Emily got up from where she was before she went outside of the Empire State Building, Steve, Lauren and Bucky followed her outside. Emily could hear the Titan army shouting and jeering as the helicopter came into view, it was a strange sight to see the helicopter. It was a civilian model painted dark red and there was bright green DE logo on the side of the Helicopter. Emily has a guess of what the words were under the Logo on the Helicopter. Emily looked over at Percy and Annabeth to see what their reaction was, it was clear that they recognized the helicopter as well. It was clear that Annabeth didn't want her to be here and that Annabeth sees her as threat, when it comes to Percy.
"What is she doing here? How did she get through the barrier?" Chiron spoke before Bucky, Steve or Lauren could say anything.
"Who? What mortal would be insane enough - " Suddenly the helicopter pitched forward, Emily panicked, she knew what just happened. "The Morpheus enchantment! The foolish mortal pilot is asleep." Emily watched in horror as the Helicopter started to careened sideways falling towards a row of office buildings. If the helicopter didn't crash there, that there was a chance the wind gods would swat the helicopter out of the sky for coming near the Empire State Building. Than Emily heard Annabeth whistled and one of the Pegasus swooped out of nowhere.
"Come on, Percy. We have to save your friend." Before Annabeth and Percy could get onto the Pegasus that Emily ran forward, she knew someone has fly the helicopter and Emily was one of the few people that knows of how to fly helicopter. Emily went in between Annabeth, Percy and the Pegasus, Annabeth was about ready to say something when Emily spoke.
"You don't know how to fly a helicopter."
"I have Daedalus's notes."
"That is not enough, not this time. I am going to go up there by myself and don't you dare argue. For unlike you, I don't need to use notes for I flew a helicopter before." Before Percy or Annabeth could argue or say anything that Emily got up on the Pegasus and the Pegasus shot up into the air. As they got closer that Emily could hear Rachel screaming from inside, Emily panicked more when she heard Rachel scream as the helicopter fell. That was for two reasons, one because Rachel, somehow, was awake, and two because Rachel was awake that she was more than just a clear sighted mortal of which means only one thing. That was she has the gift of prophecy, if she has the gift of prophecy than that means she could be an oracle provided the spirit takes hold. Neither one was good news to Emily, there was a chance that Rachel's gift of prophecy was the reason she was here. As the Pegasus flew closer that Emily could see the pilot was slumped over the controls pitching back and forth as the helicopter wobbled towards the side of the office building. When Emily and the Pegasus was close enough to the door that Emily managed to jump from the Pegasus and grabbed hold of the door handle. She felt a gust of warm wind, the Pegasus was blown sideways just in time or otherwise the Pegasus would have an injured wing.
Emily looked down and noticed that Bucky was looking up at her, worried about what just happened. She could understood his worry, for she could been easily killed just than and that he didn't want her to go through of what he went through seventy years ago. That was unlikely through, Emily looked away as Rachel managed to open the door and helped Emily inside. Once inside that Emily closed the door before she managed to pull the pilot off from the controls and sat down as Rachel managed to get the pilot into the seat besides her. There were only seconds away from slamming into the side of the office building, Emily went to the controls and righted the helicopter before they hit the building. Emily circled the helicopter and hover it before she slowly started to descend the helicopter and landed in the middle of Fifth avenue, Percy, Annabeth, Steve, Bucky and Lauren ran forward, Rachel managed to open the side door and dragged the pilot of who was snoring rather loudly. When Emily climbed out that Bucky ran forward and hugged her, Emily hugged him back. Emily wouldn't deny that she was worried and scared that she wouldn't been able to do of what she just did. But she couldn't let Annabeth or Percy go up there, not knowing of what they were doing, when Emily and Bucky pulled away from the hug that she noticed that Rachel was looking at her.
"You saved my life."
"You're welcome." Rachel glanced over at Percy.
"I - I had to be here. I knew Percy was in trouble."
"Got that right. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some injured friends I've got to tend to. Glad you could stop by, Rachel."
"Annabeth - " Annabeth stormed off, that reminded Emily of the one time of where the one blond kissed Steve during World War II. Emily looked over at Bucky of who was looking at with a mischievous smile that similar to the one time of when they saw what happen with Steve and the blond. Bucky spoke up before Emily could say anything and gave her sideway look.
"Did that reminded you of anything?"
"You know it does, it reminded me during the time of when Steve didn't know much about women."
"Yeah, about about the time shortly after the HYDRA base of where you found me?"
"It does reminds me of that." Than Steve spoke.
"Do you mind? I am married you know." Emily looked over at Steve.
"You weren't at that moment." Before they could say anything or even Percy that Rachel plopped down on the curb before she put her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean to . . . I always mess things up." Percy looked to where Annabeth went to before looking back at Rachel.
"It's okay, So what's the message you wanted to deliver?"
"How did you know about that?"
"A dream." Rachel didn't look surprised when Percy said that, she tugged at her beach shorts, but the beach shorts were covered in drawings. Just from the short amount of time that Emily known Rachel that drawing on her clothes didn't seem unusual for her. But the drawings and symbols was what surprised Emily, for Emily saw the drawings before now. For there were Greek letters, pictures from camp beards from this time as well as from the camp beards in World War II and before when Emily was in camp. There were sketches of monsters and faces of different gods, Emily knows for a fact that Rachel has never been to Camp Halfblood or Olympus. That only confirms the fact that there was a chance that Rachel might be the next oracle that is if Hades ever lifts that curse.
"I've been seeing things too, I mean, not just through the Mist. This is different. I've been drawing pictures, writing lines - "
"In Ancient Greek," I said. "Do you know what they say?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I was hoping . . . well, if you had gone with us on vacation, I was hoping you could have helped me figure out what's happening to me." Rachel looked at Percy pleadingly, Emily knew exactly what was happening to Rachel, but she didn't want to say it. Than Rachel looked at Emily, Lauren, Steve and Bucky, Bucky and Steve were confused but Lauren wasn't though. She looked over at Emily as Emily looked at her, Emily could tell from the expression to what Lauren was asking. That she was asking if it was true that Rachel might be the next oracle provided the curse is lifted. For they both know what about the curse and what happen to May Castellan, it was something they figured out together from their demigod dreams and what Emily heard from the dead. Emily nodded when she saw the expression, Lauren turned pale when Emily nodded to confirm of what Lauren was thinking. Than Percy spoke up.
