Chapter 12: Once Upon A Time

"I was born in London, England, in the finest hospital you would ever find. My mom was a young heiress, and my dad a rich cattle ranch owner. My mom died in a car accident when I was six. I hardly remember her, but Dad's told me she was beautiful, and I look a lot like her. Ever since the day she died, Dad's had to raise me alone. When I started to ride, it was him who was there cheering me on. It was him who encouraged me to take up karate when a bunch of girls started to pick on me. When I got my black belt, he was the one in the crowd beaming with pride. When we moved from London to the countryside, it was him who comforted me. I admit that in the last six years, he hasn't been the dad he should be, and I'm mad at him for that, but I've learned a lot these past two years since I met you and the others. I've become a lot more understanding, and I know Daddy tries his best.

So you see, he's the only family I have, and no matter how many field trips he missed, how many birthdays he forgot, I still love him. I can't let Cronus take him away. Just like I can't let him take away you…" she blushed. "Or the others. It'd be letting him take away a piece of myself."

She paused, letting her words sink into Jay's brain.

Gears were turning in Jay's mind, and he looked up into Theresa's eyes, suddenly realizing how much he really cared for her. He couldn't let Cronus do this to her, take away her father, her dreams, her life in itself. In that instant, Jay made his decision, as rash and silly as it may have been. He had to start taking risks. "Let's go kick Cronus' butt," he said, and Theresa grinned, gunning the engine as she started the car, and they sped off down the road, both determined to take Cronus down once and for all.

Atlanta shook the bars of the jail cell desperately, as if each shake made the bars weaker. Maybe if she had Herry's strength, but sadly she didn't.

"You'll pay for this," she yelled. "I know a guy named Hercules!"

The officer in charge of guarding them shook his head sadly, grinning at his partner. "Poor child, she's delusional. I think we have a psychological case here." His partner nodded her head in agreement.

"You know, it probably won't help if you threaten the police, Atlanta," Archie pointed out, earning him a glare.

He shrugged. "Just stating the facts."

Atlanta sighed, aggravated.

"At least your hair isn't messed up," Neil said jealously.

"Whatever. I just want out of here," Atlanta snapped.

Neil looked offended. "Don't take your looks for granted. Someone might come and mess it up."

Atlanta rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Only in your nightmares, Neil."

Odie was still thinking when he realized that Herry had fallen asleep, sprawled out all over the place, snoring loudly. Cautiously, he poked him with a stick. When that didn't work, he poked him harder, determined not to get squashed and cuddled by Herry this time. Herry groggily awoke, staring at Odie with a blank expression. "What is it?" he asked blearily.

"I think I might have an idea," Odie said. "But it's pretty simple, so I'm not sure it'll work."

"I'm good with simple," Herry pointed out.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Odie muttered. "Sometimes simple doesn't work."

What Odie always overlooked, though, was that sometimes complicated didn't work either. Like when Jay planned to trap Cronus and it failed, causing the god to receive the key to the Antikythera device. That had been disastrous, and Odie should have remembered that, but it was like him to over-complicate things. It was just his nature.

Persephone paced impatiently. It was Monday morning, and Theresa should've been here already. Her clairvoyant pupil was hardly ever late, and she was getting peeved. She stalked out of her solarium, marching over to the gym to see if Herry had arrived for his session with Hercules. He hadn't. She checked in with Hermes to see if Odie had arrived for his lessons, and when she discovered he hadn't, a feeling of dread engulfed her.

It turned out that none of the heroes had arrived for classes, and the gods all met in the gym to worriedly discuss the disappearance of their students.

Suddenly Persephone had a vision. A red convertible raced down a small country road, a stubborn-faced Theresa driving and worried-looking Jay in the passenger seat. Theresa's hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly, and she looked angry.

The vision faded, and Persephone writhed in rage, turning dark blue as thunder boomed overhead. She knew what had happened, and chided herself for not realizing that that was what her pupil would have done.

She turned to the other gods. "Theresa and Jay, I believe are going to go rescue her father."

"But what about the others?" asked Artemis impatiently.

Persephone shrugged. "I don't know."

"They must have gone after them," said a calm-voiced Hera, but the gods all knew by that glitter in her eyes that she was furious. She turned to her fellow gods and goddesses. "We must let them go," she said, to the surprise of the others.

"What?" bellowed Ares. "They went against your strict orders!"

Hera nodded. "But maybe it was supposed to be this way. This might be the day they defeat Cronus for good. I can try and protect them, but at the same time, I can't fight their destiny. They must fulfill the prophecy, and this might be the time for it. Even if it means they may die." She looked the others in the eyes, but they ducked their heads down, averting their gaze. They hated the fact that they had become attached to their protégées, something that they had done many times before, for a price.

Cronus smiled as he lounged in the throne of an ancient castle, its walls looming far above his head. He couldn't wait to rule the world once more, but this time from a much bigger throne. He ran his hand over his smooth, baby-like chin. He had tried shaving, and it had worked like a breeze. He now had a more youthful look, a hard thing to achieve when you're over centuries old. He had listened to Hera's conversation with Theresa in mortification. He didn't want to marry that girl, even if she were the most beautiful girl on earth. No, he wanted someone more perfect. He wanted someone who would start a war and keep him entertained… someone like… Helen of Troy. He sat back, satisfied. Yes, he would bring her back like he had the Nemean lion, from the time when heroes reigned, and monsters roamed the earth. And chaos would happen once more, and he'd be in the middle of it. Ahh, glorious chaos, he thought. He lived off that stuff.

A/n: I hope you liked this chapter. If I keep adding twists like this, it may turn out to be a longer story than I thought. Oh well, its fun to write, and I hope you like it. Please review! –Becky

P.S. Guys, I hate to get pushy, or rude, but I was checking my stats, and this story has gotten over 800 hits, and I've gotten only 15 reviews. That's pretty sad. I want to hear what you think!!!!! I don't care if you don't like it, tell me so! This is one of those times when saying what's on your mind is allowed! I'm sorry if I seem rude, but I work hard to think up my stories, and the least you could do as a reader is simply review. Thank you.

And once again, I apologize if I seem to be rude, but it's frustrating. Thank you for your understanding. -Becky