The Future of Camp (COMPLETED)

Battle

Eva clutched the back of Leo's shirt, trying to keep her hands from shaking. She, Leo, and Festus flew over the army, with Percy on Blackjack just below them.

They had chariots, automatons, every weapon they could think of. Their biggest problem was that most of their weapons were made for killing monsters, so typically Celestial bronze, which wouldn't hurt a mortal. They'd had to find every scrap of steel possible: Festus had been given new teeth and claws, which all had sharp steel interiors lined with Celestial bronze.

A day and a half of marching later, with a break to sleep, Washington DC was in sight. Eva shivered a little, even though Festus was basically a giant heater. All other negotiations had failed. This was their chance to either prevent or spark a war between heroes and mortals.

"Anna, listen," Leo said. "In case this goes incredibly wrong, I just want to say I love you. So, um. I love you."

Her breath caught in her throat and she kissed the edge of his jaw, most of what she could reach while sitting behind him. "I love you, too."

All too soon, the White House was in sight. Percy and Blackjack landed, while Festus veered off to the side in order to sneak behind the building. They landed right behind it just as they heard the whirring of military helicopters. Leo and Eva dismounted, Leo flipped the switch behind Festus's leg to turn him into a suitcase, and they hid in the bushes. Eva silently prayed that they wouldn't be spotted.

After a moment, they heard the president's voice over the loudspeakers that mostly likely were installed for speeches. Eva couldn't control herself anymore and started shaking again at her father's voice. Leo hugged her and she buried her face in his neck, closing her eyes and waiting for Chiron's signal.

"Stand down," President Johnson demanded. "I have the Air Force waiting to destroy all of you."

Eva flipped the switch on the suitcase, which unfolded itself to become Festus. They mounted and waited for Chiron's cue to take off.

"Right," Chiron's voice came. "Of course. But we have a little surprise for your Air Force."

Leo clicked his tongue and Festus took off, pausing to hover just above the President and his Cabinet. Eva whistled, and President Johnson looked up...

Her stomach plummeted into her shoes. He looked the same way he had the day he'd sent her away.

He probably doesn't even recognize you, she reminded herself.

She took a malicious pleasure in the way his face contorted in fear. "What is that thing?" His voice was notably high pitched.

Festus whirred. Leo patted his neck. "Festus doesn't like being called a thing."

"Who would?" Eva looked back down. "SET YOUR AIR FORCE ON US! FESTUS WILL DESTROY THEM IN A HEARTBEAT!"

Festus spat a little warning flame.

Eva met Chiron's eyes in a silent request for permission. He nodded slightly, and she leaned forward. "Leo, bring me lower."

"Are you sure?" His eyes filled with concern.

Her arms tightened around his stomach. "Yeah. I'm sure."

He breathed a long sigh. "Okay. Be careful." He cued Festus to dive (which got several satisfying shrieks from the mortals), and she jumped from about 15 feet, landing easily on her feet in a crouch, then straightened up and pushed her hair out of her eyes.

"Hey, Pops."

His lips parted. "Eva?"

She scowled, crossing her arms. "It's Evanna to you." She nodded to Leo, who pulled back up and circled around.

"What are you doing here?"

"Protecting my home. The home that you're attacking."

"You are a threat to us!"

Eva nodded. "Right. Why haven't we attacked you before then? Explain that."

President Johnson opened and closed his mouth a few times. Eva smirked, then looked up and nodded at Leo, who swooped down. She held up her hand for him to catch her, but before he did, the president said one word: "Fire." She heard a gunshot, felt a sharp pain in her stomach, and was barely aware of falling to the pavement before her eyes blinked closed and she fell unconscious.

LEO

Leo jumped off of his dragon into the middle of the battle, where Anna lay unconscious on the pavement, blood soaking through her Camp Half-Blood shirt. His blood pounding in his ears, he fell on his knees at her side and picked up her wrist, checking her pulse. Thank the gods, she was still alive.

Will Solace ran up to them. "Come on, let's get her away from the battle." Without another word, the son of Apollo scooped her up and ran off with her to the side of the building. Leo shouted at Festus to join the battle before following.

By the time Will had put Anna on the ground, her breathing had slowed alarmingly. Will grabbed his first-aid kit and started doing everything he could to remove the bullet from her stomach while Leo held her hand, begging her to stay alive. Then the color drained from her face and her chest stopped rising and falling. Will placed a finger under her jaw, checking her pulse, and shook his head.

She was dead.