"Leo, Percy," Beckendorf sighed, rubbing his temples, "can you please stop playing rock, paper, scissors?"
"We're in the championships, though!" Leo exclaimed, after referee Jason Grace called time out. The tournament had been a struggle on both sides so far, and with the last and only two contestants, the boys weren't ready to so easily put aside their game.
"I honestly don't give a shit," Beckendorf growled through gritted teeth, ignoring Percy's faint call of 'language, dear'. "I need you to be in a semblance of a serious mood by the time Apollo and Aphrodite come in. We have you guys together for a reason and if you goof off, chances are you'll end up dead."
"Aphrodite is hot," Leo nodded approvingly, thinking back to the last time he saw the gorgeous woman, when she was providing him with scrubs the facility deemed appropriate.
"Why are we here anyway?" Percy inquired, cracking his knuckles and preparing for the next round. His hand was warmed up and ready to put down scissors.
"I don't know the logistics, but using deductive reasoning, we all exude the most swag," Jason pounded Leo's fist, Percy refusing if he needed to throw rock. "Beckendorf, get in the group selfie."
"Using deductive reasoning, you're all here because your powers are affiliated with the environment." Beckendorf glowered at the group, as they all posed in front of security camera in the corner of the room. Percy winked at him, and he couldn't help but smile slightly back. He really liked these kids. He wanted them to make it out of the experimental phase, like he and Luke did. Yet, the way his heart squeezed every time he looked at them disproved this hopeful thinking. They would be the last group, the final guinea pigs; the sacrificial lambs that would finish the job and make the whole operation dissipate. "I need to go. They'll be here in a minute or two, so please behave yourselves."
"See you later, Beckendorf," Jason waved, putting up a peace sign for the camera, knowing that one of the higher-ups was watching.
"Come back soon, darling," Percy said mournfully, "I'll miss you like the shore misses the waves when the tide pulls away."
"I will love him for longer than eternity and a day," Leo glared at Percy challengingly.
"Alright, dumbasses, I'll see you later. Good luck," Beckendorf rolled his eyes and closed the doors, wishing everything would go smoothly.
Percy and Leo faced each other, faces somber and demeanor serious. Jason put his hands in between and declared, "Rock. Paper. Scissor. Shoo—"
"I want to join!" a sandy-haired young man loped into the room, his brilliant smile almost too bright to look at. His normally sky-blue eyes were shaded by a pair of ray-bans, so Leo couldn't really judge if he was serious or pissed about the match. He was the only one who hadn't met this alleged 'wicked chill guy named Apollo' after all, and wasn't positive if the guys were bull shitting him before.
"Hey, Apollo!" Percy dipped his head towards the guy straight out of the Abercrombie ad. "I sincerely apologize, but we are entering our last round of this tournament and cannot permit newcomers."
"I totally understand. Do it fast, though, because Aphrodite is coming in soon, and nothing stops her when she starts fittings," Apollo rolled his eyes, not feeling the malicious presence that was emerging behind him. "Her obsession with clothing is absolutely ridiculous—" a pair of slender fingers and blood-red nails snaked around Apollo's neck and clenched tightly.
"What was that, you plaid-wearing, horizontal stripe-bearing, bastard?" a smooth voice growled, referring to his plaid shorts and striped polo. Somehow, her voice still managed to sound like honey despite the malice laced in each word.
"I said I love the movie The Devil Wears Prada," Apollo choked out and the grip loosened, allowing him to catch his breath.
"That's better. Now, what am I fitting them for again?" Aphrodite pushed Apollo to the side and examined the boys. "Wait, before that, was the purple lipstick a good choice? I'm trying to start a new trend. Yes, or no?"
"It compliments the complexion of your skin very nicely," Apollo offered from the side. "And they're going to destroy one of Kronos' outdoor facilities."
"Aphrodite I think you are incredibly attractive, per usual," Leo winked at the platinum blonde. She giggled, her thick lashes fluttering over her striking violet eyes. She blew Leo a purple-lipstick kiss, which he caught with red cheeks and a flustered grin.
"I thought so too," she smiled, satisfaction clear on her unblemished porcelain skin. "And will the assignment be at daytime or nighttime?" Jason's eyes widened as she pulled out a tape measure. She was wearing a strapless white dress with no pockets; where the hell did it come from?
"Considering it's basically dusk right now, I would have to go with nighttime," Apollo stated absent mindedly, having already pulled out a magic eight ball to occupy his attention. "Percy, ask me any yes or no question."
"Will this facility ever get an X-box?" he asked, trying not to squirm as Aphrodite wrapped her tape around anything measurable.
