Chapter 3

Percy teleported to the entrance of the Empire State Building, where Artemis was waiting for him. Her arms were crossed, her foot tapping impatiently.

"Come, Perseus. We have made camp just outside the city, as my Hunters were waiting for me to finish with the Solstice meeting. Meet me there, but fly instead of teleporting. Hover above camp until I signal you to land. That way, I have time to prepare the girls for your arrival. Most will not take it well."

Percy nodded. "As you wish, My Lady," he started to bow, but was stopped by Artemis waving her hand.

"You do not need to bow, Perseus," she told him sternly. Percy looked confused.

"But…won't Hunters expect me to show you 'proper' respect? They already hate me enough, I wouldn't want to give them another reason. So if you don't want me to bow, what should I do?" he questioned. Artemis looked surprised.

"Well, whatever you choose is fine, just not bowing," she replied, waving her hand dismissively.

"Okay, but why not?" Percy asked. Artemis shrugged.

"It is just so overused. It seems so…insincere," she supplied, then seemed to realize who she was talking to and became cold once more.

"But I do not have to explain myself to the likes of you," she snapped. Percy raised an eyebrow.

"Of course not, My Lady. If you think bowing is insincere, then I guess I'll just have to find a way to express my sincerity," he resolved. Artemis blinked at him.

"Very well. I shall meet you at the camp. Pray this goes well." Percy smiled cheekily.

"I already am. I'm talking to you, aren't I?" he smirked. Artemis stared at him coldly, but Percy could have sworn he saw a flicker of amusement in her eyes before she disappeared.

Percy ducked into an alley, making sure the coast was clear before extending his wings and taking off. Almost immediately, he felt a small pressure in the back of his mind, prodding him towards the edge of the city. Instinctively, he followed it, recognizing that it would lead him to Artemis and the Hunt.

Percy grinned to himself, thinking that it must be a power given to the Guardian to help him protect the Hunt. Cool. He wondered what other new powers he had.

****LINE BREAK****

Percy was flying above the Hunter's camp, waiting for Artemis's signal. He could see the Hunters gathered in front of her silver figure, but couldn't hear what they were saying without getting closer.

Swooping down, Percy hid behind a tall pine tree, landing awkwardly on a branch so the sound of his wings flapping wouldn't give him away. He could vaguely hear Artemis speaking due to the enhanced hearing that he assumed had come with one of the blessings, though he couldn't remember which. She was telling them about the meeting. Good, he hadn't missed much. He listened closer.

****LINE BREAK****

Artemis was explaining what had happened during the meeting to her Hunters, and was just getting to how it concluded.

"Did anything productive happen at the meeting?" Phoebe asked impatiently.

"Well…girls, I have some important news. It affects all of you, so listen closely. And please, save any comments or judgments until the end." The Hunters shifted around, muttering among themselves.

"During the meeting, a hero came to the gods with a request. He asked for us to kill him," the Hunters had varying reactions, some shocked at the hero's boldness but most tittering at his cowardliness.

"Don't judge him too harshly, girls. He explained how, in his mind, he had nothing left to live for. His mortal family was killed, he felt himself guilty for not only their deaths but countless others throughout these past few years, he felt his usefulness to the gods and Camp Half-Blood had come to an end, and finally, his girlfriend, who he was preparing to propose to, broke his heart," Artemis explained amidst muted clucks of pity. She continued.

"I know you each joined my Hunt for a variety of reasons, but the majority of you joined because of a betrayal from a man. Well, this time, it is a man who has been betrayed by a woman. Most of you can understand how this feels."

This statement was met by reluctant nods of consent all around.

"In order to save this hero, a man who has done the gods a great service, I agreed to offer him a position that has never been occupied. As Mistress of the Hunt, I am entitled to one Lieutenant, as well as one Guardian. Today, the position of Guardian of the Hunt has been fulfilled. This hero shall be with us at all times, and has sworn by the most binding oath possible to protect us from any and all harm. You are to accept him and treat him as you would your sisters. Am I clear?" Artemis's speech was met by a few reluctant nods and many loud protests.

