I think I have to apologize about not being able to post too often. My sister has been a hog with the internet, and changed the password on the Wifi. Ever since then, I couldn't get any good references about the PJO series. But, now that I got to go to the internet café, I can finally finish up with the latest chapter.

So, here is chapter 8! Enjoy! And, I don't own anyone.


Chapter 8

Before we go back to the dimension hopping adventures of our young demigods, let's go back to their dimension where everything was still normal to those who weren't mixed into this mess. To the point of time where Percy and Leo just jumped to rescue Annabeth. The one we are looking at, in particular, is Chiron, who is just finishing his daily routine without any problems at all.

And, that disturbed him.

When you are a trainer of great heroes for the past thousand years, and sometimes acts as a teacher when you are recruiting demigods, you know something is wrong in the world when the troublemakers didn't do a single thing destructive before dinner. And, until now, there is not one complaint reported to him about the Stolls that day, something that is completely unheard of.

As he walks towards the Big House, he notices that most of the head councilors are not around. He then remembered the surprise birthday party Annabeth told him they are going to do for Leo. And, although they told him that he is invited, he told them that he couldn't because of the tight schedule he is currently doing.

He sighed and thought that maybe the Stolls are probably busy with the birthday surprise that they didn't have time to do any mischief. So, he gallops inside the Big House and went towards his office so that he can finish his paperwork.

Little did he know, that party that Annabeth told him was canceled due to some difficult complications.


Now, let's fast forward back to where the story just ended. Though, at this point of time, Annabeth has already explained to AU Artemis who they are and what are they are doing here, has grabbed Leo from where he was fallen, and are now sitting inside a small apartment as the goddess tends for her crying lieutenant.

Annabeth, on the other hand, is tending Leo's wounds, which is much more serious than she imagine. Aside from his bones, some parts of his organs are also damaged. Even after he eats ambrosia and pours nectar on his wounds, his condition is still bad enough for him to barely move at all. She looked at the moon goddess, who was giving off a silver glow as she touches Thalia's head.

Most of what the goddess told them shock Annabeth. To think that there could be a Titan or a Giant inside a mortal that can easily kill anyone around them is quite a strange thought. Of course, it is also strange that demigods could go to different dimensions to save other demigods. So, she decided not to talk about it, until the goddess would open up the topic herself.

Of course, she could not help but worry about her friend, who is currently breathing heavily in the goddess' touch.

"Will Thalia be ok?" Annabeth asked.

AU Artemis sighed as she takes away her hand from Thalia's head. "It seems that she will be alright. As far as I could tell, the 'hunt craze' didn't affect her much."

Annabeth frowned. "Hunt craze?"

"It is a condition that only my lieutenants could have. It causes them to be irrational and confused whether 'that man' and I are close, which leads them to hurt anyone around them." AU Artemis said as she sat on a chair to face her.

"That man?" Annabeth frowned, till she saw the connections and everything clicked. "Wait, are you serious?" She said, absolutely shocked at her discovery. AU Artemis didn't answer her question. "He was suppose to be watched by the both of us. But then, it would be tough for both of us to do our duty while watching over him."

"That is why, I have Apollo watch over him in night time when I am guiding the hunt and riding the moon, while I watch over him during the day as he rides the sun." Annabeth frowns. "If you could be able to split into multiple forms, wouldn't it be easier for you to watch over him and do your duty at the same time?"

AU Artemis shook her head. "It is not that simple, daughter of Athena." She said, in a more colder voice. "As much as I don't want to admit it, even in his weaken form, he is still dangerous for me to watch carelessly. That is why, I have to focus all of my essence in watching over him."

She slowly rose from her seat, her gaze never leaving Annabeth. "And when I heard from Apollo telling me that my lieutenant was spying on me, without me noticing, I knew something was wrong and I let my guard down." She went closer and closer to the child of wisdom until their nose were almost touching each other. "And, because of that, the one I should be guarding was kidnapped right under my nose."

"And, you blame us for it?" Annabeth told her, with a bit of rage under her voice.

"What are you going do about it if I do?" AU Artemis said back, with every word as cold as the next.

"Fighting you is suicide, so I will just voice out how you are just a little girl crying over losing her favorite toy because she wasn't too careful about taking care of things." Annabeth replied.

"Do you mock a goddess?" The goddess said, her eyes glowing with the mix of red and silver.