"The wise and illustrious magic eight ball says no way in hell, man," Apollo laughed, partially at his own creativity and the boy's synchronized 'dammit!'. Aphrodite grabbed the eight ball and threw it at the other end of the room, smirking when it broke upon contact with the wall.
"Now that Apollo's toy is done being a silly distraction, it's time to get to the real issues," she pinched Jason's cheek while mentally pondering the perks of cool black versus eerie black. They both would provide wonderful camouflage, but cool black was so suave. Yet, eerie black provided such a debonair air. She would figure it out while talking. "How are your love lives, boys? I mean, I can take a guess and probably be right, but I want to hear it from you kids."
"Well, my love life is flourishing, as you know—"
"Leo, dear, we all know that you love life is as nonexistent as Apollo's fashion sense." Aphrodite patted his cheek, her expression one of exquisite pity.
"Your words, though wounding, are true," Apollo strummed a ukulele that had been slung around his back. "The pretty lady/Though her looks are beautiful/She is mean and cruel. What did you all think? I switched from free verse to haikus. I think it works."
"It was marvelous, now who wants to go first? Jason, why don't you start us off," the way she phrased the question made it sound more like a pleasant demand.
"Um, it's going good, I guess?" Jason fidgeted uncomfortably under Aphrodite's gossip-hungry gaze.
"You clearly don't know the definition of the word gossip. Percy, don't forget I want to hear about you and little Miss. Know It All too," Aphrodite shook her head disapprovingly. "I want your opinion on how beautiful she is. I want to hear about the last words you say to her every night. I want every detail." Her eyes narrowed and flashed. Leo slapped his hand over his own mouth, something urging him to spill all his emotions.
"She's absolutely gorgeous, each time I look at her something in my chest hurts because I know something so beautiful can't be real," Percy's emerald eyes glazed over, his face completely blank despite the phrases of adulation pouring out. "I want to wrap each of her curls around my finger so that every fiber of her being knows that I love her. When she's asleep, I tell her that she's my world, my life."
Leo retched, all too accustomed to his roommate's effusive tendencies at night, "I've heard it."
Jason followed, his cerulean gaze staring at an empty space in the room."Her brown hair is stunning, and the way she isn't a damsel in distress is crazy hot. Each day I expect her to realize that she has me wrapped around her finger, but her eyes remain closed, oblivious to the fact that she could bring me to my knees with a flick of her wrist. Whenever she's on the verge of falling asleep, I make sure to whisper that we're going to make it out of here."
"Well hot damn." Apollo laughed as the boys shuddered, breaking from their stupor. "If I still did free verse, I would invite you to the poetry slams I attend. That made me feel." Worried they wouldn't understand he followed up with, "You know, emotions."
"That. Was. Magnificent!" Aphrodite jumped into the air, unable to contain her squeal of excitement. Jason and Percy shared bewildered looks, unsure of what had ensued. "I'll leave now. I'll be back with the clothing in five minutes! Oh my God!" she couldn't refrain from shrieking before skipping out of the room.
While Aphrodite frantically gathered the clothing, Percy and Leo finally decided who was the true champion of rock, paper, scissors. After a minute of heated arguing on Leo's behalf, it was declared Percy was the champion. He was granted with a congratulatory 'dude' from Apollo and a mission uniform from Aphrodite. He did continue to complain, though, on how Leo and Jason were also graced with the uniform.
"My turn," Apollo swung his ukulele back over his shoulder and stood up, opening the door. "I will be transporting you all to the location of this mission in my sexy ride."
"You don't mean?" Jason and Percy gasped, Leo once again left alone in his own confused world, population: 1.
"The Maserati," Apollo nodded with a devilish grin. He lead them out into the hallway, leading them through the labyrinth-like corridors. With every turn, Apollo managed to think of another haiku that had to be put to music. By the time they reached the garage, Leo was ready to snatch the damn tiny guitar and beat it over the Maserati's hood. Apollo hopped in the front seat and gestured to the seats behind him with a dazzling smile, "Hop in."
Once all the boys were in, Apollo ignored Jason's call of his lack of a seat belt. When you road in style, safety took a back seat. Apollo's eyes widened; he had just realized his potential for writing slogans for Maserati's. He turned up the stereo and blasted Night Ranger's Sister Christian to accompany the midnight sky flying by. "So we have to destroy this base?"
