Inheriting a New Prophecy Book 3 - The Titan's Curse

By Stargatesg1fan1

Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within. I believe most of these universes are owned by J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan. Check out Riordan's work because he is one of my favorite authors. Rowling just created a universe that is fun to play in but ended really messed up.

IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP

AN:

Harry's current lovers:

Annabeth Chase played by Alexandra Daddario

Choria played by Sienna Guillory

Furusia played by Liv Tyler

Aphrodite is played by Sarah Chalke

Thalia is played by Jaimie Alexander

Zoe Nightshade is played by Clemence Poesy

Artemis is played by Julie McNiven

End AN

IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP

On the Friday before the scheduled winter break for the New Olympus School for Half Bloods the learning institutions unofficial headmaster and creator set out with his two demigoddess lovers Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, and Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, to answer the call of their long time friend Grover Underwood, satyr and seeker of Pan. Grover's call came while on a mission for both Camp Half Blood and the New Olympian School, both of which now worked in conjunction to house and train half bloods year round. With Harry's working of a bit of magic potential half blood children of the gods were located much quicker and therefore taken out of danger much sooner from the monstrous enemies of all half bloods. The warlock of course kept the enchanted book modeled after Hogwarts' version to himself because of the select number of people who knew his true nature but the quicker location of potentials was easy enough to explain to Chiron, the Camp Activities Director. The son of Poseidon simply told the three millennia old centaur that the ability to quickly locate potential half bloods was a technique Poseidon taught his favorite offspring. Chiron was one of the select few that knew of Harry's special training if not the wizard's true nature and history of being from outside the centaur's home universe.

The two potentials Grover was sent to check out were not found with the new method but instead with the old one. The duo's difficulty of determination as half bloods was perhaps why Grover needed assistance in the first place was what the trio of lovers thought as they arrived at the Westover Hall Boarding School.

"Oh yeah…this is going to be a blast," Thalia sarcastically declared as her boyfriend's spacious Sedan pulled to a stop in front of the school which looked like the castle of a deranged and morally challenged knight.

"Don't worry Thalia…we've got Percy to handle anything that could possibly harm us," Annabeth teased her boyfriend as she climbed out of the expanded passenger seat where she had sat beside Thalia.

"Damn women…will you never let me live that down? So I got a little overprotective and took out one overzealous monster," Harry muttered as he mock glared at his currently brunette and blonde girlfriends.

Thalia had asked her magical lover to charm her hair a natural blonde color to try out the look. The wise male thought his partner was beautiful in any hair color so carried out the request. The look stuck. A blonde haired blue eyed Thalia was just as attractive as a black haired blue eyed daughter of Zeus.

"Took out…you atomized that sucker so well I doubt it will come back for five hundred years and all because it gave me a little scratch," Thalia was quick to point out with a smirk.

"Fine…you want me to stop being so overbearing I will. I'll give you two space and let you fight your own battles," the green eyed teen promised.

"Thank you love," both females answered in unison as each kissed their favorite male on the lips, one after the other in thanks.

A much happier Harry led the way up to the doors of the school. The sorcerer opened the large oak doors with a creak of protest being emitted from the hinges. The entry hall reminded the reality traveler of Durmstrang the one time the teen had taken the chance to visit the darker magical school. The hall was lined with the tools and banners of battle. The militaristic boarding school didn't have a very welcoming feel to it. The trio proceeded down the hall towards where they could hear dance music emanating from.

Not far into the hall the three teens were stopped by two adults, a male and a female teacher.

"What are you three doing here?" The stiffly walking woman demanded of the new arrivals.

"We were just taking a breather from the atmosphere of the dance. The music was a bit intense. I'm sorry it won't happen again," the skilled sorcerer lied smoothly while lacing magic into his voice.

Behind their backs Thalia and Annabeth both worked their hands to manipulate the Mist, the magical background of their universe, to enforce the tale their lover told. The two demigoddesses didn't have the abilities of a witch per se but they could use their increased higher dimensional presence to manipulate the magic of their universe thanks to the training given to them by Harry. Half bloods were somewhere between a squib and a full on magical of the reality traveling warlock's old universe. In the area of specialty of their divine parent, half bloods surpassed a wizard or witch's abilities. The dark haired mage added a bit of extra power to his voice and the workings of his lovers as he sensed the male teacher was not quite right. The apparent mortal was shrouded in Mist but the teen could tell there was something off.

