Heroes of Olympus: The Aftermath of War

HAZEL

*Rick Riordan owns all of the characters*

HAZEL'S SPIRITS SANK WHEN she saw the not-so-godly Apollo descend---rather, be dumped---in front of them as the dome of the sky closed, probably saying, "In ya face, demigods!" while Zeus and the other Olympians laughed their hearts out back in Mount Olympus.

Seriously, couldn't they ask someone else for the job? Like, "Gee, kids, mind if you guys take care of this problem for us? Thanks. Try not to die!"

But noooo. Those dudes just had to choose them again, eh?

Great chances for a normal life, really.

Annabeth and Percy awkwardly disentangled themselves from Bob and Damasen, wiping the tears from their bloodshot eyes and obviously struggling to keep a poker face whilst moving towards the deity-transformed-teen.

Honestly, though, Apollo didn't even look like Apollo.

His human version had curly brown hair, even though the Greeks had always depicted the god as blond and shiny by birth (but immortals could change form, so who knows?). The guy was too skinny for his own good, insisting that 'flabby muscles' were, "Not part of the punishment at all, Father!".

You could tell that he hated his acne (partly because he moaned and declared it out to the entire dimention) and refused to take a second glance at the mirror. He took pity on himself ever since falling quite 'handsomely' on the ground.

Hazel wasn't sure if she'd hate him or take pity on him. The first option was very tempting.

The demigods sighed, looked at Leo and Calypso, then turned to face the others. Hazel immediately knew that something was up.

"Uh...does anyone know about this?" Jason asked, exactly on cue, staring at the Olympian's funny 'currently in-horror' face.

"I do." Annabeth confessed, shaking her head. "Artemis sent me a dream. Percy, Leo, and Calypso are also aware of the---er, situation."

"A quest---favor, of all things. The goddess wouldn't take no for an answer." Leo inserted, rolling his eyes. "So she just...poof. Vanished. Annabeth didn't even have time to say 'no'."

"What a charming lady, honestly." Percy said sarcastically, frowning. "Gets what she wants through leaving halfbloods with her problems."

"Can't we have a raffle instead?" Frank moaned. "The winners get to help the gods and losers leave with normal lives?"

"Diana isn't fond of spin-the-wheel and raffles, Frank," Jason pointed out. "She doesn't even have a sense of humor. Literally."

"My sister has two sides, yes, but she currently isn't Diana, halfbrother." Apollo corrected, seeing Jason wince. "You, of all people, should know the difference between Roman and Greek."

"But---" Jason began.

"Okay!" Piper interrupted, clapping her hands once for attention. "Before we begin the usual family drama and all, who'd like to explain this demigod dream detail by detail?"

"I'll do it." Annabeth sighed. "Gladly."

The daughter of Athena led them towards two empty picnic tables surrounded with joggers, tourists, and families doing everyday activities: exercising, taking memorable pictures, playing, the usual. Hazel slightly envied them. Halfbloods like her never got the easy life. People hated her because she was a freak. And despite all of this, the Ancient Greeks and Romans thought being a demigod was cool? See if they try.