.: Forget Me Not :.
Let us remember
Bianca di Angelo,
Zoë Nightshade,
Charlie Beckondorf,
Silena Beauregard,
Lee Fletcher,
Michael Yew,
Ethan Nakamura,
Luke Castellan,
. . . And all the rest of the demigods not mentioned who R.I.P and are so awesome. Although . . . Bianca chose reincarnation, so that's good, right?
-v-
A/N: Each chapter contains some part of their former life, most likely the good memory. However, then it's the part when they die. After those chapters, I will include some moments. Like how Silena was supposed to break Beckondorf's heart, but didn't. Or Zoë's tale, for example. May possibly include Thaluke.
I know that it's kind of like I'm repeating the story, but it is through another person's point of view, and I did add stuff that wasn't mentioned.
Disclaimer: With the exception of my own plots/OC's, etc.; Rick Riordan owns the rest (quotes, characters, etc.).
Warning: Spoilers for TTC (The Titan's Curse)
Chapter One: Bianca
Decisions to be Made
Song: Blue Moon (Beck)
My mouth felt dry. This whole thing—what was happening must be a dream. It was surreal, and all my brother did was jumping up and down like a two-year old, which was not helping.
I knew that the dance was where it would all happen—something was not right. My stomach was filled with dread, and Dr. Thorn was watching my brother and me very closely.
Now Grover, the guy who was actually nice to my brother and me, was a satyr; the goddess Artemis turned out to be a young girl; my vice-principal was a manticore and just died; and Nico and I had a parent who was an Olympian. All in one day.
The boy named Percy Jackson began to talk about a place—Camp Half-Blood, but I didn't recover from my shock.
Nico seemed especially eager about the camp. "Sweet, let's go!" he jumped.
"Wait," I disagreed. Even though Percy and the others save my life, I was not going to go with strangers. "I don't—"
"There is another option," the girl, whose name I'm pretty sure was Zoë, supplied. She wore a silver circlet in her hair, spoke old-English, and looked like less of a threat than the other girl, but carried authority and importance.
"No, there isn't!" The other girl with black hair and startling electric blue eyes stood, and I felt a bit intimidated by her. I've seen her shield—which I identified as Medusa's face, the monster from Perseus' tale. The face was definitely creepy, and I tried to avoid staring at it. Luckily, I wasn't turned into stone, but I didn't want to risk it again.
Both girls seemed to have met before—which was obvious with the way they argued. They could've of been old friends, or enemies, but that wasn't really on my mind.
"We've burdened these children enough," Artemis said. "Zoë, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tent. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings' from the school."
"Yes, my lady."
"And Bianca, come with me. I would like to speak with you."
"What about me?" my little brother asked.
Artemis studied Nico, and said, "Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for while . . . as a favour to me?"
Grover scrambled up, with enthusiasm. "You bet! Come on, Nico!"
I figured it was okay for Nico to leave with Grover—after all, both knew each other and seemed excited about cards. I followed Artemis; confused to why the goddess of hunt will want to speak with me . . . I followed her along the cliff, where some other girls were already making camp.
Seven silver tents were already made in a matter of seconds, and I watched in awe. Wolves came out when a girl blew a dog whistle, and after that, falcons perched on trees, watching.
Instead of being creeped-out, a part of me was fascinated. A world I never knew . . . like heroes or heroines in books. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe made me envy how ordinary kids could escape to a magical world, but this was really happening.
"Bianca? Let us head to the last tent." Artemis began to travel, and I followed carefully, remembering that this was far different from books or movies.
The only thing I could think of—why Artemis would want to talk with me—was that I offended the goddess. There were plenty stories of foolish mortals disobeying gods and goddesses, or doing something wrong. As punishment, they get turned into nature, animals, or worse. The tale of Prometheus worried me especially, because that sounded gruesome.
Artemis seated herself on the floor of the tent, and after a moment of hesitation, I sat down beside her. "Bianca, would you like to join the Hunt?"
I waited, knowing she would explain the details.
"Here is the brochure." She handed over the paper, and I skimmed it.
Well. I would have never expected this. "Um . . . thank you for the offer." I tucked the paper inside the pocket of my jacket. "I don't know if I want to, though."
"We need more recruits. You seem like a perfect maiden for the Hunt—strong, reliable, and loyal." Artemis looked at me with understanding. "At least think about it. It would be a good opportunity for you—just before that age. If you want to rely on people, we are the best group for you."
"I mean no disrespect at all, but I'm not sure if I even want to be a half-blood. My brother and I—the both of us—" I couldn't finish, and choked.
