Artemis POV
I was following my father's orders, tracking the group of monsters we estimated to be around 20-30. Should be a nice easy training exercise for the new hunters that mysteriously appeared. How did not one but two males manage to get near our camp without being spotted? And how did the one manage to bond with the distressed girls and the other scare them to death but still be kind to them? While I was brooding my lieutenant, Thalia suddenly stopped and looked at the floor. When she paled I shook myself free of my thoughts and asked her what was wrong. "Well milady... it seems that we underestimated the size of the monster force... "She said nervously. I turned and looked at where she was looking at. What I saw was a cause for disbelief. I, the goddess of hunt and been lured into a trap! Those tracks meant the force was actually between 300-400 monsters. A boulder fell into place behind us, effectively trapping us in this side of the pass. From over the horizon came a army of monsters, among whom were several hundred Dracaena, some Cyclops and even some Laistrygonian giants. Dotted around the army were drakons and even some Hydra. However, the thing leading them was what scared me. There, in all his power stood Gration, the giant born to appose me. I paled, I could loose a lot of hunters, if indeed we managed to survive. Gration walked forward as if to say something, then apparently thought better of it and shouted to the army "capture the goddess but don't kill her, the rest are all yours." His words brought cheering from the monsters before the army charged forward as one, to the 19 hunters and their leader.
Percy POV
Once we arrived at the plain where the girl had been captured we received a emergency message from mom, apparently one of her daughters had been captured by monsters. we quickly put 2 and 2 together and realized that this girl is technically my sister since Athena is our adopted mother. Sweet! We leaped from tree to tree in complete silence and then stopped dead in one of the branches. In a clearance in front of me we saw several monsters closing in on this girl who was completely black and blue from obvious beatings. My rage overtook my thoughts about judging the situation and I just uncapped Dragonforce and Riptide and fell right in front of the girl, forcing the monsters to go through me whale Cooper was fiering from adove in the trees jumping from branch to branch. our cloak blew in the wind and all the monsters could see through our hood was 2 flaming eyes that promised death to all. I lit my swords on fire and charged without even thinking, slicing and chopping until I was face to face with a hell hound. I took a step back in shock on how I hadn't spotted it earlier but I wasn't going to let that stop me; I was about to whirl a full 360 and sliced its head off when a bullet hit it in the head effectively killing it. I felt movement behind me and almost slashed at the person behind me only to stop before I impaled the little girl that was trying to run away from me. I looked at her trying to run and immediately felt bad at how I must look. we hated doing it but I changed back into my normal form and surprisingly so did my brother. We turned into the real Percy Jackson and Cooper Jackson.
Walking up to her I looked down at her and tried to get her out of the hole that she was trying to bury herself in. "Hey, hey, its ok. We've here to help you" I said in my gentlest voice. I had to gain her trust otherwise this could go real bad. "Your lying, your another monster, just like my uncles who beat me and sent me here." she sobbed out. "I promise we are not here to hurt you, your mom sent us here to save you" I said gently. "No, my mum and dad died in a car accident when I was 1 year old" she said, finally looking up at me. She had pure, blue eyes and blonde hair, which was now very dirty because of her misadventure with the dirt. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of intelligence, Oh yeah, this was a daughter of Athena alright. She looked so similar to Annabeth it was physically painful, but I had to push on. "do you believe in gods?" I asked, randomly. "Ummm like Jesus? I suppose" She replied. "Look, im going to tell you a secret ok? Your mom isn't dead, she is alive and whats more she is a goddess. She really loves you and so sent me to save you" She gasped, sitting up. "A, a god? My mummy is a god?" I simply nodded before I noticed her painfully thin frame and asked her "Whats your favorite food? the best food in the whole wide world? I asked her. She thought hard before saying "Spaghetti with meatballs, why?" I just smiled and waved my had, causing a steaming hot plate to appear in front of me. She looked in wonder, saying "How did you do that?" "Well just like your mom is a god another god made us their champion and gave us the power to summon home foods, now eat up!" I said strictly, summoning some coke and water for her. She looked nervous before digging in, and i smiled as she ate. Quickly i sent an impulse to Athena to let her know that it was done, and heard her in my head saying that the hunters is probably the best place for my new sister.
