Hey guys! Just so you all know I have officially written the first chapter for the HoO series- though I'm not as confident with it for one reason- a lot of the first one will centre around Leo- and I'm not as used to writing him and I feel like I'll get told he's out of character. But he would be different from cannon Leo by this point so I hope people will appreciate that- I mean, this Leo's had a couple of years in a loving family, he's no longer scared of his fire, he's more confident in himself and he's a happier person in general- also- years of experience as demi with quests so he's a lot more mature in some senses while also still being our lovable idiot. Anyway, please do review this one- I love Clarisse and Percy's bickering. Also, Percy just has a thing about throwing hands with gods.
Percy blinked slowly, "Your brothers are playing a prank on you?"
"A prank that includes demon birds nearly killing you?" Rachel's voice was incredulous.
"I mean-" Percy tilted her head slightly, a thoughtful look on her face, "They are Ares kids their pranks do tend to be more violent. But still this does seem like a lot, which one? Is it Mark or Sherman because they-"
"No. My immortal brothers Percy. Phobos and Deimos."
"Wait-" Rachel's eyes widened, "We're talking literal gods?" suddenly she was looking nervous.
"Yeah." Clarisse nodded. "See why I've got a problem?" and fuck but Percy had never seen Clarisse looking so stressed out and down before, it didn't feel right.
"Yeah, yeah I see." Percy's expression was grim, "C'mon, let's go to the park- it's maybe a five minute walk from here and we can talk properly there."
"What about your school?" Clarisse raised an eyebrow and Percy shrugged.
"Eh, we told the teacher I was sick, she'll assume I was sent home by the nurse and I have woodwork next. Mr Bell never takes attendance."
"And my art teacher loves me." Rachel said calmly, "I'm her favorite student ever, she's not going to punish me. I'm pretty sure if I asked her to she'd cover for me.
"Right." Clarisse almost seemed to relax slightly, "Okay, so we go to the park and talk."
"Sounds like a plan." Percy grabbed Rachel's hand, and together the three of them headed to the park, sitting on the benches, Percy in the middle, Clarisse and Rachel sat either side of her.
"So." Rachel's voice was curious. "Your immortal brothers are playing a trick on you?"
"It's my dad's chariot- I was taking it out, it was all going really well and then suddenly they were in the back and they tossed me out. While it was still moving, luckily it wasn't moving so fast."
"Oooh." Percy let out a low whistle, "You- you took your dads chariot on a joyride and then you lost it? Suddenly I get why you look so nervous. Tell me, what flowers would you like for your funeral-"
"Percy!" Rachel slapped Percy's shoulder, "That's not funny!"
"What-" Percy held up her hands, giving a 'Who? Me?' look. "What did I say? I didn't do anything wrong did I?" she asked quickly, "Clarisse?"
"Your severed head would do nicely." Clarisse shot back snarkily before her shoulders slumped, "My dad told me to take it. It's like a test, I was supposed to bring it back at sunset but-"
"But your brothers carjacked you."
"Wouldn't it be chariot jacked?" Rachel raised an eyebrow, "Why would they even do that?"
"They're his regular charioteers, see. And they don't like anybody else getting to drive. So they stole the chariot from me and chased me off with those stupid arrow-throwing birds."
"Your dad's pets?" Percy asked after a moment, her brows furrowed.
She nodded miserably. "They guard his temple. Anyway, if I don't find the chariot…"
She looked like she was about to lose it, and honestly, Percy didn't blame her. Clarisse might be as tough as they came but anyone would be scared of pissing off Ares- well, any sane person. Percy not included. Every time she saw Ares she felt the temptation to call him out on being the worlds biggest asshole- well, second biggest, maybe third, but still, he was up there.
"Ugh, as much as I'm loathe to do anything that could be considered helping your dad, I'll help. Purely for you. Since, y'know, you helped me out back when I needed it and you also helped my brother get to camp safely during the whole Fleece fiasco. But- ugh. Yeah, this is for you, not your dad. Is that clear?"
