Hi everyone. I'm not dead! Hahahahaha please don't hate me?

So uh, sappy words time. This story - and this account - have been inactive for a long, long time. I think I've moved on from my Rick Riordan phase. It's always been a big part of my life and probably always will be, because Rick's writing style and way of creating worlds inspired me to create my own. But people change, I've changed, and my inspiration for this story and its direction is mostly gone. But of course, just as I had let this story drift into the background, you stubborn, stubborn readers spurred me on.

*accusatory glance* I feel like an old lady being forced out of retirement. Feel guilty. Except not really, because for the first time in... what, over a year? Yikes, sorry.For the first time in over a year, I feel inspired to give you guys something to read from me. To continue a story that is deserving of all your kind words and support, because all of you endlessly piled on your criticism and comments and joy and I want you all to know that that means something to me. It means a hell of a lot. And you all should never, ever, ever doubt that.

There are so many reviews I want to single out and thank but I don't know if I can. But if you're reading this, a million thank you's for your support, your kindness, your faith, your patience, and your love. You guys are all wonderful.

(Also, um, Happy Birthday Annie. You know who you are. Wish granted I suppose?)

I may not quite be back in the swing of things yet, but I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Whether or not there will be chapters to follow... hard to say. But I will try. For you guys.

Thank you.

Jason was conflicted.

All around him he was surrounded in a maelstrom of chaos and confusion, of angered emotions, of complete and utter silence. They were supposed to be an invincible team, the closest of friends, but they were going to tear themselves apart.

The silence was like a knife only dulled by the screaming.

Thalia and Nico were shouting, Jason had long since tuned them out after realizing separating them was an uphill battle. Piper, too, had attempted to mediate but couldn't find the will to charmspeak them.

Leo was sullen and silent. Annabeth was sitting in a corner with her knees to her chin. Frank was picking half-heartedly at some Cheerios, with tear tracks down his cheek.

His toast laid untouched on a plate, mockingly.

Jason didn't know what to do.

Piper looked as on-edge as he'd ever seen her. Her iridescent eyes darted from one corner of the room to the next, as though looking for a solution. He couldn't think of one, not for a lack of trying.

Hazel. His comrade. His friend.

His responsibility.

Like it or not, he was considered Percy's replacement as the team leader. Why, he understood. Acting upon it was a little more difficult. He didn't think he was up to the job.

Sure, he was Praetor. But that was a legion, well-trained and perfectly capable. The orders were simple and the strategies easy to grasp. But here, here was an assortment of heroes, powerful in their own right, all with unique backstories, personalities, needs, wants, hopes, dreams, and Jason didn't think he was qualified. They were equals.

He didn't deserve this.

He didn't know what to do with this he give an inspirational speech? Send out demigods to scout? Launch a full-scale invasion? Plead to the gods to help? Try and cure Hazel himself (if only)? Call camp for backup?

He didn't know. The uncertainty was eating him alive. It was a suffocating hurricane that sucked the air from his lungs and left him shaking and breathless.

Beneath it all though, in his heart, was a throbbing, underlying question.

What would Percy do?

Well, Percy would be an idiot. Percy would get angry, real, real angry, and go after whoever was responsible like a hellhound from Hades. Percy would probably ignore every piece of advice Annabeth gave and would tear himself apart looking for answers. The others would rally behind him and rather than try to save Hazel - because Percy would miraculously do so as he always did - they would try to save Percy from himself.

Because he was too loyal. Too kind. Too caring. Because he took everyone's burdens and made them his own.

Now, without him, everyone else was being torn apart.

Was it Jason's fault?

Was it?

Was it because of his weakness?

Was it because he would never, never match up to Percy's level?

Was it?

Was it?

He didn't know anymore.

He didn't know anything.

Frank apparently decided the Cheerios did nothing, and immediately trudged back upstairs towards Hazel's room.

Jason buried his head in his hands and tried, very hard, not to cry.

(He wasn't sure if it was working)

Percy wasn't sure what was happening because one of them hit his head with something blunt and sharp and now everything was blurred. Like a roller coaster, where everything is moving. Yeah, moving! And all the pretty colors too...

There was green and brown and grey and white and they were meshing and it was suuuuuuper weird because Percy was positive he'd never seen a shade of green like that in his entire life. Or had he? He couldn't really remember much of anything right now, his head was too heavy...

His fingers felt weird. They were like tiny little worms. No, snakes! He wasn't sure why he thought of snakes. But they didn't have fangs, they had little tiny fingernails that were sharp like fangs but less pointy and were smoother. And flatter. Like a frisbee. Frisbees were nice, he would play it a lot with Anna...Annabeth, yes that was it! Annabeth and her pretty curly hair like sunshine rays of beams and also Grover who would eat frisbees because goats eat eeeeeeverything.

Percy felt like he was flying because he couldn't feel his feet moving and he was swaying back and forth. But he wasn't sure why he wasn't in the sky, he didn't see any clouds! He reaaaaaally wanted to touch a cloud but something told him in his gut he shouldn't. Something about a dude with a beard holding a cylinder-thingy that would hurt if he touched a cloud. The meanie.

Oh look, something black was coming towards his face again just like before he thinks because he can't quite remember right everything is a little mushy-

There was another sharp pain and blackness.

