AN: Hello everyone, welcome back to another chapter and I know you would rather read the story than read me bumble on like an old fool, but I want you to know that you should read my ANs because I might happen to explain important things about the story, so with that, sit back and relax, get comfy, and enjoy the show. :)
(California, Thalia POV)
Artemis dropped me off at the tunnel as cars zoomed by. I reached for the handle of the well hidden trap door before clamoring in and rushing out to the valley. As I looked around I felt myself smile. Even if he did disappear Percy did have a nice hideout.
I was just about to descend the hill and walk to the city when a flash of silver caught my eye. I noticed two creatures made entirely of ice spying on the city.
A bad feeling washed over me, so I rushed at the unsuspecting figures. Upon nearing them I saw that they were made of ice, and wielded silver knives. I further noticed their upper bodies were that of a bull, while their lower bodies were that of a merman, complete with a tail and everything.
I shoved my spear down ones throat and slammed the other with Aegis really hard. The first melted into nothingness while the second got up with half his face smashed in.
He slashed my arm with his silver blade, and suddenly pain flashed across my mind. I felt agony and fear waft over me, as memories that weren't even mine embedded themselves into my head.
I growled as I struggled to push the thoughts out of my head, as I deflected a blow to the head and skewered him swiftly.
I sank to the floor trying to clear my head. I was sucked into a flashback, as I took the place of a little girl who was cowering in a corner as a hellhound ripped apart her family. Then fast forward seven years as she finds herself in front of an army of ice soldiers. Suddenly an ice warrior rushes at her and impales her with his silver blade.
That was just one of the tragic memories locked away in that blade. I pushed the thoughts as far back in my mind as I could go.
After several minutes I managed to get up, albeit shakily. I glanced at the silver blades, and knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were a magic even Artemis wouldn't understand.
I picked them up gingerly, before wrapping them up safely and tucking them into my bag. I began walking towards the city when a trio of guards spotted me and ran up to me. "Halt, who are you trespasser!" They shouted.
"Oh shut up, I'm not here for you," I said as I stabbed at them. It seemed the silver blade was still affecting me, as my spear was knocked to the side and out of my hand quite easily.
Snarling, I decided to use my newly acquired weapons and flipped out one of the silver blades.
Suddenly they backed away, before one of them pulled a horn from their hip and blew into it, which I knew would only call more of them. I was about to rush at them before I felt a powerful blow land on my head, and I dropped to the ground as my vision blacked out.
(Camp half-blood, Clarisse)
Earlier today a young demigod stumbled into camp. She was only 12, and was still unclaimed, but had met the hunters and they supplied her with weapons and directions to camp after she surprisingly chose not to go with them.
She was staying in the Hermes cabin for now. Something about her rubbed me the wrong way. She reminded me of someone, but I couldn't make out who.
During lunch, after all the sacrifices had been made, Grover got up and spoke. "As you all know, the capture the flag game will be tonight, on the red team will be the Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Demeter, and Hephaestus cabins. The blue team will be Athena, Aphrodite, Dionysus, and Hades cabins." He said before sitting down. I smirked, realizing the the kid whose nose I broke was a son of Dionysus. This capture the flag game will be quite interesting.
I prepared myself, strapping on my armor and grabbing my trusty spear. Just as I was about to put on my helmet and march to our flag, I was stopped by a young girl. I realized this was the new girl, as her green eyes locked onto mine.
"Hello, could you help me put my armor on?" She asked as I chuckled. For some reason, I helped her into the armor, instead of laughing and making fun of her. I just had this feeling that she was close to someone important to me.
"My name is Madeline, what's your name?" She asked, her eyes searching mine. I smiled. "Clarisse," I answered. "C'mon, let's go to the red team," I told her. When we got there Grover was standing on the rock Chiron used to stand on.
"Okay everyone, you know the rules, no maiming or killing, you can use your own armor and weapons, magical items are allowed, lets have a good game, and good luck!" He said as the we went to our flags. Our flag was situated between three trees, which I used to our advantage.
"You three," I said pointing at three demigods who were getting ready to defend the flag. "Pick a tree and climb up it, wait for someone to come then pounce on them." I ordered as they hastened to follow my command.
I smiled. 'Time to get that punk. Nobody messes with me and leaves with only one broken bone,' I Thought as I began running into the forest.
