Luke was driving, having stolen yet another car. This time it was a Maserati Spyder, simply because Percy had told him once that that was his dream car. So Luke had meticulously scouted out cars, and looked specifically for not just the model but for one that was colored a shade of blue. It was Percy’s favorite color.

So what if he sounded obsessed. His brother was dying. He was going to do all he could for Percy.

“Percy, do you remember that I wasn’t supposed to be on this quest? That you were supposed to go with Annabeth and Grover? And you also know that I kind of just took you and left camp, right?”

Percy nodded, his excitement tempering once he saw how serious Luke was right then.

And then Luke began his tale, telling about how he’d run away at a young age, met Thalia, Annabeth, and Grover, being on the run, and everything about his life up to that moment with Percy. Including Kronos’ role in his life.

Percy listened patiently, and didn’t shout or scream at him afterwards. He merely just turned to face the road once more, but leaned against Luke comfortably.

“So, will you tell me where we’re going?”

Luke laughed and ignored the tears in his eyes.

‘Thank the gods for Percy.’

He turned the car to another lane and ignored the fact that he was heading in a different destination.

“You’ll see,” Luke murmured.

Some hours later, neither could tell, but they were in a city with large buildings and unlit light bulbs and Percy saw the sign.

“We’re in Las Vegas?”

Luke smiled, hiding the sadness until he could be alone.

Percy snorted, “Are you saying something?”

“What? Like planning on getting you drunk and all that good stuff in Vegas that you might not get to experience if you wait until you’re older?” Luke said innocently, though inwardly he winced at joking at Percy’s impending death, even with Percy himself preferring to joke about it rather than mope.

Luke drove to a liquor store, stole some alcohol, and then drove off to his destination. He smiled half in sorrow and half determination.

The Locus Casino.

Luke drove to a nearby parking lot and then grabbed their drinks before leading Percy into the casino, holding onto the younger boy’s hand. The closer they got, the tighter his hold became.

“We’re here,” he muttered.

Percy blinked up in awe at the casino, oblivious to Luke’s discomfort. Entering, Luke encouraged Percy to go play with the games as he went up to their room. Dropping the drinks onto the bed, Luke went to the bathroom and turned on the sink, watching the water flow. Splashing the water against his face, he stared into the mirror and just breathed heavily for a while. Then he moved and leaned against the wall before sliding down it to sit on the floor with his knees bent.

This wasn’t going to work. There was no guarantee this would work. But the Locus Casino was the best place to be to try, or at least the best place to have as much fun as possible.

The door opened and Percy came in.

“Hey, I thought you were going to enjoy yourself down there?” Luke asked with a small smile, knowing he looked exhausted.

“I did. I’d rather you were there too,” Percy grinned.

Luke was about to push himself up when Percy’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. He sat back down and Percy joined him

“What are we doing here, Luke?” Percy asked quietly.

Luke’s jaw clenched and he looked over to the younger boy. Percy was looking at him sadly. He knew.

“You figured it out fast.”

Percy’s smile was just as sad.

Luke swallowed harshly. “This place, you enter it and you never age. I think something here just stops a person from aging, and I thought it could stop your disease. Or it might not be gotten rid of, but you won’t end up dying. And we could be here together forever, and neither of us would age and we would still be together.”

‘Or you could have as much fun as possible until you die,’ his mind whispered.

“Luke, we have to go. We can’t stay here.”

Luke shook his head, “Yes, we can. We can stay here and ignore the world, and who cares what happens as long as you live. As long as you’re enjoying yourself…”

“Thank you, Luke. But we can’t stay,” and Percy’s voice was firm.

“…Alright.”

Gods, Luke didn’t want to go.

They left easily, finding a newspaper and seeing it was five days later. Percy winced and Luke was just stoic. One more day until the summer solstice deadline.

Before leaving Las Vegas, Luke went and stole a leather Harley Davidson hat for himself, and a blue M&M’s cap for Percy like his adopted brother requested. And then they were off, back on track to Los Angeles.

City of Lost Angels more like.

‘How fitting,’ Luke thought bitterly.

Ares had left another note before Luke decided to take the little ‘detour’, saying to meet him at a McDonald’s near the entrance to the Underworld. He found it easily and parked, glaring at the fast-food restaurant and clenching his jaw.

“We’re here then?” Percy asked nonchalantly, instinctively feeling the turmoil in Luke.

“We’re here,” Luke confirmed.

