I may or may not have fixed my email problem. We'll see.

I'm doing this because I can but I do have a writer's block. Guys, I have a confession. I have no freaking idea on how to write a fighting scene. I'm drawing a blank here. I don't know what to do. :(

On a happier note, I am so damn pleased that you guys like my story. Honestly, I didn't know what I was expecting because months ago, when I checked crossovers with Percy Jackson and Pegasus, you have no idea how less there was.

Enjoy. Here, we get to delve deeper into Vesta who is so confused but, unlike our favourite protagonist, has a sense of self-preservation. She, reluctantly, is also growing to care for Percy. Honestly, is there anyone who could hate her? I love Vesta, she's so precious. Percy is so conflicted with her actions and is having self-doubt about her relationship with Hazel and Frank (gasp) but don't worry, it's a fleeting thought because deep down, she knows how the couple view her as.

Vesta has been staying on Titus for three days. It has been a very chaotic three days.

Day 1:

When I brought her to Titus, three Titans attacked me, thinking I switched sides. I had to injure all of them as Vesta stared in horror at her uncles and aunt.

"My family is messed up." She said as I led her away from the mess. "Sometimes, I wish I was a mortal with a nice, loving family."

"But it is exactly because your family is messed up that you will stay." I said for her. "Because no other family can take its place. The chaoticness is what makes it unique and you love that."

"You know how it feels then."

"In my time, Vesta, I was one of the crazier ones."

"I believe that. I see it in your eyes." We haven't gotten to how I was, you know, but I feel that she thinks it's too personal to ask on our first day.

When Saturn saw her, he thought she was Góissa. She has played that prank so many times, they got used to it. So imagine his utter shock when, instead of transforming back, Vesta whispered, "Father."

Then, they started spitting out phrases in Ancient Greek so quickly my brain hurts just to listen. Saturn sent all his guards out until it was only the three of us. After interviewing me for the long time (yes, she won't betray us, she can't. No, she can't escape. Yes, I've bound her with an oath on her name), he finally spread the word that his daughter was temporarily neutral and on their side. Vesta shuffled awkwardly. I knew how wrong she must be feeling. In a way, I have felt that. The first time I went to Camp Jupiter. The sense that I was on enemy ground.

I showed her our room just to ease her.

"You must like the wild." She remarked as I quickly sent the paintings to a safer place. She didn't need to see them.

"Nature soothes everyone, dear Vesta. I like getting lost in them." She wandered to our table of souvenirs. "How pretty." She took up the obsidian like stone, watching the colours shimmer in the light.

"We like to be reminded of our cities."

"The Gods wondered how you knew that by destroying our temples and cutting off our supporters would weaken us. I guess the answer is here." She walked over to a bush of blooming black dahlias. I panicked. "Don't go close!"

I summoned water whips, latching onto her waist and pulling her back. Vesta fell down. "They are sensitive, I'm afraid." I explained as she clambered up.

"Neptune told us how you used a flower similar to that to destroy one of our bases." She said, slightly pale.

"They are called black dahlias."

"I have not heard of such a flower." I decided to let her in on the secret. "Black dahlias are generally dahlias that are of a dark red colour. In my time, they symbolise betrayal."

"Why do you speak of the future so easily when the Flame does not?" My eye twitched.

"Because the questions you ask her can change the future and she does not wish that. For me however, the future changed the minute I got here. Things are going to change either way, I have the luxury. Also, on Titus, you will call her Emily. Nothing else."

"But she is the Flame."

"And I am Prodosia." I snarled. "Emily is nothing more than a 13-year-old girl who somehow has powers beyond comprehension in a matter of months when she didn't have them for her whole life."

"Y- you know her for her whole life?"

"Since she was five." The damage was done anyway. "She was so young before. And her powers have ruined her. Children are not meant to have that kind of power, not without training and proper control over them." My voice strained, trying to leave the bitterness out.

Vesta stayed silent. When she started talking again, I was relieved she didn't push. "What do you expect of Ceres? What can my sister do that your other spies cannot?"

Her question was truly hilarious but I could not figure out why. "Our spies, or rather, I should say Saturn's spies, have questionable loyalties. I do not trust them. Saturn has nothing he could offer them, nothing to make them stay. Ceres, on the other hand, has something to fight for. You. I will not harm you, Vesta, but as long as you stay here, Ceres will not betray me."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For trusting her enough to let her leave."

"I do not do it for her."

