Hey, guys! Once again, thanks for all the great support. Just for clarification, to fit this story together I kinda messed with the ages of the characters a little bit. So here's just a simple rundown of them so the story makes more sense.

Percy, 17

Jason, 16

Nico, 16

Annabeth, 17

Piper, 16

Dick, 16

Connor, 18

M'gann, 18

Wally, 17

Aqualad, 19

There, I hope that makes a bit more sense now. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy Chapter 4.

Chapter 4: Memories of a Mystery Warrior

"This the place?" Jason asked.

Annabeth nodded. "Yep. This is where we're staying."

Piper scrutinized it. "Hmm. Not bad."

The three of them were standing in front of a small little house that sat on the end of a street. It was brown, with several windows and a chimney. A wooden gate opened up to a path that went through an inviting garden and reached the door.

Together, they walked up the front steps and Annabeth inserted the key into the door. It swung open and they were greeted with the smell of fresh flowers and the sight of a meticulously clean house.

Unlike with Percy and Nico, the gods had been favourable and provided a home for the three of them to live in during the quest.

Jason sighed as he sank down into a convenient armchair and set his backpack on the floor.

"Well, that wasn't so bad. School's nice, people are nice, and the work is easy. Yeah, not bad at all." He said.

Piper nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, those people who showed us around were great."

Annabeth wrinkled her nose. "They were all right. Megan is very over-friendly and Connor is kinda weird."

"Really strong, too." Jason added. "But overall, this was a good day."

"I'm kinda itching for some action, though," said Annabeth.

"I agree." Jason said. "But it is nice to relax when we're on a quest."

Piper sat down. "This doesn't seem like a quest, actually. It's doesn't have that- that thrill. And there's no definite end to the story and hardly any beginning. I mean, where's the prophecy? What's the end goal? What's Klarion's plan? We don't know any of these things."

Annabeth nodded. "You're right, Piper. This quest is rather unique. It's not generic."

Jason crossed his arms. "What are we supposed to even do? After we meet these so called 'heroes', what then? Do we gather round a campfire and sing Kumbaya?"

Annabeth looked at him closely. "Why don't you decide, Jason? You're the son of Jupiter, after all. You're meant to lead us."

Jason looked away. "Please don't say things like that." He said quietly.

"Why? It's true."

"I know it's true. But I don't wanna hear it."

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "Why?" She questioned. "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid of anything."

She shook her head. "That's a lie. All people fear. Demigods especially."

"That's being technical."

Piper reached over and took his hand. "Jason, what's wrong?"

He hesitated. "I- I can't say."

"Not even to me?"

"Not even to you. I'm sorry. I don't have a choice."

"What's stopping you from telling us?" Annabeth asked.

He pursed his lips and swallowed. "An oath."

The two girls looked at him in confusion. Jason stood up. "I'm gonna hit the showers."

He strode into the bathroom and shut the door. Then he crumpled to the floor and leaned against the closed door. He rubbed his forehead and sighed.

Why?, he thought. Why me? Why is so much responsibility placed on me? I've done everything I can to avoid attention. But I can't escape it. Why?

After taking a shower, he came out of the bathroom and went to the dinner table. An uneaten burger was on the table and he assumed that it was for him. Jason took a bite then set it down.

He went over to the fridge and stopped as he saw a note. It read: Had to go shopping. Left you a burger. Back in 30 mins.

Jason threw the note away and pulled out a carton of orange juice from the fridge. He poured it into an empty cup and took a sip appreciatively.

Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was 6:30. He finished the burger, sat down in front of the TV and started flipping through the channels.

When he reached the news channel, he paused and watched.

"Reports indicate that some kind of strange disturbance is happening here in Happy Harbour. The silhouette of a giant monster is rampaging throughout the city, destroying everything in its way. We can't make it out fully, but it is apparent that the Justice League's sidekicks are here battling the threat."

On the screen, Jason could see a blurry image of several costumed teenagers fighting a Minotaur. He quickly shut off the TV and jumped up from the couch.

Jason grabbed his sword and dashed outside, heading towards the battle.

Connor grunted with exertion as the monster's arms connected with his own. He pushed with all his strength but the beast was equal to him. Wally charged forward and slid, crashing into its legs and causing it to stumble.

M'gann used her telekinesis to throw several cars at it, but the monster managed to bat them away. Aqualad pulled out his weapons and they morphed into maces.

