Hello everyone, thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews!
To a guest review, yes, Nico's attitude towards Percy is very mean and I'm sure we can all understand why exactly Nico feels such strong dislike towards Percy. All we can do now, is see how the story unfolds. Thanks for the review, even if I could only understand just half it, since I'm not very good at reading Portuguese and I haven't gotten the chance to go on google translate, but thanks for the review!
And now, here is a new chapter, in third person POV, how I've missed you so! We finally get to see the tides turn...well, onward and upward! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and The Olympians
Ripples In The Making
7:30 P.M.
R.J's Pub
There sat a young man, in his mid-twenties, with black hair, so black it blended in with the shadows around him, pale skin, so translucent one would think he had some kind of affliction with the sun, and dark brown eyes so dark, you didn't know where the pupil was, if he even had pupils. There he sat, drinking a bit of rum with coke as a young woman draped herself around him, kissing his neck, suckling it gently. He reached up and groped her breast, a moan escaping her as she continued her ministrations, the young man watching her with disdain.
He was so bored. Bored out of his mind. The bar he was in seemed to be more contained and less lively than how it used to be. He didn't know what to do until it reached 9 PM, that was when the actual fun would begin. Until then, he was just killing time with this whore who was actually getting pretty boring pretty fast. He was also bored with the scene before. He had seen one too many and once you see one, you've seen them all. That's how these underground bars and lounges usually were nowadays. Especially with the Enforcers coming down with a firm hand to stop their illegal activities.
If a bar was raided, then you can bet half of these people were going to be captured and transported to that facility while the other half made their escape. The Enforcers would then be able to gloat and brag about how much illegal cargo they had busted. And most of the times, it was drugs, alcohol, prostitution and such, all of it going straight to the higher ups of this fine and upstanding city.
The young man laughed, to think that people actually believed that this city was paradise when in reality it was nothing but a growing parasite. A virus that needed to be flushed out. And what better way to do that then by causing a bit of trouble and with the right people by his side, he couldn't be stopped. If only those ignorant, dazed and benighted citizens and Enforcers could see just how corrupted this precious city of theirs really was, then they wouldn't be too keen on even keeping the damn thing open and the testing period would be shut down. It was built on corruption and it was always going to be corrupted.
As always, the underground bar was full of women, men, and everything in between. From dealers to buyers to whores going from one customer to the next. The young man sighed in exasperation. So. Damn. Bored.
A small ding from his phone had him looking down and as he read the contents of the text, a small smile slowly made its way on his face. Looks like he wasn't going to be bored for much longer. Time to leave this dump. Pushing the whore off of him and ignoring her angry complains at being pushed so roughly, he paid his tab and walked out of the pub.
Finally leaving the claustrophobic bar, he quickly made his way to a safe distance and when he was sure he was far away enough, he lit up a cigarette. Inhaling the nicotine and letting it fill his lungs he expelled the smoke, watching it swirl before paying attention to the place he just left. What a nice night...
"Boom." Came the low whisper of his lips... right as the bar he had just been in, exploded right before his eyes.
7:30 P.M.
Lucky's Bar
"Fi...Fire!" A strangled cry filled the silent night air. "Fire! Someone...help!"
Eyes watering, stinging, throat parched and dry as a desert, lungs that seemed to protest the very idea of even breathing. He coughed and tried to see through the smoke for the fire alarm. To hell and back if he was going to die in this place, he'd rather get caught than die. Unfortunately for him, it seemed like his body just couldn't take the toxins anymore and before he could reach the fire alarm, he dropped dead, face first in the ground.
It seemed like luck wasn't on his side, because just a second after he dropped dead, sirens could be heard. Orders were being shouted and there was a commotion going on outside...
"How the hell did it start?"
"Like I'd know! Let's just put the damn thing out already! Before it spreads!"
"Too late for that! It's already spreading!"
"Back up! Call for back up! This fire is huge!"
"Are there any people left in there?!"
"There's five more!"
"Get them out!"
