Percy

"Superman," I greeted, "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," he said. The blue clad hero was a walking legend. Superman was the epitome of a hero. He's saved countless lives and the Earth on more than one occasion. "I hear you're our newest possible recruit. I gotta say, I'm curious to see what you can do."

"I as well," spoke another voice from behind. Wonder Woman appeared alongside Superman. "It's nice to finally meet you, Perseus."

So, this was Wonder Woman. She was tall and adorned in her traditional Amazonian armor. From what I gathered and from what Thalia told me, Wonder Woman was born out of wedlock. Like most of Zeus's children. But she was born to the queen of the amazon's and destined for greatness. However, Hera refused to acknowledge her and apparently she has not ever met the Gods directly. Lucky. "It's nice to meet you too, Wonder Woman."

"Please, call me Diana. We're practically family," she said with a smile.

I returned the smile, "Diana."

"So, you two know about each other?" Superman asked. "You're half god too?" he directed the question to me.

I nodded, "Yeah, the son of Poseidon. For the past few years I've been under the service of the Gods. Most demigods who take shelter in the camps serve as Agents of Olympus. We get quests from time to time. Anything from as small as a stolen relic that needs retrieving to stopping Titans from rising."

"I remember the Titan uprising. The amazons were forbidden from taking part in the fight and I had no idea it was happening. Sorry I couldn't be there," said Wonder Woman, earnest.

There it was. A spark of anger in my deepest core. The Gods refused to allow the help of the amazons and Wonder Woman in turn because of what? Pride? My right hand clenched into a fist, but I maintained my look of composure.

From behind, a computer alerted the JL. Superman swayed his attention to it. After looking it over he stated, "Nothing to worry about. Our computer lets us know when there are natural disasters occurring and if there are people in danger. Looks like a possible tsunami formed but died down pretty quick."

I turned back to Wonder Woman who had this all-knowing look, "Son of the Sea God," she whispered and then leaned forward, saying, "You have a lot of hate towards the Gods, Perseus. I can understand that." She began to walk off, deeper into the halls of the Watchtower. "Follow me, Perseus. We shall see if you are as fierce as the stories say you are."

I didn't say anything but followed nonetheless. Superman waved goodbye and joined Green Lantern at the center console computer. I followed Diana down to what looked like a training room. It was white and really just a big empty cube-shaped room. The walls and floor had a grid like pattern and there was a viewing room that looked out into this room through a glass pane, several feet high.

Diana walked to the center of the room and brandished a sword and asked, "Do you require a blade, Perseus?"

I took out my pen and uncapped it, transforming it into my sword, Anaklusmos, Riptide. "Nope!" I twirled the blade as Diana and I circled each other. She had a shield on her back but didn't brandish it. I still had my wristwatch, a gift from my brother, that could become a shield when need be. I was calculating the possible outcomes of the fight when suddenly Diana advanced! She could tell I was in thought and used that to catch me off guard. Fortunately, I was a master at reaction time. I parried her blade with mine! Our swords hit each other for a split-second, sounding a sharp CLANG throughout the training room.

A half-grin appeared on her face. Then, with a complete three-sixty degree spin, she swung her blade arching upwards! The move was almost unavoidable. Well, almost. I released my sword and caught it in a reverse grip, blocking the strike! Jeez! I knew we were sparring but a strike like that would slice a normal person in half! "Alright," I said, holding my blade against hers. We were both testing the strength of one another. Our blades held strong under the pressure of two half-gods in battle.