"Very well Annabeth, Percy, and Thalia but don't let it happen again. Off with you back to the gymnasium," the enchanted female instructor shooed the three teens.

As they approached the gym the trio was met by their friend Grover.

"Good you made it," a relieved satyr announced with a sigh. "Thank the gods you have arrived," the teen added as both beauties hugged their friend before their boyfriend did the same in a manly one armed way, causing the girls to roll their eyes in amusement.

"So what exactly is the problem with the two potentials the animals informed the Council about?" Annabeth questioned her friend.

The Council referred to the Council of Cloven Elders, the ruling body of satyrs. The animals of the world would sometimes smell possible half bloods and inform the satyrs who could all speak their language.

"Not just potentials anymore. They are both half bloods indeed. I am quite sure of it. The sister is twelve while the brother is ten. I can't tell their parentage but they are both powerful," explained the disguised human goat hybrid. "We are running out of time so I called in your help."

"Monsters," Thalia pointedly questioned, having sensed something off in the school as well.

"One, a Dr. Thorn," the satyr agreed with a nod. "Every time I try to get close he is always there. He doesn't know for sure but he definitely suspects. With this being the last day of term Thorn won't leave without knowing for sure." When Grover described Thorn the trio informed their friend that they had already met the disguised monster. "What is the battle plan?"

"We are going to dance of course," the green eyed wizard declared with a grin at his girlfriends.

In the typical junior high fashion the dance consisted of guys standing on one side of the brightly decorated gym as girls moved around in large groups. The girls would occasionally gang up on one male and while shrieking and laughing draw pictures on his face in lipstick.

"That would be them," Grover announced as he indicated the two half bloods. "Bianca and Nico di Angela," the teen added.

The trio of lovers examined the siblings. Bianca and her younger brother both sported smooth black hair and olive complexions. The two were arguing as Nico fiddled with a deck of trading cards. Tuning in his enhanced hearing the phoenix animagus could pick up that Bianca was scolding Nico for wandering about. The older half blood felt that something wasn't right.

"Do they know?" Annabeth questioned Grover.

"I haven't told them but their scent is becoming stronger so I think they are starting to suspect something. It won't be much longer before Dr. Thorn can confirm their status from smell alone," Grover replied.

When half bloods realize what they are their scent becomes stronger due to the fact that they subconsciously start tapping into some of the attributes inherited from their divine parents. Hormones that mortals don't possess pump through the children of the gods. The more powerful demigods and demigoddesses like Harry and Thalia smelled even stronger to those with the ability to detect such scents. The part-firebird teen thought his lovers smelled even more exotic due to their divine heritage.

Just then Dr. Thorn entered the gym and stared directly at the four campers.

"Well I guess he shook that whammy off pretty quick," Thalia observed. "We had best intermingle a bit to throw him off the scent. Three powerful half bloods should smell stronger than two just realizing children of the gods. Come on goat boy, let's dance," Thalia ordered while grabbing the satyr, not giving the whisker sporting teen a chance to protest.

"May I have this dance my lady?" Harry requested of Annabeth with a formal bow while slipping into his most suave demeanor.

"I would be delighted good sir," the gray eyed beauty answered as she took her lover's hand and allowed herself to be swept into his embrace.

The couple's dance was a bit off given the music, Jesse McCartney, so with a casual flick of his hand the son of Poseidon changed the tune to something more in line with slow dancing. Annabeth fit nicely in Harry's arms, molding herself to the warlock's form. The dark haired male was much taller than both of his beautiful mates due to his shape shifting abilities.

"So what was that letter about you got earlier from your father? I could tell it upset you," the perceptive boyfriend queried gently as the pair slow danced around the gym, one of the few couples doing so but neither teen minding.

Annabeth stiffened for a moment before relaxing in the embrace of the one person she felt most comfortable with besides Thalia.

"My dad is moving to San Francisco," the daughter of Athena whispered sadly. "He is researching for his new book but did say I could go with him."

"I am sorry honey," Harry comforted his partner.

