SURPRISE! I MADE ANOTHER ONE!
Think of this as a thank you for checking my work out. Right now, I feel terrible because of personal stuff. And, reading your words about my work made me feel good, even if it was only makes me feel a little bit better. So, after I posted Chapter 8, I rushed Chapter 9 right away. So, if the work is a bit off, I have to apologize, rushing can be tough.
So, yeah. Thanks for the compliment. I will try and make this fanfic active a bit more and Happy New Year!
So, here is chapter 9! Enjoy! And, I don't own anyone.
Chapter 9
As a head councilor of the Athena Cabin, Annabeth is often been talked to by a bunch of campers outside of her cabin about their problems. But, these problems were mostly about tactical flaws in battle plans and blueprint calculations. She was never that good when it comes to personal type problems. In fact, as far as personal problems would go, the only problems she has to deal with is her relationships with her boyfriend, Percy Jackson.
No, dealing with emotional kinds of stuff isn't part of her expertise.
But, now, here she is. Dealing with a problem that she never experienced, even with her own half-siblings: how to deal with your strong romantic attraction towards someone of the same sex.
And, the one who actually went for her to help him is Leo Valdez, the guy who risked his life to save a goddess from an enchanted island due to his profound love for her. This guy is also the one who asked for her help as he has, for some reasons, have a crush to a very good looking sun god who is from an another dimension.
So, of course, Annabeth said the most logical response that any person would say in that given situation.
"WHAT?"
"Please, Annabeth, don't make me say it again." Leo said, clearly embarrassed with his current situation.
Annabeth rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to process the information. "When did you realize it?" Leo shook his head. "I don't know. It just happened. I mean, I had this feeling before when I first met Thalia, so I would know if I would have a crush on someone, right?"
"Yeah, but that can't be just out of nowhere, right?" Annabeth said, walking back and forth. And, then something clicked in Annabeth's mind. "Unless, it is because of the Leo of this dimension."
Leo gave a look of both understanding and horror at his friend. "So, you're saying I'm— Aw, gods." He said to himself, while covering his face.
"Unless you were into guys before we came here, it would make sense." There was a silence after Annabeth said that. None of them really wasn't sure about what to say at that point. "Well," Leo said, after a few minutes later, "At least this is just temporary, right? It is not like I will stay liking guys forever."
Annabeth smiled. "I don't know. I kinda like having someone to talk to about Apollo's abs. I mean, have you seen them?" Leo grinned. "I know right. Although, I'm kinda into cute and scrawny guys than buff guys like Apollo."
"What? Are you into Nico now?" Annabeth replied, which made them laugh even more.
There was a knock on the door and Thalia came in, looking confused as to the laughing demigods. "Did I miss anything?" She asked.
Annabeth shook her head. "Just had a couple of laughs. What's up?"
She looked back, as if she thinks she is being watched. Then she whispered. "I think something is not right with Apollo." Both Leo and Annabeth frowned. "What do you mean?" Leo asked. "I mean, he kinda looks a bit sad." Thalia replied.
"It must be because he is not the usual Apollo we get to talk to." Annabeth said to her. Thalia nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Besides, there's no way Apollo can be sad, right? I mean, he's Apollo." While the two girls agreed with that conclusion, Leo seems to doubt it. He can't help but wonder if what if AU Apollo really does feel sad.
Though, it is best that he didn't know the truth.
That AU Apollo does feel sad and lonely.
And that it is all Leo's fault.
If Percy would have to explain how dying feels like, he can easily summarize it with just two words: It sucks.
If you died protecting the world, that would have been great. Dying for the person that you love? Even better! But, dying because you gave your sword to someone who has the powers and mind of a Giant or Titan? Well, let's just say that it wouldn't really been a good story for future demigods to listen in the camp fire.
But, now the Percy is dead, he wasn't really sure where he was or what he was doing there. All that he knows is that he is floating in a void of infinite nothingness. He feels stupid that he gave Riptide to 'Orlando'. Now, he can't even die peacefully.
Heck, how will you even go to the Underworld if you are not even part of the dimension you died on?
