Annabeth reached up to grab the next ledge; she was almost to the top. She pulled herself up and placed her foot on the step below her. She jumped to the side and just narrowly dodged a spout of lava. She looked down for a second and spotted Percy a foot or two below her. He grinned up at her.

Just a few more feet, she thought to herself.

She was finally at the top of the climbing wall. She stood proudly at the top and waited for Percy.

She looked out over Long Island and her gaze was drawn to the ocean. She remembered countless times walking along that beach with her Seaweed Brain. She looked out at the endless sea, and she could have sworn she saw the golden glint of Festus over the ocean.

A moment later Percy was at the top with her. He took her hand in his and joined her in gazing into the distance.

Annabeth saw it again; that golden glow that looked like their old dragon friend.

"Percy! Did you see that?" Annabeth said, tugging on his sleeve.

"See what?" He asked, his eyes searching the horizon.

"I thought I saw... Never mind."

"Okay... Well I have a surprise for you." Percy turned and whistled. Suddenly a mix of black fur and feathers came hurtling at them. Blackjack landed on the wall in front of them. Percy untied a basket from his saddle and said, "Thanks man." The Pegasus neighed in reply and flied back to the stables.

Percy sat down and Annabeth followed. He opened the basket and pulled out a small plastic box; the kind you get at "to go" restaurants. Inside was a simple piece of cake with blue frosting and a strawberry on top. He also took out two forks and handed one to her.

"What is all this for?" Annabeth asked.

"It's a celebratory cake for our plans for the future." He stated and pilled cake on his fork.

Annabeth took a bite and sighed in contentment. A few days after they had defeated Gaea she and Percy had discussed what they would do next. They planned it all out: they were going to do their senior year of high school at a school in New York, then go to college together in New Rome. Reyna had personally invited them and had promised that they wouldn't be attacked for being Greek.

If everything worked out, they were supposed to start school in a few weeks, but as demigods things rarely did.

There it was again; the bronze dragon flying their way. She could see it clearly this time, so she knew it was actually Festus or she was going insane. It was quickly coming towards them, and... and on his back.....

Annabeth shot up, "Percy!!!" She pointed toward the dragon.

Percy stood just as fast, " Oh gods... Is that Leo?!"

They looked at each other, then they whistled at the same time. Blackjack came flying up and the moment he landed, the two were on his back.

"Okay buddy I need you to fly us down to the pavilion as fast as you can!" Percy said quickly.

Blackjack neighed and began to fly. They soared downward and landed in the grass.

They dismounted and ran onto the pier over the lake.

The bronze dragon had almost reached them. The person seated on Festus- supposedly Leo- waved down at them.

"Oh my gods..." I murmured.

Festus landed in a bare field of grass next to the lake. Annabeth was already running toward them. She noticed that there were actually two people on the dragon but she was focused on the one closest to her, the jokester, the one everyone thought was dead, Leo.

The moment his feet were on the ground Annabeth tackled him in a hug. Leo hugged her back until she pulled away.

" You can't be here. You died-"

Leo grinned, "Well I better hope I'm not dead. If I was I wouldn't be able to introduce you to my girl."

Annabeth for the first time turned her attention to the girl still mounted on Festus. Leo helped her down and said to Annabeth, "Meet my Sunshine, this is Calypso."