"Why do you hate my dad so much?" Clarisse's eyes narrowed, "You've always had a grudge against him."
"... Yeah." Percy rubbed the back of her neck, "We've met a few times and the hate is mutual. Nothing for you to worry about though." yeah, she was so not telling Clarisse what her dad had done. That was so not her job.
"Hm." Clarisse eyed Percy for a long moment before shrugging, "Fine, not like it matters much anyway." she admitted, "I just... I don't even know what to do-"
"We'll figure it out." Percy said quickly, "Try not to worry too much we-"
"Aw, look. I think she's been crying!"
A teenage dude was leaning against a telephone pole. He was dressed in ratty jeans, a black T-shirt and a leather jacket, with a bandanna over his hair. A knife was stuck in
his belt. He had eyes the colour of flames. Percy could definitely see the resemblance between him and his dad.
"Phobos." Clarisse balled her fists. "Where's the chariot, you jerk?'"
"You lost it," he teased. "Don't ask me."
"You little –"
Clarisse drew her sword and charged, but Phobos disappeared as she swung, and her blade bit into the telephone pole.
Phobos appeared on the bench next to Percy. He was laughing, but he stopped when Percy stuck Riptide's point against his throat.
"You'd better return that chariot," she gave the sweetest smile she could, fluttering her lashes at the god, "Or I'll get mad."
He sneered and tried to look tough, or as tough as you can with a sword under your chin. "Who's your little girlfriend, Clarisse? You have to get help fighting your battles now?"
And Rachel had her dagger out too and she was gripping it tightly, her eyes narrowed.
"She's not my girlfriend." Clarisse growled, yanking her sword out of the telephone pole, "You asshole-"
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend." Rachel was leaning over and her hand was on Percy's cheek, turning her face so that she could press their lips together- and when Rachel pulled back Percy let out a laugh.
It wasn't like Rachel to feel the need to stake her claim, but hey, Percy wasn't complaining as she pressed their lips together again and Rachel kissed back a slow passionate kiss- and Clarisse let out an awkward cough.
"Could you not make out with your girlfriend in front of me and my brother you freak?"
"Rude." Percy gave Clarisse the middle finger with her free hand as Rachel pulled back, she still had her sword pointed at the gods throat. "Why did I agree to help you again?"
"Because you owe me."
Phobos' eyes narrowed, "Are you really ignoring me right now-"
"Well you're not very interesting." Percy remarked, giving a one sided shrug, "I'm Persephone Jackson." she smirked at the god, "Your daddy might have told you about me."
Something changed in Phobos' expression at that, his eyes widened very slightly, he looked surprised, maybe even nervous. And that made Percy feel vaguely smug, she had a god who was scared of her. "The daughter of Poseidon? You're the one who-"
"Oh yeah." Percy nodded. "The one who really pissed your dad off."
"Oh this is too good." Phobos' laugh was almost tight. "Clarisse you're hanging out with a sworn enemy- dad'll be pissed-"
"I'm not hanging out with her." Clarisse ground out, "The birds drove me to an alley outside of her school and she decided to get herself involved-"
"I always do." Percy chimed in, "I'm a meddlesome brat, you should ask your dad. He'd agree."
"Oh I see why he hates you-"
"Hey." Clarisse glared, "No one talks shit about Jackson but her siblings, her girlfriends and me-"
"Ooh, so protective-" Percy's voice was teasing- except Clarisse was suddenly screaming and swatting the air as if she was being attacked by invisible bugs.
"STOP! STOP IT! PLEASE NO!" and Percy had never, ever seen Clarisse look so terrified.
"What are you doing to her?" Percy swung her head around to glare at the god, "Stop it or I swear I will fucking gut you! Stop it!" and Clarisse was backing up into the street, swinging her sword wildly even as Rachel leapt to her feet and rushed towards Clarisse, trying to help her, though she couldn't get close because Clarisse would end up gutting her if she got too close.
