And now is the beginning of the end of this story at least. Only five chapters left. And I have some pretty serious exams coming up, so the updates may not be as regular as usual. I'm sorry in advance. Also, this chapter will have mentions of kidnapping so look out for that warning, though it really isn't serious or graphic or anything.
Pacenya347 : Thank you, I just thought about how that was a serious bonding moment for the two and that it deserved to be referenced.
Catsrawesome : I just thought that it would be something a little different, so I'm glad that you enjoyed it. And in my last high school English lesson, my teacher read Oh, the places you'll go! So it will always have a special place in my heart.
Bdog123 : But I enjoy mixing in the ideas that you guys give me as well. I look putting my own twist on them and seeing what you all think of how I utilised your ideas.
Melancholy's Sunshine : Ooh, I love all of those ideas. I'll try to include all of them in later chapters, but for this chapter, I'll definitely have the girls clothes. That is going to be fun.
Crazy-dasiy-in-tha-house : I would, but I want this story to focus on Leo's past. Maybe in a future story.
Neon-Wish : Thank you
QueenofLothlorien : I'm glad that it all made sense, I just thought that I'd try out something different. And I cannot wait for that film! I will put a Welsh character in this chapter, in fact, the idea works with another idea that I'm going to do this chapter. And I know that you wanted an illness/condition where Leo has to take medicine every few hours, but as I couldn't find one, I hope that painkillers will suffice?
Siddalee M : Aww, that ideas so cute. I'll put that in for you this chapter, so thank you my fellow demigod.
Iluvbooks : Thanks, I'm glad you love it.
Bris38 : Leo is so sarcastic/sassy. All of the demigods seem to be in their own way.
WitchoftheMountain : Oh no! Feels possession…
Kittehx1 : Thanks, I wanted to try something a little different.
Hadid : A real mix of emotions
StoneHeart : But it would probably be a really sad emoji, like loneliness or something.
Readingaddict24 : Well I'll be damed ;)
Septimus : Hehe, strange is my speciality.
The Steaming Cactus : It just goes to show how strong Leo is.
Cupcake Gal : I'm happy that you liked it, despite it being weird. And I've made so many people cry… I feel a bit like Riordan.
Our Mismatched Socks : Yes, I said sequel, I take it that you like that idea :)
Mondmaechen : I'm sorry that you found it confusing, but I'm glad that you enjoyed the rest.
Willowleaf : I seriously do feel a little bit like Riordan with the amount of people who I've made cry. And thank you for the ideas, I'll try to work them into the story. Leo meeting James again is going to be my one shot sequel, I'm having two sequels for this.
Grapplinghookgrimm : I really definitely be continuing this (I hope that your heart can take that).And I'm happy that it was realistic.
Guest There will be more.
IraTamashi99AmyliaZanpakuto : I'm glad that you're so excited about my story *reciprocates hug*. And I'm not really a genius, I'm just pretty good at torturing Leo.
ObsessedwReading : Thank you.
TeamLeo'sVeryOwnFlinxShipper : Don't apologise. You shouldn't have to feel obligated to read the story as soon as it comes out, though it makes me happy that you are so dedicated to my story. I hope that the no one was hurt in the storm, and that you also have a great week.
NinjaLordess : *Revives you from saliva induced death*. Thank you, and I hope that I don't kill you with anticipation...
HoOisawesome : Thank you, and I think that angst is probably my strongest element in this fic.
Killua minamoto : I hope that your exam goes well (good luck!). And I don't really ship Leo with any of the girls, but if the story looks good then I'll tolerate it. I may put some more self harm in later on.
Disclaimer : Although I've made almost as many people cry as Rick Riordan himself, I still am not him.
Frank's P.O.V
Frank was still feeling concerned for his girlfriend and his younger friend. He wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but it had really shook everyone up, especially Hazel. She had talked as if she had gone into Leo's head and talked to different facets of his personality, but surely that was impossible, even for demigods.
And because of Frank's words, Leo had felt the need to harm himself. Frank had learned so much during this, and he was fairly certain that an instance like that wouldn't be repeated. In fact, he was pretty certain that none of them would let it happen again.
Frank was definitely seeing Leo in a new light. Sure, his jokes could be a little annoying, but Leo had developed them as a defence mechanism against a world that was nothing but cruel to him. And Frankly, Frank didn't want to see Leo without his humour again. It was terrifying.
A new memory started up.
