Percy's POV

It's dark. I know it makes me sound like a baby, but I've developed a fear of the dark. Add that to the list.

It's also hazy. And red. Gods, I hate the color red. I've seen it way to much for my liking. I see shadows too, people talking. I can't see them, but their voices carry well enough.

"—send you there," someone with a dry, menacing voice said. "Yes, my Lord," a young voice answered. He received a deep chuckle from the former speaker.

From what I could gather, the first speaker is probably some bad guy that wants to kill me. It's usually safe to make that assumption, though it's getting worn out.

The second speaker sounds like a teenager. Male and pubescent. I didn't know you could have that many voice cracks saying three words. Okay, so I'm exaggerating. Sitting in a bed all week is driving me crazy.

I decided I should probably listen to what the two were saying.

"—tormented him in many ways. But I've still got one card. And in my opinion, it's the worst form of torture there is." This line caught my attention. I had a sneaking suspicion I knew who it was.

"And what's that?" The teenager asked. The first speaker turned to look straight at me, his crimson eyes shining like a beacon. "Hope," Tartarus said, "false hope."

He's looking straight at me and I know he sees me. I know he knows I'm there. My breath hitches. Tartarus takes a step towards me and I groan and bolt the other way.

I find myself in my mother's kitchen. The smell of blue cookies fills the air and I sigh in relief. Many different peaceful dreams fill my sleep. I guess this isn't so bad.

It goes on like this until I start to feel a burning pain. It's-it's I can't...I can't—. I'm jolted awake.

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Jason's POV

Frank, Annabeth, and I were preparing to share Percy's pain. Apollo had already told us what to do and gave us the power to do so. The reason we were doing it and not the others is because of our own pain.

Apollo said that if we are already struggling with something, we won't be able to handle Percy's pain. Leo is out because he broke his leg and Hazel is out because of her eye. She had just started wearing an eye patch yesterday. She kind of looks like a pirate. In a good way of course.

Piper was a candidate, but Frank volunteered. I was going to because it was my idea. Annabeth because it's Percy laying on that bed.

Now came the decision of who got what river. "Jason? Hows your anger management?" Annabeth asked. "Oh...um, good I guess," I answered, slightly confused. She nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I think we'll give you the Styx. River of Hate."

I nodded and she turned to Frank. "Are you good with Misery?" Frank looked her in the eye and nodded slowly. "What about you?" He asked. Annabeth sighed. "I'll take Pain."

Everyone immediately started to protest. She held up her hand. "I may not be the best with the other rivers. Pain is one thing I can take. Especially for Percy." I decided I better except it.

"All right, lets do this while he's still asleep. If he knew what we were doing..."

I didn't need to finish. Everyone knew Percy would never let us bear his pain. We had to do this while he couldn't protest. Annabeth took her spot behind Percy's head and laid her hands on either side of his skull.

I sat on the right of Percy's bed and Frank on the left. I know, it sounds super cheesy, like something out of Teen Wolf or something, but it's what Apollo told us to do. Frank and I each grabbed a hand and concentrated on extracting the rivers.

Annabeth started us off. I watched as the veins in her arms turned black and she sucked in a breathe. She squeezed her eyes shut and whimpered, but she didn't stop. Percy groaned in his sleep, as if he knew what we were doing and was trying to get us to stop.

"Hurry," Annabeth grunted, "he's fighting it. We don't have much time." I turned my attention to Frank, whose veins had also turned a dark color. Frank made eye contact with me and his mind was a million miles away.

His eyes widened and tears welled up. I took a deep breathe and concentrated. My own veins turned black and I was suddenly filled with an overwhelming feeling of anger and hate.

Hate for the world, hate for Percy for having all this hate in him, hate for Annabeth for assigning me this job, hate for Apollo for granting us the wish, and hate for all the gods.

But mostly, I felt a deep hate for myself. This was my idea. I'm so stupid, how could I be so stupid! I hate myself!

I started to pry my fingers away from Percy's. Deep down, I knew this was wrong. He's my best friend and I came up with this idea to help him. Yet I couldn't fight this feeling. This intense, overbearing hate.

But Percy's been fighting it for days now. That means I can too, even if it is only for a few minutes. I knew what I had to do.

I need to battle this hate with love. I know, cliche. But it just feels right. Yeah, I love Percy. I love him so much. He's my best friend. He's my bro no homo, you know?

So I filled up with love, remembering all the times we played pranks and all the good times we had. And I prayed to the gods too.

I prayed to every one I could think. Yeah, that includes Kymopoleia. Lastly, I prayed to my dad. Oh please dad, please. Let Percy be okay.

I was jolted out of my trance by screams. I opened my eyes and looked around. Leo, Piper, and Hazel were standing against the wall, their eyes full of worry.

I turned my attention back to Percy who had appeared to have woken up screaming. In all his thrashing, he yanked his hands from my hand and Frank's.

Annabeth was breathing heavily and tears were in her eyes. Still she wrapped Percy in a hug and whispered into his ear to get him to calm down, just like she used to do.

I looked down at my arms and watched as my veins turned back to their original blue color. Percy lay still now, tears streaming down his cheeks. I wiped my own eyes furiously. I cant believe he's been carrying all that around for a whole week.

