Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson, or anything related.


Storm on the Horizon

Mark was distracted, Calypso could tell. He wasn't putting the same effort into their training sessions. It had been three days after they had defeated the monster, but instead of this making him happy, he seemed to be worrying all the more. The day after the battle, Mark moved their lessons down into the sanctuary but he wouldn't explain why. Calypso couldn't stand it any longer.

"What's been bothering you?" She asked once their lesson ended.

"Nothing." Was all he said as he washed his hands and face. Calypso wasn't buying it. Once he finished washing his face she planted himself right in front of him, forcing him to look her in the eye.

"What's wrong?" She asked him again. Mark sighed, and gave a half-smile. He looked tired, as if he had stayed up several nights in a row.

"After the battle, me and Wolf went thru the command tent. Wolf found a paper he couldn't read. While I told him a lot of what was on it, I didn't tell him all of what was written."

"What was on it?" Calypso prodded.

"It was orders for the monsters we killed to track me down."

Calypso gasped lightly. "Why? Why would monsters target you specifically?"

"It's not unusual for monsters to hunt down particularly powerful demigod, but that's not what's worrying me. The one who ordered my capture... His name is... He goes by Diabolos." The room seemed to get darker.

"Who is he?"

"A very old enemy. For 700 years he's hunted the Champions of Hestia. With our blood, he could somehow raise a powerful army and destroy the gods. Long ago one of my predecessors fought him. While he was able to mortally wound him, Diabolos escaped the final blow. Now he is all the more vengeful. Since that time none have been able to find him. On that paper though, were the coordinates to his home."

"What's going to happen? What are the Forgotten going to do?" Calypso was now worried.

"Wolf has sent scouts to check the place out." Mark sat wearily at the foot of the bed. "I know what they'll find, I saw it in a vision last night. An island, in the center there is a tall mountain. Inside hundreds of monsters await, led by my great foe." He seemed to 'space out' for a moment before returning to his senses. "Whether the Forgotten march or not, I have to go."

"You against hundreds! No! You can't go! They'll kill you!" Her voice reached the point of near panic.

"Maybe, but I have no choice, I must go." He shook his head sadly. "Truthfully, I've always fought alone, I've always been alone."

"But you're not alone anymore." Calypso insisted. Mark stared at her as if she had spoken a foreign language. Then, slowly, he broke into a smile.

"You're right, I'm not alone, not since I met you."

Calypso smiled and sat down next to him taking his hand into her own.

"Calypso…" he spoke slowly, as if thinking through every word before he said it. "If I do survive this, will you… no… not now." He seemed to shake himself out of a daydream and said no more.


Wolf had sent two Spartans to scout the coordinates. Joker and Knight didn't like what they found. The coordinates had first lead them to the ocean. Once they realized that they would have to continue by boat, they trecked twenty miles south to a dock run by Forgotten operatives. There they continued their journey. They followed the coast until they reached the Florida peninsula, then they headed to open see. The ship, called 'Seaman', was a good-sized boat. It had a small cabin which would allow one of the Spartans to sleep while the other drove the boat. From the back it could launch a jet ski, or what Joker called a wave-hopper. Joker had a rough time once they were on the open sea. He got terrible seasickness at the beginning, and remained a shade of green for the remainder of it. Tensions rose as they neared the Bermuda Triangle. Thankfully though, they did not have to enter it. A small dot on the horizon turned into an island, and the island seemed to turn into a mountain. as they closed in, Knight dropped anchor and Joker mounted the jet ski.

"Try not to get spotted, okay?" Knight called to Joker.

"Whatever." He called back. As Joker hit the beach, he was met with silence. Cautiously, he moved forward, closing the distance between him and the mountain. Seeing no visible door nearby he began climbing towards what he thought was a window. As he reached it, it turned out to be more like a bunker. Joker quietly crawled in. The room was filled with dozens of bows and tons of arrows, but no one was around. Slowly, he went deeper in. Hearing a noise, he followed it. After a few moments he reached what looked like a dining hall. Hundreds of monsters were sitting at tables, messily eating lunch. Afraid of being spotted, he began sneaking back the way he came. He climbed quietly out of the bunker and down the mountain. Quickly, he moved across the beach and used the jet ski to return to the boat. They left even quicker then they came, having the information that they came for.


Unbeknownst to the two Spartans, as they left, Diabolos was discussing strategy with his officers.

"I want the army to be on high alert, they will come soon. We outnumber them, but what they lack in numbers, they make up for in skill and bravery. They are not to be underestimated."

"Yes," concurred one of the officers, an Empousia called Sallee. "They were pummeled in the War, but they're not out yet."

"If they had their full strength strength like they did before the war, then we'd have reason to worry." Noted a lycanthrope (werewolf) captain, named Warmonger.

"We outnumber them nearly ten to one, but they will be determined and relentless," continued Diabolos, "they will fight to the last man."

"What are their military capabilities?" Asked a Dracanae, called Steelskin. Diabolos turned to Sepulchrum Custos, who rose from his chair to speak.

"They can field, at most, 37 soldiers on the field, other than that, we don't know. The Forgotten hide their secrets jealously. Their naval, air, and other capabilities are unknown. What we do know is that they are very resourceful, and will throw everything they have at us." Custos sat back down.

"I want the defenses doubled" Diabolos commanded, "Spare nothing! When they land on the beach, all will fall before our might."


After a total of one week of being away, Joker and Knight returned with the grim news. The command tent was quiet as everyone digested the information. Finally, Sarah broke the silence.

"Well? What are we going to do?":

"That depends on what everyone believes should be done. Either we go to war, or we sit and wait for our doom to come to us."

"Well then, let's not delay." Cameron said as he stood up, "Let's bring it to a vote."

"Very well," Wolf said as he also stood up. "all those who believe we should go to war, raise your hands." Slowly, hands begin to rise, soon, all hands were raised. "Since we're all in agreement, we must bring this before the entire camp. I will not force them to go if they don't want to. It's likely they won't be coming back." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Within half an hour, the entire camp was gathered. Solemnly, Wolf told them what they had found. The camp listened in silence.. After he finished, he took a deep breath.

"Who is coming with us?" he called to the crowd. At first, none answered. Then someone in the crowd shouted.

"I will go!" The effect was almost immediate. The entire camp began shouting 'ayes' and 'I will'. Soon they were all shouting for them to march. It took Wolf a few moments to get them quiet enough for him to speak. Solemn, but with a hint of pride, he spoke again.

"It is decided then," he said, raising his voice like the great orators of old. "The Forgotten march to war!" A great shout erupted from those present. The Forgotten would march to war, one last time.


A/N: The battle lines are drawn. Soon to great armies will collide. Who will come out on top? Only one thing is sure. Not all will come back alive, and none will ever be the same.

Sorry if the chapter is a bit short. It's mostly a filler before the real battle begins. Join me then! Feedback is appreciated.

Translations and such

Diabolos: A name usually used in reference to the devil. In this story, he is the main antagonist. A deadly, mysterious warrior and the enemy of the Champions of Hestia.

Sepulchrum Custos: roughly means 'grave keeper'. He is a Cyclopes and Diabolos' highest and most trusted general.

Sallee, Warmonger, Steelskin: Known as the 'iron three', they are deadly monsters, and answer directly to Custos. Each leads about 75 troops in battle.