Chapter 6- To the past we go!
So…hehe. It's been a long time. Don't kill me! *curls up into a ball, waits five minutes, then stands back up* I really wanted to update sooner but school started a couple weeks ago and I am buried in work. Which absolutely sucks by the way. I'll try to update when I can! Which is hopefully quicker than a month. In the near future, I going to need a couple OC's, who would be mentioned a couple of times. Nothing major. If you would like to submit one, which name, age, parent, powers, ect, that would be great! And, I would some reviews please. Don't be afraid to say something about my story. I do like input. May I mention that this chapter is much longer than I thought it would be. It's my longest chapter at 3943 words.
But now, the chapter you all have been waiting for…
xoxo-daughter of thalassa
Third Person POV
Artemis is not surprised to see Thalia walk into her tent, as she usually comes to talk with her. But when Percy files in right behind Thalia, Artemis knows something is up. The two of them have a look of determination, of a purpose. Immediately, Artemis thinks of the conversation she and Thalia had, right when Thalia joined the hunt.
Thalia told her that every August 17th, Thalia needed to leave for the day. She said it had to do with consoling a friend, which Artemis found out was Percy. When Artemis asked why she needed to leave that specific day, Thalia responded with, "Artemis. Someone close to Percy disappeared on this day. I am one of the few who know, as he trusted me with his story, because I share a similar one as well. It's an emotionally hard day for him, and he needs my support. He needs someone who understands. You know my story about him. How he disappeared. Percy has a similar one milady. He needs me. Only me."
Artemis immediately understood and promised to give Thalia that day off. But when Thalia came back from her annual trip to visit Percy, she mentioned that something might happen where she needs to leave the hunt for a while, to go on a mission to find her. (Not that Artemis knew who her was, only that she meant a lot to Percy.) Artemis okay'd it.
This conversation, both conversations, came to her mind as the pair of cousins enters her tent, and thinks it might relate to the conversation she with Thalia a long time ago.
Like they rehearsed it, Thalia and Percy say, "It's time." And Artemis immediately understood. She knew that this is the mission Thalia mentioned earlier. So she was not at all surprised when Thalia said, "Permission to leave the hunt, for a personal mission/issue Artemis? Phoebe can be in command while I am gone. I can't promise when I will be back, but we will check in with you from time to time."
And Artemis 100% agreed with Thalia. Although she didn't know the full story, Percy was a man she trusted and respected and she knew that this means a lot to him. "Permission granted Thalia. I wish you, both of you luck. Although, I don't suppose, you will share the full story with me?" Artemis asked, looking right into Percy's eyes.
Percy immediately looked down, like he was about to cry. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. "I-I'm sorry Artemis. I trust you, I do. But I-I can't talk about her right now. And I really wish I could. But eventually, I will Artemis, if we need your help. One day I will tell you. Just-just today isn't that day."
Artemis looks at Percy, at his body language, and begins to tell him that it's okay, that she'll be here when he wants to talk. But she is surprised when he says, "Thank you Artemis, thank you for letting Thalia come with me. It means a lot." He then smiles at her, a small one, then rushes outside of the tent. I watch him leave and turn to Thalia for an explanation. "This is hard on him," she says. "His past is catching up to him and he's very unstable emotionally. It's been a long time without her, milady, and Percy's going to crack soon if she isn't found."
Artemis nods her head to say that it's okay. "It must be very hard on him. Tell him, Thalia that I will be here when he wants to talk and to stay strong. You guys have my full support on your quest. Good luck my lieutenant. Make me, and for the gods sakes, your cousin happy," Artemis tells Thalia. And Thalia smiles a big smile and says, "Thank you so much Artemis. I'll tell Percy that. It means a lot, to him and to me. I'll visit soon." With that, Thalia bows to Artemis and runs after her cousin.
But Artemis watches where the cousins left, thinking of this mission and hoping that the cousins succeed. And hoping to see them soon for updates; to eventually hear Percy's full story, and to see this mystery her person.
With that, Artemis walks out of her tent to tell the hunters' of Thalia's absence, while sending her prayers out to Percy.
Thalia's POV
After I run out of milady's tent, I find Percy, sitting underneath a tree right outside of the Hunters' camp, with his head in his hand and tears streaming down his face. A felt a sudden pain in my heart; it hurt to watch the someone I considered part of my family, crying his heart out. I felt his pain; it hurts when someone close to you has been missing, missing for so long. So I ran up to my Kelp Head of a cousin and held him close as he cried his heart out. And we just sat there in a comfortable silence for a few hours, until Perce calmed down. Once he did, he didn't talk for a couple of minutes. He just gave me a small smile that said 'thank you.' And I didn't hesitate to smile back.