I made it out...I made it out...I made it out...how the fuck did I make it out alive? Was all Travis Stoll could think as he stood a few yards away from the panic and chaos, leaning heavily against a wall. His curly brown hair was plastered around his face, which was dirty and covered in ash. His clothes were tattered and ripped from trying to escape the fire that had somehow started. All he could think back to was hearing someone shout fire, but it had been too late when everyone was informed about it for it had grown and seemed to have blocked all exits of the bar.
Travis's mind went into panic for a single second before his training kicked in. Heading to the bathroom he was greeted by the lucky sight of seeing a towel, albeit dirty, hanging off a stall and taking it, wetting it completely before throwing it on his head. Covering his nose and mouth with his shirt to keep from inhaling the smoke and toxin of the fire, he made his way to the back door exit where the fire seemed less prominent and more tamed.
He ran across the room, often times having to fight off frantic people in their futile attempts to survive. Being knocked down several times and having panic-stricken women cling to him from time to time, the grip so strong it ripped his shirt, he pushed through until he was out the door. A heavy weight settled inside his chest at knowing he was leaving these people here to die but he had been here on a mission and he had to relay whatever news, and it was more than important, back to his boss. He couldn't lose his life, not with the vital information he had just received.
Not stopping to see if there were any police cars or firefighters coming to stop the fire, Travis ran until he was a few yards away. The adrenaline from before was gone and he was exhausted. As he continued to watch, the fire was slowly ebbing away. Getting up, he made his way to the many sewers of the city which would lead him to the hideout he was supposed to meet his partner in and together they would go back to their base. These trips to Attica and Tribeka were long and exhausting but necessary. And Travis had a feeling that they would soon start to become more frequent than before.
7:30 P.M.
Linda's Lounge
Dionysus knew he had a role to play. He knew it well and he knew the risks of the role he was playing.
He had once been an Enforcer back in Tribeka and the best at that. He had been a ruthless leader and he had been a sharp minded young man that had quickly rose through the ranks. So then, what was he doing drinking alcohol in an underground lounge, the gross underbelly of Attica? He learned the truth, and he didn't like it. So, he went into hiding with his family, or at least what he had left. His wife had been murdered and all he had now were his two children, who were also brought into this; Pollux and Castor. How he wished that they hadn't known about this in the first place, but it was too late now, they were invested in this as a family, they were way too deep.
He continued to watch with growing irritation the slimy bastards who were groping, although it looked like it hurt, the women in see-through robes and lingerie prancing around as they tried to please the ever growing number of guests. Dionysus drank a bit more of his drink as he looked at his watch again. What was taking him so long?
The man he was supposed to meet was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago. Robert Fraiser, a man who was ridiculed for his ludicrous ideas two years ago concerning Attica and Tribeka. Downing his drink, the black haired man ordered a shot of tequila and downed it.
"Hello there handsome," came the sultry voice from one of the many women in this place.
Dionysus's face was turned to look at the woman that had approached him and he got to get a good look on her. Showing off her small but perky breasts in a see-through bra, she leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips.
"Do you want to have some fun?" She asked, hoping that he would say yes, so as to make a bit more cash before leaving for the night.
"No, thank you," Dionysus brushed her off and ordered another drink.
"Your loss, I'm a good fuck," the woman sneered before leaving him alone.
"Yeah, okay sweetheart, keep telling yourself that." Dionysus snorted in derision.
The woman left to get her things, once in the back rooms, she put on her dress and quickly got her purse leaving through the back door, wanting nothing but to go home and rest. Little would she know that she'd never reach her home, and she would never be seen again.
"This is for you," the bartender gave Dionysus a package.
"Who's it from?"
"Don't know, I was just asked to give it to you." The bartender shrugged before going back to work.
Dionysus eyed the package warily. It was poorly wrapped, with generic brown paper and the edges somewhat sticking out. There was also a lot of stamps, making it seem as though the package had been moved around a lot, Dionysus couldn't pinpoint the exact location from where it even started. There wasn't even a small indication that it was even addressed to anyone. So who could have given this to...?
