Outsider Chronicles: Half-blood Earth
With the Second Year over and the summer beginning, new revelations are coming. With an old bond restored, Holly and Leo answer the call of their lost family and the next of the Lost Knights.
And we're back and coming to the end of this story. I believe that we will have one, maybe two chapters left, but I know for a fact that we are nearly done and we'll be heading back to Hogwarts. However, thats for later. Right now, lets get this party started!
Chapter 14
A Coast Guard boat picked us up, but they were too busy to keep us for long, or to wonder how four kids in street clothes had gotten out into the middle of the bay when there was a disaster to mop up. Their radios were jammed with distress calls, so they dropped us off at the Santa Monica Pier with towels around our shoulders and water bottles that said I'M A JUNIOR COAST GUARD! and sped off to save more people. Our clothes were sopping wet, even Percys, but that was nothing a quick Drying Charm didn't fix.
"I don't believe it," said Annabeth, "We went all that way-"
"It was a trick," said Percy, "A strategy worthy of Athena."
"Hey," she warned.
"You get it, don't you?" said Percy.
She dropped her eyes, her anger fading.
"Yeah. I get it."
"Well, I don't!" Grover complained, "Would somebody-"
"Percy ..." Annabeth said, "I'm sorry about your mother. I'm so sorry..."
"Its OK," said Percy, "So long as shes still alive, she can still be saved."
He took a deep breath.
"The prophecy was right," I said, "You shall go west and face the god who has turned.' But it wasn't Hades. Hades didn't want war among the Big Three. Someone else pulled off the theft. Someone stole Zeus's master bolt, and Hades's helm, and framed me because I'm Poseidon's kid. Poseidon will get blamed by both sides. By sundown today, there will be a three-way war. And I'll have caused it."
"Speaking of the God who has turned," I said, turning around.
The others did the same and Annabeth and Grover both swallowed nervusly as they saw Ares stood at the end of the road, wearing the same black leather duster and sunglasses as last time, an aluminum baseball bat propped on his shoulder. His motorcycle rumbled beside him, its head-light turning the sand red.
"Hey, kid," Ares said, seeming genuinely pleased to see us, "You were supposed to die."
"You tricked me," said Percy calmly, "You stole the helm and the master bolt."
I frowned. Percy was to calm, at least going on what I'd seen so far. Something had changed.
Ares grinned.
"Well, now, I didn't steal them personally," he said, "Gods taking each other's symbols of power that's a big no-no. But you're not the only hero in the world who can run errands."
"Who did you use?" asked Percy, "Clarisse? She was there at the winter solstice."
The idea seemed to amuse him.
"Doesn't matter. The point is, kid, you're impeding the war effort. See, you've got to die in the Underworld. Then Old Seaweed will be mad at Hades for killing you. Corpse Breath will have Zeus's master bolt, so Zeus'll be mad at him. And Hades is still looking for this ..."
From his pocket he took out a ski cap, you know, the kind bank robbers wear, and placed it between the handlebars of his bike. Immediately, the cap transformed into an elaborate bronze war helmet.
"The Helm of Darkness," Grover gasped.
"Exactly," Ares said, "Now where was I? Oh yeah, Hades will be mad at both Zeus and Poseidon, because he doesn't know who took this. Pretty soon, we got a nice little three-way slugfest going."
"But they're your family!" Annabeth protested.
Ares shrugged.
"Best kind of war. Always the bloodiest. Nothing like watching your relatives fight, I always say."
Percy had his head down, his eyes shadowed by his hair.
"Ares, I'm disappointed," he said.
I grinned. Ah, so that was what was different.
"Eh?" asked the God of War, "You say something punk?"
"I said, I'm disappointed."
Percy looked up, looking Ares straight in the eye, his sea green eyes glowing slightly.
"I thought I taught you better than that," he said.
"Hehehe, oh, this is gonna be good," I said, drawing my wand and throwing up a barrier, "Knock him dead boulder boy."
"Captain, if you call me that again, I'll bury you," said Percy.
"Yep, hes back."
