This Chapter: The wolves and the Cullens decide on what to do. Percy and Alex join the girls- meeting them at a public place- and Eleana hates them now, after what they did to the nymphs though Drypetis is hesitant to condemn them. Alex and Percy note that the Cullens are listening in, and arrange a meeting. Things are revealed to the Cullens and Packs- like why Eleana believes them guilty of murders. Edward loses it- and does something truly reckless and dangerous- and gets a shock! The truth is revealed to them, and they try to make sense of what is going on- the Cullens and Wolves trying to prove their innocence- but also understand how in the world this happened.
To Micah: You've got a point, but they seem to have more living personalities than ghosts and zombies- and even if they are, they aren't from the same universe- technically speaking even though this is a crossover- as the realm of Greek and Roman myths. And I always thought that they got the blood to go in their systems- after all- how could it fill a stomach? Wouldn't the venom have changed their insides too, in order to get them to feed on blood, rather than solid food and water?
To sid.kush32: No, I haven't forgotten the other story! And here, Edward- and to an extent, Bella and even Jacob- gets a dose of healthy medicine. It gets more, later on. Unless you mean another idiotic trio...
Chapter Three
Suspicions, Accusations and Revelations
The wolves began squabbling amongst themselves.
Some had come in their wolf forms. Others had come in human form, thankfully dressed though in a minimum level.
"We're being accused of a crime," Embry said, incredulously. He exchanged aghast looks at Quil.
"How?" Sam demanded. "What have we done?"
"They said something about missing kids," Nessie sighed. "Look, it's best if I show you the oath we swore."
"What oath?" Collin asked suspiciously. But Renesmee asked them to turn into their wolf forms once more and showed them once again.
When they had changed back, the conversation continued. "It was a serious oath, based on what my grandfather said," Nessie explained. "He's travelled and read a lot. It's from Greek mythology."
"Greek myths?" Quil asked, disbelieving. "Like, Zeus, Poseidon and Hercules,"
"Limited to them, but yeah," Leah agreed. "In the Greek myths, the River Styx was where the souls of the dead had to cross in order to get to the Underworld. It was also the river where the Greek hero Achilles was dipped as a baby by his mother, to make him invincible,"
"Apart from the heel," Leah said, suddenly remembering the story. "And that's how he died- from a wounded heel. The rest of him was invincible."
"But why would they swear an oath from that?" Embry asked suspiciously.
"Because an oath by the River Styx is the most serious oath you can make," Carlisle interjected. "You can't break it. If an immortal broke it, they would be exiled and deprived of the food of the gods- Nectar and Ambrosia- for ten years. First, they would be forced to drink its water and lie in a coma for the first year and spend the nine years after that mute. That's only for the gods. For humans… It was over a million times worse, according to the myths. The Ancients didn't know what the penalty was, but it was so terrible, and filled them with so much terror, they refused to speak about it. It was taboo."
Bella drew in a hiss, inhaling sharply between her teeth as she felt a chill flood her insides at the thought of what her daughter could have experienced. Edward did the same, and his hands tightened into fists.
"But they're just myths," Embry and Quil protested at the same time.
"We're myths," Leah reminded them. Sam nodded. "It's not something you'd want to believe, but a group of people changing into wolves and vampires are definitely not something that ordinary humans experience."
"So, what are these girls?" Edward exploded.
"We don't know," Sam admitted. "No one has been able to get a clear scent from them, or track them to their whereabouts."
"And it doesn't even help, finding them in the woods," Jared put in. The wolves had been tracking them for hours- but there was nothing. Not footprints, no fibres, no trace of scent, not a single indentation on the ground, a riverbed, or creek, a puddle- not even the trees, when the Cullens searched. Nothing.
As if the whole forest was their environment of which they knew absolutely everything about- like it was their home- or it was deliberately trying to conceal them.
Seth frowned. "Nessie, the third girl mentioned that the Japanese one had training of some kind."
"Yes, but even she admitted that she didn't know the full extent of her training before she came to the United States," Nessie put in.
"So that covers it, then," Quil sighed. "The whole of the United States of America."
"She was Japanese… What, was she a ninja?" Jacob snorted incredulously.
Everyone rolled their eyes.
"Don't sound so surprised," Edward muttered.
Meanwhile, Mizuki and Eleana were panicking.
"What do you mean they were vampires?" Mizuki hissed at her sister.
"Vampires and werewolves," Eleana whispered, pale as ice.
"HOW?" Mizuki gritted her teeth, forcing herself to remain calm. "They didn't disintegrate the usual way monsters do- including werewolves- and I used the silver dagger you gave me!" She looked at Drypetis.
"That's what the nymphs all said," Eleana was still shaken.
Drypetis shook her head. "What if they aren't exactly monsters, in the other sense? I mean, Tyson's a cyclops, and he's really nice."
"Drypetis," Eleana said sternly, making eye contact with the daughter of Hephaestus. "They're murderers. The nymphs said so."
"Yes, but," Drypetis shook her head. "Ah, forget this. When's Percy and the others coming?"
As if on cue, an Iris Message appeared out of nowhere.
"Girls," That was Percy.
They all jumped to their feet, weapons out- Mizuki and Eleana were still on edge- but relaxed when they saw who it was.
"Who are they?" Nico demanded.
Mizuki looked sour, but spoke. "We've had confirmation from the nymphs. They're vampires and werewolves."
Nico might have laughed, and so did Percy. Alex certainly arched an eyebrow in surprise, even amusement, but they had no time.
"The nymphs said they were murderers," Eleana said, a little too eagerly.
"But these ones don't disintegrate at the slightest touch of silver- the werewolves, I mean," Mizuki corrected. "And the vampires- I've seen them in daylight. So…"
"They're not like the myths," Nico put in. "And I thought the Empousai said that that legend was based on them."