Twelve year old Leo was standing in a row with four other children. They all wore fancy clothing. Leo was wearing black dress pants, a crisp white button shirt and a fire red waistcoat with shining orange decals.
Leo groaned.
"It's the rich witch." Everyone gave him a strange look.
"A pretty socialite who adopted a bunch of disadvantaged children from all over the world to look good and then never paid attention to them. She even tried to change our names. Serenity, Hope, Delight, Peace and Liberty." They all snickered at the names.
"So which were you?" Frank felt obliged to ask. Leo hung his head.
"Delight." They laughed harder.
"You aren't very delightful." Frank murmured.
"Your frank words wound me!"
Leo turned to the other kids.
"Are you sure that you don't want to come with me?" The other kids nodded sadly.
"How are you getting away without being caught? Everyone round here knows your face." The girl who said this was stunningly beautiful, her hair fair and curled and her eyes crystal blue. She also spoke in an incredibly thick Welsh accent.
"I'll find a way, Anwen*." She shook her head.
"I've got an idea. Follow me." Leo followed the girl who was roughly the same height as him. They walked down an incredibly extravagant corridor, before they reached what was presumably the girl's room.
"What's your idea?" The girl smiled in a way that put birds of prey to shame.
"You'll see."
The memory skipped forward.
Anwen stood next to a slim Latino girl, whose dark curls just grazed her shoulders, held back by a sparkly red head band. The girl's dress was a plain red and white checked number that reached just below her knees, with two, thin straps that rested on her shoulders. All of her legs, except for the barest slither of tanned skin, were encased in white socks. Plain red converse rested on her feet. Red lipstick covered her glossy lips, and the smallest hint of blush stained her cheeks. She was also Leo Valdez, though you would have t know Leo quite well to know that.
"Oh my Gods!" Percy exclaimed. Frank was to busy busting his gut laughing to supply his own remark. Piper was eyeing Leo as if he would make a great new dress up doll, Hazel was blushing almost as furiously as Leo himself, Jason looked dumbfounded, Annabeth was just staring at the screen and Percy was laughing even louder than Frank.
"You make such a pretty girl!" Piper eventually squealed. Leo looked as if she had stabbed him.
"I look stupid." Leo whined. The girl gave him a once over.
"I think you look delightful, Lea darling."
Frank laughed even harder at the reminder of the stupid name.
"Well I'm certainly not feeling very peaceful." Anwen elbowed him.
"Oh suck it up, Valdez. Just be glad that your slim enough and short enough to wear my clothes without looking ridiculous."
"Don't you want these clothes." Anwen shrugged.
"I can always get the rich witch to buy me some more." Leo continued shifting uncomfortably, tugging his skirt down and fiddling with his extensions.
"You should also be glad that Serenity offered to let you have her hair extensions." Leo pouted, and Anwen smiled.
"You look so pretty."
"Bite me."
"You seriously let her dress you up?" Annabeth looked inquisitive. Frank glanced over at his girlfriend, and noticed her frantically fanning her face.
"I was pretty well known, when ever the rich witch adopted anyone, she would parade them around long enough for everyone to remember what they looked like and what a good person she was before she lost interest."
"I don't know, Lea, I think that you are the prettiest girl in the world." Frank smirked at the thought of finally beating Leo in a battle of wits.
"Are you saying that I'm prettier then Hazel? Are you coming on to me? Because I must say that you're a good friend big guy, but I'm not into bestiality." Percy seemed to find this remark almost as funny as Leo's disguise.
"Touche." Frank grumbled. Leo doffed an invisible cap at him.
Leo was sitting inside of Cabin Nine with an enraptured group of his siblings. Harley was seated possessively in his lap.
"And then, I used the now motor powered toy car to drive to school the next day. My principal almost had a fit." His cabin mates all laughed, and Leo beamed triumphantly.
"You're so good at building things Leo." Harley gazed at his older brother adoringly.
"Well that's what children of Hephaestus do." Shane shook his head.
"Yeah, but you are making a freaking war ship! Dude, you are probably the most talented Hephaestus kid." Leo's eyes widened at this praise.
"I couldn't make the ship without your help."
"Doesn't make you any less talented." Christopher jumped in.
"Don't sell yourself short." Nyssa spoke last, rising from where she had been seated, and ruffling Leo's hair as she passed.
"Yeah, you are insanely talented." Frank almost laughed at the fact that Percy looked personally offended that Leo was belittling himself.
"Say's the horse whisperer."
"Say's the helicopter whisperer." Jason broke in. Him and Leo snickered. Frank gave Leo a confused look.
