And here comes the 7th chapter. This chapter will clear most things up. This story will be a LITTLE slow to explain carefully the important details. Also to slowly unravel Salix's past.

Hope you guys like it.

Now I'll do something I don't do very often. Reply to reviewers.

vinalla32: There, I updated. As for Percy telling Annabeth... that'll be a secret. :)

HotChocolate in Summer: I hope this is soon enough for you. :)

Advanced Faith: Thanks. Hope you like this one too. :D

silvertrident: I like it that you like that part. :D

Sneaky ninja 05: Thanks. I hope you'll like my future stories. :D

piequeenthegreat: Thanks. I also appreciate that you've been reviewing non-stop since the 2nd part of the trilogy. :D

ADHD-Kid2811: About the tense thing. I'm working on it. English has always been my worst subject in school. About the black eye question. Percy doesn't have to wear glasses because is eyes will appear green as long as he is wearing the jacket that Salix gave him. And for the IMing thing, this chap will explain it. But FYI I knew that IMing would be wrong in the story. Which is why I haven't included it. :D

jahfreenalam: I hope you like this chapter too. :D

ARedRose4Me: I hope you like this chap as well. :D

losthero: Yes there will be. But not immediately. Though I assure you there will be Percabeth. :D

rider of the winds: This chap will explain why Percy was chased by girls. :D

nicorox: I'm glad that you like it. :D

Salix's POV

I let go of the spirit of the tiger. It must be wondering why it can talk and laugh. But it was true that I haven't had that much fun in a long time. A very, very long time. I usually only have fun when I play sports with Jerry. Other than that it's very rare that I enjoy myself. I stood up from my leather recliner, lifted it up with a little difficulty, and threw it at the wall.

I myself was impressed that I could still lift a leather recliner until now, considering my age. The leather recliner exploded into dust as soon as it hit the wall.

"Ah, I'll never get tired of that.", I thought to myself.

I gave a nearby rock a soft kick and trudged over to where Jerry was. He was playing basketball in the far corner of the cave. He knew that I didn't like to be disturbed when I'm thinking or relaxing so he makes sure he plays sports far from me.

Jerry always liked sports. Ever since I introduced him to soccer, he's been eager to learn the other sports. He tried basketball, bowling, tennis, table tennis, cricket, golf, baseball, swimming, chess you name it.

Except for martial arts. Jerry never liked it. The first time he saw what martial arts is, he swore never to try it. It's because he doesn't like the use of violence. Scratch that, he hates violence. Absolutely hates it. Even boxing.

I tried explaining to him that martial arts was for self-defense, but he still wouldn't go for it. That was a shame, because I loved martial arts. I was a black belt in karate and taekwondo. I also became an expert in judo, fencing, aikido, kung-fu, and wushu.

My skill in martial arts got me through tough spots in life. It helped me beat up bullies and make their noses bleed. NO ONE messed with me. They knew that they'd get sent to a hospital because of a broken bone.

I watched Jerry shoot a the ball from half-court. The ball went right in the basketball ring. It didn't hit the rim or anything. It just swished through the net. Jerry went back to get the ball. He didn't act like it was a big deal. Well it was true.

Jerry can shoot a basketball from half-court and still score a shot. I remembered when I first taught him how to handle a basketball and how to shoot. I made a demonstration by shooting from the free throw line. But what he did when I told him to try was go to the three-point line. When he shot the ball, it went right in.

He felt very happy and enthusiastic when the ball went in. He grabbed the ball and ran to the center of the court and shot. I remembered the shock I had when the ball went in the net without hitting the rim.

Ever since then he's been greatly impressive in the other sports.

I remember entering him in a baseball team. I figured that no one will recognize that he has only one eye because of the mist. Well he passed the tryout and has been the team's best player. PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM.

I remember his first baseball competition. When it was his turn at the bat, he was able to send the ball flying to the other town. It was funny seeing Jerry's team parade from base to base. As funny as watching the crowds shocked impressions. He remembered the sudden silence after what Jerry did.

Since I was the first one to discover that Jerry can do that, I found the event amusing.

"Hey Jerry.", I called out.

He got out from his shooting stance and turned around to face me. I realized that he was extremely sweaty. He must have been working out and doing sports since he woke up from his afternoon nap, which was like 6 hours ago.

"Oh hey Salix.", he said before shooting another ball. It went in easily.

"Wanna go watch a movie or something?", I said. "I can't think of doing anything beside of plotting new ways to annoy Percy."

"Sure.", he said. "And how exactly did it go?"

"It was fun.", I replied. "You should've seen his face when I appeared to him as a tiger."

He grinned and took a breath. "I think I have new ways to help you annoy him."

