The Son of Vulcan | ✓

I

Leo

Leo was happy to be returning to Camp Half-Blood. Apparently, so was Festus, who pretty much dive-bombed into the main field where campers were training, playing volleyball, and hanging out. Leo called over his shoulder to Calypso, "Don't throw up on me!" He was sure the poor girl couldn't hear him, but it was worth a try after the incident when they landed in Chicago.

Needless to say, the camp was dead silent when they landed. No bad pun intended.

Leo slid off of Festus' back to the ground. The campers were staring in stunned silence. Leo wanted to say something stupid, funny, or clever (or all three), but he could find anything to say except, "So, I'm actually alive." Or something awful along those lines. He made a mental note to build a machine to kick him later.

After two loud cries of his name, he was all but body slammed and nearly knocked to the ground by Annabeth Chase and Piper McLean. More arms wrapped around him, and he could sort of see Jason's blonde hair. He got knocked in the head with Percy's necklace, too.

Leo wanted to make a bad joke then, too. But after everything that had happened, he couldn't find it in himself to.

Piper and Annabeth had tears streaming down their faces-so did Jason and Percy, he noticed-but Piper still smacked him upside the head. Nico di Angelo was staring at him in amazement. "But-but you died! I sensed it!"

Leo smiled. "That physician's cure worked pretty well. I wouldn't recommend the experience, though. That really sucked. Actually, I think that dying-"

"Don't you dare make a joke about this, Leo Valdez." Piper snapped, scrubbing at her face with her jacket sleeve. "I'm so mad at you."

Leo grinned. "Sorry, Beauty Queen."

"Sorry doesn't cover it."

Jason clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Where have you been?"

Leo shrugged. "Oh, you know. Here, there. Kind of everywhere."

"Define everywhere," Annabeth said. "That's a little broad."

"A little?" Percy laughed.

Annabeth shoved him. "Shut up, Seaweed Brain."

"Well," Leo said. "It's a bit of a long story. Hey, speaking of. I need to introduce you guys to my new-ish friend. Calypso!"

She poked her head around Festus. "You're going to have to help me get down. Remember last time?"