CHAPTER 6: ENLISTED

Amelie

"Where are we even?" I glanced at a plot of grass in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. After our little… uh, skirmish… I was magically whisked to my newest location, which apparently was no longer in New York.

Dr. Fate took off his helmet, revealing a pale old man in a suit. He fished out a key and inserted it into thin air. The air rippled to reveal a huge tower one would usually find in the Medieval age. I smirked, "The Mist, eh?"

The man chuckled, "It works wonders. Welcome to my humble abode."

He gestured to the door. Batman grunted and entered, with Princess Diana following behind. The woman on the motorcycle, who introduced herself as Black Canary, took the old man by his arm and led him inside. I followed suit, closing the door behind me.

We all followed the old man towards the living room, plush velvet sofas spewed around a wooden table. The man snapped his fingers and a cane appeared, as well as some fruit punch on the table.
The man said, as he poured the juice, "You must forgive Nabu for his behavior earlier. I did not know that you knew Princess Diana."
I narrowed my eyes, "You are not Nabu?"

"No, dear. I am Kent Nelson, the current Dr. Fate. Nabu merely resides in the helmet. I am his… host of sorts."
I nodded in understanding. Batman crossed his arms, "Enough introduction, Diana, please explain what is going on."
Princess Diana smiled, "Patience, Bruce." She smiled at me and gestured, "This is At, no, Amelie. She's a fellow Amazonian from the island."

I gave a slight bow. "Daughter of Athena. Thank you for taking care of our Princess these past few years."
Black Canary smirked, "Are all of you so formal?"
"If we want to be."
"Kent, why did you detect her as the anomaly." Batman said.

The old man chuckled, "I'm not sure, myself. But, I think she's the reason we had so many monster sightings in Manhattan."
I frowned, "Hellhounds, dracanae, the works?"
Princess Diana nodded, "Luckily, Black Canary and I defeated them. But there were so many that even mortals could tell."
My jaw dropped, "The mist failed?"
"It would seem so." Kent nodded.

"Is there a reason why? We can't have mortals finding out about the greek world."
Black Canary pointed out, "Don't most know of Diana though?"
"Princess. And sure, but mortals aren't smart enough to look further into it than that. If so, we would have pulled Princess Diana out a long time ago."
Batman perked his eyebrows, "So the mist prevents us normal humans from seeing these 'monsters'?"

Kent nodded. Princess Diana stood up from my seat and examined a bookshelf in the room. "We still do not know what is causing this disruption with the mist."

Kent frowned and looked at me, "I believe we are looking at the disruption."

I crossed my arms in a mock shield, noting Batman stiffening his muscles as if ready for battle.

Princess Diana tilted her head, "Why are you here Amelie? Mother wouldn't have sent you on a quest in this half of the world."

I glanced at the other people in the room, giving me curious stares. "Are they trustworthy?"

Batman scoffed. Princess Diana nodded, "Yes."

I sighed, "Apparently the demigods were dumb enough to fight Gaea again. There was a Second Giant War. The war actually ended a few weeks ago or something. Anyway, post-Gaea's defeat, the gods selected me to host Gaea until she's permanently asleep. So they kicked me off of Themyscira and plopped me into the outside world. Then, I met you guys."

Princess Diana widened her eyes, "Oh, Amelie. I've never met her before, but I know she was ruthless during the first Giant War."

I nodded, "I've heard the stories as well."

Batman said, "Are you sure she's telling the truth? Our scanners would have detected a war-"
I waved my hand, "The mist."

"- but that explanation does cover how you were able to do what you did on the back then, and Diana seems to trust you."

Happens when you practically raised her.

Black Canary put her hand on her arm, "I have so many questions, but I suppose we always have time for that later."
I nodded, "I'm gonna guess that Gaea was like a huge beacon for monsters everywhere. The gods did warn me of that. But I don't think Gaea could bend the mist like that."
Kent Nelson nodded, "Agreed. I think there's a different actor at play here. I detected magical interference, but it was faint."

Princess Diana shrugged, "Wouldn't put it past some magic-user to play around."

Meanwhile...