"Mock a goddess who blames others over her incompetence of not watching over a mere mortal properly? Yeah, I think that is something that I can mock."

But, even when she knew that she is going to be killed with her loud mouth, she didn't expect the full blown power of a goddess' slap in the face.

She had her fair share of slaps. Some from girl fights, some from Helen, and once from Percy, though the last one was pretty much a playful slap than an actual slap. A slap from a goddess in the face is something that no girl in the world should ever experience. The slap was like being hit by a metal baseball bat in the face. And, unless you actually did get hit by a bat in the face, then you can't imagine how much it hurts.

But, that is not what shocked her. What did shock was the fact that the angry AU Artemis slapped her, and not kill her with her godly powers like how Annabeth expect her to do. She would have thought of a million ways why she slapped her, but the feeling of being hit by a hand that felt like metal made her head woozy.

If not for the muscular arms that caught her in midair, she would have doubled the pain in her face from the fall. "Now, Arty." The man said. "I know you are mad about Orlando's disappearance, but do you really have to slap poor Annie in the face?"

She could see the face of both the man and AU Artemis because the blow made her vision a bit blurry, but she could definitely tell that the goddess is mad. "She insulted me!" AU Artemis yelled, but the man laughed. "Well, yeah. Because, you are being a big baby about it." She felt her face being touched, and instantly, her pains and wounds are gone and she could see clearly again. And, when she saw the guy who saved her, she thought that she just saw Thor in the movies.

He has muscles alright, but not to the point that it will look fake. They look strong and firm. He has long blond hair and a lumberjack beard, which made him look old and good looking at the same time. And the way that he talked to AU Artemis makes you think that he is annoying but a wise older brother.

Annabeth was saved by an older and wiser AU Apollo.


AU Apollo smiled. "Some slap, right?" Annabeth gave a small smile, then he turned to AU Artemis after he puts the wisdom daughter down. "Seriously, though. A slap like that can kill, you know?" AU Artemis huffed. "Then, what do you want me to do, then?" AU Apollo tilted his head. "I don't know. Admit your mistake? Apologize to two individuals who have no cause of Orlando disappearance? Buy me coffee? The last one looks tempting though, you should start with that."

She glared at him, before looking at Annabeth. "I am sorry that I blame you for Orlando's disappearance. It was my mistake that I lose sight of watching over him. And, no, I will not buy coffee for you." She knew the last part was addressed to AU Apollo, but Annabeth simply nods. She doesn't know why, but she feels weak and helpless for some reason. It was as if there is no reason to think anymore.

AU Apollo seems to notice Annabeth's discomfort. He looked at AU Artemis and said, "Remember that thing you said about you would do anything that I say if I don't tell anyone what you did to O—" AU Artemis covered his mouth and shushed him, with her face as red as a tomato. Whatever AU Artemis did, it is certain that it is not something that she wants anyone to know, which somewhat made Annabeth curious.

"And?" She asked, quietly. AU Apollo grinned and moved away to a table. "There is this one joint across town that I want you to go where they sell this amazing taco." As he talked, he starts writing down some paper and gave it to her. "So, I want you to go get some for everyone. We can't go with an empty stomach, right?"

She frowned at him. "Do you realize that the guy we were assigned to take care has been kidnapped?" AU Apollo nodded. "And, you want me to buy tacos?" AU Artemis said, now starting to get really pissed. Her brother just smiled and said. "That's the plan."

All at once, the room burst with strong energy. AU Artemis glared at him, as if she was screaming at him inside his head. AU Apollo, on the other hand, only gave her a small smile, like a father would do if he saw his daughter making a tantrum. All the while, their powers were raging around, fighting one another. Annabeth's mind and instincts tell her to run as far as she could possibly can, but she knew that if she do run, she would have to leave her two companions behind.

When she was about to faint from the excess power coming out of AU Artemis, the energy faded. What amazes her was not that she wasn't dead from the power coming out of the goddess' body, but the fact that the room didn't seem to be affected by what happen at all. Annabeth wonders whether the room was made to withstand things like this, though she was sure that she wouldn't get her answer sooner or later.

"Fine." AU Artemis said with suppressed rage in her voice, as she crumpled the paper in her hands. "I will humor you." AU Apollo grinned. "Great! Now, you better hurry because I am super hungry." AU Artemis was about to leave when her brother stopped her. "By the way, I am setting this place up so that you can't get in until you get me my tacos. So, you better get me my tacos, sis." She glared at him before teleporting away.