"Lady Artemis, you can't possibly let a man into the Hunt when that is precisely why we agreed to join you, to escape men forever. We have sworn off of them!" One of the newer Hunters, Arietta, protested.

"Just as he has sworn off women – at least for the time being. I can assure you, if he shows even the slightest indication of romantic interest towards any of you, I will personally turn him into a guinea pig."

Percy paled from his perch in the tree, and he could see the slight twitch of Artemis's mouth as she voiced the threat. How had she known about that?

"He is under strict orders to respect and protect each and every one of you, and I expect you to do the same. He will be here soon, and I expect him to be welcomed into our camp, just as each of you were." Artemis finalized.

****LINE BREAK****

Percy recognized that Artemis was signaling him to come down, and had an idea. Thinking back to Aphrodite's blessing, he wished for a cloak to cover his face. Within seconds, one had materialized around him.

The cloak was midnight black, with a hood that could be pulled low enough to shield his eyes from view, yet still magically allowed him see out. The cloak flowed to his ankles, flapping silently in the wind, but had slits in the back for his wings. He smiled. Now he was ready.

Launching off his branch and into the air, he angled his wings into a steep dive and aimed at the ground directly behind Artemis, flying at such a speed that the Hunters saw only a black blur streaking down from the heavens.

Percy hit the ground with a loud BOOM, sending a cloud of dust and dirt up around him. With his hood covering his face, and therefore hiding his identity, he slowly stood, wings still extended. He radiated power, and the Hunters quickly hid their surprise and awe behind scowls. A few of the girls had even drawn their bows, but relaxed at a gesture from Artemis.

Percy took three quick steps to Artemis, who crossed her arms and quirked an eyebrow, before retracting his wings into his back, crossing one arm across his chest, and inclining his head.

"My Lady," he said mysteriously, and Artemis had to make an effort not to roll her eyes.

"What are you doing?" she asked, mildly amused despite the stern expression she wore.

"I am expressing my respect for you through a way other then bowing," Percy replied, trying not to smile. Artemis felt her lip twitch, and was about to reply before she was interrupted.

"Who are you?" Thalia asked boldly, stepping forward. Under his hood, Percy's face swiveled towards her, and a wide grin broke across his face.

"What, don't recognize your own cousin, Thals?" Percy chuckled, his voice instantly changing from a deep, serious tone to a much lighter, teasing one. A look of confusion crossed Thalia's face.

"Oh come on, Pinecone Face-"

"I think it is time to reveal your self, Guardian," Artemis interrupted, looking at him pointedly.

Chuckling sheepishly, Percy complied, unclasping the cloak and letting it fall to the ground. Small gasps rippled through the Hunters ranks.

"PERCY!" Thalia tackled him, hugging him tightly.

"What are you doing here? What about Annabeth?" her face paled, and her eyes widened as she remembered what Artemis had told them.

"Oh my gods, Percy, tell me you didn't really go to the gods and ask them to kill you?! You idiotic, barnacle brained, reckless Kelp Head! How stupid are you?!" she raged.

"Thalia, what he did was his choice and his alone, it is up to him to share with you what he wants to," Artemis reprimanded shortly.

"Of course, My Lady. " Thalia ground out through clenched teeth, flushing slightly at the reprimand. "However, will all due respect, as his cousin, I reserve the right to tell him when those choices are stupid and yell at him for it."

Artemis smiled slightly at her Lieutenant's spirited response, but raised a warning eyebrow. Thalia sighed.

"Sorry, Percy. Just…what happened?" Thalia questioned. Percy grimaced, and Thalia backtracked.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I understand. It's just that when I left, you were so happy, and now…" Thalia trailed off, scrutinizing Percy's face.

"And now…what?" he questioned. Thalia's electric blue eyes locked with his.

"Have you seen yourself lately Percy? Your eyes...it's like there's nothing behind them. Like you're empty inside," she said sadly. Percy swallowed, unable to answer her when she was looking at him like that.

"You deserve to know why I made my choice," he told her, then turned towards the hunters and addressed the group as a whole.

"All of you do. If we're supposed to be family, then I won't keep secrets."

The Hunters collectively glared at him, radiating hostility, but some also looked surprised at his honesty.

