Dust
By: Cerise Amberwood
Disclaimer:
I do not own or have created the Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus series. These series, plot, and most of the characters were made and owned by Rick Riordan.
Praise the Rick Lord!
Hello! I'm the author of this fanfic, the name's Cerise.
SO, this is my first attempt at a fanfic, so please don't judge me too hard :3
I actually already wrote this once, and it never saved, so that sucked. But I'm determined to get this chapter finished so here we go again!
Hope you enjoy!
~ Cerise Amberwood
Note:
SO Dust is placed about a year or so after the war with Gaia. Demigods are finally settling down, and thinking of the future. Camp Halfblood is rebuilding, and with help from the Romans is now more fortified than ever!
The beginning of this starts with Frank, and a startling discovery that all is not what it seems with the world. Gaia's... remnants? Are stirring, and a warning from Mars threatens that the end of the world is near.
Can the original Seven come together again, and find Leo, who is still missing, and fight one last battle? And will Romans and Greeks band together just like last time, or will fights break out again?
Gaia has a chance to take over the world again, and the Seven have a chance to stop her, all in Dust, a Heroes of Olympus fanfiction, based on the real series created by Rick Riordan, Master of Everything Awesome.
Chapter 1: The Awakening
Frank's POV:
" Praetor Zhang!"
Frank Zhang was walking up Temple Hill, heading for Mars Ultor, when Mia, a centurion ran up to him, talking a mile a minute. " Praetor! Praetor!"
Frank sighed, " Calm down, I can hear you just fine."
Mia flushed bright red. " Oh, well yes, ahem. Praetor Reyna is already in the forest-"
" The forests? Past the Field of Mars?"
" Yeah, that's the one. There have been signs of several monster attacks in there. We have a wounded girl from the Fifth Cohort. She claims she saw a girl with a… goat leg, who burst into flames."
" So what you're saying is there's an empusai in the forest."
" Yes, Centurion Hazel Levesque and the two graceu- ahem, greek demigods await you."
Frank heard the beginning of her insult, and clenched his jaw subtly. " Tell them I'll be there in five. I have things to do."
Mia sighed and batted her eyelashes at him, resting a hand on his arm. " Whenever you're ready Praetor Zhang."
Frank stumbled away, mumbling something about Mars, blushing bright crimson. Mia giggled and strutted away, but not after she squeezed Frank's biceps and giggled some more.
Frank could feel her eyes on him as she turned around and walked away, turning back around to stare at him several times. Frank sighed and turned around, trying to ignore Mia's burning gaze, as he walked up to Mars Ultor.
Frank shuddered and rubbed his eyes. Ever since he had returned to Camp Jupiter as a Hero of Olympus, and had become Praetor of the Twelve Legion after Jason gave him emergency promotion during the battle at the House of Hades, girls kept on hitting on him, or flirting with him. I mean, sure, he had changed a little in appearance, okay, maybe a lot. But it wasn't that big a deal! ... For him at least.
He had recently turned sixteen and a half, and had grown out of his baby face. Due to all of his training and war games, he had grown kind of buff, and finally gotten tall enough so that he felt relatively normal in his own skin, better than he did on the Argo II.
Piper and Jason were visiting Camp Jupiter, along with Nico Di Angelo and Will Solace. Frank recalled a conversation he had earlier with Jason, which had made him feel extremely awkward. It was also what had brought him to Temple Hill.
They were walking through New Rome, two old friends taking a walk, and Jason had been commenting on Frank's appearance the entire time.
" Dude," He had said, disbelief shining in his eyes.
" Yeah?" Frank asked, tilting his head to one side in confusion.
" Dude, you got buff! What the heck Frank! As Leo would say, you're a walking chick magnet now." They both smiled and laughed even though Frank was extremely embarrassed.
" Nah, Jason. I just spend a lot of time training, I've been practicing my shapeshifting and archery. Besides, we all know you and Percy are the better looking ones."
Jason laughed, " Frank in all seriousness, I can understand your problem."
Frank turned around, wrinkling his brow in confusion. " What problem?"
Jason raised an eyebrow. " On the way here five girls have winked at you, three have written their names and cohorts on their arms and waved them at you, and about six groups of girls have all simultaneously sighed and whispered about you as you walked by."
Frank flushed bright red. " Pretty sure they were doing that for you too man, not just me."
Jason laughed, " Oh no, Frank. They had your name written on their arms, and I heard the names ' Frank' and ' Zhang'. Accept it dude, you're officially wanted."