He sidestepped a swipe and slammed both weapons into the monster's skull, knocking it backwards. Connor unleashed a powerful punch that knocked the monster off its feet and sent it crashing into a store window.

Wally grinned. "Yeah! That some super-strength right there!"

Connor gritted his teeth. "It's not over yet."

The monster got to its feet and roared ferociously. The heroes prepared themselves.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the ground in front of them, creating a shockwave that blew them all away. Debris littered the street and heavy smoke filled the air.

With his enhanced vision, Connor was able to make out a slim silhouette battling the monster. It swung hard but something flashed and its arm fell to the ground.

Connor squinted. The fighter was using a sword. It flashed again and the monster dissipated. Connor ran forward to catch the fighter but by the time he got there, he was gone.

Jason opened the front door of the house and stepped inside. He took off his shoes and went inside the living room. Piper and Annabeth were waiting.

"Where were you?" They asked.

"Fighting a Minotaur." He replied casually.

"Where?" Annabeth said.

"Here. I saw it on the news. Those sidekicks were fighting it so I stepped in."

"You met the heroes?"

"No. I made sure they didn't see me."

"What? You didn't even talk to them? Why?" Piper asked.

Jason sighed. "I didn't think it was the right time."

"How could it not?" Annabeth retorted. "They were just fighting a monster, probably the first they've ever faced. You could've fought with them."

"Yeah, well, I didn't. Nothing's gonna change that."

He strode past them. Piper looked after him with a worried look in her eyes. She felt like talking to him but she didn't know what to say. Jason seemed so distant. It was like a chasm had come in between them.

At the school earlier, he had seemed fine and like his usual self. But now he was suddenly angry and resentful.

What's happened to you, Jason?

On the way back from the battle, the heroes sat in M'gann's bioship. Silence covered the cockpit. Connor especially was keeping quiet. Aqualad took a breath and spoke.

"We're going to have to file a mission report for Batman. I know we normally don't do that for normal crime incidents, but this time is different. We all know that."

Wally nodded. "Yeah. What the heck was that thing? It was strong, really strong. But sometimes, I couldn't even see it. It was like some kind of fog was covering it, making it blend with its surroundings."

"Red Tornado could see it, though." M'gann said. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have called us in. We should ask him when we get back."

"And what was with that sudden lighting?" Wally asked. "It came out of nowhere and when the smoke dissipated, the monster was gone."

Aqualad turned to Connor. "Superboy, you've been quiet this whole time. Do you have something to say?"

Connor looked up as if waking from a dream. "What? Oh, oh yeah. I guess I do. I don't know if you guys saw this, but after the lightning struck, I could see a figure in the smoke, fighting the monster. It used a sword to kill it. Then the monster seemed to dissolve into specks of dust."

"Wait, someone killed it?" Wally asked incredulously. "By himself?"

Aqualad rubbed his chin. "A mystery monster. Then a mystery warrior. What is going on?"

The bioship arrived at Mount Justice and they strode out of it and up to the meeting room. Red Tornado was waiting.

"Greetings, team." He said. "I trust the mission went well?"

"No entirely." Aqualad replied. "There were several occurrences that did not go according to plan."

The robot crossed his arms. "Explain."

"The monster we fought was powerful. It took all of us just to keep it at bay. We could hardly even see it."

"But you defeated the beast, did you not? I see no cause for complaint."

"We did not defeat it. Lightning struck the road in front of us, creating a smoke screen. Superboy glimpsed a lone warrior, who defeated it."

Red Tornado paused then came to a conclusion. "I'm calling Batman. You must recount your story to him again. In full detail."

Aqualad nodded. "It will be done."

Jason lay in bed that night, unable to sleep. His mind kept drifting to the conversation he'd had with his father just two days ago. He tried to shut out the memory but it wouldn't be stopped. All he could do was hope he fell asleep before it ended.

"Jason," Zeus said, "Come walk with me."

Jason nodded and followed as his father led him to a small pathway. They were on Mount Olympus, outside the palace. An expansive garden spread its way across an open field. It's beautiful flowers filled the air with a fresh scent and Jason breathed it in, smiling.

Zeus stopped beside a little fountain and took a seat on a gilded bench beneath a fruit tree. He gestured for Jason to sit beside him. Jason frowned slightly as he did so. Never before had him father acted so, well, fatherly.