"Time to get serious, then," I said with a brazen smile. Chiron taught me this move. Which was insane when you remember he's a centaur. Using the hilt of Riptide I forced her blade low to the ground which opted Diana to push back up and using her own strength I jumped and vaulted over her! Mid-somersault she twirled and went for a strike at me! I deflected and landed behind her immediately going for her ankles. I swiped my blade but she dodged by jumping backwards off her feet into a handspring and instantly recovered! She went for a half-turn strike that I ducked under. Face to face again, I went for another slash at her blade hand. She forced her arm back and I was on the advance. A classic maneuver in sword play was to distance your enemy from their own sword. I made multiple slashes and jabs at Diana who was able to dodge and weave each one but was still being pushed back. This wasn't Wonder Woman's style, to be forced back in a fight, so she went for a risky move! She parried a strike and slipped my sword from my grasp! The move was fluid and fast but left her completely open. I spun with the momentum of my tossed sword and activated my wristwatch. A shield spiraled into existence and I used it to make a hard strike at her sword's hilt, sending it flying from her hand!

Diana was in awe, "Not bad," she said, impressed. "Although your stance leaves your legs wide open."

Confused, I looked down and saw a rope loosely around my right foot. Oh. The rope tightened and pulled my feet out from under me! My back hit the ground and I had to stop myself from grinning so much. I haven't lost a one-on-one duel like that in years! "Ha! You got me, there!" I said and saw Diana extend a hand. I accepted and she helped me off my feet.

"Now, why do you want to join the Justice League," she asked, catching me off guard.

I needed to pause and collect my thoughts but the truth spilled out, "I...want to be a hero. Not just an emissary for the Gods. But a real hero because after..." Why was I saying all of this?

"After what?" Diana asked softly.

"After I found out what happened to Annabeth I wanted to kill them all for what they did, but I can't because that's not what a hero would do and... it's not what Annabeth would have wanted," I finished and then noticed the faint golden glow of the rope or lasso that was tied to my leg. Did that thing just... make me tell the truth?

I lifted my foot up and in a swift motion, Diana retracted the lasso. "Sorry about that, but it's important that we know you want to be a League member for the right reasons."

"It's alright," I said understanding.

"Can I ask what happened?"

I nodded and spoke carefully, "Did you know that there were demigods in the fight against Darkseid?"

Wonder Woman nodded, "Yes. I received a dream that the Gods would create an opening for an assault. I figured, the demigods were the ones that created that opening."

"Right and you know that the Gods can't interfere directly on Earth, unless there's another godly presence involved attacking the world."

Wonder Woman paused and a strained look spread across her features. "Darkseid may bleed like a mortal but he was anything but. I sensed a powerful but limited godly energy within him. I assumed that he wasn't at full strength during the fight."

A twinge of unbridled rage graced my being, "What?" I said with gritted teeth. In the back of my mind there was a pull I knew came from the ring. Now that I felt it more than once I could compare it to the tug in my gut when I used my power over water. Whereas my influence over water was like wielding a sword with my mind, the ring was like standing over a cliff staring into a welcoming darkness that promised revenge and the means to exact it. Wonder Woman didn't respond, waiting for me to continue. "They told me he was just some alien," I whispered in disbelief. Anger flashed across my face, "They killed the love of my life by making her a bomb!" I said seething. "And they didn't even kill Darkseid! They failed to even do that!"

Diana looked sympathetic toward me, saddened even. "They might have been scared," she said finally. "If a god kills another god...there is no return from that... and Darkseid may be closer to a Titan than a God," she said, darkly.

"Well, I've killed Titans."

"I know," she said, putting a hand on my shoulder. The shining red light from my ring faded away as I forced my anger to subside.

"Sorry," I said. "Probably isn't a good thing if a new recruit has anger issues."

"On the contrary. It shows that you have almost complete control over them."

A beeping was heard above and an intercom system turned on, "Justice League, this is Shazam-" a sudden sound of thunder was heard and the man continued, "-that was close. I'm requesting immediate backup! Black Adam showed up! I mean, I can totally take him, but, he's um, brought friends."

Wonder Woman moved to a panel on the wall and pressed a button, speaking into it, "On our way." Then she turned to me, "Let's go."

"Really?" I said surprised. Wonder Woman just smiled and ran off to the Teleporter Room. I chuckled to myself in excitement and relief. This would be a much needed distraction, I thought and followed after her.