"Because she has something you want." Vesta said. "I do not."

"Maybe I just need you here for insurance."

"Or maybe you just need someone outside of your trio."

My eyes narrowed as I scowled. "You are very annoying. I get it, thanks for telling me."

"I do not mean to offend," her orange eyes seem yellow, "but sometimes, you can wish for someone outside of familiarity."

"Never mind." I spun away from her, brushing against the fountain. It starts spurring water again. "I took you out of war, Vesta, but I do not doubt you Olympians have spies as well. Care to tell me?"

"No." Came her immediate answer.

"Figures." My fingertips burst out lightning bolts. They meet a metre high from my palm, making Vesta flinch. "They will not harm you unless I command them. Lightning can be wild and unpredictable, but I am also wild and unpredictable. I can control them. If you do not wish for the Gods to know of what has happened, then whenever we are outside, you will wear the restraints. For decoration purposes. I will spread the word to the Titans that as long as you are wearing them, you cannot escape, and if you were to betray us, they will electrocute you and anyone who tries to save you. That will hide your betrayal."

"Why?"

That one word made me think. "Because I know how horrible it is to feel conflicted. You wish to escape the war, yet you are reluctant to betray your family. The spies would not dare to come close to you if they knew what my lightning can do. In a way though, I will be able to sense who has talked to you. So if you wish to keep their identities a secret, you will not go near them. I wish you will feel less guilty."

Her hand brushed against my shoulder. Since when was she so close? "I told you Prodosia."

"Told me what?"

"That I would like the person under your mask."

I said nothing. As she finally went into the willow tree to rest, I stayed there, staring. I knew she could hear me. Which was exactly why I whispered, "my name isn't Prodosia, Vesta. Maybe it is a perfectly normal name in the Ancient times, it isn't in my time. My mother would never give me such a name." I paused. "Maybe one day, I can learn to trust you enough to tell you my true name. Or maybe you will figure it out. Emily has surely spoken of me." Maybe not out of fondness, but I have told her enough Greek stories that will surely come of use in these times. I left Vesta to sleep.

What is this foreign feeling? It was bittersweet but also awkward. Like it has been a long time since I have felt this.

It wasn't happiness. I could never forget happiness. Not when I still have Hazel and Frank.

It wasn't anger, satisfaction, grief, sadness either. I have felt all of that.

Could it be hope? I have not felt hope since… I cannot remember. I cannot remember that feeling. When it is like a flower, blossoming in my chest, that surge of energy that has helped me out of life-threatening spots. The Gods had cruelly cut its roots, stopping it from blooming. How ironic that Vesta, from another universe, would be the one to bring it back.

Day 2:

Hazel was the first to return, muttering about stupid family. I think it's me. So wrapped up with Vesta, I forgot about them.

"You- you are such a- "

I cut her off, enveloping her in a hug. Hazel screeched instinctively. Still, her arms wrapped around me, face hiding in the crook of my neck.

"I'm sorry, okay?" I apologised. "I had to spread the word after I got Vesta to rest, and Titus was so large, even with my speed and informants, I was exhausted. I'm sorry."

"We were worried." Indeed, she seemed incredibly tense. "We thought Emily went to find them. You have no idea how relieved we were to hear that Ceres had returned to Olympus and you 'abducted' Vesta."

That came out wrong but I overlooked that. "Vesta wanted out of the war, I wanted a spy I could trust to give me the information I require. It was a win-win, especially since Ceres also wanted the best for Vesta."

"I knew if you had to choose, you would choose Vesta." She switched to Latin. "After all… we were never sure what happened to her."

Those six months we remained in our time zone… we had cut all contacts with the mythical world. Monsters died as soon as they got close to my barrier. Hazel hid us from the Gods. We basically never left unless to get food. Even then, we had a heavy amount of Mist on us and two left together while the other stayed to guard the house. Never heard anything of Hestia. And Chiron.

"It has nothing to do with that." I switched as well. "I got rid of the one Goddess who was closest to Emily and could train her powers without having to harm her. She stays willingly. Well, as willingly as you can with an oath on your name. She knows the details."

Hazel nodded, kissing my cheek. "Frank has a surprise of his own. He refused to tell me."

"Is it like before?" I don't want a repeat of that… I don't think that level of worry was good. But at least I wasn't feeling panic in our mental link.

