Y'know, after being dead for a bit and moving on, I thought I would return to camp half blood immediately, and chill with Calypso.

Things didn't go as planned, we (or calypso) wanted peace. And after that battle with Gaea and that terrible tasting (I know I didn't drinking, but still! It left a horrible taste in my mouth) reviving medicine, I could do with half a life of relaxing.

But I didn't think so much would change, so quick.

After helping Apollo to attain the dark prophecy, me and calypso settled into the Waystation, where perhaps we could start "Leo and Calypso's Garage: Auto repair and mechanical monster's"
(Actually Calypso first because I needed to tell Camp Jupiter about the invasion-esque thing)

I was hoping to lead a more relaxing life, yes, but I had yet to be punched by one man.

I had a queue, I know, I was way too famous but one man had yet to take a number to pummel me.

His name?

Jason Grace.

Piper had contacted me, and told us to meet at a private Santa Monica airfield.

I had not talked to her in a long time, so I gladly rode my version of a golden steed towards that airfield.

As I came into view of the airfield, I saw tiny figures on the ground. One girl with brown hair and one satyr was very obvious to me.

"Piper and Coach Hedge!" I mumbled to myself happily as I charged downwards on my fabulous ride (Have I mentioned Festus is amazing?)

I descended next to the Cessna, not looking at Piper directly as I could probably figure she wanted to slap all sense out of me for being gone so long.

One oblivious (I thought) mortal asked if I needed any oil.

I grinned. "Nah. But if you could give my boy a wash and wax, and maybe find him some Tabasco sauce, that would be great."

Festus roared in approval, wanting his meal of Tabasco in a snap.

I leapt of the back of Festus, and jogged towards dear Piper, which for some reason seemed really distressed (perhaps she really really wanted to knock some sense into me), Coach Hedge smilingly, albeit a little sadly.

The party can now start!" I announced. "There's my peeps!"

I gave them all hugs, but expressions didn't change.

What was going on?

I tried to joke around. "Man, what's up with you guys?" he asked. "Somebody hit you with a
flash grenade? So, I got good news and bad news from New Rome, but first..." I scanned their faces and my happy emotions began to shatter, as if someone had hit a glass panel with lightning.

"Where's Jason?"

Where's Jason?

I knew he would be here. He had to be. I knew he really, really wanted to punch me. Or zap me with lightning. Whatever.

So where was he?

I saw their forlorn faces, as if a truth I would not believe had to be revealed.

Where's Jason?

My heart crumbled deep into my soul.

They were travelling to Camp Jupiter.

Jason, who was my first bud after we had been memory wiped (freak you Hera).

Jason who had sat atop Festus, saved us from countless situations and had withstood all my superman jokes.

Jason...

I turned around, wide eyed, not believing what I saw.

A casket, bearing the name Jason Grace in stone.

-----------

Piper broke down.

She ran straight into my arms (very unromantically) and her hot tears spilled over, as bitterly and dangerously as the truth was.

Every sentence was a cut in the heart, and every tear of hers was a tear in my heart.

Jason had done what?

I thought I had sacrificed much to help Apollo, but his life?

So young, I yelled in my mind, so much more he had to do!

I looked hazily at Apollo.

I was angry and sad, and berated myself for not taking that fall. Piper did not deserve this. She could not handle this, with the other situations she had to deal with.

I was a little angry at Apollo, for if he had dealt with the Oracles while he was still a god, Jason would not be dead.

Piper would not be breaking down in my arms.

But we could not blame him for something so vague, omniscient, and hidden for creeping upon the world, which caused the second rise of Titans and Giants.

I could not be weak. I had to be there for Piper. But for a while longer, we both grieved together over the loss of our companion who would do everything to save us.

Even a god who was a ass in the beginning.

Even if he knew he was going to die.

It was then I realised how much time had put between us. We were once inseparable, together in heart and being. Now Jason was gone. Piper had to deal with NH being asses and was going to Oklahoma for her Cherokee home. And I... I was going to Indianapolis.

We were so far, so divided, our relationships wonky and yet connected, I could not have imagined this was our future because of some rude emperors that wanted to take over the world.

I had originally planned to go back to Camp Half blood straight after fetching Calypso, to rejoin with the couple Jason and Piper no matter how awkward it was as a third wheel. I wanted that to happen. But it could not longer be.

Reality had brought us apart, and the distance would only grow farther as time stretched it wings for flight.

Jason, bro, I miss you.