Calypso emerged from the store, arms full of bags. She glanced at the torn up street and the police cars approaching rapidly. She smacked her head, "What did that vlakas do this time?"

I looked around the room and noticed how everyone was deep in thought. I clapped my hands and stood up abruptly. With everyone's eyes on me, I laughed nervously, "So, now that we got past our little kerfuffle, I have no other reason to be here. So… I'll head out." I started scooting closer and closer to the door.

Princess Diana frowned, "Wait, do you even have a place to stay?"
"Don't worry about that." I patted her shoulder. "Damn, when did you grow so tall?" My hand drifted from the top of my head and towards her. I jumped on my tippy-toes to reach the top of her head.

"Anyway… I'll go now…"

"Wait." was the gruff reply. I sighed and turned back towards the heroes. What now…

Batman stared at me, "Back then. When you were chucking rocks at us-"

(I mumbled, "chucking is one way of putting it")

"- I noticed that you didn't seem yourself."
I blinked, "Oh. I just let Gaea take control for a bit. So that I could escape alive."

(Black Canary crossed her arms, "You'd think we would kill you?"
I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly, "I mean, anyone who attacks you like how those guys did… yeah, I thought they were tryna kill me."
Batman frowned, "Heroes don't kill."
I stared at him and then Princess Diana and then back at him. "You sure about that?")
Kent Nelson said, "Letting Gaea take control was a very dangerous move. I've heard stories of her. She was not exactly a benevolent goddess."
"Noted, but I wasn't made a host for no reason. I knew I could force myself back in control at that moment. I won't ever let her take control if I don't think I could control her."
Batman intertwined his hands and put his arms on his knees, his head on top. "I saw what you did for that mother and child. Assuming what the others were saying, there was no way this 'Gaea' did that. Not many would sacrifice themselves for others. That's the making of a hero."

I gaped at him, "Thanks, I guess?"

Princess Diana said, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying your friend here could become a full-fledged hero. Her talent in fighting can't go amiss. She could become a good asset for the League."
The ends of Canary's mouth turned upward, "You want her to join the Team."
"In due time of course."

I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway. "Why would I even become a hero?"
"You'd find purpose." Black Canary said. "Helping others is a calling for you."
Batman added, "Plus, we could help you hone your newfound abilities of geokinesis."

Kent smiled, "And help you control that goddess of yours."

I turned to Princess Diana and spoke in greek, "Your thoughts?"

"You just left Themyscira. When I left, I found family with these superheroes. I know you'll miss Savannah and Cassandra, but there are people besides the gods out there that need your help."

I glanced at the floor with a smile, "As long as I'm no longer a lackey of the gods, I'm in."

Batman nodded and stood up, "Diana, would you be her mentor?"
Princess Diana shook her head with a chuckle, "I don't think I'm the best fit. Unlike you, I don't have a city I solely protect, so she won't get the same experience. And besides, I can't teach her anything in relation to Gaea."

"What about hand-to-hand combat?"

She chuckled, "She taught me all the hand-to-hand combat I know. She's been with the Amazons longer than I have. I'm pretty sure she's older than that helmet of yours Kent."

"I don't doubt it."

Black Canary frowned, "You don't even look 20."

I shrugged, "The island has wack time. Regardless, considering my unique position, and from what I've gathered from this conversation, I don't think anyone superhero would be a good mentor. So, why not let multiple people mentor me."

Batman said, "Most new heroes begin as partners of other heroes similar to them, to get a hang of the ropes. But, agreed. Perhaps it would be best that there is rotational custody of you."

I whispered to Princess Diana, "Custody? Does this kid know I'm older than him?"

"I suggest that perhaps Kent Nelson take you in first. So you can better control 'Gaea'"

I hooked a hand on my hip, "It's not 'Gaea'. Stop saying it like that. I thought we already established what I'm saying is true."

Black Canary shook her head, "Ignore him. He's stubborn."

Batman glared at Canary and turned back towards me, "We'll keep in contact with you."

"Um, how? I doubt the kid has a phone if she just arrived from Themyscira." said Canary.

Diana hummed, "Does IM still work?"

