Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson. Or anything else to do with the Franchise.
Sorry for delay, but real life again has been a real pain. Hope this chapter ties you over till the next one.
Washington D.C
Percy, Bianca and Nico were stood opposite the Smithsonian Museum, this is where the camp half-blood party had come first once reaching in Washington. Percy was pretending to read an old paper as he kept looking over the top of it now and again. He had decided to leave both twins in the hotel, he knew they were not ready for what was about to happen. Percy was dressed in smart pair of jeans, silk sleeveless shirt and was wearing a pair of shades. He noticed the party had just arrived and several feet behind them was the good Doctor.
Percy growled as he thought about the Manticore who had taken his Thalia. Tartarus was too good for the beast. Percy was going to make sure he never returned to earth again. He kept his head behind the newspaper, last time he had Annabeth cap to use, but this time, he would have to use stealth alone. He watched as the group walked into the museum, however his target, wasn't the camp half-blood group, but the dear Doctor who was standing outside the museum, and looking up the stairs as the group entered it. He noticed the Manticore looked around and smelled the air. He then locked eyes over at Percy. At first Percy thought his cover was blown, however he then remembered that he didn't smell like a demigods, his encounter with the mother of all monsters had proven that.
He waited until he noticed the doctor shrug before continuing on his way towards the meeting with Atlas. Percy yesterday had visited the place with Nico and Bianca. This would allow him to open a portal right into the area that the meeting was going to take place. Percy quickly found a secluded area and then raised his hand creating a dark portal. He then stepped into it and quickly hid behind one of the huge pillars that circulated the room. I took a quick peak around the corner of the pillar, and saw Atlas hidden in the shadows with his two guards either side of him. He also spotted Luke, which alone was making his eye glow. That bastard was going to pay for what he had done. Not to mention Percy was felling very uneasy as this boy was to be the host of Kronos and he wanted Thalia has his queen. That alone made Percy want to tear him in two. However Percy knew he would get his chance, but knew this was a recon mission. He wanted to make sure that the plans of the Titans had not changed. Percy suddenly heard the door below open and watched as Dr Thorn walked in. Percy watched as Thorn bow down in the middle of the room. A big booming voice then echoed through the entire building.
"Well, what do you have to report!" Percy noticed the building actually shook a little as the Titan had spoken. He then looked down and watched as Thorn explained the situation.
"They are here general, I followed them just has you asked. They are in the Museum a few blocks down."
Percy heard the Titan billow once more. "I know they are here already you fool, what I don't know is where they are. Just saying they are in a museum is no help at all. If you had not noticed we in the middle of a huge city filled with museum. Which one are they in!"
Percy again noticed the building had shook. He noticed several marble carving had come loose from the roof and now had fallen on the floor, causing Thorn to jump back in surprise. Percy noticed the Manticore grovelling once more.
"Forgive me general, the one with all the rockets, that is where they are." Percy noticed Atlas was quiet for a few minutes when he spoke once more. "How many are we talking about. I want numbers."
Percy noticed Thorn was using his fingers to count. "There are five of them in all General. The Satyr, The one known as Mark Jackson, also Annabeth Chase is with them, along with two other girls, one wears a silver Circlet.."
Percy noticed the room suddenly dropped several degrees. He knew how Atlas felt about Zoe, however the tension was broken when Percy heard Luke shout out.
"What about Percy Jackson? The Son of Chaos, is he with them?" Percy smiled as could sense a fear in Luke voice as he mentioned his name. Percy couldn't wait to get his hands on the blonde prick.
"No The Son Of Chaos is not with them. It is just them five." Percy noticed Atlas was silent once more. Percy then heard Luke again.