They both stepped out and walked into the McDonald’s. Ares was grumpily sitting at a table, waiting. As soon as they had stepped in, the God of War’s head snapped up and he glared at them from behind wraparound sunglasses.

Percy quivered, but Luke just gently took him by the shoulders and led him closer.

“Lord Ares,” Luke acknowledged. Percy muttered a ‘hi’, choosing to hide behind him.

“You’re late. By five days.”

“I apologize, Lord Ares. We had to make a…detour,” Luke clenched his jaw.

“You’re lucky I stayed around the area, and managed to catch you,” Ares grunted. “So what’s up? I thought you were going to start a war?”

“Actually, I was going to destroy Mount Olympus and all of you gods, and then help Kronos rise back to power,” Luke said blandly, not even blinking at his words.

Ares stiffened and then bared his teeth.

“I don’t like being made a fool of –”

“I’m not. I’m being entirely serious,” Luke scowled, taking a quick glance at Percy. He did a double take, seeing the other demigod shivering badly and a little pale. “Hold his hands,” he snapped at the god.

Both Ares and Percy blinked at him.

“What?”

“Percy, you’re shivering,” Luke said urgently, grabbing Percy and pulling him closer to Ares.

He practically shoved the younger boy at the god, who grunted at the impact. Instead, Percy slipped away and sat on the other side of the table, across from Ares.

“Percy!” Luke snapped.

Pouting, Percy hesitantly slid his hands over the table and Ares humored them, rolling his fiery eyes and grabbing the boy’s hands. Immediately, Percy actually relaxed and sighed happily.

“You’re probably hungry too,” Luke muttered. “It’s been awhile since you’ve eaten. I’m sorry, Percy. I’ll go get you something to eat.”

He hurried away without a word, and not listening to the protesting from either person. Percy awkwardly smiled at the god, who stared back unhappily.

When Luke came back, he was surprised to see Percy next to Ares, nodding off with the god’s arm around him and holding him close, allowing the young demigod to snuggle into his side.

Uncertainly coming closer, Luke put the food on the table and gently shook Percy’s shoulder.

“Come on, Percy. You need to eat. You have to get something in you so you can keep your energy up,” Luke murmured.

“Ngh,” Percy just mumbled, but didn’t respond any further.

Sighing, Luke moved to the other side and sat down, picking at fries.

“What’s wrong with him?” Ares asked roughly.

Luke frowned, “He has leukemia. He’s…dying, so I’m trying to at least clear his name. I want to return the Master Bolt and the Helm of Darkness personally, and maybe redeem myself. It’s the only way I can think of that might let me stay with Percy.”

Ares looked away uncaringly, but he’d hefted the bag on his other side and tossed it over to him. Luke caught it awkwardly, looking at the god in confusion.

“Both of them are in there. The Underworld is nearby, so you can head straight over there. I’ll come with you to make sure you can get to Hades safely,” Ares turned stoically to him, eyes burning bright behind the sunglasses.

“Thank you, Lord Ares,” Luke looked down, swallowing down the lump in his throat.

Percy wiggled and his small hands reached up and grasped onto Ares. Both of the others stared at the boy before shaking their heads lightly.

“You tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you, got that?” Ares glared at Luke.

Luke held up his hands, “Got it.”

Luke ate his food and Percy woke up, scarfing down his, then the three of them started their trek to Ares’ bike. Luke sat behind, in the regular position for a second person to ride on the bike, while Percy was able to sit on Ares’ lap, small as he is.

They rode the short distance to the studio, where Ares parked right in front and then they entered. Ignoring the other shades, they strode right up to a bored Charon, who straightened up and looked at Ares in surprise and slight fright.

“Lord Ares! What can I do for you?” he intentionally ignored the other two.

Ares grunted, “I need to see Hades. These two are coming with me.”

His tone was slightly threatening so Charon paled and let it go, leading them to the elevator. Once they were in the Underworld, Ares led them passed even more shades and passed Cerberus, Ares’ presence protecting them somewhat. But the place was cold, even more so for Percy.

Ares noticing, took off his leather jacket and put it around Percy, who shivered but calmed down more. He glanced up at the god and gave him a small smile, clutching the jacket around him and snuggling in deeper, trying to absorb as much warmth as he could.

Then they were in front of the Lord of the Dead, who towered over all of them, especially since Ares was in normal human form.

“What’s this? Ares, I didn’t expect you here. And the Lightning Thief and his friend,” Hades’ eyes bored into Percy.