"Rachel, I wish I knew. Maybe we should ask Chiron - " Before Percy could finish of what he was going to say that Rachel flinched like she had gotten an electric shock.
"Percy, something is about to happen. A trick that ends in death."
"What do you mean? Whose death?"
"I don't know. Don't you feel it?"
"Is that the message you wanted to tell me?"
"No. I'm sorry. I'm not making sense, but that thought just came to me. The message I wrote on the beach was different. It had your name in it."
"Perseus. In Ancient Greek."
"I don't know its meaning. But I know it's important. You have to hear it. It said, Perseus, you are not the hero." When Rachel said, that Emily panicked at once, for there was only one other child of the big three that it could be. But this she remembered what happen with May Castellan and a thought hit her, she suddenly realize of who the hero was. Before she could say anything that Percy spoke.
"You came thousands of miles to tell me I'm not the hero?"
"It's important. It will affect what you do."
"Not the hero of the prophecy? Not the hero who defeats Kronos? What do you mean?"
"I'm . . . I'm sorry, Percy. That's all I know. I had to tell you because - "
"Well! This must be Miss Dare." Emily and the others looked at Chiron as he walked over to them.
"Chiron, Rachel Dare. Rachel, this is my teacher Chiron."
"Hello."
"You are not asleep, Miss Dare. And yet you are mortal?"
"I'm mortal. The pilot fell asleep as soon as we passed the river. I don't know why I didn't. I just knew I had to be here, to warn Percy."
"Warn Percy?"
"She's been seeing things. Writing lines and making drawings." Chiron raised an eyebrow when Percy said that. Than he looked at Emily, a silent understanding passed between them, Chiron was aware of what happen with the oracle.
"Indeed? Tell me." Rachel told Chiron everything that she told Percy, minus the bit with Annabeth and what Emily and Bucky said afterwards. Chiron stoked his beard, he looked back at Emily and Lauren before looking back at Rachel. "Miss Dare . . . perhaps we should talk."
"Chiron. You . . . you'll help Rachel, right? I mean, you'll warn her that she's got to be careful with this stuff. Not go too far." It was clear from what Percy said that he might know about or was aware of what happen to May at least but she was unsure if Percy knows about the oracle and the curse. Chiron's tail flicked like it does when he was anxious.
"Yes, Percy. I will do my best to understand what is happening and advise Miss Dare, but this may take some time. Meanwhile, you should rest. We've moved your parents' car to safety. The enemy seems to be staying put for now. We've set up bunks in the Empire State Building. Get some sleep."
"Everybody keeps telling me to sleep, I don't need sleep."
"Have you looked at yourself recently, Percy?" Emily was close of laughing when she realized the state that Percy was in, honestly she looks in better shape than Percy does. He looked down at himself and his clothes of which was scorched, burned, sliced and tattered from the last couple of nights of battles.
"I look like death. But you think I can sleep after what just happened?"
"You may be invulnerable in combat, but that only makes your body tire faster. I remember Achilles. Whenever that lad wasn't fighting, he was sleeping. He must've taken twenty naps a day. You, Percy, need your rest. You may be our only hope." Than Emily spoke.
"I seen a lot more in World War II than this, a good amount of it was worse than this. I still managed to sleep even though it was difficult at times to sleep. However this battle is different, not once did we ever had to go this many days to fight in a battle, though with some battles that days were longer than this." Percy looked like he wanted to complain, but the look in Chiron's eyes made it clear that he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"Sure. Talk." Percy walked off to the Empire State Building, once Percy was inside that Emily walked over to Chiron and grasp his wrist before Rachel and Chiron could walk off. Chiron looked at her as Emily spoke.
"Chiron, if I am right in thinking of what Rachel is and suppose to be. Don't let her do it!" Chiron looked at Emily.
"If we are correct, I will make sure that she is aware of it. Just pray and hope that when this war is over with that the curse would be lifted. Or that Rachel may not decide to follow that path." Chiron looked at Rachel. "Come let us talk." Emily let go of Chiron's wrist and Rachel walked along side Chiron leaving Emily, Lauren, Bucky and Steve standing there. Bucky walked over to her before he spoke.
"What was that about?" Emily stared after Rachel and Emily closed her eyes, with the hope of the latter, before she spoke.
"You don't want to know, Bucky. You don't want to know."
"What curse?" It was Lauren that answered Steve's question.
"A curse that was placed just after you entered the ice, Steve. A curse that Hades placed a long time ago though part of the blame will fall on my father." Emily opened her eyes and noticed that Chiron and Rachel disappeared into the crowd of demigods and centaurs. Emily looked over at Steve and Bucky, they looked like they wanted to ask more but with the look that Emily was giving them that they decided not to ask any more.
"I am going to try to get some sleep." Emily went into the lobby of the Empire State Building and managed to find a bunk before she collapsed onto it. When she hit the bunk that she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Emily found herself once more in Hades' garden, Hades was pacing up and down holding his ears while Nico and Arabella were followed him. However Nico was waving his arms, Arabella wasn't waving her arms though.
"You have to!" Her mother and Persephone were sitting behind them at the breakfast table, both of them looked bored of which didn't surprise Emily one bit. Her mother was pouring shredded wheat into four huge bowls, Persephone was magically changing the flower arrangement on the table. The blossoms were changing colors from red to yellow to polka-dotted, Emily could see the wizard chess set on the table that Arabella got from Christmas break during her first year at Hogwarts.
"I don't have to do anything! I'm a god!" As her adopted father said that, that Emily prayed to Hestia that Hades would listen to reason, Emily knows that Hades was holding a grudge against his family. But Emily knows he does care about his children and if he doesn't help that they could be killed, including Emily. Not only that but if Olympus falls than the underworld wouldn't be safe from Kronos for much longer.
