AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter, and are enjoying the story so far. Thank you so much for the support on this story, it just makes me want to add to it more. I will try and get chapters out as soon as possible, but don't go up in arms if I don't post a chapter every day. I do have other things that I'm doing, but I will post as much as possible. Also, sorry if you guys don't like the reunion with Zoë, I tried my best. Also, don't hate me if I change the prophecy a bit. I want Bianca, Phoebe, and Zoë to come, and Thalia, Grover and Perseus/Max, we'll see who comes along in secret. Anyways, please enjoy!
Recap:
"This is not the end, Hunters!" Thorn swore, before jumping off the cliff with Annabeth on his back.
"NO!" Max shouted. Perseus quickly lept into action, jumping off the cliff to try and save Annabeth. However, once he was about to reach them, the manticore and Annabeth disappeared in a shimmering light, causing Perseus to plummet into the sea. He quickly regained his bearings and mist travelled back up to the cliff.
He went over to Maximus and gave his brother a hug. "I'm sorry Max, I couldn't save her," he said. "Chin up, she is not dead. I'm sure of it. She is much too valuable to just be killed. We'll get her back," he said reassuringly. Max gave Perseus a weak smile.
The Hunters advanced on the group of demigods, and Perseus' blood ran cold. The Huntress with the circlet walked up to them, scowling at Thalia.
"Zoë?" he asked.
The Huntress with the circlet looked at Perseus in shock. "Perseus?"
Present:
The Huntress with the circlet, Zoë, came up to Perseus and punched him in the face. "What was that for?" Perseus asked incredulously.
"I haven't see you since that day on the beach in Troy!" Zoë said angrily. "You didn't come looking for me!"
"Zoë, of course I did," Perseus said. "Please, just let me explain, but not in front of literally the whole world," he said, gesturing to their growing audience of the Hunters, Artemis, Max, Thalia, Grover, and the di Angelos.
"Fine," Zoë huffed. "But milady must hear this as well. I'm still upset with you Perseus."
Zoë left Perseus and started to talk with Artemis. After a few moments, Artemis gestured to Perseus, and the goddess went to her tent. Before following her, Perseus turned to Max. "We will find Annabeth, I promise," Perseus said reassuringly. "Also, don't try anything disrespectful. Artemis hates males more than anyone, so don't piss her off." Max nodded before giving Perseus a hug, which he returned. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the tent.
"Lady Artemis, may I enter," he said politely.
"Come in, boy," Artemis hissed, and Perseus entered the tent and gave Artemis a quick bow before looking at Zoë.
Zoë huffed. "So, you said you would explain?"
Perseus opened his mouth to explain, but Artemis cut him off. "Who are you, boy?" she snapped.
Perseus smirked. "You don't recognize me?" he asked, feigning sadness. "Well, let's ask Zoë, shall we?"
Artemis looked at Perseus intensely, trying to figure out who he was. However, considering he was a man, she didn't really care too much, so she turned to her lieutenant.
"This...this is Perseus," Zoë stuttered. Artemis looked at Perseus, trying to remember that name, before gasping. "Perseus, from the Trojan War?"
Perseus bowed cheekily. "At your service. Honestly, I'm just happy to see Zoë, I don't really care that you're here."
Zoë gasped. "Don't speak to milady that way, Perseus. While it's...nice...to see you, I would rather you just explain."
Before he got the chance, Artemis took out her hunting knives. "You dare disrespect me?" she growled.
Perseus stood there, standing with a relaxed expression. "Yeah, I do. It's kinda my thing. Besides, just ask your brother about me, he knows a lot more than you, which is surprising because aren't you supposed to be the smart one? Also, I defeated your brother 2,000 years ago in single combat, and have used that time to sharpen my skills. What makes you think you can defeat me? Because you're divine? Newsflash, I'm part divine too, and you don't see me flaunting it. I just use it to help others. Think about that," he said coolly before walking out of the tent, leaving Artemis with an enraged expression.
"My father needs to know about this," Artemis said.
"No!" Zoë protested, causing Artemis to look at her strangely.
"You still love him, don't you?" Artemis asked.
"No," Zoë protested. "I don't. However, I owe him for bringing me here, and while I'm upset he never came to find me, I don't love him. I do owe him my life, and I can't repay that by just killing him.
Artemis grumbled, before looking at Zoë. "The girl, the di Angelo girl, bring her here." Zoë nodded before walking outside the tent, leaving Artemis grumbling about Perseus.
Perseus walked outside to see the two di Angelo siblings speaking with Max, Thalia, and Grover. After a few moments, he saw Zoë walk out of Artemis' tent. "Bianca, could you come here? Milady would like to see you," she said loudly so that Bianca could hear.
