We are so close to Chapter 50! I can't wait! I will try to make the next chapter extra long. Seriously, I am so excited! It will be a special chapter, so stay tuned! Anyway, I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter and the plot twist of sorts. Please continue with the support and VOTE IN THE POLL! Pretty please? Okay, review time!

IsItReallyTho: I am glad you are using that rizz to your advantage! Good luck! Also, about the TS reference, if you look back on Chapter 48, in the third paragraph, it says something about flashing green eyes. In Wonderland by Taylor Swift, she says "Didn't you flash your green eyes at me?" So here is your reference.

Zoe Nightshade (Guest): Haha, I like how you tell me ways I can improve my story. I will see what I can do about all of your requests, but thank you for reviewing! Also, I'm so glad to hear that my stories make you smile.

Jaycen (Guest): Awww, thank you so much! Wow, is that A.M. Or P.M.? That seems really late. XD Haha, sorry for the cliffhanger, but thank you for your compliments!

Alright, I think that's everything today. Like I said, Taylor Swift references, so let me know if you can find them! I might add a couple. Maybe some song/album names, maybe something else. Who knows? For those who don't like, Taylor Swift, I'm sorry! I'm just a really big Swiftie. Anyways…

Disclaimer: Don't own! All rights to Rick! (And I'm sorry for the really long author's note!)

Percy's POV

A vague part of Percy's brain registered that he should be out there, fighting with his friends, but the main part of his thoughts was focused on Reyna, and he felt that he needed to be here, protecting her. Not that she needed protecting, but Reyna seemed to be in such a fragile state right now. Seriously? Why did hellhounds hate her so much?

He knew Annabeth would give him hell for this. Sitting out from a fight? That wasn't something Percy did. But… he felt his priorities were with Reyna. Would this push Annabeth over the edge? He could already tell that their relationship was fleeting. He didn't know if he was ready to say goodbye just yet.

Reyna stirred in her sleep. The painkillers that Lucas had given her had knocked her out hard. Apparently, even mortal medicine was needed to help her feel better. He wished he could shoulder some of her pain to help her out.

A noise startled him from his reverie. He turned and saw a bloody legionnaire pushing the door open and stumbling into the room. Percy stood up, gripping his pen tightly.

"Praetor," the unknown demigod spoke, their throat scratchy. "We need you to be here. The-" he coughed "-enemy Army is almost completely dead, but we need your help finishing them off."

Percy stood, tightening his armor and giving Reyna one last look. If she was knocked out, she couldn't do anything stupid, right?

He ran after the legionnaire, uncapping his sword in the process. He had only been going for about 30 minutes. Had the legion really made that much progress?

Percy saw other wounded campers as he rushed outside of the infirmary, trailing behind the legionnaire.

"Shouldn't you be getting medical attention?" Percy called, hoping his guide could hear him. "You don't look too good."

The demigod turned but continued to run. "I'll get care when this is over. I'm not as badly wounded as some others."

That seemed to be the end of the conversation because he turned and ran faster towards the battle.

Percy sped up as well, trying to keep pace with the bloody soldier. What had happened to him? Now wasn't really an appropriate time to ask.

They finally reached the scene of the battle, and Percy could tell that it was almost over. A little over 50 monsters were still standing. He was shocked that the legion had accomplished that much in 45 minutes. Maybe they were better suited for war than he thought.

Percy immediately jumped into the battle, not waiting for instructions from the legionnaire, or stopping to see how many demigods were injured or deceased on the battlefield.

He could see why they needed him now. Several earthborn were gathered among the hoard of remaining monsters, swinging their clubs at any demigods who dared to come close.

Percy summoned water from the river and gave the surprised earthborn a splash. They turned their ugly faces to him, snarling in anger once they recognized him.

"Hey, uglies!" He shouted. "Right here!"

Percy ran at the earthborn, hearing more labored breathing behind him. He could sense Annabeth's presence. It was just like old times; fighting together.

A couple of the monsters charged toward Percy and Annabeth, clubs raised. Percy yelled in defiance, leaping to meet one of them. With his arm outstretched, he stabbed the earthborn in the back of the knee. The brute growled, but Percy couldn't tell if he was in pain, or simply annoyed.

Percy pulled his sword out of the monster's flesh, grimacing at the noise it made. The earthborn turned, preparing to flatten Percy into a demigod pancake, but he skitted out of the way just in time.

Out of the corner of Percy's eye, he saw the other few earthborn fighting various demigods, but Percy barely had time to register the worry, when he was in the shadow of a large foot looming over him.

Percy rolled out of the way, just barely surviving.