"Father, if Olympus falls, your own palace's safety doesn't matter. You'll fade too."
"I am not an Olympian! My family has made that quite clear."
"You are. Whether you like it or not."
"You saw what they did to your mother, Zeus killed her. And you would have me help them? They deserve what they get!" Persephone sighed when Hades brought up Nico's mother and she walked her fingers across the table. As her half sister did that, the silverware turned into roses.
"Could we please not talk about that woman?"
"You know what would help this boy? Farming." Persephone rolled her eyes as her mother said that, Emily also rolled her eyes but she knows that none of them could see her.
"Mother - "
"Six months behind a plow. Excellent character building." Emily snorted when her mother said that, that was unlikely going to happen, if ever. Nico stepped in front of his father forcing Hades to face him. Arabella walked over to Nico and stood next to Nico.
"My mother understood about family. That's why she didn't want to leave us. You can't just abandon your family because they did something horrible. You've done horrible things to them too."
"My mother had also understood about family as well and she understood love. That is why she protect my twin when Voldment wanted to kill him. She sacrifice herself so Harry could live."
"Maria died! Lily also died! Even though Zeus had nothing to do with Lily's death. I am sure if he was aware of you when you were born that he would done the same thing to Lily and her family as he did to Maria. Killing your family while you were down here."
"You can't just cut yourself off from the other gods!"
"I've done very well at it for thousands of years."
"And has that made you feel any better? Has that curse on the Oracle helped you at all? Holding grudges is a fatal flaw. Bianca warned me about that, and she was right."
"For demigods! I am immortal, all-powerful! I would not help the other gods if they begged me, if Percy Jackson himself pleaded - "
"You're just as much of an outcast as I am! Stop being angry about it and do something helpful for once. That's the only way they'll respect you!" Hades lifted his hand and his palm filled with black fire, Emily felt herself flinch when she saw the black fire in his palm. She knew what it could do but she knows Hades wouldn't use it on Nico or Arabella. For Emily knows him well enough to know that he couldn't kill Nico or Arabella, for he loved them too much. Even if he has a hard time showing it to them properly.
"Go ahead. Blast me and Arabella. That's just what the other gods would expect from you. Prove them right."
"Yes, please. At least, shut the boy up."
"Oh, I don't know. I would rather fight in the war than eat another bowl of cereal. This is boring." Hades roared in anger than he released the fireball, the black fireball hit a silver tree right next to Arabella and Nico. The tree was melted into a pool of liquid metal.
An angry roar shook Emily awake, she fell off the bunk that she was using, Emily wasn't sure of how long she slept but Emily was sure it hasn't been very long. Emily heard that roar once more again, the roar sounded like it was coming from a mile away. Emily got up and left the Empire State Building, Emily saw Percy and Grover, she barely could make out what they were saying to each other. One of the things she herd when she left the building that the Hephaestus cabin was out of a Greek fire. She told them not to worry about the Greek fire since she was able to make fire, no matter what kind of fire. That was not all, the Apollo cabin and the hunters were scrounging for arrows as well the fact the demigod has so much ambrosia and nectar that none of the didn't dare take any more. As she heard another roar that Emily wished that she knew of what was causing the roaring of that monster that she was hearing at the moment.
There were not very many campers, hunters or satyrs left in fighting shape at the moment. There was four demigods that since left the camp or never been to Camp to train, sixteen campers, fifteen hunters, half a dozen satyrs and a god that wasn't even Greek that was left in fighting shape. Thor and Percy were the only two without any scars, cuts or wounds, that wasn't a surprise with either one of them since one has the curse of Achilles and the other was a god. They have a bunch of centaurs, though the centaurs were not very organized, they tried to form rank but it was difficult for them to do that. They were all staggering, giggling, and smelled like root beer, it seems that root beer acted like beer or alcohol to the centaurs. The texans were head butting with the Coloradans, the Missouri branch was arguing with Illinois. Emily was worried of what may happen when the battle comes to them, for it seems like they might end up fighting each other instead of the enemy. It seems that Lauren, Thor, Steve and Bucky were thinking along the same lines judging from the expressions on their faces.
"Why can't the centaurs form rank?" Emily looked over at Bucky when he said that.
"Because they are not exactly fighters but more of party ponies henceforth of why they are called the party ponies. They know how to fight and everything, but they are usually arguing with each other or partying instead of fighting."
"Actually from how the party ponies are acting is similar to a feast after my people had fought in a war and won it or after a victory battle." The four of them looked at Thor when he said that. Before Steve, Emily or Bucky could say anything that Lauren spoke.
"Thor, have you been to an Olympian party?" Thor looked over at Lauren when she said that.
"No, I have not." Emily spoke.
"That is something. We can add to the list of things that Thor, Bucky or Steve haven't done or seen yet." It was at that moment that Emily noticed that Chiron was trotting up with Rachel on his back, he walked over to where Percy and Annabeth were standing, of who were close be where Emily was.
"Your friend here has some useful insights, Percy." Rachel blushed when Chiron said that.
"Just some things I saw in my head."
"A drakon. A Lydian drakon, to be exact. The oldest and most dangerous kind."
"How did you know that?"
"I'm not sure. But this drakon has a particular fate. It will be killed by a child of Ares."
"How can you possibly know that?"
"I just saw it. I can't explain."
"Well, let's hope you're wrong. Because we're a little short on children of Ares. . . ." Percy cursed in Ancient Greek, Bucky and Steve looked surprised that Percy cursed in Ancient Greek, but Thor looked slightly confused. Emily leaned to Thor and whispered to him.
"All Greek demigods curse in Ancient Greek." Thor nodded when Emily said that.
"What?"
"The spy. Kronos said, We know they cannot beat this drakon. The spy has been keeping him updated. Kronos knows the Ares cabin isn't with us. He intentionally picked a monster we can't kill."
"If I ever catch your spy, he's going to be very sorry. Maybe we could send another messenger to camp - "
"I've already done it, Blackjack is on his way. But if Silena wasn't able to convince Clarisse, I doubt Blackjack will be able - " A roar shook the ground, it sounded much closer than the last few roars and Emily looked up to see if she could see the Lydian drakon.
