I'm back! Haha…I'm just gonna stop making promises and let ya read. We all know by now of my inconsistency. By the way, I apologize if the chapter is bad and you waited so long. So, yeah, sorry.

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO or YJ

Jackson Apartment

August 18th

"It's funny," Remarks Percy as we stand outside on our apartment fire escape, staring out at the city skyline, "Who would've thought that in order to bathe in the River Styx, you need your mother's permission to do so."

"Me," I state, "But that's because I listen to Chiron's lessons."

Percy rolls his eyes at me, but drags his gaze back to the city. The city lights glimmer like jewels in the night, "Do you ever wish you were fully mortal?" He asks suddenly.

"And no gods attached?" I smirk.

Percy nods, eyes drawn to something below our apartment. I furrow my eyebrows, trying to catch a glance at what's spotted his attention, but can't seem to find anything. "Why?"

"I just…" Percy pauses, and I see it. A couple strolls slowly down our block, no care in the world as they swing intertwined hands, laughing about something neither Percy and I can hear. My gaze softens at the son of Poseidon, who stares longingly at the pair of people.

"Sometimes," I admit, turning quickly so Percy won't see I've noticed his staring, "Sometimes, I think about what life would be like if I were normal."

"I wish I were mortal." Says Percy, looking at me, "And I feel terrible about it. Everyone thinks I'm this strong leader, and yet, all I want to do sometimes, is just disappear." He drops his head in his hands and laughs, "Gods, I'm so stupid."

"Hey," I pull his shoulder so he's staring at me, "It's not stupid."

"That's not what Annabeth would say."

"Well, I'm not Annabeth." I say, leaning against the railing, "And frankly, I think she would agree with me."

"And why's that?" He states wryly.

"Because craving a bit of normalcy is not something to feel ashamed about," My cheeks flush, "I used to do it all the time. How do you think I ever worked up the courage to run away from my father and all the Shadows?"

Percy looks away, "Oh."

"Yeah," I turn back to the city, "I used to crave a perfect family and tried to fix mine all the time when I was younger." My hands clench the railing tightly, "Unfortunately, the rest of my relatives didn't have the same sentiment."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine," I smile at Percy, "I found you and Sally in the end, and while you guys aren't picture perfect-"

"Hey!"

"-I still wouldn't ask for anything else."

Percy smirks, "Are you sure?"

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No," Percy laughs, but becomes silent after a while, "Do you…do you think the Gods will leave us alone after the war?"

I hesitate before I answer, "Percy-"

"Because it's what it's what I wished for when I blew out the candles." The son of Poseidon avoids my gaze, "So, do you think Fate might work in our favor? Do you think the Gods will leave us alone?"

I bite my lip, "I-I wish, but…no."

Percy sighs inaudibly, "Well, Happy Birthday to me, then."

"Happy Birthday, to you." I agree, as a breeze rustles my hair and causes goosebumps to flare across my arms. I squeeze Percy's shoulder, moving past him to where the window is, "I'm gonna head in, you coming?"

Percy shakes his head, "No, I'm gonna stay a bit."

"Okay."

I give Percy one last look, taking in his still form against the bright city skyline. Beside him, Calypso's sprig of moonlace thrives beneath the moon. Almost tenderly, I watch as Percy strokes the flower's petals before I'm slipping inside our room.

Sleep takes me soon after.

I scream as the rocks come crashing down, smothering me in their unbearable heat. Their hard and scratchy surfaces press me sharply to the floor and I cry from the burns they embed into my skin. My fingers dig helplessly into the dirt, while dust invades my lungs.

"ARTEMIS!" Screams Annabeth, barely audible over the roar of Mount St. Helens, "ARTEMIS!"

Mouth open, I try to mimic her scream but fail in producing anything higher than a whimper. My legs burn from running and I can barely move a muscle beneath the weight of the rocks that have collapsed on top of me. A fresh wave of terror courses through me as I realize this may be it.

This is how I was going to die. In an obscure tunnel of the Labyrinth, crushed by burning rocks.

Angry tears course down my face, but my energy continues to wane as I strain against the weight on top of me and I barely hear the whisper of Annabeth apologizing before the tell-tale sound of deserting footsteps reaches my ears. 'NO!' I mentally scream, muscles tired of trying, 'NO! COME BACK!'

But she doesn't.

Sobs wrack my body, muffled by the barrier currently crushing me. Reality sinks into my crumpled body, as it hits me that I was alone, with noboby to save me. Hysteria bites at the edges of my mind as the past ten minutes invade my brain.

The volcano...

Percy screaming...

The explosion...

And me, stuck beneath a deathly entrapment of rocks with no plan of escape.

The ground trembles violently beneath my fingertips, causing the rocks to shift painfully on top of me. The world explodes into color and suddenly, I'm screaming before my vision goes black.

Mount Justice

August 19th

I watch as Connor throws punch at Kaldur. Not surprisingly, Kaldur fluidly ducks beneath the Kryptonian's fists before placing his own jabs in the less experienced boy's ribs. Swiftly, Kaldur brings up his other fist for a hit, but Connor moves before it can land, causing the Atlantean to stumble. His balance is regained quickly though as he spins himself into a kick, catching the Krytonian in the nose and causing me to wince.

Beside me, Megann hisses in sympathetic pain, "Ouch." She says.

"Agreed." I say, my eyes tracking Connor's twisting form. "But he seems to be fairing pretty well."

Megann nods, "He really has gotten better."

"He might actually have a chance too." I say conversationally, "I mean, it's pretty obvious what Kaldur's tactic is."

"Really?" Inquires the martian, her eyes glued on the match "How do you know?"

I smile and point to Kaldur, "He's trying to intimidate Connor right now. He's putting up this big front of gymnastics to confuse his opposition. It's smart to use against a rookie like Connor, considering it's a bit hard to contemplate your opponent's next move when they're flipping all around, but if Connor is able to throw off Kaldur's rhythm, well…it's end game for our fish friend."

Megann laughs at my comment, "Fish friend?"

"He has gills, Megann."

She just continues laughing.

I roll my eyes, but find myself smiling too. "Hey," I say suddenly, drawing the attention of the martian again, "What do you think about Kaldur?"