I laughed, "If you want to pay exorbitant drachma fees, sure. We could Iris Message. Anyway, with that decided, could someone drop me back off in Manhattan?"

Annabeth

I paced across the Big House porch as Calypso explained her story yet again for Jason and Percy. Percy shrugged, "I'm sure she's safe."
"That's not the issue here though." said Piper, "What if she ran away? We practically let Gaea run off."

Leo tinkered with some gears, "I think you're overreacting here. I'm sure she will come back for Sunshine."

"Yo. Why are you guys all here?" I stopped my pacing to see Amelie, a little ragged but ultimately alive.

Calypso cried and hugged her, "I thought you went to jail or something."
"Why would I go to jail?"
"Weren't you the one who destroyed the street?"

Amelie chuckled nervously, "Yes and no. Anyway, where's Chiron?"
I frowned, "Teaching. What happened with the shopping trip?"

"Some monsters came and we fought. Apparently, mortals could see the monsters."
Jason said, "That's impossible, but the mist-"
"Was weakened. Considerably."
I sighed, "We should talk to Hazel then."

"Anyway, why are you guys all here? Oh, and I don't think we've met."

Leo nodded, "Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus. How do you know Sunshine?"
Amelie mouthed, 'Sunshine?'

I jerked towards Calypso. Calypso smiled weakly, "We, um, bumped into each other after the campfire. We bonded and decided to do a shopping trip together today."
Piper raised an eyebrow, "Amelie, yes? The same girl that literally asked why she should trust us? She literally doesn't trust us, and yet she trusted you enough to go on a shopping trip."

Amelie scoffed, "I mean you guys weren't exactly friendly back then. I recall a couple swords pointed at my throat. Now, enough with this tangent, why are you guys here?"
"We want you to come to school with us." I said.

Amelie froze… "WHAT? I'd rather take death please. In fact, I'll just go see Nico."

Percy laughed, "That's me whenever I think about school."

I smacked Percy. "Seaweed Brain, we need to graduate high school. We can't keep an eye on her regularly if we do. So we decided to bring her to school with us, remember?"
"Geez, Annabeth. I remember."
"And besides, Nico is going to school with us too. Same thing for Leo, Calypso, Jason and Piper."

Leo jumped up, "Wait, I am? I'd rather fight Gaea again, no offense Amelie."
Amelie shook her head, "None taken. And, sorry, Annabeth I don't think that's a good idea."

"And why not?"
Amelie chuckled nervously, "ummmmm."

I saw Chiron coming up behind Amelie. I waved and said, "Chiron, please explain to Amelie the importance of education."
Chiron frowned, "What's going on child?"

"I want to enroll Amelie to come to school with us."
"I don't see the issue."
Amelie hissed, "Chiron! It's not logistically possible."

"Nonsense. I'm sure we can figure out how to make it possible." Amelie gasped and mimed being stabbed in the back.

I smirked, "You've heard him."

"Oh, the Amazons are here.. And no, it's not them, dear." Amelie visibly relaxed. Hmm, perhaps she is related to the Amazons.

Piper stood up, "Well, let's go greet our guests."

Percy

We walked towards the mess hall where Hylla and Kinzie. Wait what? I rushed over and asked, "You're alive?"

Kinzie nodded, "Fortunately, a combination of medicine and luck allowed me to survive that wound."

"That's amazing!" said Jason.

Annabeth began greeting Hylla, "How have you been doing?"

"Business has been good as usual. How about on your end?"
Piper shrugged, "The usual. We've got new demigods coming in, more so than usual."

Hylla's eyes twinkled, "Any interested in joining the Amazons?"

Annabeth chuckled, "I'm not so sure about that."
Leo jumped up and down like a kid during Christmas. "Did you get my plans?"
"Indeed we did Valdez. We're currently building it. We'll send over a shipment once we've finished building them. Expect it in the upcoming week."
Calypso walked to Leo's side, "What are you building?"
"It's a secret, Sunshine."

Hylla tilted her head and gestured to Calypso and Amelie, "Who are they?"
I pointed towards Leo and Calypso, "She's Calypso."
"As in?"
Calypso smiled and bowed her head, "The one."