"Let me take them? We have more than enough monsters to overpower them. Percy had noticed the sudden change in Luke, it seems he was a little more confident now knowing that he was not with the group, well the blonde prick was about to get a rude awakening
Percy had heard enough, last time he had been discovered however this time he was going to put on a little display. After all what was the point of having all these powers if he didn't use them. Plus he wanted to give Luke a real scare. Percy opened up a portal and then vanished. He suddenly appeared behind Thorn, and before the Manticore could turn he stabbed him in the back with his blade. He heard the Manticore yell before the familiar purple aura began to spread all over his body. He yelled once more and vanished. Percy noticed the guards around Atlas were now on full alert. Percy just stood in the middle of the room smiling.
"So You're the big bad Atlas? Oh for the record Luke I am here, and I have a personal score to settle with you pretty boy. I still haven't forgotten how you ordered that thing to kidnap Thalia."
what happened next shocked Percy, Atlas was laughing. The laugh was causing the whole building to shake. "Lord Kronos was right, you are a defiant one. Yes Lord Kronos warned me about you, and I am happy to see that his descriptions of your heroic nature was not an exaggeration on his part."
Percy bowed in sarcasm. "Glad to see father time thinks so highly of me. After all I owe the bastard for a the last few nights, and have decided to send him a warning, and now I am sending you one, stay away from the camp half-blood party, wait on second thought, you can do what you like with my useless brother, but the others are not to be harmed, especially your daughter.."
Percy noticed the temperature dropped again, this time he noticed Atlas was leaning over the banister looking right down at him. He could tell by the colour of the Titans face, that his daughter was a touchy subject.
"She is no daughter of mine! She forfeited that title when she decided to turn her back on me and the rest of her siblings."
Percy just smirked. "I see your daughter is a really touchy subject with the great big bad Atlas. Want me to stick your pacifier back in your mouth, or throw your toys back into your play pen." The reaction was immediate the whole building shook.
"How dare you Insult me! I am one of the Titans, rulers of this world before the Pantheon of the Gods. You're just a lowly mortal, I could crash you with my little finger, you cocky little shit!"
Percy just looked up and smirked. "Are you really sure about that? The God of War and Goddess Of love thought the same, and it didn't take me long to end both of them. Not to mention your brother Krios, he tried crossing me and well look what happened to him. Oh wait you don't know what happened to him do you? I bet old father time left that out when he told you of his demise. Well let me fill you in, you see this blade." Percy held up his sword so everyone could see it. "This sword has been infused with the creator own essence. It give me the power to kill any immortal, God or Titan. However when you die, you don't reform in Tartarus like you use to, oh no, you're wiped from existence. So are you sure you want to mess with me, knowing one little cut from this blade could destroy you instantly."
Percy noticed Atlas didn't say anything. He wondered if the Titan was pondering about retracting his statement. However before he could reply, Percy had already opened up a portal and was now walking into it. Just before he entered it, he looked up at Atlas once more, however his eyes locked with Luke. "Has for you pretty boy, I would keep your hands off Thalia, your execution has already been decided, the only problem, is I haven't decided if I want to kill you quickly, or painfully. Till we meet again Luke." Percy then walked through the portal, he needed to get to the Smithsonian museum before Atlas sent his 12 little playmates to intercept them. Not to mention the Nemean Lion
Smithsonian Museum
Annabeth was busy looking at the various exhibits on display. She was a sucker for any type of history, she knew they were here for a reason, Grover had sensed the Goddess here, however Annabeth was certain it was a false lead. She read every little piece of information she came across. Grover and Mark were having their own discussion, while Zoe and her fellow Hunter were busy up a head. Annabeth noticed the others were moving on without her, suddenly she felt a breeze behind her, before she could turn, someone had placed their hand over her mouth and was now pulling her into one of the alcoves. She tried to kick and out but whoever was behind her, had made sure she wasn't going anywhere. However she soon relaxed as she heard Percy voice.
"Easy Owl head, it is only me. Now I am going to release you, understand." Percy noticed Annabeth nodded her head. He then removed his hand from her mouth and noticed the Annabeth and had turned and tried to deliver a punch, however Percy blocked and held her wrist. He noticed the fury in those stormy grey eyes. Those eyes that use to make is heart swore.
