Hey guys! So I know that I haven't been uploading very frequently lately. Last week I was on vacation and just couldn't bring my laptop. Also I'm barely getting reviews. C'mon everyone! If you like it, review. It takes two minutes, maybe less. It means a lot when you all do! So, sorry to keep you all hanging. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Leo POV

Leo has never fell that madly in love with anybody but Crystal; even with Hazel it wasn't that passionate. His heart burned to ashes leaving her behind, but what choice did he have? Crystal would make him go either way. He wanted to hold her again. He wanted to hold her soft pure skin in his arms once more. He wanted to look into her dark, deep brown eyes and tell her how much he loves her. Leo worried about Crystal. He knew she can take care of herself, but Gaea was a power hungry beast that won't let anything get in her way. No matter how strong Crystal is, Gaea won't stop until she gets everything she desires. Leo didn't care about how long he knew her, or how they met; he loved her no matter what.

"Hey, man. You okay?" Jason asked putting his hand on Leo's shoulder. Jason's electric blue eyes were full of care and compassion. Leo didn't know how to respond. He wasn't okay, but he had to stay strong. He managed a nod. Jason smiled half-heartedly and patted Leo's back. "Remember, I knew her too. It was painful to leave her behind, but we had to. She would want you to be strong, Leo."

"Aphrodite has it out for me," Leo grunted. He thought being best friends with Piper would earn him extra brownie points with the love queen, but apparently not. What had he ever done to her? Leo sighed disappointedly. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't triumph over the pain of leaving Crystal behind. Suddenly, he heard a blood curdling scream from the distance. Automatically, the group sped up and ran as fast as humanly (or should I say demigodly) possible.

Running through the woods is no walk in the park…literally. You need to be aware of where everything is at all times. Magically a tree could just pop out of nowhere and smack you right in the face. Also, Gaea is creating obstacles on the ground using rocks and other pointless objects that are under her control. When they got to the destination of the shriek they found Annabeth, Hazel, and Frank fighting off an army of monsters. You can tell by their faces that they are exhausted. Frank and Hazel were panting hard and fast. But continued to defend themselves. Annabeth, on the other hand, had a serious, deadly look her eyes. That look only came when she knew that everything is at stake. Jason pulled out his sword and slashed through the Monsters like gummy bears. Percy uncapped his pen, exposing a large, fatal sword. He joined the group and began to destroy Gaea's minions. Instantly everyone joined in. Leo reached into his tool belt and pulled out a saw.

"How come I have never thought of this before?" Leo grumbled to himself. Then his mind trailed off. He began to think about Crystal again. He imagined her soft lips dancing with his. He thought about how amazing everything is when she's around. He shook his head and snapped back to reality. "Focus!" Leo whispered to himself. He began to saw through monsters endlessly. Percy, Leo, Nico, and Annabeth were in the far left corner fighting an endless supply of earthborn. Piper, Hazel, Jason, and Frank were slashing through a mob of miscellaneous creatures. Suddenly, all the creatures sunk into the earth. The battle field went quiet.

"What's going on?" Hazel asked wearily. Every demigod scanned to area. No monster was in sight.

"Nico, did you do that?" Percy asked hopefully. Nico shook his head nervously.

"No…but I have a feeling I know who did." Nico replied restlessly. Everyone looked around the area anxiously. Unexpectedly, a swift cool breeze blew across the site. The group shivered and clenched their teeth. A girl with black hair and white skin walked into the camp; Khione. Jason was about to rush forward to tackle her, but Frank held him back. Then a tall woman with curly blonde hair and cold green eyes walked forth. Gaea was here, and behind her stood Porphyrion. The giants hand was in a fist. And the most terrifying image was in it. Crystal was trapped in the grip. Her body limp and eyes closed. Her brown hair hung freely and swayed in the wind.

"No!" Leo yelled. He was about to charge when Percy and Nico held him back. He struggled and fought against them. "LET. ME. GO!" Leo shouted. Percy and Nico exchanged a nervous look but continued to hold him. He twisted and turned to get out of their grip but it was no use. Two demigod children of the Big Three against a 'Latino Elf' was not a fair fight. Seeing Crystal's wilted body was like a taking a dagger to the heart.

"Silly, Leo," Gaea began, "She is not dead!" Leo stopped struggling instantly and stared at Gaea with blazing eyes. "She simply is a sleep. A deep, deep sleep. Now don't think that this is Sleeping Beauty. You kissing her is not going to awake her. She will wake up on her own very shortly. But sadly she may not live the long." Gaea went on. "Here's the deal. If you fight me, I slash her throat. If anybody retaliates, she is dead. Understand?" Leo just stood there with a conflicted look on his face. Gaea walked to Annabeth. "Your time has come, Annabeth. Fulfill your destiny. We had an agreement after all. You help me, and your beloved Percy will be spared," Gaea said coldly.