He decided that he wouldn't get distracted again. He had to kill this. That was easier said than done, however, especially with his ADHD.

He didn't realize that Annabeth was right behind him until he heard her yell, "Duck!"

Percy crouched down, almost impaling himself with his own sword, and watched as Annabeth's arm swung above his head, sword in hand. He saw ichor on her sword when she pulled it away, and a pile of golden dust on the ground when he stood up.

Breathing hard, Annabeth gave him a chastising look. "How many times am I gonna save your butt, Seaweed Brain?"

Percy just gave her a bewildered look, the adrenaline pumping in him.

Annabeth just rolled her eyes, and then turned to an ogre, slashing back and forth with the monster.

Percy ran forward to meet another monster. Eventually, everything blended together, and he didn't pay attention to what monster he was fighting with. They were all the same in his eyes. Underworld-spawn that was out to hurt his friends and family.

More adrenaline pumped through him, fueling his energy. The sensation reminded him of when he was fighting in Manhattan with the curse of Achilles. He felt powerful, unstoppable. He knew that it was just anger fueling him.

When there were only 10 monsters left, he backed away, letting the legion take care of them. He still didn't understand how they had defeated an army this large in such a short amount of time.

He also didn't know how many casualties they had. Percy wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Soon- too soon- all the monsters were dead. The whole army. Each and every one of them.

Percy stood, breathless. He hadn't yet capped Riptide.

The army stood there, breathless and silent, when suddenly, someone cried, "Victory for the Twelfth Legion!"

Everybody echoed the call and started cheering. Percy saw a couple of swords being thrown in the air like graduation caps, and he wondered how safe that could possibly be.

Percy looked around, noticing that no bodies were lying limp on the ground. He took this to mean that the healers had taken all the bodies, keeping the dead, and aiding the injured. Percy was sure the legion would have a ceremony to honor the fallen. They had served their legion well, but still, they were way too young to die…

Jason found Percy and ran in his direction. "Where's Reyna?" He asked.

Percy felt a pang of guilt for leaving her alone in the infirmary. He knew she could fend for herself just fine, but he still felt a sense of protectiveness over her. It was irrational. Reyna wasn't his.

Percy replied, "She's injured. She… got scratched by a hellhound again."

Jason's face fell. "What? Oh… Reyna…"

"It gets worse," Percy added. "I'll explain it later, but first, we'd better get this legion in order."

Jason didn't miss a beat and turned his attention to the legion who still remained celebrating.

"Legion!"

At the sound of the Son of Jupiter's voice, everybody silenced and looked at him.

"We have gained a victory today, yes, but legionnaires need to be mourned. Our total death count is 22."

Percy was surprised. It was less than he suspected. But still, that was twenty-two fewer demigods in the world, twenty-two lives cut short.

"We will have a service for them once all the injured have been counted for, and all their wounds have been tended to the best they can. For the time being, let's head back to camp. Centurions, gather your troops." Jason said this all loudly so that the legion could hear him.

The centurions got their legionnaires in formation, leading them through the Caldecott Tunnel, and back to the camp, Percy and Jason in front. It was cramped in the tunnel and would take a while to get everyone through. The thought made Percy impatient. He had to wait with the group, but he badly wanted to be with Reyna again. He had only been parted with her for about 30 minutes at this point, but he was anxious, regardless of what the healers could do.

The legion entered the camp and the cohorts broke off to their barracks, some half-bloods heading to the infirmary, most likely to check on their injured friends.

Percy and Jason headed in that direction, too, after they found Annabeth, Leo, Piper, Hazel, and Frank.

Annabeth clung to Percy's arm tightly, as they headed in the direction of the infirmary. "What exactly happened to Reyna?" She asked.

Percy swallowed. "Same thing that happened to her during the Battle of The Field of Mars," Percy explained, knowing that she would understand. "Hellhound."

Annabeth closed her eyes. "Gods. She sure has a bad reputation with hellhounds. Will she be okay?"

"Didn't you say something else was wrong with her?" Jason asked, looking over at Percy.

Annabeth met Percy's eyes. "What is it?"

Percy gulped down the lump in his throat. "The same stuff that was coming out of my bruise- the same thing that killed Ezra- it's in the wound."

Annabeth bit her lip, Hazel gasped, Frank looked like he wanted to turn into a wombat on the spot, and Leo pulled something out of his tool belt and started to fidget with it. Jason and Piper showed no apparent reaction, though Percy knew they were worried.

Finally, Hazel spoke the question they were all afraid to ask. "Is it killing her? Like it did Ezra?"

Percy shrugged sadly. "I'm not sure. I hope not."