Running through the forest, I saw nobody. Which was odd, as I was now past the creek and into enemy territory. Suddenly a feeling of unease flashed across my mind as I immediately stopped running.
Just in time too, as a celestial bronze net that had been lying on the ground snapped up and ensnared someone I didn't even realize was in front of me. "Madeline!" I shouted, hearing her scream as she was pulled up.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Said a voice as the person I was trying to find managed to find me. "Oh splendid, it seems our trap worked. Not completely though," he said with a sneer as he looked at me still on the ground and armed.
"Release her," I growled. He just smiled. "No can do, maybe if you say please? Then I'll contemplate it. But if you say, "Oh Craig, you are so hot and powerful, then I'll do it," he said triumphantly.
I forced myself to smile sweetly and clenched my teeth hard. "Oh Craig... I'm going to break every bone in your body," I snarled as I said the last part. Upon hearing that he visibly paled, and turned around to run, but I bounded over and slammed my shield into the back of his head.
I spit on his now limp body, and turned to Madeline, who was now looking at me with admiration. I chuckled as I threw my spear at the clasp that connected the four corners of the net, and the electricity crackled as the force behind the spear proved too much for the net, and it fell.
"Ouch," came the sound as she fell on the bronze net. It unraveled, and I realized that this net was nowhere near the quality that a kid from Hephaestus could make, which made me extremely glad that Hephaestus' cabin was on the red team, otherwise I never would have been able to free her...
I pulled Madeline up and asked, "How do you feel about getting that flag of theirs?" She smiled. "Let's go." We began to walk quietly towards the direction of the flag.
When we arrived, I noticed a glow coming from Madeline and I knew we were screwed when the campers guarding the flag noticed and began rushing towards us.
"What the hell Madel-" I started before going slack jawed. The campers arrived and they too stopped and stared. Madeline had been claimed, and if the sea green trident was anything to go by, then I'd say claimed by Poseidon. Now I knew who she reminded me of. 'Jackson,' I thought as the name brought a fresh wave of pain.
Looking at her eyes I saw they were misted over, and I looked at the campers before instinctively jumping to the side, as a wave of water rushed past me and knocked the five campers unconscious, or rather, them hitting their heads on another's helmet knocked them out.
I smiled at Madeline. "Let's go, I whispered as we snuck to the flag. I heard a twang and raised my shield just in time to block an arrow that was headed for my sword arm. Or spear arm. Suddenly shouts of alarm could be heard as campers began rushing towards us. "Go Madeline, take the flag and run," I said, preparing to take on the horde of demigods. I was hopelessly outnumbered, and knew that combined with their archers, I stood no chance. I could at least hold them off though. Suddenly I heard a roar behind me as the campers eyes widened in fear and shock. I felt water rush past me, but for some reason not push me to ground. The campers were not as lucky as a wave ten feet tall knocked them all into each other.
I turned around, sending a smirk to Madeline, before turning to the campers. I began knocking them out one by one, either with shield or a surge of electricity from my spear. I knew it was dishonorable to strike someone while they were down, but then again they had been ready to attack me even though I was outnumbered, so I showed them no mercy.
I felt a streak of wind pass by my cheek, and looked up to see another arrow zooming towards me. I raised my shield just in time, then rushed to the archers in the trees. I slammed the first tree with my shield, even though it hurt like Hades, and the archer fell from it. I threw my spear towards the next one, and threw my shield like a Frisbee, catching the third in the chin.
I looked around, seeing them all incapacitated. I began to retrieve my weapons when a horn blew, signalling the end of the game. I grinned, we had won. I trudged back to camp as I saw Madeline on raised shoulders. I looked at Grover and he was looking at Madeline wistfully. I knew he was thinking about Percy, so I left him alone and went to Madeline.
"Hey, good job," I said tapping on her shoulder. She turned around and, realizing it was me, grinned. "I knew you could do it," she whispered as she hugged me. "Well, I certainly could not have without you." I said, grinning back.
Suddenly Grover spoke up. "Everyone, it has been quite an eventful night, and for those who have been here for years will definitely feel the nostalgia. For it was a day like this, five years ago, during a capture the flag game that a young boy was claimed by the god Poseidon. That boy went on to become our greatest hero. Tonight, during a capture the flag game, a young girl has been claimed by the god Poseidon. I'm sure I speak for all when I say we expect great things from her, if she is anything like her brother." Grover began to tear up as he finished his speech.
