I do not own Percy Jackson nor Heroes of Olympus, they belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Carlos

He could feel the tension from the crowd leaving off them in rolls. He didn't blame them, and he would be the same way. They stared at each other, not moving. Alyx had eyes of guilt and sadness, but relief as well.

"Alyx?" Reyna asked. Alyx laughed slightly, scratching the back of her head.

"Been gone for a while, huh? Sorry about that." The anger melted away, her shoulders sagging, her eyes softening. The crowd begin to part, Percy coming out, his face in a panic. As soon as he saw Alyx, tears welled up in his eyes.

"Dad!" She ran forward, going straight into his arms, his arms tightly wrapping around her, burying his face into her hair, crying.

"My baby…" He whispered, stroking her hair. She gently pulled away from his neck. "Where have you been?" She gave a laugh.

"It's a really, really long story."

After everyone showered her in welcome backs, one Demeter boy giving her a flower crown and blushing brightly when she smiled at him, she introduced them.

"These are the two who helped me out across country. This is Carlos." She pointed at him. "He found me when I was fighting a Canadian, and saved me from the streets."

"Hey!" Frank and Liam said at the same time. She snickered.

"This is Liam. He came down from Banff. Carlos and I met him the day we were leaving for New York. He's twenty two and Carlos is seventeen." She wrapped her arms around their necks, pulling them close. "They're like brothers I've never had." He blushed, Liam's cheek's also erupting in red. Everyone softened at them, chuckling in unison. A tall guy with a military buzz cut and tan skin glared at Alyx, his eyes angered.

"Isaac!" She said, pulling away and going up to him. "You seem taller." She told him, crossing her arms.

"Pull a stunt like that again," He gripped her shoulder, his eye twitching. "Or I'll hunt you down myself." He shivered, but Alyx laughed wholeheartedly, the tension leaving Isaac's shoulders.

"Threat noted." She said, grinning at him. "Nice to see you too." He pouted and pulled her into a tight hug, stuffing her face into his chest.

"My turn!" A tall guy that he immediately recognized came from the crowd. He let out a squeak and covered his mouth when everyone, as in everyone in the crowd, looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"You okay?" Liam asked him.

"Scott Smith…?" He squeaked out. Scott blushed, laughing.

"A fan? Haven't run into one in months." Everything suddenly clicked into place.

"You're Yuu's boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend." He tilted his head. "You know her?"

"My sister went to high school with her." He scowled, glaring at his shoes.

"Anyway…" Alyx coughed, giving him a sympathy glance. Scott perked up and lifted her into his arms, squeezing her hard.

"You're back!" She laughed.

"Yep!"

After introducing them to everyone, including the guy who choked Liam, she immediately apologized for any harm she dealt to them. Everyone said it was okay or that she was not a fault. Hank waved his injured hand, chuckling awkwardly.

"No, it was my fault." He blushed a bit. She gently took his hand, stroking the bandages and frowning deeply.

"You're taller." She mumbled.

"So are you…" She looked up at him. "And handsomer." He turned red.

"Can you wait to make lovey dovey faces to each other?" Jasper asked, wrinkling her nose.

"Sorry." She said. "Where's Phillip?"

"His wound got infected, so he's in the infirmary." Jasper narrowed her eyes at Liam, who blushed and looked away.

"You were the one who injured my brother." She hissed, poking his chest. "That arrow has luxite in it. It's a deadly metal to demigods and monsters."

"I-I never knew that."

"Didn't know?" She glared coldly.

"Jasper-" Jason started to warn.

"No." She said. "You hurt my brother-"

"It was his arrow." Alyx cut in. "But I was the one who aimed and fired." Gasps erupted and Jasper let go, staring at her in shock.

"Why…?" She looked down.

"Please let me explain."

They gathered in the Big House, sitting down awkwardly. They sat on each side of Alyx, and Ashe, the little girl he saved, apparently had taken a liking to him, because she absolutely refused to sit in Jason's lap and crawled onto his. She cuddled up to him and fell asleep, making him sleepy as well. She reminded him of Pearl, built like her and everything. He wondered if she was the same age as well.

"Please, child…" Chiron said gently. "Tell us your story."

So she did. She told them everything, from the moment she woke up in the forest to getting her memory back. They also chipped in, saying little parts where she missed. Afterwards, Chiron narrowed his eyes.

"So Akira is back." He said.

"Yes. And I believe he is more powerful now. I think he has a god on his side."

"How do you know this?" Percy asked, leaning forward.

"He has a second in command, the one who helped me get my memory back, told me everything, except for the god's name." She played with her flower crown, the petals and leaves perking up under her touch.

"His second in command?"

"Yes."

"This guy is betraying Akira? Why?" She took a breath, letting it out in a sigh.

"They are a breed formed to serve one person, a person that will rule over Tartarus."

"But Tartarus is a being, not a land. The Underworld is a land, but I don't see Hades giving it up any time soon. Besides, how would someone rule over Tartarus filled with monsters who hate half-bloods?" She stared at her knees, not moving, a shadow cast over her face. The flowers were stilly perky and beautiful.

"Alyx…?" He asked softly, laying his hand on hers.

"What's wrong?" Hank asked, stepping forward.

"Alyx, dear, answer the question." Chiron soothed. His words, even though they were few, leaked wisdom and comfort.

A tear fell onto a flower petal.

"Because I would become queen."

To Be Continued...