"Agreed," Percy muttered.
"Well, expect us in Forks. Meet us in a public place. With humans around," Alex announced.
"Right," Percy said. "Now, Mizuki, Eleana, Drypetis- just… Stay in a crowded place with lots of mortals around and see how they react. They might attack the mortals, in which case, we'll be there to help you defend them. They won't know what's coming."
"Percy," Mizuki spoke up. "One of them can read minds."
Percy- and Nico looked alarmed at this. Alex was just plain disgusted. "Fine." He barked. "Let's go, and if he can read our minds, they know what we can do to them."
And they left it at that.
While the wolves were still arguing, suddenly Seth and Embry's heads perked up and they sniffed. Leah froze too, before sniffing.
They're here, she whispered. Or at least, not here, but… Among humans.
The pack stiffened and looked alarmed at this.
Change back, Sam advised. Mingle amongst the crowd. Go, shop, buy things, discuss plans for the weekend, what you're cooking for dinner, what bikes you're going to buy. Anything.
Edward conveyed this to Carlisle. He nodded. "Absolutely, I agree. However," he gave a stern glance at everyone, in particular Edward- and maybe Bella. "No one is to attack. We will not make the first move."
Edward gritted his teeth in a firm line and Emmett sighed at his brother's display. Rosalie rolled her eyes.
"Fine." He ground out. "Anything else?"
"Be polite," Esmé said sternly.
Emmett and Jasper snickered. So did a few wolves.
"Well," Alice said brightly. "Let's get going. Rosalie- Nessie- can you girls help me? I've got some things I like but I can't decide which would look best in-" and she went on.
Mizuki looked even grimmer than usual. Eleana tried not to fidget. She would feel more comfortable with her bow.
Drypetis tinkered with some things- some would distract the mortals, others would make blasts- useful things.
"There," Jasper whispered. They were at a busy street.
The Quileute boys wandered around, making an effort at looking natural.
"Hey man," Jacob said, and winced inwardly at how loud he was. Embry laughed out loud.
"'Sup?" He teased.
Jacob nearly groaned. This was going to prove harder than he thought.
"You know about the motorbike I was going to build- well, does your cousin have the parts?"
Embry looked confused. Improvise! Jacob wanted to scream at him.
"Yeah," he said, slowly. "Yeah, I'm sure, he has those parts. I just need to ask him… Err… Which cousin was it by the way?"
Mizuki and Eleana looked at them suspiciously, but their attention was diverted when they saw the Cullens.
Eleana stiffened, and her whole form radiated icy hatred. Nessie struggled not to shiver. Edward stiffened when he heard the voices in her head.
Murderers. Murderers.
Edward felt a chill down his spine, and he turned to look for Bella and Nessie- barely remembering to remain inconspicuous- though really, it appeared there was not much point, when he just realised something.
He was keeping his ear out for their thoughts- or rather, his mental ear. But nothing.
He blinked.
Every mind was different- the thoughts they radiated… It was all different. But these ones felt particularly different.
He then remembered. He had never gotten more than two sentences from the Japanese girl's mind. And he wasn't sure if he heard anything from the other two girls- at least not clearly. It didn't feel like a block, like Bella's mind- or rather, as he told her, like a different radio frequency, but it was like a bad stereo or television set. Sometimes he got things. Other times he didn't. There were no random patterns, Edward thought in shock. Just snippets. Little words here and there, because suddenly, if he wanted to compare the girls' minds to badly-used antiquated television sets, it was like when it showed the dot pixel static displayed when there was little or no signal.
Except the thoughts of the three girls were clearer than the next visitors' minds.
Just then three boys arrived.
Nearby Nessie's jaw nearly dropped- or maybe it did- when she saw them
One was strong, tall and well-built. He had a chiselled face, golden hair and deep sapphire eyes. But despite his sculptured features and overall striking appearance, Renesmee felt… She didn't know. There was a grim, yet powerful and regal aura about him. He was not someone she would ever mess with- not ever. The very atmosphere seemed tinged with power and energy- the closest she had ever come was when she watched a lightning and thunderstorm with her family- though her parents protested. The power, and awe she felt when beholding all that… It was the same as the aura she felt when looking at this boy. She was attracted and in complete awe. Yet she was also fearful, even terrified. The regal, but natural poise, calm demeanour and overall royal appearance was something many people never encounter their entire lifetimes.
And the power radiating off him… She felt the hint of metal in her mouth, the electric currents radiating in the air- miniscule but strong. The hairs at the back of her neck stood on end. And his blood…
And then Nessie saw the other boys.
She gasped.
Another had the most chiselled face, many of them had ever seen; high cheekbones, straight, slim nose and chiselled lips and fair skin with a hint of a tan- like someone from the Mediterranean. He was tall, lean and muscular- obviously athletic- but it seemed like it was without effort- like he didn't spend all his time in a gym trying to look like that. It seemed natural. He had a broad chest, strong limbs that were neither too bulky nor too skinny, and a toned torso that was covered, but not entirely hidden by his T-shirt. His hair was perfectly windswept, and raven dark- black as gleaming obsidian and his eyes were various shades of emerald.
That wasn't the shocking thing about him. His presence and charisma had the same aura to him, no less powerful and awe-striking. But he seemed more relaxed, overall…
Nessie caught a whiff of their blood.
It smelled… Better than anything she had ever smelled. Even better than her mother's blood when she had been born. But this was tinged with the same smell and power- of lightning in the first boy, and sea in the second. Every bit as powerful- but dangerous. Exceptionally dangerous. Too dangerous to risk it, Nessie decided, even though she wouldn't have anyway.
Percy deliberately forgot the deodorant, and Alex applied little, just to test things out.
