Mystery Iris Messenger

Twenty Seven

Apollo opened the door to see a mop of messy black hair. The boy standing there had bright green eyes and a sad smile. Apollo's breath caught in his throat as he began to cry.

Percy was here.

He was alive.

He was okay.

"Apollo," Percy whispered out. "I'm so sorry. I should have came quicker."

"Oh no, Percy," Apollo pulled him into a hug. "I would have rather you return later in life than never at all. But how?"

~~~

Percy's POV (flashback)

"That's all we have to do?" I asked skeptically. "We aren't going to have to win at Whack-A-Mole or something? He's just going to tell us how to escape?"

"Ashtin owes me a whole bunch of stuff," Casey assured. "He'll be willing to take us." I just nodded and we began our walk through the Field of Asphodel. After what was about a year in Underworld time, we walked up to a person leaning against a tree.

"Wha' y'all want?" he asked in a heavily accented voice. "I don't got all day."

"Ashtin, I need you to take us to Hades castle," Casey said with a venomous tone. Ashtin's left eye twitched as he heard the command.

"Very well," he said, "but it'll take so many years to break through the Field's barriers to get there. Are you sure y'all can 'andle it?" We both nodded and we began walking.

Years later and we reached a garden. I remembered when I came down here during my first quest. Persephone hasn't changed her flower preferences in years.

"'Member," Ashtin began, "if y'all can make it past Cerberus and continue living for a year, then y'all will be alive again. If not, y'all gonna be down here again." With that Ashtin began the walk back.

Eventually we did it. We made it past Cerberus and got ourselves back to the real world.

For the better half of a year, we lied low, gaining strength that we would need. I was more worried about putting Casey in danger since she isn't a demigod, but she told me not to worry to much about her.

The next two years or so had been spent tracking down the Hunters of Artemis. That was . . . painful to say the least. But at least we managed to get Casey and Thalia to at least meet once again. I'm not too sure Thalia was too happy to see me, but at least the arrow she threw at me only slightly punctured my arm. But hey, it was out of cousinly love.

After having a long, awkward talk, Casey returned, saying that Artemis will allow her to come with them until they find somewhere safe. Then encouraged me to find my way to Apollo.

And that's exactly what I did. I didn't stop looking until that small cabin came into view. A knot was in my gut because I didn't know if Apollo stayed there. I didn't know if he really wanted to see me again. Heck, he probably wouldn't even remember me.

But I forced myself to go up and knock on the door.

~~~End of Flashback~~~

It was late at night and Apollo and I were laying in bed. His arm was wrapped around me protectively. Before I let myself drift off into a peaceful sleep, I said a silent prayer, hoping that this wasn't just a dream.

I don't think I've ever been so happy to wake up in the morning.

A note was laying on my stomach, and I picked it up to read it.

Perseus Jackson,

I, Zeus, would like to announce that you have been blessed with immortality.

Third Person POV

Percy looked over to where Apollo was still sleeping and smiled to himself. Now he would never have to worry about leaving Apollo.

Now Percy was glad that his suicide attempt had failed.

Now Percy was glad that he had been contacted by that Mystery Iris Messenger oh so long ago.

Because now things were exactly how they should be. He was laying next to Apollo and he was happy for the first time in what feels like forever.

The end

Thank you all so much for reading this. Also, I'm not saying any facts, but there miiiighttttt be another Percollo fic in the future.