Hiiii. Sylver here. This is my new story. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up with it.
Disclaimer: I do not own PJO. All rights go to Sir Riordan.
I watched the thunder clouds roll by from Olympus. They were amazing. Beautiful, deadly, and invisible in the night sky. They blocked out the light coming from the moon and the stars, blocking out all natural light from the busy streets of Manhattan down below, which probably didn't make Artemis too happy.
Yes, I said Manhattan, and I said Artemis. See, the Greek gods are real. You really think the Greeks were so stupid to believe in fake gods? Anyway, the gods move about from place to place, and for the past one thousand years or so, they've been in America (Don't know why, this place is a dump).
My name is Victoria. Just Victoria, no last name. Demigods like me usually go by the last name of their mortal parent, but I never knew mine. According to the gods, my mother didn't have the money to take care of both me and my older twin brother. My dad, Poseidon said it was one of the hardest things my mom has ever done, and she didn't even know I was taken in by the gods.
At first most of the gods hated me, but when my father asked the gods to take me in, the deal was for the Olympians to all become my parents. Hermes taught her how to pickpocket. Ares taught me to use every weapon available (though I prefer Kyma, the weapon Dad gave me. It transforms to any weapon I choose.) Hephaestus taught me blacksmithing. Aphrodite taught me how to use charm (And tried to teach me how to be pretty.) Apollo taught me archery, and Artemis taught me how to hunt. Athena taught me all normal schooling plus some, and battle strategy. Dionysus taught me to socialize, annoy, and lie. Demeter taught me the value of life and nutrition. Poseidon, my father, taught me all about the sea, and trained me in my demigod powers. Hera was like a mother to me. Zeus had talks with her, and without meaning to, taught her sacrifice. Even Hades played a part in my childhood, teaching me business and politics.
All in all, I had like, twenty parents. I had multiple servants. I was treated like a queen. I could beat my dad in a fight, unlimited money, and a pet tiger named Lei, (A/N means thunder) who I raised since I was three.
I hated my life.
I mean, sure, I felt lucky for what I had, and I loved my family. But it KILLED me knowing that my mother and twin brother were out there. Every day of my life, I wanted to march over to the elevator leading to Manhattan, find my mother and brother, and scream I'M HOME. But here I am still, a fifteen year old girl stuck above the city – the same place she's been for the past fourteen and a half years. Sometimes I feel like I'm Rapunzel and Dad is Mother Gothel.
But Father says it's best that Mom thinks I was picked up by some random family. He says that my brother is super powerful, the subject of the great prophecy as he his two minutes older than me. This causes Mom a lot of stress, and it wouldn't do her much good to- what were his words- see my charming personality as it would just worry her more.
I don't know what THAT means.
I've never seen my mom or brother before, not even a picture. But I'm assuming I look like her, since I look nothing like my dad. I have super pale skin, dark brown hair, and bright green eyes, whereas dad has tanned skin, black hair, and sea green eyes. I could have looked them up- but my parents refused to tell me their names. However, I think I might have gotten a glimpse of my brother last year before Hestia locked me in my room. I mean the boy looked exactly like young Dad.
Now it's July 29, 2009. Twenty one days till my brother and I turn sixteen and the prophecy is fulfilled. I've waited for my parents to tell me the truth. Now, studying Father Zeus's storm, I made the biggest decision of my life. I wasn't going to play Rapunzel any longer. I stood up and marched to my room. I change from my toga to jeans, a black tank top, a jean jacket, and black combat boots. I shoved some extra clothes into my void backpack- it would never run out of space- some food, nectar, ambrosia, and a spare knife (just in case.) Then, pushing my braid off my shoulder, I marched through Olympus, ignoring the stares of the residents.
Finally, I made it to the elevator, and wasn't surprised to see Hera waiting for me.
"Mother Hera." I greeted. "I would think you, of all people, would understand. You know how important this is to me."
Hera looked at me pleadingly. "And you know how important you are to me!" She countered. "Please, don't go down there. It's too dangerous."
I softened and put my hand on her shoulder. "We have less than a month." I said gently. "Soon, I won't be any more safe here than out in the world. Please, let me have a chance to find my family."
Mother Hera stared at me for a moment before pulling me into a hug. When she finally pulled back, she wiped a tear, then held out her palm, showing off a silver necklace shaped like a key with a diamond in between the circle and the long part. "Take this." She said. "It will guide to camp half-blood. There, seek out the Oracle of Delphi. Let no one know who you are."
I smiled happily at her before taking the necklace and putting it around my neck and placing a kiss on her cheek. "I'll come back, Mother Hera. I promise." Then I stepped past her and into the elevator, waving as the doors closed.
"Man." I thought "Dad's going to kill her."
After listening to the torturous elevator music (what are the gods thinking) I stepped out of the elevator, nodded at the gaping dude at the desk, and marched out into the streets of New York, wondering how the necklace was supposed to guide me to camp. Right on cue, the key grew cold. I held the key in my fist, and I suddenly knew exactly where to go.
I marched through the crowd, pretending that I was a New Yorker, which, I guess in a way, I sort of was. It was late evening. Nobody gave me a strange look.
I followed the path in my brain to a less busy part of town to the backyard of a small family home with people obviously living there. I quietly snuck the side and hopped over the fence, sticking to the shadows. Right away I spotted my destination. A small, wooden shed. What I didn't spot was the giant Great Dane. And when I mean giant, I mean this dog was as tall as me.
Tiny started barking and growling, baring his teeth. I was about to step forward to attempt to sooth him when a squeaky back door opened, and a boy that looked eight years old stepped out. "Moth? What is it, girl?"
So it's a lady. Maybe she could hook up with Cerberus.
I kept myself pressed against the fence as the boy studied his surroundings. Quite observant for a young child. Then, somehow he spotted me. I don't know HOW. Father Hades had taught me how to blend with the shadows. Apparently, you don't have to be a biological child of Hades to do so.
Any who, the boys eyes widened and his jaw dropped as a feminine voice from the house called, "Logan? Honey, what are you doing? Close the door, your letting cold air in."
Seeing as its summer, I don't understand how that could be, but whatever Logan's Mom.
Meanwhile, Moth and Logan were both staring at me. I smiled at the boy and put a finger up to my lips. Logan finally shook out of his shock and called back in, "Just getting some fresh air, Mom!" he yelled in before closing the door. "Who the heck are you?!" he half yelled, half whispered to me.
Kid's got guts. Good, he'll probably need it as a rural kid in Manhattan.
Instead of answering, I walked forward and scratched Moth between the ears. Then, I turned and strolled toward the shed.
"Hey!" Logan yelled, running in front of me, blocking my path. "I asked you a question! What are you doing on my property?!"
I smiled, amused. "You pay the bills, kid?"
"Well… no."
"Not your property. Your home. There's a difference. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe your mother is calling you."
Sure enough the door opened once more, and I quickly stepped into the shadows.
"Logan, sweetheart. What are you doing? Come on it's time for supper."
Logan didn't look too happy about it, but he allowed his mother to guide him inside.
"That's right, kid." I whispered "Cherish it."
Then I turned to the shed, and seeing the tiny key hole, I took my necklace inserted it in the hole, and felt a rush of fresh air as a yellow light surrounded me. I blinked, and I was in the woods.