"What do you mean?" Asks Megann in a confused voice still filled with mirth. Spotting my thoughtful gaze though, her reddish-brown eyes bounce between the sparring teen and me nervously.

"I mean," I clarify, "That Kaldur's pretty decent looking, in a commanding sort of way, ya know?"

"Oh." Megann blinks owlishly, "I've never really noticed until you said it actually."

"Really?"

"Yes, why?"

I smirk, twisting a braid into my hair as I relay my plan to her, "Well, I think you should ask him out."

Megann bursts into a fit of giggles and I frown, "What?"

"N-nothing." Megann snorts, only to dissolve into another burst of hysteria at my expression, "It's just, Kaldur is like a brother to me!"

"…Are you sure?"

"Yes! Besides, I already like somebody else."

My eyes widen as I spin eagerly to the other girl, "Who!?"

Megann blushes, "Somebody."

"Megann!" I whine, "Come on!"

She shakes her head before smiling wickedly, looking at something beyond my shoulder, "Hey, what do you think about Wally?"

My eyes widen with horror, "Ew, Megann."

"What? I think you two would be cute together. I mean, you're so full of passion and he's-"

"-a pig." I finish, disgusted as I spot the speedster shoving a hot dog down his throat, "Look at him! How is that not revolting!?"

Megann opens her mouth to argue my point when a large thud steals our attention. Surprised, we both turn to the training mat where Connor is breathing heavily over a sprawled out Kaldur.

"FAIL, AQUALAD." Announces the computer triumphantly, as Kaldur groans. Connor wipes his hands, grinning smugly at his win, "Black Canary taught me that." He says.

I whoop for the super teen while Megann cheers next to me, whispering "You were right, Connor did have a chance!"

Amused, the super teen turns to the pair of us and cocks an eyebrow at Megann, "You didn't think I'd win?"

Megann's face flushes and she stammers, "W-what!? No! I was just pointing out that Artemis was right earlier! Not that I didn't have faith in you earlier, either! Oh, no, no! Its just that-"

I place a hand on Megann's shoulder, her face filled with embarrassment. "I think he understands Megann." I say and flash a blinding smile, worthy of my father, at Connor, who's still staring expectingly at us, "You did great Connor."

He grins back, "Thanks, Artemis."

My cheeks heat up and I bite my tongue, ignoring the flurry of butterflies that have erupted in my stomach, "No problem."

Suddenly, there's a loud whirl of wind as Red Tornado flies down from his hole or, er, apartment. At least, that's what Robin told me the ceiling compartment was for last time I asked him. He calls it, and I quote, 'The Bot Cave'.

"RT!" Cries Wally, as he speeds over to the descending robot, "Do you have a mission for us!?"

Red Tornado stares at the boy, a slight hum reverberating through his helmet like a sigh, "Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility."

"Yeah, well," Responds the restless speedster, "The Batman is with the Robin doing the Dynamic Dou thing in Gotham, but your headed somewhere right? Hot date or a...a mission?"

Red Tornado looks at the rest of us assembled near the speedster.

"Were bored." I state simply to the automation and Wally elbows me hard in the ribs, whispering harshly, "Way to take the fun out of it!"

I roll my eyes.

Staring at us a second longer, RT turns away, pulling up a dozen holograms. A bunch of data I can't read comes up along with a picture of an elderly man. Something in the back of my head tugs, like a distant memory.

"Hey," I say unconsciously, squinting at the man's face, remembering a glimpse of it from some place or another, "...I think I know him."

Curious glances are thrown my way as Red Tornado speaks. "Perhaps you've seen his alter ego as this is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is one-hundred and six years old-"

Wally does a wolf whistle and cackles, "Man, Punzel, didn't think you were into older men."

"Can I hit him?" I ask nobody.

"No." Responds Kaldur.

I pout but continue listening.

"-And he has been missing for twenty-three days." Finishes RT, throwing up a new hologram. "Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society the precursor of your mentor's Justice League."

My mind is blank as the new picture of Mr. Nelson surfaces. Instead of being frail and elderly, Kent Nelson now takes the identity of a hero in navy blue with a gold cape and helmet. My hands begin to shake at the image and I frown, quickly hiding them in my arms as I cross them.

What the Ha-

"-he was Doctor Fate!"

My eyes snap to Kaldur and back to Red Tornado as he continues to speak, "Kent may simply be on one of his walkabouts, but he is caretaker to the Helmet of Fate, the source of the Doctor's mystic might. It is unwise to leave such power unguarded."

"He is like the great sorcerer priests and sorcerer priestess of Mars!" Chimes in Megann, a tone of awe in her voice, "I would be beyond honored to help find him!"

"Me too!" Wally shouts, before clearing his throat, noticing our expressions, "I mean, I'd be so honored, I can barely stand it! Magic rocks!"

I scoff at his wording, "Aren't you like, some devote scientist? You know, no faith in the supernatural, or anything? Doesn't that apply to magic, Baywatch?"

Wally's face screws up in disgust, "Oh, and who exactly told you that?"

"Robin."

"Robin!?" Exclaims Wally, "Since when do you talk to Rob?"

I click my tongue at the red haired boy, singing, "You're avoiding the question!"

Wally rolls his eyes, "Punzel, just because I'm a total science god, that doesn't mean I don't believe in magic."

"Then prove it." I challenge, crossing my arms.

Wally glares at me, his mouth twitching as he takes a large step towards me. A muscled hand lands onto my shoulder though, causing him to pause in his steps. Kaldur's voice is deep and authoritative as he speaks irritably over my head, "Let's not prove it, Wally. And Artemis, I hardly believe Wally's beliefs are any of your concerns."

I shrug, loving the way Baywatch's face was turning from a pale shade of peach to that of red tomato paste. "I guess not Fish Boy, but it's still interesting to know, right?"

Kaldur's eyes remind me of Percy's as he calculates me, "Perhaps."

In front, RT stares at us all hesitantly before reaching into a compartment in his chest. He pulls out a key. "Here, take this." he says as he hands the golden object to Kaldur, "It is the key to the Tower of Fate."

"How do we know where it is?" I ask the red android as I pull away from Kaldur's grasp, staring intently at the shiny accessory.

Red Tornado's cape seems to ripple as he answers my question, eyes glowing a bright blue, "In Salem, but there is no real definite location, per say. The Tower only appears depending on necessity of it."