"Rachel, get inside the building."
"I want to stay." Than a shadow blotted out the sun, across the street a drakon was slithered down the side of a skyscraper. The drakon roared and a thousand windows shattered.
"On second thought, I'll be inside." Rachel went inside the Empire State Building. Emily could hear Thor gripping his hammer and him growling much like during the last battle of Manhattan with the rest of the avengers. Emily was unsure if there was Drakons in Norse myths, but there were serpents and Emily figured that Thor was thinking it was a serpent instead of a drakon but there was differences between the two. Sure there winged serpents but winged serpents were not as big as drakens, Emily would admit that she preferred the pig. But she figured not to point out the difference between a serpent and a drakon to Thor at the moment, The enemy army was advancing down fifth avenue, the cars were pushed out of the way to keep the mortals safe. None of the demigods wanted the mortals to be harm's way but it just made it easier for the enemy to approach the Empire State Building. The party ponies were swishing their tails, Chiron was galloping along their ranks trying to to encourage them.
"I'll take the drakon. I'LL TAKE THE DRAKON! Everyone else, hold the line against the army!" Emily notice that Thor was about ready to say something as well as Steve and Bucky when Percy said that. But Emily looked at them before shook her head when they saw her looking at them and gave them a look at told them that it would be better if they fought the enemy instead of the drakon. Even if the three of them have a better chance of killing it, but if Emily was right in thinking that Rachel was the next host for the oracle, for they wouldn't be able to kill that monster unless if there was a child of Ares around. When the enemy was close enough that they started fighting, the fighting wasn't doing well even with Thor there helping them. Emily and Lauren helped with the storm powers and let the storm changed seasons, but they were still losing ground though. A few of the monsters were hit by Steve's shield or Thor's hammer, since the last battle last night that Steve managed to change into his Captain America uniform, Lauren was wearing her gold jacket and a gold sun necklace that showed her as the leader of the howling commandos.
Or at least the one that will lead the howling commandos when Emily and Steve couldn't lead them into a mission or battle. Bucky since changed into his howling commando uniform along with his gold jacket,mjust before the fighting started that Emily tugged her blue bracelet. She was glad that she asked Hephaestus to change the satchel into her blue bracelet once she allowed the museum to use her old uniform for the exhibit. She has her shield on one arm and her sword that she got from her mother in her other hand when the fighting started. Emily was fighting along side Thor, Bucky, Steve and Lauren, it felt like her war life was mixed in with her new life. Even with five of the avengers fighting that the demigod were losing ground so they retreated to the doors of the Empire State Building. The entire Titan army was surrounding them. There was no help coming, not this time as far as Emily knows, as they fought at the doors that Thor spoke.
"As you know, I never been in a battle like this before. I knew some of the battles I had faces were difficult. But I was never been prepared for anything like this."
"That is because you are a Norse god, not a Greek demigod. So you were raised differently than Lauren and myself, for Lauren and I had been in training ever since we were ten."
"I been in training since I was ten."
"But you were trained to face everything but the greek godly world." Than there was a rumbling in the south and it wasn't a sound that one hardly hears in New York but Emily recognized it at once, Chariot wheels. Than a girl's voice yelled out.
"ARES!" A dozen war chariots charged into battle, each flew a red banner with the symbol of the wild boar's head. Each of the war chariots were being pulled by a team of skeletal horses with manes of fire. Now they have a total thirty fresh warriors. Their armor were gleaming, eyes full of hate, and they lowered their lances as though hey we're one. As children of Ares went forward that they were making a wall of death as they charged forward, Emily smiled as the children of Ares charged forward.
"The children of Ares! How did Rachel know?" The drakon managed to throw off Mrs. O'Leary and Thron before the drakon zeroed in on the Ares campers. Two of the drivers crashed into cars due to the one eye that the drakon has left.
"Ares, to me!" Emily looked at the girl who screamed, Emily knows the counselors of each cabin at camp or at least their names. She may not know some of them as well as others, but she knows that Clarisse was the counselor for the Ares Cabin. But it seems that there was something off about Clarisee and she couldn't figure out what it was. Her voice sounded more shrilled than usual for one thing but Emily couldn't figure it out than since the enemy was thrown into confusion and Emily needed to focus. The children of Ares allowed the fighting demigods to gain some ground, Emily fought the enemy and watched as Clarisse's chariots circled the drakon. Things started to go wrong with fighting the drakon at once, for the drakon knocked one of the child of Ares down and sprayed poison on another child of Ares. The Ares campers backed up as a result of the poison, Emily couldn't blame them for that, Emily wasn't even sure if the poison of a drakon would kill her. Emily heard Annabeth say that they needed help, Percy was telling Thron to stay back while Annabeth and Percy got on the back of the drakon.
Emily and Bucky went closer to keep the enemy away from the Ares cabin so that the Ares cabin could kill the drakon. For the drakon was the biggest threat in this battle at the moment since it was the most dangerous of the monsters there. The Ares cabin thrown javelins, of which most of them broke, but some were lodged in the monster's teeth and Emily could hear Percy screaming at Clarisse. "You can do it! A child of Ares is destined to kill it!" Emily looked at Clarisse, she felt hope leaving her so Emily reached out to her with hope that she could do this. When Emily's hope touched her that Emily pulled back with slight shock. For Emily sensed something was wrong with Clarisse, Emily remembered the words that Rachel said earlier that day. Emily rolled to the side as a sword tried to kill her, Emily knocked the sword out of the hand of the monster before she killed it. Than Emily looked back just as Silena charged at the drakon yelling Ares, Emily wanted to yell no and tell her to stop but it was to late. The monster was looking down at Silena in disgust before spitting poison in her face, than Silena screamed and fell.