"No," Perseus said to Zoë. "Artemis can't do this. She can't make her abandon her brother."
Zoë looked at Perseus sadly. "I know, but I have to do what milady says. Besides, she'd be a good hunter." Zoë turned away with Bianca in tow.
Perseus watched fondly as Max and Nico interacted. Nico was showing off his Mythomagic cards, while Max was showing off Anaklusmos. However, Zoë came back and brought Max to the tent, and knew nothing good could happen with an upset Max who blamed himself for Annabeth going into Artemis' tent.
When Max entered, he saw an auburn-haired girl around twelve sitting on the tent floor. "Join us, Maximus Jackson," she said, almost like an order, and Max sat down next to her. He was surprised at her age, but gods and goddess could do as they liked, he supposed.
Zoë was glaring at him, and Artemis saw this. "You must forgive my Hunters if they don't like you. They don't really like anyone from the male species," she said, nudging Zoë, who turned bright red. Max wondered what this was all about.
"Well, I've not asked you here to turn you into a jackalope, which I do enjoy doing, but you are here to tell me what the manticore said. Bianca told me some of these things, bu I want to hear it from you," Artemis said, gesturing for him to speak. So he did.
When Max finished, Artemis fingered her bow thoughtfully. "I thought as much. There are things stirring that I haven't hunted for millenia."
"The scent, milady?" Zoë asked.
"Yes," Artemis said grimly.
"Huh?" Max said intelligently.
"There is prey so old even I have forgotten," Artemis said sagely. She sat up and started into Maximus' eyes. "Tell me, Maximus. Tell me exactly what the manticore said."
"Uh, I hate middle school dances?" Maximus said questioningly.
Artemis facepalmed. "Not that, you imbecile. After that."
"He mentioned someone called the General."
Zoë's face paled. Max looked at her weirdly. Perseus' face had the exact same emotion to it. Artemis gestured for him to go on.
"He also said something about the Great Stirring, whatever that is," he repeated. Artemis was still as a stone.
"I must go hunt this monster, I think I know what it is," Artemis said.
"Maybe he was lying?" Max said hopefully.
"No. I just haven't seen the signs," Artemis said. "I must go alone," she said, ignoring Zoë's protests.
"Do you know what this creature is?" Max asked.
"Let's hope I am wrong," Artemis said grimly. "Before you go, I have a task for you and your friends," Artemis said at the retreating Maximus.
"Does it involve us being turned into jackalopes?" Max asked.
"Unfortunately not, but I would like to turn Perseus into one. Anyways, I have to ask you to escort the Hunters to Camp Half-Blood."
"What!" Zoë protested. "We hate it there! The boys always flirt with us! Also, remember what happened last time?"
Artemis looked at Zoë. "Yes, I remember, by Dionysus will not hold a grudge now of all times. Besides they rebuilt all the cabins you guys burnt down. Also, has Bianca decided yet?"
Zoë smiled. "She has, and she's joining."
Artemis smiled. "Perfect. She will join you and your sisters in cabin 8. I'll summon my brother to take you to camp" With that, Artemis left the tent.
"What just happened?" Max asked.
"Bianca just joined the Hunt," Zoë said happily.
LINE BREAK
The Hunters broke camp quickly as Max, Grover, and Thalia were shivering in the snow. Perseus was on the ground in a crosslegged position, while Bianca was explaining her decision to a gloomy Nico. Max thought about Bianca's decision, and couldn't help but see how selfish the decision was.
Max told Thalia and Grover about his conversation with Artemis, and Grover turned pale. "The last time the Hunters were at camp, it didn't go so well."
"How'd they even get here?" Max wondered. "They literally showed up out of nowhere."
"And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted. "It's all Zoë's fault. That stuck up-"
"Eternity with Artemis? Who can blame her?" Grover asked dreamily.
"You satyrs, all in love with Artemis," Thalia said. "She'll never love you, you know that."
"But, she's so into nature," Grover said. Thalia scoffed.
Finally, the sky began to lighten. "Finally, he's so lazy in the winter," Artemis grumbled. Perseus got up from his seated position and brushed the snow off of him and walked towards the light.
"Hurry up Apollo! I have places to be," Artemis said impatiently.
Maximus looked around as the light got closer, and he saw them averting their eyes, so he did the same. When the light stopped, he looked, and he saw his dream car. A bright red Maserati Spyder.
The driver got out with a bright smile with perfect teeth. He looked around 17 or 18, and had a perfect tan. He had sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and wore jeans and a sleeveless T-shirt.
"Apollo is hot," Thalia said.
"He's the sun god," Max said.
"Not what I meant," Thalia grumbled.
"Little sister! Great to see you," Apollo said with a big smile. "You never write, you never call, I never know what's going on with you."