Mizuki straightened and so did Eleana. Drypetis arched her eyebrow and straightened as well.
"About time," Eleana said dryly. Percy gave her a small smile. "Hey, it's good to see the three of you-" and then in a smaller voice. "Are you okay?"
The girls all nodded. "You sure?" He asked quietly.
"We haven't been harmed," Drypetis assured her. Bella straightened, realising that this same girl assuring the boy was the one who spoke with her Renesmee.
"But others aren't." Eleana insisted quietly, her blue eyes blazing. There were tears in her eyes.
"Eleana?" Percy asked quietly.
"I take it… Are they responsible for the disappearances?" Alex asked quietly.
Many of them froze.
"I don't think they are," Drypetis murmured. Eleana shot her a glare and then turned to Percy.
"It doesn't matter if they weren't responsible for those disappearances- they're murderers- we've had several eyewitnesses," she whispered harshly. "The ones I spoke to- they claimed that the vampires murdered their sisters!"
The Cullens stiffened in shock. Their eyes went wide. "The big one," Eleana said, just as harsh. "And the other teenage-looking boys."
"But Eleana," Drypetis said quietly. "They can't have known."
"Is that an excuse to justify murder?" Eleana responded, still harsh. "They did it for fun."
Emmett's eyes were massive now, and so was Jasper's. Edward stood still, stubbornly refusing to believe all this. Because there can't just be a way for it to happen. It can't.
"And besides," Mizuki spoke. "We found the wolf print."
Alex nodded grimly. "At the end of the trail?"
"The very end." Mizuki replied grimly.
"So they killed them." Percy stated, point blanc. "They must have been lying."
Drypetis shook her head. "No- she swore on the River Styx."
"The girl you spoke to?" Alex and Percy glanced at each other. "Maybe she doesn't know," Percy suggested.
"Either way, we have a simple task," Alex said. Percy nodded. "Save those kids, or avenge them- whatever turns out."
He nodded. "Where's…" Drypetis trailed off.
"He's not in Forks right now," Percy said, shrugging. Edward stiffened again, when he heard the words right now.
So there's definitely more of them coming, he thought with a terrible dread welling inside of him.
"How's the others?" He heard the Japanese girl ask. "Back at the city?"
"They're doing great- apart from coping with the losses," Percy muttered at the end. "Everyone is going hysterical and refusing to let the younger kids out of the boundaries. Not until we know what's happening, we can't visit the mortal world. The council's decided."
The girls absorbed all this. Edward was still frozen.
Council? He thought panicking. Mortals?
This confirmed that they- whatever they were- weren't mortals.
He could hear the others' voices echoing the same thoughts as his, bewildered, and panicked.
"My sister's filling in for me," Percy shrugged, like it was no big deal. "At the council. People always liked her anyway," he smiled, shaking his head fondly. Then he sobered. "But people are getting desperate. News hasn't yet leaked- they don't know what's up in Forks- but they do know that something's up there- possibly monsters." Edward and Jacob stiffened wondering if he meant them. "But whatever it is, it must be pretty powerful to take a number of our kind- I mean, Mark wasn't one of the weakest guys I've ever known, to put it mildly."
"No," Alex agreed.
"Keep going with the investigation," Percy advised. "We still have to report back every evening at three pm. Otherwise… Well, let's just say, we'll have a hard time stopping them from sending a whole army up north- from both cities and camps. And we've got even more people now." He added grimly.
Oh no, Edward thought, the dread increasing to horrible levels now.
"How many do you think will come, if there's a summons to war?" Mizuki asked, now alert.
"At least twenty-thousand, but more likely much, much more," Alex shrugged. "We'll have a hard time keeping the mortals and monsters off our scent, but I don't think any monster's suicidal to attack an army of us- even if they have a whole army- with our numbers. And the fact that we've got equipment that your siblings-" he nodded to Drypetis. "Including Leo have just finished making."
"Which look pretty awesome by the way," Percy admitted.
"And more." Alex finished.
Drypetis shook her head. "Percy- Alex, there can't be war."
No, Jasper's thoughts heartily agreed. So did Esmé's. And Carlisle. And Alice. And Rosalie, and Nessie, and a great deal of the wolves, and most likely Bella.
"You have to stop them," she whispered. "You have to convince them- as one of the most renowned-"
"I get that," Percy interrupted her for fear that she would finish her sentence even though they were speaking quietly. "It's just… Hard when we can't rely on mortal FBI, and more to help us, and we're supposed to be undercover and we don't know what's out there, and most of all, what's happening to those kids. Aglaia's helping us the best she can. But even she's hard-pressed at keeping the Council- and the Senate- calm. Clarisse is just itching for war," Percy rolled his eyes. "And so are many others. Reyna and Frank are finding it hard too. Which is why Jason, Piper, Leo and Annabeth are still back home, trying to help the best we can. We're not saying we'll go to war," Percy added hastily, seeing the looks on their faces. "Just… You never know when you need to be prepared."
They have a Senate? Carlisle's voice sounded confused. And a council… Of what?
A city, Jasper thought. That's what they mentioned. And camps.
We have to talk to them! Esmé's thoughts said urgently. Convince them that we're not the murderers. Or the kidnappers.
Edward nodded. "I agree," he said softly, just loud enough for the vampires and werewolves to hear.
He should have known it was risky.
One of them stiffened. The golden-haired boy. He turned around, and his eyes met Edward's.
His deep blue, sapphire eyes, which reminded Edward of a night sky, and seemed to catch and reflect points of light, like stars. It also seemed misted, at some areas, as if there were wisps of cloud.
Those were details that an ordinary human would have missed. But Edward saw it all. And so did his family.
The boy- Alex- placed a hand on the other boy's- or Percy's arm. And Percy turned.