"You ever sneak up on me like that again, and you will be in serious trouble Percy Jackson. What are doing here? You're suppose to be at camp, and where are the twins, I thought you were looking after them?
Percy placed his hand over her mouth once more. "Just listen for once. You and your group are about to have some company. Luke already knows you are here, and so does Kronos general, he has sent a party of skeleton warrior to cut you off. They should be entering the museum any minute."
Annabeth eyes widened. "How do you know all this?"
Percy just shook his head. "Well unlike you lot, I actually plan what I am going to do, I noticed the man disguised as the Manticore had been following you. I followed him towards one of the museum and over heard a conversation. Luke was there, along with someone called the general. The Manticore told Luke and the general that you all were here and that you were in this museum. The general then created twelve skeleton warrior that he has sent over to take care of you." Just has Percy had finished talking he looked over the banister and noticed the twelve men who had attacked them before was now in the lobby. He turned back to Annabeth, "They're here already, get back to the others and warn them.
Annabeth just raised her eyebrow and then looked over the banister and noticed the twelve strangely dressed men in the lobby. However when she turned Percy was gone.
Back At Hotel
Percy appeared in his room, and started to pack, now that he had warned Annabeth, he knew she would warn the others and they would escape. Well he was hoping they would, after all he forgot to mention the other surprise Atlas was sending them, still it might teach his useless brother to actually fight for once. Percy noticed that Thalia and Nico had ran into his room. He could tell by the look on both their faces that they were happy to see him back.
"Percy you're back, did everything go okay?" Percy looked at Bianca, he nearly fell back onto his bed with shock. Today, she was dressed in a black t-shirt and black skirt, he noticed she had fish net stocking on and her big black boots. He also noticed a small black sleeveless jacket with a small skull just above her left breast. She had a small bit of make up on and her hair was down. Percy had never seen anything so beautiful.
"Umm yeah, the plan went smoothly, now if everything goes well then we should be leaving the hotel soon." Just then a portal opened up, and Percy noticed his father walked out looking a little worried.
"Percy you have to return back to the museum now. Mark has fainted again and Annabeth has been knocked out. She had been trying to distract the Lion, when it hit her and sent her flying. Now all that is left is the hunters. I know you have plans for one of them, and knew you wanted to safe her in this time line, well it looks like she is going to need saving earlier then before."
Percy growled, of all the times for Mark to faint, Still it wasn't a real surprise, he had done the same in their first quest. Chaos was right Percy did have plans for Zoe, and being dead was not it. "Okay you two, stay here, I will be right back." Percy then opened a portal, and walked through it.
Smithsonian Museum
Zoe, was doing her best to keep the lion at bay, but her arrow were having no effect on the beast in front of her. After all this was the Nemean Lion, its hide was invincible. Her arrows were just bouncing off. That and the general public running around like headless chicken was causing her to lose focus. Her fellow Huntress had made the mistake of getting too close and had ended up as dinner for the lion. Now she was all that was left. She was also worried about what Annabeth had said, if her father had sent Skeleton warrior after them, then there was no escape.
Zoe suddenly blanked out for a brief second, but that was all the lion needed as it huge paw swatted her across the museum. The Hunter winced in pain as her back collided with the marble column, she looked up, her vision a little blurry, however she could make out the shape of the lion heading towards her. Knowing she had no way of fighting back she suddenly looked up towards the ceiling. "I am sorry Lady Artemis, but I failed you." Just then she noticed sniggering beside her.
"Oh please, you think she will be grateful, for you rescuing her. Tell me when in History has a God or Goddess shown in gratitude to us heroes."
Zoe noticed time had actually stopped around her. She could see the Lion was about to charge towards her, however now it was just frozen in mid stride. She then turned and noticed a boy with messy black hair, wearing a sleeveless shirt and wearing a pair of shades now stood beside her. Zoe eyes widened as she realised who this was. She backed away quickly, grabbing her bow,
"You! What are you doing here? This is not your quest anymore. You should be back at camp."
