Sorry for the repost of this chapter. For some reason I'm not receiving fanfiction mails and thought maybe after I did everything I should resubmit the chapter and see if it came up. I tried adding them to my contacts, doing everything people who've had similar problems did, but I'm not getting any alerts...I don't like that... :(
Anywho...
A Percy chapter!? I haven't done one of these since...since Papi version One! :o
I honestly don't know where the sentimental stuff came from. I think it was because I was watching Toy Story 3 (one of only 3 movies in the world that makes me cry—the other two are Marley & Me, and Les Miserables) and got all sentimental about how I -was- going to go to college...and about my toys. That bled over into the story in another way...and this happened.
I own nothing you recognize as canon.
XXXVII
PERCY
Percy Jackson found out early that monsters were either getting weaker, or he was just stronger. Middle age wasn't a problem for him, apparently. He felt alive and young, and thrilled by the new battle. It had been so long since he'd done this!
That narrow tunnel held about two hundred monsters max. There were thirteen demigods and legacies total. And all of them were trained to fight.
Thanks to the cramped space, it was easy to wedge the small group into the scores of monsters. Dust was flying everywhere. Yowls echoed. Bronze and Gold met with teeth, scales, and claws.
Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw Annabeth strike at a baby drakon with her ivory sword. The blade went straight through its head and it exploded into dust.
Lacy and Bobby worked hand-in-hand, partnering up against monsters. Bobby would strike first from below, then Lacy would defend him and strike back harder.
Sammy Leo struck with the fury of Mars, his form beginning to glow red. No monster could survive him. No monster could even get a scratch on him. Sammy always said he wasn't invincible in battle, but seeing him actually fight serious made you think otherwise. His Roman style was unmatched, even by Jason, which was saying something.
Speaking of Jason, he and Mark were working on a huge hurricane. Percy didn't join in, mostly because too much water would drown everyone, not just the monsters. All the wind was enough to blow monsters into the walls and each other. Those who didn't turn to dust were left dazed. The determination in Mark's eyes made Percy smile. That kid was powerful, he just sold himself short most of the time.
Jason was glancing at Mark every few seconds. He smirked. Percy realized the son of Jupiter was holding back! That powerful hurricane was mostly Mark's!
Good for him, Percy thought.
Piper was on her own, striking out with her sword and yelling out charmspeak. "Miss! Freeze! Hit him! Fight her!"
All but the emposai were affected by her voice, doing just as she said. The emposai snarled and tried to gang up on her, but Hazel would be there to intercept.
Hazel was on Frank's back. Frank had turned into a mighty stallion, possibly to make up for Arion not being there. Any of his other usual forms—dragon, elephant, bear—might have been too big to fight properly. He stomped and kicked and reared, snorting furiously at anything that came near Hazel or Piper. Hazel struck out with her cavalry sword, preventing any monster to get close to her or Piper.
Finally, at the head of the pack, in front of Percy, was the Valdez family. Tulio and Leo were hefting hammers, beating the tar out of their opponents. Esperanza set the crowd ablaze and chucked fireballs and dropped weapons at them. Leo was screaming bloody murder, anger in his eyes.
I think even Tartarus would step back from Leo, Percy thought. Hell hath no fury like a fire using son of Hephaestus who is separated from his love…
The monsters in the back of the crowd began to show fear. Leo was a sight scarier than most things in Tartarus, which was saying a lot. They whimpered and tried to retreat, but the Valdez trio had already set them ablaze. They burned, screaming in terror as Leo smashed them flat.
Percy stood still for a second, enough to realize that the battle was pretty much over. Monsters that survived had somehow gotten past the group and had fled back into the sewers. The only remaining living monster was Andy, who was curled up in the fetal position, waving a little scrap of white on a stick.
"A surrender flag," Percy said. "Really?"
"How else would you know it was me?" Andy whimpered.
Annabeth swiped the flag out of his flippers and threw it on the ground. "You're pathetic."
Andy shivered. "Not all monsters were made to fight, you know," he tried to say in a brave tone.
Leo glanced at the Telekhine, not even breathing hard. Then, he turned his attention to the doorway. He summoned a ball of flame and shot it down into the darkness.
"Nothing down there," he reported. "Pretty narrow, though."
Hazel dismounted Frank. Said son of Mars turned back into a human and huffed, "Dark, narrow tunnel? Sounds like Rome."
Leo chuckled. "All we're missing are some eidolon-possessed tourists."
"Please don't mention the eidolons," Percy groaned. "I still have weird dreams about those."
"Same," Jason agreed, rubbing his head.
Sammy Leo walked up to Espie. Both of them were unharmed, but Espie was still smoking. They kissed.
Tulio gagged. "Get a room," he said.
Espie kicked him. "Get away," she retorted.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Let's go, then. How you feelin', Leo?"
Leo looked a little pained, like he'd been struck. "The tug's gotten stronger," he said, wincing. "We're going the right way."
He stumbled a bit. Piper caught him.
"I'm fine," he said. His breathing was uneven, like he couldn't get a good breath.
"No, you're not," Lacy said. "You're hurting, Leo. If you keep going, you'll get hurt even more."
Leo snarled, "I'll get hurt no matter what! I have to get back there to Calypso, or it'll hurt worse! I have to keep going!"
His yell echoed through the tunnel. Percy felt a chill go up his spine.
"Leo," he said. "You gotta calm down, man. I know Calypso's tugging hard…"
"She is!" he yelled. "She's tugging and hurting from the weight! Every second we waste hurts her more!"
Annabeth took the cue. "Seriously, Leo. Breathe. Getting angry will make it worse. You're going to have an anxiety attack if you don't calm down."
Leo panted. He gripped his hammer tighter, like he was about to swing it. Piper looked ready to fight him. Percy found himself raising Riptide, ready to defend Annabeth.