"Clarisse!" Annabeth jumped off the back of the drakon before running over to help her. The Ares campers tried to defend Silena still thinking that she was Clarisse, Emily ran over and killed a couple of monsters before she managed to reach Silena. Emily and Annabeth tried to remove the helmet for the next few minutes but with no luck, than a flying chariot landed on fifth avenue. Emily looked up as Chris, from the Hermes cabin, and Clarisse, the real Clarisse, leave the flying chariot. Clarisse ran over to were Annabeth and Emily were, she was crying and shaking with grief. Emily knows of why that was for Silena and Clarisse were best friends, that Silena and Clarisse were like sisters, in a similar way like Emily and Lauren. Emily noticed that Annabeth looked shock when the flying chariot landed with Clarisse on it, it was clear that Annabeth thought the same thing as the Ares campers did.
"NO! Curse you, WHY?" Clarisse knelt down by the fallen girl holding Silena in her arms, Emily and Annabeth were still struggling with the helmet as Clarisse was holding the girl. "WHY?" Chris ran over from the chariot and over to Clarisse. Than the drakon tugged it's head from the brick wall before screaming in range.
"Look out!" The drakon whirled toward the sound of Chris's voice before the drakon bares it's fangs at them, Clarisse looked up at the drakon. Clarisse's face was filled with absolute hate, Emily knows she could use her aura to have people feel death and fear. It was almost like that looking at Clarisse at the moment but it looked more a killing machine that radiate terror. It made Emily feel small and weak like Steve was before the serum was placed in him. Than Clarisse screamed at the drakon.
"YOU WANT DEATH? WELL, COME ON!" Clarisse grabbed her spear from Silena before she charged the drakon without armor or a shield. Percy tried to close the distance to help but Clarisse was faster than Percy was. For Clarisse leaped aside as the drakon struck, pulverizing the ground in front of her, that reminded Emily too much of Thor when Clarisse went to one side. Than Clarisse jumped onto the Drakon's head and it reared up when she did that, than she drove her electric spear into it's one good eye. There was so much force beyond that, that the Speer shattered the shaft before it released all of the magic in the spear. Electricity arched across the creature's head, causing it's whole body to shudder. Clarisse jumped free, rolling safely to the sidewalk as smoke came from the drakon's mouth. The flesh of the drakon dissolved before it collapsed into a hollow scaly tunnel of armor.
Emily looked back to Silena after Clarisse killed the drakon, as Emily finally manages to take the helmet off of Silena that Clarisse came running back over to them. Not only that but as Emily managed to pulled the helmet off from Silena's head that everyone gathered around or at least the Ares campers did. For everyone else was to busy to fight with the other monsters that were tripping to get to the Empire State Building. Chris, Percy, and Annabeth were there as well to see of who was the one wearing Clarisse's armor. When the helmet came off that Emily saw the damage that was done and she knew that she couldn't help or save Silena. Her once beautiful features was now badly wounded with the poison that was on her face. Nothing could save Silena from her fate, not even Emily could do that, for she could see Silena's life force fading as Silena started to breath heavy.
"What were you thinking?" Emily moved aside so that Clarisse could get to Silena better and she was now cradling Silena's head in her lap. Silena tried to shallow but her lips were dry and cracked.
"Wouldn't . . . listen. Cabin would . . . only follow you."
"So you stole my armor, You waited until Chris and I went out on patrol; you stole my armor and pretended to be me." Clarisse glared at her siblings. "And NONE of you noticed?" The ares campers looked down at their combat boots.
"Don't blame them. They wanted to . . . to believe I was you."
"You stupid Aphrodite girl, You charged a drakon? Why?"
"All my fault, The drakon, Charlie's death . . . camp endangered - "
"Stop it! That's not true." Silena opened her hand, Emily almost cried out in shock, in Silena's palm was a silver bracelet with a scythe charm on it, the mark of Kronos.
"You were the spy." Silena tried to nodded but couldn't.
"Before . . . before I liked Charlie, Luke was nice to me. He was so . . . charming. Handsome. Later, I wanted to stop helping him, but he threatened to tell. He promised . . . he promised I was saving lives. Fewer people would get hurt. He told me he wouldn't hurt . . . Charlie. He lied to me." Emily looked up from Silena to look at Annabeth, Emily always has the idea that Annabeth likes Luke since Emily first meet her. Annabeth's face was chalky, she looked like someone just yanked the world out from under her feet. Emily could hear the battle going on around them, than Clarisse scowled at her cabin mates.
"Go, help the centaurs. Protect the doors. GO!" The ares cabin went and joined the fight. Silena took a heavy painful breath.
"Forgive me."
"You're not dying." Emily knew that wasn't true, for Emily could see the life aura fading and it was fading fast. Silene's eyes were a million miles away.
"Charlie . . .See Charlie . . ." It was than that the life aura faded out completely, Clarisse looked over at Emily as well as the few that remained behind her. Even though they know she was Emily Barnes, they knew that she was adopted by Hades later. They knew that she knows when one dies, Emily could hear the buzzing in her ear and she could feel Silena being judged now. Emily was looking at Clarisse, Emily smiled lightly before lowering her head, they all knew that means, that Silena was dead but went to Elysium due to her heroic deed. Clarisse held Silena before she started to weep, Chris put a hand on her shoulder as Clarisse cried. Annabeth closed Silena's eyes before she spoke, her voice was brittle as she spoke.
"We have to fight. She gave her life to help us. We have to honor her."
"She was a hero, understand? A hero."
"Come on, Clarisse." Clarisse picked up a sword from one of her fallen siblings
"Kronos is going to pay." When Clarisse joined the fight that there was no stopping her, she was like a demon in a rage of utterly and total destruction. She rode her chariot straight into the Titan's army, crushing everything that went into her way or on her path. Because of that a new hope went through the demigods, the panicked centaurs started to rally, the hunters and the Apollo cabin were scrounging arrows from the fallen and launched volley after volley into the enemy. The Ares cabin was slashing and hacking through the monsters, the monsters retreated towards 35th street. Than Clarisse drove to the drakon's carcass before she looped a grappling line thought it's eye sockets. Than Clarisse lashed her horses and took off, dragging the drakon behind her like a Chinese New Year dragon. Clarisse charged after the enemy yelling insults at them as well as daring them to cross her. As Clarisse did that, that red fire appeared around Clarisse that surrounded her like an aura. Emily stood there watching her as Lauren, Steve, Thor and Bucky came up behind her, it was Thor who spoke.