"Whats going on?" asked Annabeth as Percy pulled out the gem I'd given him.
"You'll see," I said with a grin, "Just don't blink."
The gem gleamed and Percy was momentarily hidden behind a flash of light that cleared a moment later to reveal that his Celestial Dress was a white dress uniform with gold piping, while his weapons was a double headed axe.
"METEOR AXE, READY."
Ares's eyes went wide as they fell on the Axe.
"W-wait a minute," he spluttered, "You can't be him! Thats impossible!"
"First rule of Magic," said Percy, "Nothing is impossible. Earth of Heaven, answer my call!"
The ground around him erupted, just as I finished weaving the barrier that would keep this no doubt highly destructive fight contained. The ground shook in response to Percy's power as a huge axe cleaved the rocks that surrounded him cleanly in half, allowing the Knight of Meteor to step once more onto the battlefield. His armour was platemail and a gleaming, polished black, patterned with burnished golden knotwork patterns, within which could be seen the symbol of Venus. Three spikes emerged from both paludians, providing extra protection, in addition to the horned helmet that hid Percys face and had the crescent moon of the Royal family between the eye holes. He was armed with a two headed battleaxe with the blue gem between the blades, while his left hand held a large kiteshield with the same colouration as his armour and the symbol of Venus in the center.
"T-teacher," stuttered Ares, "B-but how? You should be dead!"
"You're not wrong," said Percy, "But that's neither here nor there. Apparently you're in need of a refresher. Now bring it on, my idiot pupil. Show me how much you've improved!"
Percy pushed off with such force he shattered the concrete beneath his feet that hadn't already been broken by his transformation and shot towards Ares fast enough to create a backdraught that nearly blew Annabeth and Grover off there feet. I simply braced myself and let the power wash over me.
Ares quickly brought his bat up to block, the makeshift weapon changing into a huge, two-handed sword with a large silver skull with a ruby in its mouth for a hilt.
"Percy, wait!" shouted Annabeth, "Hes a God! You can't fight him!"
"To late," I said.
I was proven right a moment later when Percys axe slammed into Ares sword with a huge burst of force that once more blew a crater in the pavement and forced Ares backwards from the impact. Grover and Annabeth's jaws dropped open in amazement as the Son of Poseidon went on the offencive, his massive axe moving with incredible speed and grace for its size and weight.
"H-how?" stuttered the Daughter of Athena, "Percy shouldn't stand a chance against him alone!"
"Normally, you'd be right," I said, "But Percy isnt what you'd call a normal Human. Remember on the trip here when I mentioned the Moon Kingdom?"
"Yeah."
"Well, the reason I did that was because the Ancient People are beginning to return," I said, "See, when the Kingdom was destroyed, the Queen cast a spell that sent the Souls of her people into the Magical rivers that flow throughout the Solar System where they drifted for centuries. Now they are beginning to return. The Princess and her Sailor Scouts, the Prince of Earth and the Queens Royal Guard are the first. Before you stands the Fifth Knight of Heaven, the Knight of Meteor, Perseus of Venus."
"B-but even so, how is he able to take on Ares?" asked Annabeth as Percy kicked said God into a wall.
"Well, the Student has yet to surpass the teacher," I said, "Way back in the past, the Knights took a number of the younger Gods under there wings. Percy taught Ares, Harlequin taught Athena and so on."
"How do you know all this?" asked Grover.
"How do you think?" I asked, "I was the Captain of the Knights of Heaven."
I ducked as Ares' sword went flying over my head and turned back to the fight, which was now over with Ares on his knees with Percy's axe at his throat.
"You've got worse," he deadpanned, "Let me guess, you've been relying on your powers as the God of War to much? Such a foolish thing to do."
"I'm sorry Teacher," said Ares, shame clear in his voice.
"Don't be sorry, be better," said Percy, "Apologies are worthless, actions hold worth."
"I understand."
Percy nodded and lowered his axe.
"Good. Now you can buy me a drink later."
He offered Ares his hand. The God of War took it and Percy pulled him to his feet.