The two passed a Venus dedicated altar, and Frank muttered a silent curse at the annoying, self absorbed goddess of love. Jason snickered and nudged him playfully, silently warning him to be careful. Frank rolled his eyes and smirked. He didn't mind his looks but he wished Venus would kinda, lay off on all the fawning girls. Jason interrupted his thoughts.
" The Venus Festival is coming up soon, in about two and a half weeks? I'm pretty sure all the girls will be asking you to go with them."
Frank was flustered, " But I'm with Hazel!"
" I don't think they don't care that you guys are dating, and so if you want to make them stop flirting with you, then you have to make it clear that you're with Hazel and you don't want to date anyone else."
Frank and Jason spent the rest of the walk mostly in silence, Frank still pondering about Jason's words. What could he do to make the girls go away? It's not like he could directly ask, that would be kind of mean... Frank sighed, slightly wishing he didn't have such a strong cinnamon side.
Jason was about to say something when Frank doubled over, grabbing his head in pain. He heard his father, Mars, for the first time in almost seven months, shouting in his head. Each word left a ripple of pain, but his words were muffled, as if he was underwater. Frank could only make out two words, Mars Ultor. His father was trying to tell him something, and obviously his altar/temple would be the place where he would have the most power to appear.
" Ow… Woah, something's wrong…" Frank gasped, trying to stop the migraine.
Jason grabbed Frank's arm, " Hey, what's wrong! Frank, hey can you hear me?"
" Yeah," Frank gasped, " Jason, go gather everyone, you, Piper, Nico, Will, Hazel, everyone. Meet me at the Mars Cabin, 'kay? I'll be ten minutes, I have to check something."
Before Jason could say or do anything, Frank transformed into an eagle and flew away to Mars Ultor, in search of what was wrong.
So here he was, climbing up to his Father's altar. Finally, after a few minutes of pondering and walking, he made his way to the place right in front of the altar.
Strangely enough, there was a man standing in the altar, dressed in a Canadian Special Forces uniform.
" Father?"
The man turned around, revealing himself as Mars, the Roman god of war, also Frank's father.
Strangely enough, Mars's eyes weren't their usual fireball red, they were deep brown, just like Frank's. He had golden ichor stained bandages wrapped around his arms, and more peeking out of his uniform. Frank had never seen his father looking so… defeated. He looked as if he had travelled through Tartarus and back, without his godly powers.
" Hey kid, bet you're wondering what's happened huh?" Mars spoke up, coughing after he spoke.
" Dad, what happened to you?" Frank was concerned, and a little more frightened than he'd like to admit.
Mars knelt over his altar, examining something in the ground. " There is something awakening, kid. Something dark. I've been taking all the weight I can, but I know even if I don't wan't to admit it, I can't hold on forever."
" What? What are you talking about?" Frank yelled the question, a tightness forming in his chest.
" It's attacking us Frank, both of us, me and that Graceus god, Ares or whatever. We've been taking most of the damage, trying to protect the others, but we're losing. I can feel it in me, slowly chipping away at me, and I've- we've been fighting it day and night but she keeps coming back stronger and stronger, every day. Every night. She can't be stopped."
" Who is she? Tell me!"
Mars replied slowly, seeming out of breath. " Earth… Mother's, remnants…"
" Earth Mother? Do you mean… No, we defeated her! We killed her!"
" Frank listen, all of us, Roman and… Greek, are both being affected. We may not last as long as we hope, so it's up to you, Frank, and your friends. You have to be prepared. There will be betrayals, and deaths. I wish this wasn't true but you are strong, you are my son and I know you can do thi-" He gasped, doubling over in a groan.
" Woah! Mars! What's wrong!?"
Mars stared up grimly at his son, wishing this wasn't happening now. He cared about his children more than he let on but this boy, this boy he loved with all of heart. He was proud of Frank and knew that he could make it through this. " I am so sorry son. This is going to hurt but you're strong. You are your mother's son. I know you can make your way through this. Remember what I said. Emily would be so proud of you, Fai."
Frank stared up at his father in surprise and worry. His father never got sentimental, and he definitely never called him by his real name before. Frank stared in horror as his father collapsed to his knees, golden ichor streaming out of his newly opened wounds. Something was definitely wrong. He couldn't do this now! The great prophecy had just ended, he was beginning things with Hazel, he was living his life! He thought hard, scrambling over Mars's words, trying to make sense of what was happening.
