Hello everyone,

Thank you all for reading my story. Disclaimer: I don't own any excerpts from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan's Curse.

Unlike other authors, I will continue to post even if my review count does not rise. I'm just that nice.

With best regards,
SharkAttack719

Περσεύς 17

And One Shall Perish By a Parent's Hand

We landed at some sort of field just after nightfall. Dr. Chase called it Crissy Field.

I helped bring Zoe out of the chariot and helped Bianca kneel next to us. The Hunter said she felt better than she did five minutes ago, but said she still felt a little woozy.

The others (Luke, Annabeth and Thalia) were talking to Dr. Chase about something.

Anyways, looking at Bianca now, she has a lot more courage that I would have expected. Like Annabeth, she had grey streaks in her hair, a symbol that she'd held up the sky. She confronted me about my decision to sacrifice myself in Arizona and told me that she was actually near tears when I was gone.

"Why?" I asked.

She looked down. "You aren't such a bad guy, Percy. You were brave, you kept me alive. If I had gone in there, I don't think that I would have survived. You were willing to give your life to save me, some random demigod whose parentage is unknown."

"And I'm guess you felt like hold up the sky in my place would be a replacement, a favor for saving your life."

"Yeah," she admitted. Then she frowned, as if she'd suddenly got an idea. "How did you escape from Talos? There was no trace of you when we looked. The robot's body was charred on the inside, as if fire was burning..."

She looked down at my arm. "You...that scar. You didn't have that before." She looked up with a horrid fascination. "You got—"

"Burned," I finished. "Severely. I got saved by an old friend...who I didn't think would be an old friend."

"Who?"

"Coeus, Titan of Intelligence."

"What?!"

"He was never really supportive of Kronos' decision," I explained. "He pretended to fail to catch me, and then I made him swear an oath to never make contact with the gods or the Titans on purpose ever again. He helped me, instead. He healed my burnt body, only leaving this scar here and a scar on my right leg, but I'm alive. I assume that's what matters."

"But how could you be saved? The prophecy said—"

"Coeus said that it wasn't my time, yet. I'm not sure how, but I think that he's right. The Fates haven't cut my string. But they've cut Zoe's."

I blinked hard.

The demigoddess looked sorrowfully down at Zoe.

Artemis, who had been next to us during that entire conversation, turned to me curiously. "Coeus, you say? That is peculiar. If he has helped you, and is willing to help you more, I may get Zeus and Styx to remove his oath and allow him to join our side."

"Wouldn't Zeus be mad?" asked Bianca.

"Do doubt," snorted Artemis. "But admittedly...we need more allies. We've lost many, including Zoe, the most faithful Hunter I have ever had."

I gulped and looked down at Zoe. I knew there was nothing I could do for her, absolutely nothing.

"Is there a way we can heal her?" Bianca asked. "We have to help her, right?"

I shook my head. "Like I said, the Fates cut her string. They can't hint that two people are going to die and have both actually survive. That just wouldn't be fair. Then again...Zoe dying isn't fair."

Artemis sighed mournfully. "I can see what I can do, Bianca di Angelo. Tampering with Fate is dangerous, though. Perseus is correct."

She tried to set her hand on Zoe's side, but Zoe gripped her wrist, letting go of mine. She looked into Artemis' eyes, and some kind of understanding passed between them.

"Have I...served thee well?" Zoe whispered.

"With great honor," Artemis said softly. "The finest of my attendants."

Zoe's face relaxed. "Rest. At last."

"I can try to heal the poison, my brave one."

In that moment, a shimmering image appeared above us, glowing in a golden light. I looked up, and my heart wrenched in pain. It was the Fates. They were holding up a ball of yarn, similar to the one I saw in a dream only half a year ago. This time, instead of electric-blue yarn, it was black yarn, the same volcanic shade that Zoe's eyes were.

"This is not the death you cannot stop," the middle one, Atropos, rasped. "But it is one you will have to endure."

Then, with those giant scissors, she cut Zoe's string.

With a ghostly scream, the Fates disappeared, the calling of the spirits of the dead echoing in my mind.

My eyes wandered down to Zoe, who was now grabbing onto Thalia's hand, her body shaking. "I'm sorry we fought," Zoe apologized. "We could have been good friends, very good friends."

"I should be one who is sorry," replied Thalia. The daughter of Zeus blinked hard, just like I was. "I'm sorry for making your life hard when it was hard enough. I knew you were betrayed by Heracles...I just didn't think it would ultimately lead to this, even after thousands of years."

"I accept the apology, Thalia," Zoe said. Then she turned to me. "Percy Jackson."