I felt a tear slip down my face, as Madeline looked at me worriedly. "Who is my brother, and why does he make you sad?" She asked. I sighed. "Perseus Jackson, or just Percy, was the demigod who defeated Kronos and saved Olympus, but he fled camp after his girlfriend died, the grief being too much for him to handle. Ironic really, all these tough enemies he's faced in his life, and the only one that got the best of him was a simple emotion, grief." I said sadly, as she hugged me. I had managed to avoid answering why I was so sad though.
That night, after everyone went to sleep, I lay in bed, thinking about Percy. I missed him. I missed the constant bickering between us. I missed his cute face when he was worried about something. I missed his scary yet hot face when he was enraged.
'Gods, I'm turning into a lovesick little girl,' I thought as I got comfortable and drifted off to the outstretched arms of sleep.
No sooner had I gone to sleep before I plummeted into a dream. I saw Percy stabbed to death, his blood everywhere, his face one of utter fear and pain. He looked at me with his hallowed lifeless eyes, and I shuddered.
Suddenly a booming voice rumbled behind me. "The choice is yours Clarisse. This will happen unless you stop it. It will happen very soon, in fact," the voice said.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice cracking as I noticed I knife in Percy's heart. "Someone who wishes Percy alive, and only you can stop it now. If you choose to wake up, I will take you to where he is, but it will be up to you to save him. Here is his would be assassin," he said as an image embedded itself in my mind.
"Fine, take me to him," I said, as my head began to swim, and I bolted upright, sweat glistening on my forehead. I had begun to think it was just a dream before the same voice echoed in my mind. "Get your weapons," it said. 'Guess not, it was real,' I thought as I leapt up and got my spear and shield, then strapped on my light armor.
I startled as I felt myself begin vibrating, until I was blinded by a bright flash of light. When my vision came to, I saw myself in the streets of a city, and saw someone pick a lock on a door before entering. This seemed suspicious, so I followed them into the house, seeing the figure go into a bedroom, and then turned on the lights. I saw immediately that the person was the assassin, and I saw Percy wake up.
I looked at Percy, he looked more tan and much stronger than the last time I saw him. he was dressed in a purple shirt and jeans, as I mentally chuckled. Of course he would fall asleep in his clothes.
"Reyna," I heard him whisper. "You'll never believe what happ-" he started before she climbed on top of him. She pushed him down so that he was laying down completely, and brought her lips to his. I watched as my blood began to boil. 'How dare she,' I thought, before noticing her reaching in her pocket. I saw her begin to pull out a knife, and with a flash of recognition saw it was the blade I saw imbedded in Percy's heart.
I hefted my spear and threw it with practised ease, as I saw it lodge itself in her chest. She screamed in pain, dropping her knife.
Percy looked at her in shock, screaming her name, before turning to face me. Anger clouded his face, but once he saw me his jaw dropped. "Clarisse," he snarled, and I began to panic. So the assassin had gained his utmost trust.
"Stop Percy! Wait!" I began to shout, panic filling my voice. "Hey, what's going on here?" A guard asked, entering the door that stood ajar.
He stopped when he saw the dead girl, my spear in her chest. He bolted out of the room, as I heard him shouting something about a dead...Praetor?
Suddenly I heard a bunch of them entering the house, I saw then carrying spears and shields. I looked at Percy, grabbed his hand, pulled my spear from the girls chest, and began pulling us out. I saw him grab a silver blade, and together we charged out of the house, ramming into several guards along the way.
After several minutes of running, he pulled me into an alleyway. I turned to look at him only to be met with the silver blade at my throat. "What are you doing here?! And why did you kill Reyna?!" He whispered harshly, as I saw him holding back tears. "Answer me!" He now screamed.
"Percy, I can explain. She was trying to kill you," I said slowly. A look of rage crossed his face. "Kill me? KILL ME!" He shouted. "She was trying to KISS me," he went back to whispering.
I pulled her knife out. "How do you explain this, then," I hissed back, my eyes flashing.
He looked at the blade, before looking back at me. I could see he was not buying it.
I growled. That guy in my dream had better be right, I thought. "I swear it on the Styx," I said, praying to all the gods that I was right. Thunder rumbled up ahead, but I didn't die a painful, death, so Percy had no choice but to believe me.
The anger slowly drained from his eyes. I saw the grief return full force. "I can't believe it," he said dejectedly, as the blade fell from his grasp. "She was trying to kill me this whole time, everything was a... A LIE!" He screamed as he sank to his knees.
