Together - A PJO Collab

Annabeth found herself outside a very familiar black marble building with golden words etched on the side.
NO SOLICITORS. NO LOITERING. NO LIVING.
Her throat contracted as she realized that this time, she actually belonged here. She was actually dead. How could she have been so stupid? Anyone could have seen that sword coming, but she had thought those final cursed words- This isn't so bad- basically the equivalent of "I think we're safe." Choking back tears, she held her head high and swung open the door. The same music from 6 years ago played quietly in the background, far too cheerful for all of the dead people in the room.
She marched up to the podium, much closer to the greedy idiot behind it than when she was 11. "Hey, Chiron," she said, just to tick him off.
He just rolled his eyes behind his dark shades. In his British accent, he said, "I told you it would be your turn soon, young lady. Didn't I?"
Annabeth wasn't in the mood. "I know there's no stopping it," she said through her teeth. "Just get me to the Underworld, Charon.
It was like she was a regular at Starbucks. Annabeth knew the routine.
He held out his hand. "Payment?"
She blinked at him. No. Did she not have any drachmas on her? Was she going to wait here for centuries, while all of her friends died and were reborn, expecting to find her in the Underworld? She made a big show of patting down my pockets, as if she just couldn't seem to find the money which she just had, Mr. Charon, I swear.
Annabeth smiled nervously at him, frantically thinking of something to say that could get her out of this. Her brain had turned off. Dark thoughts kept running through her head. You'll never see them again. You're doomed to stay here for all eternity. You'll never be with the one you love most again.
No, she corrected myself. You'll never be with Percy again. She couldn't believe it, after all that they'd been through together.
Raw determination rushed through her blood. She would see him again. She wouldn't rest until she did. And when she found him, she would never let him get away from her, never again.
Just as she was about to push her dagger to his throat (not that it would do any good....seeing as he was immortal) and demand to be let on his stupid ferry, she felt something hard in her pocket. She pulled it out in shock. A coin. A golden drachma.
Seaweed Brain, she thought, tearing up.
She tried to make her expression harden as she stared Charon in the eyes, knowing that she would crack if she though about Percy any longer. I need to be strong, for my friends, for Percy. "There," she hissed, her voice breaking. "Happy now?"
She flicked the coin at him, and he caught it greedily. Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Elevator," she said, barely able to contain the pain in her voice. "Now."
He scowled at her. "This way." He gave her a thin smile. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"
Annabeth took a few slow, deep breaths and then followed Charon through the crowd of waiting spirits. She ignored the spirits grabbing at her, aching to be pulled along. She felt empty inside. Who was she without Percy?
I am a daughter of Athena.
She let out a sigh.
I've survived monsters of all kinds and deadliness since I was 7 .
I've journeyed to the Ancient Lands to save the world.
I HAVE saved the world countless times.
I have followed the Mark of Athena where no one has ever ventured before.
I have fought against my mother's worst enemy and come out alive.
I journeyed through Tartarus with no weapon and only my own wits.
She closed her eyes. And Percy.
She choked a bit. She quickly shook the thought out of her head.
I stopped World War III.
I ventured through the Sea of Monsters to find the Golden Fleece.
I fought in the Battle of the Labyrinth.
I helped us win against the Titans.
I am Annabeth Chase, and I am unstoppable.
A tender thought flooded her mind.
I'll see him in Elysium, she thought, a small smile forming on her lip. It's only a matter of time. She wiped her eyes and pushed her shoulders back.
I'm ready.
*************************************************************************
The three judges stood before her in golden masks and flowing black robes, staring down at Annabeth judgmentally from their bench.
No questions were asked. They simply started discussing her life.
"Hmm," the first judge said thoughtfully. "Helped to defeat the Titans in the war."
"Found the Athena Parthenos and journeyed through Tartarus," chimed in the third.
The second tutted. "Rather idiotic way to die, though, if you ask me."
Annabeth seethed at that remark, mostly because she knew that it was true.
"Never mind that. The child died fighting the Giants, and prevented many other deaths throughout her lifetime. Elysium."
The process was a lot quicker than she imagined. She barely processed a thing that had happened until she was being ushered through the pavilion.
Note- This is where I kind of start making things up since I don't know exactly what Elysium looks like.
A gigantic, ornamental gate swung open before Annabeth. In a trance, she walked through them, gawking at what surrounded her. Large Roman villas lined the cobblestone roads, trees and flowers bordered the sidewalks, and, in the distance, Annabeth could even make out a few medieval castles. She strolled in awe down the road way, the smell of barbecue drifting into her nose and making her mouth water.
It was then that she noticed the signs in front of each house.
Michael Yew
Lee Fletcher
Charles Beckendorf
Silena Beauregard
She blinked at them. Oh my gods.
They were here! All of them! All of her fallen friends. They hadn't gone for rebirth yet.
Luke. Was he here? Her face brightened at the thought.
Her feelings for Luke were...complicated to say the least, but she was over her crush on him now. Living without Luke hadn't been anything like being without Percy. She scanned every house, but no Luke.
Then again, Elysium was probably bigger than Annabeth could ever fathom. The dead outnumbered the living by a lot.
She decided that she would find him eventually, if he was still here, while she waited for Percy.
Oh gods. Percy. Was he ok? Would he be smart about this? Please don't do anything stupid, Seaweed Brain, Annabeth silently prayed.
She came to a stop in front of another Roman villa, only the sign read: Annabeth Chase.
Her hands flew to her mouth. She had her own home- a temporary one at least, her old friends close by again, and an eternity to wait for Percy. Plus free barbecue.
Well, Seaweed Brain, nothing left to do now except wait.

Notes

Written by Hazel Knight, not me.