CHAPTER XL:Enter Apollo, God Of Fun.

I had taken a morning walk to one of my favorite spots in Elysium. I sat under a tree by the same cliff side as always. I was going stir crazy just sitting in my bedroom waiting for school to start. It was freezing out here, but it was better than the silence my room held.

I looked off to the path to see some Roman soldiers in black clothes, and Roman armor over it, moving in patrols. I couldn't make out their helmets that well, but I knew what was probably on them. The mark of Hades, which is what made their plumes black.

In one patrol I saw the Strikers moving through in their five man group. Emily taking lead as always. The dead also patrolled about, but for the most part it was just the Romans.

"You ok?" A man called out from next to me.

I turned and saw Apollo, in his designer clothes, and his concerned bright green eyes.

"Yeah. Just going a bit crazy staying in my room. Also, I thought you weren't allowed in Elysium. You aren't one of the six." I said as Apollo took a seat next to me.

Immediately the area around my grew warm, and the snow forming around us melted away.

"The Twelve get special privileges when it comes to the Underworld. Ares visiting warriors, Hermès delivering mail, Dionysus to throw a good party when Persephone leaves, and me if a patient of mine is trying her best to get back in my hospital." Apollo said sarcastically, smiling at me.

"You know what. I'm praying to Artemis now." I said jokingly laughing.

"Ouch! Don't get on the Princess of the Underworld's bad side!" Apollo laughed along.

"Was it you who told Penny to say that?!" I asked through my laugh.

He nodded quickly, and I gave him a light punch in the arm.

"So how's it been down here? You know with your stepmom throwing the tantrum of the century, and Penny looking over your shoulder?" Apollo asked.

His smile faded into a look of sincere concern, it still didn't fit him at all, I was used to the general look of 'I'm a kid trapped in two thousand year old body' not this. Despite being a silly and fun god, he took his job seriously. Especially when it came to the health and well being of others.

"I've been good. Penny's a great nurse." I said happily, Apollo nodded, and silence fell on the cliff side.

"Apollo….what did my dad do to Thanatos?" I asked hesitantly scared to know the answer.

Apollo stared off at nothing for a moment then answered "Your dad was pissed when he saw what happened….and I don't blame him for doing what he did…..I would've done the same if he hadn't beat me to it…." Apollo looked at me for a moment.

Apollo's sweet and charming smile came out, and I could see in his eyes that he saw the twelve year old girl that was scared out of her mind when she first met him, before his face morphed into a look of despair "Your father tore his wings off after beating him with his bare hands….Thanatos looked like Hephaestus by the time your dad was done with him." Apollo said letting out a forced laugh at his joke.

"Oh gods…..I don't even think Ares holds that rage." I said surprised.

"Yeah…well I'll leave you to it. School starts in about an hour, and I wanna go pick on my little sister before then." Apollo said standing up.

"Aren't you guys twins?" I said watching him stand up.

"Still older!" He shouted jogging away.

I smiled slightly as the warmth that surrounded me went away. I pulled my jacket closed, rubbing my arms for warmth, time to head back to the castle I thought to myself.

I slowly moved back to Persephone's castle until a strong gust of cold wind knocked me off my feet. The last thing I heard was my name being called out, as I fell to the ground below.