Luke noticed and stepped forward immediately.

“Actually, I stole the Master Bolt,” he said boldly and Hades’ eyes quickly flashed to him. “…And your Helm of Darkness.”

Hades roared, standing up threateningly. Ares warily pushed Percy behind him, both of them glancing between Luke and Hades in front of them.

“Give it back!” Hades hissed.

Luke unzipped the bag and took out the Helm, throwing it to the angry god.

“Tell me,” Hades started, a dangerous edge to his tone. “Why I shouldn’t destroy you now, foolish boy?”

Luke winced, scrambling to come up with something, when Percy intervened.

“Uncle Hades?” his small voice echoed in the chamber. Luke snapped his head to face the younger demigod with wide eyes, shaking his head. Ares pulled him back, but Percy persisted in speaking.

“Um…I can speak on Luke’s behalf. Can…can we talk alone?”

Hades stared at the boy, scrutinizing the young boy closely.

“Very well,” Hades surprisingly agreed. “You, stay. Ares, you stay as well. Come, boy. Follow me.”

The two left behind watched Percy leave them in dread.

They were equally shocked and relieved when the Lord of the Dead returned with Percy intact, a strange closeness that wasn’t there before present between the two.

“You all may leave,” Hades declared, startling the two that had been stuck there alone. “I have not yet forgiven you, Lightning Thief. But I will let it go. As for you, child…you are a brave boy. May the Fates be with you.”

Percy and Hades shared a secret smile, and the other two were startled again by seeing the Lord of the Dead smile.

They headed out, all of them relieved to have that done, when Percy stopped Luke.

“H-he’s here, isn’t he.”

They didn’t dare say his name when they were so close to where he was.

Luke’s eyes widened, “Yes. But it’s okay. We can avoid where he is easily and Ares’ presence will at least help us against him.”

Percy shook his head, “This is bigger than us, isn’t it Luke? Without you, he lost his Queen piece but that doesn’t mean he’s lost all of his pieces. We know now that he’s gathering his strength…but now that you’re not going to go back to him, how will we know what he’s up to?”

“What are you saying, Percy?” Luke gritted his teeth.

The younger demigod smiled sadly, “I’m dying, Luke. You know that. You were supposed to be his vessel. If I come to him instead, then at least he’ll be stuck in a weak and pathetic body, and I can send information to you.”

“No!” both Luke and surprisingly Ares shouted. “And don’t say stuff like that. You are not weak or pathetic. Neither is your body,” Luke continued, knowing Percy meant himself and not just his body.

But Percy stood firm.

“Luke, we need to know what Kronos is up to. This could be our only chance, and it would be better if I were to go than you,” he added, seeing just where Luke was about to go next. Luke scowled. “You can’t go. Kronos would take over you. If I go, he’ll be arrogant enough to choose me as his new vessel because I’m the prophecy child, but he wouldn’t want to be in me all the time because of my state. I can fool him. Besides, I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve.”

Luke shook his head, “It’s too dangerous. Especially in your condition. I refuse. If we need a spy, then I’ll go. It was supposed to be me in the first place, and I’ll be able to handle it better than you would.”

“I told you, Luke. You can’t go. There’s a lot of reasons why. You’re healthy, you actually have a life ahead of you, and you have people who care about you –”

“You have people who care about you too,” Luke interrupted.

Percy sighed, “I know. But not to the extent that you do, or as strong a bond to the others that you have. So really, the truth is I don’t have people who really care about me.”

‘That’s not true. Your father. My father. Annabeth and Grover really do, you just don’t believe it. Even Ares. Forget all about them. What about me?’

“I just have a better chance of fooling him. And besides, when I die, at least I could take him with me.”

“That’s if he’ll accept and believe you,” Ares cut in, siding with Luke.

Luke was too busy fuming about Percy’s repeated allusions to his death.

“Oh, he will. His arrogance will make sure of it. He’ll defy anyone. Even the Fates.”

Luke looked over to him so fast that he was sure he heard a crack. Percy nodded at him and Luke felt himself reluctantly cave in, even as the understanding and acceptance slowly took over him.

“Alright,” Luke said quietly.

“What?” Ares looked at him incredulously.

“You send word to me, alright? As soon as you can, but don’t delay,” Luke didn’t let the tears come, patting Percy’s head fondly before roughly giving in and pulling Percy into a tight hug.

“I love you,” he murmured into his ear. “Be careful, alright…little brother.”

Percy smiled into his shoulder, nodding slowly.