Hazel shook her head. "Nope. He sounded… excited when he told me. I could hear loud fighting sounds on his side, which might be why he's delayed. He will be here tomorrow at best."

"True. Then we'll go to phase two now that phase one is done: spread panic."

"Exactly." Her stomach decided to growl at the moment.

We both paused, glancing down then glancing at each other before bursting out in laughter. I slung my arm around her shoulders, leading her to our room. "C'mon, sis, we don't want to deny your stomach anymore. When was the last time you ate?"

She had to think about it. "We've been gone for, say, three days. Yeah, that's how long ago."

I tsked. "I guess this is the advantage of having a goddess in your room."

"Is she awake?"

"Oh yes. Currently she is…" I dipped into my power for a second. "Decorating the willow tree with fairy lights. I'm assuming those are fairy lights." Or the ancient version of fairy lights.

Hazel nudged me playfully. "She must be planning a surprise. Stop peeking!"

I laughed, listening to her.

"So, when are you going to visit the Hecatoncheires?" She asked, a skip in her step.

"Soon. Will you join me?"

"Nope. I don't understand your wish to go back to Tartarus after, you know, but I don't really want to experience it myself." Her body racked with a poorly hidden shudder.

"I'm… hoping that because of how run down this universe is, Tartarus will also be different. I mean, all the gross parts in mythology are gone from this world." I closed my eyes. "Othrys is gone."

"Olympus is an actual place instead of a mountain." Hazel counted on her fingers.

"The Gods weren't ingested by Saturn." I continued, "they were imprisoned in Tartarus."

"I have not heard of anything about the Giants, Gaea and Typhoon." Hazel said.

"At least Vesta is still the same." I mutter. "In the end, her peaceful side prevailed."

"It is still betrayal."

"It isn't a betrayal to her." I shrugged. "I told her and Ceres already. Either they take the deal, or I erase their early memories of ever meeting me and still take them prisoner. They would have ended up here, or at least Vesta would have. Still, they need that brief moment of information. It works in all our favour."

"Only you could think of something like that in barely ten minutes." Hazel rolled her eyes fondly, leaning into me.

"You'll like Vesta." I said as we turned a corner. "She swore to not harm us and not escape. Something along those lines. She should be in our room."

"We went from hating all Gods to sharing a room with the Eldest Goddess." Hazel muttered under her breath. "Oh, the irony."

"Firstly, I heard that. Secondly, no one could ever hate Vesta. We're doing everyone a favour. Besides, we need the information on Emily." I pressed my palm against our door, pushing it open.

Vesta looked up as we entered, a faint smile on her lips. The lightning bands on her wrists remained still. "Prodosia." She greeted. "Góissa."

"Vesta." Hazel said, already having the Mist cover up her face. "This is… unexpected."

"Maybe. Perhaps." Vesta shrugged, returning to what she was doing. Which was creating a fire in her palms. "But I cannot exactly say I regret it so far. I mean, I am worried for my siblings. For the Olympians. But it is best that I stay here."

"And why ever so?" Hazel countered as I walked over to the rack of swords and knives, beginning to sharpen them one by one. Gotta be prepared after all.

"There is peace here." I couldn't see Vesta, but I knew she was growing distant. "I have always felt different about the war and I never knew why. It was until Prodosia told me I was a peaceful, non-violent goddess in the future when it all snapped into place. I have always hated fighting, and planning more so. I hate watching people die for a battle where both sides come out unvictorious. I wasn't doing my siblings any help, I was a burden. The only thing I did to help was apparently to help Emily."

It gave me a sense of satisfaction that she was calling Emily by her name instead of title.

"So you would rather leave than not help?" Hazel snorted.

"It was clear either one of us walked out, or none of us." Vesta said neutrally. "Of course, Ceres had to go. It was never up for discussion. She was better than me when it came to fighting, to everything."

"So you gave in without a fight." Hazel's voice grew softer. "So that your sister may leave without a scratch."

"I want to understand you. Ekdikó, Prodosia, and you. I want to understand where the Gods went wrong, from your perspective." Vesta sounded so sincere as I ran the rock over the sword's edge. "I want to compare. Why Emily claims the Gods are so nice, so kind to her, but you act like the Gods are equivalent to the Titans."

"That's simple enough." Hazel laughed.

"I don't want you to tell me though, I want to see it with my own eyes." Vesta said. "That's why I stay."

"You stay with no second thoughts about yourself." I found myself speaking up, eyes trained on the gold sword in front of me. "I guess it was one of the reasons."