"So...like a test of fate?" I inquire.

"Precisely."

We all, minus RT, glance at each other confused.

"How does that work?"

Two Hours Later...

Salem

August 19th

"Ohhhhh."

The Team continues to stare at the Tower of Fate in awe. "So that's how it works." I supply as we gawk at the huge brick building.

Kaldur only nods as he pushes the door open to the Tower. Slowly following behind, the rest of us walk in and I try not to think too hard about the fact that the building materialized only moments ago, when Kaldur inserted the key of Fate into open air. When we're all in the Tower, the front door slams shut and disappears.

My eyes widen, "That's not good."

"What?" Asks Connor, only to have his own eyes widen too when he notices the disappearance of our exit. "Uh, guys, where'd the door go?"

The question is never answered, however, as a golden hologram of Kent Nelson pops up. "Greetings," He intones, "You have entered with a key but the Tower does not recognize you. Please state your purpose and business."

Our group shares an equal look of unease before Wally steps forth with open arms, "We," He speaks slowly, "Are true believers and have come to find Doctor Fate!"

I groan at the flair of his words and dramatic pauses as the projection gives the speedster an unimpressed look. Then, suddenly, the hologram of Mr. Nelson disappears.

Wally frowns, turning to face us, "Do you think that's good or bad?"

Our responses are immediate, "Bad."

Seconds later, the floor beneath our feet begins to creak and then tremble with such force, you would have thought hellhounds were dancing on it. My arms swing and I try to steady myself, only to fall when the entire floor breaks to pieces and collapses towards a pit of lava.

I scream, flashes of Hephaestus's forge inside Mount Saint Helen's zipping through my brain as I tug the hidden crossbow from beneath my jacket free. Quickly, I twist and shoot a grapple line towards one of the rocky walls that enclose us in the pit. The grappling arrow embeds itself into the uneven surface, causing the line to tighten and me to swing across the burning chamber, crashing into Kaldur mid-flight as I do so.

Surprised, we both shout in shock before clumsily clinging to each other as we hit a rocky wall opposite of us. I gasp, my feet struggling to find a hold.

"Artemis!" Rasps Kaldur urgently in my ear, "Hold still!"

"But-"

"I know! But if you keep kicking I will lose my balance!"

"How-? Oh." Realization hits me like a brick in my panic and I scowl, "I'm too short, aren't I?"

"Yes." He confirms, before leaning us closer against the scalding rock, "By the way, thank you."

I squeeze my eyes shut. There's a strain to Kaldur's voice as he speaks and if his wheezing breaths are anything to go by, the heat is affecting him harshly, and he's not the only one. The rock burns beneath the tips of my fingers and cheek, while sweat drips down my face in buckets. My breathing has become fast and quick, thanks to the bout of claustrophobia that's lodged itself in the space between my throat and the non-existent space between Kaldur and I. Images of Mount St. Helens zip by like bullets as my hands shake.

From what I recalled- as the volcanic trip had been one of the last adventures I remembered before my mind went as blank as an empty sheet of paper- it had been terrifying. I mean, I remembered running through the Labyrinth, following the tiny, metallic spider that acted as a GPS to the forges. I remembered Grover and Tyson splitting up from our group as they went on their own quest to find Pan. I remembered the heat of the forges and Annabeth running off to scope the forgeries beneath her invisibility cap, while Percy and I stood watch. I remembered hiding in a cart of scrap metal with Percy as a group of telkhines came by, praying to the gods above I wasn't about to be smelted. I remembered running for our lives with a class of prepubescent telkhines on our tails. I remembered being surrounded, feeling no hope as Percy recited his plan. I remember Annabeth kissing Percy while I stood in shock. Then I remembered running, again...then crying, as I caught a glimpse of Perseus being covered in molten rock. I remembered the explosion, being thrown off my feet and screaming in pain with the daughter of Athena as we realized there was no way Percy would've been able to survive a volcanic explosion-

"Artemis?"

I break mid-thought, shaking my head as I remind myself I'm not at Saint Helens anymore. Instead, I'm hanging dozens of feet above magical lava, holding fast onto a teenage fish boy. "What Kaldur?" I stress, trying to keep fear out of my voice and failing.

"The lava is gone." Responds the older boy gently, his green eyes holding a soft, yet piercing look. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." I mumble before glancing down, noting the floor is solid again, "Sorry...I'll bring us down."

"It is fine."

Angrily, I mentally reprimand myself for losing such focus and cling to Kaldur, not wanting to lose reality again as I swoop the two of us gently to our feet on the ground, in front of the rest of the Team, who stares at us curiously. Wally seems to be most interested, waggling his eyebrows at us, "Something the two of you would like to tell the rest of the Team?"

Raking my eyes tiredly across the red-head's face, I close my eyes and lean heavily against on of the rock walls and sit.

"…Punzel?"

"Just get me out of here." I reply hoarsely.

The Team shifts uncomfortably above me, looking to Kaldur who seems unaffected as he crouches on his knees, touching the platform beneath our feet. "This platform should be red hot, yet it is cool to the touch."

"That's impossible." States Wally incredulously, choosing to ignore my abnormal behavior.

I snort, eyes opening and earning a few looks, "That's why it's called magic. Besides, we wouldn't even be in this mess if it wasn't for you, Baywatch."

"Oh, so this is my fault?"

Glaring at the speedster, I'm more than annoyed with the teen. "I just almost died on behalf of your dishonesty." I say, not sugar-coating a lick of my words, "And thanks to that, we're now stuck in a hole, so yeah, Wally, it is your fault."

"She is correct," Joins Kaldur as he supports me, which I'm grateful for, "When you called yourself a 'true believer' to Mr. Nelson, you were lying. He took that as a threat."

Megann gasps, hurt, "Wally, you don't believe?"

Wally clenches his fists, staring at us coldly before throwing his hands in the air at our harsh gazes, "Fine, fine! I lied about believing in magic, but magic is the real lie! A major load!"

"Wally, I studied for a year at the conservatory of sorcery in Alantis," Speaks Kaldur as he continues running his hands over the floor boards, searching for something that we can't see, "The Mystic Arts created the skin icons that power my water bearers."