Percy just stood there and shook his head. "Charming, I come here to help you and already you are starting on me. Had I not froze time then you would be now dead, being eaten by this lion. However I have plans for you Zoe. You already know my goal and so I am going to make you a proposition. As you know I am wiping out the old council one by one and wanting to create a new council with me had its head, So my proposition is this. You agree to help me in my quest to destroy Olympus, and in return I will make you the new Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt."
Zoe eyes widened. "You speak madness! I will never betray my Goddess, I would rather die then betray her."
Percy looked to the Lion, and then back at Zoe. He noticed the fear in her eyes. Percy knew this was wrong blackmailing her, but what was he suppose to do, the girl was stubborn, the last time line had proved that. However last time they had found a common ground surrounding his old sword, now though he had no common ground. He needed to persuade her, but how.
"Dad some help please." Zoe wondered what Percy was shouting about, calling his father, suddenly her eyes widened as another portal appeared this time, a tall man in a black suit stepped out and stood by Percy. Zoe wasn't sure who the man was.
"Who are you? Chaos looked down at the huntress now before him. Personally he wasn't sure why Percy wanted this girl on his new council, she was too loyal to the Olympians, however Percy had summoned him, which meant he had a plan.
"To answer your question girl. I am Lord Chaos, creator of the universe, The first divine being to ever appear. I am the father of the Primordial Gods, and the Grandfather of the Titans and Great grand father of the current Pantheon of the Gods."
Zoe's eyes widened. She quickly lowered herself into a bow. "Forgive me Lord Chaos, I had no idea."
Percy just smirked as Zoe paid her respect to his father. "Dad I need you to do me a favour. I want you to show Zoe just how cruel the Gods are. I want her to see what I suffered through. I want her to experience the turmoil I went through. Maybe it will help convince her that my proposition is not so bad after all."
Chaos looked at his son, was Percy really willing to trust Zoe with his secret? The girl was too loyal in the mind, however he wasn't allowed to interfere in free will. This was Percy choice not his. "Very well If you feel you can trust her, then I will do as you asked." Chaos then walked towards Zoe and placed his finger on her forehead. "Maybe this will show you why my son hate the Gods so much, and why he wants to create a new council."
Zoe tried to resist, however she was suddenly stopped as a dozen images played out in her mind. She watched each image play out, it felt like you was watching a movie within her own head, she saw the quest that was now taking place, how she had no clue, she then was shocked to discover that she died on this quest, she then watched as Percy continued his quest to fight the Titans, she watched what had taken place in the Labyrinth, she watched the battle of New York, she watched how a boy who looked like Percy had lead the demigods from camp half-blood against the titan army, she had then watched how he had defeated Kronos and saved Olympus. The next images though were the one that really hit her, she watched as the Gods turned their backs on Percy, she watched as Mark stole the limelight, she then watched as the girl travelling with them had broken Percy heart. However the last image was the one that shocked her the most, she watched has her Goddess dragged a screaming girl towards a river in the underworld, she had then thrown the girl in and held her head under the water. After a short while she had noticed that the girl was pulled up for air and dragged onto the shore of the river. The images then stopped, she shook her head in confusing.
"What was that? Those Images, they seem so real, yet they couldn't be." Zoe noticed Percy looked at her.
"Those Zoe was the memories of the last time line. I am not from this time line Zoe, but from another, who has already experienced this quest, and the others that are yet to come. As you can see I bended over backwards to protect Olympus, and you saw how they repaid me. You saw how my brother took over my life, and how the love of my life broke my heart. The girl you saw Artemis dragging towards the river, is the same girl now being held in the Titan Fortress. She broke her oath and declared her love for me. Of course your so perfect Goddess couldn't have her general breaking her oath, so she forced her to take a dip in the river Lithe, Thalia become your Goddesses obedient minion, no will of her own, now do you see why I hate the Olympians so much, and why I have a certain dislike for your Goddess. She ripped away from me something that could have been a fresh start for me. In the end I decided to leave camp, however it seems the Gods were not finished messing with their little toy, and threw me one more curve ball. Allowing my mortal family to die! I had nothing left and so decided to end it all, however Chaos then appeared and made me a proposition. A choice that I am glad I accepted."
