Lines Between
Hope and her friends had returned to the Excalibur and began to explain what had happened at Far Far Away to her father.
"To frog princes in a row," said her father. "That must be a first."
"Tell me about it," said Frank.
"What happened to Charming I didn't see him during the party," said Rex.
"No doubt he ran off when his mother's spell backfired," said Sora. "I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him though, but I doubt there's much you can do. As you no doubt so he's not much of a warrior."
"Yeah, he looked as if he spent most of his time pruning than actual training," said Rex.
"Even still best to keep a sharp eye out on him," said Sora.
"Dad, you get the report about—" Hope looked at Rex uneasily. "About you know who?"
Sora's face then turned grim. "Yes, I've read it," he said. "Faye is an outstanding warrior, honourable, brave and gentle."
"I wouldn't say gentle in front of her face," said Frank.
"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it wouldn't have been easy for Rattus to control her," her father continued. "Her mind will be too strong for mind control so they used magic."
"But there are three rules of magic that are totally universal," said Rex.
"And what are they?" Hope asked.
"You can't change the past, you can't bring anyone back from the dead and you can't make people fall in love with you," said Rex.
"But we went back in time and clearly Faye was in love with Rattus," said Hope. She then looked at her father. "And I seem to remember reading about a war coming back from the dead during one of your adventures."
"I said before the rule which cannot be broken can surely be bend," Rex sighed. "Rattus did go back in time to change the past, but we intervened… we altered it slightly, but you saw the end result."
"As Auron, Hades, in Olympus Coliseum, was the Lord of the dead and he has the power to bring souls from the underworld, but he always asks for something in return," Sora explained. "After the Coliseum was prepared Auron simply vanished, I believe he returned back to the underworld."
"Okay, but what about Faye?" said Hope.
"Rex can explain that to you later," said Sora. "Right now we need you to head back to Camp Half-Blood. We believe we have found Rattus' hideout."
"You mean it was at Camp Half-Blood all this time," Frank groaned.
"I know, it's annoying. However, we believe the source is from the same person that told us about Rattus' plans to alter the past. We have also her troubling news there was well, apparently the goddess Artemis has been kidnapped. Apparently she was on a trail of a dangerous monster, a creature that could decide the course of their world."
"How can you kidnap a goddess?" said Frank bewildered.
"It's happened before in that world, and we don't have time to discuss this," said Sora. "At Camp Half-Blood they are nearing the winter solstice, it's the darkest night of the year and it the time where dark creatures grow in strength."
"You mean the Heartless," said Rex.
"Indeed, we believe there is a quest in progress in attempt to locate the creature and most likely Artemis as well," said Sora. "And it kidnap a goddess wasn't enough we believe that Annabeth Chase has also been kidnapped."
"What?" they all yelled.
"I bet Percy's in the centre of it," said Hope.
"Strangely enough no, if my information is correct he's not even on the quest," said Sora. "I'll send all the details to Toodles when you get there."
"Well, that shouldn't be hard we already cleared the route," said Frank.
"Unfortunately, that world has now been reinforced with a massive Heartless fleet," said Sora. "You have to fight your way through again and I doubt you'll be able to survive it all on your own. Which is why—"
"Oh, no," said Hope getting up. "We're not taken a backseat on this. We're going to rescue Annabeth, return Faye to normal and stop Rattus right in his tracks. And there is nothing you can say that will stop us."
"I was going to say that I was going to send you reinforcement so that you can land," said Sora.
"Oh," said Hope, whose face turned suddenly pink.
"That's my girl," said Sora smiling. "I'll send any spare Gummi Ships and Keyblade wielders as possible. Good luck."
Then the screen went blank.
"That was awkward," said Frank looking at Hope.
"I think I need to sit down," she said sitting down on a chair.
Frank looked at Toodles. "Toodles, guide the ship towards Camp Half-Blood and let me know when we arrive," he said.
"You got it," said Toodles.
Frank then made his way over to Hope. "You all right?" he asked.
"I just… I don't know what to do," said Hope. "I've never really done anything like this. It was all fine and we were starting, but now."
"Hey, don't talk like that," said Frank bending down to water. "This is exactly why we stayed for the party."
Hope laughed. "I did another two of you could sing," she said.
"Only on rare occasions," said Rex.
"So rare they don't often happen," said Frank.