"Dude, have you ever heard of bio electricity?" Interjects the speedster, still disbelieving, "Hey, in primitive cultures, fire was once considered magical too. Today, it's all just a bunch of tricks."

Slowly, I stand up as the echoes of screaming telkhines and tortured Percy's beginning to fade, until they're no more than white noise. I don't miss the worried gazes that my teammates send me however, most likely due to my tight grip on the wall as I anchor myself, but I choose to ignore them. "For a guy who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers, you're pretty close-minded."

Wally glares at me, "That's because it's science.," He explains annoyed, "I recreated Flash's laboratory experiment and here I am. Everything can be explained by science."

I roll my eyes. If only he knew about the gods, especially when Lord Hermes is the one who granted his ability. Like Hades the Messenger God would allow two mortals to 'accidentally' achieve such speeds.

Kaldur stares meaningfully at the boy, gripping a piece of loose floor board he'd been inspecting, "Let us test that theory then."

At the Atlantian's actions, Wally protests, "Wait! The back-draft from the lava will roast us alive!"

My heart skips a beat, an image of Percy screaming in lava coming back at full force, but it disappears instantly when the panel Kaldur lifts blows up a draft of cold air instead of heat. I breathlessly laugh, Thank Gods.

Megann squeals, catching a stray snowflake, "Snow! I've never seen it in person before!"

"You learn to hate it," I grumble, avoiding other snowflakes.

Kaldur clears his throat, we all glance at him, "It appears to be a portal, of sorts."

"So, we have to jump?" I ask.

"I believe so." The Atlantian responds.

"…In the snow?"

Kaldur's lip twitches at my dismayed expression, "Yes."

I groan, while Superboy pushes through to the middle of the group.

"I'll go first," He gruffs before slipping through the panel.

When it's my turn to jump through the tiny portal, I stumble a bit and shiver at the drastic change in climate. Instead of a giant, humid, pit, the entire Team now stands in the middle of snowy mountain top. Wind howls in the distance, while a small breeze kicks up the flakes of snow on my shins. I shiver violently as my teeth clatter, wishing for the warm sun to be out. My prayers aren't answered though and Kaldur is last to jump through the makeshift floor portal before the tiny gateway blips out of existence in a flash of light. I frown, hugging my figure and raising an eyebrow at Wally, inviting him to try and excuse his way out of this stunt of magic.

Baywatch sneers back at me, "Ever heard of string theory? We're in a pocket dimension."

My lip curls, "Augh."

"What's that?" Exclaims Megann, as she points in the opposite direction we're facing. Behind us, where the portal had sat, is a floating cane. The base, a warm burgundy color, seems to be made of wood while the top is capped in gold. It exterior glowed faintly against the white snowbanks behind it, but what really interested me was the familiarity of it. It was like I could almost hear it in use, tapping against a floor with the soft thuds of Italian leather loafers behind it...

Almost mechanically, I stride over to the magical item and eye it curiously. There's a tug in my stomach, encouraging me as I stretch my fingers to touch it and-

"Got it!"

I jump, grasping the wooden frame tightly in shock as Wally appears in front of me, also holding the cane. "Ooh, maybe it's Nelson's magic wand!" Mocks Wally, while I screech angrily, "Baywatch! You scared me!"

Wally seems preoccupied however, as his eyes widen. "Uh oh…" He says, trying to tug his hand from the cane, "I can't let go."

Panic rises in my throat when I copy his actions with same results, "Wally! What did you do!?"

"Hey! This isn't my fault!"

"Well, it was the first time!"

Wally's about to respond when suddenly our feet aren't touching the ground and my stomach turns. Despite our current argument, Wally and I share a look of horror as we're launched into the sky by the cane, only to disappear moments later in a flash of gold light.

I groan as I wake up on a solid surface next to a passed out Wally. I glance wearily around the room, only to close my eyes as they go cross-eyed. "This is weird."

The room is huge, filled with staircases. These staircases in particular seem to defy gravity though, with some of the steps spiraling sideways and upside down. There seemed to be no exits within the grand room either, just endless flights of stairs that seem to go nowhere.

Beside me, I feel as Wally stirs from unconsciousness, only to groan much like I did as he surveys the room around us. "What happened?" He asks only to swear, pushing me to my feet quickly as he growls, "Abra Kadabra!"

Startled, I follow his line of vision, gulping at the sight of three men who stand on a platform across a sea of stairs from us. One of them isn't really a man though, more along the lines of a demonic looking teenager wearing a suit and carrying a cat, but there's a menacing glint in his eyes that makes me pause and wonder if the boy was much older than he appeared to be, as he creepily reminded me of Mrs. Dodds. The other man looks a bit similar to a pirate. He was the one Wally called 'Abra Kadabra'. His hair is long and tied in a ponytail while his cotton shirt billows over his pants. Black leather pirate boots adorn his feet. The last companion is Kent Nelson, looking the least bit worried while being led by the two men with his hands tied behind his back.

Nelson, slightly wearied, smiles at our appearances when he notices us. "Well, would you look at that."

My eyebrows raise in confusion, "What?"

Nelson only smirks as his body glows and flies to where his cane is located. The moment his hands touch the smooth wood of the cane, Wally and I's hands break free with a gasp. Nelson's bonds burn away as he cries "In here!"

He thrusts the cane outwards, conjuring an elevator from his walking stick and the platform below, "Hurry!"

Not questioning the elderly man, Wally and I sprint inside the enclosure. Behind us, the boy with the cat howls in rage, igniting his hands in red flames. "I WANT THAT HELMET!" He wails, throwing balls of fire at our retreating forms, but he's too late. Just as the first ball is about to engulf us, the elevator's doors shut, causing the flames and villains to disappear from sight.

I stare wide eyed at the doors, "That was close."

"Indeed." Remarks Nelson as he shares a smile with me, elevator music playing in the background. "It's lovely to meet you again Ms. Crock, I'm Kent Nelson by the way."

Wally narrows his eyes, "You actually know her?"

I elbow him, glaring,"Excuse his bluntness Mr. Nelson, but, uh…where exactly did we meet last time? I feel as if I know you but..."

Nelson smiles kindly, "You weren't very coherent when I met you, but ask that activities director at your summer camp next time you see him." He advises, with a quirk of his lips, "He'll tell you."