Mark stomped his foot. "Leo," he screamed. Percy heard the charmspeak. Piper seemed surprised that her son was about to beat her to the punch. "CALM DOWN AND BREATHE!"
Leo froze and fixed his breathing. His eyes were clouded over, his expression turning sleepy.
Mark snapped his fingers in Leo's face. "You'll get to Calypso sooner if you settle down. We're on our way right now. See?"
He started leading Leo away into the dark tunnel, the older man looking dazed and confused. Percy followed after the twins and Sammy. He could hear Mark continuing the charmspeak: "Breathe in…breathe out…settle down."
A flame appeared in front of Percy. Espie had a little ball of fire in her hand. Percy glanced back and saw Jason two steps away.
"Your son is amazing," he said.
Jason smirked. "He gets his attitude from his mom."
"But he really is good," Percy told him.
"I know, and so does everyone else," Jason said. "Eventually he'll see it, too. We cast some pretty big shadows, but our kids are casting big ones, too."
Hazel, who was behind Jason, coughed. "They'll be passing us before we know it."
"I think they already have," Annabeth said softly. "They're the ones who rescued us. We just chaperoned in the end."
Percy saw Espie hold Sammy's hand with her non-flaming one.
"They've already grown up," Hazel whispered.
"I know now's not the time to do this," Frank said, "But where did the time go? How'd our kids grow up so fast?"
Percy shrugged. "Dunno. I guess it just happened."
"Cheer up, Frank," Piper said. "You've still got Gus. And Leo still has Aria and little Zac."
Frank sighed. "Gus will be going to the Legion next year. Our house will be empty until summer. And that's if Sammy doesn't make praetor."
"Oh, congrats on that," Percy said to Sammy Leo.
The legacy of Mars turned and blinked at him. "For what?"
"Just if you make praetor, congrats."
Sammy looked away. Espie giggled.
They kissed.
Percy looked back and smirked when he saw Lacy and Bobby at the back of the group. "Hey, Lacy, lil' Bob," he called. "You hear us back there?"
"Being sentimental?" Lacy asked. "Yeah. We're waiting for the baby stories."
Bobby smacked her. "Don't encourage them!"
"No, I was just thinking," Percy said. "Since we're all a little old to have more kids…when are you guys gonna start thinking about giving us some grandkids?"
The entire group halted.
Espie and Sammy broke away and nearly ran into the wall. Tulio squeaked in alarm.
"DAD!" Lacy yelled. "We're too young to even…eww!"
Percy shrugged. "Just a thought. For future reference."
Jason picked up on his joke. "Mark," he called. "I know you just lost Espie and all, but I still expect a bunch of grandchildren! Piper and I need some to spoil!"
Mark went pale. Leo's calmed look deteriorated and he smiled. He looked back at Espie and Sammy, who were still looking embarrassed.
Espie looked at Leo. "Don't you dare start, Papi," she warned. "Don't say it."
Leo tried to look innocent. "Say what? That I think you and Sammy—"
"Say it and I'll reveal what you told me the other day!"
"You wouldn't."
She smirked. "I would." She looked at the group of adults. "And I'll tell Hazel and Frank first."
Leo turned around and started walking again, dropping the whole thing.
Espie grinned. "Regretting telling me that juicy information now?"
Piper tilted her head. "Juicy information?"
Percy was extremely curious. "Why would you tell Hazel and Frank?"
Espie shrugged. "I don't know what you mean."
Tulio looked at her questioningly. She patted his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Tulio's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped.
"No way!" he yelled.
Leo whirled around. "ESPERANZA GRACE VALDEZ!"
Espie smiled. "I had to tell Tulio, Papi. He's my brother. I tell him everything."
Sammy Leo slid over to her. "I'm your boyfriend," he pointed out. "Could you tell me?"
"No," Leo growled. "No she may not."
Espie kissed the legacy's cheek. "Maybe later," she promised.
The conversations stopped as they began their trek down the tunnel again. Percy couldn't help thinking of Leo's little secret, though.
Wonder what it is…Gotta be some good dirt if Leo hasn't told anyone by now.
He was so deep in thought, he ran into Sammy. The legacy yelped in alarm.
"Sorry," Percy mumbled. "Why'd we stop?"
Then he saw.
They had entered a large cavern. The ceiling was low, and the pressure in the air was so heavy Percy started sweating. And in the middle of the room…
…was Calypso.
She was struggling, crouched on one knee. She was sweating a lot, a bit of her hair streaked grey. Percy found himself touching the part of his own hair that had been grey once upon a time. Well, it was turning grey now, but for a completely different reason…
Leo groaned and fell to his knees. Mark yelped, still holding on to him.
"Leo," Annabeth said.
The son of Hephaestus struggled to stand, but couldn't. He fell back down. "It's…too…much…"
He collapsed onto the ground. Piper and Hazel went to his side. Espie and Tulio were frozen.
Hazel looked at the twins. "He's out cold."
Piper tried to wake up Leo by slapping his cheeks. He shuddered, but didn't stir.
Percy saw Tulio look over at Calypso. She wasn't chained to her spot or anything, but it wasn't like she could move anyway.
It's not all there yet, Percy noticed. Calypso was still fighting, still trying to push it back. Atlas hadn't been freed yet!
"Titan's strength shall prevent her fall…" Tulio mumbled. "Titan's strength…"
Before Percy could blink, Tulio shot away from the group and ran straight for Calypso.
A/N: Not the terrible cliffhanger. Be prepared, though, it's coming. And everyone will hate me.
Anyway, I totes pulled the bi Leo thing again. Still not relevant to the plot, never will be, so if you didn't like that, just ignore it. It was just one of those random things to fill space :P