Shit! Shit! Shit! Fucking hell!
All of the alcohol he had taken tonight had made Dionysus slow in realizing just what this package was. Such a stupid, idiotic move! He had let his guard down and now, he was going to pay the ultimate price.
I'm fucked.
He should have seen the signs from the moment the package was handed, no from the moment of his meeting was running late. He should have known what this was! He would have just one last thought to make...before everything in his world turned black...
Pollux...Castor...I am so sorry, my boys.
As heard on the news...
"...with the recent explosions going on in both Attica and Tribeka, the Enforcers are working hard to find the people responsible for these acts. Although, it seemed as though the intentions were in the best interests for both of the communities, the cost of such actions bring into question of just what are these vigilantes trying to do? The attacks have brought forth the truth of such underground establishments and the Enforcers along with the council of the AECPC and the TECPC are working hard to put these establishments..."
Terrible.
"...where lives were lost due to a fire and several bombs going off. It seemed choreographed for each incidents occurred at 7:30 P.M. Atlas is going to be speaking out in the place of Gaea at a meeting happening sometime next week...until then, we are left with questions..."
Just what the hell was happening. He had just gotten word of Dionysus's and Ethan's untimely deaths. Fortunately, Travis had been able to get away. He had an idea of just who was targeting his people and knew that he would stop at nothing to get rid of him. Time to regroup and execute a new plan.
Minerva
What a disaster. A complete and total disaster. When Gaea comes back, she's going to blow a fuse.
"...the bombings have brought to life what we have been trying so hard to hide beneath the surface. A terrible den of iniquity that was hidden from us. What else has been hidden from us, the people of both Attica and Tribeka? What else don't we know about? If anything it seems as though these vigilantes are trying to open our eyes and make us see what is before us..."
Stupid woman, Minerva thought bitterly as she continued to watch the moronic talk show that was being broadcast right after the news broke out of the attacks that happened. And despite all that, Minerva knew that the so called 'Dr. Demeter Rhodes' was now raising a lot of questions, and questions were bad. Minerva had to put a stop to this and quick. Picking up the phone and waiting to be connected to Atlas, she kept on watching the talk show. That Dr. Demeter certainly had a way with words and could make people see her point of view, if the audience suddenly agreeing with her was any indication.
Demeter was someone to watch out for...time to keep a close eye on her, after all, it wouldn't do to suddenly have the citizens of Attica and Tribeka suddenly panicking as if all hell broke loose.
"Yes?" Came the gruff voice on the other end of the line.
"Atlas, I'm sure I don't need to explain why I'm calling," Minerva spoke curtly.
"There's no need for that, I've seen the news and I've tried to quiet down the panic it has created here, quite a bit if you ask me."
"Well, I suggest we come up with a few possible suspects, and see to it that they get the justice they so deserve." Minerva suggested. "You know, for bombing those places and killing those people..."
"If I'm thinking what I think you're thinking, which is to get a few...fall-backs, then I agree. Who are we planning to throw to the dogs?"
"Let me skim through the files I have on my desk and I'll let you know. It'll most certainly be fools who did petty crimes and can be easily manipulated, that is until we find the ones actually responsible..."
"Anything to quiet down the public and panic that was created." Atlas barked out a loud laugh. "I wonder what Gaea will think of this when she comes back from her trip, she'll probably chew you out Minerva." Atlas teased.
"How about we keep this to ourselves, Gaea isn't due to come back anytime soon, let's just put a plug to this as quickly and as efficiently as possible, the sooner the better in the long run." Minerva responded tightly.
"I'll keep in touch."
Will
Okay, so sue him for flirting with his hound but could you really blame him? Will's hound was nothing short of fine and he couldn't believe he hadn't paid any attention to her whatsoever. Amber had blonde hair that was golden and long, it flowed down her back like silk. Her blue eyes, so pale and yet so amazing to look at, her pink, rosy lips that just itched to be kissed. That curvy body of hers...