"Bianca, you and your brother Nico are not chosen. You can't choose whether or not to become a demigod. I know this seems unfair, but it is time you know who you really are."
"My lady?" Zoë stood at the flap of the tent, waiting for her orders.
"Thank you, Zoë. I would like the Jackson boy to accompany us for a talk," the goddess requested.
"Yes, my lady." Zoë went to retrieve Percy, and I stared at the ground.
To know who I really am . . .
... ::: ...
I was still sitting beside Artemis when Percy Jackson came in. He seemed slightly surprised when he walked into the tent, almost as if the surroundings made him feel uncomfortable.
I supposed the decor fitted the goddess well—animal pelts were hanged here and there, but I could never fully accustom to the rugs and pillows underneath me. Come to think of it, camping must never be this luxurious.
"Join us, Percy Jackson," Artemis said. She studied Percy carefully, like the boy was a big mystery.
Was Percy Jackson a hero? He looked pretty average, but unlike most guys, he had a sense of aura that seemed much older and different.
Percy sat across from Artemis wearily, as if cautious. I had the same feeling—the goddess could turn us into deer at any second if outraged. Somehow, I believed that will never happen, but I already knew that Percy was pretty out-spoken.
"Are you surprised by my age?" the goddess inquired.
Percy muttered something like, "Uh . . . a little."
I wondered if he had any other experience in talking with gods and goddesses. I knew it was rude to listen in on the conversation, so I focused on what the heck just happened to my life. Already I've seen weird things, but I figured that the man with one eye was a coincidence, maybe born that way, or the guy with ram horns was a trick of the light. But now I knew they were from Greek Mythology.
"—um, 'I hate middle school dances'."
I blinked, recollecting on the conversation. Were they talking about what happened in the gymnasium?
"No, no. After that," Artemis said.
"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."
Zoë whitened, "That's who we—"
Artemis raised her hand, cutting the girl off. "Go on, Percy."
"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"
"Stirring," I corrected, unable to contain myself. I figured they were sorting out the events, each a clue given to the goddess.
"Yeah," Percy said. "And he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all—the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus'."
Artemis froze, and once again, I was curious.
"Maybe he was lying," Percy suggested helpfully. He must have been trying to figure something out, too.
"No." Artemis shook her head. "He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."
The conversation continued on, but most of it didn't make sense. Creature—Winter Solstice—Council of Gods was jumbled, words that seemed unidentifiable and confusing.
"And now there is one last decision to make," the goddess announced, looking over to me. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"
I bit my lip, weighing my options. The offer of joining the Hunters was tempting, yet I was not so sure. "I'm still thinking about it."
"Wait," Percy said. "Thinking about what?"
"They . . . they've invited me to join the Hunt."
Percy started to protest, until Zoë put in, "It is not the only way for a girl."
Still in disbelief, Percy began to name reasons why I should go to camp. ". . . It's got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and . . . I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?"
I listened to Artemis and Zoë naming the benefits. Being immortal made me worry slightly, and youth and no love made me scared. I was only fourteen years old, and to never grow older or fall in love was against what was on my list. First dates, life giving you lessons so you can learn in the future . . . education, jobs. And to just be a normal person? That was all I ever wanted. However, I knew it was never going to become true. Besides, hanging around with a group—at least I won't be lonely. I'll be surrounded by friends, or possibly even sisters.
"Bianca, this is crazy," Percy told me. "What about your bother? Nico can't be a Hunter."
I wavered slightly. Nico needed me, and I had to protect him.
"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."
"Hey!" Percy protested.
"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured me. "But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counsellors to take care of him. And you will have a new family. Us."
"A new family . . ." I repeated with hope. Could this be true? "Free of responsibility."
"Bianca, you can't do this. It's nuts," Percy said.
I ignored him, looking over to Zoë. "Is it worth it?"
She nodded her head. "It is."
"What do I have to do?"
Zoë said the pledge, as I repeated after her.
"I accept it," Artemis declared.
With those words, the room went in a strange glow, but settled down.
My whole body felt . . . different. My mind felt much more clear, worries, fears, and confusion gone. I took a deep breath, and opened my eyes. "I feel . . . stronger."
"Welcome, sister," Zoë said.
"Remember your pledge," Artemis reminded me. "It is now your life."
Percy just sat there, gaping.
I knew he was slightly annoyed, but he had to understand . . . Artemis and Percy quickly finished talking, as Zoë exclaimed to me, "Follow me."
I went, but not before stopping in front of Percy. "I'm sorry, Percy. But I want this. I really, really do." I left the tent, hoping that maybe my life could get better from this. But Nico . . . what will I tell him? What could I tell him?
The Titan's Curse: Pages 32, 37, 39—43