My body tenses at his words as I quickly catch on to the double-meaning. Wally looks between us suspiciously, "What does that mean?"

"Oh, nothing," Chuckles the old man, as if insinuating my madness was merely nothing but a private joke, "What was your name again, lad?"

"Wally."

Nelson hums, "Well, Wally, we're up against an opponent with tremendous mystic power."

"Abra Kadabra?" Scoffs Wally, "Flash proved he uses futuristic technology to simulate magic. Guys all show and no bizz."

"Right you are," Nods Nelson appreciatively.

"He is!?" I exclaim as Wally gloats at my disbelief.

Nelson chuckles, "He is correct. Abra is a charlatan, but Klarion, the witch boy, the kid with the cat…He's an actual lord of Chaos."

"So…like a god?" I blurt before I can stop myself.

"Not quite," Winks Mr. Nelson, which thankfully, Wally doesn't seem to notice is indicated towards me, "He's a bit less powerful than those beings."

Wally rolls his eyes, unimpressed, "Oh, like you've ever met a god."

Nelson merely smiles while I feel as if I'm about to have a heart attack. We needed to change the subject before that idiot could make any connections.

"What's so bad about Klarion?" I interrupt, steering away from the current topic, "I mean…other than the fact that he's a lord of Chaos."

Nelson sighs, "Well, because he is a lord of chaos, that makes Klarion the ultimate enemy of a lord of order like Doctor Fate."

"Rigght." Remarks Wally, as he scoots closer to me and father away from the older man, "You're a lord of order."

"Oh, no, no!" Rushes Kent, smiling, "Not me. I'm just an old coot Fate used to put on, until my wife Inza convinced me there could be more to life." He pulls out an old pocket watch from his coat, smiling sadly as he flips it open, "Ah, she was a real pistol that Inza…" Nelson shakes his head,as if trying to rid himself of a memory before he snaps his watch shut, exclaiming "Anywhoo! Klarion's after the Helmet. If he gets his sticky little mitts on it, he'll turn the planet into his own personal playground of pandemonium."

Suddenly, the elevator door dings and slides open. It seemed a bit too coincidental on my part, but I didn't comment. Instead, Wally and I followed cautiously behind Nelson who lead us out of the lift and into the stair room again. Slowly, still weary of our surroundings, we began to climb to the top of one of the staircases. At the top sat a giant bell, which seemed to be the only structure besides the plethora of stairs in the elaborately complicated room. We stop however, when we hear two giant thuds and groans from behind us.

Wally tenses as I turn, "Kaldur, Superboy," I say surprised, watching as one figure gracefully floats out of the hole that appeared just minutes before, "Megann?"

Megann beams at me, "Artemis!" She cheers, only to look up above my head and scream horrified. "GET DOWN!"

Wally, Nelson and I hit the deck, barely missing a stray streak of electricity as it zaps the ground in front of us. Wally and I look at each other fearfully before making the split second decision of hauling Mr. Nelson to his feet, screaming, "Go!"

Kent nods hurriedly and grabs his cane. We sprint up the last few steps, where Mr. Nelson drags out his cane again, smacking the golden head of it against the giant bell. The fissure glows vibrantly as it rings.

"Come on!" He cries to us, walking inside the giant bell, "Follow me!"

Having not been wronged once since our meeting with the older man, Wally and I walk into the bell like structure with the sounds of battle quickening our steps. The moment I pass through the bell, however, my breath is swept away from my lungs as I'm whisked off my feet and transported to the top of the Tower of Fate. I blink, catching Wally's frazzled gaze, "This is weird, right Baywatch?"

"Totally."

"Okay, good."

It's windy on top of the tower and I'm suddenly grateful I chose to wear a jacket for the mission. Nighttime has settled upon Salem in the past few hours the Team and I had been here and the dark sky seems to contrast with the gold skin of the floating Helmet of Fate above our heads. Nelson desperately reaches out towards his familiar metallic armor, only to be wretched off his feet when a red bolt of lightening slams into his chest and he screams.

"Mr. Nelson!" I cry as my ears ring, which was never a good thing. Like Nico Di Angelo, I possessed the gift of when someone's life force was slipping. It was something I learned of during the passing of Zoe Nightshade. When she was hit by her old pet dragon my ears had rang painfully during the remainder of the quest, something I chalked up as being a fault to the dragon's loud roaring. I hadn't known it then, but the ringing in my ears was a sign her life was slipping due to an abnormality in her body. It wasn't until it was too late that my dear aunt informed me of the sixth like sense before casting Zoe Nightshade's soul into the heaven's.

My thoughts are stalled as Nelson clamors to his feet to fend off Klarion the Witch Boy, who appears in front of us gleefully. Decisively, Nelson takes his cane, reciting a garbled language I can't understand before slamming the object to the ground. From the ground, a giant sphere of golden magic spurts out, encasing Wally, Nelson and I in magic. This act of protection angers Klarion though, who hisses, balling a fist of red flames before launching it at the three of us. The spell explodes in a fiery blaze of red and gold against the bubble of gold, causing me to shudder, thinking of what that may of felt like against my skin.

"Nooo!" Shrieks the witch boy enraged.

Mr. Nelson wobbles in his place as he spares a glance at Wally. The ringing in my ears increases in tempo. "Not bad for a former Doctor Fake, eh, kid?" Rasps the old man, before he collapses in the speedster's arms, causing the red head to stumble to the ground clumsily. Wally winces while I dive to the ground next to them and Nelson begins speaking to me, "The bubble'll give you just enough time, to do what you need to do."

He points weakly at the floating Helmet and my eyes widen, flinging back to the dying old man. "Nah uh, Mr. Nelson. Don't even think about what I think you're going to do!" I shriek as I discard my crossbow and gently pull the man from Wally's arms as he goes back to talking. It's hard to focus however as my ears ring painfully with each quick breath he takes.

"Have…faith in fate!" Wheezes Nelson, to whom I can only assume is Wally, as his eyes lid heavily. I begin to prepare myself for some serious CPR, trying relax Nelson as I place his arms at his sides. I nearly growl in frustration though when the old man stares back defiantly at me, clenching something tightly in his fists against his chest.