Pulling back, Luke stared at him, trying to memorize how Percy looked so that he wouldn’t forget.

“You talked to Hades about this, didn’t you?”

Percy gave a wry smile, “It was what made him decide to let you go.”

Luke knew that it was getting harder and harder to stop himself from crying, and he wondered why any of this emotion had never came out of him before. He never had any tears to shed, not even when Thalia died. And now he felt himself breaking into pieces and he wasn’t sure how to put himself back together again.

“Don’t think like that,” Percy reprimanded, just knowing what Luke was thinking. “Be happy for me, won’t ya? And go to all the places I wanted to go to on my bucket list for me, please? Take a picture and collect them together, so I can see them if I come back. Then it’ll be like I was there.”

“When you come back,” Luke said determinedly.

Percy nodded at him indulgently.

“Ares, your jacket,” Percy shrugged off the large leather jacket, handing it to the god.

Luke inwardly snorted. That was his brother –disrespectful little brat. Lovable, but Percy just couldn’t get the hang of respecting names and titles.

Ares huffed, “Keep it, brat. You need it more than I do. You can give it back when this is all over and you got rid of that little shit parasite.”

Surprised at him, Percy put the jacket back on and Luke stopped staring at the god. Instead, he focused on his brother again, trying to plead with Percy not to do this with his eyes. But Percy just shook his head at him, and Luke’s shoulders slumped.

“We’ll see each other again,” Percy promised, turning and starting to walk again.

“Wear your hat all the time! It’s cold! And you get cold easily!” Luke called out.

Percy gave a small wave behind him.

He followed the whispers all three of them were hearing, and Ares and Luke watched him leave them behind.

“We have to get back to Mount Olympus,” Luke forced himself to turn back to the task.

Ares nodded, “I’ll lead you quickly up, and then head to the meeting to stall them. You get back as fast as you can.”

They split up above world, and Luke bought a ticket back to New York. Within ten minutes to the deadline, he made it to New York and spent some minutes getting to the Empire State building. Sprinting to the elevator, he waited impatiently to reach the top. Then he was running through the streets of the gods to where the meeting was being held.

He stopped right outside the doors, taking a deep breath and preparing himself. Then he pushed the gigantic doors opened and entered the meeting, all of the gods and goddesses eerily quiet and turning to look at him at the same time. Dionysus, in particularly, was scowling heavily at him.

“You’re late,” Zeus’ voice rumbled, and the King of Gods stood up dauntingly.

“By only 2 minutes, Zeus. Come on,” Hermes chirped, trying to get some leeway for his son.

“You are lucky Ares assured me you were coming with my Master Bolt. Where is the Lightning Thief, boy? And where’s my Bolt?” Zeus ignored the messenger god.

Luke quietly unzipped Ares’ bag and tossed the Lightning Bolt to Zeus, who caught it and smiled in satisfaction. He knew that both his father and Poseidon were staring at him intensely, wondering about the same thing –where was Percy.

“Where is the Lightning Thief?” Zeus repeated.

Luke looked at him in grief, “He’s not…he’s not the Lightning Thief. Percy never stole the Master Bolt. I did.”

There was uproar all around him, the only ones calm were Hermes, Poseidon, and Ares. Though his father had turned to sorrow once more, Luke ignored that and knew he had to continue.

Athena and Apollo appeared on either side of him, the Goddess of Wisdom holding her sword to his neck while Apollo had strung an arrow into his bow and had its point touching against Luke’s right temple.

“Did you harm the prophecy child?” Zeus thundered, walking towards him and shrinking down to normal size as he walked.

Luke sneered, “Typical. You all go from calling Percy the Lightning Thief and then now he’s back to being your prophecy child. That’s all you gods are! Fickle. It’s the whole reason why I agreed to help Kronos rise again. All of you are pathetic and selfish. Why bother ruling over humans, when you don’t even care about us?”

Then Luke started to go on a rant, screaming about how he’d met Kronos on his Quest, how he agreed to help him, and how he’d been working with the Titan for all these years until Percy showed up. How, in fact, he had stolen the Lightning Bolt and the Helm of Darkness under orders, trying to start a war amongst the gods and have them destroy each other because he knew they were all irrational and unreasonable –even though originally Kronos had wanted both items for himself.

And he screamed and he screamed until he felt his voice going sore, because he felt his emotions peaking and the fact that he hadn’t truly accepted Percy going to Kronos for him. Well, for all of them. But mostly, and how Luke saw it, Percy had gone for him.