After quickly agreeing I looked at her and noticed that she was looking at me a bit nervously. "What's your name? I asked her. "Ella" She replied, and then asked in a timid voice "Whats your name" and before I could even think I said "Percy" Then I realized what I just did... I just gave away the identity that ive been working so hard to keep hidden. Wow I really am such a seawe... My mood darkened at the simple thoughts of anything to do with her. I was interrupted from my brooding when a nervous Ella approached me and said "Umm, thanks for the food, but why did my mum send you? When can I meet her? Can I meet her at all? Where will we go now, as in where will I go, or where will you take me, if you are actually staying with me? And whats his name" She said, getting more confident with each question, before loosing it all that last question.
"Yes you will be able to see your mother, quite soon hopefully. As for me, I will stay with you. You have a choice here Ella. You can travel to a camp filled with others like you, both boys and girls (she physically shrunk away when I mentioned 'boys') where you can stay, train and maybe even go on a quest, or you can go to a group of girls lead by another goddess, and be with them, becoming a hunter and gaining immortality, at the cost of swearing of males and being a immortal maiden and fore him he is Cooper and don't let his cooled manner foul you he is a very nice person."
She looked at me with grey, stormy eyes which were widened in thought, reminding me more and more of Annabeth. I had to hold it in, this WAS NOT Annabeth. Finally Ella looked at me with a fixed expression and said "Every time I've met a boy they have hurt me and taken me away, but you're nice even though I am scarred of your friend, please can you take me to the goddess?" I smiled at her, as she finally seemed to be coming out of her shell and then noticed the bruises that ran down her face, and the multitude of scratches. Cooper gingerly walked up to her, knelled and looked at Ella dead in the eye before saying "I want to do something, but it can be freaky, can I?"
Ella looked nervous before finally nodding at him to which I smiled broadly at. Then Cooper called upon his water powers and explored the wounds, carefully pulling out any diseased blood or clots before summoning fire to my hands, Ella backed away at the fire and looked to me for help and I quickly sent her a reassuring smile, and she seemed to calm down, surprisingly. The fire died in his hands, leaving them with a soft orangey glow before he gently touched the side of her head, causing the glow to spread and slowly her injuries faded. Ella touched her head in shock before launching herself at him, hugging him tightly and cried. He held her tight, before lifting her onto my shoulders and we started walking. When Ella finally calmed down I started explaining where we were going, and all about the gods and goddesses. When she asked who our godly parents were, I just smiled before telling her that were the adopted sons of Athena. She was overjoyed that we was her brothers, and I couldn't help but open up to her, she was so sweet and young, It was impossible to all but maybe Cooper to not to adore her. It was like this with the other future hunters that we had taken to Artemis.
Finally when she was satisfied I explained fire travel to her, and then said "Ella, I want to fire travel us to the forest so that you can get settled in and I can report back to mom" Ella nodded saying "I trust you Percy" earning her a wide smile from me. I took her hand and pulled the fire. And pictured the wild mountains where I had been informed the Hunters were heading.
Line break
After half an hour of wondering around the forest Ella was the one to spot the first sign of the Hunters. We sneaked up and kept moving in their general direction, before finally finding myself in a clearance with a passage through the mountains. Hmmm, something didn't seem right here. As I looked for the hunters I noticed some figures in silver uniform heading through the gap in the mountains. I thought about if we should take Ella through the mountains or not when a boulder suddenly landed on the entrance, blocking of the path. I mentally cursed myself, that's why I felt something wrong, It was a trap! This was not good, we can't reveal our self without serious consequences, but if i don't then all the girls that I brought here could be in serious trouble, not to mention the rest of the hunt and possibly Artemis herself. I always had a lot of respect for that goddess, even if she was the biggest man-hater in the world, she was honest and stayed to her promises.