"One of the reasons for what, Sia?" Hazel asked gently, coming over.

"Why she reminds me of our world's Vesta."

"Your… world's?" Vesta said slowly.

"Past. Present. Future. They are all different dimensions. Different worlds. You remind me of the past. Our Vesta was a kind goddess, so unlike the rest. She helped whenever she could. When Bacchus came of age, she stepped down so that he could take her place. When that happened, the world slowly forgot about her." I said, narrowing my eyes. "But we never did."

"I- thank you."

"It hardly matters." Hazel cut in smoothly, taking away the sword from my hands before I injure someone. "That is something you will find out in the future. It's called the future for a reason. Right now, we focus on the war."

"Going to phase 2." I stood up, ignoring Vesta's confusion. "The weapon is under progress." Hazel pitched in. "Ekdikó informed me he convinced Saturn to put it off, but we all know Saturn isn't going to be patient. The Titans are retreating until only we stand."

"Everything is done in Delphi. Even now, I can sense unrest." I continued, hearing as Hazel summoned a parchment and quill, writing everything down. Vesta quietly murmured to herself, growing more shocked by the second as she sees what we have written with some, "how did you know?"

"Ekdikó returns soon. By tomorrow latest. There are reports of a new weapon on the Gods side being forged. Vesta?"

"No, Góissa." I said calmly. "Vesta is a mere bystander. She will stay out of this."

Hazel nodded, going back to writing. "An ambush." She said thoughtfully. "That will work. How are the men?"

"I have deployed them." I checked my nails, getting out a small knife. "Well, most of them. Half. East of Olympus. Their deaths aren't my concern."

"Whose?" Vesta asked.

I briefly glanced back. "Men who come to our cities in search of shelter from the war. Men who we deem taint Greece. Well, Ekdikó does. Quite a lot of them, I shall be honest. Thousands of men, all under our thumb and disposable."

"You claim we Gods are evil, yet you are the ones killing and sending them off to their deaths."

Hazel froze as I cracked my knuckles. To her credit, Vesta stayed still, poised and elegant. "Those men are leeches. They steal women, thinking they are the best. Everyone is afraid to cross them. In Kydilla, they dared to come close to me, dared to use that despicable tone with me. They deserve the deaths. As for killing… if we don't kill them, the Titans will." I turned to Vesta. "I don't pretend to be good. I don't hide under masks and masks of deception, lies and secrets. The only thing I hide is my identity and that is hardly a secret. It is something earned. I do not hide, Vesta. The Gods do. They are the cowards. They kill all those who dare to 'cross' them, hiding under the pretence that they are men's saviours. How is that better? You want to know the one main difference?" My voice grew lower, bitter. "One hundred thirty seven. That's how many towns I could have conquered by this time. Yet I have not even reached half that number. Compared to that, I have done nothing. Because after I kill the town leaders and those who cross me, I rebuild the land. I rebuild it for all those who deserve a better life, who have a chance to shine. Do you know why so many come? You have heard the stories, I'm sure. All who come are under my protection."

Hazel picked up the story, speaking softly. "Gods are liars. Cowards. They rebuild for their own selfish gains. Because they cannot become stronger without human worship. They kill because they want to, because they cannot control their lust. Do you know how many lovers Jupiter has? How many lives he has ruined because he is attracted to youthful women? I couldn't tell you because I do not know the numbers myself. I have not heard of any lover of his that has survived."

"I know that." Vesta gasped as I harshly pulled my hair back to show a huge handprint scar. Long healed, but it still showed. "He really likes to play with lightning after what happened. If it weren't for my father and his influence, well, I'm sure I would follow that long line of lost lives."

"Prodosia…" I felt her fingers brush against my neck. "Can I?" She asked quietly.

"Vesta, what are you- " Hazel was interrupted as I gasped, not from pain but from surprise. A warm sensation erupted on my entire back. I heard Vesta humming. Her hand pressed against the back of my neck, rubbing back and forth.

It lasted a few seconds before the feeling dribbled away and Vesta removed her hand.

When I touched the place, it was only smooth skin. No sensitive skin, no weird bump. It was smooth.

Hazel stared at me incredulously as I met her gaze. "How did you?" Vesta shrugged at her question. "I have always been more of a healer, and this doesn't affect anything. I reckon it was partially my fault. I should have stopped my brother in the future."