"That's the point," Artemis grumbled. "Besides, I'm not your little sister."
"Anyways, I see you got your girls with you," Apollo said. "Ooh, and Perseus. What up dude?"
Perseus gave Apollo a crooked smile. "I'm swell. Still sore about Troy?"
Apollo chuckled. "Always. You know I'll never live it down."
Artemis cleared her throat. "I need you to take the Hunters to Camp Half-Blood, I have a solo hunt to do," she said.
Apollo smiled. "Sure sis," he said. "Wait, I have a haiku coming!" The Hunters groaned.
Apollo cleared his throat. "Green grass-" he started before water was thrown in his face.
Perseus was whistling innocently at the spectacle as the Hunters roared with laughter. Even Zoë cracked a smile.
"I'll give you that Perseus, but don't think I won't prank you later," Apollo said cheekily. "Now come on, next stop, Camp Half-Blood," he said, turning his sports car into a mini van.
As Zoë went towards the bus with her camping pack, Apollo came up to her. "Let me handle that sweetheart," he said, before being slapped by her. Perseus chuckled before punching Apollo in the stomach after everyone had got on the mini van.
"What was that for?" he wheezed.
"For calling the girl I'm in love with sweetheart," Perseus said in his ear before hopping on the bus.
LINE BREAK
To make a long story short, the ride was a disaster. Thalia was chosen to drive, but Perseus quickly realized she had a fear of heights, so she basically almost burned New England. Then they crashed into canoe lake. Perseus hoped Thalia never went in the sky again.
Once they were out of the bus, the Hunters made their way to cabin 8 while Max took Nico to watch the orientation film.
Perseus went up to Chiron and explained what happened. Chiron looked upset, while Max just blew up at Dionysus. He probably didn't die because Nico started spewing random stuff about Mythomagic.
"Chiron, are we having Capture the Flag tomorrow?" Perseus asked. He knew about the Hunters tradition. Whenever they came, they whooped the campers, but now that he was here, they would win easily. However, he'd make it close, as it would be more fun.
Eventually, tomorrow came, and Perseus was shocked. The night before, Max had dreamt of Annabeth, and that Luke was responsible for it, again. Max told him Annabeth was holding something, and he knew what it was, especially with the General's name being mentioned by Dr. Thorn. However, Grover also revealed that Artemis was missing, as Zoë had dreamt of her mistress as well. Perseus wanted to comfort her, but knew he couldn't do anything about it. However, when Grover mentioned that Annabeth was going to join the Hunters, Perseus saw Max's mood go from bad to worse.
Max was upset. Annabeth had thought of joining the Hunters. He needed to speak to someone, but he really didn't want to. The arena was being used by Ares kids, who he hated, and there was an argument in pegasi stables between Silena Beauregard and some Huntress. He went to the chariot stands and sulked.
Suddenly, he looked to his left and saw Perseus there. "Girl trouble?" Perseus asked.
Max didn't respond. "You know, I know how you feel," Perseus said.
"What do you mean?" Max asked. "I'm sure you've had plenty of relationships, considering your appearance. I've never had one, and the girl I think I like is going to be an eternal maiden forever." Max sulked again.
"You're right. There have been plenty of women who caught my eye. However, there is only one woman for me, and she is unavailable," Perseus mused.
"What, she's dead?" Max asked.
Perseus sighed. "No, she sworn off men."
Max gasped. "You're in love with a Huntress?" he exclaimed.
"Yes, say that louder please, I don't think Artemis heard you," Perseus said sarcastically. His expression then turned serious. "But yes, I am. Zoë and I fell in love during the Trojan War, but I sent her away to keep her safe."
Max looked at Perseus in shock. "So...you're saying that you still love Zoë after 2,000 years?"
Perseus sighed. "There have been a few women who I had feelings for, divine and mortal, but Zoë has been in my heart my entire life."
Perseus stood up. "Cheer up, brother. Annabeth might not even join, so you have a better chance than me. And if you have it, take it," he said before disappearing into mist.
Later that night, the campers stood on one side of the creek, the Hunters, who didn't look so happy, were on the other.
The campers were geared up and ready to fight. They wanted to kick the Hunter's asses and finally win. Thalia looked at Max. "So I'll take offense, and you take defense, okay?" she asked.
"Shouldn't you take defense, with your shield and all?" Max asked. Thalia ignored Max and took out Aegis, ready to charge.
"Well, I'm just better at offense than defense, and haven't you had some experience with defense?" she asked.
Max remembered his first year at camp, with Annabeth leaving him by the creek. "Yeah," he lied.
Perseus stood behind him. "Don't worry, I'll help you out," he said.
