Chapter Four:

Hey! Burning Sun is back! Sorry about the break. When you read this chapter, you'll understand why I focused on finishing Hidden Hero first. I really didn't want to give away spoilers for the ending! Anyways, thanks for being patient! :) This chapter isn't as insanely long as the others. Not sure if that's good or bad, haha. Well, I hope you guys enjoy! :D

Reviews:

ShadowTravel: Oooohhhh… That was interesting. It's cute how Marco is so confused :-) Personally, I like Michael Yew best(if you wanted to know). And I see you've introduced Marco's super-power(of sorts). I hope you can update soon(even though I don't mind waiting). I'm so glad you enjoyed, dearie! And I really liked Michael, too! I hate that Rick killed him. However, I feel like not a whole lot was done with Lee. I think he should have had a bigger role before he died, established his character more... Anyways! Sorry for the wait! Hope you enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I own the OCs. Everything else is Rick's... Unfortunately.

I've now been at camp for three years, and had my sixteenth birthday last fall. So much happened in those three years, it's a miracle I'm still alive. Between the Battle of the Labrinth and the second Titan War, I've seen my fair share of destruction; not to mention loss. So many of my friends have died. Lee Fletcher, Michael Yew, Beckendorf, just to name a few. Now, Percy was missing. However, none of those losses prepared me for the loss of Thalia. I know I didn't know her long, but she was my sister. 'My little sister...'

I sigh. I was leaning on the railing of the Big House porch. I seemed to spend a lot of my time there, thinking. Andrew would probably be whining about how 'I think too much,' right about now, if he were here. However, Andrew was off recruiting other half–bloods; so I hardly ever saw him. Looking out across the valley, campers carried on like nothing had ever happened. 'I know Thalia has been gone a whole two weeks, but I still don't understand why everyone isn't still upset. Or at least showing it...' That wasn't necessarily true. I knew the other quest members were taking it hard. They had gotten close to Thalia on the quest, and were still grieving over her in their own ways. Speaking of which, I looked to see Annabeth running towards me. Her eyes were wide and she was gasping for breath.

"Annabeth? Are you okay?" I asked.

She didn't reply and barely slowed down as she leaped up the porch steps two at a time. She grabbed my wrist and yanked me inside the Big House. She didn't stop running and didn't answer any of my questions until we were in the basement. She finally came to a stop and stared deep into my eyes.

"I just came from an emergency meeting. Nico's back." Annabeth said.

"Oh.." I swallowed hard. "Did he find her? Did he... talk to her?"

"No. He couldn't find her." Annabeth replied. She said it like it had a heavy meaning.

I blinked several times. "O-o-o-kay." I drew out the word. I wasn't understanding where this was going. 'Is she upset Nico couldn't find her? Was he slacking off or something?' That last thought made me angry.

Annabeth rolled her eyes and gripped my forearm tightly. "You don't get it! He couldn't find her because she wasn't there." Her storm grey eyes bore into my dark blue ones.

I tried to process her words. When it hit me, my eyes widened. "Y-You don't think-?"

"I know she's not there. So, where else would she be?" Annabeth asked, a slight smile on her face.

My heart began to pound in excitement and my smile was wide. "So? Where is she?" I asked.

Annabeth's expression turned solemn again. "That's the thing. We don't know."

My smile fell and my heart sank. While I was glad— overjoyed, even— that Thalia wasn't dead, she was still missing. 'She's alive, but who knows if she'll stay alive? What if she's in danger?'

"Don't worry." Annabeth tried to assure me. "Nico is continuing to search the Underworld; while Jason, Piper, Leo, and I will do everything we can to search above ground. I've already been out there searching for Percy, now I'll also search for Thalia. We'll find her."

"What can I do to help?" I asked. I was ready to do whatever it took to get Thalia back. 'Maybe I'll help search the ground? Or help Annabeth research? Or maybe I could even help Leo build something that will help us find her!' My excitement began to grow again, and adrenaline started to pump through my veins. I waited anxiously for Annabeth's response...

"Nothing." Annabeth said.

My excitement deflated like a popped balloon.

"Nothing? But I want to help! Thalia may be your friend, but she's my sister!" I exclaimed.

Annabeth sighed. "This has nothing to do with who is closer to her. It has to do with you not having quest experience. Yes, you fought in the Battle of the Labyrinth and in the Titan War; but it's different out in the real world. You don't have tons of supplies and weapons, or hundreds of demigods to back you up. It's just you, trying to outrun monsters and not die. Besides.." Annabeth's voice grew soft. "Thalia would never forgive me if I got her big brother killed. You mean a lot to her."

I sighed in frustration. "Fine." I said, grudgingly. "Thanks for telling me."