A wet, earthy smell hit him as Frank ran forward, grabbing his father's arm. The breeze picked up around him, swirling thousands of dead leaves around Frank and his father, leaving Frank cold and alert. His father's words bounced around his head.
This is going to hurt.
You are strong.
I am so sorry.
Emily would be proud...
For a few seconds, Frank thought he would be okay. What a dumb thought.
Spoiler, he was wrong.
An earth shattering pain hit him and sent him flying, falling backwards and away from his father, who disappeared with a scream, surrounded by a ring of green fire.
Frank could barely see through the red clouding his vision. He felt something slash into him, hitting him over and over again. He turned around, catching glimpses of his opponent as they dodged and weaved through his attacks, avoiding them. Frank turned into a lion, roaring and slashing at the air with his sharp claws. An ungodly fast attack sent him spinning towards the ground. He turned back into human, feeling several bones break as he hit the ground.
His opponent smashed into him, sending him flying into the side of Mars Ultor.
He heard a crack and realised his ribs were probably broken. Was that why it was so hard to breathe?
The ground started shaking, like an earthquake, rattling his bones. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his breathing. He needed to calm down to shape-shift. A cold hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up.
Two luminescent, green eyes loomed over him, blood red lips curling into a smile.
A lady stood over him, her black hair tumbling over her shoulders and onto her long, blood red dress, her grin startlingly cold. She looked startlingly familiar. " Frank Zhang, oh how the mighty have fallen."
Frank didn't know how long he was there, lying in front of Mars Ultor, trying to ignore the migraine flaring through his head. He grabbed his arms and could feel his blood running down them, slightly panicking at the thought that he could be seriously injured. The lady paced back and forth, vines creeping up her dress, curling around her arms. Whoever this lady was, she was definitely not a mortal. Or a demigod.
No demigod could be this powerful.
Frank sank into semi-consciousness, trying not to pass out, desperately trying to look over at his father, who was surrounded by incredible green flames which reminded Frank too much of the vines that curled around his arms, jabbing his wounds and curling up to his face. They slithered up his cheeks, getting closer and closer to his eyes.
He was so tired and defeated, he barely registered an inky pool of shadows opening up next to him, and six people stumbling out of it, one of them immeadiately collapsing in another's arms.
Three people looked around, one of them screaming as they spotted him. They ran towards him, one of them opening several bags and satchels, hastily trying to help him. He could make out the form of two others, at his side, one of them talking to him, tears spilling out of their golden eyes. The first cut away the vines that crept up him, but they grew back almost immediately, twisting around his neck, sprouting thorns that scratched him. Two other people stood close by, but even with his eyes barely open Frank could tell that they looked horrified.
One of the three, the one with liquid gold eyes grabbed his hand, not letting go even when the vines crept up her hand.
The other, her hair black and tied back in a braid grabbed his arm, her obsidian eyes flaring as she placed her hands directly over his SPQR and Mars brand, and started sending energy into him. It warmed him to the core, sending the vines shooting back, retreating from his face and neck. Frank sighed, glad that the thorny plants were gone. The girl was definitely Reyna, using her powers as a daughter of the Roman Goddess Bellona, sharing her energy with him. He barely registered this fact, even though it did surprise him.
His attention spun back to the golden eyed daughter of Pluto, who was looking into his eyes, still talking to him.
Reyna…. And Hazel. One more, who was healing him. Probably Will.
Out of the corner of his eyes he could still see the woman, her grin still cold and cruel. She was staring at him with her intimidating green eyes, radiating power like a goddess.
" Look… over there…" Frank mumbled, lifting a hand to point to the woman. She put a finger to her lips and grinned, sending another migraine to Frank that made him groan and twist in pain.
" Frank! Frank are you okay? Please be okay!" Hazel was sobbing, grabbing his hand while Reyna gave as much power as she could spare, using her powers. Frank rolled over staring directly at the woman, wishing for her to stop. More vines crept up her dress, curling around her arms. She smiled and laughed at him, gesturing to Mars Ultor.
" How pathetic. Like Father, like Son."
Inside, Mars appeared, the fire turning transparent, like glass. Mars was mirroring Frank, covered in ichor instead of blood.
" My, my, how the mighty have fallen. You see, taking out the War God and a Praetor of Rome, both beacons of hope for this pathetic Camp. Jupiter never was one for brains," Her eye flashed black. " Neither was Mars."