"Mr. Nelson," I hiss trying to ignore how my ears are ringing to a tune disturbingly similar to a flat line, "I need you to-augh!"

I double over, clenching my head in my fists as Nelson's blue eyes burn up at me.

Don't waste your breath, daughter of Apollo. You and I both know I'm a lost cause. Let me see my Inza...

My eyes bulge at Nelson's voice echoing in my head and I turn to argue only to wince as the ringing seems to grow even louder in retaliation. I glare dirtily at the old man, knowing it was his fault, only to seem him and Wally deep in conversation, completely oblivious to my pained state.

"...Believe in what you can no longer deny!" Gasps the old man to Wally. "Remember...f-fate!"

And then he goes limp, along with the ringing in my head. My heart stops with icy cold realization as Wally cries out in panic, shoving aside the man's hands from his chest to begin CPR. A loud crack pauses his actions however, as something small but heavy skitters to a halt in front of me. Numbly, I pick up Nelson's old pocket watch and flip the top open, slightly surprised to hear it ticking. My attention is more focused on the beautiful woman Nelson kept hidden in the watch however, with her brightly drawn lips and kind eyes, which are marred by a crack in the glass framing her face.

"It's his wife," I whisper to Wally, only to find he's gone back to trying to bring Nelson back to life, "Wally."

The speedster ignores me however, as he pumps furiously at the man's chest, "…26! 27! 28!"

"Wally," I say again.

"29! 30! 3-!"

"Wally!" I shout wrenching the red-head off of the dead man's chest, "He's dead!"

Wally's eyes blaze angrily as he pushes me off of him, "Your wrong."

"And why is that!?" I hiss, flinging my hand at our surroundings, "May I remind you, we're stuck in a bubble with a crazed lunatic just outside!? Even if we did stabilize Nelson's heart, he would die in the cross-fire!"

"Your wro-"

"I'm right!" I fume, and as if to prove my point, Klarion hurls another spell at our golden dome, throwing the two of us off our feet. A pained yelp escapes my lips as my elbows dig painfully into the Tower's stone floor.

Wally groans next to me, "Okay, maybe you're right."

I glare, "Told you."

He glares back, but decidedly puts away our differences for a moment, "So, what are we going to do?"

Behind Wally, above Nelson, sits the Helmet of Fate. It's shiny exterior reflecting the battle outside and peaceful face of Kent Nelson. My eyes harden, "I think have an idea and you're not going to like it."

"Why?" Asks the speedster suspiciously, as his eyes bounce between the golden helmet and my determined gaze, before his own eyes widen in realization. "You're insane."

"So, I've been told."

"Artemis, you don't understand, you'll die."

"Not necessarily."

"Well, if not you, me, by all means, yes. I mean, what's going to happen to me, huh? You'll have the helmet- if it even works for that matter- and I'll -"

"-Run." I say simply, the pieces already mapping themselves out in front of me as I plan for our, or really, Wally's escape. "You'll run, isn't it obvious?"

But it looks anything but obvious to Wally as he continued to stare at me like I had grown another head, "And leave you here?"

I roll my eyes at his obtuseness, "Well, somebody has to warn the League."

"Yeah, but not at the cost of your life! Artemis, I may not like you but I'm not going to leave you to fight some psychopath by yourself! Besides, you're a newbie! You won't last a second!"

I open my mouth to object when a high pitched whine reverberates through my mind painfully and I fall to my knees, clutching my head similarly to Wally. Suddenly, Megann's voice screams through the noise.

"WALLY, ARTEMIS, WE'RE IN TROUBLE!" She cries, "TELL KENT WE NEED DOCTOR FA-AUGH!"

The link ends abruptly with Megann's scream and a shock that sends Wally and I on to all fours. Panting, I glare at the red head, completely serious "We're running out of time, just trust me okay?"

The speedster stares at me helplessly, "But-"

His sentence is cut off again, but by a different force as the golden bubble seems to shudder under the weight of Klarion the Witch Boy's barrage of spells. The boy twists his hands intricately, before he conjures a giant set of claws, slamming them on top of the dome and breaking the skin of it's protection.

My eyes widen, and I swear, sprinting to the Helmet, "Baywatch, when I put this on, I need you to run!"

Wally stares incredulously at me, "What!?"

"You'll need to get the League," I continue, pulling the golden piece of armor towards me, staring at the gaping eye-holes that tug at my stomach with familiarity, "You need to get the League to help with Nelson and the rest of the Team."

"But what about you!" He screams, over the screeching sound of Klarion's claws raking at the dome, "What are you gonna do!?"

I focus on Klarion's cackling form, "Just run, Wally."

Wally's jaw clenches, "I'm not-"

"It's our only chance!" I hiss, climbing to my feet, "Run or die."

I turn away from the speedster before he can say anything else and focus on the cool, slick surface of the Helmet of Fate. Klarion wretches his claws from the dome, shrieking in delight as he slams them back down on top of the wavering golden form. I grip the golden armor tighter. In the chaos, I catch the witch boy's eyes and he grins.

"Hey, dumb kid!" He goads, raking his claws across the bubble's shaking form. "You put that helmet on, you may never get it off!"

I clench the Helmet of Fate with white knuckles and ignore Wally's cries of protests as I smirk wickedly at the lord of chaos. "As long as it means I don't have to keep staring at your ugly mug, Witch Face!"

Enraged, Klarion shreds the magical sphere apart with his claws, before balling up his fists and powering up another round of spell-age force that would most definitely finish Wally and I off if I didn't hurry. Quickly, I spin to the speedster, enforcing every bit of venom in my voice as I scream, "RUN!" before shoving the Helmet of Fate on my head. Milliseconds later I am engulfed in the raging red flames of Klarion's magic.

"ARTEMIS!"

I blink.

"Hello!" I call, only to have my voice echo back, in the dark room I seemed to be located in, "Is anyone here!"

A disappointed voice sounds to my left, "Aw, I was hoping it'd be the boy."

I jump, spinning around, "Mr. Nelson! But you're-"

"Dead?" Finishes the older man, smiling, "Don't feel bad, Hades knows Thatanos has been waiting for this day to come."

My eyes widen, "Wait, I'm not dead ri-"

"Oh no!" Chortles Kent, laughing, "Oh no, we'd be in Hades' domain by now if that were true."