He cursed so loud that a dark voice boomed in the background.
"Woah man! Do you kiss your mom with that mouth?"
Percy spun around to where the voice was, only to find nothing.
"Yeah, you wouldn't find my body, bub."
Then Percy recognized that voice, and immediately his mind was filled with anger.
"YOU!" Percy yelled
"ME!" said 'Orlando', who yelled back just to tease Percy.
"YOU KILLED ME!" Percy screamed in protest.
"Oh, you are such a cry baby! I didn't kill you. I just 'Misted' you" 'Orlando' said back to him.
"You missed me?" Percy said in outrage. "Well, in case you don't know what that means, it means not getting hit. And, do you see the sword in my gut? Yep, that does not look like you missed me."
"MISTED, bro. MISTED. M-I-S-T-E-D. Seriously! You demigods need to get your ear cleaned out." 'Orlando' voiced out. "Besides, if you were dead, wouldn't you be, like, in the Underworld or something?"
Percy doesn't like to believe him, but his logic does make sense. "So, where am I exactly?"
"Well, you are inside my head, or that kid's head. Either way, your soul is not in your own body right now." Percy looked shocked. "Why am I not in my own body?" Percy heard a long sigh. "Beeeecause, we need to make your death look more realistic. And, with your soul inside my or his head, it makes it a lot easier to get out."
"Do you really need to make our escape idea to be a lot more complicated?" Percy asked.
"Yeah. Now, shut up. I need my voice to be a lot more convincing."
Percy sighed. He really wants to get out of here as soon as he can, so he decided to go along with his plans. While he waited, he notices a couple of glowing bubbles floating around him. Curious of what they are, he went closer to see what they are.
As he got close, he notices some images inside of them. In one bubble, he finds a younger version of Orlando playing with a bunch of kids, while in an another shows him in an archery tournament with AU Artemis.
"What are these?" Percy asked himself. This question was then answered by the dark voice in the background. "This is Orlando's memories. I check on them from time to time when I get bored. You should check them out!" Feeling that there is nothing else to do, Percy decides to do what the voice told him.
Percy's soul drifts towards several other memories until he notices something to what seems to be a silver box. On the box, a mark of a stag is engraved on it. He knows, just by looking at it, that AU Artemis had something to do with it. He wonders what is inside that she wants it to be kept locked.
"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.
The memory plays in a time not too long before Percy and the other came to this dimension. In this timeline, Orlando was just about to put his bow back into its bag, when he saw the time. "Damn it! We are going to be late!" He was staying in AU Artemis' and AU Apollo's place as they were going to the archery range for some private training.
"Come on, Arty! Apollo said we need to get befor—" His voice disappeared when he saw the half-naked female in her room. Though it wasn't sure who was the one at fault in this situation: AU Artemis, who didn't lock the door before changing, or Orlando, who didn't knock before entering. What is certain that the following scene that happen after involves a sharp scream, a broken bow, and an unconscious Orlando.
And the memory ended.
Percy just stared at the memory, which he still can't process in his head. In the background, 'Orlando' laughed so hard that the darkness seemed to vibrated with just his laughter. "Oh man! That was classic. I never thought I would get to see that look again. Oh man! I can't breath." Even as he said these words, he still kept on laughing.
Percy sighed. In his mind, he really wished that he got back in his own body. Floating around is cool and all, but being inside someone else's mind kinda feels wrong. "Is your grand plan done yet?" He asked the shadows. 'Orlando' laughed a bit more before speaking again. "Yeah, sure man. It's all cool now. Here, I will bring you back to your body."
There was a bright light and the next thing that Percy saw was him lying on the ground, with golden dust covered all over his face. Standing in front of him, 'Orlando' was still laughing while holding his sword. "That was fun. Let's get going, then?" 'Orlando' said, pointing at the door of the cage. Percy nodded and took his sword, as they both bolted out of their cage.
How long does it take for a goddess to get some tacos?
The answer? A little more than four hours.
When AU Artemis came back from her errant, she was covered with sweat and she looked like she would murder AU Apollo for what he made her put through.