I realized that there was no option. we would have to help, no matter what happened to us. I hope Athena will understand. I looked towards Ella who was resting a few meters away and ran up to her. I grabbed her by the shoulder and fire transported us to the other side of the mountain. Then I used Hades's blessing that he gave me so long ago to find a tunnel leading back and posted Ella there. "Ella, there is a big battle going on and I have to help. If me my brother and the figures in silver are overrun then follow this tunnel back and call a cab once you get out of the forest, Go to this adress. Its the camp I told you about. Take care Ella, Ill be right back." I was about to step away when I was tackled by a blur of blonde hair and Ella hugged me, burying her head in my shoulder and whispered "Don't go Percy, cooper, Please, stay with me"
I smiled at her before prying her free from myself. Smiling at her, I said, don't worry, we'll be right back, promise. Then I turned and ran to the ledge, surveying the battle.
Artemis POV
To say things weren't going well would be a huge understatement. There was 20 of us against around 400 monsters, and although the hunters were firing with the speed and accuracy that few could rival, there was simply too many monsters. Finally the monsters got to close and we had to switch to our hunting knives, which came with a lot of angry muttering. Our main weapon was the bow, not the knives! I dived into the monsters, a blur of silver, ducking, weaving between enemy lines, destroying all monsters around me. When I backed up to catch my breath I saw Thalia swiping through the monsters with her spear and trust shield, Aegis, and Phoebe was at her side. Those 2 became one Hades of a team! I then watched in shock as a hell hound materialized behind them and was about to have a giant swipe at both of them, which would have easily killed them when a arrow was shot down the hounds throat. What caught my attention was the fact that the arrow was on fire and actually gold, not silver. As I whirled around to look at who shot the arrow the monsters started to loose their footing as a size 9 earthquake tore them apart, but went straight through me and the hunters without giving us any problems. We watched in awe as two figure jumped down from a ledge and pulled out two matching swords and two matching guns, before holding them in a strange ready stance, the likes I've never seen before. I thought that this was just some random clown when one of his blades caught on fire, the other seemed to have a layer of water shining over the tip and blade. Suddenly shadows came to him and he disappeared, only to appear at the back of the army and charge the other mixing water and shadows to make…are those clones of himself. they were literally an arc of destruction, not one blade or bullet managing to hit him as he flew through a perfect technique, so effective at killing monsters and preserve energy that the whole thing could have been scripted. When they came head to head with the giant born to appose me, Gration, they simply smiled before charging, against a giant with no god on their side.
Cooper POV
Man I haven't had this much fun in years. The look on Artemis face was unbelievable a mixer of shock fear and anger. I love killing monsters, saving hunters, and pulverizing a giant. We are so dead if Artemis finds out it is us.
Percy POV
This was too easy. These monsters had absolutely no chance. I was going to leap in when I saw Thalia and another girl about to be killed by a hell hound. I managed to fire of an arrow just in time but still saw Thalia get hit by the beast, and my vision went red. I released an Earth quake and took out riptide and Dragonforce, holding them in a stance that I had learnt from ancient samurai teachers in Japan. The style was called the 2 heavens. I had no intention of giving away my identity, and I quite liked the style anyway. When we finally found myself facing Gration, I smiled and charged, apparently having so many Gods bless us and being adopted AND have a patron meant that we were the only beings alive that can kill giants without any gods assistant, A fact that we weren't aware of until the fates chased us down and ranted at us for it! It was quite funny, one minute im training in Thailand, the next minute the Fates are next to me and scolding me! Anyway, I realized that Gration would still be a tough enemy so I pretended to charge at him before disappearing in a flash of flame, only to reappear and cut of Grations knee from behind him. Then I acked up and did the ready stance again, The longer blade of Dragonforce held in front of me while Riptide held perfectly parallel over my head. Gration seemed utterly shocked and I used this to my advantage, feigning a attack to his right before bringing riptide down quickly followed by Dragonforce, hitting both of his hunters knives twice and disarming them before making a 'X' with my swords and taking his head clean of his body. Before I had a chance to turn around a arrow buried itself into his eye, making it look like Artemis had helped kill Gration. I was grateful, it saved me from having to explain how I killed him myself.