" Frank," Mars gasped, struggling to speak. He turned towards the woman. " Stop this demon, take me! Leave my son out of this!" Mars roared, yelling at her. When she gave no reaction, Mars turned to Frank, speaking with obvious determination.
" Frank, remember this- Monster dust. Remember monster du-" He was cut of by the woman, who slammed a spear into the ground of Mars Ultor.
The Roman sign for war. She shimmered and shed her invisibility, making Frank gasp and stare at her. Led by his expression, Hazel turned and saw her.
" What the-" Reyna whirled around at the sacred temple, gasping as a spear slammed into the ground, flung by the woman who was hurting Frank. She screamed with joy, lifting up a hand, summoning vines that grabbed Frank and flung him away from Will and the others.
" Who are you!" Reyna demanded.
" Oh, poor, poor, Praetors, or should I say, Praetor. Soon there won't be a Son of Mars to lead this Camp."
Hazel screamed, pummeling the woman with rocks, eyes widening as the vines surrounding the woman shot up and grabbed every single jewel that hurtled towards her, flinging them back. Hazel grabbed her sword and deflected most of them, Reyna backing her up.
Two more figures joined the fight, one of them barely standing. The other joined Will as he rushed towards Frank. It was Piper, charmspeaking his pain away.
Frank felt the pain lessening in his mind. He could feel Will bandaging him.
Will noticed and snapped his fingers in front of his eyes. " Frank, hey! If you can hear me raise your hand."
Frank was too tired to hold up even a finger but he managed, channeling his strength. He could feel Mars fighting, giving him strength which he returned back to his father, both gaining energy and power until Frank was able to sit up, still covered in blood.
Without knowing, he started shape-shifting into different animals. The vines holding him broke and he sprung up, his shapeshifting out of control.
A panda, then a tiger, then a dragon, all while his vision tinted red.
He could hear Will yelling at someone, most likely him as he charged towards the woman. He could hear her yell, " Do you know who I am? How dare you!"
Frank the dragon spread his smoky gray wings, breathing fire at her as he roared his response. Nobody else knew what he was saying, only that it grabbed the attention of the red dressed lady.
" Gaia, you are Gaia."
" Hmph. Very good. Guess you aren't as stupid as I thought, Son of Mars. Don't take after your father I see. Sadly enough you've wasted my energy today, and I think you've wasted your own too. Rest for now, Praetor. But I will be back, so until then, Fai Zhang. Just know that you and your petty little demigod friends cannot and will not hide. Camp Jupiter will be mine, and I have my own special plans for the camp that killed me. Well no," She laughed. " Not killed, delayed." She said the last word with all the loathe in the world. Frank glared at her, turning back to human, his strength failing him.
" Don't think you've won this battle demigod. I will return, and I swear, you will be the one I kill first. Even before Jason Grace. Piper McLean. Leo Valdez. Annabeth Chase. Percy Jackson. Oh, and of course, Hazel Levesque, your sweet little girlfriend. I will murder you right in front of her. So beware Praetor. For you have made a dangerous enemy. 'Till we meet again. Very soon."
She spit the words out like sharp daggers, meant to kill him.
Finally, she exploded in a flurry of leaves, literally evaporating in the breeze. Frank could feel his friends behind him, all extremely scared of what they had just heard.
Frank barely heard someone speak up, before his vision dimmed and he tilted sideways. The vines curled around his arms tightened before disappearing, leaving him bloody and very confused at what the heck just happened. He could hear people yelling, and scrambling towards him as he slumped on his knees, then falling sideways, on his back.
As Frank hit the ground he looked towards Mars Ultor, and there stood his father, looking better but not completely healed. His bandages, which Frank didn't notice were gone, were replaced with new ones, and the golden ichor had stopped flowing from his wounds, They looked at each other and Mars stood up, nodding grimly, smirking at his son.
" Good job Soldier. At ease. Go rest." He added after a pause. " Do not forget anything I said. I'm proud of you son."
Frank nodded and returned the smile, finally feeling at peace. He was filled with happiness that his father was proud of him, and with those words, finally drifted off to sleep, letting the pain take control of his mind, numbing his body as his mind went blank.
Whew! Ohmigosh! That is Chapter One done! That took a looooooonnggg time to write! I really hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Dust, and I hope you leave some reviews so that I can get, some, well, reviews and feedback I guess. I really do appreciate you spending time on this!
Signin out for now!
~ Cerise
P.S. I might not update in a while since I got stuff going on and summer break is almost done! I hope I can get a couple of chapters out before school starts but please don't expect them to be too long :D