"So, how was the trip?" AU Apollo said, smiling.
"I hate you." She said with gritted teeth as she gave him his tacos.
He laughed and he instantly chewed on one of the tacos. When he was done with the first one, he noticed that everyone was looking at him, including his sister. "What? You guys want to eat too?"
"APOLLO!"
"Alright! Alright!" He said, putting away the tacos. "Everyone, hold hands." They all tried to hold hands. But, when AU Apollo was about to hold Leo's hand, he hesitated. Leo frowned. "What's wrong?" AU Artemis looked him with a worried look, but AU Apollo shook his head. "It's nothing. My hand is just a bit messy." He said wiping his hand. He holds Leo's hand and he teleported everyone towards the a forest near the enemy camp.
As soon as they got there, they now realized just how tough their opponents are. The quantity of the monsters were not that much like in first dimension they were on, but it didn't mean that the camp wasn't built to house an army. They could spot a ton of nasty looking monsters that are really tough to beat. Thalia can even spot werewolves in the camp.
AU Apollo then realizes that Leo was still holding his hand. He let go of Leo's hand, which made Leo feel down for some reason. But, he shook his head, thinking that these feelings are temporary. "So, what's the plan?"
"Well, since we are gods, we can't do anything. So, you guys are on your own." AU Apollo said to them. The demigods looked at him in disbelief. "What? You want us to find this army on our own? We will die!" Thalia said to him, but AU Artemis shook her head. "And, we are gods. There are laws, my huntress, and we cannot break them that easily. You should know that fully well."
Leo sighed. "Ok, now we're screwed."
Annabeth then suddenly thought of something. "Lady Artemis, Lord Apollo. What are the laws again?"
AU Apollo frowned. "That we are not to interfere with any mortal activities."
Annabeth smiled. "But, Milord. We are not doing anything that you can call this 'mortal activities', right? You just brought us here for no reason."
AU Apollo scratch his chin. "That is true."
Then, AU Artemis suddenly got a clue of what Annabeth is planning. "So, by context, this is a place where monsters exist. And, as god and goddess of archery, don't you think that this place would be the perfect place do to some target practicing?"
AU Apollo grinned. "Yeah, there aren't any mortals that would want to help us destroy this camp. It is just us siblings wanting to have fun."
Annabeth nods. "Now, we must on our way into our actual destination." She said, grabbing both Thalia and Leo, who are still clueless as to what is going on. "We will be on our way, thank you Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo."
"Wait, I don't get it. Why are we leav— Ouch." Leo said, as soon as Annabeth punched him in the gut.
"Let's go?" Both of them just nod and they walked away from the gods. When they were already far from them, AU Apollo sighed.
"It's been a while since I saw you that tensed." AU Artemis said to him.
"I didn't expect to see him before he— you know." AU Apollo said, with a sigh.
"Don't worry, after all of this, father promise to fulfill your wish." AU Artemis said, summoning her bow.
AU Apollo laughed. "Our father? Keeps his promise? Yeah, that will be a first." He summoned his bow and then looked at the army of ignorant monsters. "I bet I kill more monsters than you." AU Artemis laughed. "Let's see about that, brother."
And, with that note, they charged.
While the two gods are just about to fight, Percy and 'Orlando' are already fighting their way to the exit of the cave. By this time, they already realize how deep they were imprisoned. On the way up, 'Orlando' decided that he would need to have a weapon with him so that he wouldn't have to rely on Percy too much.
And, so he took a bow with a bunch of quivers from a Scythian Dracanae, and a dagger from an Empousa. Before Percy knew it, he already have a powerful assist from behind. They work their way towards a higher part of the cave.
Feeling a little tired, they decided to take a break. "Wow, that was really fun."
"You are crazy, you know that?" Percy told him.
He grinned. "What can I say? I love a good hunt."
"You make it sound like it is all a game to you."
"It is never a game to me." He said to the sea god's son. "Killing is more than a hobby for me, it's a passion. It keeps me alive. It is a part of me that I can't let go. It is kinda like my addiction. You know what am I saying?"