"Thank you Teacher," said Ares, "I feel like a Darkness has been lifted from my mind."
I narrowed my eyes. Was that Kronos? Or something worse? Only time would tell. Percy frowned.
"Thats not good," he muttered, "I don't really want to know what could be powerful enough to influence a God like that."
Ares nodded, before he reached into his coat and pulled out the Helm.
"Could you return this to Hades?" he asked, "I need to go and get started."
Percy nodded and took the helmet. Ares gave a salute, before vanishing. Percy let out a sigh and dismissed his transformation, just as the barrier I'd put up shattered. The newly awakened Knight turned to join us, but before he could, the Furies appeared and landed in front of him.
"We saw the whole thing," said the leader, "Its hard to believe. I've heard legends of the strength of the Knights, but to see one in person…"
Percy tossed her the Helm.
"Return that to Lord Hades," he said, "Tell him the truth. Tell him to call off the war."
The Fury nodded and took off, leaving Percy to approach us.
"Welcome back buddy," I said, offering my hand.
Percy grinned and clasped my offered arm.
"Good to be back Captain," he said, "Lets not destroy the dock though."
"Um, not to interrupt, but we still need to get back to New York before midnight," said Annabeth.
Percy and I glanced at each other. He shrugged.
"Eh, I think I can manage," he said, before he scooped Annabeth up into his arms.
"HEY!"
The Son of Poseidon ignored her as dark blue wings appeared on his heels and lifted him into the air. I rolled my eyes and grabbed Grover, before following him.
"Yo Percy, we need to go faster if we want to get there on time," I said.
"Yeah yeah," said Percy.
Magical Circles appeared in front of us and we sped up, breaking the sound barrier as we were covered in shells of magical energy, creating a dark blue and gold streak across the sky.
It didn't take us long to reach New York with the aid of magical flight and we touched down in an alleyway a short distance from the Empire State building.
"You guys head back to Camp," said Percy, "I think I need to do this last bit alone."
"But Percy..." said Annabeth.
"Please," said Percy, "If the Gods don't believe me, I won't be able to fight if I'm worrying about you guys."
"OK," said Grover.
"Do you want me to tag along?" I asked.
"No, I don't think that'll be necessary," said Percy with a smirk, "Besides, don't you have an appointment with Holly?"
I grimused.
"I'd forgotten about that," I grumbled, "Shes gonna tear me a new one."
I sighed, before holding out my hand.
"Well, best of luck to you."
Percy grinned and took the proffered limb.
"You too. If Hollys anything like Harlequin, you're in for a tough time."
We split up, with Percy heading into the building and the rest of us grabbing a taxi back to camp.
"Do you two mind letting Chiron know what's happened?" I asked as we past through the Wards, "I don't want to keep Holly waiting any longer than necessary."
"OK," said Annabeth, "You go on ahead."
I nodded and headed towards Artemis Cabin where I could feel Hollys magic coming from.
"Hello?" I called as I entered, "Holly? You in here?"
I headed down the hall with the Moon Kingdom rooms and stopped outside of Hollys. I knocked on the door and waited.
"Holly?" I called after a couple of moments of silence, "Are you OK?"
I tried to door and found it unlocked.
"I'm coming in!"
I stepped through the door, only to receive a bolt of green light to the face.
And thats the end of both the chapter and the story. Eheheh, ain't I a stinker for that ending? Tune in next time to find out what happened!
The reason Leo didn't accompany Percy was because there was no reason for him to do so. The Quest was Percys so he needs to hand it in, not his party members.
I hope you liked the 'fight' between Percy and Ares and, for those wondering, the reason he won is because, in my headcanon at least, Gods cannot use their abilities against a Demigod when challenged, otherwise they'd just blast them to bits. Oh they can summon there minions like Ares boar in the book or use there various kinetic powers, but its mostly skill on skill. Normally, there multiple millennia of experience carries the day, but against the man who taught them everything they know? No contest. Plus. Ares was shaken from meeting his teacher.
Hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review!