Hope then looked at Rex. "We'll find a way to save her," she said.
"I appreciate it," said Rex smiling at her.
"I have a feeling that our little adventurer is coming to an end," said Frank as he got up and looked at her and Rex. "And for what's it worth it's been an honour."
"The feeling is mutual," said Rex.
"Alert, we have reached destination," Toodles cried.
Frank then quickly rushed over to his seat and Hope and Rex manned the guns. Then on the monitor they saw the massive Heartless fleet.
There were hundreds of curriers and thousands of fighters all blockading Camp Half-Blood. Camp Half-Blood looked slightly different from the last time Hope saw it. There was much more land and on one she saw a massive building with what looked like a palace on top and on the other a large mountain. In-between them there was a large wasteland and only a few small towns and a junkyard.
"Look at them all," said Frank.
"I think it's safe to say that tip off was right," said Rex.
Then Hope noticed more Gummi Ships appearing out of nowhere and Keyblade wielders on their Keyblade Gliders. All of them were engaging the Heartless fleet and from her point of view it looked as if they weren't going to back down.
"Message from King Sora," said Toodles.
Hope looked at saw her father appearing on the screen again. He was no doubt going to give them the final details of the mission.
"Dad, are you, all right?" Hope asked.
"I'm fine, dear," her father assured. "Me and the rest of the Order will engage the fleet to give you an opening for you to land. I've already transmitted the landing coordinates to Toodles, he should transport you to where Artemis' search party is presently located. And I should inform you that Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, is on the quest."
"Wait, I thought she was a pine tree," said Frank.
"She was until the Golden Fleeces was placed on her freeing her from the tree itself," Sora explained.
"I thought it was too easy," said Rex. "And now Kronos has another piece on the board… another chance to turn the prophecy to his liking."
"Exactly, and you must recuse Artemis before the winter solstice," said Sora. "Good luck."
Hope looked through the monitor on the battle outside and wished she hadn't. She had never seen a battle like this before, it didn't even come close to the battle at Distant Galaxy.
"Looks like we've just declared war," said Rex.
"There's are opening," said Frank as a cruiser just exploded. He then flew the ship through the opening in their defences. "Toodles, land us when were close enough and then remained cloaked just in case we need you."
"You got it. Teleporting you now," said Toodles.
And the last thing Hope saw was the battle above and she couldn't help but think if they could have been any way to prevent such a battle.
Camp Half-Blood: Museum
Hope, Rex and Frank landed in what looked like a museum, but Hope sense the dark presence and judging from the look on Rex's face so did he.
"You sense that?" he asked.
Hope nodded.
"Sense what?" Frank asked.
"The something powerful, something ancient, something evil, residing here," said Rex.
"Could it be this Dark One?" Frank asked.
"I'm not sure," said Rex.
"Dad said this was the general location of Artemis' rescue party, so I think as best we try and find," said Hope.
"Agreed," Rex nodded.
Then they heard screams coming down the corridor.
"Who wants to take a guess at them," said Frank.
The three them then ran down the corridor and found the cause of the screams. People running about trying to get away from a very large lion with black fur and fighting it were Percy, Grover, a girl with spiky black hair and was wearing punk clothes, in one hand she held a spear and in the other was a horrible shield that made Hope want to run away screaming, and two girls both wearing silver ski jackets, blue jeans and combat boots and both were carrying a bow and a quiver full of arrows, except one had a floppy green hat that covered most of her face and the other a silver circlet.
"It's never dull in this world as it," said Frank.
"Percy! Grover!" Hope yelled.
Both Percy and Grover turned and both their faces were a mixed of astonishment and relief.
"Hope! You have very excellent timing," said Percy.
"You know them?" said spiky haired girl.
"That's Hope and her friends, me and Annabeth told you about them," said Percy.
"Focus on the battle," said the girl with the silver circlet.
"You," said Rex glaring at her.
"So, thee, has shown up," said the girl.
"Hey, how about we have a reunion later," said Frank pulling out his blasters and began to fire.
However, his blasts just bounced off the loin's skin.
"That's not going to work this is the Nemesis Lion, its skin pounces off any attack," said Grover.
"You couldn't have told me that before I fired," said Frank.
"Then we'll have to target its mouth," said Rex.
"And how do we do that?" Hope asked.