"What?" Percy said. He let go of Leo, and turned to Annabeth with hurt, confused eyes. "You're helping the enemy?" Annabeth shook her head.

"Percy you don't understand!" Annabeth pleaded. Annabeth reached for him but he backed away. His sea green eyes looked so vulnerable.

"I-I thought we tell each other everything. Especially something this huge!" Percy exclaimed. Annabeth's gray eyes began to fill with tears. Percy shook his head in disbelief. Annabeth looked at the cold, hard ground then into Gaea's eyes.

"No. I will not help you! You have invaded my dreams and ruined everything! I don't care how many spiders you throw at me, or what you say you'll do. I have already hurt too many people," Annabeth glanced at Percy. "I've lost too many loved ones," Annabeth wiped her eyes. Gaea snapped her fingers and Annabeth fell to her knees.

"No!" Percy yelled. He created a water ball in the air and slashed it a Gaea; it wacked her in the face. She looked at Percy with deadly eyes. Percy knew his mistake. He attacked her. Porphyrion grinned mischievously. His grip on Crystal tightened. Percy knew where this was heading. That was the same way the Minotaur imprisoned his mom. Piper was next to him, with her dagger to her side. Quickly and swiftly Percy snatched it and threw it towards the giant's hand. When the sharp tip of the dagger made contact with his rough bare skin the monster bellowed in pain. The grip released and Crystal plunged to the hard ground.

"NO!" Leo screamed. He ran to her body. Blood gushed from her side. He put his head on her stomach holding back tears. He looked up at the giant. "You! You did this to her!" Leo yelled furiously. He grabbed a sword from Jason and threw it at the giant. The sword dived into the middle of the monsters stomach. The giant hunched over in pain. Suddenly, Porphyrion disintegrated into millions of particles of golden dust. Leo brought his attention back to Crystal, not giving a care about what he had just accomplished. "C'mon Crystal don't leave me! Please!" Leo shook her. "Please! PLEASE! Come back!" Leo was shaking harder and more vigorously. He put his hands on the ground fire began to erupt from his palm. Suddenly a circle of fire surrounded them. Gaea and Khione vanished instantly. Frank stumbled back and Hazel hung to his sword. He gripped his shirt pocket tight and Hazel did as well.

"Frank, you need to leave now!" Percy commanded. Frank shook his head.

"No! I need to stay and help!" Frank insisted. Percy gave him a sharp, but caring look.

"Leave, now!" Frank looked down and nodded. Frank understood why he was being harsh. He was just trying to protect Frank's life. Frank and Hazel ran away from the site. The fire began to grow more and more. Leo finally noticed the mess he had made. Percy was trying to put the fire out with water, and Jason helped by throwing gusts of wind. But it was no use. The fire has grown too big to reverse. Leo scoped up Crystal and carried her out of the fire. He joined the group.

"I think we should run," Piper suggested. Everyone nodded and ran away from the blazing flames of death. Leo held Crystal tight and protectively. The fire chased them like a ferocious Pit-bull. The sizzles and cracks of the flames shouted in the demigod's ears. Heavy smoke began to clog their lungs. Breathing became harder and more precious by the second. Leo looked at Crystal. He prayed to the gods that she was alive. Quietly and weakly she groaned. Leo almost stopped in his tracks, but he thought better of it in this scenario. His heart beat faster and he gained speed. Life seemed more important to him know, for the both of them. After running for about three miles straight, the demigods were out of the forest and away from the fire. They met up with Frank and Hazel as they watched the forest burn to ashes. Leo was knelt by Crystal's side hold her head up. She had burn marks, and plenty of cuts and scratches. Hazel was applying cold water to her forehead. She looked up and met eyes with Leo. Their eyes locked and she grinned. Leo nodded. She understood and was happy that Leo found a new girl to love. Crystal grumbled again. Suddenly, her eyes fluttered open revealing her dark, warm smokey brown eyes. Leo smiled. Instantly the entire group crowded around her. She looked around confused.

"Leo," She whispered.

"I'm right here," He reassured.

"The Mark of Athena burns through Rome," Annabeth announced. The entire group reached a common realization. "I guess I'm not the mark of Athena…" Annabeth trailed off.

"It's not all about you, princess," Nico grumbled. She gave him a sharp look. He put his hands out in a surrendering way.

"What about Gaea?" Piper asked innocently. "She and Khione vanished."

"They got away," Percy said coolly. "They are still out there. This war isn't over yet." The entire group was a bit disappointed. They hoped that after all of this that everything would be over.

Leo starred at Crystal lovingly. He kissed her soft lips. He pulled away and they smiled at each other. Maybe Aphrodite didn't hate him after all.