The warlock had been instructed in the actual history of his new universe and not just the mythology by his father. Poseidon wanted his heir well versed in the politics of the gods, monsters, and everything in between. San Francisco was located next to the mountain where the Titan Lord Atlas and Kronos' right hand follower nicknamed the General was imprisoned. The Mountain of Despair as it was also called was located next to the Garden of the Hesperides. Because Titan magic still lingered heavily in the area monsters were attracted like moths to a flame. Half bloods were always attacked in the area so could not live there, at least for very long without being eaten.

"He should know better," Annabeth muttered.

"Yes he should," the mage agreed. Looking for something to change the subject and cheer up his lover the warlock next asked, "What were those other two letters about…the one that had you and Thalia in tears from laughing so hard?"

An amused grin appeared on the previously sad female's face at the memory.

"Oh…those letters," the brilliant young woman began. "Artemis sent brochures and invitation letters via Hermes' services. That prude still thinks we're both pure enough for her little girl scouts club."

Harry was now grinning widely at his girlfriend's explanation. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and basically the goddess of pure (virgin) girls, was always trying to find new hand maidens to induct into her group of hunters. As a rule the girls were a snobbish lot and a bunch of man haters. For promising eternal chastity the hunters get immortality. Aphrodite was definitely not Artemis' biggest fan.

"Thalia and I virgins…so funny," Annabeth snickered.

The grin disappeared off Harry's face as he noticed something was wrong.

"They're gone," the warrior wizard announced as he gazed at where the di Angelas had been earlier.

"I will go find Grover and Thalia. You go after them," Annabeth hurriedly whispered before shooting off into the crowd.

"I swear…they always forget I can contact them telepathically," Harry muttered as he hurried out of the gymnasium. "Oh well, it's probably better this way. Now they will be in less danger," the sorcerer mused to himself as his keen sense of smell tracked the two half bloods and the distinct monstrous scent of Dr. Thorn.

The skilled warlock stalked the monster and the two half bloods as Dr. Thorn led the pair down a dark hallway by the scruffs of their necks. The two teens and one monster were not aware of the powerful predator that melded with the shadows via magic. Harry was cloaked in invisibility as he tapped into his phoenix powers and floated a dozen feet above the ground while Thorn led the two scared half bloods along a snowy path lit by an older style of lanterns.

As the woods thinned around the path Thorn announced, "There is a clearing ahead where we will summon your ride."

"What Ride?" Bianca demanded with fear permeating her voice. "Where are you taking us?"

"Silence girl," Thorn growled.

"Don't talk to my sister like that," Nico spoke up, impressive for someone his age in his current situation.

A few moments later the monster growled out, "Stop here."

A dark cliff which dropped off into the sea hundreds of feet below was at the end of the clearing. The observing Harry was intrigued as Thorn took out a cell phone.

"The package, it is ready to deliver," the monster spoke into the device before a warble came back in answer via the walkie-talkie mode of the device.

The wind was blowing too hard even for the immortal warlock's senses to penetrate through. Deciding he wasn't going to get anymore information out of the monster without actually taking a risk the sorcerer stepped out of the shadows. The jumping siblings turned Thorn's attention to the new arrival.

"Perseus Jackson," Thorn growled with an evil glint before a projectile whipped out from behind his back.

Harry had caught the super fast movement because he could move at speeds much greater than any mortal. The warrior deflected Thorn's tail spike with a casual flick of Riptide as the blade appeared from its enchanted storage.

"Is this the best you've got monster?" The sorcerer taunted the beast.

"My employer will make quick work of you soon enough Perseus Jackson but alas I have no time to deal with you for the ride of these two half blood weaklings has arrived," Thorn declared as the sound of a helicopter rapidly approached.

"Where are you taking us?" Nico demanded.

"Hush boy," Thorn rebuked. "Soon you'll have the opportunity to join a grand army or you'll be monster food. The Great Stirring is upon us. The worst and most powerful monsters, monsters unseen for millennia are now awake and will sow destruction the likes of which mortals have never known. Soon my employer will have the most important of all monsters, the one that can bring about the downfall of Olympus."

"So who is your employer?" Harry probed but Thorn never got the chance to answer because at that moment an invisible Annabeth plowed into the di Angela siblings, knocking the two half bloods away from the cliff.