"You see, yesterday was my ex-girlfriend-,"

"That girl who was used as bait to trap My Lady? The one who held the sky? The Official Architect of Olympus?" one of the younger Hunters questioned. Percy looked pained, but nodded and continued.

"Yes. Well, yesterday was my ex-girlfriend and my 3 year anniversary, and she dumped me. I went to see my parents and found them d-dead," Percy stumbled over the word, but kept going, "killed by some monster. I had nothing left. So I went to the gods to die. They offered me this position, and I accepted."

Once he was finished, Percy looked at each of the girls as if awaiting a verdict, pain evident in his eyes.

The Hunters were quiet. Never before had they heard of a man's heart being broken by a woman, only of men being the heartbreakers. This new revelation puzzled them. They didn't quite understand how to treat him, so they acted cautiously.

"So…what should we do now, My Lady?" Hadley asked.

"Why don't you start by introducing yourselves?" Artemis suggested, and the Hunters fidgeted uncomfortably.

"I'm Hadley," the girl who had spoken started, stepping forward, "and I'm 14 years old. My sisters are Arianna, who is 16, Kaelyn, 13, Anya, 12, Calista or Cali, 7, Luna, 8, Arietta or Ari, 17, Jenna, 11, Alexis or Lexi, 6, Skylar, 13, Kiara, 15, Ally, 5, Kate, 16, Lydia, 12, and Phoebe, 17. You obviously already know Thalia."

Percy smiled at the brunette, hoping that the icy front the Hunters all put up was beginning to melt.

"Straight to the point – I like it," he joked, and Hadley looked at him suspiciously before turning away with a small 'humph'.

Percy slumped a little, disheartened by her reaction. He shook it off, realizing it was going to take a lot more than a joke to get the Hunters to warm up to him, and was about to ask Artemis a question when he noticed a small figure watching him.

The smallest of the girls, a tiny brunette with big blue doe eyes who barely reached Percy's hip, was staring at him boldly. He could see no hostility in her eyes, only curiosity, so he slowly walked over and kneeled down in front of her.

"Hello. What's your name?" he asked quietly. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she glanced at Artemis for reassurance before ducking her head shyly.

"Ally," she murmured, so softly that Percy could barely hear her. He smiled.

"Well, Ally, I think you could be my little sister! I mean, you look just like me!" Percy winked at her, and she bit her lip.

The Hunters looked at him skeptically. Ally didn't resemble Percy at all. She had startlingly blue eyes, and straight hair that was light brown in color. She looked up at him through long brown lashes.

"I do?" she asked softly.

"You do." Percy reassured her.

"May I have the honor of being your new big brother?" he asked solemnly, taking her hand and kissing the back of it gallantly. Ally studied him for a moment before nodding slowly, a barely evident smile creeping across her face.

"Great!" Percy exclaimed enthusiastically, swinging her up into his arms, causing her to gasp slightly before giggling a little. She latched her arms around his neck, causing Percy's smile to grow wider despite the other Hunters muttering unhappily among themselves.

He had always had a soft spot for children, and Annabeth had always teased him about how easily he won them over, while she had to work to convince them she wasn't as scary as she looked. Percy grimaced at the reminder of Annabeth, and turned back to Artemis to distract himself.

"So, when do I begin, My Lady?" he asked impishly, much more enthusiastic now that he had a little friend.

Artemis smirked.

"Oh, right now, Guardian. You may start by cooking our dinner, since it is getting late, and then you may do the laundry, collect the arrows from the target range, and sharpen them." Percy groaned internally, setting Ally back down on the ground.

"Okay then," he grumbled, "Better get started. What do you want to eat?"

Remembering his new powers, Percy concentrated and summoned a pen and paper from thin air, making the Hunters jump in surprise.

"Percy, how…?" Thalia demanded, but Percy merely winked and began writing as the girls gave their orders.

The girls described what they wanted, their choices ranging from hamburgers to fondue to roasted duck to lobster. They ordered drinks, sides, desserts, everything you could think of, smirking at the thought of Percy slaving away for hours to prepare it all and inevitably failing miserably.

"And for you, My Lady?" Percy asked wearily, turning to Artemis. He glanced down at his almost full pad and winced.