Yes, he had Nico, but what they had was just a friends with benefits thing and nothing more. There were no strings attached and no feelings involved. Yes, maybe once upon a time, Will had entertained the idea of maybe getting serious with Nico but the brown eyed male had put a stop to his fantasies. Which worked out for the best, because they were better as friends anyway.
So, the blond was not committed to any relationship whatsoever which meant, he could definitely flirt his way into Amber's pants. It didn't hurt to try, right? Besides, entertaining the idea of getting into Amber's pants blocked out something he didn't want to think about. In no way had he been prepared to see his brother, for the second time since he left Will to fend for himself. Sure, Will had shrugged it off as it not being a big deal but it had been.
Seeing his brother brought back some unwanted feelings the most prominent one being anger. He was beyond angry at his brother, should he even call him that anymore? He had left Will alone with their sick mother who was stuck in a psychiatric hospital because she had been plagued by nightmares...how she had gotten so far off the rails was a question in and of itself.
Being in highschool, having to work two jobs to keep himself afloat, Will pushed through even after Apollo had run off. Seeing him again, and what he had become, nothing more than garbage, Will swallowed his anger and ignored him. The taste of bitterness soon seeped on to his tongue as he thought back to his life.
To say it had been less than perfect was an understatement. With a father who had run off and a brother that had followed in his steps, a mother who was no longer a mother and just a former shadow of herself, Will somehow made it through. He had worked hard not just becoming the top student of his class but also at his jobs, he had survived when it seemed that all odds were against him.
Suffice it say, he had a right to hold such anger and resentment towards his brother. Will was not going to be welcoming Apollo with open arms anytime soon.
Clearing his mind, he focused back on the blonde beauty he was with and soon, turned on the charm. So maybe he did sleep around a lot, but he was young and he had a right to explore not just the world he lived in but also the beauty of the human body, the carnal desires of the flesh. Was it so bad to want to experience things for himself so that when the time came to give his own children advice, he would never let them down? Never have them go through what he had gone through? No, that didn't seem bad at all.
Piper
Just a day and she had already seemed to have taken a liking to Annabeth Chase. Looking at her, Piper could see why so many boys liked her or watched her from afar, not to mention that Annabeth seemed to give off this aura that said "she's pretty cute and I'd love to talk to her but she can also kick my ass so I better be careful". Piper, who seemed to always be able to hold a conversation with anyone, easily, was stumped and completely out of whack. She didn't know what to say to Annabeth without sounding stupid.
Sighing heavily, she turned back to the news channel that they were watching. Having moved into the apartment that same day, a story broke out just moments ago where they reported bombings going off in several different parts of the Underworld of Attica and Tribeka. And although there seemed to be a case in the making, Annabeth and Piper haven't been called to do anything about it. So, she sat quietly and watched the on-going news and investigation.
Her mind wandered off to Percy and Luke, having heard that they had left a few hours ago; actually precisely one hour after they had gotten to the city, were they given an assignment with their Enforcers. Talk about getting to do something exciting even if between Percy and Nico it seemed a bit tense and awkward. Piper turned to look at Annabeth again, studying the blonde girl with intense and entrancing gray eyes, reading her book, eating an apple.
She lowered her gaze, wanting to talk to the blonde but not knowing what to say...the brown haired girl looked around the apartment and saw that books were in abundance. Perhaps, she could ask Annabeth for a recommendation? Honestly, why was Piper even fretting over this? What was going on with her? Shaking her head, she turned back to the TV and noticed now that the news was over, having reported everything it needed to report.
Now what?
"Piper?" She heard her name being called out and she turned to look at the blonde as she bookmarked her book and closed it.
"Y...yes?" Piper asked her, feeling her cheeks growing a bit hot.
"Want to go get something to eat? Maybe do some food shopping? You could pick out things at the grocery store for you to munch on since you're going to be living here? And, it's gotten pretty late to start cooking," Annabeth turned to look at the clock that was perched on above the TV. "Yeah, way too late, so, want to go out for a bit?"
