Song: High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco
Sorry about the wait, I'll be updating more frequently now.

Since last time I've been to Morocco, I've made plans to go to Peru, and I'm almost done with college. How are y'all doin?

As always thanks for reading, my lovely badasses.

Merci • Gracias • ً‏شكرا

31 January 2024

1235

Guam, Archipelago, Mariana Islands

Percy POV

After eons, which Frank tells me was only about five minutes, we finally made landfall on the coast of the Mariana Islands.

The bad news: we were in Guam.

"How are we explaining this to the US Government?" Will asks.

I am finally able to let go of my hold on the temple, and see that the tomb of Helios is glowing brighter than Apollo's smile after he's just seen the dentist.

As I'm about to loose consciousness, I see a bright figure walking towards me with his arm outstretched. He touches my arm, and suddenly I am reenergized.

"Whoa dude, are you made of Red Bull or something?"

"I am not red nor a bull, young hero. But I must thank you for allowing me to see the sunlight again."

"Lord Helios!" Annabeth exclaims, and those able to bow.

"I believe you came for this, which I will give to you Perseus. My sister tells me you are a worthy hero. Don't let me down."

"Thank you Lord Helios, this means a lot."

"Remember young one, while you have seen a lot your mind can not handle the knowledge held within the Sibylline Books. It broke the young Harpy's mind, and she witnessed only a chapter."

"Yes sir. Thank you for the warning."

"Now, I must be off. I have been resting for eons and need to catch up with the world. The mist should be able to hide this new addition to this island, provided it isn't something terribly important."

"We'll have to handle that ourselves, thanks." Sarina interjects, glancing towards the US Navy boats headed our way.

Sarina and I glance at each other as Helios vanishes. "We're gonna hope they see this as a ship. If your gills haven't worn off yet stay underwater for now. If they have keep quiet. Tyson and Ella, go back home and report our status to dad. We'll meet back up soon." I command.

"US NAVY. STATE YOUR NAME AND PURPOSE FOR DOCKING YOUR SHIP HERE!" A man with a megaphone yells.

"Agents Jackson and Clarke of the FBI. We have clearance to dock here during emergencies." I shout back, hand up badge out. Sarina is in the same position, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and Clarisse just have their hands up. Annabeth and Will are stuck with gills "below deck".

Two Navy men board our ship/island, and check our badges. "And who are the others?"

"Honorable civilians, Admiral Vasquez."

"Well sir, everything seems to check out. When will you be leaving?" He asks.

"Unfortunately sir, our ship isn't seaworthy. We were about to go under when we reached landfall. Our GPS systems went down days ago and we didn't know where we were until we saw you guys. We and our injured below deck are going to require transportation back to Headquarters." Sarina took over for me.

"How long have you all been stranded at sea without communications?" He asks, a guarded look in his eyes.

"Oh, around a week. Why?" I respond.

"You don't know then." The other Admiral speaks up.

"Know what?" Sarina asks cautiously, with trepidation.

"There has been a attack. We are at war."

Frank and Clarisse gasp.

"Who? Where?" My tone and eyes go cold, as I go into what Sarina calls my work mode.

"North Korea apparently made a deal with ISIL. With combined technology they circumvented all of their sanctions and bombed San Diego, California. More than 10,000 people died in the blast. World War Three has begun. I'm sorry to inform you all in this way."

I waste no time, having been training for a catastrophic event like this for my entire life. "Thank you for the information. I need to contact my headquarters, since transportation is likely down. I am certain my partner and I have orders. We need to get these civilians back to their homes."

"Right away sir."

We all get off of the Temple of Helios, Sibylline scrolls in hand, and board four tiny speedboats with the Navy men and women. Annabeth and Will's gills wore off. They haven't heard yet, but Frank and Clarisse have a hard look in their eye. A tear rolls down Sarina's cheek.

-Time Skip-

31 January 2024
1400

"I'm glad to see you both alive." Director James looks relieved, if anything, to see us.