Perseus stood in the shadows while he watched Thalia and Maximus set up positions. When they started to order their team around, Perseus knew their strategy was good, but Max and Thalia had to learn to work together.
When the horn sounded, the campers broke off, and Perseus saw Max stand on top of Zeus' Fist, where their flag was.
Max looked around, and saw an opening in the Hunters lines. "Can you hold the fort?" Max said to Beckendorf and the Stolls. "I'm going in," he said confidently, causing them to cheer.
"Skatá," Perseus swore as his brother left his post and ran across the boundary line. Max ran towards the flag, which was only being guarded by Bianca, who he barreled over.
"Sorry!" he shouted over his shoulder as he picked up the silver flag and ran. When Max thought he was in the clear, a silver arrow wrapped around his legs, causing him to trip and fall.
"Max! What are you doing here?" Thalia said as a fart arrow came near them.
Max kept going and hared towards the creek as fast as he could. However, he heard yelling from their side of the creek. He saw Zoë Nightshade running with the camper's flag, and she was getting closer to the creek, and faster than Max.
Perseus saw Zoë come towards the creek, and while he did love her, he wanted the campers to win, so he started rushing forwards.
Max ran forward towards the creek, but he was shot by an arrow, causing him to drop the flag. Before Thalia could pick it up, Perseus mist travelled to his brother and picked up the flag, and vapor travelled right in front of a speeding Zoë. She barreled into him as he had reappeared beyond the creek with the Hunters flag, and they rolled around together before they stopped with Zoë on top of him.
Zoë blushed at their position, and Perseus raised his right hand. "I believe this means that the campers win," he said cheekily before wriggling out from under Zoë and tossing the flag to his brother.
"The Campers Win!" Chiron said, surprised in his voice.
"MAXIMUS JACKSON!" Thalia shouted, her body coursing with electricity. "WHAT IN GODS NAME WERE YOU THINKING!"
Max balled his fists. "Max, don't..." Perseus started.
"I got the flag Thalia," he said. "I saw a chance, and I took it!"
"I WAS AT THEIR BASE!" Thalia shouted. "But their flag was gone."
"Who cares Thalia, we won," Max said. "See?" he said, shaking the flag in her face.
"Argh!" Thalia pushed Max, a shock going through his body, blowing him backwards into the water, causing campers to gasp.
Max was slow to get up, and Perseus went to check on him. After a few moments, Max got up, and his eyes were burning with rage. "Max, don't..." Perseus started again.
Max raised his hand, anger flowing throughout him. A giant wave erupted from the creek, and was about to fall onto Thalia when it stopped. Perseus stood there, hand raised calmly, before putting all of the water back in the creek. However, he took a little bit of water from the creek and squirted it into Thalia's face, causing her to fall over.
Perseus looked at Thalia calmly. "You're welcome, and you deserved that. The campers still won, and yes, Max made a mistake, but you had too many on you, while Max didn't. It was logical. You both made mistakes, but it isn't right to attack your fellow camper."
Thalia ignored his statement and leveled her spear. "You want some, Seaweed Brain? You need Perseus to defend you."
Max looked at Perseus, who just started at Thalia. Max brought out Anaklusmos. "Bring it Pinecone Face," he said, starting to charge. However, before he got barely five yards, he was blasted back by a bolt of lightning from Thalia's spear.
"Thalia!" Chiron shouted. "That's enough!"
Perseus brought Max up to his feet, and Perseus calmly willed the water from the creek to rise from it, leaving it floating in the air. "Is this what you want, Thalia Grace," Perseus said coldly. "Do you want this fight?"
Thalia raised her spear, ready to fight Perseus, when Max noticed a figure in the woods. Perseus looked at it, and gasped, leaving all the water to fall back into the creek.
As it got closer, campers and Hunters alike gasped.
"Impossible, it never leaves the attic," Chiron said in shock.
Nobody moved. Then a voice whispered in all of their heads, causing some to fall to the ground clutching their ears.
I am the sprit of Delphi, the voice said. Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python.
The Oracle looked at Maximus and Perseus with its cold, dead eyes, before turning to Zoë.
Approach, Seeker, and ask, it said.
Zoë gulped. "What must I do to help my goddess?"
The Oracle's mouth opened, and green mist started to pour out.
Six shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titan's curse must one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parent's hand.
As soon as it ended, the green mist faded, and the Oracle sat down, and was as still as she was in the attic of the Big House.
Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for changing the prophecy, but I want Max to go on it, and Perseus will show up later, and will be a secret quest member. I hope you don't mind me doing Perseus and Zoë not falling in love instantly, but will eventually fall in love sooner rather than later, maybe before Annabeth and Max, I'm not sure. Anyways, thanks so much for the support so far, and please review!