Annabeth smiled softly. "We will find her and bring her back."

I nodded, before trudging away.

–•—•0•—•–

Annabeth's words still played on a loop in my head. '... This is about you not having quest experience... It's different out there... It's just you, trying to outrun monsters and not die...' I wanted to help them so badly. It's been a month, and they still haven't found Thalia. I tried to continue on as if everything was fine— but that proved to be impossible. My best friend, Devin, noticed.

"You haven't stopped brooding this whole month. Anything you want to share?" Devin asked one day, as we sat by the stream that ran through the camp valley.

Devin Lawson is the same age as me, sixteen, and a son of Demeter. He's tall and lanky, with auburn curly hair and hazel eyes. His dad, Richard Lawson, started out with one of those totally Eco–friendly farms. It eventually turned into a multi–million dollar Eco company. Although, looking at Devin, you wouldn't guess that he was loaded. He's honestly one of the most humble people I've ever met. Being a son of Demeter, he can shape–shift into animals and turn small objects into wheat. However, when he's nervous, he turns into an auburn hamster. Which is actually quite often. He can be a pretty awkward and nervous person around other people. Besides his siblings, I'm one of the few people he's comfortable around.

I sigh. "I just wish I could be out there looking for Thalia."

"Ah." Devin said, in understanding. "You know, you're one of the few people I know who actually wants to throw themselves into danger."

I rolled my eyes. "It's more than that! I hate having to sit here, wondering if she's hurt or in danger. I hate feeling useless!"

"I get it. I really do. But you heard Annabeth, you don't have experience out there. You could wind up getting yourself killed!" Devin persuaded.

Suddenly, my eyes widened. "That's it!" I exclaimed. "Devin, you're a genius!"

"Oh gods.. I hate that look, you know that?" Devin moaned. "And I highly doubt whatever you just came up with has anything to do with my genius. Most likely, you just took what I said out of context!"

I ignored his comments. "Annabeth won't let me go because I don't have experience, right? So, I just have to go on a quest. Then I'll have the experience I need and the opportunity to find Thalia!"

Devin looked at me like I had grown two heads. "That's it. That's it. You are completely insane." He said.

I sighed. "Mock it all you want, I'm doing it. I'm going to talk to Chiron right now and ask for an audience with the Oracle." I said, standing.

"What?" Devin yelped, shape–shifting into a hamster. He quickly changed back into a human and stood in front of me. "Now I know you're crazy! Haven't you heard the stories of half–bloods receiving prophecies? Yes, Rachel Dare is a nice girl; but she still spews green smoke from her mouth!"

"We heard a prophecy from her last month at the campfire, and we're fine." I argued.

"That was one time! And I still have nightmares about it, thank you very much!" Devin fired back.

"Look, Devin. I have to do this. If you're really my amigo,* don't try to talk me out of it. My mind is made up."

I went to march towards the Big House, when Devin suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me back, shouting:

"Marco!"

I stumbled back just in time. A light grey pegasus swooped down where I was standing just a moment ago. I looked up, ready to yell at whoever had almost run me over— when my breath caught in my throat. On the back of the pegasus was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She was petite, like a dancer; with flowing black hair and light blue eyes. Her skin was fair, cheeks rosy, and lips pink. I had seen her around camp, but never close enough to see how beautiful she really was. I remembered her name was Calista Davenport and that she was a daughter of Iris.

"I am so sorry!" She gasped, snapping me out of my daze. "I've been trying to train the new pegasi, but it's a lot harder without Percy Jackson to talk to them."

I tried to form words and not sound like a total idiota.* "It's uh, no big deal. No harm, no foul." I prayed that I wasn't blushing.

Calista smiled, her teeth dazzlingly white. "Well, I better go. Sorry, again!" She said. Then she flew away, her long black hair flowing in the breeze.

"Woah.." I breathed.

Still feeling dazed, I turned to Devin. He was smirking.

"W–What?" I asked.

Devin widened his eyes dramatically and his jaw dropped, a dreamy expression on his face. "Woah.." He mimicked.

"Oh, ¡callate!"* I grumbled.

Devin chuckled. He had spent enough time with me to know callate meant, 'shut up!'

Suddenly, a conch horn sounded across the valley. Devin and I looked at each other in confusion. 'It's too early for dinnertime..' I saw Will Solace, the Apollo head–counselor, running around and gathering everyone up. He ran towards us.

"You guys need to go to the amphitheater." Will said, breathing heavily from running.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Chiron called a meeting. I don't know what for, but whatever it is, it's huge."

*Translations:

amigo= friend

idiota= idiot

¡callate!= shut up!

Let me know what you guys thought! Review, my lovelies!

Thalia Bolt