Hello people! After a long stint of procrastination, work, and school, I've finally found the time to update this damn story! The chapters from here on out will get much, much longer, so enjoy!

If you want a disclaimer, look at the summary.

UPDATE: This story is now being co-written with PikachuXdigimon!

Chapter 3

Artemis POV

We appeared in Amity Park's cemetery in a blast of snow. Immediately, Phantom's entire demeanor changed. He was once outgoing and energetic, now he was withdrawn and somber as we walked between the rows of headstones.

"You know, it's kind of ironic if you think about it."

Phantom's statement caught me off guard. "What?" I asked. He gave a mirthless laugh. "A ghost that appears in a cemetery? That sounds like something out of a bad horror movie." I couldn't help but see the logic in that. It did sound rather cliché.

Finally, we stopped in front of a memorial stone. A tall marble obelisk stood prominently in its own area, with a series of smaller headstones lined in front of it. I stood back as Phantom walked up to the memorial and knelt at the headstones.

He started talking to them softly, telling his parents and friends how life was treating him and about everything that had happened recently. His voice had a heavy, choked sound to it, like he would start crying at any second. In all honesty, he had a good reason to.

Danny POV

It was at this point that shit went sideways. A portal opened and Ember floated out, looking panicked.

"You need to get back to the Zone, dipstick! Like, now! Aragon's gone bat-shit and Dora's been hurt!" she explained. "Last I heard he was heading towards your castle." I nodded, before grabbing Artemis' hand and disappearing in a whirl of snow.

We reappeared in the main courtyard of the castle with another blast of snow. I really need to find a method of teleporting that doesn't turn my surroundings into a winter wonderland.

Suddenly, there was a loud roar. I looked up to see Aragon in all his scaly glory, circling one of the towers and shooting blue fire from his maw. I barely managed to put up a shield before the tower was barbequed.

"PHANTOM!" roared Aragon in rage, going into a steep dive, aiming right at me. I quickly grabbed Artemis and leapt out of the way, phasing us both through the castle wall.

"Go find the others! I'll handle Aragon!" I cried. Not even waiting for an answer, I dove back through the wall to find Aragon hovering in midair, almost as if he was waiting for me.

"Hello, Danny. It's been a while."

My ectoplasm ran cold. "There's no way…" I stammered. Aragon grinned evilly and turned slightly. There on his back was the last ghost I wanted to see.

"My, my, Danny, you sure have grown up. Becoming a king and all," Dan mocked, his red eyes glowing with unrestrained malice. I didn't even bother replying, I just shot an ice ray at him, which he dodged by flying off Aragon's back. "Now, now, I just came to talk! Well, at least I did, I think Aragon's just here to break shit," he said as Aragon nodded with a draconian smile.

"What do you want?" I spat, charging up an ectoblast. "To tell you to give up. The Olympians can't win this fight," he said with a grin.

I was shocked. "Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you. My mistake!" he said in a singsong tone. He then pulled a necklace from under his collar and held it out, a silver chain with a scythe and globe charm on it. "My…friends and I have plans, and there's no way you can stop them! But feel free to try, it would be entertaining to watch you fail over and over again. On that topic, say hi to your parents for me." With that, he turned into a red mist and vanished.

I slammed my fist into the ground in frustration. Vaguely aware of the Olympians and demigods approaching from behind, one question ran through my mind.

How? How did he escape? Clockwork said there was no way for him to get loose!

I grit my teeth in anger. I had a bone to pick with a certain Master of Time, and I was going to get some goddamn answers.

"Phantom?"

I registered that Zeus had called my name, but I didn't make any outward signs of acknowledging him. I was forced back into that pit of despair that I dug when my friends and family were killed, after trying so fucking hard to pull myself out of it.

"Daddy?"

I instantly recognized Danielle's voice as she floated over to me and shook my shoulder. I hadn't even realized I was crying until a few tears fell onto the ground by my clenched fist.

"Daddy, come inside. Don't cry," pleaded Danielle, tears glistening in her own eyes. I nodded without really thinking about it, and allowed her to pull me to my feet and lead me into the castle.

Percy POV

Everyone watched as Danielle led Phantom into the castle. I could tell from his eyes alone that something traumatic just happened. They had lost their otherworldly glow, and were now a horrible, dull green. Everyone had seen that ghost on the dragon's back, as well as heard his speech, so we could sympathize

I instinctively reached for Thalia's hand, seeking comfort in her touch. She laced her fingers through mine and leaned against my shoulder. If the dampness in my shirt was anything to go by, she was crying pretty hard.

I looked around at the rest of the crowd. Everyone was in different stages of sadness.

Apollo's godly glow was actually dim for once, and I was certain that a good number of mortals were wondering about the sudden darkness.

Aphrodite, as well as her children, were bawling their eyes out.

My dad just had a haunted look on his face, and I could tell he was thinking of my mother.

I gave Thalia's hand a squeeze, then left to go into the castle. Before I could, however, a slender hand landed on my shoulder. I looked into the solemn face of Artemis, who shook her head.

"I should be the first to talk to him. He's more open with me than anyone here," she said. I nodded reluctantly and stepped back as she made her way past me and through the castle doors.

Artemis POV

Finding Phantom was no easy task. When he wanted to be alone, he made sure he couldn't be found.

But then again, he was trying to hide from Artemis the Huntress, a feat nigh impossible in itself.

I found him on the roof. His eyes were swollen and bloodshot, a clear sign he had been crying. I climbed out a nearby window and sat next to him. He didn't show any signs of recognizing my presence.

Eventually, he turned his tear-stained face to look at me. His eyes were dull, and he had lost his ghostly aura. He opened his mouth to speak, but I quickly put a finger to his lips and pulled him closer. Half of my instincts screamed at me to stop what I was doing, yet the other half were screaming for me to keep going, and the latter half was winning.

Eventually, Phantom leaned into the embrace and let out a broken sob. After that, the dam broke, and he cried his eyes out as we sat there on the roof, with me absentmindedly stroking his hair, absently noting how soft it was.

Finally, he seemed to calm down. His breathing evened out, and I realized he cried himself to sleep in my arms. I looked down at his face, marred by a few scars and the prominent tear tracks, and did something I had never done in the presence of any male since my father.

I smiled.

Carefully standing, I used my godly strength to lift him up and flashed us both to his room. I gently laid him on the bed and brushed his bangs out of his face.

Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light, and a blue-white ring appeared around his waist and divided, one going up, the other down.

I watched in amazement as his white hair turned black, and his HAZMAT suit turned into a mortal T-shirt and jeans.

After shaking myself out of my initial shock, I decided to approach him when he wasn't emotionally compromised.

I was halfway out the door when I stopped and looked back. Going against my better judgement, I walked back over to him. I brushed his hair out of his eyes again and, ignoring my instincts, pressed my lips to his forehead gently.

His features immediately relaxed, and a small smile came to his face. I smiled as well and gently closed the door on my way out. He needed time to recover, and I was happy to provide.

And cut! I know, a bit shorter than my other chapters, but that won't be a recurring theme! Stay tuned for the next chapter!