"Yeah. It's supposed to be completely demolished. Use your abilities to destroy the structural integrity of the building. There's probably going to be guards that will respond almost immediately, so one of you should be on the lookout while the others finish the job." Apollo bobbed his head to the beat of the music. The joking and easy mood that usually surrounded Apollo had subsided and all the boys were anxiously waiting to arrive, ready for the mission to be over before it had begun.
Apollo gradually eased off of the acceleration, and Leo realized the reason for the Maserati. The gentle purr of the car was significantly quieter than the engine of less expensive and less attractive vehicles. The car finally rolled to a stop and Apollo pulled out the keys. "I'll be over here as your getaway ride. Good luck, and seriously, try and do this as quick as possible."
The boys gave him a curt nod and unloaded from the car. Jason scanned the forest, only able to make out the trees directly in front of him and a large circular building a few hundred feet away. "Percy, what's your read?"
"There's a small river nearby, not enough for me to do any significant damage. I can do security detail, though. You and Leo should be able to take down the building with lightning and fire, right?" Percy crossed his arms, slightly irritated that he wouldn't get to partake in the demolition.
"Yeah, let's just get this over with." Leo crouched down and slinked towards the dome. Jason and Percy trailed behind, clandestine being the operative word. Leo conjured a tiny flame and it danced along the tips of his fingers. "Let's do this, pretty boy."
The flame grew into the size of a softball, and with a languid flick of his wrist, sent it careening into the building. Jason squeezed his eyes shut, and a bolt of lightning rocketed from the sky into the top of the building. Quickly, shouts of panic responded to the inferno that was slowly devouring their building.
"What the hell are you kids doing here?" a furious male voice growled, shining a light in the direction of their hiding spot. Percy stood in front of Jason and Leo as they continued their destruction.
"Well, by the looks of it, we are messing with your shit." Percy smirked and ducked, already expecting the bullet that came flying his way. Unfortunately for his opponent, there was no way to expect a wave of water crashing down on him. He was swept away into the river, the perfect spot for Percy to play with his new toy. He kept the water swirling and thrashing so that even if the man grabbed a rock on the shore, his grip would soon loosen and he would be dragged back into the vortex.
"Having fun there, Perce?" Leo shouted over the sound of an explosion; his flames had found a room which he assumed was filled with gun powder. The building was slowly being brought to the ground, its infrastructures burning and foundation splitting with each lightning strike.
"Oh, oodles," Percy ducked from another guy's right hook and followed with a punch to the jaw. The man stumbled back and Percy kicked him in the chest, forcing him to the ground. "You guys almost finished, because I'm hearing people evacuating and I don't like playing the numbers game."
"Yeah, let me just—" Jason sent one more bolt into the center of the area. He grabbed Leo by his shoulders and started sprinting back towards the car. Percy clothes lined a very ferocious female that was attempting to leap on him and scrambled after them. They hopped in the car and Apollo tore out, swerving to avoid trees as two other cars followed in hot pursuit.
"So, I take it you destroyed the building? Ruffled a few feathers?" Apollo cackled, enjoying watching the speed climb to 90 mph. "Percy, I dig the purple badge of honor."
"Thanks," Percy rubbed the throbbing bruise he felt blooming on his cheek bone. "You know how I love getting a good shiner to show off to my roomies. Aw, damn, Leo you got a sneak peek."
"Why are these people still on my tail?" Apollo glared at the two cars through his mirror. "I get really bad road rage. I think I'm going to need some assistance, guys. Any other car and I would ram them head on, but this is my baby."
"Leo," Jason and Percy yawned in synchronization.
"Fine." Leo hoped his glower could poison the airwaves and make those indolent brats choke on it. He rolled down the window and was immediately forced to squint, the fierce wind making his eyes water. He threw tiny fireballs, managing to get them underneath the cars and near enough to the oil. The cars immediately burst into flames and skidded to a stop, the occupants diving out.
"Perfect," Apollo grinned at Leo who was sitting grumpily in the passenger seat. "Cheer up, pyro. We'll be home in no time now. We finish missions/Like all the time, but this one/Was the most epic."
"Just stick to your stupid ukulele."
"You're just angry because Percy is the rock, paper, scissors king."
Guys this took me so long to write. For the record, if you don't know what being clothes lined is, it's when somebody hits you in the throat with their forearm and you can't breathe for like ten seconds and it sucks. I have brothers so I would know. I'm so excited that I finally brought Apollo in because even as a kid (before I even read Percy Jackson) I loved the idea of him. Not that much flower power in this chapter, but I hope Aphrodite compensated. Thank you for dealing with my sporadic updates and please stay tuned for the next one! Feel free to review. Or eat a muffin. Or a muffin with icing. Otherwise known as a cupcake. Byeee!