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Annabeth's jaw muscle tightened, but Percy didn't take the time to understand why. The group walked inside the infirmary, healers, and legionnaires making the place crowded.

Percy led the group into Reyna's secluded room, shutting the door once they were all inside. No healers were present, but Reyna herself was not looking to be in good shape.

Her usually tan skin tone was now pale, and her eyes were closed, her injured arm draped over her stomach. Was she asleep, or simply in too much pain to acknowledge that they were there? Percy knelt at her bedside, eyeing her carefully, and ignoring all the stares his friends were giving him.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and a healer Percy didn't know stepped inside, holding a bowl. "Oh!" She sounded surprised to see the large group.

"Is she okay?" Percy asked the healer. "Is she sleeping?"

The healer, who seemed shy, nodded. "She's sleeping. I brought some unicorn horn shavings to dress her wound with. It might help with the... puss. Is that what we're calling it?"

Percy shrugged. "Dunno. But, will she be okay?"

The healer looked down and bit her lip. "I hope so."

Percy could tell that was all she wanted to say on the topic.

The petite blond girl nudged Reyna gently in the leg, trying to wake her up. Percy stepped back, joining his friends and giving the healer some space to work.

The tiny blond girl looked over at Percy's friends and said quietly, "Maybe it would be better if some of you left? I just don't want her to be overwhelmed with… everybody."

Percy nodded, and looked back at his crew. Hazel instantly stepped aside, Frank joining her, along with Annabeth and Piper. That left Leo, Jason, and Percy himself.

When the 4 demigods left the room, Percy turned back to look at Reyna, who was starting to come back to consciousness.

Reyna let out a tiny squeak, nearly causing Percy to blush. She instinctively went to rub her eyes upon waking up but jerked her injured arm, causing her to wince. It looked like she wanted to scream.

The scene made Percy want to die. He couldn't bear to see the girl he loved in so much pain.

"Praetor," the healer said gently. "I'm going to remove your bandage, okay? This might hurt."

Percy saw something flash in Reyna's eyes, but she just nodded drowsily.

Percy also noticed how Reyna didn't acknowledge the large group standing by the door. The group in question remained silent, watching the blond girl quickly unwrap Reyna's bandages, revealing a large laceration on her arm.

Percy grimaced at the sight. The outside of the cut was red, but he could see that on the inside, it was the same sickly green color that his bruise had been before it had healed. Thinking back on that, his bruise was probably nothing compared to the pain Reyna was feeling right then. Percy longed to do something that would help her.

The healer reached into her medical bag and brought out a Ziploc baggie with unicorn horn shavings. She opened up the bag, and removed a couple of shavings, gently pressing the white strips into her cut. Percy could practically hear Reyna trying to hold back a scream.

Suddenly, Jason stepped forward and took her hand. Her good hand. Obviously, it didn't matter that they both had lost feelings. He still cared for her.

As the healer continued to dress Reyna's wound with magical medicine, Jason squeezed Reyna's hand whenever he thought she was in pain.

At last, the healer was done, and she wrapped Reyna's wound back up. Reyna exhaled, and smiled at Jason. Percy could see a sliver of the attraction she might have felt for him in the past, but Percy knew that was only in the past. Hopefully.

Reyna finally seemed to acknowledge the other of boys in the room. In fact, Percy had almost forgotten about Leo, himself. Leo was never this quiet. Or still.

Reyna caught Percy's gaze and held it. They had a silent conversation with just that look. He could tell that she knew the legion had won, and he could tell that she was in pain, but also frustrated that she was always getting injured.

Finally, Leo spoke. "Man, that was stressful. Hey, Reyna, you okay?"

Reyna looked at Leo and nodded. "I think so. I just need to get out of this stupid infirmary." She scowled at her arm as if it was the source of all her problems.

Percy said, "Well, I guess you have a bad reputation with hellhounds." He echoed Annabeth's words from earlier.

Reyna rolled her eyes. "I guess in the hellhound community I'm wanted dead or alive."

Percy scoffed. He didn't want to say anymore, for fear that he would make it awkward for Jason and Leo, so he changed the topic.

"Are you going to make it to the ceremony for the dead?" He asked.

Reyna looked downcast. "I'll try my best."

Well, that's that! I hope you enjoyed it. I tried to add a little more action as opposed to romance in this chapter, but like I said, the next chapter will be special. (If we're being honest, I have no clue what I'm going to do, but I'll come up with something.) In the same light, it might take a bit to get out, especially with Christmas and the New Year coming up, so bare with me! I love you guys, and please review and vote in the poll!