Chapter 10

"So, how are we getting to New York?"

I looked at my brother. Huh. Didn't really think about that.

"Well, of we were travelling west my Dad could probably give us a lift, but as we're heading to East Coast... Yeah, to be honest with you, I have no freaking idea."

A familiar voice singsonged behind me.
"We could always fly."

Thank Aphrodite for vampire pixies.

...

Exactly three hours and fifteen minutes later we were on our way to Manhattan. Alice was handy to know that way, she always had a private plane only a speed dial away.

Every wolf was sound asleep. The Cullens were chatting quietly or listening to music. Emmet was watching some movie with Renesmee. No one was worried about the battle that we would soon be facing.

They had all come, every single one of them except for a few of the youngest wolves who had stayed to guard La Push. Renesmee's parents were strongly against the idea of letting their daughter in the middle of a war, but the girl could be persuasive. Now, she was allowed to come, but was to stay by Jacob's side at all times and stay away from the front lines, helping Carlisle tend to the wounded. I really hoped she would stay there for the duration of the war. I did not want to worry about her life. I had enough people to worry about.

I had to admit, having a trained doctor on our side sounded pretty good to me. Sure, I could heal just fine but there was a difference between a camp medic and a doctor.

I sat next to Paul, his arm around me. It was pretty nice, having someone there to warm me and just be there. He snored quietly, his warm breath hitting my neck.

This really was nice.

...

When I woke, the plane was going through a turbulence. A really bad turbulence.

"We're falling!" Alice yelled. "Rose!"

Oh. Not turbulence. Falling. Ok. That was fine. It was not like this was one of my worst fears. Oh, would you look at that. It is!

Yup. I was not hyperventilating. The air was just a little thin up here. Paul took me by my shoulders and forced me to look at him.

Deep breaths. Look into his eyes. Deep breaths. What pretty eyes he had. Deep breaths. Why did guys have long, dark lashes? It wasn't like they needed them for anything. Deep breaths. His eyes were like melted chocolate. Deep breaths. I really wanted some chocolate. Deep breaths. Like, I could really use some chocolate.

And suddenly the plane was flying steady again. 

"The pilots fell asleep! The whole crew is asleep!" Rose yelled from the cabinet, where she, I assumed, was now piloting our plane.

"That's not natural sleep," Edweirdo felt like pointing out.

"No shit." I mumbled, my face undoubtedly as green as an avocado.

"We're almost there! Prepare for landing!"

...

Usually, I was against stealing a car. But as I jumped up and down on the back of a large wolf as he ran as fast as he could, I was really questioning my morals. While driving a car, you could still eat chocolate. Riding a wolf, if you managed to hold on to said chocolate, it would end up in your mouth full of wolf hair.

I could really use that chocolate right about now.

Everyone around us was asleep as we ran past them toward the Empire State Building. Kronos' doing, no doubt. He didn't want regular mortals to intervene with his war.

Percy and the rest of the campers were not hard to spot: they weren't really being all that stealthy with their Greek battle wear, swords and all. Standing in front of the Empire State building, our troops really did seem too small for the great battle of our lifetime. Good thing I brought backup.

Percy hadn't noticed me yet, but Annabeth and some of the other campers had. A wicked smile rose to my lips as I ran towards Percy, as fast and quiet as I could, and jumped onto his back and tickled him wherever I could reach. Boy, had he grown tall over the summer.

He screamed like a little girl. Then he threw me over his shoulder and into the ground, his sword aimed at my throat.

"Hullo," I smiled goofily.

"Liz!" he groaned and withdrew his sword. He offered me a hand and helped me stand up.

"Wanna say hi to my family? They wanted to tag along when they heard there would be some monsters to send to Tartarus."

I was so glad when Travis Stoll snapped a photo of Percy's face as he took in the Quileutes, in all their muscles and height, and the Cullens, shimmering like a highlighter from Aphrodite's daydreams.

Emmet waved at the campers, with a wide smile plastered on his face.

"So, where can I find these monsters?"

Some young camper pointed with his hand and twirled around.
"Take your pick."

My two families joined groups and exchanged quick pleasantries. You know, the normal things you say before you walk into a battle where you could potentially lose your life.

"I want a copy of that," I whispered to Travis. He winked at me, the shameless flirt.

...

I would've liked to have a few kind words with Clarisse, but alas, she was at Camp Half-Blood, the stubborn child with the rest of the Ares' children.

We had divided the wolves into groups of four. That way they could be of much needed assistance in as many places as possible and still work as a pack. The Cullens preferred to stick together and because of their speed, they were the much needed backup to any positions unable to hold their ground in the battle. Carlisle and Renesmee joined Will and would heal anyone wounded on our side.