"Emily, I thought you and Bucky were the only ones with fire." Emily shook her head when he said that, she was close of laughing.
"That is not fire you are seeing, Thor. What you are seeing is the blessing of Ares. At the moment it would be like carrying the curse of achilles."
"I AM CLARISSE, DRAKON-SLAYER! I will kill you ALL! Where is Kronos? Bring him out! Is he a coward?"
"Clarisse! Stop it. Withdraw!"
"What's the matter, Titan lord? BRING IT ON!" Than Lauren spoke.
"There is no doubt that she is a daughter of ares." Emily smiled when Lauren said that, there was no answer from the enemy. While Clarisse was yelling insults and daring them to cross her that the campers tended to the wounded. Long after the Titan army retreated that Clarisse kept demanding Kronos to meet her in battle. Thor seem surprised by Clarisse as she kept demanding that, when they were finished that the five of them were standing close to where Percy, Annabeth and Chris were.
"I'll watch her. She'll get tired eventually. I'll make sure she comes inside."
"What about the camp? Is anybody left there?"
"Only Argus and the nature spirits. Peleus the dragon is still guarding the tree."
"They won't last long. But I'm glad you came."
"I'm sorry it took so long. I tried to reason with Clarisse. I said there's no point in defending camp if you guys die. All our friends are here. I'm sorry it took Silena . . ."
"My Hunters will help you stand guard, Annabeth and Percy, you should go to Olympus. I have a feeling they'll need you up there - to set up the final defense."
While Bucky, Thor, Steve and Bucky help stand guard that Emily went up with Annabeth, Percy and Grover to Olympus. For Emily has a feeling that she was needed up there as well. Of why she was needed up there was something she wasn't sure of, it was just a feeling she has. When they reached the throne room that the bronze doors creaked open. Their footsteps echoed on the marble floor, the constellations twinkled coldly on the ceiling of the great hall. When Emily looked at the hearth that she felt her heart do a somersault, the hearth was down to a dull red glow. Her patron goddess, Hestia of who was still in her form of a little girl in brown robes, was hunched at it's edge shivering. Standing at the foot of Zeus's throne, looking up at the stars, was Rachel and she was holding a Greek ceramic vase. Percy went over to Rachel before he spoke.
"Rachel? Um, what are you doing with that?"
"I found it. It's Pandora's jar, isn't it?"
"Please put down the jar."
"I can see Hope inside it. So fragile." Rachel ran her fingers over the ceramic designs and than she looked up at Emily. "Just like I could see hope in you, Emily. As well as that bond." Emily raised an eyebrow when Rachel said that, Emily has no idea of what Rachel was talking about.
"Rachel." That seem to bring Rachel back into reality than she held out the jar to Percy and Percy took the vase from her.
"Grover. Let's scout around the palace. Maybe we can find some extra Greek fire or Hephaestus traps."
"But - " Annabeth elbowed Grover.
"Right! I love traps!" Annabeth dragged Grover out of the throne room. Over by the fire, Hestia was huddling in her robes, rocking back and forth. It was a sight that Emily thought she would never see and hope to never see again. Emily walked over to Hestia before she sat down next to her, it was than that Percy spoke.
"Come on, I want you to meet someone." Percy and Rachel came over to Emily and Hestia before they sat down next to Hestia.
"Lady Hestia."
"Hello, Percy Jackson. Getting colder. Harder to keep the fire going."
"I know. The Titans are near." Hestia focus on Rachel.
"Hello, my dear. You've come to our hearth at last."
"You've been expecting me?" Hestia held her hands out, the coals glowed more than they were a few moments before. Emily saw images, else saw the fourth of juke fireworks as well as celebrating her birthdays at camp with Lauren. As well as playing with Lauren while at camp when they were only ten years old, as well as the pranks and tricks she did with the help of the Hermes cabin and Lauren during her time at camp or it was the pranks and tricks she pulled on the Hermes cabin with the help of Lauren. Emily was sure if Arabella saw her time at Camp that she would call Emily and Lauren the Weasley twins of Camp Halfblood. She also saw her times with Bucky and Steve after camp but before they fell off the face of the planet. She also saw her time after Steve woke and Bucky got his memories back as well as getting to know the avengers in the avenger tower and just goofing off. Counting Arabella, the avengers was the strangest group of people ever known that she seen, in the last few months that Emily consider the avengers as family, no matter of how strange of a group that they were. Emily knows that the other two were seeing different things from what she saw.
"To claim your place at the hearth, you must let go of your distractions. It is the only way you will survive."
"I . . . I understand."
"Wait. What is she talking about?" Emily thought of telling him but Rachel took a shaky breath before she spoke.
"Percy, when I came here . . . I thought I was coming for you. But I wasn't. You and me . . ." Rachel shook her head.
"Wait. Now I'm a distraction? Is this because I'm 'not the hero' or whatever?"
"I'm not sure I can put it into words, I was drawn to you because . . . because you opened the door to all of this. I needed to understand my true sight. But you and me, that wasn't part of it. Our fates aren't intertwined. I think you've always known that, deep down." Rachel gestured at the thrones as she spoke.
"So . . . what, 'Thanks for bringing me to Olympus. See ya.' Is that what you're saying?" Rachel just stared at the fire but didn't say anything else.
"Percy Jackson, Rachel has told you all she can. Her moment is coming, but your decision approaches even more rapidly. Are you prepared?" Emily watched as Percy looked at the jar before he looked back at Hestia, her red eyes were glowing warmly. It was clear of what Percy decided to do, than Hestia looked at Emily and Emily was looking back at her.
"My champion, you have grow even more than what I thought possible when I made you my champion. I knew you were meant for many things, as Lieutenant USA, you stand as one of the symbols of the freedom and hope of the people and the same can be said for the demigods as you know by now. You may not be a hero of any great prophecy but you are the one that stands up and gives hope to who needs it the most in times like this. But soon, you will be the one of the ones that will help bring two worlds together and have them work together in due time, your role in this is just as important as the others that are part of that." Emily knows that Percy, maybe Rachel, would not understood what Hestia meant by that but Emily understood at once of what Hestia means. Than she heard footsteps, Annabeth and Grover came back into the throne room, they stopped when the tow of them saw Rachel, Percy and Emily sitting by Hestia.
