DISCLAIMER: I do not own PJO, HoO, Star Wars, or any other familiar references in this story. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Of Crowns and Cookies

Epilogue

Hedge's first words when he saw the prince didn't surprise Percy one bit.

"You look different, Your Highness."

"And you're still just as handsome, Hedge." Percy grinned at him. "I feel different."

And that wasn't a lie. Sure, he was tired from all that was going on lately, but he was different in the sense that… well, he felt like he grew up. His remaining months at the academy and everything that's been going on in his life made sure of that.

What was new? For starters, there was his group of friends and their newfound mission to figure out what was going on inside the academy. Leo had jokingly called themselves "Chiron's Army" and had even offered to make a logo for them. The Ceprione prince was that enthusiastic that no one bothered to complain, but since the school still wasn't allowing any forms of activity in relation to the events with Luke, they were trying hard to keep the thing as quiet as possible.

That's why they were only slowly growing. They've only told people they thought they could trust and could actually help with their cause. Aside from the original people in Chiron's classroom that night, they've talked to Annabeth's brother Malcolm and Jason's older sister Thalia.

The most interesting part was that… well, what Jason said that first night became true. Everyone was slowly forgetting about Luke and the events projected in the holo-cast, which was both a good thing and a bad thing for them. For obvious reasons, it sucked that no one else was taking Luke's words seriously, but at least everyone left them alone.

For instance, it wasn't really an unusual sight to see Percy Jackson training hard at the gym anymore. People just assumed that he was working twice as hard lately because of his encounter with Luke, which was sort of true. But at least no one bothered to question why Jason and Leo were frequenting the gym, too, or why Mr. Brunner would whip out his saber when no one's ever seen him do that before. Of course, there was also Piper and Annabeth who had taken an interest to learning the ropes of dueling, but people probably just assumed that had something to do with their respective boyfriends.

He and his friends were starting to become actually good at the whole dueling thing. They really needed a training room of their own before things started to get suspicious.

Oh, and yeah. There was Annabeth.

Did he need to say more, really? The girl was a walking goddess, and Percy was glad that he's the one who's able to hold her hand and kiss her when no one's looking. She kept him sane in the midst of everything.

"Well," Hedge said, bringing Percy out of his reverie. "I hope you're ready to go home. Little Tyson's waiting for you."

Percy smiled at the mention of his new little sibling. A few seconds later, Hedge grabbed Percy's luggage bags and loaded them onto the cruiser with the Aspyros symbol. Percy chose this moment to turn around from the ship and stare at the academy once more.

He would only be gone for less than three months, so why did his heart feel heavy?

Hedge must've noticed the prince's somberness because he chuckled lightly, placing a hand on Percy's shoulder. "I see a lot has changed. You look reluctant to leave."

"Well," Percy sighed, facing their ship once more. "It has been home for the past year."

"Look at you. The school did wonders for you." Hedge smiled at him. "Don't worry, kiddo. You're going back."

But not everything lasts, Percy, the prince remembered Chiron saying.

Nothing lasts… but he still had three more years at the academy.

Percy managed to grin.

"I sure will, Hedge."

End of "Of Crowns and Cookies"

This is by far the most bizarre fic I've ever written. Thank you so much for reading and for keeping up with me! See you in "Of Royalties and Responsibilities"!

:)

-YJ