Edward's eyes- and his family's widened in shock. His eyes were green, but not any green. There were hints of blue, and hints of grey. Maybe a fleck of white, jutting in areas, here and there. The shocking thing- they looked like the sea- like various shades of the sea- blues hinting the greens, the different shades of it, the rising and churning of the sea, its waves, the depth and the expanse of it- it all looked just like that. The depth and the power.
"Is it them?" Percy asked in an undertone.
"Yup," Eleana barely kept her rage in check. "It's definitely them."
Percy regarded them silently. "Okay. Are you listening to us right now?" Alex asked quietly.
Edward hesitated. Then he reluctantly nodded.
"Good," Alex said, not changing the pitch of his voice. "I don't know how long you've been listening, but it seems you might just have learned some things. We need to set up a meeting. Neutral territory. You… And the werewolves."
Edward stiffened. He didn't like this. He didn't like being potentially threatened to. What if they lied? What if this was a trap.
"Don't bother getting too nervous," the golden-haired boy said. "Not yet. We have yet to gain your side of the story. Even though Eleana claims you're murderers." Eleana glared hatefully in their direction. Edward didn't like her.
"And she's got a reason." Alex continued. "I just hope… You do as well. We need to discuss this- and hope that nobody declares war from any side."
"And if you guys are listening right now," Percy said quietly. "Then I hope you can give us a reason not to fight you."
Edward stiffened. Is that a threat?
"So…" Percy mused. "Where at?"
The usual meeting place, he heard Sam suggest.
Edward swallowed, tightening his grip on Bella's hand, before he told her to stay back and went to tell them.
At the meeting place, the girls were there as well. Percy and Alex were already there also.
The wolves had come. Sam and Jacob were in human form.
The Cullens arrived. Bella and Edward refused to allow Nessie to attend.
The two boys- Percy and Alex- and the three girls- Mizuki, Eleana and Drypetis- stood there calmly- or in Drypetis' case, she sat and tinkered a bit.
It kept her calm.
Edward raised an eyebrow when he saw her.
"I'm surprised you agreed to this," he said.
Percy shrugged. "So am I. But do you want us to continue on in peace or not?"
Edward's eyes darkened. "Don't you dare-"
"Don't you dare threaten him," Eleana hissed. She and Mizuki put up defensive positions in front of Percy, as if ready to attack. Edward noticed that the two girls had bows and arrows. And it looked made of gold- of all things.
"You're not worthy to-" Eleana began furiously, but Percy placed a hand on her arm, and gave her a reassuring, but warning look.
Carlisle fixed a stern glare at Edward. Edward pressed his lips together mutinously.
"There's no need for that," Percy said.
"No," Carlisle agreed, stepping forwards. "I suppose you know that we're vampires. How did you figure it out?"
"We've had our sources," Eleana snarled threateningly. Percy looked pointedly at her again.
"Enough." He looked at them. "Shall we do our introductions first?" He said in a tired voice. "Maybe it'll give us time to calm down a bit."
Carlisle agreed.
Jasper was frowning, as if in consternation.
Edward was bewildered and annoyed. Don't tell me you can't use your powers on them too!
Jasper looked sheepish.
"My name is Carlisle Cullen," Carlisle began. "This is my wife Esmé," Esmé nodded politely. "My sons, Edward, Emmett and Jasper." Edward narrowed his eyes threateningly, daring them to come near his family. "And my daughters, Rosalie, Alice and Bella."
Bella narrowed her eyes as if trying to see if they were any real threat. Edward moved slightly more close to her, and pulled her somewhat behind him.
"And these…" Carlisle said. He looked at Sam. "Will you please introduce them all?"
Sam nodded. "My name is Sam Uley," he spoke. "And this is Jacob Black- my cousin. And this is the pack. Jared," he began moving to the individual wolves. "Paul," he gestured to a silver wolf. "Collin. Brady. Embry. Quil. Seth-" a sandy-furred wolf nodded politely. "Leah." The small grey wolf bared her teeth and growled slightly but threateningly. And Sam continued with the introductions.
"My name is Percy Jackson," Percy spoke. Edward narrowed his eyes, deducing that he was the leader of the group. He noted the girls' defensiveness towards him, and the fact that even Alex whom he treated as an equal seemed to defer questions and suggestions to him, and move a step back, for example, when they were talking, letting Percy do most of it, unless he was being consulted. He guessed that Percy was the leader, if not, pretty important.
So he couldn't kill him, Edward thought regretfully. At least not without taking the others down. Surely that will be easy enough- after all, they were losing members too.
But attacking Percy would mean war, Edward knew. And war meant Bella and Nessie would be in danger.
He couldn't fight them.
"This is Alex McDermott," Percy introduced. Edward already guessed the guy was Irish based on his accent. "And these are Mizuki, Eleana and Drypetis."
"And I'm Nico Di Angelo," A voice appeared.
Everyone jumped out of their skins- apart from the newcomers.
A boy had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. In his mid-to-late teens, he was very pale- like he had been tanned once, and he looked Italian too- but he was very pale, as if lack of sun exposure. However, it wasn't as alarming as the vampires. His hair was the deepest, silky black and his features were handsome- like the other two. But his eyes… They were pitch-black. Completely black, Edward thought. Unlike the other boys, there was no hint of anything- no life, no flecks of lighter colours, no different shades all moving in his eyes. They were completely black- like obsidian.
And that wasn't all. The other boys- and the girls too at an extent- radiated an aura that made the air particularly tingle and hum with power, as if charged electrically- like ozone or powerful shockwaves in water.
This boy… He radiated a dark, and terrifying power, and death. Somehow, just death- Edward started thinking of death in general and more. The graves six feet under. Mausoleums and cemeteries in the dead of the night. Skeletons and corpses in their graves. Their souls yearning for release….