"Percy? Should we, um, leave again?" Percy was looking at Rachel before he spoke.
"You're not going to do anything stupid, are you? I mean . . . you talked to Chiron, right?"
"You're worried about me doing something stupid?"
"But I mean . . . will you be okay?"
"I don't know. That kind of depends on whether you save the world, hero." Emily smiled a little when Rachel said that, than Percy picked up Pandora's jar, he held the jar out to Hestia.
"Hestia, I give this to you as an offering."
"I am the least of the gods. Why would you trust me with this?"
"You're the last and the most important."
"And why is that, Percy Jackson?"
"Because Hope survives best at the hearth, Guard it for me, and I won't be tempted to give up again." Hestia smiled when Percy said that, it was clear that she expected this from Percy, she took the jar from Percy. When Hestia touched it that it began to glow, the hearth burned a little brighter, Emily smiled when that happens.
"Well done, Percy Jackson, may the gods bless you." Emily got up as Percy went over to his father's throne. Percy tried to get up there than he looked over at Grover and Annabeth.
"Help me up."
"Are you crazy?"
"Probably."
"Percy, the gods really don't appreciate people sitting in their thrones. I mean like turn-you-into-a-pile-of-ashes don't appreciate it."
"I need to get his attention. It's the only way."
"Well, this'll get his attention." Annabeth and Grover went over to Percy before they helped Percy up, they watched and waited as Percy spoke with his father. Emily assumed he was talking with his father at the moment. After what seemed like forever that Percy finally slipped down from the throne, he was still was somewhat pale and steam was curling off of his shirt and his hair on his arms was singed.
"Are you okay? You turned pale and . . . you started smoking."
"I did not!"
"If you'd sat there any longer, you would've spontaneously combusted. I hope the conversation was worth it?"
"We'll find out soon." Just than the throne room doors were swung open, Thalia marched in along with Thor. Thor looked somewhat worn out but other wise he seems fine, Thalia, on the other hand, was different for her bow was snapped in half and her quiver was empty. She looked rather worn out for an immortal hunter.
"You've got to get down there. The enemy is advancing. And Kronos is leading them." When they reached the ground floor that the Titan army was around the entire building and they were twenty feet from the door, maybe. The battle was raging, Kronos's vanguard was in the lead of the attack of which has Ethan, the Dracaenae queen and two Hyperboreans. But she didn't see Prometheus, of which didn't surprise Emily, for she knows that Prometheus was not a fighter unlike the other titans that were part of this war. In front of the vanguard was Kronos and there was only one person that was standing in his way was ...
"Chiron." Emily wasn't sure if Chiron could hear them or not, it was possible that he was only focusing on Kronos at the moment.
"Step aside, little son."
"I'm afraid not." Emily noticed that the others tried to move, but for some reason she was able to move, she figured that Kronos thought she wasn't worth the effort and saw the other four more of a threat than Emily. Of which is unlikely since Emily was training longer and was more powerful than them but she didn't care though since it was not her fight to go against Kronos. Emily managed to get over to Bucky was, of who was close by, as well as Thor, Steve and Lauren. When Emily reached him at he pulled her towards him and held her close to himself, she put her arms around his neck. It seems like most of both armies was watching Chiron and Kronos.
"Chiron! Look out!" It seems that the Dracaenae queen became impatient and charged forward towards Chrion. The arrow in the bow flew between her eyes, the Dracaenae queen vaporized on the spot and the armor she was wearing clattered to the asphalt. Chiron reached for another arrow but Chiron didn't have any more arrows, so he dropped the bow and drew his sword. Emily was worried for she knows that Chiron didn't like using the sword, not only that it was never his favorite or best weapon. Kronos chuckled when Chiron pulled out his sword.
"You're a teacher. Not a hero."
"Luke was a hero. He was a good one, until you corrupted him."
"FOOL! You filled his head with empty promises. You said the gods cared about me!"
"Me. You said me." Emily smiled when Chiron said that to Kronos, it seemed Kronos didn't realize that Luke spoke for a brief moment. Kronos looked confused for a moment, it was at that moment that Chiron tried strike at Kronos. But Kronos regain his focus before he went into action as a result that Kronos knocked Chiron's blade aside.
"BACK!" A blinding white light exploded between Kronos and Chiron, Chiron flew into the side of a building with such force that the wall crumbled before it collapsed on top of Chiron.
"No!" The freezing spell must have broken for Percy, Annabeth and Thalia ran over to Chiron but there was no sigh of Chiron. Than Annabeth turned to Kronos.
"YOU! To think that I . . . that I thought - " Annabeth drew her knife
"Annabeth, don't." Percy tried to take her arm but Annabeth shook Percy off of her, than she tried to attack Kronos. Kronos's smug smile faded, she plunged her knife at his collar none but the knife bounced right off instead of going into his chest like it was suppose to. Annabeth doubled over, clutching her arm to her stomach, Percy yanked Annabeth back as Kronos swung his scythe of where Annabeth was standing before Percy yanked her back. Annabeth was screaming at Kronos.
"I HATE you!"
"I have to fight him."
"It's my fight too, Percy!"
"So much spirit. I can see why Luke wanted to spare you. Unfortunately, that won't be possible." Emily looked at Thor, Bucky, Lauren and Steve, none of them were sure what to do now and no one was fighting. Kronos raised his scythe to attack Percy, Percy was ready to defend himself but before Kronos could strike that two dog's howls pierced the air somewhere behind the titan's army.
"Arroooooooo!"
"Thron?"
