Saspie: 21

Espark: 21

Tied up again :D

I'm lovin all the reviews! It seems like I get the most when something happens to Leo! xD

Anyway, I'd like to point out something. This is to someone who has worn down my patience within the last few days (and not because they've been posting on my story). This story already has a plot board written out. Everything about this story has a purpose and a plan for the future. I am NOT taking suggestions on the plot. Guesses on why something is happening is encouraged sure, but I don't want any "you should do this/you could to do that" comments. In the end, this is MY story.

That being said, to that same person: I'm not trying to be rude to you, but it seems you have been rude to a friend of mine (yes, I do know it's you) so that is why your comment set me off.

To unnamed friend, please feel better! :D *hands giant cookie*

To everyone else, please don't be discouraged at that above statement. I love all your reviews and all your guesses—not because 'hey, lookie how many reviews I gots', but because I love hearing you be happy/sad/mad at what's happening. I love it when you guys say things like, "is this happening because of (something plotty)" or "will this happen in the future?". I just don't like it when people tell me how to write my story.

Sorry you had to read that, but I felt like I had to say it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize as canon. Kids/Teens are mine.


XVI

ESPERANZA

Esperanza wanted to cry. Her father rarely got sick. Like herself, Leo's external fire-user nature made it very difficult for bad germs to get through his natural immune system. Germs would burn away almost instantly. If Leo ever got sick, it was usually just an extra resilient flu bug—one that usually hit him hard if he had been working too hard very recently.

But this sickness was too sudden. Espie didn't know what it was. Leo had been completely fine one second, and the next he was puking on her shoes (she was now barefoot while Lacy helped clean them with a no-touch-bath).

Tulio held her hand, which had begun to smoke. When his hand touched hers, the smoke made a sound like psssssshhhh and went away.

Espie hugged him. "Can you go make him better?" she asked.

Tulio shook his head. "Something tells me this is something I can't cure. It feels weird. Like it's not a sickness. I don't think our great-grandfather could heal it, either."

Espie didn't say anything.

Her mind wandered back to when Tulio had just unlocked Frank. Janus had blocked her from the others momentarily. She thought he was going to fight her, but he merely smiled and said, "Your choice will soon be made. Which will you choose? After all…All's fair to Love and War."

She had no idea what that had meant. All's fair to love and war? She'd never heard it be said that way before. And she was so confused, though she hadn't yet confronted Tulio about it.

Espie gazed around and sighed. She was standing next to the control center while Tulio drove the ship back to Camp Half-Blood. Frank was being filled in on the situation by Bobby, while Mark and Lacy sparred next to the mast.

Espie took a moment to consider Mark. The legacy of Jupiter had been getting gradually closer to her ever since the Grand Canyon. Kind of uncomfortably close—yet for some reason she enjoyed his company. She had caught him staring quite a few times already, with a kind of glassy gaze, almost like when she would catch…

…Sammy Leo.

Espie blinked when she felt the familiar flush of her cheeks. He's not even here and I'm like this? Go away blush. You don't like Sammy! He's just a friend!

But what about Mark?

Esperanza's breath hitched. No. No, she couldn't have two…two guys fawning over her! She pushed that thought deep down. That was just not possible.

Sammy Leo came up on deck. He glanced around to look for something to do. Mark had paused in his spar for a second to lock eyes with the legacy of Mars.

Both of them shared a heated glare so intense Espie thought they both might catch fire.

Mark broke the stare-off first and pushed past Sammy to go below deck. As he passed, the half-Greek shoved the Roman with such fierce intensity Sammy actually stumbled. Sammy growled at Mark before heading over to Icarus.

He settled down next to the figurehead and started cleaning his sword.

Espie sighed and held her head in her hands. She looked up and glanced at Tulio, how was shaking his head. Something dawned on Espie.

"You know, don't you?" she asked her twin.

Tulio gave her a sideways glance. "Know what?"

"Mark and Sammy Leo."

Tulio didn't react. "What about them?"

"Do they…like me?"

Tulio looked at her with a sad smile. "What do you think?"

Espie groaned. "Both of them?"

"Both of them."

"Which one…likes me more?"

Tulio clicked his tongue. "That's cheating. Also, it's not my place to get involved with your love life."