He grew very angry at himself. What are you, scared of a boy? He thought irritably.
Jasper took a step back and he could see that Jasper was fighting the wave of emotions he got from this boy. He was also desperately trying to help everyone else by calming them down. The wolves felt skittish.
"Nico," Percy put in. "You're late." He smirked.
Nico rolled his eyes. He went to move over to them.
"I was doing as you instructed," he said calmly.
"Yes, this is Nico Di Angelo." Percy said. "He's with us."
"Where did you come from?" Rosalie blurted. "We didn't hear, or smell, or see or anything to know you were coming in."
"I shadow-travelled," Nico put simply. "I can travel- using shadows. Shadows everywhere are made of the same thing- darkness. The creatures of the Underworld, and myself can use it as a doorway to go just about anywhere."
Emmett swallowed. Even the wolves' eyes bugged.
Eleana looked relieved, and for some reason, happy to see him. Mizuki struggled to contain her expression- like she was eating a lemon.
Drypetis merely nodded to see him. Nico nodded back. "Perce," he said to him.
"Alex."
"Nico," Alex spoke.
"Your brother's telling you he's containing things the best he can," Nico said smoothly. "Along with your sister," he eyed Percy. "And Annabeth."
Percy and Alex looked grim. "The hysteria's getting worse, I see." Alex noted.
Nico scoffed. "You don't even know the half of it." He looked at the Cullens and the wolves. "We'll need ample proof."
Carlisle stepped forwards again. "We're not murderers."
"Neither are we," that was Sam.
Eleana's eyes flashed and she was about to open her mouth but Percy held her back.
"Can you explain how you're innocent then?" Percy asked.
"We're vampires," Carlisle admitted. "We don't burn in sunlight, we aren't repelled by garlic, holy water or crucifixes, or silver. And they aren't harmed by silver either," he said addressing the wolves. "They don't prey on humans. We drink blood, but we don't drink human blood. That's why our eyes are golden, as compared to the red of our brethren."
Percy winced for some reason. "So…" Alex mused. "Other vampires' eyes are red."
"Unless they are thirsty, in which case they turn black," Carlisle agreed.
"Interesting. So the myths got it wrong, after all." He looked at Percy.
"And the Empousai," Percy admitted.
"Empousai?" Carlisle frowned. "I've never heard of that term before. It sounds Greek."
"It is," Nico agreed. "The Empousai believe that the legend of blood-drinkers- vampires- are inspired by them," he put in.
"Yeah, I've heard that before, when I first encountered one," Percy muttered. "She laughed and said that the myth was based on her. Looks like she was wrong."
"Well," Carlisle seemed uncertain of how to proceed.
"But Jason, Piper and Leo have encountered werewolves before," Drypetis said, frowning. "They said they were harmed by silver."
"Well," Carlisle began. "Maybe because they're not actual werewolves?"
"Oh?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "Do explain."
"They're shapeshifters," Edward said stiffly. "Their ancestors were humans that turned into wolves. They don't depend on the full moon."
"So, they're not werewolves," Nico said, not the least bit affected by Edward's plain hostile and icy demeanour.
"Real werewolves- the Children of the Moon- are mostly extinct," Carlisle put in. But then he frowned. "But even they aren't harmed by silver."
"That's strange, because my aunt, Alex's brother and Drypetis' encountered them, and they were harmed- some were killed without a doubt," Mizuki mused.
"Forget this," Eleana snarled. "What about the paw-print then? A wolf- the size of a horse, if our calculations are correct," she looked icily at the wolves.
"It was found at the end of the trail of the missing kids," Percy explained. "And it looks like it came from you. Any way to explain how?"
Sam shook his head. "Where was this paw print?"
Percy looked at Mizuki and Drypetis. Eleana was too angry and upset to speak.
They told him.
Sam looked at the wolves. He could see bewilderment, shock and alarm on their faces.
"Their trail ended there," Percy reminded. "Even Mizuki couldn't find them."
"No," she agreed.
"How fresh was this print?" Sam asked.
"Several days at least," Mizuki replied. She looked at Drypetis.
"Now it was nearly a week- four and a half days," Drypetis replied. "Judging from what I learned."
"Four days…" Sam mused. "You were at La Push with Nessie four days ago," Bella reminded. She pursed her lips. Edward scowled. "Though I explicitly forbade her from cliff-diving."
Edward shuddered. "Hell, no." He muttered. He had had enough of that sport, based on what happened last time.
"We were having a picnic," Sam remembered. "There were several witnesses- from the reserve and from outside." He pressed his lips tightly. He didn't want to drag his beloved Emily, Claire and many others into this, but if he didn't…
There could be war. And they would all be in danger- everyone who knew about them.
"Maybe we can ask her another time," Percy suggested. "Right now, there are other matters. You guys may or may not be responsible for the missing kids-"
Carlisle interrupted. "We aren't."
"But," Percy continued. "You've still been accused of murder."
That dropped the bombshell.
"What?" Edward snarled. He braced himself into a leaping crouch. "You think we're killers? Heck, we want nothing from you or your delinquent kind!"
"How dare you," Eleana hissed. "I've already lost so many siblings, can we just-"
"Eleana," Percy interrupted. "He doesn't know?"
"Doesn't know what?" Edward shouted. "That you guys are hunting us? That you're going to hurt our families- wipe us into extinction?"
Percy raised his hands. "Easy there," he warned. "We're just talking and stating the facts. We're asking you to tell your side of the story."
"Our side?" Edward was infuriated. "Our side doesn't stick our noses into other people's businesses! Our side doesn't go near our kids and spouses ready to harm them! Our side doesn't come here, pretending to come because some kids are missing!"
"Edward," Carlisle said warningly.
Oh, this can't be good, several wolves thought.