“Where is my son?” Poseidon spoke up, unable to stay silent any longer and becoming anxious.

Luke looked apologetically at him, knowing he looked a mess with reddened eyes and tears dripping sloppily down his face.

“He’s with Kronos,” he finally revealed, because he didn’t really want to say it because saying it aloud made it true.

Poseidon roared and leaped forward, caught and held back by Zeus and surprisingly Hades, who had appeared out of nowhere.

“Hades, what are you doing here?” Zeus hissed, though he made no other move towards the Lord of the Dead because his hands were full with his other brother.

“I was told to come here by Poseidon’s son,” Hades murmured, firmly keeping a hold on his brother and looking only to Poseidon.

The God of the Sea went lax and he slowly turned to face Hades.

“You…you saw my son?” Poseidon’s voice was rough.

Hades nodded, “My Helm of Darkness was just returned not too long ago, before that boy came here and your son talked to me about some things. First, he suggested I tell you all to listen to Luke first, instead of acting rashly –like all of you tend to do. Second, he asked you all to spare Luke Castellan, Son of Hermes, from any punishment. He was bitter and resentful of us all, but mostly his father. And third…Perseus wanted to say to all of you that he was sorry.”

“Sorry?’ Poseidon asked, looking lost and exhausted.

Hades turned to Luke, staring at him knowingly and provoking. Luke cleared his throat uncomfortably, unintentionally bringing attention to him that he hadn’t wanted.

“Percy went to Kronos willingly,” Luke reluctantly admitted.

There was another uproar and Luke’s lip curled.

“Look at all of you! Didn’t Lord Hades just say that Percy asked for you to listen first? Are you all that thickheaded?” Luke growled.

“The prophecy has come true. The child has chosen to side with Kronos,” Athena frowned.

Luke tensed, “For being the Goddess of Wisdom, you are incredibly stupid.”

The room went silent and Athena grew red at the insult, bristling and looking ready to slit his jugular with her sword. If she pressed down any harder…

“The prophecy said he’d either save or destroy us. The prophecy didn’t specifically say he was going to betray us all. And the prophecy refers to a 16 year old. Percy’s 12, Lady Athena. The prophecy hasn’t come true, thank you very much. Which is why Kronos will probably do all he can to convince Percy to stay by his side until Percy turns 16, to ensure Percy is on his side in the end. Well that, and because Kronos wouldn’t want anything to happen to his future vessel. Not like it’ll matter,” Luke sighed.

“Why wouldn’t it matter?” Artemis interrupted, analyzing his every move and every emotion, trying to figure what he was thinking.

Luke quieted, unwilling to answer. But he had to. For Percy.

“He’s dying.”

How many times had he said that? Too many. He was getting sick of it. The words made him actually feel sick. The thought of it? Made his heart clench painfully.

It was quiet in the room again and he chanced a look around. Everyone looked shocked, including Hades. So Percy hadn’t told him about that part.

Hermes, Poseidon, Dionysus, and Ares were looking away, expressions shuttered and bodies tense, though Poseidon looked like he couldn’t hide his pain.

Luke swallowed harshly, “He…he said that it was better this way. He could spy on Kronos for you, and Kronos would be stuck in a weak body. And if he ended up dying, maybe he’d take Kronos with him. Kronos’ arrogance will be the main factor in him accepting Percy. That despite Percy’s sickness, because Percy was the prophesized child, Kronos wouldn’t dare pass up the opportunity to have him as a vessel. And that he was arrogant enough to think he could defy the Fates against Percy’s disease, and try to heal Percy himself –he’d accept Percy just to prove he was above the Fates.

“It was the only reason I let him go, I swear,” Luke pleaded, immediately focusing on Poseidon, and looking at him with pleading eyes, trying to convince the god that he was sincere and that he hated this as much as Poseidon did. “If there was any chance that Kronos could succeed in healing Percy, I had to take it. So I let him go.”

But Poseidon’s face shut down and he looked at him coldly.

“You were supposed to bring my son back alive, here with me, not let him go into Kronos’ clutches.”

And Poseidon forcefully tore himself out of his brothers’ holds and stormed out of the room.

Luke couldn’t help himself, falling to his knees and staring at the ground, eyes blinded by tears again.

“He’s my brother. I wanted to. I wanted to make him stay with me so much…” Luke muttered.

The room was full of gods and goddesses, but it still felt cold and lonely.