Percy and Annabeth had run off to do something that had sounded a lot like "Daedalus Twenty-Three" (not that I was eavesdropping at all). I hoped to gods it would work.

Paul, Seth, Leah and Sam were with me and the rest of the Apollo cabin on the Williamsburg Bridge. I could hear them coming. The ground was trembling in the rhythm of their marching. I pulled and arrow from my quiver. Michael was standing on my left side, Paul on my right. I saw them coming.

I let the arrow fly.

...

Carlisle was tending to my broken wrist. I had been careless, letting a larger monster crash into my shield. I was okay, my wrist and arm were not. My arm was already covered by some magnificent bruises and I would be unable to use my left hand for some time. But I could still fight.

Percy had come when all seemed lost. We had evacuated quickly, but Michael...

Michael was gone. My brother was gone.

And Annabeth was seriously wounded. Will and Carlisle were doing everything they could. I could not lose another person I loved. I would not.

I really wanted that chocolate now to take away at least a tiny bit of my sorrow.

...

Silena had been the spy. And now she was dead too. At least she would be together with Beckendorf.

But we had no time to think of the dead. We had been surrounded by the Empire State Building. The campers, the Hunters, the Cullens and the wolves. Even the Party Ponies were cornered with us.

Kronos' forces were too strong. We were being taken one by one.

Then the ground split up and a black chariot with my new favourite relatives arrived. Oh, and Percy's pet Hellhound. Gotta love Mrs. O'Leary.

We had new hope. The gods were fighting with us. We could still win.

...

I could not believe we had won.

Kronos and his Titans were defeated.

We had won.

Luke Castellan died a hero. Silena died a hero. Michael died a hero. Everyone we lost today, they died a hero and we shall never forget them.

We lost no wolves and none of the Cullens. Maybe half of the wolves were injured and would need some time to heal, but they were all alive. Thank Apollo for that. They had all fought with all they had. Watching Jasper fight was a bit frightening, to be honest with you, but I was glad he was on our side.

Paul never left my side, always covering me and I was always covering him. We fought like we had been fighting together for years. He would claw and bite and jump as I would strike with my sword and throw my daggers. I had never fought with anyone like that. Like we were one.

We all watched as the living heroes of the battle were gifted. Annabeth was in shock, I bet. Tyson would make a great general for his father's army.

"Elizabeth, my daughter!"

I didn't really realise that I had been called until Paul nudged me forward. I walked in front of my father and kneeled.

"Elizabeth. You've done much to ensure our victory. You brought with you new allies to the battle and made sure that wandering monsters were taken care of by your... brother and his coven. You have fought bravely and valiantly and therefore, I shall reward you."

I looked at him. He looked no older than I was. We looked the same, but he could've been my brother.

"As reward you will be given the keys to my sweet ride–"

Artemis cleared her throat.

"– Keys to my sun chariot, which you will be able to drive as you and your wolf bring every demigod child you find safely to Camp, so no child of mine will ever again find about their heritage when a Hellhound and a couple of Hunters make a mess."

Artemis gave her brother an evil look.

"Thank you, father."

He smiled at me.

"Just make sure there's no damage to the chariot or any towns you fly over. We don't need another Phaethon."  I gulped. No, we did not need to set the world in flames. Note to self: do not let the sweet ride torch the Earth. Your insurance will not cover it.

"Furthermore," said Artemis, now looking at me.

"As you have been made unable to join my Hunters, I shall give you a gift also. You and your wolf will bring safety to many, and I would not like that to end in the short lifespan of a human. You shall be given partial immortality similar to my Hunters, but only until you choose to go to the Underworld with your wolf. You will be able to age when he starts to age, but I would hope that you do not do so for a hundred or more years."

My head was spinning. I bowed deeply to her.

"Thank you, My Lady Artemis."
She waved her hand and I retreated back to the safety of Paul's arms.

"More than a hundred years," he whispered into my ear. I nodded numbly.

Then Percy went and declined immortality and god-hood. He always had to get the longer straw, didn't he.

...

We headed to Camp Half-Blood for a good nights sleep. The wolves decided to sleep outside as the cabins were full as it was. I dug my closet until I found my sleeping bag and dragged it over to Paul, setting it on the ground next to the wolf. I was so, so tired.

All shit had broken loose earlier when Rachel Dare had up and become the new Oracle. Then, she decided to have a great first day and recited the next Great Prophecy. Attagirl!

I decided to leave all the drama to drama-lama over tomorrow. I was all too comfortable next to my warm wolf.

Except.

"Do you think you could get me some chocolate?"

If wolfs could groan, mine did.

Only epilogue left. Hope you liked this chapter!