Here We Go Again: Chapter 1
Okay first off, the only reason I'm at this stupid council meeting is because my dad, Zeus, says I have to be the 13th vote. And no, I'm not Thalia Grace. I swear if someone thinks I'm her one more time… sorry off topic. It's not that I hate my sister I just hate being called her. Anyways, my name is Heidi Jones, and I was born on August 27th like two weeks after the great Percy Jackson was born. Anyways, I'm at a stupid council my dad called to talk about something 'Highly important' as he says and I have to be her to vote on something. I don't know why they picked me to be the 13th vote but they did so stop asking me. Anyways, that morning (April 16th to be exact) was nice and warm outside so I woke up all cheery and happy, something that rarely happens with me. I put on my favorite ripped jean shorts, a graphic tee that said party rock anthem, my black high tops with a lightning bolt on the side, my billions of bracelets and my favorite saggy black beanie hat and examined myself in the mirror. After re-straitening my Carmel brown hair and putting on lots of black eyeliner I left my small apartment headed for the Empire State Building. Yes, I'm seventeen and have my own apartment. It's registered under my adoptive father's name but I'm the only one who lives there. My adoptive dad is a rich guy who lives in California and loves me to death. Watching for any paparazzi, I carefully walked to my black Lamborghini (Also a present from my dad). The reason I had to watch for paparazzi is because I am a decent singer/song writer (Number five on the charts!). My career is the reason you haven't heard of me before. I was working in Hollywood while the war was going on but don't worry, I've heard all the stories about it. Zeus said I needed to stay away from it all until after the war so Kronos didn't try to kill me or something. I returned to New York a month ago and have visited my apartment a whole two days before this one. I've been living at Camp because it's much safer there, even though I can kill a monster better than anyone I know. Being by the Underworld for years made me a really good fighter. I like to fight using twelve little knives I hide in my shoes (Yes, it's kind of uncomfortable sometimes and my feet are very scratched and ugly.). I drove to the Empire State Building in a few minutes and casually walked inside, pulling out my pass to go to Olympus. I showed the guard before he even had time to question me and walked into the elevator pressing the little red button. I shot to the top, listening to Apollo sing some Michael Jackson song. Yuck. Once I got to the top, I stepped out into the surprisingly warm air and slowly walked to the throne room, dreading every minute. Most people would be excited to come to Olympus, but not me. I used to be excited when I thought I would have fun and Olympus was pretty but it isn't anymore so I hate my trips there. The throne room was the first place Annabeth fixed and I have to say, it looked pretty good to me. It was bigger and better than the previous throne room, and all the thrones were twice the size. It was much easier to tell which throne was whose and the sun shone brightly above. There wasn't a chair for me so I just walked in and sat down in the middle of the floor as they all began discussing whether or not California should split into two separate states. I pulled out my iPod and began listening to music and Apollo nodded approvingly and did the same. After about ten songs he finally stopped listening to music so I figured I should do the same. I began listening to their boring conversation.
"Now, it is time to address the main reason I have called you all here today." Zeus began. "In case you haven't noticed, my daughter Heidi has joined us today to help us all vote on a very important matter." While he was speaking I couldn't help but notice Hermes. He didn't exactly look as happy as he normally did. His salt and pepper hair was almost gray, and the wings on his shoes were fluttering softly and depressingly. I tuned back into my dad just to hear the most important part.
"We are here to discuss whether or not to bring a hero back to the world of the living." He said. "Luke Castellan was a traitor in the beginning, but died the biggest hero of all. In this time of stress with a new war coming soon, I feel as though we should decide whether or not to bring the young son of Hermes back to living to help us with defeating Gaea and her… acquaintances." He said. To me, this made no sense. Why bring back someone who technically caused all this? To me, he wasn't worth the trouble.
"What if the little twerp doesn't help us though?" Ares asked. It made sense, why risk it? Who knew if he would help us or them?
" Ares, this is why we will be taking a vote, and why my daughter is here. I didn't have any of the minor gods come because many of their opinions on the situation were influenced by the war. Heidi however, was not a part of the war and has never met Mr. Castellan." My father replied.
"Yes I have." I blurted out. Crap I thought to myself Heidi, why did you just say that! I yelled at myself internally. They all turned to look at me.
"And when was this?" My father asked, frustration creeping into his voice.
"I uh… I met him when he and his ship came to San Francisco, he uh came to Hollywood and found me and talked to me." I said nervously "He tried to convince me to help him, but I said no. He started yelling at me then I slammed the door in his face." I tried not to smile. I remembered looking out the window seeing him just stare at the door stunned I just did that. "Then he just walked off muttering to himself that it was probably the wrong address." I ended with a sigh. I wasn't afraid of many things, but Luke was definitely one of them after my first encounter with him. I knew I was lucky he left so I didn't have to fight him, not that I couldn't handle it of course.
"You're a very lucky girl, Heidi. Mr. Castellan could have killed you or taken you hostage." Athena spoke with confidence, I loved that about her.
"So, are we going to vote or sit here telling stories all day?" Ares said with frustration.
"Right, well since you brought it up Ares, let's start with you." Zeus spoke and everyone turned their attention to Ares.
"Well, the kid killed a lot of mine so no way."
"Apollo?"
"Nah, I don't think he likes me too much."
"I wonder why." Artemis grumbled.
"Poseidon?"
"Why would I want to bring back a person who tried to kill my child multiple times? No."
"Hera, my love?"
"No, the child wasn't helpful, and won't be now."
"Demeter?"
"Of course not the child hadn't any respect for nature!"
"Aphrodite?"
"Duh! If I said no my children might kill me! The find him quite… dreamy."
"Athena?"
"It wouldn't be a good strategy at all to bring the boy back, plus, he hurt my daughter with his betrayal."
"Artemis?"
"No he's a boy. No"
"Dionysus?"
"Larry Carson was quite helpful with the campers… fine but if he causes trouble or extra work for me I'll turn him into a grape vine."
"Luke Castellan" Hermes and I said simultaneously.
"Whatever."
"Hephaestus?"
"Yes, if my wife thinks yes, then I say yes." Aphrodite squealed loudly.
"Hermes?"
"Yes." That was all he said. He didn't even bring his head up from his hands. He already knew he wouldn't get his son back."
"I think the child could be quite useful." Zeus spoke loudly. "And lastly, Heidi?" I stared at him, why were they asking me? It wouldn't make any difference.
"Sure why not? It won't impact the vote anyway." I mumbled.
"So, it's decided that Luke Castellan will not be back from the dead today." After the meeting, I walked out into the garden, staring at all the magnificent work Annabeth had accomplished…. Suddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder and I spun around, knives in hand.
"Hermes, you scared the crap out of me." I sighed, putting away my knife.
"Sorry, Heidi, I need you to do something for me, something very big." Hermes spoke in a hushed and hurried voice.
"Okay, fine what do you want me to do?" I just wanted to leave, after being on Mount Olympus, I was starting to get sick of these people.
"I need you to go to the underworld and retrieve my son, without him, I will fade into nothingness.