New story idea- set in apocalyptic/war times. Hopefully I can get this idea down 'cos I had it about half five this morning.
I do not own Percy Jackson and co, but Louisa, the Valdez children and the Jackson children and any other OC from any of my other stories are mine. Disclaimers are pointless- I CLEARLY DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON!
Tobias sighed grouchily, sinking in his seat.
"Oy, stop sulking. We've got a deadline and this is the last batch of stuff." Annabeth ordered him to his feet- Tobias knew better than to defy his mother- but her expression softened slightly at the dejected look he wore.
"I don't want to go. I want to stay here and help."
"No." Percy intervened firmly. "You're going with the others, you promised."
"I know…" Tobias sighed again. His parents were already in armour, armed to the teeth with demigod weapons. His two year old sister had already had seven knives confiscated from her, but she was absolutely fascinated with the shiny, sharp things that hurt her lovely eldest brother.
Percy took the box of books from Annabeth, ignoring her protests, and carted it off to the waiting truck. Over the past month, they had filled the truck with as much stuff as possible, as warranted by the government. Tobias should be technically going to the Safe House, but he was only a year underage. He could stay and fight.
Unfortunately, he had promised, about three or four months ago, to look after his younger siblings and cousins should anything happen to the parents. And they were now drawing him up on that promise and he had no choice but to oblige. Promises on the River Styx were serious business.
Annabeth picked Sage up and hugged her as best she could in armour. Sage squirmed and her thin arms went around her mother's neck. Sage was the only Jackson daughter and she got the advantage of three older brothers to look after her.
"We've packed all her stuff in boxes- they have her name on and… and-"
"Mom, it's OK." Tobias assured. "I know." Annabeth nodded, swallowing nervously as her eyes shined. Percy returned, easing his daughter from his wife's arms and getting a final hug in.
"You be good, trouble." He told her. Sage nodded, cheekily pinching her father's nose. "That's mine." Percy smiled feebly. "I'm going to need that, Sage, give it back." She giggled and held her clenched fist away, keeping Percy's 'nose'. "Do you want to go upside down?" Sage shook her head and hastily returned his 'nose'. "Good girl. Right, go to Tobias and be nice." Sage nodded again and settled in her brother's arms, reaching up to take his nose as well.
Max and Alvie wandered over. Alvie was only eight years old. His young age and his autism didn't help him understand what was going on or why he and his siblings had to go while their parents. He didn't like this idea of final hugs either.
Percy knelt in front of Alvie, stooping to his level. "We've packed as many books as we can so you don't get bored. Do you think you could teach Sage to read for us?" Alvie mumbled the question to himself before nodding hesitantly. Percy and Annabeth smiled. "You'll be OK. There will be a lot of books where you're going." If you wanted Alvie to do anything- books. That was all that was needed to bribe him.
"You… come too?" He asked haltingly. His parents shared looks that made Max and Tobias frown, but Alvie must have missed what they understood.
"We'll try and catch up." Annabeth offered, crouching and hugging Alvie. "Stay with your brothers, OK? They'll keep you safe." Alvie nodded again and she kissed his forehead. Percy hugged him as well, blew a raspberry on his cheek before standing. Percy always did that. Alvie wasn't sure why, but it was kind of funny.
Annabeth turned to Max. "If Tobias tells you to do something, listen to him."
"But-"Annabeth's eyes flashed in warning and Max gave a defeated sigh. "Why though?"
"I promised to keep you all safe." Tobias replied monotonously before either of his parents. Max studied him; somewhat surprised, but mostly curious. Gone the cheeky smile and brotherly warmth- here was a firm expression of brotherly loyalty and protection. Tobias would not break his promise for anything.
"Did you swear on the River Styx?" Max asked. Tobias gave a single nod and with that, Max saw the new burden Tobias suddenly carried. "Can I help?" The eldest brother looked at their parents hesitatingly.
"Maybe." Annabeth eventually decided. "Just stay with them and keep each other safe." Max got the final hug from his parents in turn then, but he tried not to think of it as final.
The truck to take them to the Safe House was kicked into life, the engine roaring. A horn beeped loudly and impatiently.
Annabeth turned to Tobias. "We're so sorry to give you all of this…" She mumbled, her eyes suddenly watery. "But… I believe you can do it." Tobias nodded mutely, calling a group hug moments later.
Then they had to go.
Tobias let Max up into the back of the truck first, passing Sage up carefully. Alvie toddled about, not wanting to be picked up for a handful of seconds, but Tobias caught him and settled him in the back of the truck as well. The last of their belongings were neatly assembled in boxes and there was a large, durable bag of blankets and pillows.
He turned to say goodbye to his parents when he caught sight of his aunt and uncle.
They looked pained, Louisa holding their three week old son to her chest, reluctant to let go of something she had lost time and time again. Leo had his arms around their daughters, talking to them quietly with a reassuring smile.
"It'll be OK." He promised. "We just have to help the Warrior Princess get rid of the Uglies." Leo wrinkled his nose, giving a lopsided smile. Alokia giggled through her tears while Elsie gave a faltering smile. "Try to stick together, alright? Help each other." Leo's eyes flickered to Tobias and the other Jackson children. "Nobody gets left behind. Got it?" The two girls nodded obediently and shuffled to their mother. Tobias stopped watching then and climbed up next to his brothers. Sage had already fallen asleep in Max's arms.
Minutes later, he had to pull Alokia up. Elsie carefully handed him a tiny blue bundle. Charlie was awake; looking around curiously with sea green eyes, his curly hair falling across his forehead and over his elfish ears. He had to be a mini-Leo when he was older.
The truck lurched forward as soon as Charlie was secure. Tobias hastily turned back as the vehicle gathered speed. He stood on the edge of the back, grabbing the side and throwing his other hand out. Elsie ran as fast as she could, scowling and jumping. Tobias caught hold of her hand and dragged her aboard.
They all managed to get final waves in before the truck rounded a corner and home was gone.
Ok, so what's going on is that all adult demigods and legacies have to stay above ground and fight the onslaught of monsters while the mortals and underage legacies go below ground. I'm going to work more on the next chapters before posting anymore, I think.
What do we think? Probably not the best of starter chapters- honest opinions!