"Zoe Nightshade," I regarded gravely.

"You are the first, Percy," she said. "I never thought I would ever trust a man again, but you have changed, even in three days."

I smiled. "It's thanks to you that I'm different. I—" My smile faltered. "I never knew your reason for being so 'sexist' was because Heracles had done that to you. I know we already had this talk, but I'm sorry. You've taught me a lot, Zoe, not the opposite. I just thought that...you Hunters hated men just for stupid reasons." I tried hard not to let tears fall on her. "Maybe I am stupid. Serves me right for being the most conflicted demigod in history: personal loyalty but hates betrayals, nice but cruel to enemies, and so on."

"We have both learned from each other," Zoe compromised. "I have learned that not all men are like Heracles—lying, deceiving."

"But most of us are, right?" I said in a slight joking manner.

A weak smile broke on Zoe's face. "Do you still have the pen, Percy?"

Sad, knowing that these were Zoe's final moments, I pulled out the pen. With her remaining strength, she cupped her hands around my hand. "I am honored that you carry this sword. You truly are different. I wish the best of you in thy—thy...thy further days."

She gasped, and I pulled my hands away, not wanting to interfere with whatever was happening.

"My lady," she whispered. "I can see the stars again. The stars."

A tear trickled down Artemis's cheek. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."

"Stars," Zoe repeated. Her eyes fixed on the night sky. And she did not move again.

After Thalia had come to apologize to Zoe, I realized that Annabeth, Dr. Chase and Luke had ceased their conversation. Now, they looked about as pitiful as the rest of us.

Thalia lowered her head. Bianca looked about ready to burst into tears, her hand on Zoe's stomach. Luke sniffled, not because he was crying, but because the moment was somber. Annabeth gulped down a sob, and her father put his hands on her shoulders, a melancholy look in his eyes. I closed my eyes and muttered a prayer to the gods, the Olympians and their allies.

Thunder rumbled in the sky.

Artemis cupped her hand above Zoe's mouth and spoke a few words in Ancient Greek. A silvery wisp of smoke exhaled from Zoe's lips and was caught in the hand of the goddess. Zoe's body shimmered and disappeared.

Artemis stood, said a kind of blessing, breathed into her cupped hand and released the silver dust to the sky. It flew up, sparkling, and vanished.

For a moment I didn't see anything, but then a part of the sky sparkled. Annabeth gasped, and I noticed the newest constellation in the sky. It looked kind of like a girl's figure—a girl with a bow, running across the sky.

"Let the world honor you, my Huntress," Artemis said. "Live forever in the stars."

I wondered what kind of tale would be made up through the Mist for the mortals. Whatever it is, the creator better portray Zoe in a good manner or I'll beat the crap out of him...or her. Sex doesn't matter.

I stood up, not having done so before. My eyes felt irritated.

"Percy..." Thalia put a hand on my shoulder. "Zoe is a good person and is very strong-willed. She'll find her way through the afterlife. I'm sure of it."

I smiled sadly at her. "You're right, Thals. But there's no need for the cheer up. You already know I'm a pessimist."

It wasn't that easy to say goodbye. Bianca and Artemis were to leave to Olympus, though Artemis warned her to close her eyes until Artemis said it was safe to open them. Bianca nodded.

As silence began enveloping us, I looked back at Mount Tamalpais. Thunder and lightning rumbled at the top of the mountain, Atlas still bellowing his fury.

Artemis flickered a few times. My eyes widened, knowing if she lost her control that we would disintegrate just looking at her. That would be an unfortunate event for us considered we'd just survived battling Atlas.

"I must go to Olympus immediately," Artemis said. "I will not be able to take you, but I will send help."

She put her hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "You are brave beyond measures, Annabeth. I am sure that you will choose what is right. Even if it means you do not join the Hunt."

Annabeth flushed and looked down. Luke flickered his eyes between Annabeth and Artemis awkwardly.

Then she looked quizzically at Thalia, as if she weren't sure what to make of this younger daughter of Zeus. Thalia seemed reluctant to look up, but something made her, and she held the goddess's eyes. I wasn't sure what passed between them, but Artemis's gaze turned to something of understanding. Then she turned to me.

"You did well," she said. "For a man."

I wanted to protest. But then I realized it was the first time she hadn't called me a boy.

"Come, Bianca," said the goddess. She then mounted her chariot. Bianca followed suit.

"See you in a bit," Bianca waved. I waved back as the chariot took flight and zipped across the moonlit sky in a flash of silver.