"No, Carlisle!" Edward shouted. "They come in here, and they come near my wife and child- how do we know we can trust them? How do we know they're not lying? How do we know that those kids really exist, or aren't just out to cause trouble for our kind, due to their delinquent tendencies?"
Eleana shrieked with rage.
"Eleana!" Percy shouted.
But it was too late. Edward saw red. He looked at the leader of the group- Percy. He leapt.
And it went quickly then he thought it would.
A bolt of pure lightning grew from Alex's outstretched hand and caught Edward in mid-air, giving him a lightning-shock. It sizzled and crackled.
Edward couldn't even scream before he was thrown to the ground.
"EDWARD!" Bella screamed. She ran over to his side. Esmé gasped in shock.
Alex was looking at him coldly. "We were just talking," he said icily. "Do that again- and I will sear your molecules until they all rip to shreds- literally. And then they will be incinerated until they are nothing but cinders left."
The vampires stared at him fearfully and took a step back. The wolves shuffled uneasily. They all stared at him fearfully.
"Good thing I actually stopped you," Alex continued coldly. "If you had harmed him- it would mean you would have to kill all of us- if you could," he added, thinking. "And then when we fail to report back at the appointed time, then it would mean war. And there would be more than twenty thousand of us, screaming and marching for vengeance if you attacked Percy Jackson."
The vampires absorbed all this in silence. Percy must be really important to these people.
Percy cleared his throat. "May we continue?" Percy asked. "There are people here who accuse you- in particular, some of the wolves, and those three-" he nodded at Edward who was still on the ground, Jasper and Emmett- "of murdering their loved ones."
Edward looked afraid. But thrust up his chin defiantly. "Who are they?" he demanded angrily. He scoffed arrogantly. As if anyone dared to accuse them- his family of murder- he would rip their throats out.
Percy sighed. "Ladies, can you please come out now? We can't do this without you."
There was no sound apart from the rustling of the trees. The leaves shifted and the bark shimmered, and Rosalie and Alice gasped. Bella too. The wolves jumped back.
Several girls stepped out of the trees. They were all beautiful, young- inhumanly so. Some had skin as dark as oak, or any dark woods. Some had hair that were a glossy green like leaves.
"Ladies," Percy nodded. The girls glared loathsomely at the vampires and the wolves, but gasped when they saw Percy.
"OMG- Perseus Jackson?!" One of them screamed. They all started screaming and squealing like a bunch of fan girls. Everyone stared.
"Ohmigosh, ohmigosh," one of them jumped from foot to foot, squealing in delight.
"PERCY JACKSON!" One of them screamed or squealed.
"Hero of Olympus!"
"Bringer of the Lightning Bolt!"
"Sailed the Sea of Monsters!"
"Brought the Golden Fleece!"
"Hero of Olympus- saved the world- twice!"
"Killed Kronos!"
"Slew the Giants- Polybotes, Otis and Ephialtes!"
"Jumped into Tartarus!" One particularly excitable girl screamed. "Bore the Curse of Achilles!"
"Ohmigosh, ohmigosh!" The girls kept squealing. "Can we have your autograph?" One of them pleaded. The others took up this chant, begging for Percy to give them their autographs.
Percy sighed. He looked at Alex. Alex smirked. So did Nico. "Can't blame them," he said.
Edward must have looked and was confused and baffled as all the rest.
"Okay, ladies, thank you very much," Percy said desperately. "But, erm," he gestured to the Cullen-vampires and the werewolves-that-were-not.
The mood shifted as quick as the girls appeared. Hatred and loathing radiated from all the girls.
And suddenly, there were more girls than it seemed.
In fact, the wolves and the Cullens were surrounded by them.
Completely surrounded.
And there were just too many of them- all glaring in hostility at them all.
"You're being accused of murder," Percy said finally. "By them."
They surrounded them, more hostility radiating out of them, and seemingly preparing themselves for a fight.
"What are you?" Emmett blurted.
The nymphs hissed. So did Alice and Esmé- in warning.
"They're nymphs," Percy replied. The three boys straightened. "Spirits and minor deities- personifications of the best and most wonderful of nature." He tried to appease them.
The nymphs sighed.
"Nymphs," Carlisle repeated in shock. "Like… In Greek mythology."
"Quite so," Nico spoke.
"But that's impossible," Carlisle said his eyes wide. "They're just myths. And legends!"
Nico looked at him pointedly. "So are you." He replied. Edward hissed threateningly.
"And yet here you stand," he acted as if Edward didn't exist. Edward hated him instantly- that boy was nothing but trouble, he thought.
"OMG- Nico Di Angelo?" The 'nymphs' squealed. They started flocking him too, demanding his autograph, making him very uncomfortable.
Edward was lost and he totally didn't like it, Jacob thought.
Rosalie shared a bewildered look with Emmett and Alice. "I'm sorry, but…" Jasper began. "You lost us."
The nymphs turned to growl threateningly at him.
"First off," Jasper held out his hands. "How are we murderers? How come we murdered your sisters? We haven't even seen you guys before? Do you even live here in Forks?"
The nymphs scoffed and sneered.
"They've been here longer than any human settler," Alex replied. "Even your tribe," he said pointedly at the Quileutes. "Am I right?" He addressed the nymphs.
They beamed and glowed at him. "Yes, you are right- we have been here longer than any nasty, polluting human. We are the spirits and personifications of nature- as the Hero himself says," she glowed at Percy.
"They're nymphs," Percy shrugged apologetically. "These ladies are dryads. They're the spirits of the trees that have been here for centuries, most likely."
"WHAT?" That was Emmett- and Paul Lahote- and a number more, including the Clearwaters, Embry, Quil and Jacob.