The immortal teen activated the shield watch gifted to him by his brother Tyson and deflected the next volley of missiles hurled by the monster while Thalia attacked from behind wielding Aegis. Thalia jabbed at Thorn's head with an enchanted spear much like Harry's sword, except Thalia's spear expanded from a can of mace. The concealed monster began to show his true form, swiping at Thalia with a massive clawed paw. Thalia leapt back but was knocked down as the next group of missiles impacted hard against her shield. The warrior wizard had to restrain himself from rushing to his girlfriend's aid, having promised her he wouldn't interfere in her fights even as the sounds of the helicopter grew louder. Grover helped by causing vines to sprout from the ground and entangle the beast's legs via the satyr's enchanting reed pipe music.

Thorn finally took his true shape with a roar which revealed a human head, the body of a lion, and a leathery spiked tail. The manticore was not a pretty sight.

"What is that thing and who are you people?" Bianca demanded.

"A manticore," Annabeth whispered harshly as she fingered some runes carved into her Camp Half Blood necklace.

The enchanted necklace had gone through a further improvement over the course of the past year. Via the link established between Harry and his two lovers' items he had enchanted for them would allow the females to work limited amounts of magic drawn from his wizarding power core. The magic wasn't much of a drain on the son of Poseidon given his power levels but it would certainly make the lives of his lovers easier. Each beauty now had access to their own trunk dimension which they could summon objects from. A switching spell channeled via her runic necklace allowed Annabeth to quickly switch her clothes for the battle armor her boyfriend had crafted for her. The armor was comprised of interwoven layers of basilisk skin and nano-materials which could stop a rail gun round. Given the inertia absorbing field the armor projected identical to the field projected by Harry's shield the wearer of the armor would be able to survive a rail gun shot's kinetic energy as well. Thalia noticed her best female friend's actions and quickly summoned her own enchanted armor.

When Grover had asked about the seemingly magical abilities of the trio they simply explained to their goat hybrid friend that they were wearing the clothing all along but that the Mist had previously been concealing the garments. Mist manipulation was within the capabilities of a half blood.

"Manticores have three thousand attack power and plus five to saving throws," Nico declared excitedly.

The warlock surmised the dark haired preteen was talking about the trading cards the boy had been sporting earlier but paid the information little mind during the current conflict as Thorn clawed away the vines and turned towards Nico's shout.

"Down," Annabeth commanded as she covered her two charges with her armored form.

Harry stepped in front of the projectiles once more and deflected them with his shield. Thorn growled in frustration at the lack of effect his tail spikes were having. At that moment a sleek black military helicopter zeroed its lights in on the events in the clearing. The blinding lights of the airship distracted Thalia sufficiently for Thorn to knock aside her shield and swat her with his tail. As the sound of a hunting horn echoed through the woods the son of Poseidon charged in front of the next swing of the manticore's tail, slicing off the tip of the appendage with Riptide.

"You'll pay for that demigod," Thorn roared in rage just as several silver arrows embedded themselves into his side. "You cannot do this to me," the monster yelled before unleashing dozens of his tail spikes into the woods.

Some of the tail spikes were intercepted in mid air and sliced in half so great was the volley of arrows fired. The manticore ripped the arrows free as thirteen girls came from the woods wielding bows.

"Oh wonderful…the Hunters," Thalia muttered as the girls advanced.

It was at that moment that Harry noticed a very familiar vision of beauty. If not for his being in another universe the Hallow Master would have sworn he was looking at Fleur Delacour. The silver haired Hunter of Artemis was wearing a silver circlet that matched her locks.

"Permission to kill my lady," the Fleur lookalike called out.

"This is direct interference and against the Ancient Laws," Thorn wailed in protest.

At that moment the female with the powerful aura Harry had detected approaching at the sound of the horn but had been too distracted to pay too much attention to in the fight stepped from the woods.

"This is not true," Artemis announced. "The hunting of all wild beasts is within my mandate. You foul creature are a wild beast. Zoe, permission granted," the red haired beautiful goddess declared as she directed her order at the Fleur lookalike, Zoe.

"You will not get me without a heavy price," Thorn growled as he turned and made as if to flee.

