Prologue

The New Normal

Sadie was taken aback when Annabeth started disappearing. This is what she was worried about. Isis used so much power all at once that Annabeth's body was burning up after just a short time as host. On the bright side, Isis would be banished to the Duat for a while. Sadie contemplated whether she would ever even speak to Isis again. Her thoughts soon turned elsewhere when she noticed Sophia trembling atop a black Pegasus.

"Aw, shit," She muttered as she made her way over to her.

"Mama!" Sophia cried out, dropping from BlackJack and running towards the spot her mother had previously been. "Mama!"

Saide knelt beside her and tried to muster up some encouraging words.

"Hey, listen. Your mom. . . She's. . . not coming back. But it's okay. She saved everyone."

Sadie paused. She hoped that were true. She looked around. Pavement had returned under her feet and people were running around, scared out of their minds. Some lay strewn about the ground. Sadie couldn't tell if they were dead or unconscious. The Empire State Building lay in a heap.

"That's a Pegasus," she heard someone say.

"Did that eagle just turn into a person?"

She turned her attention to a nearby news van, where an anchor was trying to pull themselves together.

"As you can see from the previous footage, it appears that some sort of. . . magic has destroyed the Empire State Building. We have no idea whether this is a terrorist attack or the confirmation that some science fiction might not be as fiction as we once believed. Back to you in the studio." The anchor's voice trembled throughout her speech. As soon as she finished, she promptly turned and vomited. Realization hit Sadie. The mortal veil was severed. They could see everything. She focused back on Sophia, Magnus walking up to join them. He began to comfort Sophia. Sadie sighed in relief. Comfort was not her strong suit. She backed away only to find Carter popping up next to her.

"Sadie! What happened? The voices stopped. Did we win?"

"Carter!" Sadie gave him a hug, happy to see that her brother was fine. Then she stepped back and punched his arm. "We could have used you! But yeah, I think we won. It's going to take a hell of a lot of magic to convince these people they didn't see what they just saw, though."

Carther clicked his tongue. "Yeah, I'm not sure that's magic we're going to be able to accomplish."

"It most certainly isn't," an unfamiliar voice stated. Carter and Sadie whirled around, taking defensive stances. Sadie took in the new person. He was tall and pale, wearing a properly tailored three-piece suit with a black, embroidered tie. As she looked at him, she was drawn to his eyes. They exuded a powerful aura that made her feel as though this man was either her best friend or her worst enemy.

"Who are you?"

The man's lips curled into soft smile. "That's not something we need to get into today. I can tell you most confidently, however, that life is about to change for mortals and half-bloods alike." He took a glance at the siblings. "And for magicians as well."

"Well, what do you want?"

"I have come for Ms. Jackson," He stepped towards Sophia, but Sadie cut him off.

"You're not doing anything until we know who you are." Sadie was intimidated standing in front of him, which struck her as odd. She had fought deities like Apophis. This guy should be nothing compared to him, but there was something about his presence that unnerved her, yet at the same time, felt familiar.

"Ms. Kane, I am not here to quarrel. The mystical veil between the known and unknown is gone. Millennia of normalcy has been undone in an instant. Now, your husband and I have a lot of sorting out to do, do I'd appreciate it if you let me do this favor for Ms. Jackson."

Sadie was taken aback. Before she could respond, Carter interjected.

"Sadie, it's okay. He's okay. I'll vouch for him."

Sadie side-eyed her brother but stood aside. The man approached Sophia and knelt beside her.

"Sophia, I don't normally do this, but the rules have changed recently. Now, I knew your parents. . . "

Sadie quit listening in and turned to her brother. "Who is that?" she demanded.

"He's like Anubis, but Greek." Carter responded in awe-like wonder.

Sadie wasn't a fan of the underwhelming answers but reverted her attention back to the mysterious man. He was now standing, offering Sophia his hand. She took it. They took a few steps forward before promptly disappearing. Sadie took another look around at the chaos unfolding around her. She looked at the other heroes standing with her.

"Well, we better get to work."

Annabeth woke up frantically soaking in her surroundings. She was in a very expensive-looking bed. Next to her was dresser with a glass of water setting atop it. Annabeth could have sworn she had died. The last thing she remembered was an intense burning sensation from the power of Isis coursing through her. Where was she?"

"I was wondering when you'd wake up, Wise Girl."

Annabeth switched her gaze instantly to the doorway to see her husband standing in the doorway carrying Sophia upon his shoulders.

"Mama!"

"Percy? Sophia?"

Annabeth broke out into a tearful grin as she burst from the bed to wrap them in a three-way hug. As she kissed Percy, she realized exactly where she was.

Elysium.

A/N As I promised years ago, here is the conclusion to this story. When I started this way back then, I think I had a clear vision. But as life took over everything, I slowly set this story aside and forgot about it. But I hate leaving things unfinished, so here it is. A complete, though admittedly rushed, completion to this tale. I intentionally left some things vague and unanswered to allow the reader to form their own conclusions. While everything that happened may have changed over the years, I always intended for Annabeth, Sophia, and Percy to end up together again at the end without Percy's death being a fake out of some kind. I hope I took you there in a mostly satisfactory way. If I do end up posting anymore fanfics one day, my plan is to try to write most of the story before I ever begin publishing so that there will be less interruption between chapters and less wait time for avid readers. I've been writing Percy Jackson fanfiction since I was in third grade. That story, with a few changes to add in new characters from Rick's canon, I published on here when I got older. Feel free to check out my other stories if you haven't already and I appreciate all those who've been here since the beginning. I don't know any of you in person, but its been a gratifying, fun ride.