"Clarisse!" Rachel had to leap back to avoid a swing of Clarisse's sword, "Clarisse calm down-"
"What are you doing to her?" Percy pressed her blade harder against the gods throat- but then he vanished and he reappeared back at the telephone pole, laughing nastily.
"Don't get so excited Jackson. I'm just showing my little sister what she fears." he looked far too amused for Percy's taste, she wanted to strangle him. She was sick of guys who enjoyed other peoples suffering. Then the glow was fading from his eyes and Clarisse collapsed, breathing hard, almost shaking as Rachel rushed forward, grabbing Clarisse's shoulder as the daughter of Ares gasped out; "You- you creep. I-I'll get you."
Phobos wasn't even remotely concerned with Clarisses' threat, his gaze swung to Percy instead and he raised an eyebrow, straightening up and striding towards her. "What about you then Percy Jackson. What do you fear? I'll find out, you know. I always do."
"I'd like to see you try." Percy glowered at him, "You're nothing more than a bully. Give the chariot back and I won't kick your ass like I kicked your dads. You don't scare me anymore than he does."
"What?" Clarisse choked the word, "What the fuck Jackson?"
And Phobos laughed, "What? My little sister doesn't know you took on dad? I'd have thought you'd have bragged about taking down a god." he looked Percy up and down and laughed. "Nothing to fear but fear itself. Isn't that what they say? Well, let me tell you a little secret, half-blood. I am fear. If you want to find the chariot, come and get it. It's across the water. You'll find it where the little wild animals live – just the sort of place you belong."
He snapped his fingers and disappeared in a cloud of yellow vapour.
Percy clenched her fists, glaring at the spot where Phobos had been before she turned her head to look at Clarisse and Rachel. Clarisse was pale, beaded with sweat but Rachel had gotten her to her feet and she was leaning against the red haired mortal.
"Now I'm not just helping you because you're my friend." Percy's voice was tight, "Now I'm doing it because I really, really wanna kick that guys ass."
"That's fine by me." Clarisse muttered before she hesitated, a frown on her lips, "You- I know you hate my dad but... you fought him?"
"Yeah." Percy sighed, "Okay- listen Annabeth, Grover and I told Chiron it was better if people in camp weren't told." she admitted, "But your dad caught Alabaster when he
first stole the Master Bolt and the Helm. Kronos manipulated him, he wanted to cause a war-"
"And you stopped him." Clarisse breathed out, "You- you were twelve and you- you said you beat him."
"Yeah." Percy flushed, "I mean, it was only until first blood it's not like I beat him in a fight to the death or whatever-"
"Holy shit." Clarisse stared, "No wonder dad hates your guts, you humiliated him." she looked torn between anger on behalf of her dad and and being impressed at the fact that Percy had beat him.
"Yeah, well, he kinda had it coming, no offence."
"None taken." Clarisse decided after a moment, "My dad is a god he can fight his own battles." She let out a breath, "What do we do now? What was that he said about the chariot?"
"He said it's across the water where the little wild animals live."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Clarisse growled, "We're on an island for Zeus's sake that could be any direction."
"Wild animals." Rachel spoke up suddenly, "Where do they keep wild animals?"
"A zoo." Percy breathed out, "They keep wild animals in zoos."
"I guess that makes sense." Clarisse said after a moment, "But how exactly are we supposed to narrow that down. We have four hours before I have to get it back."
Percy's brows furrowed as she thought, and she felt Rachel's gaze focusing on her.
"You're lucky you have Little miss Manhattan here." she said sounding almost amused, "I don't think there are many people who know the city better than Percy."
And Percy was thinking, her mind racing as she mentally listed the possibilities- there was the zoo in Brooklyn, that could count but it didn't feel right, they'd go for someplace harder to get to- and little animals... and yeah that could work. No one would think to look there for a war chariot.
She nodded to herself, "Right, I think I know where to go. C'mon you guys."
"Where?" Clarisse demanded, "Where is it?"
"We're going to Staten Island, they have a little zoo. And we need to pray I'm right because we don't have the time to look anywhere else."