"We need to go North," Percy said, after another moment of silence. I was confused.
"Why North Perce? How do you know?" I asked him.
He hesitated to respond. After looking round, he leaned in and said, "I have a feeling Thals. I-I had a vision of sorts; a dream, the-the night before I left to find you. My dream…it wasn't a normal demigod dream. At first, it looked like I was looking down on Earth from space. Then in zoomed in on the America, and to the Northeast. At first, I thought it was going to show my Long Island, where Camp Half-Blood is or San Francisco, where Camp Jupiter is. But it zoomed in on New England. It-it didn't show me a state, but instead a city skyline, a city on the water. It looked like a Harbor Thalia; there was a ton of docks and boats there. But I felt as if I was looking at the skyline not from the actual city it belongs to, but like a surrounding town. I felt a force pulling me there, telling me to go towards this city."
I was shocked. "Wow. Do you know what city it is? Or why we need to go there? Is she there?" I asked Perce, oh so quickly.
Percy looked down. "No. I-I didn't feel Mac's presence there. But I think there's someone in that town that can help us. There was a voice and it-it said, "Find the girl. She's the key. And there's only one city that has a big and popular harbor in New England Thals. It's-it's Boston. We need to go head towards Boston."
Boston. I would never have thought we would need to go there. But you don't ignore dreams like this. "So," I said to Percy. "To Boston we go?"
And Percy just laughed. A real laugh. "To Boston we go Pinecone Face." He said. "But first things first. We need to avoid Long Island at all costs. We can have Camp finding us. Which also means we need to contact Iris and have her not let any Iris-messages come through to me, at least. Iris owes me a favor anyways. You got a drachma Thals?"
"I sure do Kelp Head. Make a rainbow and I'll throw it in."
Percy makes a rainbow and says, as I toss the golden coin into it, "O Fleecy do me a solid. Show me Iris herself." I turn to Percy confused. 'who's fleecy?' I mouth to him. 'Iris' assistant. Found out about her when I was on my quest for Camp J.'
I laugh silently. And then Iris shows up. She looks around, confused as to who summoned her, but sees Percy and smiles.
"Percy Jackson," she says. "It's been a long time."
"It has been, Lady Iris. I hope RoFL is doing well and no more basilisks have attacked your shop," Percy responds, humor dancing in his eyes. Basilisks? What? Oh right, his quest.
"They haven't. But I sense you did not call to catch up. What do you need?" Iris asks.
Percy gives her a sad smile. "I'm calling to turn in that favor. I-I need all Iris-Messages sent to me to be blocked. I'm going on a mission and I do not want anyone to know where I am. Nor do I want them to find me. I need to do this alone, with Thalia. She may receive her I'Ms, but I warning before they arrive would be nice. I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I would also ask if you do not reveal our location or mission to anyone, immortal or not."
Iris thinks for a minute, with a serious look on her face. "Ah, you're going to find her. Of course I will Percy. After all, this is a personal mission. I swear on the River Styx to honor your terms. Good luck Perseus. Call if you need anything."
"Thank you lady Iris. This means a lot to me, for doing this, for your offer. I will most likely take it up. Thank you," Percy says with a bow, as Iris smiles and swipes through the mist.
Percy just stands there, looking off into the distance, his eyes glazed over. I smile and sling my arm around his shoulder saying, " Lets go Perce. We've got monsters to run from, a city to see, and a girl to find."
And with that, Percy smiles at me, a small one, and we take off into the woods.
Boston here we come.
Oh, and to find that girl too.
Percy POV
I'd like to say we made it through the city unscathed and without running into any demigods. But I would be lying. And we didn't even go anywhere near Long Island or my mother's apartment for that matter. Yet we still run into Death Breathe, who just happened to be in the city.
All we wanted was burgers, so we went to the burger joint we visited after the Titan War oh so long ago. Just as we sat down, I spot my dearest cousin Neeks eating a burger a couple tables over.
"PF," I whisper. "We've got a dam problem. Neeks is here."
Thalia looked at me confused, almost ready to laugh, but then noticed Neeks too.
"Oh Hades. Percy go sit a couple tables over or something! Quick, before Nico sees us. Go and order us some to-go food. Something tells me we won't be able to stay here long."
Thus leading me to sit by myself while ordering to-go food, and just in time too. Cause Nico spots Thalia and goes to sit next to her.
"Thals!" Nico says. "What are you doing here? Besides eating of course."
Thalia gives him a smile, though there is a nervous look in her eyes. " I'm on a solo mission for Artemis. And I got hungry. What are you doing in the city?"