It was at that moment Harry realized the monster's intent but by that time the object was already hurtling at Annabeth. The small object had a strange magic pervading its aura but the enchantment was close enough to some the wizard could cast for him to discern the spell's purpose. As Annabeth's shielded armor absorbed the inertia of the thrown object she locked eyes with her boyfriend. Harry apparated so fast the concussive force of the displaced air at his arrival point acted like a massive flash bang grenade. The immortal green eyed teen's aura blinded even the magical sight of Artemis as the son of Poseidon arrived at his intended destination only to clutch at empty air.

Annabeth had been whisked away by a portkey-like object. Harry turned slowly and faced Thorn even as his mind and senses raced outwards, searching for his lost lover. The connection the two best friends and couple shared was still present but could not be used to locate the daughter of Athena.

"Where is Annabeth?" Harry spoke slowly as the others around him picked themselves off the ground where they had been knocked by the concussive blast.

Only Artemis had remained standing and that was a very near thing.

"You will never find her Jackson," Thorn declared with an evil laugh.

The laugh cut short as the mage was upon the beast. The phoenix wizard leapt upon the back of the monster and wrapped his arm tightly around Thorn's furred throat. The beast choked as the super strong teen wrestled the creature to the ground.

"Where is my girlfriend?" Harry growled while holding the struggling manticore down.

The skilled telepath tried to invade the manticore's mind but before the mage could Thorn struck out with his partially regrown tail. The sorcerer was ready for the attack and sliced off the beast's appendage much further up this time. The monster must have somehow detected the attempted mind assault because at that moment he bit down on something in his mouth and promptly disappeared. As the beast vanished the teen looked up at the amazed Hunters and their Lady. At that moment the helicopter opened up with a spray of machine gun fire that sent the Hunters scattering. Artemis merely waved her hand and caused the machine to transform into a flock of black ravens which promptly flew away into the night.

"Nooo!" Harry shouted in protest.

"Why do you protest son of Poseidon?" The goddess questioned in confusion.

"Because, I could have used the navigational data in that airship's computers to find one of their bases, maybe even the place they just took Annabeth," Harry answered while forcing himself to calm down via occlumency.

Losing his cool would not help Harry locate Annabeth.

"Watch your tone boy," Zoe called out as she stepped towards the son of Poseidon.

"You watch your tone Zoe Nightshade," Thalia spoke up, just as distraught as her boyfriend about Annabeth's disappearance.

"You," Zoe spoke with distaste as she recognized Thalia.

"Late as usual Zoe," Thalia baited the Hunter.

Harry tuned the pair out as he walked towards the edge of the cliff. The warlock closed his eyes and concentrated hard on his lost lover. Annabeth was unconscious at the moment. The perceptive mage couldn't discern anything other than his lover's state of health.

"She is beyond help boy," the voice of Artemis emanated from just to the right and beyond the teen. "And now that I have met her in person once more I can see so too is my sister," Artemis added as she gazed back at Thalia. "You have corrupted her."

"I am in no mood to hear your sexist viewpoint on what is pure and what is corrupt Olympian," Harry growled while glaring at the goddess.

The auburn haired immortal was beautiful of that there was no doubt. But despite the Goddess of the Hunt's true age she was currently in the form of a twelve or thirteen year old girl which somewhat ruined the effect.

"Sexist viewpoint," Artemis spoke in a tone that was both questioning and dangerous.

"You are the Goddess of the Hunt and young pure women. Where is the god of young pure boys? There isn't one because you and your father have a corrupted view of what purity is. Half of your divine charter is sexist," the warlock accused.

"I do not think I like your accusation boy," Artemis announced, power glowing in her eyes.

"What are you going to do about it prude?" The no longer concerned reality traveler challenged.

In response Artemis moved to wave her hand and likely change the teen into something unpleasant. But the powerful immortal mage caught the goddess' rising arm. The two mighty beings struggled. Artemis couldn't dislodge the male's grip so moved to knee him in the groin. The warlock blocked and at that point the cliff gave way from the power two warring auras of such energy gave off. As the grappling duo hurtled towards the rocky surf below Harry used his phoenix flight abilities to hurtle the pair clear, deeper into the ocean.

