Oh my gods, guys. Oh my gods.
I am SO SORRY! School is a serial killer. I died under the pressure of homework. That's right. I'm chilling in Elysium with unending Wifi.
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As you have probably definitely noticed, I have been "going dark," as Agent Coulson would say (for all my fellow Marvel fans out there). This is because I have been getting some reviews that were kind of downers, (glares pointedly at review) so if you could edge off of Santa's naughty list and write your opinion in a kind tone, that'd be great. I'm not saying to stop the criticism, but maybe give pointers instead. Word choice, style, etc. etc.
Good reviews = Happy writer = More chapters.
Besides, they deserve a happy ending, so that's what they'll get.
Matt: Your comments hurt my feels.
Don't hurt a fangirl's feels.
I will find out where you live.
Just kidding, I'm not a stalker.
*totally fake innocent smile*
Oh! And I saw that you have also read: The Seer (Slenderman/Percy Jackson). I hope you like this chapter!
WHO LIKES THE NEW COVER PHOTO, EH? EH?! Well I like it...
Last thing, I'm not really sure where I want the story to go (sure I have a basic, basic plot line, but it's kind of boring now that I reflect on it) so if you could propose new things that happen – ex. Piper and Percy are taken to the bottom of the ocean – I would LOVE that!
Song of the Chapter: (Particularly when Jason and Piper are in the woods) Safe and Sound TAYLOR SWIFT because I couldn't find anything else to go with a boring-yet-totally-important-meeting.
That's like asking me to choose elevator music to play at my funereal. *shudders*
DISCLAIMER:
I don't own Percy Jackson. Yeah, nothing funky this time.
VI
JASON
Jason sat around Camp Half-Blood Big House's very own Ping-Pong table between Piper and Leo, at the head of the table (across from Percy). Several bags of Fonzies – courtesy of Leo – were laying about the table, all of them unopened.
Frank and Hazel had made it and were now sitting by Percy. Leo sat next to Calypso. Occasionally, the newcomers would look at the other and hold their hand or rub the other's shoulder.
The heroes and friends sat in silence.
Hazel stared at Leo. Now, apart from the Sammy and Leo connection, they were even closer. They had both died and come back to life - which Jason had also technically done. He guessed that she sensed something wrong and was going to interrogate Leo after the meeting, but Jason needed to take one thing at a time.
He cleared his throat, eager to start the next prophecy and get it over with.
"I take it that your journey was safe?" he started, nodding to Frank and Hazel. Ever since he had stuck with the Greeks, he had been getting less and less poised and proper, but meetings and events seemed to draw out the Jupiter in him.
Frank nodded somewhat unenthusiastically. "Arion isn't exactly comfortable…" He stopped talking when he noticed Hazel's hurt look. "But I had fun," he added. Hazel's mood brightened considerably.
"Reyna sends her regards," Hazel told him. "Camp Jupiter isn't what it used to be though."
Frank's eyebrows shot skyward.
"Monsters completely ransacked the place and burned it down," Hazel continued, unaware of Frank's obvious attempts to try to get her to stop talking and Percy and Annabeth's surprised expressions.
Jason mentally did a face-palm.
Hazel kept going. "We've only been able to salvage a little bit of the camp – random pieces of armor, wood, a few plates, and whatnot. We're still looking for an architect." She looked at Annabeth and finally noticed everything.
"But it's not too bad…" she said, but that just made everyone feel worse.
"I say we start the quest now," Percy stated. "That way, we can be done with this prophecy and can get to Camp Jupiter to help clean up."
Leo had been silent this whole meeting, and Jason immediately knew something was up.
"Leo?" he prodded. The son of Hephaestus (or Vulcan, whatever) glanced up at his best friend.
Leo cleared his throat. "Well, I just am wondering…" He got a nervous look in his eye that resembled a cornered cat, but he had a fiery anger mixed in as well. "Why should we have to go? There are plenty of other demigods in both camps, and we could just-"
"Prophecies can't be controlled, Leo," Hazel said gently. Leo grimaced and looked down at his injury. Jason could've sworn that it glowed faintly for a second and push itself further into his friend's torso.
Jason looked at Piper. Can you talk to him after the meeting?
She nodded, seemingly getting the message.
"How do we get there?" Annabeth thought aloud.
Percy shrugged. "Plane?"
"You'd die," Jason said matter-of-factly.
"We can't exactly go over land," Hazel said. "Why don't we use the Labyrinth?"
"NO." Percy and Annabeth's gazes were steady and slightly unnerving.
Frank had other opinions. "I think it's our best bet if we're going to go-"
"NO."