That got my attention. I wanted to hear what he had in mind. When Percy asked why I can't just IM him, I made up a reason. I said that appearing to him as an animal was more fun. But the truth was, if I use IMing, the gods will know.

We have to keep his resurrection a secret forever.

There were things that I still haven't told him. Like the aura I put around him. All mortal girls will be in love with him at first sight. They will chase him just to see his face. To their eyes, he was the most captivating sight that walked the earth. That's what happened in the mall. A magic aura surrounded him.

Only demigods, gods, monsters (of course) , mortals who can see through the mist, and titans, well you get the idea, will be immune. As well as the strong-willed mortals.

I knew that when I prank Percy, he'll get annoyed at first but soon found the situation amusing. I knew that I have to act like someone whose fun when I'm around him. I just had to. I had to.

But as much as I wanted to hear Jerry's ideas, I controlled myself. "I think you should get rid of the basketball court first.", I told him.

"Right then.", he said rather enthusiastically.

He flexed his neck then threw the ball at the cave ceiling. Like what happens to everything thrown at any part of the cave, it exploded into white dust. Like snow.

Then he tore off the first basketball ring off of the ground. Grunting, he threw it at the wall and did the same with the other ring.

I took the time to summon a sofa, a dinner consisting of steak for Jerry and vegetables for me, a large bowl of popcorn, and a T.V. I decided that I'll just ask Jerry what movie he wants.

I made the last adjustments to the dining table and fixed some of the television's settings.

It wasn't long before Jerry came and sat beside me on the sofa.

"Now about those new ways...", he started. I tore my attention away from the T.V. and listened intently.

Jerry's plans were great! I knew that they would work full proof. Ugh, I'm starting to become as obnoxious as Percy was. But I knew that I have to be this fun and cheerful around him as much as possible. (The reason why Salix should be fun and cheerful around Percy will be explained later in the story. It is part of the mystery of Salix's identity and his purpose of going back to the past... and the story behind his name.)

Jerry and I ate dinner first before choosing a movie to watch. Since he didn't watch movies that had violence in them, I was forced to watch Cars with him.

I, on the other hand, wanted to watch something more fast-paced and action-packed like Transformers or Terminator or, a movie that we'll enjoy, Clash of the Titans. Since the movie is on Greek Mythology, we'll be able to relate.

But Jerry does not. Absolutely not. Watch, do, think about anything containing violence. He's like a dedicated peacemaker.

I took everything that I got to stay awake. The movie was almost ended. We were at the part where Lightning Mcqueen was pushing The King through the finish line.

Jerry stared at the screen, his eyes watering. He would occasionally sniffle. I, on the other hand, almost fell asleep for the umpteenth time. My eyelids would slowly close. Then I'll feel my head going down and I would shoot awake and open my eyelids widely. I would avoid blinking by staring wide-eyed at the screen.

My eyelids seemed so heavy. As if Hypnos himself cast a spell on me.

It was no use. Nothing I do help me stay awake. I did not dare to sleep after the last time. The last time I slept, my childhood memories haunted me. Now, I dare not recall them. Everytime I sleep, my memories rush back into my head. Ever since my parents' death, I had no peaceful slumber.

I tried to find something to do to keep me awake. But the movie was playing dramatic music, the cave was dark, save for the dim light flashing from the television.

This kind of setting wasn't exactly helping my cause. PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM.

My eyelids started to close. They were getting closer... closer... closer together. Until all I saw was black and memories and dreams occupied my mind and burdened my peace-yearning spirit.

The first memory started as a memory from my early years as a child.

It was the day of my birth. I was turning 16 years old. My grandma, my dad, my mom, Jerry, and... Rosie. For some reason, my grandpa couldn't come. That's how it always was. He wasn't always there.

A reason that made me hate my family some more. Especially my parents. They don't care about me. I was left to live with my grandma and my parents only come home like once every 7 months.

What's made me mad was that after that 7 months, they only stay for 2 weeks or so. Everytime they would leave, they never gave me a valid reason why. Only that it's important and that they were doing it for me.

But that was why I hated them. Why I resented them.

Jerry, Rosie, and my Grandma were the only ones who gave me joy back then. Jerry and Rosie were my two best friends. Scratch that. Jerry was my best friend. Rosie was more than a friend. I have always loved her and she felt the same way as well.

I liked Grandma as well because, unlike my parents, she has always shown that she cared for me. When I'm hurt, she'll rush to my aid and will do everything she can to help. I also like the cookies she makes. Blue cookies to be exact. She has always liked the color blue.

All of them were singing "Happy Birthday" to me now. Rosie and Jerry had one of their arms around each other's shoulders and were waving their remaining hands like people do on a concert.

My parents were holding hands and were smiling at me. Their eyes shone in the dim yellow light of the 15 candles. My grandma sat on her wheelchair and was clapping her hands to the beat of their singing.