The brown haired girl felt her cheeks flaming up and not trusting herself to speak, she nodded before breathing in slowly, "yeah, sure, it sounds...awesome." She gave the blonde a smile.
"Great, you drive, I'm too tired." Annabeth tossed Piper the car keys as she grabbed her jacket, the tan girl following suit.
This was progress, albeit small but progress all the same. Piper couldn't help the smile that came on her face as she walked with Annabeth down the stairs, they were only on the second floor, they didn't need to take the elevator. Annabeth was nice and now that they were talking, she seemed easier to talk to.
Getting into the car, Annabeth and Piper decided on a what type of food they were getting settling for Chinese takeout and instead going to the grocery store first to get their stuff. As they shopped for food that they wanted around the house, they started to talk more about themselves.
Annabeth never knew her mom, but her dad was a respected university professor, she had a step-mom and two younger step-brothers who could bug her to death but overall, her family life had been normal. She was friends with Nico, Jason, Reyna; those three being the closest and overall, got along with everyone. Piper had told about how she never knew her mother either, but she had a ring that belonged to her mom with her that Piper treasured. Her dad had been killed in a car accident and from there, she went from foster home to foster home, where she had met Leo. She had had her fair share of hardships but now, she knew - more like felt - that her life was going to turn around, probably for the better.
"Sorry to hear that," Annabeth frowned slightly.
"It's fine, like I said, it's getting better..."
It was never easy to think back on her life...knowing her father had been killed and at such a young age. Sometimes, Piper felt a sort of bitterness when she thought back on her life and envy towards others who just seemed to have it easy or at least better than her. Having not known her mother and only carrying a ring in her memory, her dad was all Piper had. Yes, he had been extremely busy but whenever he could, whatever time he could spend, he spent it with his daughter.
Tristan McLean was a busy man and maybe he was not always there but he tried his damn hardest to be there, whenever he could. Piper was constantly on his mind and even if he wasn't there, he had been a good father. An amazing one at that. Having to raise his daughter on his own, back when Piper was babe and he was to act as both father and mother, while trying to become someone in life, it was a feat in and of itself. Piper was not the only child that had to grow through with that and she certainly wouldn't be the last, but she had understood that her father had made some sacrifices in life and he had done them with Piper's best interest in mind. The one thing Piper regretted to this day, was that she never got to say thank you, for everything he did.
He had done so much for her, and Piper never got to thank him, for always thinking of the best for his little girl. God, when he died, when Piper learned of his death, she didn't think she had ever cried so hard and so much. Losing him, was like losing her place on this Earth. All her 13 years of life it had always been her and her dad. What more could she have asked for? Except to bring my dad back...
Moving in to a foster home, the first one, she had met Leo, who had been in foster homes since he was seven years old. Just a kid, a kid who must have been frightened and yet, there he was, telling jokes and going through life as if he had no cares in the world. She would later come to learn that that was all a façade, a mask he would put on to hide his true feelings, to hide the way he really felt about his unlucky life.
Piper and Leo, they were the same, both feeling out of place in this world and not knowing what to do to make themselves feel good about themselves or known. They got along great, the friendship had been made quickly and it had lasted even if they separated and went their own ways after turning eighteen. They still kept in touch and once in a blue moon, they hung out. Both of them were starting to get busy with their own things. With Leo, it had been his black market business taking off with Adam as his partner in crime. With Piper, she had been working at a telecommunications company during the day and at night, she had joined these group of revolutionists.
She had been so close to being accepted into the fold after proving herself in a test, that involved spreading propaganda at how controlling Attica had become, all she needed to do was meet the leader face to face. The night she had been caught was actually the day she was supposed to meet him and from there she would see how it went. Unfortunately, she had gotten caught and now, she was a hound. Maybe, just maybe, she could still make a difference while in this compromising position. Piper smiled softly as she made her way out of the grocery store, Annabeth talking about the news that was on earlier.