"Well," Dr. Chase sighed. "She was impressive; though I must say I still prefer Athena."

Annabeth turned toward him. "Dad, I…I'm sorry that—"

"Shh." He hugged her. "Do what you must, my dear. I know this isn't easy for you."

His voice was a little shaky, but he gave Annabeth a brave smile.

Then he looked up at me. "You said you wanted more bullets, right?"

I nodded, surprised as I'd forgotten about that. "Actually, yeah."

"Well," he said with a grin. "You seem to have forgotten that you have the blueprints to give to your fellow campers—the Hephaestus campers, I presume."

I turned red. "Oh, yeah. I kind of forgot about that."

Thalia let out a quiet snicker.

"But maybe you can come visit me here, in San Francisco during Spring Break if you want," he suggested. "Or if you decide you don't want to go back to school, which Annabeth told me you don't want to go, you can visit whenever you're free."

I glared at the daughter of Athena. "When did you tell your dad that?"

She cracked a smile. "Back in Virginia, when you suggested I write back to my dad."

"Thanks, Annabeth. Thanks a lot."

"No problem."

All of us chuckled a little bit, enjoying the slight comic relief after such a sad event.

Then I heard the whoosh of large wings. Three pegasi descended through the fog: two white winged horses and one pure black one.

"Hey, Blackjack," I said.

Yo, boss, he said. You manage to survive without me?

"Actually, I almost got killed," I admitted. "But that's no problem."

No problem, eh boss? Guess gettin' killed is normal for you.

"It's starting to be, Blackjack."

Well, I brought Guido and Porkpie with me.

How ya doin'? The other two pegasi spoke in my mind.

"Fine, thank you very much."

"It is quite obvious that I am not able to go on this trip to Olympus," said Dr. Chase. "But before I go, Annabeth. I know…I know San Francisco is a dangerous place for you. But please remember, you always have a home with us. We will keep you safe. If you want, you can bring your friends with you. We have extra space."

Annabeth smiled at her father before turning away, the smile vanishing. Her eyes were red.

Blackjack beat his wings, as if he were shivering. Dr. Chase looked up and gave an inquisitive look to the pegasi. "Why, if the British had had these pegasi in the cavalry charges on the Crimea," he said, "the charge of the light brigade—"

"Dad!" Annabeth interrupted.

He smiled, embarrassed. "I'm sorry. It is just natural to be interested in history, for me at least."

I raised an eyebrow. "No wonder, Athena fell for you. No offense, but you sound even nerdier than Annabeth."

"I sounded the same when I was talking about celestial bronze bullets to you."

"Well, I was interested in the bullets. I probably wasn't listening to you."

"That's kind of rude, Perce," said Luke.

I grinned. "I know. I just have a hard time listening to smart people. Too much information to inhale."

Annabeth glared at me.

"You seem really happy," Thalia noticed.

"Just trying to stay positive, right?" I said. "Otherwise I'd be the worst kind of person ever. A pessimist who's seen the world in its true colors? Wow, you wouldn't want to meet a person who is like that. But yes, I am still sad over Zoe's death. It doesn't seem fair, yet it is at the same time."

The others nodded silently, agreeing with my statement.

"I better be going now," Dr. Chase said after extended silence. He turned to Annabeth and opened his mouth to say something, but seemingly thought better of it. He raised a hand in a sad farewell and traipsed away in the dark field.

I turned to Luke and Annabeth. "You wanna share?"

"Yes," said Luke. "That'd be nice."

Annabeth's look of anger towards me dissipated and she blushed. "Yeah, sure."

"Alright, then." I turned to the daughter of Zeus. "You get your own pegasus, Thalia."

She nodded and mounted Guido. Luke and Annabeth got onto Porkpie together, who was whining in his head about carrying the heaviest load, and I got onto Blackjack, who was rather disappointed that I hadn't found apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. It didn't matter because it would have meant that Blackjack would become immortal. That wouldn't be so nice for him, seeing me die off...and then my offspring, and then their offspring, and so on.

As we flew over the bay and flew toward the eastern hills until San Francisco was only a glittering crescent behind us, with an occasional flicker of lightning in the north, Annabeth and Luke fell asleep, exhausted, on Porkpie. The pegasus helped them stay safely on his back by adjusting himself as they leaned over.

Time passed and I flew side by side with Thalia.

"Can we please get out of the sky?" the daughter of Zeus said shakily. "This is not helping."

Daughter of Zeus? Afraid of heights? asked Guido baffled.

"Yeah," I said. "It's weird, but in any other case she'll beat you up pretty bad."

