A/N: Hey guys, I'm Champion as most of you know and i'm bringing you the second chapter of Son Of The Archers. I hope you enjoy this one. I was going to wait, but since the first chapter got way more positive feedback than I expected, I double timed it.
This chapter was inspired AC/DC's song "Breaking The Rules". Please enjoy.
Last time…
"Take care of him." She said with the last of her strength. And with those words the light vanished from her eyes. Sally was no more.
Artemis and Apollo had tears in their eyes as they looked to the still screaming infant, they then looked in one another's eyes and knew what they had to do, even if they did not know how they were going to do it.
Now…
Still on the beach Artemis and Apollo sat with a crying infant and a deceased mortal. Artemis gave Perseus to Apollo and went through Sally's pocket to find her last name. The child needed his mother's name to know who she was in the future. She found a New York driver's license, Sally Jackson, it said her name was. Then she had another thought.
"Iris", she began, "Show me Hades."
"One moment please." The voice of Iris rang out as an Iris Message shimmered into existence front of Artemis.
After a minute the image changed, the image showed a man dressed in blacked sitting on a obsidian throne. The man's clothes and throne seemed to shift with different faces.
The man stared at Artemis, mildly surprised. He finally spoke, "Why if it isn't Lady Artemis." He began with a hint of disdain, "What does an Olympian require of the lowly Lord of the Underworld?"
Artemis began with a smirk, "Why Uncle Hades, you know i'm your favorite niece."
"Yes, I suppose you are, but you don't call often enough." Hades said more amused now than anything.
"I promise to call more often, if...", Artemis paused trying to find her voice,"If you do me a favor."
Hades seemed to consider it a moment, "Oh, I suppose. I don't have anything planned for today anyway." He started. "But, I may need something from you in the future."
"Like what?" Artemis asked, slightly concerned.
"I wouldn't be anything you couldn't handle. Nothing demeaning." Hades replied.
"Are you certain?" She pressed.
"I swear on the Styx." As Hades finished speaking, thunder rumbled, signifying the oath.
"Now with that out of the way," Hades continued, "What is the favor you needed?"
Artemis still wary, said "Apollo and I were trying to save a mortal… and we failed. I feel responsible. I was wondering if you could see to it that she makes it to Elysium?"
"That would be easy. She would still have to be judged, though I could do that myself. What is… was her name?" Hades asked.
"Sally Jackson" Artemis replied, relieved that he was agreeing.
Hades nodded and pulled out some paperwork, then asked, "Mortal from Manhattan about 20 years old?"
"Yes" Artemis answered.
"Ok, I have her file. I will speed up her paperwork and have her brought to me to be judged. If all checks out she should be in Elysium within 48 hours." Hades said after sifting through a stack of papers.
"Thank you Uncle." Artemis exclaimed.
"It's no trouble." Hades replied, then asked, "Her file says she had a son. Where is he?"
Artemis internally blanched, but answered, "He is here. Apollo is trying to get him to go to sleep."
"May I see him?" Asked Hades, a bit forcefully.
"Give him here Apollo." Artemis told her brother. Apollo handed him to her, she took Perseus in her arms and put him up to the Iris Message for Hades to see the child.
Perseus opened his eyes and looked toward the Iris Message, unknowingly showing Hades his features.
"Jet black hair, sea green eyes and tanned skin." Hades said to himself. Then he spoke to Artemis, "He is the demigod son of my brother isn't he?"
Artemis and Apollo's hearts stopped. The both began to turn very pale.
"H… how?" Artemis stuttered.
"I am not a fool dear Niece. I have Sally Jackson's file in my hands." He showed a file to the Iris Message, then continued,"Which happens to contain the specific cause of death of all newly deceased mortals. I mean come on Niece, death from injuries inflicted by Minotaur, does not come up very often."
Artemis blushed and looked down, embarrassed by her carelessness.
Hades began again, "Not to mention that just looking at the boy makes it obvious when all the facts are present."