Hylla smiled, her belt glinting in the sun. "You escaped the inescapable. The Amazons would like a strong woman like you."

"Hey!" Leo shouted.

Calypso laughed, "I have friends who were Amazons. Trust me, that life is not for me."

"Oh?" Kinzie asked, "Who are they?"

Hylla nodded in understanding, "Who is the other one?"

Our group parted to reveal a half-dazed Amelie. Annabeth said, "She's a new demigod, daughter of Athena. Amelie Gray."

Amelie glanced at us and then towards the Queen of Amazons, her eyes hardening.

Hylla chuckled, "This is getting interesting."

Kinzie frowned, "My Queen?"

"I want to talk to her."

"Sure." said Amelie, looking over the two with half-hearted interest. "But, I don't think Annabeth over here would want me to get out of her sight."

Hylla frowned, "Do they not-? Oh, it's fine. They could join in the conversation I suppose, if that's fine with you. I know you value your privacy."

"It's fine. We can talk with Chiron then in the Big House."

Hylla gestured, "After you." Amelie started heading towards the Big House

"My Queen?"
"Kinzie, stay here. Try to find recruits, yeah?" Kinzie nodded and watched as we walked back towards the Big House.

I glanced at Annabeth as we exchanged confused glances. We took seats inside the Big House.

Hylla and Amelie stood facing each other, matching glares. I whispered to Jason, "Are we going to die?"

Leo whispered, "I hope not. I'm too beautiful to die."
Annabeth and Piper started getting nervous. Annabeth stood up and said, "H-"

Hylla and Amelie laughed and shook hands. Hylla said, "It's glad to see a sister again."
"Likewise. How is the business in the west?"

"Booming. I'm sure that old hag is doing well."

"Haha. Don't let her hear that. And yes. Thank you for taking care of our Princess as well."
"She's ours as well, isn't she?"

I stared at the two, "I'm so confused."

Hylla shook her head, "You're either hungry of confused Perseus. Honestly."

Calypso clapped her hands in reminder, "They still have no idea what you're talking about."

Hylla stared at Amelie, "Is it fine?"
Amelie nodded. Hylla smiled, "What you're about to hear is a secret passed to every Queen, only I know this out of my Amazons. I'm risking exposing an entire civilization. So, swear on the River Styx that you won't speak about this to anyone except amongst ourselves and Chiron."

I glanced at Annabeth, who was currently trying to read Amelie. She sighed in resignation, "Fine. I swear on the River Styx."

"I swear on the River Styx." I said.

The phrase repeated amongst the rest of us. I looked at Calypso, waiting for her. She shrugged, "I already know this so…"

Amelie smiled, "That's true."
Hylla raised an eyebrow, "So she's that IM buddy."

Calypso nodded.

"You were going to tell us something." Piper said in a fit of annoyance.

Hylla raised her hands up, "Fine, fine. How to start? Hmm, you remember Kinzie? She survived despite her heavy injuries. This is because in order to save her we brought her to Themyscira."

Annabeth frowned, "Isn't that the old capital of the Amazons?"

Amelie shook her head, "It's still alive. And it's an island in the Black Sea. There is the original branch of Amazons. The ones ruled once by Otrera and now by Queen Hippolyta."

"Wait, I thought you're the Queen of the Amazons."

"I'm the Queen of the Western branch. Basically, some time in the 19th century, a certain sect of the Themysciran Amazons left the island to create a society of Amazons in America, essentially to become more modernized. We are still affiliated with the original Amazons except we conduct business in the West. They conduct business in the Eastern portion of the world where the original Greece is. I still answer to Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira and I report to her every year or so, but we enjoy a level of autonomy and do less questing. In return, we don't enjoy the immortality that those on Themyscira enjoy."

Leo's eyes widened, "There's an island of immortal warrior women?"

Annabeth frowned, "Sounds like the Hunters of Artemis."

Amelie nodded, "Just like the Hunters, those from the island can die as well. You see, you can't age on Themyscira. But since, Amazons frequently quest we often step out of the island and we age during our time outside. But once we return, the clock is paused."