"Are there any naiads among you?" Percy enquired curiously. A few nodded. He smiled. "Excellent. Well, dryads are the spirits of trees- that's what we call tree-nymphs as a whole. There are more specific names, but I, err, can't tell who's here and who's not." He looked apologetically. "Naiads are the spirits of freshwaters."
"And we totally love you Percy Jackson," one sighed. Percy struggled not to turn red. This was getting too much.
"Wait-" Emmett yelped. "These spirits inhabit trees? Like-" "Tree-ghosts?" Embry suggested.
The nymphs snarled.
"No- they're personifications and minor deities," Drypetis suddenly spoke up.
"They're not ghosts," Nico assured them. "Nymphs have been alive for far longer than humans have."
"And they inhabit this place," Percy stated. "Nourishing and tending to the woods, the streams, rivers and lakes- every part of nature, they tend to and flourish. They make the soil grow rich, the fruit grow, the water clear and the flowers bloom. The natural world wouldn't exist without nymphs." He told them to keep them from attacking the Cullens- and provoking war.
The nymphs giggled. "That's right, Percy Jackson," one agreed. "We've been tending to everything; the rivers, creeks, streams, ponds and springs, the trees and plants- all the vegetation- even the animals here which those guys," she shot a filthy look at the vampires. "Feed on. And the soil. We prevent things like mudslide and erosions- which those guys," she snarled. "Are making increasingly difficult. They kill us for fun."
"Is this true?" Percy demanded, finally showing his anger.
"That's ridiculous and stupid!" Edward snarled. The nymphs growled at him.
"So… You've never knocked down trees for the sake of fun?" The question caught him off guard.
"What- what kind of question is this?" He demanded, bewildered.
"Yeah," Jacob frowned. "What is it with you guys? What- are you like tree-huggers or something?"
The nymphs growled. Nico rolled his eyes. "Boy, you guys really are thick, aren't you? Haven't we just told you they're the embodiments, and personifications of nature? Including trees and plants?" He sounded incredulous.
"Yes, we ARE trees," One of them snarled. "And because of the laws above, we aren't able to show ourselves to you guys, not even to defend ourselves. Until these guys came." She cast a glowing look at Percy.
"Did you destroy the trees for fun?" Percy demanded. He looked at all of them. The nymphs kept growling.
"Well- we didn't know they actually contained living people!" Emmett blurted.
"He knocked many of my sisters down with this one!" One nymph cried, pointing at Bella. Edward hissed dangerously, and Percy gave a weirded out look at Bella. So did the other demigods.
Bella would have flushed if she were still human.
"Why did you do that?" Percy exploded. "Yeah!" Eleana and Mizuki looked ready to murder, and even Nico, Alex and Drypetis looked dangerous.
"Look- we didn't know alright!" Jasper protested.
"But you did know that unless you were humans and really needed the wood- which is not likely," Alex put in. "Not to knock down trees- especially not tons of them." He said dangerously.
"We thought those were crazy Global Warming Ads!' Jacob and Emmett protested simultaneously. The other wolves nodded their heads eagerly too.
"They thought it was crazy," Alex muttered. "So arrogant," Eleana snarled. "And I suppose if you caused soil erosion and mudslides, that wasn't your fault either?"
Edward stared and many people started to stammer.
"Enough," Percy said dangerously. "You had no right to do that. To kill those innocent nymphs. They couldn't even defend themselves because they weren't allowed to. They lost many of their sisters."
"We can defend ourselves now," one of them growled. "Now that the Hero of Olympus- two of the Heroes- stand at our side. And the son of Zeus," she added.
"Don't forget us," Mizuki said irritably. Eleana nodded.
"Wait," Edward blurted. "Son of Zeus?"
"That's Greek mythology too," Esmé breathed. Rosalie realised it was true as well. They all turned to stare at Alex.
He raised an eyebrow. "How did you think I made that lightning?" He asked simply.
"No way!" Edward shouted angrily. "They're just myths!"
"So are you," Alex reminded. "Sparkly or not."
Everyone took a step back.
"No," Esmé breathed.
Percy sighed. "Well- vampires, werewolves- well, not werewolves," he said in an afterthought. "And yes, nymphs… And demigods."
Everyone was in shock.
And the air suddenly crackled and smelled of ozone. "I'd be careful if I were you," Alex warned.
"Demigods!' Carlisle burst out. "You're telling me there's such a thing as the Greek gods?" Bella blurted. "But that's insane!"
"Insane- yet you already accepted the myths about vampires and werewolves because you are one." Nico reminded. Edward growled at him.
"Would you like more demonstrations?" Alex raised an eyebrow. Edward paled further it seemed and prepared to brace himself for more lightning, Bella trying to shield him desperately and he trying to push her back. But Alex ignored them. "Percy? Nico?"
Percy sighed. He waved his hand and some water rose in the air from a small puddle. "No need to do much, I'm afraid- I'm not a show-off ladies," he said apologetically to the nymphs. They all chorused that it was alright.
Nico held out his hands. "Come." He commanded in a much deeper voice. His eyes- for a moment- became pitch-black- entirely.
The ground shook, and several people jumped back, hissing or yelping in horror as they saw skeletal hands emerge, followed by the rest of them.
Then Nico got them to return back. He ate a square of Ambrosia.
"Son of Hades," he replied by way of explanation. "Lord of the Dead."
Edward hissed frighteningly and grabbed Bella, pushing her behind him.
"Don't do that," Percy sighed. "And my father is Poseidon, lord of the Seas. These are the daughters of Apollo-" he gestured to Mizuki and Eleana. "The sun god. Also the god of music, poetry, truth, medicine, light- and a whole bunch of other stuff. "And the daughter of Hephaestus- the god of metalworking and smiths, mechanics, metals and numerous other things as well." Drypetis grinned at him while she still tinkered. He turned a screwdriver. And of course, Alex's father is Zeus."