As soon as the army saw their leader fall, they ran away. I wanted to follow them but I needed to check up on Thalia. I ran up to her, only to stop in shock as I saw her left hand severed from her body, a result of a attack later in the battle, we were dumbfounded, how could we let this happen. we rushed towards her but was stopped when all the hunters drew their bows and pointed at us, their eyes tearful after looking at the form of thalia. we had to be quick to help my cousin so we hardly even flinched and so Artemis came forwards in her 12 year old form and yelled "Who are you" at us, glaring hard. I just looked straight right back, making her eyes widen in shock and her to stumble back. we quickly bowed, having no intention of getting turned into a jackalope. Artemis eyes widened in surprise before she composed herself and repeated her question. I shook my head and said "our identity is not for you to know, all I can tell you is that let us through or your lieutenant will lose her hand" as Cooper was going for his guns if a fight stared to break out. Artemis's eyes widened and she looked like she was about to get her hunters to turn us into porcupines before she controlled herself and nodded at the hunters, who cleared us a path abide watching us suspiciously. I just walked on, staring impassively at Thalia before grabbing her severed hand and pressing it into her wounded side. The hunters were about to shout at our stupidity but before they could our hands emitted a orangey glow and there, before their very eyes the skin began to regrow and heal up. They watched in awe as we worked to fix her arm to its previous level, and when we was finally done I was feeling light headed. I grabbed some water and downed it, instantly feeling some energy return to me, I turned to the hunters they were staring at me wide eyed before Artemis walked forward and screamed "Do you know who I am?" Her voice cold and dark, hostile enough to send shivers down my back but I kept up my stony expression, saying "I know who you are lady Artemis, and also of your hunters" I said gesturing to the hunters as Cooper once more going for his guns, man he is trigger happy today .
"If you know who they are then you must be a demi god as you and I killed Gration so you're not a god, Who are you? Who is your godly parents?" I realized that this much I'd have to tell her. I rose to my full height of 6"3 and said. our names are unknown. I am the son of Athena. I picked up healing during my travells and so could heal Thalia
"Thats another thing, how did you know where the hunters were or who Thalia is?
"I have my ways" I replied, knowing that this I couldn't give away and frankly I was enjoying this talk with Artemis, Its been the first time in years that I could exercise my ability to piss of anyone, good to see that I havn't lost it in my years of solitude! I stopped when I saw the glare that she sent my way, cold enough to put shivers down my back. I may show the cold face, but that glare puts shivers down my back and Cooper metallized behind her with a gun to her head saying "I know this cant kill you but it will hert like hell and it will kill them so let us play a game if your hunters can hind us in one houre we will do what you want with us but if your hunters can't we can go free.
"I could just kill you, and no one will know of your passing here" She threatened, but I threw her of guard when I just shrugged and said "Go on, I've been hiding for too long, not seeing both my parents and living in just about anywhere. Apart from bringing those hunters and some campers home, I've done nothing recently" I finished, staring blankly ahead and Cooper added how about you take a look at your hunter's. Artemis did a double take when I said I didn't care about started to look around at her hunters and found that the boy with the guns clone had a gun pointed at each of their heads "go ahead and test me I won't miss, before shaking her head and said, I will bring you to Olympus, the godly council will decide what to do with you. She was about to reach over and flash me away but I backed up quickly. "I can't go to Olympus. I don't mean any harm to the Gods but I can't go, but I will offer you a deal, if you are willing the same deal my brother just made ."
She looked at me suspiciously before gesturing me to go on. I propose a hunt out. we will hide our self, and after 20 minutes you and your hunters can try to find us. If you find us within an hour I will freely give you all the information you want and come to Olympus peacefully, but if we win, then you must let me go peacefully and freely, deal?