After glancing at them all, I stared blankly at the flaring candles.

"-birthday to you!", they finished. After the song, they all hooted and cheered and started telling me to make a wish.

I have thought long and hard about this wish long before the month of my birthday.

I closed my eyes and imagined myself when I have loved my mother and father. When they haven't left continously yet. In the vision, we were sitting on top of our roof and were watching the stars. I was in the middle and my parents had their arms around me in a hug.

I knew what I wanted to wish for. PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM.

So I said in my head, "I wish that someday, my mother and father will stop leaving and will always be with me." Then I blew the candles, extinguishing the fire and darkening the room.

It wasn't long before the room was lit with bright light.

Rosie smiled at me and gave me a hug. She gave me a light kiss and greeted me happy birthday silently as she sneakily tucked a small box wrapped in colored paper in my pocket. Jerry gave me one of those man-hugs but almost broke my ribs then reached behind him and brought out a circular object wrapped in green paper.

He shyly gave it to me as I put it beside the cake.

Next was my grandma. She had a wrapped box on her lap. She gave it to me and kissed my forehead. Like giving a blessing.

Then it was my parents' turn. My dad approached me and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Check you back pocket.", he said, smiling.

Confused, I tapped my back pocket and heard a soft jingle. But the soft sound can still be heard in the quiet living room. I didn't even know that there was something there.

I felt the object. It was a cold metal but there was something attached to it. A circular object that had various buttons. Then my eyes widened and my heart started beating faster.

I took the object out.

Car keys!

I also saw the logo imprinted on the key.

Excited I put my grandma's gift beside Jerry's gift and walked a little quickly outside the door.

Sure enough, there it was.

A shining, new Maserati Gran Cabrio. It was painted a glossy white and it's rims were a deep red color. The windshield was tinted black, the way I like it. It was customized with a bumper in the front and back, and sideskirts on both sides.

I would have fainted right then and there but I maintained my ground. I'm sure that from now on, all the students at my school will be begging me for a ride.

There were so many words to describe the customized luxury car. Astounding, marvelous, beautiful, breath-taking. There are too many words to name them all.

Just as I was to call Jerry and Rosie to go for a ride, I felt two hands on my shoulder. Mom and Dad.

"I hope you like it son.", dad said. I was at a loss for words. I opened my mouth to reply but no sound came out.

My mom then took a deep breath. "You also have to know that we got a call.", she started. All my happiness and excitement faded until it was gone. I knew where this was leading to. I tore my eyes away from the car and stared at the pavement, trying not to let the tears fall.

"We were asked to come back to base and we'll have to leave early tomorrow.", dad said. I released a long breath. My anger was rising to my head like lava coming up a volcano's crater. My hands made a fist but I didn't say anything. So I closed my eyes tightly to prevent my tears from falling.

That was when my mother spoke. "Try to understand that-".

She never got the chance to finish. My eyes shot open and my fists tightened even more. I whirled around to face them and I let everything out.

"No! You try to understand! You think that you can buy me a shiny, new car and just leave then everything's okay? Well it's not!", I yelled at them. "Did you ever think that maybe, you staying with me- with your son -is a better gift than a brand new Maserati? Huh?"

Before they got the chance to reply, I stormed off, ran through the open front door, went up the stairs to my room and slammed the door behind me.

But I couldn't get my parents' faces when I yelled at them out of my mind. Their eyes were shining with love, care, and understanding, and sadness. Not to mention grief. Everytime I insult them, yell at them, they take it without getting mad at me. PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM.

It was like they knew ahead of time, all that I will say to them. And they were prepared for it.

As I lay there, I felt myself being lifted up and laid down on a soft surface. I assumed that it was a pillow. I felt something cover my body and take away the cold from the cave. It must have been a blanket.

The movie must have ended and Jerry noticed that I was sleeping.

I was thankful for what he did. But there is also a bad side of it. I haven't woken up.

So my memories continued.

How was that?

Now please read this.

To anyone who has a question about the story, the question may be included in your review. I will answer all questions in the following chapter as an AN in the beginning of the chapter like it did with this chap.

Please review and all are welcome to ask questions. But please no questions like: "How is Salix related to Percy?" or "Will Percy reveal himself soon?". I wouldn't want to give spoilers. So that the mystery of the characters and plot will remain.

If you have to ask questions, make them like, "Will I add a new character?" or "Will there be Percabeth?". Questions like that.

Constructive critisism is allowed but absolutley no flames. Got nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all.

P.S. I have just finished The Lost Hero. I can just say that it was awesome! Plain awesome! :)

Please vote on my poll in my profile. :D

REVIEW!

Peace!

Until next time.

-E.B.