"But you're Irish," someone blurted. Alex rolled his eyes. "Again. Yes, I was born in Ireland and my mother is Irish. Mizuki's mother is Japanese and she was born there. Eleana is British-born and her mother's Australian and Drypetis' family came from Iran, but she was born in Sweden." He shrugged. "Oh- and Nico's Italian." Edward and Jacob narrowed their eyes. "Only Percy's native-born American."
"From New York," Percy interrupted. "But probably moving to Greece for a time at least, too. Though it's hard to leave my Mom and baby sister behind- and Paul. At least I've got my other little sister."
Alex nodded. "Yes." He said softly.
"How are you- still alive?" Carlisle shook his head in amazement. "Our fathers are immortal- mothers in the cases of some other demigods," Nico added in an afterthought.
"And you all live up on Mount Olympus?" Rosalie said dubiously. "I've been there and I can tell you, there's nothing."
Percy and the others laughed.
"The palace used to stand there," he corrected. "But it moves."
"It moves?" The vampires and some wolves echoed.
"Yes- the first country they settled in was Greece. They spent several millennia there- think Western Civilisation. What's the oldest civilisation in the Western Hemisphere?" Nico asked. "Greece. The gods provided it. Think- all the stories, the soldiers, the philosophers, scientists, mathematicians, astronomers, architects and artists- and so much more. Where did they come from in that hemisphere? Greece. Many of them were demigods."
Rosalie snorted. "Like?"
"Phidias, the sculptor," Alex replied, sounding bored. "Pythagoras. Aristotle I believe. And Alexander the Great."
Everyone blinked.
Alex shrugged. "He was my half-brother." He said as if that cleared it up. "Not to mention Perseus, Heracles- Hercules to the Romans- Theseus, Bellerophon, Achilles, Helen of Troy and much more." He shrugged.
"And then the gods moved to Rome," Nico continued, picking up where he left off. "And Augustus the first Roman Emperor,"
"Our half-brother," Eleana proclaimed proudly. The nymphs nodded and murmured.
"And more." Nico continued. "Rome was where they stayed longest, apart from Greece. The heart of Western Culture and Civilisation came from there."
"And then Rome fell," Edward blurted. "Rome fell and Christianity replaced it." He insisted on it.
Edward wasn't sure if he liked the idea, or liked and believed the facts that came out of the Italian Goth boy's mouth.
"True," Nico nodded. "Alex and I are Catholics. Percy's sister is Greek Orthodox. Mizuki was a Shinto priestess for another sun deity. And Drypetis is Zoroastrian- she worships Ahura Mazda- not related to the car," he defended fiercely when he saw some idiots wanted to speak up.
"But religion is one thing. We don't worship the gods the way the ancients did- sacrifice animals- and certainly not humans," Nico said. "But the fact is- the gods are alive. They provided the heart of the flame, and the source of all Western Civilisation. Either their children, their loved ones, or the ones they blessed, provided Western Civilisation and Culture with new ideas, insights and innovations. And the gods adjusted. They kept moving from country to country- not as long as Greece or Rome- but several centuries sometimes. Western Civilisation isn't a concept- it's very much real- otherwise- how would you still see it today? The eagle of Zeus is the symbol of the presidency. The statue of Prometheus is at Rockefeller Centre. And the Lincoln memorial- what style was that made in? Where did it come from? What was it modelled from? Without the gods, Western Culture and Civilisation- the country and the world as you know it, would not exist today. Look at every important building- find an important person in American history- and many of us would be able to tell you who their parents are, and if we had the time," he glanced at the others. "Prove it to you. It's everywhere here- the Olympians are here- that's right- here in America."
Everyone's eyes were massive. People gasped, including Esmé and Rosalie.
"They moved here?" Jacob blurted. "No way!"
"Don't look so surprised," Percy said wearily. He sighed. "I know it's not easy for you to believe in- believe me, it was a shock for me when I found out who I was- but that's the real truth. The gods are alive. And as a matter of fact," he added. "If you've ever watched the mortal news, then you would see what happened in New York lately- with a certain Avenger who is also a god."
Jacob's eyes were massive. He was sure everyone else's were as well. "Thor?" He blurted.
"And many people have trouble believing it," Alex muttered. "In Scandinavia there have been a lot of trouble recently- Aglaia told me. Divisions. Violence even now that the world knows he exists. But he's not the only one."
"So… Egyptians too?" Jacob blurted. Percy winced.
"This can't be possible," Sam breathed.
"Let's not talk about that," Percy reminded. "We're here- and now- to discuss what's happening. The missing teens are demigods. Not legacies, or descendants, but demigods. The question is- where are they?"
Silence. "We didn't kill them," Jacob protested.
"But you killed our sisters," one nymph raged. And the others stared clamouring. And the wolves that were in human form started arguing and their brethren were growling in agreement with them. Carlisle and Esmé started to calm things down. Edward was shouting threats at any of them who dared to come near his wife and daughter. Bella was shouting threats at anyone who threatened him. And Edward was threatening anyone who threatened her. Even Jasper was caught up in the argument.
"ENOUGH!" That was Percy's voice. He shook his head angrily. "This isn't going to happen," he said in frustration.
Edward was about to retort that nothing was going to happen in the first place on his terms, before he froze.
The plants rustled, and this time, they were sure it wasn't a nymph.
A hellhound emerged from the bushes. Not Mrs. O'Leary. This one was slightly larger than the wolves.
The nymphs gasped.
"Clever of you, my dear," A voice cackled.
They turned wildly.
"Now…" said the dreadfully familiar voice- at least to Nico and Percy. "Here comes the bogeyman- or woman."
Guess who's back in their lives?
Sorry if I don't update too soon. I'm quite busy now.