Nico gives her a small chuckle. " I am…well do you know what has happened at camp recently?"
Ah pretending. PF is sure good at that. She gives her best-confused look to Nico. "What happened? Who's hurt? Did someone die?"
Nico looks at her with pity. And he tells her my "story"; that I disappeared over night with no trace of evidence. Idiots. If they looked close enough they would find their letters in my room, addressed to them. Thalia's face goes from confused, to shock, to upset. Dam. Thals is sure good at acting. Of course, Thalia knows my situation more than anyone.
"so that's why I'm in the city. I'm trying to find Percy or any leads at all. Have you or your hunters seen him at all?" Nico asks her.
Uh oh. We're at a crossroads. What to tell Nico…hmm. Thalia gives me a quick glance and I send her one that says, 'No, say you haven't seen me but to keep me updated if you find any information on him. And tell him you'll look for me.'
Thalia nods her head ever so slightly and her eyes ask, 'Will we tell Nico about our mission? He could help.'
I sigh. 'Maybe. Not right now. I'm not ready,' I tell her. She smiles a little and relays to Nico what we agreed on to say.
After Thalia finishes talking, Nico sighs a little and nods his head, like he was expecting that as an answer.
Then he looks Thals dead in her eyes. "Do you know why he would have left?" Nico asks her. Immediately, Thalia sighs softly and turns her head to look out the window.
"You know something don't you? WHAT DO YOU KNOW THALIA? This could help us find Percy!" Nico screams at her.
Thalia looks at him, with no emotion in her eyes. "It's not my place to tell, Nico. It's not my story to share. I promised, swore on the Styx, I wouldn't day a word. You guys never bothered to ask Percy what was wrong, why he was so sad August 17th of every year! Did you ever think Percy might have left on his own terms Nico? That he doesn't wan to be found? But why should you care. You guys weren't there when he needed someone who understood his situation, someone who wouldn't have given him any pity, somebody to lean on; yet I was there! So don't going yelling at ME DI ANGELO!"
Nico stares at her in shock. "How were we supposed to know? Percy never told-"
"Because it's not the type of information he just goes around and tells people Nico!"
Thalia says, interrupting Nico. "And I know you suspected something on August 17th this year Nico. You sensed someone close to him had died and that he was depressed. Yet you never did anything, never went and talked to Percy. He just might have told you! So no. I'm not giving out any information today Di Angelo. You'll have to wait for Percy to tell you himself. Which, if you're lucky, will be in the near future. Don't get your hopes up though."
That was such a long speech.
Nico looks shocked and so sad at the same time. "I-I…I'm sorry. I should've done something. I-I should get going. I'm still going to look for him, just so you know Thalia. Family has to stick together. Even if you might know where he is, I will keep you updated on my search," Nico tell Thalia.
"Alright," Thalia says. "Get out of here Angel. I've got places to be and so do you. Later cuz."
"Bye Grace."
As soon as Nico leaves, I grab our takeout food, which I didn't realize had came, and went straight over to Thalia.
"Thanks for sticking up for me Thals. It means a lot. Now we just have to watch out for Nico's I'M's," I say to her.
Thalia laughs and ruffles my hair, which I hate. I pout and stick my tongue out at her.
She says, "I've always got your back Perce. Come one, lets get out of the city and find a place to sleep tonight.
So like I said early. We definitely didn't make it through the city unscathed. But, we were able to reach Connecticut by nightfall, which was good. Finally, we were away from the city and demigods. Thalia took first watch and I finally thought maybe I could get a peaceful night of sleep.
Boy was I wrong.
Dream
The skyline of Boston was shone, though this time at night. Suddenly, the scene shift and moved rapidly south, until stopping at a street. It was too dark to see the street sign. The scene zoomed in on a house, which was white with black shutters. From the street, a backyard with a pool could be seen. The cars were in the driveway and all the lights were off. One the crickets chirping could be heard. The street was dead silent, which was unusual. Something was about to happen.
Finally the scene turned slightly to show a girl about 12 years old, on the front steps of the white house. She had on jean shorts, a teal colored tank top, and was wearing flip-flops. Even though it was dark, you could see her hair, which was clearly blond, with strands of drown mixed in. She was standing side ways, looking down the street at the stars. She sighs, while quietly whispering, in a different language,
"Ζee , λυπάμαι . Τα αστέρια είναι φωτεινά απόψε , αν και δεν μπορούν να τα δουν . Θα ήταν παράξενο , νομίζω , να δούμε τον εαυτό σας . Θα σας δούμε σύντομα , ο φίλος μου."