I dropped down too and embraced him in a hug. 'Why does this kind of stuff always happen to him?' I thought as I cursed the fates.
Suddenly we heard voices from the open window of the grand building we were next to.
"I can't believe Percy is a traitor, or that Reyna is dead," a voice said from inside. "I know. When we catch him, he's going in the dungeons with the spiky haired one who shoots lightning." Another said. The first one spoke up. "She says she is a hunter of Artemis, but all she is is a daughter of Jupiter and scum," he said.
We both looked at each other in horror. They have Thalia, he mouthed. I nodded. I know. It was lucky the guards had not been there a few minutes before, or they would have heard him screaming.
"Let's go break her out," I whispered. He nodded. We kept out of the alley and began to run as quietly as possible. We ran towards the huge fortress that had clearly been built not so long ago.
We managed to make it there without being noticed. I began walking but he stopped me. "Clarisse, wait. I'm sorry. For abandoning camp and doubting a long time friend, and choosing to side with somebody I had just recently met." He said. I smiled, before pulling him into a hug.
"It's OK, I forgive you," I whispered. I had to resist the urge to kiss him right then and there. We pulled away and began to walk towards the dungeons.
"Wait," I said, grabbing his arm. He turned towards me. "Do you have a plan?" I asked. He simply smiled. "Win, of course," he said as I grinned. "Then that makes two of us," I replied happily. We had barely entered before I heard a huge rumble. I spun around to we see several thousand gallons of water zooming towards us.
My eyes widened in fear as the water rushed past and entered the dungeon. I heard many shouts of alarm as the entire place flooded up to the ceiling. Surprisingly, the water didn't leak out of the building, and I knew why that was as I looked at Percy.
He ran into the building before zooming through the water. I knew it would be easiest if he just did it, because then he would have to save me from drowning if I barged in.
Several minutes later he emerged from the building hold Thalia bridal style while she sputtered and spit out water. She looked from between me and Percy.
"What are you waiting for idiots, let's get out of here, and Percy put me down!" She snapped as I laughed. "Good to see a little captivity and water didn't change you one bit," I said smirking.
"I can handle it, and more. Although I'm not sure if the same could be said about you," she said with a smirk as I glared at her. "Ladies, ladies, now's not the time to be arguin-" "Shut up Jackson." We both growled.
He sighed. "Can we start moving now?" He asked. We didn't answer and instead took off towards a tunnel that would probably get us out of this place.
(Camp Jupiter, Percy POV)
We managed to make it to the tunnel, but once we got in we saw it was full of Roman soldiers. I turned around and saw most of the Roman army behind us, so the only option was to push onward.
I concentrated really hard and felt the familiar tug in my gut as the water in the dungeons flew to me, and with it I froze the entrance off completely, making sure to make the ice so cold it would take quite some time to melt. Not to mention it was three meters thick, which would give us enough time.
A flash of gold caught my eye and I saw a dagger flying towards Clarisse. I felt myself turning into water again, but this time I didn't splash myself everywhere. I shot myself towards the projectile, which resulted in it veering off course. I quickly manifested back into my normal self. I noticed that turning into water and turning back was harder than before. I couldn't dwell on it though, as Thalia blasted an extremely thin hole throughout my ice barrier so that lightning could enter the tunnel, which it did, and struck several people.
Clarisse was decapitating them in seconds, and with the two of them already half of the Romans were down. I decided to melt off a small portion of the ice and heating the water to extreme temperatures. I then had the water settle on ones head, and after a few seconds zoom towards another.
Once we finished off the last one, we left the tunnel and stood in front of the entrance, debating where to go.
"Camp half-blood," Clarisse growled. "The hunt," Thalia snarled back. They both turned to me, looking at me expectantly. I sighed. "I agree with Clarisse," I said. Thalia looked at me in shock before huffing indignantly. "Fine," she relented after a while. "Let's go."
AN: Hey guys, sorry about making it mostly in Clarisse's POV, but the fact that this is my longest chapter yet will hopefully make it up to you. So now we know that Reyna planned to kill Percy, and that the trio of delinquents will now have to travel to camp half-blood from California. Will Thalia finally take her anger out on Percy during the way, and will Clarisse try to make a move on Percy? And who was the mysterious person who saved Percy by warning Clarisse? Find out next time on DragonBallZ :)