"With extreme difficulty," said Frank. He then saw the lion pouncing towards them. "Look out!"
Hope and Rex jumped out of the way, but instead of running away Frank charged at the lion.
"What's he doing?" said Percy.
"Is he crazy?" said the girl with green floppy hat.
"Just a bit," Rex shrugged.
They watched as Frank, at the last second, slid beneath the lion and slid a grenade right underneath it. Once he got behind it the grenade exploded sending the lion backwards.
"Hope you liked that kitty cat," said Frank.
"That was totally insane," said spiky haired girl. "I like him already."
"He has not killed it," said the girl with the silver circlet.
Hope notice that she said "he" as if it was the worst insult she could think of. However, Hope didn't dwell on this, her intentions were on the huge line that was given back onto its feet.
"Rex can you open its mouth?" Hope asked.
"I can certainly try, but it would help if you keep that things still for a moment," he said.
Hope nodded and pulled out her Keyblade and performed her Aero spell. Some are small gust of wind slammed into the lion, holding it in place. Rex then seized his chance using the Force he began to pry open the lion's mouth.
"Frank now!" Hope yelled.
Frank then fired a shot straight into lion's mouth, killing it stone dead. Then they saw the line melt and there was nothing left but a fur coat, and even that seem to be shrinking to the size of a normal lion's pelt.
"That was very impressive," said the girl with the silver circlet. She then picked up the lion's pelt and gave it to Hope. "This is thy prize."
Hope looked at it and then gave it to Percy. "I have a feeling you're gonna need it more than me," she said.
"You sure?" said Percy bewildered. "You do realise how we are night and this is."
"Look a gift horse into the mouth," said Frank.
Percy shrugged and they watched as the pelt shifted and changed into a full-length golden-brown coat.
"Not exactly my style," he murmured.
"We have to get out of here," Grover said. "The security guards won't stay confused for long."
"The security guards are not our biggest worry," said the girl with the silver circlet. "Look."
Through the glass walls of the museum, they could see a group of men walking across the lawn. Grey men in grey camouflage outfits and with them were several Solider Heartless.
"We'll be out of here yickity split," said Frank.
"What do you mean?" said spiky haired girl.
"Toodles, teleport us back to the ship," said Frank.
"You got it," said Toodles over the calm.
"Wait, did you say ship?" said the girl looking fearful.
Before Hope could ask what was up they vanished.
Camp Half-Blood: Gummi Ship
Seconds later, they were on-board the Excalibur.
"Where are we," demanded the girl with the silver circlet.
"Relax, Zoë, you're on our ship," said Rex.
"Wait, you know, Zoë," said Percy.
"We met two years ago and she prevented me from capturing a known associate of Rattus," said Rex glaring at Zoë.
"She asked to join the Hunters," said Zoë indignantly.
"And you believe her," said Rex rolling his eyes. "I've got news for you, Zoë, men aren't the only ones who lie."
"Hang on, how about some introductions first," said Hope.
"Yes, sorry, this is Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus," said Percy gesturing to the girl with the spiky black hair. "That's Zoë Nightshade, Artemis is lieutenant and that's Bianca di Angelo, another one of the Huntress of Artemis." he said gesturing to the girl with the green hat.
"Pleasure, and I'm Hope and that's Rex and Frank," said Hope. She then looked at Percy in puzzlement. "Percy, I thought you weren't on the quest."
"He shouldn't be," said Zoë hotly. She then realised what Hope had just said. "How did you know we were on a quest."
"Because King Sora told us," said Rex.
"The head of the Keyblade Order," said Zoë looking up.
"Which is right now battling the Heartless blockade around your world," said Frank.
"Sorry, but what the Keyblade Order?" Bianca asked.
"I'll explain later," said Zoë.
"Anyway, we believe Rattus' is operating from this world and since he seems to be in league with Kronos and I'm willing to bet is the same place that Artemis has been held," said Rex.
"Also we're here arrest Luke," said Frank.
"What?" said Thalia.
"Yes, he's wanted by the Keyblade Order for meddling in the affairs of other worlds without permission," said Frank.
"Guess this means we're working together," said Hope.
"I don't like working with men," said Zoë.
"Afraid we're gonna make a move on you," said Frank.
"You'll be facing Heartless and our ship is much safer than on the road," said Rex.
"He does have a good point," said Grover.