(Zee , lypámai . Ta astéria eínai fo̱teiná apópse , an kai den boroún na ta doun . Tha í̱tan paráxeno , nomízo̱ , na doúme ton eaf̱tó sas . Tha sas doúme sýntoma , o fílos mou .)
Immediately after she finishes, she stiffens, like she felt someone was behind her. She turns around and stares at something behind her, which was a person, who was clearly confused at what he had just heard. Now, you could see her eyes, which were a dark brown. Staring into them felt like you were staring into the depths of the unknown sea, you didn't know what you were going to see or meet. Her stare soften at the person and she smiled at them. She made a 'come on' gesture towards him, as if telling him to come to her.
The girl started to fade away, but not before saying, "I am waiting for you."
And the girl and the house disappeared all together.
The next morning, I woke up after his strange dream. He mulled it over and came to three conclusions.
One, that girl, in the dream,, was speaking in Ancient Greek. About what, I didn't know.
Two, that boy the girl was staring at was me.
Three, this was the girl I needed to find.
Once I came to these conclusions, I told Thalia about my dream. "We need to find this girl within the next day," I tell Thalia. "She's got an important role in finding her. I can feel it."
Thalia smiles and says, "I can have us in the suburbs of Boston by nightfall. Come on Kelp Head, let's break down camp and get the Hades out of her."
Location: 20 miles southwest of Boston
-in a medium sized town on a busy street, that is somewhat quiet at night
Time of day: 10 o'clock at night
Third Person POV
Two people, a boy and a girl, run down the street breathing heavily with weapons in their hands. The girl has a bow and arrow while the boy is holding a sword. The girl turns around, the asks the boy, "Are the monsters gone?"
The boy says sheepishly, "Yes. I kind of made them explode."
"idiot," the girl says. "Do you know where we are? Are we close to this dream girl?"
"I'm not sure," the boy says. "I think- wait. This was the street I was on in my dream. Look!" the boy says while pointing at a white house with black shutters. "there's the house from my dream! I can see the pool in the backyard."
"Thank the gods," the girl says. "Or maybe not," she says, after the boy gives a pointed look at her. "Lets thank ourselves. But where's the girl?"
Unbeknown to the pair, a 12-year-old girl slips out of her house silently, and looks down the street at the stars, in the opposite direction from where the boy and girl are standing. She sighs, and begins to whisper to herself, catching the attention of the boy and girl.
The boy whisper yells at the girl, "Shh Thals! There's the girl. This is how my dream went."
The younger girl begins to whisper, "Ζee , λυπάμαι . Τα αστέρια είναι φωτεινά απόψε , αν και δεν μπορούν να τα δουν . Θα ήταν παράξενο , νομίζω , να δούμε τον εαυτό σας . Θα σας δούμε σύντομα , ο φίλος μου."
The boy and the girl look shocked. The girl whispers to the boy, "Perce, she just spoke in Ancient Greek. Is she a demigod?"
The boy says, "I'm not sure. But she said, 'Zee, I am sorry. The stars are bright tonight, although you can't see them. It would be weird, I think, to look at yourself. I will see you soon, my friend.' Whom would she be talking about?"
Before the girl responds, the younger girl stiffens and the boy and the girl stiffen as well.
"I think she noticed us," the boy says very quietly. "So shit. Shh," the girl says back.
The younger girl immediately turns around to stare at the boy and the girl. After looking at them, the younger girl begins to smile and gestures for the pair to come to her.
The boy and the girl cautiously approach the girl with their hands clutched on their weapons.
The younger girl laughs. "I won't harm you. I'm not a monster," she tells the pair.
The boy and the girl look shocked and try to stutter out questions, but failing miserably.
The younger girl looks amused at their feeble attempt to talk. "I like said before, I am not going to attack you," the girl says. "I would be foolish to. And why would I attack family anyways?"
"You're related to us?" the boy and the girl say together.
The younger girl thinks for a minute, before saying, "Yes I am. I believe I am your great aunt or something like that. Our family is eternally messy and utterly confusing." She sighs.
"How do you know about our family?" the boy finally asks.
The younger girl smiles sadly. "Because I know you guys. Or of you at least."
She then smiles brightly and laughs a little.
"Its nice to finally meet you guys, Perseus Jackson and Thalia Grace. I have been waiting for you. I suppose we should get to down to business though," the younger girl says.
"I have been waiting for years for you, Percy Jackson, to come find me. I have visited you in your dreams before, you just didn't see recognize me or completely see me. Come inside. We have a lot of work to do to find her. It's going to be a long couple days."
