POV: Percy

Location: Hunters' Camp, Pine Barrens, NJ.

The Hunters stare at me, a little shocked, and I can't blame them. To almost all of them, I'm pretty much just a random demigod boy that Artemis decided to aid. I can see Catania and Zoe in the back of the group, silently laughing. I glare at them. That just causes the two of them to laugh harder, and Catania let's out a snort. No one notices.

One of the Hunters speaks up, "So, you're Percy...like the Percy Jackson?"

"Um...yes." I say uncertainly.

"You protected M'Lady thousands of years ago?" Another asks.

"As far as I can recall." I reply.

"And you were there before even Zoe joined?" A third one says, amazed.

"Yeah."

"Oh really." Zoe speaks up suddenly, "Can yoou swear that on the RIver Styx?"

I look at her, slightly shocked that she would make me do that. Then I look into her eyes. She wants it to be true, but she has been betrayed by males too many times. Zoe wants fool-proof evidence that I am who I say. Honestly, I don't know if I can make that promise. I mean, the memories feel right, but at the same time, it seems too farfetched.

Zoe continues to look at me, and after a second, I decide to risk it, "I swear on the RIver Styx that I was Lady Artemis' Guardian thousands of years ago."

The moment I say that, it's as if all of those memories really do become my own. They feel right all of the sudden. Thunder rumbles, and everyone waits a second. When nothing happens to me, Zoe races forward and wraps me in a hug.

"I wanted to believe you." She says, "But I just..."

"It's cool Z." I say, "I understand."

Catania forces he way through the crowd and looks at me, "I still owe you for the whole Orion situation."

I shake my head, "You owe me nothing. I was just doing my job. Which reminds me," I say, "Does death cause any changes to the Guardian status? Am I still technically a Guardian?"

The hunters all look at me in confusion.

"How should we know?" Catania asks, "You're the Guardian."

"Yeah, and as far as I know, no Guardian has actually come back from the grave." I retort.

"You just have to be the first to do everything." Zoe shakes her head, "First male to find favor with Artemis. Only Guardian to survive of the original twelve. Now the first to come back from the grave."

I shrug, "I'm bound by my oath. I can't just leave all of you and M'Lady."

"You're too stubborn." Catania mutters.

"Are you complaining?" I ask.

She thinks about it, then shrugs and shakes her head, "No, not really."

"Woah woah, hold up." A new hunter says, Zoe, did you just hug him?"

All of the Hunters glare at Zoe. She nods.

"Yes Phoebe, I did." She retorts.

"But you're our lieutenant!" Phoebe cries out and glares at me.

"And he's the Guardian of Artemis and, by extension, us. It is impossible for him to bring harm to a member of the Hunt."

I let Zoe do all of the talking. Sure, I could defend myself, but that would probably cause unneeded conflict. Better to let Zoe do that.

"He's still a boy." Phoebe stands her ground.

"Let me let you in on a secret." Catania says, "He's older than you by about one thousand years, and infinitely stronger. He's Lady Artemis' childhood friend; they're the same age."

"Not to mention he's saved my life more times than all of you combined."

I turn around. Standing there is Artemis, looking slightly pale and worse for wear, but otherwise ok. She's leaning slightly on the shoulder of one of the Hunters. I bow to her the way Guardians do, down on my right knee with the right arm across my chest, hand on my heart.

"Lady Artemis." I begin formally, "I apologize for not getting to you in time. I have no excuse for my incompetance."

Artemis tries to laugh, but winces and stops, "How many times have I told you? You don't have to be this formal. The Hunt is a very informal group."

"Yes Artemis." I stand up.

The Moon Goddess then looks towards her Hunters, "Andromeda. There is a chest inside my tent. It is black with silver highlights. Could you please go get that for me?"

"Yes Lady Artemis." Andromeda runs over to the goddess' tent and disappears into it.

Artemis looks me over, "I guess we'll have to get you reinstated."