Piper drawled, "You said 'we'. You're an Amazon aren't you? And from Themyscira too?"

"Guilty. So you can see why I can't exactly go to school with you guys. I technically don't exist. I don't have any birth certificates, no school records, from this century anyway."

"I think I've found a solution for that." Chiron wheeled in. "I've talked to the gods and I got you birth certificates and adoption papers. I've adopted you permanently considering that you're no longer an Amazon. This should be enough for you to enroll in school."

Amelie's eyes began glittering. "Chiron, you old man."

Hylla frowned, "You've left the Amazons? I know that your branch doesn't have jurisdiction here considering that many demigods quest here, but I thought you were just a special case."

"I've been kicked out by the gods. They want me to be the host for Gaea."

"Oh, is that why Hippolyta IM'd me to come to camp?"

Amelie shrugged, "Probably. Anyway, kids, any questions?"

I raised my hand. Amelie nodded. "If you were an immortal Amazon warrior, how old exactly are you?"

Calypso smirked, "She's one of the first demigods."

Everyone froze at that. Annabeth widened her eyes, "What?"

"She's the first daughter of Athena. That's why she looks so different from the rest of her siblings. She was basically the guinea pig."

Amelie narrowed her eyes, "That hurt."

Piper scoffed, "The name Amelie isn't even Greek."

"I changed my name. I went through a teenage angst phase."

Chiron smiled, "I remember that."

Everyone nodded to that. Annabeth asked, "So how do you guys know each other?"

Hylla said, "Whenever I report to the old hag, she always wants her advisors in the room. Amelie just happens to be the head tactician."

Amelie shrugged, "It's all in the past."

"That was literally a week ago." said Calypso, scoffing.

Amelie rolled her eyes, "Anymore, questions? Cause, you can always ask me later."

I asked skeptically, "Really? You'll trust us."

She shrugged. "I realized that I'm stuck with you guys. So, how about we start over. As friends. Not as some science experiment. I won't keep as many secrets, and you guys can help me adapt to the modern world."

Annabeth smiled. "I'd like that."

I sighed in relief, "Finally! Now I won't have to hear about your crazy theories anymore."

Jason shook his head, "Wrong move, Perce."

Annabeth immediately stalked over to me and kicked me in the stomach. "Shut up Seaweed Brain."

I doubled over on the floor and reached towards Leo, "Help me, please."

Leo glanced in fear, "I'm not going to tick off Annabeth."

"Please! I'll let you do whatever you want to me later. I'll help you steal those part pieces from the Stoll Brothers!"

Leo scoffed, "Not. Worth. It."

I felt Annabeth grab my legs and drag me towards the door. I mimed the cross and resigned to my fate.

Amelie laughed, "See you later, Percy! I'll get you a nice coffin."

"Do you want blue tulips for flowers." asked Piper absent-mindedly.

I banged my head against the floor of the Big House. "Why did I even get friends like you?"

Laughter bounced all around me as I left the Big House.

Amelie

I was walking with Calypso after seeing Hylla off. It was dusk and the sun was peeking up from the horizon. Chatter of campers echoed from the cabins.

Calypso sighed, "You should talk to her."

"Who?"

"Savannah. She's worried about you."

"I don't know."

"Try. You opened up to Annabeth and the others yesterday. You saw how helpful that was. They no longer look at you with suspicion. Just try with Savannah. She deserves better. That's what you said anyway."

She pressed something into my hand and stalked off towards the mess hall.

I opened my palm to see three drachmas. I sighed and went towards the forest, finding a little stream, a small rainbow on the surface.

As a mother, I agree with my great granddaughter. Oh, you aren't giving me the silent treatment anymore? I've realized that I need to make you happy before I permanently take over your body. If that means giving you advice so be it. Oh, how nice. Shut up, insolent child. I'm already helping you controlling the earth, don't make your lesson tonight any harder. Fine Fine. Then talk to her.

I sighed. Damn, even Gaea is telling me this. I threw the drachma through the rainbow and said, "Savannah, Themyscira."