"I got involved with yours."

Tulio gave her a withering glance, clearly remembering the Aphrodite Cabin incident when the whole Cabin had tried setting up the demititan with various girls. "That was different. Completely different. You weren't telling me who to love. You were just protecting me from having to confront those girls."

Espie sighed. "Well, who do you suggest I…confront about this? What's your preference?"

Tulio chuckled. "I have a preference on who I think you should date. But that would make you biased because I like him better than the other. This is completely your decision."

Espie wanted to punch her brother. "I hate you."

"Love you, too."

He grinned impishly at her for a moment, then let his expression soften. He held her hand again. "You can do this, Espie. Choosing between them won't kill one of them."

Espie gasped. "What if it does!?"

She retold what Janus had said to her. Tulio shrugged. "'All's fair to love and war'? Well, you've got two legacies here, one of love and one of war. That must be what Janus wants to choose between."

"How can I do this," Espie whimpered. "What if this is life and death—me choosing between those guys?"

"It won't be."

"How can you be sure?"

Tulio smiled. "I just am."

Espie was about to say something about that godsdamned smile of his, but something bright blinded her for a moment.

When her eyes adjusted again, her jaw fell open.

A god was standing there, on the deck of the Argo II. Frank was startled at his sight, momentarily turning into an iguana. Bobby yelped.

Sammy blinked at the god. "Grandfather?"

Espie internally smacked herself. How could she not recognize Pluto, the god of death and riches?

Pluto gave a wickedly creepy smile to Sammy Leo. "Hello, grandson. I'm glad you actually acknowledge me every once in a while like your brother and not that jarhead."

Sammy looked down. "I apologize, Grandfather. When we get home I'll make an extra offering for your shrine."

Pluto waved his hand, his golden cufflinks shining in the dimming moonlight. "Not why I'm here, but be sure you do that."

He glanced over at Iguana-Frank. "Amusing, son-in-law. Very amusing."

Frank turned back into a human. "Pardon, Lord Pluto. In my defense, you did frighten me."

Another creepy smile lit up Pluto's face. Espie unhappily noticed that was the same smile Nico di Angelo got when he was in battle or right before he made a winning move in Poker. It was extremely scary.

"Glad I still got it," he said with a chuckle. "Down to business: I'm here in regards to my daughter. The one who imprisoned her had made it so her key could not be activated by anyone here."

"Well, we're on our way to get Gus," Sammy explained.

Pluto shook his head. "Let me rephrase; Hazel's key cannot be activated by anyone living. Only one person can activate it.

"Normally, I wouldn't get involved in things like this. In fact, I discourage such things. However, I love my daughter very much. I don't want her wasting away for eternity. That, and I don't want to be responsible for her captor being freed."

"Who is the one who captured us?" Frank asked. "I really want to punch them in the face for this."

"Get in line," Lacy snarled. "I called it first."

Pluto cleared his throat. "I cannot say who has done this, other than two of the Seven have dealt with this person before, and he is related to another of the Seven."

Everyone exchanged a glance. Who could it be? What one of their relatives would kidnap the parents and why?

"Anyway," the god continued. "I'm here to deliver the person who can help rescue my daughter and help continue the quest. When Hazel is freed, he shall be returned to the Underworld where he belongs."

Pluto began to glow. Espie shielded her eyes.

"Behave," Pluto's voice boomed. "Or I shall personally revoke your Elysium privileges."

When the light died down again, Espie rubbed her eyes. When she saw what Pluto left behind, her jaw dropped.

Where Pluto had been standing was now an unconscious Latino teen, dressed in clean grey slacks, a worn yellow button-up shirt, and a grey cap. Under his cap was a mop of curly black hair not unlike Espie's. He was breathing steadily, like he was asleep.

What really caught Espie's attention was how much this kid (who seemed about her age) resembled Tulio! It was like Espie was a triplet and not a twin!

Frank slumped his shoulders. His eyes flashed in recognition. He grumbled, "Oh, great…"


A/N: Gee I wonder who this is?

:P

Plus, you know, a little romantically confused Espie xD

Also, you guys want to see what Tui and Espie look like as four-year-olds? Want some Caleo pics? Maybe even a Frazeleo picture? My DA is Winkekita :3 /shameless plug