"Are you going to kill him?" Artemis whispered.
There was a brief silence. Artemis began to grow more concerned by the moment. Apollo started sweating.
"No." Hades stated. Artemis and Apollo's hearts started again and they let out a breath in relief, but Hades continued, "I will not kill innocent children. I am many things, but I am NOT your father. If I decide to have revenge of any kind it will be against Poseidon, not the boy."
Artemis was amazed. Her Uncle had changed since they had last spoken personally, well over 60 years ago.
"Thank you Uncle. Thank you so much." Artemis said, overjoyed with her uncle's statement.
"In fact." Hades began, "I want to be around the boy's upbringing and bless him when he is of age. That should stick it to ole Barnacle Beard more than anything." The twins were speechless,but Hades continued and asked, "I assume you and Apollo will handle raising the boy?"
Artemis did not know how to answer. She and Apollo had not gotten that far. So, she asked he twin, "What do you think Brother?"
"Well," Apollo began, "the ancient laws says we can't raise our own children. They don't say anything about the children of others. I say we do it, Sally did ask US after all. If we can keep Father in the dark about it. Also, it would benefit young Perseus to be trained to be an excellent fighter and a honorable warrior since he is most likely the child of the great prophecy. We could ensure he makes the right decision."
The goddess was stunned at her usually goofy brother's reasoning. She quickly realized he was right. This was their chance save Olympus from the prophecy. She turned back to her Uncle and answered, "Yes we will care for Perseus."
"Will you allow me to be around the boy as he grows and bless him?" Hades asked. Really wanting to help the child… and piss off his seagoing brother.
"Of course." Answered the goddess. "He will need every advantage he can get. Plus he should meet more of his divine family seeing as he has no mortal one that we know about and you are helping his mother rest peacefully. He would appreciate that above all."
"Splendid." Hades said, "I need to fast track his mother's paperwork. I will come meet you once I get her into Elysium, alright?"
"Ok." Artemis answered. And with that Hades swiped through the Iris Message.
There was a silence between brother and sister, even Perseus had fallen asleep. The events of the past moments finally sinking in and making themselves reality. They realized that in the span of a few minutes they had taken on a great responsibility. Neither having any experience raising a child, much less an infant. The closest was Artemis having her hunters, but they are much older when they join and already independent to some degree. They were also ALL girls.
"Well Sis," Apollo finally broke the deafening air of silence. "The last thing I expected today when I got into my Sun Chariot was raising a child with you, along with Uncle Hades. Shall we make the most of it?" He started to grin towards the end.
Artemis could not help but smile, her goofy little brother was returning. But her frown quickly returned when she looked over to Sally's body. " Here Apollo," She started, "Hold Perseus, I need to bury his mother." And before he could object or otherwise, with a flash, Perseus was in his arms and his sister was gone along with the body of Sally Jackson.
Apollo had no choice but to wait. While he was waiting, he started talking softly to Perseus,, "Well Percy, you have had a big day haven't you? Not even a year old and already surviving monsters. I'm your cousin Apollo and we are going to have so much fun when you're older. I can't wait for us to prank Hermes."
Apollo then started humming softly, his domain of music showing. He stopped when a flash engulfed him. When it faded, his sister was sitting beside him with cloudy, puffy eyes. He saw this and showed a sleeping Perseus to her and a small smile formed on her face. "Everything is going to be ok Sis." He told her.
She nodded. Then a troubling thought occurred to her.
"Apollo," She began.
"Yeah sis"
"How are we going to explain all this to my hunters?"
Apollo did not have an answer.
A/N: I thank you if you made it this far. I also want to thank Dark Dangerous Hunter for being my first review. I would also to thank Cassy daughter of the Moon and blazenite104 for the praise. Hades was OOC because it sets the rest of the story and he is one of my favorite gods and I just imagine him more level headed and honorable. Hope y'all enjoyed it. Next chapter will be out soon. I'm going to have to put some thought into the conversation with the Hunters. See y'all then.
