Falling Backwards (A Heroes of Olympus AU and Fanficton)

Chapter 1

****This chapter is gonna be shorter than the rest of them, just so I can set up the plot for the story. You can skip this chapter if you want to, you just might be slightly confused as to what's happening in the next chapter.****

The Gods watched in sympathy as the young man howled in pain at the loss of his love. She was gone forever. The beautiful Calypso, lost. The Gods had seen everything taken from this young man; his mother, his normal life, his dragon, and now his love. Though they tried their best not to get involved with mortal affairs, it was painful for them to watch as Leo Valdez wept over the lifeless body of Calypso.

"Father, as much as I wish to remain impartial to mortal lives, is this not too far?" Apollo asked, guilt gnawing at him as he watched the moral cry. After all, he and Hermes were the most human of the Olympians, and Hermes was clearly trying his best to hold back tears. Zeus turned to glare at his son.

"Apollo, never question the Sisters of Fate. Especially not Atropos, for she knows of those who dare speak ill of her and her Sisters."

"I understand, father, but does that mean we are to sit by and watch as another shred of hope is ripped from this poor mortal's grasp? And how are we to explain this to his father? Hephaestus will be furious if we do nothing!"

Gradually, the other Gods agreed that one of the saviors of Olympus deserved better than this. Finally, Zeus gave in.

"Alright." He sighed. "We will interfere. But we must find a way to do so without angering the Sisters of Fate and without breaking the laws of death." Silence followed his statement, because as much as the Gods had agreed on wanting to help Leo Valdez, none of them had any real ideas as to how.

The light, carefree voice of a little girl was heard throughout the throne room.

"Father, perhaps I may be of some assistance."

Zeus smiled at his daughter Hebe as he picked her up and placed her on his lap.

"And what is your idea, my daughter?" Hebe began to mumble something, but Zeus said, "Hebe, you must be louder for the rest of us to hear." Hebe nodded, giggling softly.

"Maybe we could give the mortal a second chance at his life. I know that his mother was taken away from him at an early age by the Earth Mother, and his life spiraled out of control after that." Hebe paused for a moment, then continued. "Perhaps another chance at childhood?"

Silence fell in the throne room of the Gods as they pondered Hebe's suggestion. Then, slowly, the Gods each nodded their heads in approval.

"How do you propose we go about this?" Athena asked. "We can't just leave a child in the middle of nowhere and expect it to count as a second chance at a normal life."

"I could use my powers and make him a tiny little human again, and we can give him to a family that will take care of him forever."

"The family should have some Godly blood in them, or else they won't understand when his abilities are developing." Artemis said.

"The family should be of people he trusts, so he's comfortable with them. We don't need him freaking out as soon as he sees them." Demeter added.

"Very well then." Zeus announced. "It's settled. We shall have Hebe make Leo Valdez young again, and we shall place him in the care of a demigod family that we know he trusts." Zeus then spoke directly to his daughter who still sat on his lap. "Work your magic."