I trust you, lord, Guido said. Or as Blackjack keeps saying, boss. I've met F.D.R. I know I'm pretty old, but he was kind of scary when he was angry.

"I swear, don't tell anyone that I'm afraid of heights or I'll rip your eyes out with Annabeth's dagger," Thalia threatened, her voice wavering.

Tell her I understand, Guido said.

"He understands, Thals," I chuckled. "Don't worry about it."

I flew a little closer and grabbed Thalia's hand, which was gripped onto Guido's mane so tightly, I was afraid she'd rip his hair off. "Here, Thals. Look at me. Concentrate on me, nothing else."

"Why?"

"I don't want you feeling scared," I answered. "Come on. You're Thalia Gra—Thalia, daughter of Zeus, one of the most powerful gods on Olympus. You can handle a couple of heights. As long as you hold onto my hand, you'll be fine."

She squeezed my hand tightly and opened her eyes.

I grimaced from how hard Thalia was holding it. Sure I'd faced worse pain, but it didn't mean other things didn't hurt as well.

I tried ignoring the pain, fearing if I told her to loosen up, she'd only crush them tighter.

Thalia stared at me, a wild light in her eyes, just like every other time when she was freaked out. "Percy." She blinked a few times and kept staring at me. It felt like hours before she finally spoke. "I'm kind of doing it. Just forget about the distance between the ground and yourself, Thalia."

She exhaled loudly. "So, Percy. I, uh, guess Luke and Annabeth had their little payback on Ethan. Did he really try to threaten to kill Annabeth?"

I nodded. "Yeah. But I'm glad that the Titans are stupid. I mean, the same key for a door and handcuffs? There's a difference between unintelligent and downright retarded. The Titans passed downright retarded. Seriously."

Thalia laughed a little. It was nice to hear her laugh again. Less than a week ago, we'd been arguing like we were the worst enemies on the planet. It had felt like forever, though.

"Good thing that little bastard, Ethan, is dead now," she said. "We don't have to worry about him anymore."

I hesitated. "Actually, I don't think he's dead."

As soon as I said that, my eyes widened. Why had I said that?

"What are you talking about?" Thalia said, narrowing her eyes.

"I—I don't know," I said, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. "I just have this feeling. I don't know why I said that, but...I just don't think he's dead."

"And what makes you think that?" Thalia demanded.

I told her about my suspicions, things I'd noticed while she, Luke and Annabeth were fighting him. The things about him seeming heavier to push down, as if he were made of stone. A hurricane of possibilities swirled in my head, but I tried not to think about it. If Ethan can survive that fall, we are in serious danger.

"But how could he become heavier?" Thalia asked. "That's impossible. If you ask me, he looks as frail and skinny as ever."

"I know...but I swear, I saw it in battle. I have a bad feeling about all of this. If Ethan could survive that fall..."

"We are in serious danger." Thalia repeated my thoughts.

Boss, hold on tight, Blackjack said. We're gonna go into hyperdrive!

"Hyperdrive? What the—"

Here we go!

"Wait, Blackjack! Don't do this! Annabeth and Luke are still—"

Suddenly, the wind whipped at my face and supersonic speeds, making my face literally feel like ripping off. My ears plugged and I could no longer hear. The wind made it hurt to open my eyes. Before I could die, we suddenly appeared in a new area, a quite familiar one.

The wind died, my ears popped, and I could open my eyes once again.

The sky had turned grey, a sign that dawn was approaching. The familiar blazing lights of New York shined in front of us, never turning off in The City That Never Sleeps.

How's that for speedy, loss? Blackjack bragged. We get extra hay for breakfast or what?

"We'll see," I said. "Depends if the gods kill me or not."

Hm. Well, can I get your cabin if you do die?

"Thanks for having so much faith in me, Blackjack," I said sarcastically. "Only I am able to doubt myself. It's just the way it works. Either way, you're the man...er, the horse, I mean."

"There it is." Luke's voice. He'd woken up, causing Annabeth to wake up as well. He pointed towards Manhattan, which was now quickly zooming into view.

"What's staring?" Annabeth asked, rubbing her eyes.

I looked at where Luke was pointing: the Empire State Building. Above it was Olympus in all its glory, a giant floating island with torches and braziers ablaze, the white Greek buildings gleaming in the early morning light.

"The Winter Solstice," I said. "The Council of the Gods."

Hey everyone,

Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks to those who've put this on their favorites, followed and reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own any excerpts taken from Rick Riordan's book Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan's Curse.

I also apologize for any grammatical errors in the chapter above.

With best regards,
SharkAttack719