Artemis twisted around and let loose with a swift high kick that turned Harry's head followed by a hard uppercut that did manage to make the warlock's mind go fuzzy. The fuzziness cleared as soon as the two plunged into the deep ocean waters. The son of Poseidon's water power core was filled with energy from being in his natural element. Harry had no desire to kill Artemis like he did while battling with Triton so tried to end the fight quickly. As Artemis lunged to attack once more the warrior mage twisted around behind her and caught the goddess in a tight embrace. The Olympian's firm attractive form was pressed against the wizard's front. The enraged deity tried to buck the water wizard off and break his grip but only succeeded in waking a certain part of his anatomy.

When that part of the male's anatomy pressed firmly into the deity's pert backside Artemis shouted, "This is not possible!"

As the Olympian's struggles increased Harry concentrated his willpower on summoning forth a spell that would shut the man hater up. Pink energy began to glow around the green eyed male's hands so brightly it was visible for miles around. When the spell was fully charged the sorcerer cupped the female Olympian's breasts. Artemis' scream echoed even further than the light of the spell shone. The Goddess of the Hunt's body writhed but not in pain. The pleasure spell was wracking the female's body with an orgasm so powerful it would have shattered a mortal's mind. After thirty seconds of holding the spell in place the wizard released the magic.

"Do you yield?" The son of Poseidon asked the daughter of Zeus.

"Never," the goddess weakly protested.

Another twenty seconds under the effects of the spell changed the female's tune. Unbeknownst to the exhausted pair an invisible Goddess of Love took that moment to influence her weakened sister. Normally Artemis' energy reserves would have prevented the Love goddess from having any effect on her younger sister. But with the fight drained out of Artemis, Aphrodite's power started to have the smallest effect. Over time the effect would grow into something more. The water mage willed the water to funnel around them and carry the pair back up to the lip of the cliff. As he stepped out of the cyclone of ocean water there was a flock of arrow wielding Hunters pointing their weapons at the wizard.

"Put away your bows my Hunters," a weak Artemis ordered.

"But my lady," Zoe began to protest.

"Do it," a tired goddess commanded. "Leave him be. I need to sleep," Artemis muttered as she wandered over to a magical tent that was just inside the tree line.

The Hunters stared at the green eyed wizard before following their Lady. Harry's energy reserves had already replenished themselves due to the effects of his multiple cores.

"Did you have to pick a fight with a goddess," Thalia inquired of her lover with some amusement in her tone.

"I was in no mood to put up with her bullshit," the warlock groused.

"Fair enough," the daughter of Zeus agreed. "I don't blame you at all. I miss her already."

"We'll get her back…I promise," the Hallow Master declared.

"Excuse me but what the hell is going on?" Bianca di Angela spoke up.

"Do you know anything about your parents, girl?" A newly reappeared Zoe Nightshade queried as she stepped from the tree line and the edge of the Hunters camp.

"Our parents are dead," Bianca explained. "We have a bank trust that pays for our education," the dark haired young woman added as Nico shook his head in agreement.

With a skeptical expression on her attractive features Zoe declared, "You are a half blood. One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"One of the Olympian gods," Thalia clarified.

"Cool," Nico exclaimed.

"This is so not cool," Bianca corrected her sibling, sensing not everything in the mythic realm was all peaches and cream.

"Does Zeus really have six hundred points of damage when he uses his lightning bolts?" Nico questioned excitedly.

"Nico, be quiet," Bianca censured. "This isn't your Mythomagic game. There are no gods!"

"I'm sorry Bianca but you're wrong there," the green eyed teen spoke up while raising his right hand to the sky.

The sky for about a half a mile radius around the clearing where the group stood darkened so suddenly it could not be natural. Rain began to pour in a light drizzle for about twenty seconds. With another wave of his hand the downpour ceased.

"Woh…are you a god too?" Nico questioned as he and his sister gaped.

"No but he's the son of Poseidon," Thalia corrected while noticing that even though Zoe hated all men the blonde Hunter couldn't help but be a little impressed by Percy's display.

"And who was that girl you were fighting with?" Bianca queried.

"That was my Lady Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and matron of pure young girls before they are corrupted by men," Zoe spoke up while saying men as if they were the filthiest creatures to ever exist.

