The two groups stood, transfixed by the sight before them. What Marcus could only describe as Kelly's Ghost stood between the two groups, her arms outstretched.

"Stop it!" She cried again.

"Kelly, how are you… what are you…"

"I searched for you!" Alicia called out, the tears coming to her eyes clear even from where Marcus stood. "I called out to you! I summoned you! Why now? Why, when he's here, do you finally show yourself?! He's the one that abandoned you! Let your murderers get away with it! We're trying to avenge-"

"Stop it!" Kelly called out again, turning to Alicia. Marcus, looking past the ghost, saw a shimmer in the darkness behind the N.O.s. Thankfully, the scene before him was a shocking one, as the sight of Jason, Joel, Maddie, and Phillip stepping out of the pure Darkness of the Underworld was enough that even Marcus couldn't keep the shock from his face.

In the blink of an eye, the four demigods moved as one solid unit, quiet as a shadow until the final moment to strike. And when that moment came, Joel and Maddie leapt forward, with Joel swinging his greatsword at Hunter and Maddie lunging with her spear at Elliot. Phillip shot his first arrow at Alicia, his usual stoic face twisted with rage, and Jason lunged in her direction.

The effect of their ambush was instantaneous and devastating. Hunter, caught with a solid blow from Joel's greatsword, was flung through the air, his gasp as his breath was driven from him audible even to Marcus as he crumpled a yard away, unmoving.

Alicia, shocked as she was by Kelly's Ghost, couldn't have reacted to the newcomer's arrival even if she wanted to. Phillip's arrow caught her square in the shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain. Her cry quickly became a scream of rage and despair as Jason, lunging forward, was in the perfect position to grab Torrington's book as it dropped from Alicia's grasp. He stumbled after catching it, disappearing again into the shadows of the Underworld, the Mist swirling around him as he did.

The only one not stunned into surprise was Elliot, who turned as Maddie got within his reach with a grin.

"Well look who's here!" He cried out, his ever present grin returning in full force. "I always wanted to dance with you again! Maybe this time, we'll get to finish our tango!"

Marcus' heart was in his mouth as Maddie lunged, her battle mind blocking out whatever shock she must have felt at Elliot's return. Elliot managed to side step Maddie's spear and bring his fist down, straight through the haft, leaving Maddie standing with two halves of her most precious weapon.

No!

Kelly's ghost turned to him at that moment, a sad smile on her face.

"Protect them." It said, before disappearing back into Mist.

I will, Kelly. I promise.

Marcus reached into the bag dangling from his waist, pulling out the smaller spear he had found in the artifact room.

"Maddie!" He cried out, using all of his remaining strength to hurl the spear at Elliot. He knew his cry would alert Elliot to his danger, but that was the plan. Elliot, taking his eyes off of Maddie for a moment, was caught in the same trap that had caught Marcus mere moments before.

When the enemy has the upper hand, distract them.

Maddie swung with her broken spear haft, sweeping Elliot's feet out from under him. As Elliot crashed to the ground, Maddie dropped the two halves she'd been holding, grabbing the fresh spear that came sailing through the air towards her, spinning it so the point was aimed down and thrusting down with all her strength.

"Next time, then." Elliot said with a grin, at the last moment, changing his shape to a creature too small for even Marcus to keep track of.

Alicia met his eyes from atop Roxie, and for the first time he saw a conflict behind her eyes. Not just over him, but…

Over everything.

Before he could say another word, Roxie leaped forward, melting into shadow as Alicia escaped, the haunted look in her eyes sticking in Marcus' mind.

Hunter staggered to his feet, curses falling from his lips. His eyes met Marcus', and they both knew. Hunter wouldn't retreat.

"For… Isaac!" He gasped out, leaping into the air, lightning arcing between his wings, his ax forgotten in his desperation to take Marcus out with him.

Phillip's arrows caught in the wings themselves, causing them to shudder, but he still flew forward.

Joel swung with all his strength, forcing Hunter to roll in midair to avoid him, yet he still charged.

His bloodshot eyes were locked on Marcus, who stood still, waiting for his moment.

Chastity leapt into action, pushing Marcus aside just as Hunter flung past. Just what Marcus had planned for.

If he had leapt aside on his own, Hunter would have changed direction to follow him. Her outside interference at the last moment had been exactly what Marcus had needed, giving just that one moment of disbelief that caused Hunter to hesitate. With the last of his strength, Marcus leapt onto Hunter's back, dropping his watch as he did so. For a brief moment the two past friends struggled in midair, until finally Marcus found the purchase and grip he needed, throwing himself backward.

And taking off Hunter's Yankees Jacket as he did, the Celestial Bronze Wings disappearing in an instant as soon as the jacket left Hunter's back.

Stripped of his wings, Hunter crashed hard, skidding to a stop some five feet from where Marcus had fallen, cradling Annabeth's Wings in his arms. Marcus met Hunter's eyes just as Joel and Maddie caught up to him, each resting the blades of their weapons on his throat.

"Well now, looks like we just caught ourselves a prisoner" Joel said with a smile. "I'd say that's a successful rescue, wouldn't you, Maddie Cake?"

Maddie glanced up at Joel, her eyebrow raised in a passable imitation of Marcus' oft used expression. "Maddie Cake?"

Rescue… Chastity!

Marcus staggered to his feet, legs shaking and barely able to stand, intent on charging back to Chastity, when he stopped in his tracks.

Phillip was already there, cradling Chastity in his arms. Their eyes were locked and while Marcus couldn't hear what they were saying, he could read Chastity's expression easily enough.

Her tender smile and love struck eyes that she had graced Phillip with stayed in Marcus' mind their whole way back to the surface.