter and a tiny box (Leo honestly had no idea what the box was or what was inside of it) while the kingdom said a prayer on his behalf. It wasn't even a long prayer. It was only about ten seconds, and that wasn't that much even for someone who was ADHD.
The problem was, for those ten little seconds, Leo would have to give up his gloves.
By now, the enchanted gloves felt more like a part of his hand instead of a fabric that simply covered them. He wore them even during meals and when he slept. He felt immensely uncomfortable when they weren't snug over his hands, like he was a piece of wood that was drifting out to sea.
Or going over a waterfall, Leo thought, once again acknowledging the summer-salting panic inside his stomach.
However, that tiny little prayer would render him gloveless as he held the scepter and the Box of Destiny. Leo had worked on this most of all, even going so far as to skip meals. He had practically begged the servants organizing the event to skip that one ten-second prayer, though they refused to budge, though they did seem quite upset about refusing him. Therefore, Leo had stopped troubling them, as they had been nothing but good to him for his entire life.
Leo's attention once again returned to the people that were at the moment unofficially sealing his doom. His mixed emotions brought the lyrics from his lips.
"There they all are
To come see me
Be the good boy I always have to be."
Leo turned away from the people. They just intensified Leo's fear, and more fear than normal was the last thing Leo wanted at the moment. Fear meant loosing control of his powers. Intensified fear meant an even greater chance of loosing control of his powers.
His eyes fell upon a candlestick and a toolbox small enough to rest in the palm of his hand. Leo's eyes narrowed as he noticed the melted edges on both. Leo had been using those objects to practice for his Coronation. However, each time he took off his gloves and held the otherwise meaningless objects, his heart-rate would speed up and the objects would start to melt before his very eyes. He couldn't have that at the Coronation. That would give away his secret.
Hoping to get in some last minute practice, Leo royally strutted towards the candlestick and toolbox and tenderly picked them up.
"Conceal, don't feel!"
Leo slightly grimaces as he remembered the words he and his father had memorized together.
"You will be great!"
Leo's self-lecture wasn't working as the two metal objects he was holding started to melt again. He quickly returned the objects to the table, and the melting stopped at once.
"Just get it right, before it's all too late!"
Leo glanced at his hands. It was amazing how much damage his hands caused when everyone else's hands were made for building, not destruction. Leo was quick to return the gloves to their rightful place. Despite how ineffective it was, Leo continued with his self-lecture.
"Don't you worry, take your time."
Another voice that Leo couldn't hear sang along with him, unknowingly harmonizing perfectly.
"Leo, please don't take your time!"
Harley had finally arrived at the gates, which had two guards stationed by it, awaiting the order from the soon-to-be king.
Leo started walking towards his bedroom door, hoping his next command won't be a death sentence.
It will all be fine.
This day is more than fine!
"Tell the guards to open up," Leo took a deep breath in his singing. Ready or not, the time had come.
It's time.
"The gates!"
"The gates!" Harley sang as the guards opened the door to let in the people who had been waiting like Harley, though as they entered the castle, Harley shot out of it.
"For the first time in forever!"
"Just stay cool, keep it at bay."
"My dreams are about to come true!"
"You can do it for one day."
"So many people to befriend!"
"Conceal."
"My brother really did pull through!"
"Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know!"
Leo walked down the hallway towards the stairs, each step taking more effort than the next. As he reached the stairs, Leo adopted the calm smile he had worked so hard on.
Harley was running towards the town at top speed, nimbly dodging everyone. There were many joyous greetings thrown his way, all of which he responded with an equal amount of happiness. The song almost seemed to finish itself.
"I know it's all temporary
So I'll take all that I can get!
'Cause for the first time in forever
For the first time in forever"
Harley had made it to the docks. Looking out at the endless sea and breathing in the salty air was better than the castle garden or an endless supply of chocolate.
"I know my life isn't finished yet!"
As Harley held that last note, he once again broke out into a run, closing his eyes so that he could feel the warm summer air on his face.
However, his voice caught as he ran headlong into... Harley wasn't sure what it was, because one second he was running without a care in the world, and the next he was teetering to the side, a bucket somehow stuck on his left foot, into a rowboat, which was about to capsize under the unsuspected weight.
But the boat was suddenly caught by a hoof, preventing it from turning over.
Harley blew his brown hair from his eyes, and struggled to gain his bearings. The rider of the horse that had saved him from one nasty swim was obviously who he had run into.
"Hey!" he said, annoyed that the rider hadn't been watching where he/she had been going.
"Oh my gods, I'm so sorry!" the rider said, "Are you hurt?"
Harley raised his eyes to see who he was talking to, and what he saw took his breath away.
I know, I'm a horrible person! You will find out in due time, don't worry! And thanks for everyone who gave me ideas on who to make Harley's "girlfriend" be!
Winekita: Yeah, I hate writing sad stuff, but I have read so many good angsty stories that I had to write one myself! Don't worry, it won't be all angst. This will be a fun story!
Hibernia: You're constructive criticism means the world to me. Good luck with your writing class, and keep being your writing Nazi self!
PixelArtyGirl1: Your idea wasn't bad at all! It actually really got me thinking, and helped me a lot! Thank you!
Awesomegirl: Thanks for the idea! And yes, Khione is evil.
justanothercaleoshipper: QUICK! GRAB THE DUCK TAPE! I SHALL FIX YOUR HEART! Sorry about the previous sad chapter. I hope this happier chapter makes up for it!
The Warty Hogg: If you didn't get my message, then I'll tell you now: I have updated the Prologue so that it doesn't include Frozen Heart, and the rest of my songs are parodies. Thanks for the tip! It helps me a lot!
QueenMoonlance: Thank you! You are so kind!
So, that's that! Expect more updates soon! I will try to be a better writer and be more frequent with my updates! You are all amazing for sticking with me! Thank you!
YOU ARE AWESOME!
Catsrawesome