"What about Dr. Thorn? What was he?" Nico spoke up to ask.

"Thorn was a manticore," Grover explained. "Monsters like him hunt half bloods. They can never die but they can be destroyed for a time before they are reformed," the satyr explained.

"That explains those guys who tried to attack us last summer in DC," Bianca announced with a shiver.

"And that bus driver with the horns I swore were real but you told me was my overactive imagination," Nico piped up.

"That's why Grover has been keeping watch over you. He's been trying to keep you safe in case you had turned out to be demigods," Thalia added.

"Grover…you're a demigod?" A surprised Bianca questioned.

"No I'm a satyr," the whiskered teen corrected while removing his shoes to show his hooves.

"We've come to offer you a place at both Camp Half Blood and the New Olympus School where you will be safe and receive the necessary training to protect yourself," Thalia offered.

"Cool, let's go," Nico agreed with a quick grin.

"There is another option," Zoe began.

"No there isn't," Thalia growled, interrupting the silver haired female.

Harry knew his blue eyed girlfriend had bad history with Zoe Nightshade but didn't know the specifics.

"You could join the Hunt; become a Hunter for my lady. We are her maids in waiting and her companions. If you promise to forsake the company of men you will receive immortality," Zoe proposed. Zoe looked off towards the tent for a moment as if she was being mentally contacted by somebody before returning her attention to Bianca and adding, "My lady Artemis would like to speak to you."

Bianca followed Zoe a moment later towards Artemis' tent.

"Huh and here I would have thought she'd be too tired to talk after tussling with you," Thalia declared.

"She may have regenerated more slowly than me but she is a goddess after all. She's probably rapidly approaching full strength once more. Sleep for her could only be a few minutes," the sorcerer pointed out.

"Bianca can't join them," Nico spoke up with a mask of dread materializing on his features. "What will happen to me?"

The dark haired son of Poseidon walked over to the boy and placed his hand comfortingly on the younger male's shoulder.

"Nico, don't blame your sister for whatever decision she makes. It is very hard for a mortal no matter their parentage to say no to an Olympian deity. Those who have done so in the past have paid a heavy price. Most often the results are very…unpleasant and involve a hideous curse. Whatever the outcome of your sister's meeting with Artemis you will be well cared for. You are going to love the School and Camp. We have stables of flying horses, sword fighting training, and some of the most magical sights on the planet," the Potter male explained, his words seeming to cheer Nico up somewhat.

"Can I see the magic sword you were using?" Nico requested.

"Sure Nico," the mage agreed while entertaining the youth.

Soon the Hunters' camp showed signs of becoming livelier. The Hunters themselves summoned a pack of large white wolves which the girls then fed. The wolves were part of a rotating guard along with the flock of sharp eyed falcons perched in the forests' trees.

Nico's questions seemed endless but the warrior warlock didn't mind. The reality traveler had been through enough bloodshed and war to last multiple lifetimes. Children always distracted Harry from such depressing topics. With Annabeth being stolen away the immortal teen needed all of the distraction he could get.

About twenty minutes after Zoe and Bianca had left the warlock received a mental message of, "Please join me in my tent Percy Jackson."

"Excuse me Nico but Artemis wishes to speak to me," the mage interrupted the black haired boy's youthful warble.

"How do you know?" A confused young boy questioned.

"Not every message need be relayed aloud," an amused Harry answered mentally in the boy's mind.

"Cool!" Nico exclaimed at the display of telepathy as the older male walked towards the tent with an amused grin.

Artemis' tent looked no different from the others on the outside but the inside was obviously magical, lavishly decorated and furnished as it was. The gorgeous red haired goddess was seated next to Bianca. Artemis' bow hung on the wall behind her head while every kind of animal pelt imaginable covered the rest of the walls. A silver horned dear with sparkling fur lay next to the redhead with its head in her lap.

"Please sit Percy," Artemis spoke up in invitation. "I feel we might have gotten off on the wrong foot. Although I must admit I'm not used to being challenged often let alone being handled in such a way," the Huntress mused with a slight smile forming on her lips.