"Helicopter whisperer?" Leo smiled.
"On the quest to rescue Hera, we kind of borrowed a helicopter of a ranger and then I flew it to the Wolf house." Frank shook his head, but Percy didn't look as shocked as Frank was. The water boy apparently noticed his questioning glance.
"The kid flies a freaking boat, I don't know if he can shock me by flying something else."
Leo (who was eavesdropping in a decidedly unsubtle way) seemed to take Percy's words as a challenge.
"I once made a Harley Davidson fly." Percy's jaw dropped.
"Looks like I stand corrected." Frank nodded, agreeing mutely.
Tiny six year old Leo was sobbing into his mother's arms. Esperanza rocked him, cooing lovingly into his small, elven ear.
"Tell me, mijo."
"I was burning. My dragon was flying and I was burning. La mujer estuvo riendo (the woman was laughing). I died in fuego (fire)." The boy was near inconsolable.
"Shush, mijo. Fuego es tu amigo. No puede matarte (It can't kill you). When you are old enough, you'll meet your father and he'll explain everything to you." She kissed her crying child. Leo calmed down slowly, still hiccuping and sniffling. Esperanza held him close, and Leo's eyes drifted shut.
"I will die in fire." He muttered as he cuddled into his mother and fell soundly asleep. Esperanza looked stricken.
The demigods also looked stricken. They turned to Leo in unison. The boy in question had abandoned his notebook for the moment, and was currently building a tiny, spinning windmill.
"Seriously Leo!" Piper screeched, and Leo and Jason (who were the closest to her), winced and protected their ears.
"You just prophesied your own death, and you are making a windmill."
"Not just any windmill." Leo's monstrous creation sprung to life. The windmill lit up as it spun, and it sand the American national anthem.
"See, it's patriotic." Leo was glared at by everybody. His shoulders slumped.
"I was six. Seriously, dying in dreams was common."
"But demigod dreams..."
"Often come true. I know. But my six year old dream won't. Seriously guys, I've had like a bajillon dreams where I die. They can't all come true can they?"
"That line at the end was pretty ominous." Frank felt compelled to point this out, receiving a dark Latino death stare for his trouble.
"I was six." The demigods gave in, but Frank knew that he wasn't the only one with a bad feeling about those words.
Warning : Memory of a kidnapping
Ten year old Leo was tied to a rickety, wooden chair, and the expression on his face could only be classified as bored, an incongruous expression considering the fact that neither his hands nor his feet were free.
Two hoodie clad teens hovered nearby, close enough to be threatening, but not close enough to completely terrify the child (also an odd gesture considering the fact that they were guarding a tied up child).
"Look, kid, we don't want no trouble." One spoke up.
Frank frowned, was that voice familiar?
"If you don't want no trouble, then you want some trouble." Leo looked far too smug for a child in his position.
"Just give us your parent's number so that they can cough up some money for you." Leo's gaze crumpled.
"My mom is dead, and I don't know my father. You might as well kill me or let me go because no one will pay up for me." The teens actually seemed to panic. They leaned in to each other, and spoke in quieter tones, but Leo could still clearly hear them.
"Damn! I think the kid's serious."
"Just our luck to pick up another homeless kid."
"I don't know, I kind of like him."
Leo piped up.
"I'm not a stray animal."
"Gods, you're mouthy for a tied up kid." Frank gave Leo an appraising look." Leo laughed gently.
"I played a hunch."
The same teen who had claimed to like Leo actually laughed.
"He has spunk." The other groaned.
"We are too young to adopt another child into the gang."
"Please." The other teen finally laughed.
"Fine. But you have to feed and water him." The boys pulled back their hoods.
"I knew they were familiar!" Frank shouted excitedly. He then sat down sheepishly as the others laughed at his outburst.
The teens were in fact two of the older boys from the free running video. They kissed gently.
"As lovely as this, can one of you untie me? And I'm not your pet." The boys apologised to the cranky child and untied him.
"I wonder if anyone does a pamphlet called my two gay adoptive fathers are gang leaders." He groused. The older boys chuckled, and the one that had begged to keep him ran a hand through his hair affectionately.
"If they do, I'll find you one." He joked.
"And that is how you join a gang." Leo said with a smirk.
"That was one of the most bizarre things that I have ever witnessed. And I'm a demigod who shared a room with Leo." Frank cracked up at Jason's comment.
*I hope that it means fair/blessed.
I hope that you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you all next time :)