Zoe was still shocked, in what she had seen her Goddess do to that poor girl. They had hunters break their oath in the pass and Artemis had just dismissed them from the hunt, however this was a new side of the Goddess that she did not like and did not want to believe existed. She looked up as Percy and Lord Chaos carried on looking at her.
"Is it true that I die on this quest?" Zoe noticed Percy lowered his head, that was all she needed to confirm that what she had seen was the truth.
Percy stepped forward, he could see this sudden realisation had hit the hunter hard, but what choice did he have. "Yes Zoe, you're poisoned by a monsters and you die later on this week. However that is why I am giving you the opportunity to avoid that happening this time. You did me no wrong in the last time-line Zoe, and was just a number of many friends I lost in this pointless war. However now I have chance to change that, I want you to be the new Goddess of the Moon, I want you to be on my new council. Even from the brief images you saw of the last time-line, you must realise that it is time for change. The current council do nothing to help this world. My father placed them in power to protect his world, his creation, and he has watched for years as the Gods ignored their responsibilities. He wants change Zoe and has asked that I be the one to bring it about."
Zoe stayed silent for a little while. "You will have to give me time to think about this Percy. After all you are basically asking me to break my own vow and turn my back on the Goddess who offered me a new way of life. It will not be easy, but I promise to consider your offer."
Percy signed in relief. "Very well Zoe, I will give you time to think about it. However remember you could die this week, so you don't have much time to decide. Now let's get this quest back on track, oh and one thing. I must ask that you swear an Oath on the River Styxs that you will not mentioned what you have learnt to anyone."
Several minutes later, Zoe had sworn an oath, both teens had then watched Lord Chaos leave. Once the creator had vanished, Percy turned to Zoe.
"Okay, here is the plan. We both know this lion can't be killed by normal means, so here is what I am going to do. I am going to jar the Lion mouth open, I want you to fire your arrows right down its throat, it's hide might be invincible but its insides are not."
Percy then found a metal pole, just the right size. He walked up to the lion and jammed it between the bottom of the mouth and the top of the mouth. He then walked back to Zoe and noticed she had her bow ready. Percy unfroze everything and watched as the lion thrashed about as it realised it couldn't shut its mouth. Zoe waited until she had the perfect shot, she then sent three arrow directly into the lions mouth. She heard it make a noise before falling to the floor lifeless, it then turned to dust. Zoe noticed Percy was smiling at her.
"Nice shot, now we better get out of here, those warrior are still after us, and we need a plan. Quickly help me get Annabeth and Mark back up, we will then escape using one of my portal. It will be harder for them to track us this way."
Zoe nodded and began to help Percy get the other three member of their team back on their feet. Zoe noticed how gentle Percy was being with Annabeth, and rough he had been with Mark. She couldn't understand that if this was the girl that she had seen in those images, then why was Percy being so kind and gentle. Maybe her Goddess had been wrong about the boy. She could see the coldness the Goddess described, but she could also see a different side of him, one that actually cared. She was pulled from her thought by Percy walking over to her with the rest of them. She noticed Mark was arguing however he was soon silenced by Percy. She then watched as he opened a portal and then literally threw Mark through it. Zoe then noticed Percy gesture for her and the other to do the same. Zoe made sure she was the last one to step through, just before she did, she turned to Percy.
"Percy I am sorry for what you have had to suffer. I now know why you hate Olympus so much. I promise that I will give your offer serious thought. After all no one deserved to be treated like that."
Percy sighed. "Well that is in the past, this is the now, and together with your help we could make the future better for everyone. Now lets hurry." Both teens then stepped through the portal, and vanished from sight.
A/N: Okay so Zoe has no been let in on the secret. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.