Frank took a shaky breath and reached for Hazel who came and sat on his lap. She sat and played with his hands as he buried his face in her hair. Leo struggled over with his crutches and his cast that went up to his hip.

Piper came over and sat next to me and laced her fingers in mine. Percy sniffled. "What-what happened?" He asked in a hoarse voice.

"How do you feel, Perce?" Annabeth asked gently. "I..." he paused to think about it. "It hurt a lot for awhile there, but...I feel a lot better now."

"How much better?" Annabeth asked hopefully. "A lot better. Like, almost before better."

Annabeth squealed in excitement. "Percy! That's great! Do you think you can walk?"

Percy nodded and swung his legs over the bed. Annabeth threw his arm over her shoulder and helped him stand. His legs gave out almost immediately, but it was a start. I grabbed his other arm and we made baby steps to a chair.

Piper started crying. Percy just looked at her and smirked. "Save the tears for my funeral," he remarked. I chuckled, happy he could finally joke around again. His smile slipped though, as if he were remembering something.

I glanced at him questioningly but he just shrugged and smiled again. But something was missing. His usual spark was absent.

Leo hugged and crossed his arms. "No fair! He just got out of bed and he's already walking better than me!"

Percy laughed. A real one this time. We found chairs and sat around and talked for awhile. We decided not to tell Percy about the whole sharing pain incident just yet.

It appeared that the rivers had almost completely left Percy's body. If all goes well, he should be walking around in three days time. I'd imagine he'd want to get outside after five days in the infirmary.

Piper finally sighed and stood up. "I'll go get Will and Chiron." She left and we talked some more until there was a knock on the door. Will walked in with Chiron wheeling in behind him. 

Will's face broke into a smile when he saw Percy. He came over and started quietly asking him some questions and running tests. Chiron cleared his throat and announced, "We've received a new camper earlier today, children. It is a most peculiar case, for the child is sixteen years of age."

Hazel leaned forward. "Is that so? I thought the gods were supposed to claim their children earlier on. Is that all that's peculiar?" Chiron shook his head. "He's already gained the favor of half the camp. He's quite talented with the equipment and he beat Clarisse on the lava wall."

I gasped. He beat Clarisse?!?

"What's his name?" Frank asked. "Jaeden Smith," Chiron answered.

"Hey, where are the Avengers?" Percy asked suddenly. The question had me taken aback for a second. I completely forgot about them. To be frank, I have no idea where they are.

"Gee, I don't know Percy. I thought they left like, yesterday to go do something. They should be back soon though."

Thunder rumbled(I just wrote 'lighting rumbled and now I feel stupid) in the distance and I heard thrusters followed by bickering that could only be Tony and Clint.

"Or they could be back right now. That's definitely them," I said. I looked out the window and sure enough, our ComicCon friends were flying/running into camp.

"I'll tell them to come in here," Piper offered. She ran outside and waved them over. Soon the little room became way too crowded. To make space, we helped move Percy back on the bed, also to make sure he's more comfortable.

"Where have you guys been? Are you okay? Is everything fine? I totally haven't checked in on you guys since you got here," Percy asked. Natasha chuckled and Tony just stared. "You're the one that's been lying in a hospital bed for a week with a sword wound," "Oh, I forgot about that," "and you're asking about us." Tony asked.

I nodded solemnly. "That's pretty much how it works around here." I said while jutting my chin in Percy's direction. Everyone started laughing and it was suddenly very comforting to have everyone in the same spot.

Percy's smile dropped again. "What is it Percy?" I asked. "I had a dream," he said slowly, "I just can't remember it. I know it was important..."

Just then the conch horn sounded, signaling dinner time. Will squeezed through the pack of Avengers and grabbed a wheelchair from the closet. He helped Percy into it and we all headed for the Poseidon table.

Tonight was barbecues and watermelon. Everyone sacrificed part of their meal to the gods, even the Avengers, and we enjoyed a meal as a whole for once. It felt right to have Percy back with us; I hadn't realized how much I missed him.

I caught Percy staring at the Hermes table. I turned and saw who must have been the new camper. He was tall and lanky, with brown/red hair. He was joking around with a young camper, and then, when he thought no one was watching, scowled and through the toy the young boy had given him in the fire.

The kid turned back around and gave Jaeden another toy. Jaeden's smile was there again right away; I almost forgot that it wasn't a moment ago. He's good.

Jaeden caught our eyes and waved. He walked over and shoved me over playfully on the bench and squeezed in. He shook Percy's hand and made eye contact.

His voice was reedy and premature. He sounded like he smoked a pack a day. "You must be the legend, Percy Jackson."

Percy dropped his fork.

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Hey y'all! Sorry it took so long to update, I just didn't know how to start. So, yeah, hope you liked the chapter and I will try to update soon. Also, just wanted to say that all the covers in this particular series are all real pictures I took of New York.

Also, who is this new camper and why did Percy freak out? You've probably already figured it out, but let me know what you think.

And please comment for POVs you would like to see. I need more ideas.

Remember to vote and comment and have a great day! Love you demigods:)