"I agree we got off a bit awkwardly," Harry relented as he walked over to sit in front of the older immortal before casually forming an ice chair with a wave of his hand. "I fear I let my grief and anger over the disappearance of Annabeth get the better of me. She and Thalia had just made me promise not to be too overprotective of them and let them fight their own battles. As a result of my adjusting to their level of comfort in my interference I acted too slowly to stop Thorn from kidnapping her."

"A wise approach for one your age," Artemis complimented. "I am just as much at fault as you are for preventing Annabeth's kidnapping. The magic he used was very old and foreign to me. Tell me Percy, are you surprised by my age?"

"My Lady Artemis…you and I both know that outward appearances are not very telling when it comes to the mystical. I find outward beauty can be changed quickly but inward beauty is much slower to shift," the sorcerer answered. "Your eyes belie your true age."

Despite her several millennia of life and her general dislike of the male gender Artemis felt the enigmatic young demigod's presence having an effect on her. The red haired immortal was very curious about Percy Jackson and how he had become so powerful so quickly. The green eyed youth was if prophecy was to be believed the deciding factor on whether or not Olympus perished or flourished. Perhaps, Artemis thought, she should take a more active role in influencing that fate despite her father's wishes. Zeus always was a rather hands off father figure and king. That didn't mean the lightning thrower's children needed to be. She was old enough to take her own path the goddess decided.

"Yes well perhaps you might tell me more about what the manticore known as Dr. Thorn spoke of," the attractive deity requested. "While Bianca has explained some of what the beast said she might not have understood events as you would."

The raven haired sorcerer recited the events of the confrontation with the manticore.

Artemis was pensieve for a moment before declaring, "I feared that might be the case."

"Is it the scent my lady?" Zoe inquired of Artemis.

"Yes, things are stirring that I have not hunted or heard of in millennia," the Olympian deity confirmed with a nod. "I must hunt this monster that could be the downfall of Olympus and I must do it alone."

"But my lady," Zoe began to protest.

"This is a task too dangerous even for my Hunters, Zoe. My search must start where you cannot go with me," Artemis calmly explained.

"Yes, my Lady," Zoe hesitantly agreed.

"I will return with the monster by winter solstice and just maybe will be able to convince the Council of the danger we face," Artemis mused aloud while thinking of the Council of Olympian deities and the danger presented by the rising Kronos, a threat Zeus was still hesitant to even acknowledge let alone prepare for. "I have a favor to ask of you Percy Jackson. I wish for you to see my Hunters safely back to Camp where they will stay until I return."

"But my Lady…we hate it there," Zoe balked at the very idea. "You remember the last time we stayed there."

"Yes I do," Artemis agreed. "But it's your right to use cabin eight whenever you are in need. It's the safest place for you in my absence. Now we have one last matter to attend to…Bianca's induction."

Artemis' last statement confirmed for the warrior warlock that Bianca had accepted the offer of immortality. The mage vowed to himself that he would help Nico adjust to the loss of Bianca's guardianship.

"What do I have to do?" Bianca spoke up.

"Repeat after me," Zoe instructed. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."

Once Bianca repeated the saying Artemis pronounced, "I accept."

A silver glow emanated throughout the tent as the bronze brazier burned brighter in the center.

Opening her eyes wide Bianca declared, "I feel stronger."

"Welcome sister," Zoe replied.

"And remember your pledge because it is now your life," Artemis added. "Zoe, break camp quickly while I summon a ride from my brother. Dawn is fast approaching."

As the hunters expediently broke camp Artemis stared expectantly into the east while Harry joined Grover, Thalia, and Nico.

"You were right…she joined," the dark haired boy announced sullenly.

"Don't worry Nico…you're going to be ok. And you'll see your sister more often than you think," the warrior wizard assured the boy.

"I hope you're right," Nico replied, cheering up a bit as he remembered the group was soon going to travel to the magical Camp.

IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP – The Titan's Curse – IaNP

Posted: 7/24/2013 (Edited Version)

Author's Note 2:

Well here is the first part of book 3. To discuss my stories and other fanfiction topics check out my Facebook group Stargatesg1fan1's Fanfiction Works and Favorites (the title on my ff . net profile is hyperlinked to the group). Another great group is Fiction Group.

Stargatesg1fan1