The rainbow rippled and showed me a blonde, tanned girl training in the afternoon sun. Swords hacking away at straw dummies. I whispered, "Savannah."

The girl stopped her hacking and looked around, finally spotting the Iris Message. She cried, "Sister! You're alive. Wait, let me go get Cassie."

"No. I just want to talk to you."

The girl blinked, "Okay. Is everything alright? Why did you leave? Hippolyta won't tell me anything."

"Queen Hippolyta, Savannah." The girl flushed at her mistake. "Even after a millenia, even when a thousand miles away, I'm still correcting you."

"That's why I need you to come back."

I shook my head, trying to shake away the water pooling around my eyes. "I can't."

Savannah nodded, giving me the go-ahead to continue.

"I can't tell you why either. I feel that if I did you would enlist Cassie to fight the gods."

Savannah's eyes hardened, "So the gods are responsible. Let me get Cassie and we'll go whip their butts."

I laughed, tears streaming down my face, "You see what I'm saying."

Savannah noticed my tears and said softly, "Don't cry anymore. I know you feel like you're alone, but really Cassie and I still support you, even from a thousand miles away. I won't understand why you left, but I support your decision. So don't cry anymore. I'm fine. I'm healthy. I'm not dead. So you can't die yet either out there."

A chuckle escaped my lips again, "Okay, I promise I won't die. Just know that I love you a lot. And all of this was to keep you safe. So do me a favor and stay on the island. Okay? That way, I know that everything I sacrificed didn't go to waste."

Savannah shook her head, "You can't sacrifice everything though, Am. I promise I'll stay safe. But, I want to help protect you too. It's not fair. I know what you're thinking, that this is a punishment for your past actions. It's not. So you can't keep thinking you deserve to be punished. You deserve happiness. You've been with the Amazons for so long. I'm glad that you've found a way to escape. I'm going to find you, okay? This isn't a punishment, so don't think you can cut ties so easily."

"Savannah…"

"I have to go now. I don't want to get yelled at for not training. But remember, I'm coming to you. I know you won't tell me where you are, so I'll probably ask Calypso. But I'll see you later. I lov-"

The image disappeared, leaving me with the stream to cover the sound of my tears.

Flashback

Amelie watched as her friends left the island in waves of boats. They wanted to create a new Amazon, in the west. Amelie had talked it over with the leader, a daughter of Ares, Olympia, who was at Themyscira since Amelie could remember, back when she was Athenais, back when Savannah arrived on the island. And now she wanted to leave.

Olympia pitched her idea to Queen Hippolyta, who immediately agreed noting how the gods already moved to America. Amelie helped Olympia to calculate a path towards Southern America. She wanted to create the new society in the jungle since it was better to hide. She brought many Amazons with her, many from the old days and many new Amazons who started to become jaded with the lifestyle. It took all of Amelie and Savannah's convincing to dissuade Cassie from leaving as well.

Before Olympia left, Amelie gave her goodbyes. The words Olympia said were still bouncing in her mind: "You think I'm betraying the Amazons. Maybe, you'll understand later someday, how it feels to become tired of the gods using us like we're some kind of pets. I'm sure you already feel that. But maybe you'll truly understand the beauty of having a mortal life. We've been with the Amazons for so long that we've lost touch with the world, with what it means to actually live. Well, I've said enough"

Lost touch with the world?

A few weeks after Olympia left, Amelie received an IM saying they found the river.

Five years later, another IM report said they left the river in a country they found was called Brazil and made their way up towards America.

In 1994, another IM said they started a company to be a front for their activity in the west.

Throughout the years, Amelie could only think about what Olympia said and noticed how all the days blurred together, that she grew tired of everything, that she enjoyed her time outside during her quests, that she missed a lot of life. And maybe, just maybe, that affected why she took her sister's place that day.

Hey guys... This is an extra long chapter this time. I just couldn't end it at a certain point and just wanted to wrap up some plot holes/questions before we continued on with the story. If you guys are still confused about everything, I can do an announcement next chapter.

Anyway, please review! Constructive criticism is welcomed.

Eat. Sleep. Read. Repeat!
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-hope4all