AU Apollo then took out a paper bag and took out a taco. He took a bite on one before looking at Annabeth. "You want one?" He said, smiling. Annabeth frowned. "Lord Apollo, why did you made Lady Artemis go to get some tacos if you have some all along." The god laughed. "Because, I want to talk to you in private. And, getting her out of here can help her calm down and think clearly. His disappearance took a toll on her mental state." He said the last statement as if he was talking to himself, but he shook his thoughts off. "Anyways, I want to know more about who you people are. So, with my sister gone, I think we can have a better chat about certain things."

Annabeth frowned. "I never thought you would be interested with this kind of things, Lord Apollo." AU Apollo smiled. "I am always interested about things like this. So, how about you tell from the very start. And, please, call me Apollo."


Percy isn't in a good situation as of the moment. Even with an armed weapon in his hands, he felt like he has no chance in defeating the man in front of him. He backed away as the man stood up and stretch. The man looked around, as if mystified with his surroundings.

Percy looked at the man who he thinks is Orlando, who was pacing around the cage as if he is examining the bars for a weak spot. Even as he walks, Percy couldn't feel like he is talking with the same guy that talked to AU Artemis a while ago. The way he moved to make him feel uncomfortable. He feels as if he is a prey being circled by its predator.

To break the silence, he spoke up. "Who are you?"

The man stopped and looked at him. For a moment, Percy thought that he was about to attack. But, then he smiled, in a way that he would smile whenever he looks himself in the mirror in the morning. "Well," he said, in a loud and dark voice. "I'm Orlando."

"I know you are not him. At least, not completely." Percy said back to him, which cause him to laugh. Percy shifts his body in defense, but 'Orlando' waved his hand.

"Sorry, it is just that it is funny to be me and not be me at the same time." He told him. "To be honest, I really don't know who I am."

"You don't remember who you are?" Percy asked.

"Nope." 'Orlando' replied."Well, I do remember being a guy who likes to kill stuff. Does that help?"

"You are really great at parties now, are you?"

"You think so? Yeah, I am grea- Wait? Was just sarcasm just now?" The mortal said, still smiling. When he saw Percy nod, he laughed even more. "Oh man! So that is what it felt like! It has been so long since I heard a sarcastic voice from someone that I already forgot what it sounds like!" But, then he frowned. "I do wish I remembered who said it to me last, though."

Percy looked at him in bewilderment. He doesn't seem like a deadly Titan or Giant at all. He looks rather like an Apollo version of Bob the Titan. Whoever is in the body of Orlando, he doesn't seem to have any desire to harm Percy, which made the son of Poseidon calm down for just a bit.

"So, how are we supposed to get out of this place?" Percy asked him.

As if still in thought of who told him his last sarcastic words, he looked at Percy with a confused expression. "What?" He asked.

"You do realize that we are kidnapped in this dark cage, right?" Percy asked him. 'Orlando' turned around and smiled. "Oh yeah. Almost forgot about that." He laughed. He then looked around and notice that there is only one Telkhine guarding. "Wait! I have an idea!" He told Percy with his hand shown to him. "But, first. I need your sword."

Percy frown and moved his sword away from him. "What?"

"I wouldn't kill you with it. I just need to borrow it for a couple of minutes." 'Orlando' told him. "Trust me on this." Percy hesitated. He barely knew the guy was one thing, but giving his sword to someone who is currently possessed by a Titan or Giant who has no memories at all. Nevertheless, he is his only chance of getting out of the cage. Reluctantly, he gave his sword. 'Orlando' smiled. "First off, sorry about this."

And then he stabbed him.


By the time Annabeth had finished telling their story, Leo, whose bones are now fixed, and Thalia, whose mind has been fixed, are now sitting next to her. All the while, AU Apollo looked as if he was really listening to what Annabeth was saying, a thought that made her wonder how different he was from the Apollo that they have on their world.

More mature, more refined, more caring, and with little of what makes him annoying. It feels as if she sees a better version of her milady's brother, a version that she is willing to have around their camp.

AU Apollo looked at the three demigods present in the room. "So, let me get this straight. All of you are from another dimension and are looking for your friends who were sucked into multiple dimensions like this one?" Then his eyes focused on Thalia. "And you are one of those friends?" All three of them nodded, with Leo doing a little more enthusiastic nod than usual.