Hazel pursed her lips. I knew what she was thinking of. We should tell Vesta it wasn't necessarily her brother who did this. That it was Zeus from another world.

Another time. Something in me said. We cannot trust her completely yet. We have the time after all.

The Titan war lasted 10 years. 'Have the time' is a bit of an understatement.

"There was nothing anyone could've done." Hazel said grimly, sitting down on a random rock she summoned. It's honestly a great power to have, especially when you're tired. "We didn't know. None of us did until we heard Neptune yelling at Jupiter. All part of their deception to make us trust them."

"They are all monsters." I didn't face Vesta. "But that is in the past. All we can do is work for a better future. I know better."

"We all do." Hazel said like someone was choking her.

"Góissa… Prodosia…" I interrupted her. "No. If you are going to apologise, don't. I don't want that. You did nothing wrong. I didn't tell you all this for your sympathy or get you to change sides. I did it so you would understand why we do this." I took a deep breath in. "We know what it's like to be controlled." I continued, in a calmer manner. "I know the helpless feeling when you can't overpower the other. And I hated that feeling. Maybe it doesn't make the killing justified, but I don't care. For every man I kill, it means a family is freed from his grasp. For every village I conquer, it is a home for those families."

"We know what it is like to lose a loved one." Hazel sighed. "But you have to know, Vesta. If we don't do it, the Titans will."

"As much as I hate the Gods, I hate the Titans as well."

Vesta moved closer. "Then why fight? Why do you join a war that isn't yours in the first place?" There was a knock on the door. We all turned.

"Perhaps another day, Vesta." Hazel brushed imaginary dust off her armour.

"The sappy emotions don't have to erupt all in a day." I also arranged my hair in a more presentable way. "We'll send some food up if you like."

"No thank you." Vesta said, staring at the olive tree with a far away look. "I am not hungry."

"Alright." With one last look at the 'captured' goddess, we left.

Day 3:

Hazel and I could only stare. Frank did not do that. Nope… how did he do that?

"Frank, are you insane?" Hazel asked (read: whined) in Latin. I was struck speechless.

"She tried to stop me." Frank shrugged, looking back at the unconscious future queen of the Gods. "Tried to appeal to me. I got tired of her talking. I never did like that."

"Yeah… none of us ever did." I sounded faint. Very faint. "Oh my. Vesta won't be happy."

"I don't expect her to be." Frank said easily, making some hand signals. The Shadow Titans started moving again. The ones holding Juno went by us, headed for Tartarus. I will somehow convince them to move Juno to our room. She might keep Vesta company and we won't have to worry about anyone taking them back since no one can enter without our explicit order.

"Besides, I thought we were moving to phase 2." Frank didn't even show remorse. Awesome.

It took me a second to get my facts straight and I smiled brightly at him. "You're right. It's just that- well, it was a surprise that's all." Frank nodded in understanding.

"I know. I was surprised I did it too." He admitted, running a hand through his locks. His shirt was wet with sweat. "It's just that, after everything she has done to us, I couldn't stop myself. There were many with her, but I killed most of them."

"It's okay. At least the Gods will finally be taking us seriously." I stepped closer to him. "They will know we aren't playing a game. From now on, it's serious. We have gotten two of the more favourable goddesses out of the war. That has to count as something. Now all that's left is to cut off their supporters."

"We have to convince the Hecatoncheires that the Gods aren't worth it, but it won't be easy." Hazel muttered, coming out of the shock.

"It's ok. But we do need to identify all the spies. Every one last of them. The sooner the better. After we deal with the damned weapon that Saturn may or may not be building and Emily, that's phase 2 complete. Once we clear phase 2, we'll go to phase three. I hope phase 3 goes well."

"It will, Sephie. No doubt about it. Although we do need to find out how to melt imperial gold." Hazel added. "To make better handcuffs."

"And that." I conceded.

Frank stretched. "You guys wanna try some ambrosia cakes? We can make a toast to having a successful break."

Hazel smiled. "Let's do it."

I echoed it, although I couldn't help staring in the direction Juno was in. This felt weird and wrong, but it wasn't like I would say anything.

Frank had his arm around Hazel and I walked slightly behind them. They got their happiness. At least through everything, they get their happiness. That's all that matters. They are happy, at least when we can push aside the deaths, the lost opportunities. They had each other. Me? I was alone. Emily was dead to me. I didn't know her anymore. Annabeth is dead.

That might have been when everything went wrong.