"YOU DON'T DESERVE TO HAVE HER AS A SISTER! I RESPECTED HER AS A WARRIOR! YOU TREATED HER LIKE AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE THAT WOULD KILL YOU IF YOU GOT TOO CLOSE! YOU NEVER TREATED HER RIGHT!

"YOU NEVER CARE ABOUT ANYONE! HOW COULD YOU CARE NOW!? YOU NEVER DID! YOU NEVER CARED! YOU'RE JUST A FAKE!"

"OHH, THAT'S RICH COMING FROM A BOY SO SULLEN AND EMO AND FRIENDLESS HE WOULDN'T EVEN TELL HIS SISTER HE LOVED HER UNTIL, LO AND BEHOLD, SHE'S DYING OF A WOUND WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO TREAT! AND SPEAKING OF WHICH, I DON'T HEAR A SHRED OF CONCERN OVER PERCY, THE BOY YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING FOR!"

"WELL EXCUSE ME FOR PRIORITIZING MY SISTER OVER PERCY, WHO WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IS ALIVE! AND I HAVEN'T SEEN A WINK OF CONCERN FROM YOU EITHER, FOR EITHER OF THEM!"

"AT LEAST I CAN SAFELY SAY I'M DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO HELP BOTH OF THEM!"

"THAT'S CROSSING A LINE THALIA! YOU NEED TO SHUT YOUR STUPID MOU-"

"MAKE ME, YOU PATHETIC CHILD!"

Nico screamed and flung a hand towards Thalia, and beneath his hand a chasm appeared. The daughter of Zeus was flung back and into a wall, crashing into it with a loud bang.

The other demigods stood in alarm, except Annabeth who remained still.

Thalia stood, hissing with anger as lightning flashed along her fingertips. She pointed a finger at the son of Hades and sent a blast of lightning, one that was immediately reflected by his Stygian Iron sword.

In response, the Hunter drew her silver daggers and bow, holding one in each hand.

"Don't. Test me."

"You've never beaten me before. I'd like to see you do it now."

"Come at me, Emo Boy!"

"Gladly, Immortal Bitch!"

Time seemed to slow down as the two demigods rushed towards each other. Jason, watching, knew he had to make a decision.

Within his scatterbrained, confused, scared, angry, exhausted mind, one thought stood out:

I have to protect my friends.

He made his choice.

"STOP THIS!"

Both demigods froze. Their eyes were wild.

Jason stood in between them, wind swirling beneath his feet. His blue eyes were stormy and unforgiving, and he crackled with the lightning of his heritage. In one hand he pushed back Thalia's dagger, poised to strike, and in the other Nico's sword, prepared to slash.

His hands were bleeding. He paid it no mind.

"O-Oh my gods, Jason," Thalia whispered as she sank to her knees. "I..I-I didn't mean for this to..."

Nico hastily withdrew his weapon. He was silent as he too sunk to the ground. He looked devastated.

"I-I'm..sorry..." he said, as quiet as night.

"Look at you both!" Jason cried sternly. "Look! Fighting each other with your full strength, in a hotel full of mortals, when we have bigger problems to worry about!"

They both closed their eyes in shame.

"This is an emotional time, but we can't let that separate us! Percy needs us. Hazel needs us. What would they say!?" He demanded.

Thalia looked away. Nico grimaced.

"What would they say if they saw you here, fighting because of them? Would they be happy? Proud? Look at what this group has become!" He turned, and gestured to the remaining demigods, standing in shock.

"We need to get moving. We can't let this slow us down. We just have more people relying on us now than ever."

He sighed deeply, cutting off his tirade. "I won't lie and say I'm a perfect leader. But I will do my best in Percy's stead because that's what he would want! And that's what Hazel would want! And our friends are counting on us to save them, are we going to let them down?"

Leo responded first. "Not an icicle's chance in Hades. We need to do something."

"I agree." Piper said determinedly.

Thalia sniffled. "You...you're right. I'm... proud of you little brother."

"You're right," Nico agreed, looking closed off and ashamed. "I was out of line. Percy, and Hazel, deserve better."

All demigods turned to Annabeth, whom was still silent. She seemed to be struggling, and so Jason reached out. "Annabeth, I know this is hard for you, and I'm so sorry. But Percy and Hazel need your strength. Can you do it for them?"

She steeled herself, taking a deep breath. "I...can try." She looked like she was about to cry. "I can try." She repeated.

"That's all we ask." Jason smiled. His heart was racing at a million miles an hour because he didn't plan any of that, it came spilling out and there was no stopping it. Was this how Percy did it?

We're coming for you man. We'll make you proud. And Hazel, don't give up yet.

Looking around at the demigods around him, he winced. "Um, does anyone have bandages?"

Can you say angst? My poor children need a hug. Also, Jason is stepping up to his new responsibility and aren't you all proud of him? Because I sure am :) *tears* My little baby is growing up! Also, concussed Percy. Officially my favorite character. (Don't worry, he's alive. For now.)

Remember to keep commenting about Hazel. Don't want to freak you out but I've come to a decision - HOWEVER I could possibly be swayed by a large amount of reviewers saying otherwise :) You'll have to wait and see!

But real talk. I know this chapter is a bit crappy. The characters feel a bit foreign after so long of a hiatus. I haven't even proofed it properly. But you guys have waited long enough, I think.

Thank you all again. You know the drill. I hope to see you all again soon.