"You mean, DOA Records, right?"

"Yes, precisely. Not as posh as the swing club it used to be for spirits, but I guess it'd be a bit unusual have such a joint in modern L.A., am I wrong?" Kent winks at me before continuing, "No, Fate's still keeping me cooped here in this helmet, the old kahoot."

Mr. Nelson shakes his cane at thin air and I chuckle nervously, wondering if cursing a lord was similar to cursing a god and what the repercussions for such actions were. Noticing my nervous expression, Nelson rolls his eyes, "Oh, calm down Ms. Crock, Fate and I go way back. Actually, found him on a quest for my mother, you see."

"Your mother…?"

"Hecate." The old man states, "Cunning goddess if you ask me, it's a shame she sided with Kronos. The Gods could really use her."

My jaw drops, "Your a demigod!"

"Yes," Kent smiles at me again, "Bit unusual I suppose with how old I am. I suspect both my mother and Nabu had a play in my luck."

"Who's Nabu?" I question and then shake my head, spinning in a circle, "And how exactly did we both end up in the helmet? I was the one who put it on, not you."

"Funny, actually, Nabu is the real Doctor Fate. He's the Lord of Order and you'r observation about being inside the helmet is spot on. My theory as to why were both here is probably because my soul got sucked in on the way out of my body. Nabu is now just keeping me here out of spite, away from my Inza."

I frown, "He can't do that right? I mean, he's not exactly the lord of the dead?"

Kent sighs, "No, but here I am still."

"Wait," My eyes widened as I remembered why I put the helmet on in the first place, "Klarion and Wally. Oh gods-"

"Your friend is safe," Kent stops me with a smile, "He took your word and ran, calling in the League as well. Although, I'm not exactly sure if he knows that you're well or not though..."

My stomach turns, "Oh no."

"Yes, quite the predicament, however, Klarion is being taking care of."

"By who?" I ask a bit confused.

Kent smiles at me, "Well, by you, of course! Wanna watch?"

Suddenly, I'm not in the helmet with Kent Nelson anymore but inside my body. I'm donned in the attire of Doctor Fate, floating as I defend myself against Klarion who sends red electric bolts at me, which deflect harmlessly off of a shield Fate has conjured.

"Give it up, Nabu!" Klarion screeches in outrage, "Order went out in the twentieth century!"

I want to respond, but I find I'm not in control of my body. Instead, Nabu has taken over. "THIS FIGHT IS POINTLESS!" Nabu/I command in unison, "You sought to take the Helmet before it claimed a host, but you are too late!"

"SHUT IT, YOU OLD FART!" Klarion bellows as he lifts his hands, conjuring two spiraling pillars of bricks which he slams into me. Nabu obliterates the bricks with his magic however, soaring even higher into the air as a fury that isn't mine burns throughout my body.

"BRAT!" We behest, inciting a spell that spills golden energy from our hands like a fire hydrant hose towards the witch boy.

When it hits Klarion, a bold mixture of light and heat beats off of the anti-hero. He cries out in pain before dispersing into ashes. I think the fight is done until something painful shocks my back. Suddenly, I'm back inside the helmet with Nelson as I cry out, falling to my knees. My back feels as if I'd been stung by a million bees. "What was that!?"

Kent raises an eyebrow, "This is your body, did you expect to not feel anything?"

I grumble, stumbling to my feet, "He should just let me be in control. I'm more than capable."

Kent laughs, "Sorry, kid, doesn't work like that, but you can see why I haven't put on the helmet in sixty-five years."

"Because it's a curse," I mutter bitterly, realizing now, the severity of my situation, "The helmet is a curse…that's why you went missing! You were trying to get rid of it, pass it on to somebody else so Fate would let you go!"

The old man sighs, "Make me out to be a bit of a villain when you put it like that, but yes."

"What happens if Fate loses the fight, then, huh!?" I ask, outraged, "What happens then?"

"Then you die."

"And if we win?"

Kent's face darkens, "Pray Fate is kind."

My blood runs cold. I'm about to ask him another question when I'm thrown back into my body and the fight.

Klarion hurls a fiery demon at Nabu/I, and our eyes widened as we lunge to the side to avoid the attack. Clumsily, we gather ourselves back to our feet and pull up a shield in defense against the oncoming attack. The two spells collide, forcing us back as the fiery demon disperses into the shield. "Augh!" We (Nabu and I) scream as another spell hits our back, causing us to be thrown off our feet and towards the tower's edge.

Klarion smirks at us, twin balls of fire in his hands as he throws them up into the air. He makes toy gun symbols with his hand, shooting us with the fire he had before.

Nabu and I quickly throw up a shield again, keeping the onslaught of dark magic away from our body. We're weak, nonetheless, as the shield breaks quickly, causing us to jump from our spot and fly as Klarion unleashes a horde of flames from his mouth. When he's done spewing fire, he makes magical spouts of fire to pop up like geysers to cross our path. A geyser hits us, causing me to scream internally as we careen out of the air and to the ground with a metallic clang.

"Your out of practice Nabu!" Gloats Klarion, "And that pathetic host body…zero affinity for the mystic arts!"

We glare as he laughs and throws his hands up in the air, where he produces a thunderstorm. Electricity pours from the cloud and towards us as Fate throws up a dome. The magic and lightening intermix, throwing up a barrage of sparks that create a rainbow effect.

"Ooh," Mocks the witch boy, "Rainbow Power!" He cackles until his cat meows. Klarion turns, glaring, "I am paying attention you stupid cat!"

His cat meows in retaliation, unimpressed.

Klarion growls back, "In case you hadn't noticed, I am winning."

Great, I think, as Nabu and I desperately try to hold the dome up, I'm going to be murdered at the hands of psychotic boy who talks to his cat, just great.

Nabu isn't in the mood to joke though as he drops the shield, and curls himself inwards. My chest begins to burn with such an intense pressure I almost think I'm having a heart attack when Nabu thrusts our chest outwards, unleashing a ray of energy that explodes the area around us.

We stand, surrounded by a blazing inferno as we speak, "It is difficult for a lord of order or chaos to maintain a presence on the physical plane."