"Fluffy?" Emily knows that one of the howls wasn't Mrs, O'Leary since Mrs. O'Leary was just behind Emily. The enemy forces were stirring uneasily when they heard the howling of the two hellhounds, than the unexpected happen. The Titan army began to part to clear a path through the street almost like something behind them was forcing them to make the path. Soon there was a free aisle down the center of fifth avenue, standing at the end of the block were two giant dogs, Thron and Fluffy. Unlike with a Thron, Fluffy has three heads, Emily hasn't seen Fluffy in a while since he was more of Arabella's pet hellhound like Mrs. O'Leary was her pet hellhound. There were two figures in black armor in front of Thron and Fluffy, they both looked small next to the two hellhounds, but one was a bit taller than the other one was though. Emily as she realized of who the two figures were, for Emily saw the one set of armor enough times to know what it looks like.
"Nico?"
"Arabella!"
"ROWWF!" Thron bounced over to Percy while Fluffy remained behind Arabella as Nico and Arabella strode forward. The Titan army fell back before the two of them like they radiated death, of which they did.
"Got your message. Is it too late for us to join the party?"
"Son of Hades and Daughter of Hades. Do you two love death so much you wish to experience it?"
"Your death would be great for us."
"I was going to say that Nico, no fair. That is one of many facts that I agree with my brother on."
"I'm immortal, you fool! I have escaped Tartarus. You two have no business here, and no chance to live." Nico and Arabella drew their Stygian iron swords.
"I don't agree."
"Make that we both disagree with that." The ground rumbled, cracks appeared in the road, the cracks appeared pretty much everywhere. Skeletal hands grasped the air as the dead claws their way onto the world of the living, there thousands of the dead coming up. Even if Arabella and Nico were using their powers together that she knows that they wouldn't be able to call up that many. Bucky held her tighter to him, even though he wasn't total sure of what else may happen that she was sure he didn't want to let go of her. Emily knew what was happening and who was bring the dead up to the world of the living. The monsters were getting jumpy as the dead clawed their way to the world of the living, they started to back up.
"HOLD YOUR GROUND! The dead are no match for us." The sky turned dark and cold, the shadows thickened around the street, Bucky held her closer as this happen. A harsh war horn sounded, as the dead soldiers formed ranks with heir weapons that an enormous chariot roared down fifth avenue. It came to a stop between Arabella and Nico, the horses were living shadows fashioned from darkness. The chariot was inlaid with obsidian and gold, decorated with scenes of different painful deaths. Holding the reigns himself was Hades, her adopted father, right behind him was Persephone her half sister and Demeter, her mother. Hades was wearing black armor, a cloak of fresh blood or what looked like fresh blood, and on top of his head was the helm of darkness. The fear that came from the helm reached her, she could feel Bucky shiver from the fear that comes from the helm, but it didn't effect Emily as much as it did Bucky. It affected only slightly unlike Arabella or Nico since she wasn't born a daughter of Hades. Hades was smile coldly at Kronos, it was than that Thor whispered to her.
"Are those Greek gods?"
"Yes, the man is Hades, god of the underworld and my adopted father. The woman with the gold wheat dress is Demeter, goddess of the harvest and my mother. The last woman is Persephone, queen of the underworld and my half sister." Before Thor could say anything else that Hade spoke.
"Hello, Father. You're looking . . . young."
"Hades, I hope you and the ladies have come to pledge your allegiance."
"I'm afraid not. My son and daughter here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies. As much as I dislike certain upstart demigods, it would not do for Olympus to fall. I would miss bickering with my siblings. And if there is one thing we agree on - it is that you were a TERRIBLE father." Emily noticed that Hades looked at Percy when he made the comment about upstart demigods.
"True. No appreciation of agriculture." Emily rolled her eyes when her mother said that, Steve looked at Emily confused when Emily did that. Steve doesn't know of how much their mother could carry on about the harvest or even cereal. Steve only spoke to their mother a couple of times and there was a huge space of time between those times, once at Emily's wedding seventy years ago and once at his wedding a few months ago.
"Mother!" Hades drew his sword, of which was a double edged Stygian blade etched with silver.
"Now fight me! For today the House of Hades will be called the saviors of Olympus."
"I don't have time for this." Kronos struck the ground with his scythe, a crack spread in both directions circling the Empire State Building. A wall of force shimmered along the fissure line, separating Kronos's vanguard, Percy, Annabeth, Grover and Thalia from most of the two armies. Emily, Thor, Lauren, Steve and Bucky were on the side of where the army was, than Steve spoke.
"What's he doing?" Emily looked around, she noticed that the barriers were collapsing, she could heard the sounds of New York coming alive. The city was coming back to life once more after three days of silence
"He is sealing them in, he is collapsing the magic barriers around Manhattan. He cutting off just the Empire State building and them." The noise started to get louder as the city woke up more from their few days of sleeping in a battle that they were unaware of. Pedestrians were waking up, all of the pedestrians and drivers were staring at the monsters and the zombies, uncomprehendingly at first. There was no way for her to know of what the mortals were seeing through the mist, but she was sure that some of them saw through the mist to see what was really going on. Emily knows that the other four can see through the mist for they have proved that fact not too long ago. Than Hades caused a distraction, he charged at the wall of force but the chariot crashed against it before it overturned. Hades got to his feet, cursing before he tried to blast the wall with black energy but the barrier held. "ATTACK!" The army of the died clashed with the monsters, Emily was about ready to go over to Nico and Arabella when Hades looked over at her before he shouted at her. "EMILY, CALL THE OTHER FOUR." Emily nodded when he said that than she touched the ear piece in her ear and spoke into it.
"Tony, Natasha, Bruce, Clint!" When Emily said their names that she could hear them talking and brought up that they were suiting up when they saw the monsters outside of the Avengers tower. Emily warned them that there was wounded demigods, spirits and satyrs in the avenger tower. It took a minute before Clint and Natasha came running out of the tower while Tony flew out of the tower, and the hulk jumped down next to them. Tony landed next to Steve while Arabella ran over to Emily and stood next to her as Bucky let go of her and stood on her other side. They were pretty much standing the same way as when the aliens came through the portal expect instead of Steve next to her it was Bucky. Bucky and Lauren were standing on either side of Steve. Now that all ten of them were that she was sure that this would most likely look like a battle between the avengers and something from off of this planet. Emily looked at all ten before she looked over at Steve than she spoke.
"Call it, Steve."