"What I don't understand though, is what Annabeth just said about us being affected because the people in this world." Leo pointed out. "I understand that everything we do here can upset the balance of this world, but how are we also affected by this world?"

AU Apollo coughed for attention. "That I can explain." He snapped his fingers and a whiteboard appeared. On the board, there are two drawings of brains. "You see, when we process our thoughts and emotions, our brains give off waves that we call brainwaves." He said writing the word down. "And, every wave moves accordingly on how fast or slow we are thinking." AU Apollo explained.

"Let's say that this is your brain, and because of your high rate thinking right now, your brainwaves are moving in a fast rate." He said, making long and wide waves on one side of the first brain drawing. "This brain shall be your counterpart's brain, which moves like yours but has a bit of tweak." He then makes a long and wide wave, then a short and wide following it on the second brain drawing. He snaps his fingers again and the waves moved, as if it was in a machine. "This is what it looks like when your brains are thinking at the same time."

"However," AU Apollo said. "As you are two of the same being in one universe, there is a strong possibility that both brains would slowly synchronize with each others brainwaves." The waves on the broad suddenly change its pace, with one almost looking like the other. "At any rate, the more you linger in this dimension, the more likely that your minds will synchronize with your counterparts of this world." Proving this point, the two different brainwaves before are now moving at the same rate, different from what they look like before.

"Wait, are you saying we will have the same with who we are in this world the longer we stay here?" Thalia asked, looking alarmed. AU Apollo shrugged. "This is just a theory I come up based on what young Annabeth told me. If it was Athena or even Hermes, they might be able to figure out if my theory is right."

"So, do you think it is going to be permanent?" Leo asked AU Apollo.

"I don't think so." Annabeth told him. "I mean, it happened to me before you guys saved me. At that time, I was thinking about how I could destroy the Gods and how they should pay. But, now. I don't feel anything. It must have mean that the mind effects will faded away as soon as we leave." Leo frowned at Annabeth, but then nods at her reply.

"So, the sooner we free your friend, the better. We wait for Artemis to get back before going to the place where they are kept." AU Apollo told him. Annabeth looked at him and frowned. "You know where they are?" He nodded. "I sense a large group of monsters outside of town. And, knowing them, they wouldn't risk hurting one of their bosses by accident."

"Then, why did you make Lady Artemis do you errant if you are aware where Percy is?" Thalia asked him. AU Apollo smiled, but the usual smile he makes. It was of an 'understanding father' kind of smile. "Because, I don't want my sister going to a place without her head cooled down. Now, get your things, we are leaving soon."

Annabeth was about to go to Thalia, when Leo pulled her aside. He looked worried and panicky when they went inside one of the empty rooms "Hey, what it is it? Is there something wrong?" Annabeth asked, with concern.

"I need your help, but you have to promise on the River Styx that nothing will get out of this room. You got that?" Leo asked.

"But—"

"Promise me!"

"Ok ok! I swear on the River Styx that nothing gets out of this room."

When the thunder boomed, Leo spoke with deep silence.

"I think I have a crush on Apollo."


WHHHAAAAAAA?!

Did I just do that? Hmmm. Yeah, I just did. Interesting right?

This is your last chance to guess who is inside 'Orlando'. So far, the clues are obvious.

For those who wants to know what is going down on the next chapter, here are some parts of it.


Percy's mind drift into nothingness until he saw what seems to be a silver box. On the box, a mark of a stag is engraved on it.

"Goddess magic? That is simple to crack! Just give me some time and I will open it." The dark voice said in the darkness.

"Are you sure it is ok? Lady Artemis must have a good reason for sealing this memory from him." Percy said, now a bit worried that this may be the memories of his Titan's or Giant's past.

The voice laughed. "Nonsense! It will be fine. Besides, I'm almost done— there!"

The seal is broken and the box was opened.

And the memory that it shows wasn't something that Percy nor 'Orlando' was expecting at all. What he saw was something that even Annabeth would kill him if she ever finds out what he just saw. And, on to that point, his ways in viewing life were changed forever.

What he saw was a girl that was wearing nothing but her underwear on.

What he saw was a half naked AU Artemis.


Too much? Let me know what you guys think.

Review, Favorite, and Follow, and let me know that you love me. :)