This, was obviously not the right thing to say to the witch boy as he yells in rage, transforming his features into something even more demonic as his face stretches, his eyes beady, and his fingers long and gnarled. Then, Klarion engulfs himself and his cat in a sea of flames, shooting the abundance at Fate. Fate avoids the heated shots with ease, gliding closer to the boy with my body.

"I am bound to the Helmet and use a human host." Says Nabu pulling up and shooting a beam of energy at Klarion. Witch boy easily deflects with rock he pulls from the surface of the roof, keeping his cat and himself safe. "But that is not your way!"

"YOU'RE BABBLING NABU!" Growls the demonic child.

"AM I?" We question, before the burning sensation fills my chest again and we shoot another ray. This time however, instead of trying to hit Klarion, we have another target.

The cat.

Our gold energy bursts into a cloud of frenzy against the orange feline and Klarion's defenses melt immediately as his eyes grow wide with worry. "TEEKL!" He cries, running over to his injured pet, which was thrown in the blast, unconcious. Fuming, he turns towards us, "I can't believe you would assault a defenseless pussycat!"

Nabu and I glare, "We both know that creature is no cat, Witch Boy. And without no familiar, you have no anchor in this reality."

Klarion's form flickers sporadically as his cat shifts. Growling, the boy hunches his back and clenches his fists, insulting Fate. "Bully! Killjoy! GEEZER!"

Nabu lets his anger fly, sending a powerful ray at the brat who shrieks, dropping into a portal and grabbing his pet. "We're outta here!"

Dismay fills me as I realize I let the little havoc wreaker slip away, but I don't have much time to think about it as Nabu thrusts my soul from my body. I stumble into the empty space of the Helmet and glare at a waiting Nelson.

"Why isn't he letting me go?" I say, "The fight is over!"

Nelson sighs, leaning on his cane heavily, "I told ya kid, it doesn't work like that."

"So, I'm stuck here?" I fume, anger flooding my body, "I'm just some slave to a Lord of Order?"

"You are a willing host. Not a slave."

I jump, spinning to face the floating Helmet of Nabu that has appeared behind Nelson and I, "Yeah, a willing host whose expendability is short!" I cry, "Let me go!"

"The Earth needs Doctor Fate," Argues Nabu, "I will not release this body."

"Like Hades you won't!"

Mr. Nelson sends me a warning look, "He can, even though he shouldn't." Then, he turns back to the helmet, "Nabu, this body isn't the right candidate for Fate! This girl belongs to the world of the Greeks and unlike me, she is important. Besides, you can see her mind is repressed."

The Helmet seems to glare at the both of us, "Don't take me as a fool Kent, I know of her mind, but that doesn't mean I appreciate being hidden away for decades, isolated and useless. Chaos must not be allowed to reign."

"That won't happen again!" Counters Nelson, "The girl will take the helmet and make sure to put you to good use!"

"Over my dead bo-OW! I mean, yes. Of course." Nelson continues glaring at me, as if to say, 'Not good enough.', holding his cane threateningly. I gulp, "I-I swear on Styx."

Nelson nods, pleased as he continues, lowering his weapon, "And in the mean time," he says, "I'll stay around and keep you company."

I look away from the older man, feeling slightly guilty about the bargain, although I knew there was no other way. Kent looks at me apologetically, "Don't beat yourself up about this kid, especially not after what Fate and I did to you."

"What do you mean?" I ask, startled "What do you mean, 'did to me'?"

"I mean, you need to have Chiron explain it to you'." Nelson glances back at the helmet, "I don't have enough time to explain it right now, but your camp director most certainly does." Kent turns back to the helmet, "Is this bargain sufficient?"

Nabu ponders before answering, "The bargain is acceptable...at the least."

I scowl while Nelson smiles, "Good." he says before pulling out his pocket watch and sighing, "I may have to put our reunion on hold Inza."

My gaze softens at the scene, "Was she a demigod?"

"Inza?" Asks Nelson and I nod, he smiles, "No, but she was one hell of a spitfire."

I smile but then frown, "Why am I still here?"

"Oh, it takes a while," Answers Nelson flippantly, "Don't worry though, you should be able to move just about...now."

I groan, eyes fluttering as I reach to touch my throbbing head, only to hiss when my fingers touch the cool surface of the Helmet of Fate. Quickly, I fumble to discard the gold helmet, throwing it to the ground.

I glare at the metal's eyepieces, "Nelson deserves better, Nabu."

"Artemis."

I jump, pulling out my hidden cross-bow and aiming it at the speaker's face. Batman's unimpressed expression looks down the shaft of my weapon and I squeak, quickly hiding the cross-bow, "Batman!"

"That's my name," He gruffs, before crouching, picking up the Helmet I had just thrown off my head, "You're needed with the rest of the Team for a debrief."

My shoulder's slump, "But-"

"You're the only one who has worn the Helmet of Fate in recent years, besides Kent Nelson" Interjects Batman, as he inspects the helmet's surface, "Therefore, your debriefing is very important. The information you give will be very useful, especially for the League's future use in the Helmet's powers."

I shudder, "Trust me, you don't want to use that."

"I disagree," States Batman, as he looks at me, "I hear this helped you single-handedly take down Klarion the Witch Boy. That is no easy feat, Artemis."

"But you don't understand," I say, shaking my head, "Nabu- the helmet- he imprisons whoever puts it on."

"…Imprisons?"

I nod, warning, "Once you put the Helmet on, it never comes off."

Batman is silent for a while before he hands the Helmet back to me, "Follow me, we'll begin the debrief now, I have a feeling this is going to be a long story."

I glance down at the helmet winking in the moonlight. "You have no idea."

~Review. Follow. Favorite~

P.S. If anyone wonders, I didn't put in Percy's birthday scene because I felt it was a bit unneeded. Nothing on the Olympian side of things has changed like the Young Justice side has, so, re-writing that chapter just seemed redundant to me and I didn't want to bore you all. I did add that seen about Styx though because in order to bathe in River Styx you do need your mother's permission and I thought that was interesting. It might have been mentioned in TLO but I couldn't remember. Also, Artemis hasn't broken her Styx promise, she's just warning of the consequences of using the Helmet, it's not gonna be highly guarded or anything either, just placed in the display case like in the original episode. Hopefully the chapter was okay, even if it were ridiculously late, as per usual though. Sorry.