Adam
Sneaking out when your Enforcer was one of those serious, no-time-for-bullshit, 'I have eyes at the back of my head and I know your move don't try anything funny with me' people was next to impossible, but it had to be done, and done it was. Being a hound was no biggie except that the downside was that you and your Enforcer were stuck together like glue. You couldn't anywhere without them by your side. Which would make these secret meetings all the more harder.
Slowly sneaking and feeling his way on the roof to the destination Amber had picked, he waited with bated breath for her to come by, which he hoped was going to be soon. He didn't want to raise suspicion with Reyna, the feisty little wildcat who almost took his hand off and left him with a stump. That was a lesson learned the hard way to never touch Reyna when she didn't want to be touched. Adam chuckled lowly at the memory.
"Hey," came the whispered greeting that had him jumping up in slight fright.
"Don't do that," he grated as he heard Amber's faint giggle.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."
"I didn't get scared," the brown eyed boy grumbled, "what took you so long anyway?"
"I had to sneak away from Will, besides, he was pretty insistent that I sleep with him tonight, ya know, to get used to the setting and all that," the blonde laughed.
"Wow, he's such a man-whore and here I thought I was a whore," Adam shook his head. "I look up to him now. I want to be just like him when I grow up."
"Shut up," Amber laughed harder still until she composed herself, "come on, let's let him know we're in and so far, we're safe and they suspect nothing." Amber went back to business. "I'll call in the owl."
"Did you hear about the bombings going off in Tribeka and Attica?" Adam asked her as soon as Amber was done whistling.
"Yeah, saw it on the news earlier, they were at the places where our group would be talking to some very important people. I wonder how he's handling it and I wonder if anyone made it out alive..." the blonde chewed on her bottom lip.
"Let's hope that everyone's okay..." Adam grunted as he finished writing out on a small piece of paper the coded message that was to be carried out by the owl and into the hands of one of their comrades. To anyone who would have gotten it, they would have just seen squares, circles, triangles, meaningless shapes but to them, they knew what that meant. Slipping the message into the claws of the owl, Amber gave it the command to fly off. The pair watched in awe as the majestic, snow white owl took flight and flew off into the distance, becoming nothing more than a speck in the night sky.
"And so it's begun..." Amber spoke quietly as she gazed up the stars, well the ones that were closer to the atmosphere and visible enough through all of the bright lights.
"Yep, and now we wait for further instructions...until then, let's make sure not to make ourselves seem suspicious. I'll relay the message to Clarisse and Silena."
"What about Piper?"
"What about her?" Adam grunted.
"She was close to being accepted into the fold and unfortunately because she got caught, she was never put through any training on how to not spill the beans on our organization...what if she talks? Shouldn't we be cautious and also let her in?" Amber looked to Adam.
"Shit, and I just sent a message to him...guess I'll have to send another one when the owl comes back but until then, we keep an eye on her and we won't do anything with Piper until we receive instructions. Besides, it's not like we told her anything of importance." Adam shrugged.
They fell into comfortable silence and continued to watch the night sky. The ambiance was relaxed despite the hanging threat of being discovered by their Enforcers and being caught out...if that happened, Adam could always say he came to see Amber and they engaged in a heated embrace that lead to...other things.
"Okay...have you talked to her yet?" Came the quiet question that jarred him from his musings.
"I haven't gotten the chance, we haven't seen each other in two years...my sister's changed. She looks...so much stronger...like she can beat my ass," Adam whistled. "Plus, she went out on a case today in less than an hour so I never got the chance..."
"She looks good," Amber commented.
"Yeah..."
"Well, be careful around her Adam, we must keep our focus on our goal..."
"I know that..."
"It seems like...the tides are beginning to turn, Adam. These rumblings are becoming a little louder and soon enough, we'll face what we've been waiting for all these years...this is just the beginning." Amber said cryptically and Adam eyed her for a second before shaking his head.
"Time to go before they notice our absence, I'll tell you if anything comes back, keep on the lookout." Adam said as he slipped back into the shadows, Amber and him separating ways until they snuck back into their apartments and were safely inside.
So many things were going off at once...Amber was right, this was just the beginning of things.
