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The Hunt Captures a Half-Blood
And the Gods Wonder
WITH THE HUNT IN NEW YORK
Artemis was not pleased. Every time that her hunt had reached a place that was said to be infested with monsters, all that was left were piles of golden dust. She was itching to use her bow and all week she had been denied because some upstart thought it would be fun to play god! She breathed through her nose to calm herself. It was most likely some poor half-blood who stumbled in on the monsters and killed them. There was no need to be angry, Artemis scolded herself.
"Alright girls, there have been rumors of monsters gathering in central park. I have to be in a meeting in a few minutes so let's be quick about this. While you are waiting for me you can do whatever you please as long as you all meet me at the Empire State building when the meeting is over."
The Hunters nodded. "Milady, there are about twenty-five monsters gathered at the eastern side of Central Park!" panted a scout.
"Great!" exclaimed Thalia. "Now let's go sent some monsters back to Tartarus!" The Hunt gave a roar of approval and raced across the field. Once they reached a few meters away from the spot that the scout had said they were gathered, Artemis motion for silence. Slowly the Hunt crept through the trees until they reached a clearing. When they arrived they were greeted with piles of monster dust and a lone figure standing in the middle.
Artemis motioned for silence. The man in front was dressed in camouflage patterned pants and shirt. The sleeved were ripped off and if it wasn't for the array of throwing knives on his shoulder or the metal arm, Artemis would have said he was a renegade in the mortal army. His face was obscured by the strangest mask Artemis had ever seen. It was as if a plant had attacked his face and stayed there. Her eyes narrowed. So this must be the reason that her hunts have been spoiled. She had a new target. Motioning her hunters to get in a circle around the offender, all was going well until the one of the newer members stepped on a branch.
The figure turned around. Slowly he reached for one of his knives and Artemis was amazed when claws extended from his knuckles. Only Hephaestus could create such a thing. So the question was, friend or foe?
"Who's there?" the man called. "Show yourself."
Thalia leaped down from where she was perched in a tree with her bow drawn. "We are the Hunters of Artemis and you have intruded onto our hunting grounds. Who are you and what business do you have here?"
The man lowered his knife, "Sorry, I didn't know it was yours." He frowned, "I am just a demigod. My patron asked me to get rid of the monsters here, so I did."
"Who is your patron, boy?" Artemis asked. The entire Hunt came into view with their bows drawn.
"She does not want me to tell you."
"Oh really, and why is that?" I asked. When he did not answer Artemis considered turning him into a rabbit and hunting him down, but then she would not know who his patron was or why he was sent here.
"Because she does not want any problems with the Olympian council."
"Well too late, boy. I am an Olympian and you have intruded on to my hunting grounds and have been causing problems for me left and right. You are coming with me."
"Wait-what? I have done nothing wrong, in fact I was trying to help!" Ignoring him, Artemis signaled to Phoebe and she shot an arrow at him. It landed at his feet and barbed wire sprouted out. It would have trapped him but he managed to dodge the wire. He started to run but Thalia tackled him to the ground. A bolt of lightning shot down, almost hitting the man in the face. Somehow he managed to throw Thalia off and sprinted away. This time Artemis herself shit an arrow and she did not miss.
The barbed wire encased him. Phoebe stuffed a gag inside his mouth and another Hunter fetched a pair of celestial bronze chains. Thalia chained him and then punched him in the face. "That was for throwing me into the bushes."
"Okay Hunters, let's move out!" Thalia cried.
I teleported all of the Hunters into Olympus. As we entered, the throne room became very quiet. I sat in my throne and the Hunters forced him to kneel in front of Zeus. "What is going on Artemis?" he asked.
"He is the one who has been spoiling my hunts. He also has a patron."
"Yes he does," spoke Demeter. "What in the name of Hades are you doing with my champion?"
ON OLYMPUS: A FEW MINUTES EARILER
Zeus, like his daughter, was not in a good mood. Hermes and Apollo had pranked Ares, so now the war god was complaining like a child. As if that wasn't enough, Hera was mad at him again! This time though, he was completely innocent of all charges. Poseidon was being moody, so the air around him was a dark storm cloud, literally. And to make matters worse, Artemis was late! He expected that type of behavior from Apollo and Dionysus, sometimes Hermes, but never Artemis. This made him worried.
"Apollo! I will gut you like a fish! You will regret insulting me."
"Hey, Hermes helped to…and calm down. We only painted your temple pink."
"Why do I have to be here? Personally I would rather be at the camp of brats than here."
"Don't blame all this on me, it was your idea!"
Meanwhile, the cloud surrounding Poseidon grew darker and Zeus was afraid that he would start yelling about how they should all drop everything to find his son. Hades for his part was watching with an amused expression on his face. Watching his little brother trying to get everything in order was entertaining to say the least. He turned his attention to Demeter. Her face, like Poseidon's, was growing darker and darker. Hades was happy that anger was not directed at him for once. Chuckling to himself, he shared a glance with Hestia. After the brat of Poseidon wished that he and Hestia get a vote on the council, he had never seen her happier.
The door to the throne room opened and Artemis came in with her Hunters, dragging some poor soul behind them. The barbed wire was cutting into the fellow's skin, leaving a small trail of blood in their wake. The Hunters forced the man into a kneeling position in front of the council and Artemis took her seat.
"What is going on Artemis?" Zeus asked. He was thankful for a distraction as now the entire council was silent.
"He is the one who has been spoiling my hunts. He also has a patron."
"Yes he does," spoke Demeter. Her face was a mask of anger. "What in the name of Hades are you doing with my champion?"
Now normally Hades hated his name being used as a curse, but now he was too engrossed in all the drama playing out in front of him to pay any mind to that.
As expected, Zeus reacted first. "You have a champion?! Why was the council not informed? You know the rules Demeter. I must approve of all champions beforehand."
"Release him at once," Demeter shouted at a stunned Artemis. "He has done nothing wrong. I was the one who sent him to clear out all the monsters."
Artemis signaled at her Hunters and they set about releasing him from his bonds.
"Who is your champion, Demeter," asked Hephaestus. He smirked, knowing full well the answer. This would make great footage for Hephaestus T.V.
Demeter glared at him and looked at Percy. I don't want to tell them yet. It would be best if they not know for now.
Are you sure? I have no problem telling them.
I know, can we stall a bit? I don't want to be drowned today.
I won't let dad do that.
"His name is Demetri," answered Demeter.
"Well now we must decide what to do about this illegal champion," said Zeus.
"I already preformed the ritual, Zeus. He is perfectly legal," replied Demeter furiously.
"I have not approved," thundered Zeus. "He is not legal until I say so."
Percy sighed and rubbed his wrist. This would be the third time that his fate would be decided in the Olympus throne room. He laughed to himself. This would be interesting to watch. Hopefully some of the gods would feel pity for him and take his side. Annabeth would kill him if he died so early. The name sent a wave of sadness over him, but it was not unbearable. Soon the pain would disappear entirely and he would be able to remember her without feeling like his heart was being ripped out of his chest. In time.
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