We have been debriefed and interrogated by more US Military, and granted individual rooms until transportation back to the states can be secured. We are now checking in with the boss.

"Due to recent events, which Russia says we can Thank President Trump for due to Tariffs he imposed after quote 'helping him win the election in the first place' you all have new orders."

I cock an eyebrow, but am honestly unsurprised at this new information.

"You both are going undercover in the US Military. Each of you are to report for basic training with the US Marines in three days time at Parris Island. There are spies among us. Trust no one but yourselves, and represent us well. Reveal yourselves to no one; we don't know who the moles are. They could be anyone from privates to generals."

"Yes ma'am. Do we have orders until then?"

"Only to rest, 003. You both are going to need it."

With that, we are dismissed. We are the only two people in our secure room, and our watches blink off as the face of our commander disappears.

"What are we going to tell everyone? We're in the middle of a quest!"

"Apparently this one is taking its time. On the bright side, we can probably get stationed near each other this time." I respond gently.

"I know but"

I cut her off with a kiss to the lips.

"Stop worrying. We're gonna get through this. Plus, maybe we can get some boot Marine Corps tattoos together during this."

She smiles at that, then her eyes turn serious. "Percy, what the hell are we?"

"Whatever you want us to be babe. We don't have to label ourselves yet, though, if you don't want. We've made it this far."

She kisses me again, then pulls away. "Lets go inform our friends that we're joining the marines. Your cousin Thalia has probably already been called back from the reserves."

"You're right, we should get going."

Before we know it, we've all been shuffled onto a Navy helicopter headed to Manhatten.

"Annabeth, Frank, Will, here are the books. You all should be the ones to give them to command." I wink at them.

"If you say so Percy, but you did most of the work." Frank shrugs.

-Time Skip-

1 February 2024

0900

Camp Half Blood, USA

"Order! Order!" Chiron shouts around the ping pong table, to no avail.

"Everyone just shut your mouths already!" I shout, making the ground shake slightly for dramatic effect.

That stops the accusations and shouting around the table.

Dead silence surrounds me.

"We are at war now due to no fault of our own. We now know that Kronos and Thanatos have spies within the US Military, and Sarina and I have been ordered to join the Marines. We leave for basic in two days, but that doesn't mean that you all can't still handle this quest."

The room is silent for a few more seconds.

"Well, I sure as hell am not letting you two charge into war alone. I can't just sit by and let this happen. My sister got called back, I'm joining too." Jason says.

"Jace, we can't ask you to do that." I say.

"You didn't. I decided to do this myself."

"I'm joining too, you can't just expect to fight without me by your side." Piper inputs.

"Its time to pass the mantle of Praetor to the next generation. Just because I'm immoral doesn't mean I should rule forever." Reyna adds.

"I'm enlisting too. Us Mars kids need to watch your backs." Frank joins.

"Well I'm coming too, then. Surely they're gonna need all the help they can get." Hazel grabs Frank's hand.

"I actually already have orders to go back tomorrow morning. I'm a reservist now, but I was a Combat Medic in the Army for four years active duty." Will says.

"In that case, you lot can have fun playing Marine. I'm going Army with sunshine over here." Nico responds.

"I'm joining too. I need to do my part. Can't just let you all charge into battle without McShizzle now can I?"

"Strategically thinking, the Navy would be an interesting step in my career." Annabeth decided.

"Well, I appreciate the solidarity. Maybe we'll be able to continue the prophecy on the other side."

"You all be safe. My training only goes so far..." Chiron trails off.

We all go for a group hug, and then the others who said they were joining get in the van to go to the nearest recruiters.

"California may be decimated, but maybe there is hope after all."

"Camp Jupiter survived a nuclear bomb, and we've already bombed North Korea. I just hope they stop with the Nukes before there's no world left to save."

We just held each other under Thalia'a pine tree.

The false peace made us uneasy. Like the calm before the storm.

I couldn't help but to feel that the sky would fall at any second.