Artemis POV
Stupid boys, challenge the goddess of the Hunt to a game of hunting. I agreed to their demands, as I was planning to put some hunters out to watch them anyway, This will be over in minutes and then they will be forced to come with me to Olympus, if they resists it will be easy enough to subdue him. I gave the boy a nod of my head and the clones vanished before bringing my hunters into the command tent, after sneakily flashing a few hunters to the hidden viewpoints to keep an eye on him, somehow, despite everything the boys seemed confident, and I could be sure that I recognized their voice...
20 minutes later
Time, lets go find the stupid boys. I flashed the hunters to the spies but was shocked when I saw that they were on the floor. My shock turned to rage and I was about to call the order to find and kill, thinking the boys used the opportunity to try and escape when the hunter gave a loud grown and stood up, unharmed. The hunters stared wide eyes at Laura, who just got up like everything was alright. I ran over to her and examined her, and once I saw that she was alright I demanded "What happened!" Laura nodded and recounted how she immediately went into the hideout when the boys dropped behind her and offered her a choice, be fight and be knocked unconscious or be put to sleep harmlessly for around 20 minutes. They swore on the Styx that he wasn't going to hurt her, take advantage of her or try to run away. I nodded, at least that meant that the boy was around here somewhere.
Little over 2 hours later
Unbelievable! 2 hours of searching tracks and no sign of the boys! At first there were obvious trails that should have led us right to the boy, but they were all to dead ends, making me think if the boy set them up on purpose. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. "Fine boys, you win, show yourself!" A rustle above the tree where my tent was caught my attention as they dropped down, rolling and then stood and faced me, all in a elegant and fluent motion.
All the hunters gaped at him, he had managed to stay in our camp without arousing the wolves while we traced him for hours and then landed when summoned? I tried to grab him but he pulled away sharply, saying "I'm sorry lady Artemis, but since the time has been over 2 hours and wee decided on 1 hour, I don't need to go to Olympus. Sorry." He flashed me a apologetic smile before vanishing into flames, leaving me confused. If he could teleport why bother with the while game, why didn't he just escape? Was the whole thing just to insult me? I was utterly confused, but was ready to go to Olympus. It was time to have some serious words with a certain goddess of Wisdom.
Percy POV
I felt really guilty flashing away like that, but we did win, and besides, Its not like Artemis was going to stick to her end of the deal and leave us alone or anything. Before I left I telepoorted over to Ella, esplained that we had to go and told her we were going to teleport her to the Hunters. After I told her a cover story,I prepared to leave, but Ella threw herself at me, into a tight hug and whispered,"Please visit soon Percy, Ill miss you" I smiled and promised her that I'd visit as soon as I could.
Anyway, After seeing Thalia after so long only to see her injured was a big shock. I knew that I gave away too much telling Artemis who my mother was, but to be honest she is one of the only gods that I respect properly out of all Olympians, and so I didn't want to lie to her. She would probably go see our mom now, so I decided that It was high time that I saw our real mom. We haven't seen her for around 10 years, I don't know what state she will be in, but we had to go to her. I had to tell her that we were ok, to comfort her with my presence, and to finally see her again. I wonder how Paul is, they must have got married by now.
Quickly fire - teleporting our self to New York, we stood apprehensively outside our old home, and as we stood there I wondered if they had moved somewhere else. It had been 10 years after all. we just stood their nervously fidgeting, trying to figure out the best thing to do, and finally decided to screw it and go in. If they were there then I doubt mom will mind to much after being being missing for 10 years, and if there is no one there then at least I know that they don't live here anymore and I can try to find them. I placed my hand on the doorknob, and made it catch fire as the lock popped open. I walked in nervously to the dark apartment that had been our home for so long, but something felt wrong. Then A terrible sight caught my eye and we rushed forward,hoping against hope that it wasn't what we thought it was...