Lost in Time (Forgotten Daughter part 3)

Losing Ground

Ali caught up to Percy as they walked back to the museum. "How are you holding up?"

"Fine." He snapped.

She hung her head. "Look. I'm sorry I disobeyed your orders, but you can't take on his entire army alone."

"Why not?!" He halted and faced her. "I have the best chance."

She kept her voice steady. "You are not invulnerable." She locked eyes with him. "You said you trusted me."

He looked away.

"Why do you really want me off the front lines?" She stared at him intently.

He sighed. "I trying to protect you. I just got you back; I don't want to watch him kill you."

She grabbed his shoulders. "You won't. I promise."

He shook free of her grip.

This time it was her turn to sigh. "I really am sorry, Percy. I never meant to hurt you." She bit her bottom lip. "When I left camp, I had no intention joining Kronos. I just wanted some time away from everything." She chuckled darkly. "Apparently, the Fates had other plans. Aubrey found me and took me to Kronos. After everything that had happened, my anger and bitterness were stirred up and I couldn't think straight. I did so many things that I regret, things I can't take back, things I can't change." She blinked back tears. "But the worst part... was seeing your face when you found out, knowing I broke your heart."

His shoulders slumped. "That's what you were afraid of."

"For a moment, you made me forget," She smiled at the pleasant memories. "but something bad always happens to the people closest to me."

Hesitantly, Percy took her hand in his. "I forgive you."

She looked up. "How can you say that like it's so simple?"

He shrugged. "Because it is." He gave her hand a squeeze. "I know you, Ali. I know you don't do anything without a good reason, but I also know that everyone makes mistakes, even the gods." He met her gaze meaningfully. "I get being angry at them. It's the easy way. The hard way is fighting for them, even though you couldn't care less if they died."

"Well, that's just it." She looked at the Empire State Building. "I do care."

"I know," he smirked. "why else would you be here?"

She chuckled and lowered her gaze back to Percy. "Thank you."

He nodded curtly. "Everybody deserves a second chance."
                                    *   *   *
Mass chaos erupted all around Ali as the Party Ponies joined the fight. The monsters had pushed them back into the city. They were only a block away from the Empire State Building. If the monsters reached it, it was over.

Ali clutched her ghostly flaming sword, slashing through monsters left and right. Her arms ached and she occasionally had to blink blurriness from her sight line. She couldn't keep this up. Her arms felt like lead.

The silver flames flickered as she stabbed through a hellhound. The silver in her eyes had reduced to a faint glow. Finally, they died all together.

She lashed out once more before dropping to one knee and gasping for breath. Her chest was throbbing. She could barely lift her arms.

Out of no where, the towering form of Kronos morphed out of the chaos. "I warned you." His thick scraping voice resounded through the battle field like a gong signaling her demise. He stood triumphantly before her, raising his scythe to finish it.

An arrow flew from the crowd and ricocheted off his neck, shattering into splinters.

Aubrey emerged from the battle, bow raised and aimed at Kronos' face. "If you want her, you'll have to go through us."

Two more half-bloods appeared, weapons at the ready. The pair of boys took up their position behind Aubrey, between Ali and the Titan.

Kronos chuckled. "Look who decided to be a hero."

"Yep." Aubrey scoffed. "Guess I finally came to my senses."

Kronos brandished his scythe. "That is a decision you will soon regret."

Aubrey tightened her grip on her bowstring and the boys lifted their swords. "Bring it on."

Kronos swung his scythe and the trio of Half-bloods ducked below the blade. A single cut from that weapon and they were done for.

Aubrey rolled across the ground, rose to her knees and fired an arrow at the titan's chest. It snapped against his skin.

Kronos smirked as he turned. "Did you really think that would work?" With a savage backhand, he smacked her to the ground. He raised his scythe, ready to end it.

"No!" One of the boys dove in front of Aubrey, lashing out with his sword.  The blade shattered against Kronos' stomach. The boy glared viciously at the titan.

Kronos flashed a wicked grin and brought down his scythe.

The boy jumped back, but the curved blade sliced through his breastplate and cut him across the chest. The wound was small, but he knew what it meant. He instantly paled. Gritting his teeth, he charged Kronos, tackling him to the ground and pinning his arms beside his head. "Go!" His voice was hoarse and his arms shook as his strength drained.

Ali grabbed Aubrey and shoved her forward.

The second boy stared at his friend in disbelief and shock.

Ali snatched him by the arm and dragged him away. The last thing they heard was a scream as the lord of time was lost in the chaos.

A/N
Day 5!!!
That was fun.
So, obviously Aubrey's getting a redemption arc. What do you guys think of her as a character? I was trying to portray one of the "bad guys" as a good person. Did I do it well? I wanted to show the two sides of the coin. On one hand, you have Luke, who acted out of anger and was a bit of a jerk. On the other, there's Aubrey, who has a good heart and cares about people, but is still technically a villain.
Well, that's it. I'll probably update again tomorrow. Good night/ day.
-Cheshire