"I guess so." I shrug noncommitally.

"Can someone please explain what in Hades is going on!" Phoebe demands.

"Alright Guardian." Zoe says, smirking, "YOu're turn to explain."

Every new Hunter's eyes turn towards me. I sigh.

"Alright. So, the Guardians were a group of demigods, and a few mortals, who were given special training on Mount Olympus. Actually, they were raised on Olympus itself. They were trained from the age of five to fifteen by the gods. When they reached the age of fifteen, each Guardian is assigned to an Olympian. Their role is to, as the name implies, guard that Olympian. The only rule was that a demigod my not be paired with his or her immortal parent."

"So, that's what you were...are?" One of the Hunters asked.

I nod, "Exactly. I don't know my current status, what with coming back to life, but I was the Guardian of Artemis."

"Still are, as far as I'm concerned." Artemis interjects.

"Thank you, M'Lady." I say.

"Lady Artemis!" Andromeda calls out, "I have it!"

"Thank you." Artemis says, taking the chest.

She sets it down, wincing slightly.

"I'm sorry Lady Artemis." I say quickly, "You should not be out here. You should me resting."

"Thank you mother." She snaps back teasingly, "I think I'll be fine for now."

"Quit bickering you two and open up the damn box!" Phoebe shouts out.

Artemis looks at me and nods. I kneel down next to her, and open up the top of the chest. I look into it, then at Artemis, then down at the objects in the chest, then ended looking at Artemis.

"You kept these?" I asked amazed.

She nods, "The gods had a tradition.When a Guardian died, his or her 'charge' would keep the cloak and armor."

I pull all of the items out and place them all on the ground. It's been so long since I've worn the armor and cloak. I run my hand over the chest armor, feeling the holes where those poisoned arrows punched through. I feel an overwhelming pressure in my chest.

Artemis looks down at the holes, "I never did thank you for saving my life. Those arrows would have made me fade completely."

"You didn't get a chance to," I replied, "nor do you need to. I was merely honor my oath to protect my charge and my friend."

"We could always talk to Hephestus." She seems uncertain, "Maybe he still remembers how to make this type of armor."

I shake my head, "No no. Leave it. It's a mark of honor. It shows that I did my duty."

I then glance at the cloak, and frown slightly. There's no silver highlights. Then I remember seeing some of my fellow Guardians pass away. When their souls passed into the underworld, the cloak returned to pure black.

"Well that answers one question." I say, "It looks like I'll have to be reinstated into the Guardians."

"How do you...?" Artemis begins, then notices the cloak, "Oh. I see. Yes, we will have to."

I then glance up. All of the Hunters are just standing around the two of us. It's been a while since I've been in the centrew of the Hunters, so I'm a little apprehensive.

Zoe notices, "Alright girls, it's getting late. Everyone turn in."

There was a chorus of protests, but eventually everyone leaves. There are a few harsh glares shot in my direction. I groan inwardly. Great, now I'll have to gain their approval. Again. One of the girls stays around, but Zoe intercepts her.

"Go on to bed Gina." The lieutenant says softly.

"What about night watch?" She asks.

Zoe tilts her head towards me, "He's a Guardian. He'll take care of that."

I nod, "Don't worry about it girls. And Artemis?"

"Yeah?"

"As your Guardian, I deem it to be in your best interest to get some rest. Go get some sleep."

The goddess of the hunt tries to protest, but Zoe interjects, "M'Lady, you're lung was punctured, you should not have even come out of the infirmary."

Artemis sighs in defeat, "Okay, fine. I'll rest. Just make sure tonight is peaceful, okay Percy?"

I nod and begin strapping my old armor on. It felt nice to be wearing the uniform again. Finally, I throw my cloak over my shoulders.

"DOn't worry, Lady Artemis." I say as I flick the hood up, "I'll take care it it."

"I know you will." She says as Zoe helps the moon goddess to her tent.