"Fine," said Zoë grudgingly. She then looked at Percy. "You're part of this quest now. I don't like it, but there's no changing fate."
"I feel so loved," Percy muttered.
"Great, I don't suppose anyone has any ideas how to locate Artemis," said Frank.
"I've been using a tracker song to locate Artemis," said Grover.
"And with a bit of assistance with my tracking spells we should be able to locate her with no problem," said Rex.
"Looks like we have a plan," said Hope.
"Then let's move out," said Frank.
Then the Excalibur began to fly forwards.
A few hours later, Hope looked outside and saw the night sky. She then made her way over the Thalia, who had been in conversation with Percy until he left. She also noticed that to be shivering wider bit as if she was scared.
"Hi," she said.
"Hello," said Thalia.
"Given can talk for a bit?" Hope asked.
Thalia shrugged and Hope sat down next to her.
"I suppose I should thank you for saving me," she said to her.
"I think you have Uncle Riku to thank for that," said Hope smiling.
"Uncle?" Thalia noticed. "I didn't realise Master Riku had any brothers and sisters."
"He doesn't, but it's what I like to call them," said Hope.
"Must be nice having a family that loves you," said Thalia.
"My father has always been a bit busy for me," Hope admitted. "He loves me with all his heart, but he's quite busy."
"What does he do?"
Hope decided she wanted to change the subject. "What's up with Zoë and why does he hate men?" she asked.
"You see there was this guy that treated her very badly and so she joined the Hunters. The Hunters of Artemis swear themselves off with boys in exchange for immortality," Thalia explained.
"They're immortal?" Hope gasped.
"Except when they fall in battle," said Thalia. She then looked at Hope curiously. "Are you really going to arrest Luke?"
"We don't have any choice," said Hope. "Meddling in other worlds affairs is the highest crime anyone can do and that not only that, but he meddled with time." She looked at Thalia, who was looking depressed. "I'm sorry, Thalia, but the Luke you know has gone."
"You sound like Percy," she said and walked off in a huff.
Camp Half-Blood: Town
The nest day they landed at a little ski town nestled in the mountains. Both Rex and Grover had mentioned that they sensed something powerful in this town.
"Okay, so what are we looking for?" Percy asked.
"We don't know," said Grover.
"We sensed something powerful, but that's all," said Rex.
"Well, that helpful," Frank muttered.
"Strange place for something to hide, though," said Thalia.
"Maybe we should split up," Bianca suggested.
They all nodded in agreement. Hope want with Rex, Frank went with Thalia, Percy with Bianca and Grover went, quite happily, with Zoë.
Hope looked at Rex and recognised the troubled look on Rex's face.
"What's the matter?" she asked. Rex stared down at her. "I've known you long enough to know when you're troubled."
"Fair enough," said Rex smiling. He then turned and looked at Bianca. "There's something off about that girl."
"Like what?" Hope asked.
"I don't know, but here aura is as powerful as Percy's and Thalia, but it's older," he said.
"But she's only twelve," said Hope.
"I know, that's what troubling me," said Rex.
Then they heard Zoë yelled "Grover!"
"Here we go," Rex muttered.
They ran over to where they heard Zoë and found everyone else there. They saw Grover flat on the ground groaning, his eyes fluttering.
"What happened to Grover?" Thalia asked.
"I don't know," said Zoë. "He just collapsed."
"I think we have other problems," said Rex drawing his sheathed sword.
They all turned and saw the first two skeleton warriors appeared along with some Centurions. Frank quickly pulled out his blasters and began blasting the skeletons, but the shots had no effect.
"Does anything in this world fall to blasters?" he muttered in annoyance.
Grover was still unconscious muttering about something and as he did more skeleton warriors appeared.
"One down and we haven't even started fighting," said Hope.
"Then let's start now," said Percy drawing his sword and then he charged.
The first skeleton fired, but it looked as if he could see the bullet's path. He deflected off the edge of his blade and kept on charging.
The skeleton drew a baton and Percy sliced off his arm at the elbow. Then he swung his sword through his waist and cut in half.
His bones unknitted and clattered to the ground in a heap. Almost immediately, they began to move, reassembling themselves. The second skeleton clattered his teeth at Percy and try to fire at him, but he knocked his gun into the snow.
Then another two skeletons shot him in the back.
"Percy!" Thalia screamed.