"Any other way and we'd die-"
"NO."
"Underwater and underground would kill at least 2 people-"
"NO."
Jason interrupted them. "Let's have a vote, shall we?" he asked, barely concealing his annoyance. "Those in favor…" He, Piper, Hazel, Frank, Calypso, and Leo raised their hands. "Those opposed…" Percy and Annabeth raised their hands. Percy noticed that they were the only ones raising their hands and shot his other hand into the air – trying to pass off for 3 votes. Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"Then it's settled." Jason turned to Hazel. "Tomorrow, we'll enter the Labyrinth."
I was going to end it here, but it's pitifully short, so here's an "extra" little bit for you!
The Next Morning
Jason sat leaning against Zeus' fist, where Percy had reluctantly told them to meet today. He wore his usual jeans, red sneakers, and a warm blue jacket. Piper leaned against his right side in the new light green jacket he bought her as a birthday present, grey yoga pants, and purple Reeboks. She had tried to talk to Leo yesterday, but she couldn't get him to say anything other than the fact that he was tired. He had actually snapped at her on accident, before blaming it back on his injury and everything. But right now, her eyes were closed, and Jason couldn't blame her for relaxing. Too bad he had to be on the lookout for monsters.
Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
Since it was the middle of September, all of the leaves had fallen on the ground, leaving bare trees standing like sticks around them, occasionally bending under the weight of the wind. You could barely see the grey autumn sky above the trees as a biting wind bit his hands, ears, ankles, and nose. He and Piper sat absolutely still, waiting for the others to arrive. He saw a family of deer not 10 feet from the rock behind them peek their heads through the trees.
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Piper's body heat kept him a little warm (and he hoped it was vice versa), but he shivered and hid in the collar of his coat. He loved this weather, but seriously, where were hand warmers when you needed them?
He could sit here all day if he was a tiny bit warmer. He'd often thought of building a house somewhere in the woods. Winter and autumn would be peaceful and pleasant, but he knew he couldn't ever ask her to leave her dad. But nonetheless, he could enjoy it now with her.
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound
Still, it was kind of weird. Getting really cold in a matter of days was not normal, and Camp Half-Blood's weather was supposed to be controlled. He couldn't even summon a warm wind for heat. Jason couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with the quest that they were going on.
He heard the soft crunching of twigs blanketed somewhat by the fallen leaves to his left. Piper – to his slight disappointment – sat up and looked to the newcomers. Jason followed her gaze. The rest of his "quest-mates" were at the edge of the clearing and coming towards them. Percy wore a brown windbreaker with jeans. A black backpack was slung over one shoulder. Annabeth wore a light purple jacket with black yoga pants. Frank wore a dark purple jacket with jeans and green sneakers that partially worked as camouflage. Hazel wore a white ski jacket over jeans. Apparently, she wasn't used to the cold. Leo, on the contrary, wore his usual camp T-shirt and brown pants with maroon suspenders.
He looked ridiculous - and cold - but then again, they didn't know what temperature it was going to be in the Labyrinth.
Jason put a hand back against the enormous outcropping behind him and stood. He held out his hands and helped Piper up, her cold hands feeling rough but light and graceful.
"Ready?" she asked. They all nodded nervously. Percy and Annabeth looked like they were going to have a heart attack soon and they knew when it was going to happen. Hazel took a deep breath.
"Let's go." The 13-year-old closed her eyes and an entrance materialized behind Jason. Unfortunately, it was under him and Piper as well. The next series of events happened in seconds. He only had time to take in the stunned looks of his friends before he fell, back first, into the darkness. He grabbed Piper and tried to fly, but his wind powers weren't working.
Great.
He hugged Piper to his chest, hoping to cushion her somewhat to the fall when he hit the ground at an angle, and to his dismay, his head his the floor of icy stone first - right before his back. He was vaguely aware of Piper sitting up before the darkness invaded his soul and caused him to lose his grip on reality.
In other words, he blacked out.
*dodges several hundred murder attempts – demigod style*
ALRIGHT ALRIGHT I'M SORRY!
Unfortunately, I have come down with a terrible disease – writers block. If some other writers out there could give me some ideas (where they come up, what danger do they face), then I could update even sooner-
Wait a second. Aha! AHA! Somebody can use the return of Medusa in his or her help-me-review, just an idea.
Please review! I swear I will update sooner! I swear it on the River Styx!
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Ok, not kidding guys, there's a storm outside my house and thunder just boomed. Like, BOOOM! Right after I typed it.
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MAAAAAAAM?! I TOLD YOU I WAS A DEMIGOD. It's dad, right?