"I shall have a plate of ambrosia and a glass of nectar, if you will, Perseus," she requested. Percy nodded, writing it down sloppily.

"Geez, you guys sure can eat," he muttered to himself, taking one last look at the notepad before stashing it in his pocket and facing the table.

Closing his eyes and concentrating, Percy prayed to Hestia to help him summon the feast the girls had requested. He focused on the warmth growing inside him until he felt it was strong enough, then snapped his fingers, everything the girls had ordered instantly appearing on the table.

He stumbled slightly, sweaty and trembling from the amount of energy it had taken to conjure so much food, but the Hunters were too busy gaping at the food to notice.

The girls raced each other to the table, each finding their requested meal with an individualized name card in front of it. Artemis was at the head of one end of the table, and Percy sat at the other. Thalia sat to Artemis's right, eyeing Percy as she tried to figure out where his new powers had come from, while Phoebe took her place on Artemis's left.

To his delight, the youngest Hunters – Cali, Alexis, Luna, and Ally – were seated at Percy's end of the table, and he had them giggling uncontrollably within minutes.

"So, Perseus," Artemis called from the other side of the table, causing the conversations around the table to end as the girls all turned to listen. Percy looked up, chuckling.

"Yes, My Lady?" he replied, discreetly poking Cali under the table and causing her to giggle softly.

"I was wondering just how many blessings you received from the other gods and goddesses at the meeting, as I was not able to see them all," she commented offhandedly, sipping at her nectar indifferently. Percy smirked.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked, smirking. "It might take awhile."

Artemis's eyes narrowed, and she nodded brusquely.

"All right then, where to start?" he asked.

"Your choice, Guardian," Artemis replied, motioning to him. Percy shrugged.

"Alright, well, starting with Lord Zeus, he granted me one wish, and I chose the power to shape-shift into any of the Olympian's sacred animals. My Dad somehow increased my demigod powers, and Lord Hades promised my parents a place in Elysium. I'm extremely grateful to him for that.

"Uh, Aphrodite blessed me with new clothes whenever I want, and um, I guess also messed with how I look. Apollo gave me the gift of 'awesomeness,' healing, and music, as well as a small archery blessing. Hermes blessed me with travel and packing, so I can teleport at will and can summon common household objects."

"Like the pen and paper?" Thalia clarified, and Percy nodded.

"Yeah, small stuff like that. Where was I? Oh yeah, Dionysus blessed me with the gift of 'partying', whatever that means, and Hephaestus said to call him up if I ever needed a favor. Ares finally lifted the curse he put on me when I beat him in a fight during my first quest-"

"Wait, what?!" Thalia and a few older huntresses interrupted. Percy ignored them and continued.

"Um, okay, then Athena blessed me with battle tactics and strategy, and then Hestia asked me to be her champion and gave me control over fire, cooking, and the hearth. So you can thank her for dinner tonight. And…yeah, that's about it." He finished hesitantly, trying to make sure he hadn't forgotten any.

"What?" he asked after a minute of silence, realizing they were all staring at him.

"Are you sure there's nothing else, Guardian?" Artemis asked, looking pointedly at the wings draped over the back of his chair. Percy flushed.

"Oh, yeah, and Lady Chaos's blessing. That's where I got the wings." He offered, slightly embarrassed from all the attention.

"C-Chaos? What?!" Thalia choked, and Percy grinned sheepishly.

"Um…it turns out I'm Chaos's 'Chosen One,' or something, so I'm her last remaining descendant? And I have her blessing?" Percy said questioningly.

His statement was met with astonished stares and an amused chuckle from Artemis, who was enjoying Percy's discomfort. The Hunters all stared at him for a while, before slowly returning to their food and resuming their conversations, much to Percy's relief.

That is, all except for Thalia, who caught Percy's eye with a death glare and gestured with her fork as she mouthed, "You. Me. Talk. Later." Percy swallowed nervously and turned back to the little girls beside him who were asking to pet his wings.

A/N: Thanks so much everyone! Hope you liked it, and thank you to everyone who reviewed! Reviews are always appreciated – they inspire me to update faster! Thanks!