Percy landed face down in the street, however he wasn't dead. He had formed to the ground because the impact of the bullets may soon realise something. The Nemesis Lion's fur was bullet-proof.
However, the remainder of the forces were now pressing their advance towards them and there was no way to stop them. Frank, Zoë and Bianca fired at their head's point-blank, but the shots just whittled straight through their empty skulls. One lunch at Bianca and everyone thought she was a goner, but she whipped out her hunting knife and stabbed the warrior in the chest. The whole skeleton erupted into flames, leaving her little pile of ash behind.
"How did you do that?" Zoë asked.
"I don't know," Bianca said nervously. "Lucky shot?"
"I have a feeling it's something more," said Rex as he pushed away a few more skeletons.
"There's too many of them," said Hope blocking Centurions spear.
"We could do with a miracle right now," said Frank.
And that's exactly what they got.
Hope suddenly heard a very familiar whooshing sound. She looked up and saw something black heading straight down towards them.
"Get down!" she yelled.
Everyone ducked just in time as a plasma orb landed in between them and the skeletons and Heartless. It created a massive explosion at sent their foes backwards and Hope saw something landing within the smoke.
She could make out who it was, but they were tall with a flaming sword in the left-hand and beside them was a very large lizard. At once Hope realised who it was, but she couldn't believe it.
"That's not who I think it is, is it?" said Frank.
"Same Aura, must be," said Rex. "But how?"
Then Hope saw another figure hopping off the large lizard and she recognised two that was at once. However, this time he had his eyes completely blindfolded.
"Shade?" she gasped.
"Get going," said Shade summoning his Keyblade. "We'll hold them off."
"Who are they?" said Percy.
"Old friends," said Hope.
"And we better listen to them," said Frank he then looked at Shade and his mysterious accomplice. "Toodles will send you are coordinates once we're safe."
"Good, now go," Shade ordered.
And before Hope could do or say anything Shade and mysterious accomplice charge straight towards this skeletons and Heartless. Then they were teleported away.
Camp Half-Blood: Junkyard
It was sunset when they landed and the first thing they discovered was that they were looking at a junkyard.
They were standing in a clutter of buildings too small to be a town: a boarded-up house, a taco shop that looked like it hadn't been open since before Zoë Nightshade was born, and a white stucco post office with a sign that said GILA CLAW, ARIZONA hanging crooked above the door. Then they saw your enormous mounds of old cars, appliances, and other scrap metal. The junkyard seemed to go on forever.
That's when Percy and the others turned to look at them.
"Okay, who were those two," said Zoë.
"How about you ask them yourselves?" said Frank pointing upwards.
They all looked up and saw a massive black dragon with two people riding on top of him.
"Is that a dragon?" said Percy.
"It can't be, it does not like any dragon I've ever seen," said Zoë.
"That's because it's not from this world," said Rex.
"Who are they?" said Thalia.
Then the dragon landed and both Shade and his mysterious accomplice popped off his back. Mysterious accomplice was someone Hope knew very well, but a different, taller and more confident and was now dressed in armour and despite wearing a helmet she had a pretty good hunch it was.
Then Shade's mysterious accomplice removed his helmet and there smiling at her was her old friend Hiccup.
"Hey, Hope, it's been a long time," he said. "Longer for me then it has for you."
"You've had a growth spurt," Frank noted.
"Yeah, well it has been a few years," Hiccup shrugged.
"Is anyone going to tell us what's going on," Percy demanded.
"I think you'll better sit down, because it can be a long story," said Shade.
Unknown Location
In a dank hall Rattus, along with Faye, was standing in the middle and his three accomplices, Wolf, Cam and Polly appeared out of the dark.
"Was your mission a success?" he asked.
"No, that Keyblade wielder Shade got in the way," said Wolf.
"We did get our hands on the girl, though," said Cam.
"I need it clear that I needed him, not his girlfriend!" Rattus snap.
"You have failed my love," said Faye drawing her rapier.
"Relax," said a voice. They all looked up and saw the Dark One's shadow appearing in front of them. "It is far too soon for my resurrection, but we have the opportunity to annihilate meddlesome pests."
"What would you have us do, my lord?" said Rattus.
"Eliminate, Hope's friends, but remember we need her and the demigod alive," said the Dark One.
"It will be done, my lord," said Rattus bowing.