Together they gazed at the blooming plants and bubbling stream. Zeus sighed with contentment.

"You know, son," he began, "I often come here. Mostly when I want to be alone. Running Olympus is a hard task and I enjoy sitting here and relaxing. It helps me focus and keeps me sane."

Jason said nothing.

"The flowers and plants here are all Persephone's handiwork. When she's not with Hades, she comes up here to spend time with her mother, Demeter. But she always finds time to spruce up the place with a few subtle touches. What do you think of them, Jason?"

Jason hesitated. "I- I think they're beautiful. And I can see how they provide… comfort to you, father."

Zeus's face turned solemn. "Yes. Yes, they do provide comfort to me. When my brothers and I divided our spoils between each other, I was a little jealous of Poseidon. His domain was that of beauty. The waters were a vastly unexplored place; filled with wonders and things unseen.

"Of course I could never go there. Gods cannot go into each other's territory uninvited. I was stuck up here, destined to watch as humanity thrived. I enjoyed those first few centuries. The war with the Titans was over and peace filled the land. The mortals were becoming stronger and some of us gods became attracted to their ways.

"But now, I find nothing but contempt for most mortals. They are greedy, selfish beings who care little for others. Their lives are nothing compared to a god's. But at the same time, that makes them even more precious.

"While we gods live on, they die and more are created. They continue surviving, taking massive steps forwards and massive steps back. But they never stop trying. Humanity's greatest strength is it's will. I admire that. We gods cannot change. But they can."

Zeus sighed again. "I didn't use to believe in miracles. To me, all things were ordained by the Fates. But you, Jason, you were different. Your sister Thalia was born of my Greek side. It should have ended there. But as Jupiter, I fell for your mother again. And then you were born.

"Your life is a wonderful gift. But it is also a horrible curse. As the son of Jupiter you are destined to lead. Destined for responsibility. For years now, I have stood and watched as Poseidon's brat Perseus Jackson took the Olympian world by storm.

"Quest after quest he completed, gaining more power and fame the longer he lived. It made me so angry to see him rise. After the Second Titan War, there was no other reward I could give him but that of godhood. And he turned it down.

"It makes me angry just thinking about it. That brat had the nerve to turn down the greatest honour in existence, all for the sake of a few, meaningless mortals. Doing so, he earned the respect of many gods. But you remained in the shadows.

"No matter how many great things you did, you were always overshadowed by him. My own child, reduced to second best. Not even Thalia could outdo him. And she chose a life serving Artemis. Now she'll live forever, always a testament to my failure. A mocking figure, never to die.

"You, Jason, cannot be the same. You must rise above her, above Poseidon's brat, above all demigods before you. You are favoured by Juno, blessed by Jupiter. You have all the potential to be the greatest.

"During the war with Gaea, you showed your true colours. And though you partnered with Jackson, you revealed that there isn't only one great modern demigod. This quest, son, this quest is your chance.

"Prove to Olympus that you are mightier than Perseus Jackson. It is ordained by the Fates. It is-"

Jason abruptly stood up. "Stop, father. Stop talking."

Zeus paused in surprise. "What is it, Jason?"

Jason's eyes were covered by his hair. "You want me to be better than Percy. Fine, I get it. But that is not what I want."

"Then what do you want, son?"

"I want to live the rest of my life in freedom! I don't want to be a leader. I don't want to be responsible for the lives of others. I don't want it. I didn't ask for it in the first place.

"You said I was miracle. But I'm not! I'm an accident! Caused by your selfish desires. You say I'm special. But I'm not! I'm just another of your millions of sons. Look at Hercules! You made him a god. But all he does is guard two fricking mountains! He is the most powerful demigod of all time. And you treat him like dirt. He hates you! All your sons do! And me? I'll probably be no different from them.

"So what if I'm not as great as Percy. I don't care!"

Zeus's face contorted with rage. He raised his palm and slapped Jason across the face.

"You will regret those words, Jason Grace. No one dishonours the King of the Gods! No one!"

Jason shot up from the bed, panting heavily. He rubbed his forehead and wiped away the sweat.

I fell asleep, he thought. But the memory didn't stop. It continued into my dreams. He covered his face with his hands.

What the heck is happening to me?

That's the end of Chapter 4. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, especially the flashback scene. Next chapter, we'll be going back to Percy, Nico and Dick so I'll see you all hopefully next weekend. Review!