"No, not really." Percy replied, to which made 'Orlando' laugh.
"This is why I love Poseidon's kids. You guys are really a fun group to play with." Percy looked at him and backed away as far away as possible. "Wait, so you remembered who you are now?" 'Orlando' nodded. "Something like that, I kinda know who I am now. And, what am I suppose to do."
He looked Percy. "But who am I now, and what I was before, isn't really that important to me. What I want to do right now is to just sit back and enjoy this simple life."
Percy frowned. "You are ok being trapped in a mortal body?" 'Orlando' laughed. "Ok with it? Heck no! I hate it! I like to do what I do best. Killing!" Percy looked at him in alarm. "But, like I said, I like this quiet time of peace. It is something that I never had in a very long time. So, I wouldn't try to escape just yet."
Percy laughed. "You know, take away your love for killing, you're a pretty nice guy."
'Orlando' grinned. "Thank you, and take away that goody two-shoes attitude of yours, you would make a fantastic killer."
Percy frowned. "Thanks? I guess?"
"You're welcome." 'Orlando' said, laughing.
"Wait, did you hear that?" Percy said, hiding behind a rock. "Someone is coming."
"PERCY! PERCY! PERCY, WHERE ARE YOU?" A familiar voice screamed out.
"Annabeth?" Percy yelled out. He peeked out of the rock, and there he saw Annabeth, happy to see him. He ran towards her and gave her the biggest hug he could possibly give. "Hopefully, this would be the last time I have to be kidnapped again." He said, laughing.
"Yeah." She told him, as she kissed him. In the background, Leo and Thalia walked towards them. "So, are we all good?" Leo asked. Percy nodded. "Yeah. Oh, right. Almost forgot. 'Orlando'! It's safe to come out."
"Aw? No welcoming party for me?" 'Orlando' whined as he came out.
And, just as he came out, an arrow sailed towards him. As if knowing, he caught it as it was going towards him. "I take that back. I do have a welcoming community." Percy turned to see Thalia pointing her bow at 'Orlando', her eyes glowing bright silver.
"Thalia!" Percy yelled, but Thalia didn't listen to him as she notched another arrow. "Not listening to what a guy would say? Yep, she is a Hunter alright." She releases another arrow and it sailed passed him.
"Annabeth, what is going on? Why is Thalia trying to kill 'Orlando'." Annabeth looked at Percy in horror. "It's because of the 'hunt craze'." Percy looked at her with confusion. "I don't get it. What's a 'hunt craze'?"
"It's something that happens when the hunters meets the first Male Hunter." Annabeth replied. Percy frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"That is what 'Orlando' is, Percy. He is the first Male Hunter of Artemis. He is Artemis' and Apollo's bane. He is Orion."
Well… that escalated quickly.
FINALLY! I finally told everyone his identity! Now I can sleep peacefully.
A bit something on the whole Leo is interested with Apollo thing. I know it is something that most fangirls (and boys) like, but if it sounds offensive to the LGBT people out there, please let me know. I'm concerned with what you guys feel about my works as well.
BTW, I need your guys help on who should I save next. Give your reviews on who should I go to and who should be the one who would go.
And, as per norm, here is some bits of next chapter and final part of this dimension arc.
"Well," Leo said to AU Apollo. "I guess this is goodbye?"
"Seem like it." AU Apollo said, with a sad smile.
"So, goodbye?" Leo said, sadly.
"Goodbye, Leo." He replied.
As Leo is about to leave towards the others, he stopped and walked towards AU Apollo, and without warning hugged him. Shocked, AU Apollo didn't know how to react. But, with Leo hugging him like this, he knows that he feels complete.
And so, he hugged back.
In the back of Leo's mind, he knows that this is really messed up situation. But, for some reason, his body didn't want to follow his mind.
And neither does his heart.
"I love you, Leo Valdez. Always have, always with be."
With a tear drop fell from his eye, he let go.
And, once again, Leo Valdez left him.
Again, tell me if it looks horrible, cuz I really don't know how to do BoyxBoy plays.
Review, Favorite, and Follow, and let me know that you love me. :)