A/N: I love my Apollo. I love this piece.

Bring Him Back

Apollo panted as he leaned against his sword's hilt, feeling it sink into the stomach of Caligula. The former Roman emperor sagged forward, bloodied and armless. His mouth closed to Apollo's left ear. "Using demigods to do your dirty work. How godly of you." Caligula spat out. Apollo grit his teeth and leaned in harder, digging his sword deeper. The dying man coughed, flecks of blood splattering Apollo's face.

"Stay dead this time." Apollo grunted, kicking the corpse off his sword. Caligula fell in a dead thud. The light from his dark cruel eyes dimmed. It felt like a weight lifted from Apollo's shoulders as he leaned back, using his sword to hold himself up. He looked towards his allies. Frank crouched in his large wolf form with Caligula's bloody right arm in his mouth. Blood matted his silver fur giving him a fierce look but his large brown eyes softened. The wolf trotted over to Reyna.

Reyna pushed herself up from the floor. Her bare legs covered with ash, dirt and dry blood. The left sleeve of her shirt tore right off, revealing lean arms. Her signature braid came undo, slowly unraveling. Frank bumped his wolf head against her face tenderly. She wrapped her arms tightly around his furry neck, fingers digging into his warmth. Apollo's eyes softened at his friends who grew to be his family on this quest. He took a step towards them.

"So, " Apollo started, dragging his sword against the stone floor. "Who's gonna clean up this me-" The world shifted, twisted and transformed in front of Apollo's eyes. The dark throne room wrapped into a well-lit open space with tall marble columns of Greek influence. The bodies swept away, replaced by small tables with fresh fruit and wine. Apollo's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword. I know this room.

"My, my, my. Do my eyes deceive me?" A syrupy sweet voice greeted as they stepped out from behind a wide pillar. A slender finger ran across the cool stone. Aphrodite chose blonde curls to frame her alluring face. Plump lips curled up in a smile that looked beautiful but felt cold. "Didn't expect to see you so soon, Apollo. You look well."

He was about to respond when other gods and goddesses started to materialize into the Hall of Gods. Ares kicked in, huffing as he straightened his leather jacket and dark sunglasses. Artemis strolled, head held high with branches and leaves weaved into her dark hair. Hades appeared silently, uninterested as he sat in a seat at the edge of the group. Curious gazes took in Apollo's mortal form and his demigod companions. His skin crawled from their burning gazes, sensing the judgement. His eyes narrowed at the god who stood above the rest, approaching the one who took his powers.

Zeus looked uninterested as he focused on adjusting the cuff of his suit jacket. His dark hair brushed back with a tasteful amount of silver hair threaded in. The sword dragged against the marble intentionally piercing the room with a sharp scraping sound. "You'll leave a mark." Zeus commented, finally looking up.

As I should. Apollo thought angrily but didn't voice. These trials taught him over and over again how weak his mortal body is. But now standing in front of Zeus, it was clear. The god radiated power, unaffected by the events in the mortal world.

We're pieces on a board. Moved by your invisible hands. Reyna's voice echoed in Apollo's mind, recalling when they first met that sad and tragic day. She stood in the dark Principa, looking out to the hills. A clear and visible plume of smoke cutting through the blue sky. New Rome was quiet, mourning for their lost son. The day was too nice for a funeral. She cradled a knight in her fingertips, rotating the piece somberly. You gods are unfazed when we fall. No reactions when we don't get up. What an existence. She set the piece on its side.

What did I say to you then, Reyna? Apollo pondered as he met Zeus' gaze. Am I like him?

"Give me what I'm due, Zeus." Apollo demanded, forcing his voice not to quiver.

"One wish." Zeus answered, gaze narrowing. Apollo clenched his teeth. Zeus is going to make him beg, ask graciously for his prize. Make me a god. Give me my power back. Make me strong. Make me whole again.

Apollo took a breath, about to say those words but hesitated. The air tasted sweet in his mortal lungs. His heart thumped rapidly against his sore ribs. His body, battered, bleeding and bruised, but alive. He's alive. Not trapped in this endless cycle of immortality. What do I want? Apollo thought, turning away from his father to look at his ragtag group.

Frank transformed back, leaning heavily against Reyna. Maintaining a form for so long must have sapped him of his strength. Blood coated his mouth but he was too tired to wipe it clean. His eyes closed, head resting on Reyna's shoulders.

Reyna, on the other hand, stood alert, tense waiting for the other shoe to drop. Her arm wrapped around Frank's waist, ready to drag her taller heavier friend out if she needed too. She met Apollo's gaze. He expected judgement, resentment or anger in her dark eyes but instead, he saw sadness and understanding.

Reyna is your crux, Apollo. Aphrodite's warning whispered into his ear. She will strip you of your powers. Leave you bare and weak. Those words haunted him. Her name hung over his head like a guillotine threatening to chop it off. But after enduring so many trials with her and Frank, the threat fell short. Reyna may be my weakness but I'm giving them up on my terms.

Apollo turned back to his father, straightening up to his full height. Cold judgemental blue eyes stared down at him, waiting. The same blue eyes Jason inherited from him. Those eyes were warm on the demigod boy, the boy who would do anything for his friends.

"Bring him back." Apollo said, watching Zeus closely. Zeus' eyes crinkled in confusion. Was Jason just a footnote in this being's long life? Anger bubbled in Apollo's chest. "Bring back Jason Grace." He shouted, the words rippling through the room. A bewildering silence fell over the crowd, processing Apollo's words before soft rapid whispering followed.

"Is Apollo giving up his powers?"

"He's going to stay mortal?"

"The boy is dead. He can't. Can he?"

"Well this got interesting."

"I know you can." Apollo added, pushing himself up with his sword. Zeus sighed, turning his head looking towards Hades. The god of the underworld lifted an eyebrow but made no move to speak. Zeus' lips curled downwards.

"You know what you're giving up, Apollo. You will stay a mortal to bring a boy back." Apollo's rage flared at the coldness of Zeus' words. His fingers tightened around his sword. Oh how he wanted to swing it at Zeus' head, god or not. His arms sat limped by his sides. Apollo couldn't move. He's physically drained. He's amazed he hasn't collapsed yet.

"He's your son, Zeus." The words started as a whisper before gradually gaining volume. "He shouldn't be dead. A hero in one prophecy, a sacrifice in another? Are we so cruel? This is how gods treat their heroes, no, our children? Our flesh and blood? I don't want to be a god."

Apollo looked at Frank and Reyna who stood there with wide open eyes. He smiled genuinely. He wouldn't mind spending one good life with them. "I lived so long enough, so many lifetimes it feels meaningless. Give us Jason back. Return him home. That's my wish, old man."