Percy couldn't tell you how he ended up facing the minotaur, but he'd like to file a complaint.
He had snuck down to the Montauk beaches.
Why did he do that?
It wasn't as if Olympus had gone on lockdown. Camp had gone on lockdown. Castellan had gone on lockdown. The Netherworld and the Sea had gone on lockdown.
And yet— he still stuck out of camp. In his defense, there wasn't much training going on. The gods were pissed and Castellan council were running around in a panic.
Then Percy's powers started acting weird.
So, he couldn't have been blamed for his actions. He had to know what was going on. Lady Rachel had told him that once they had the answer, then they would explain it all to him.
That was weeks ago.
He should've listened. He should've been more patient.
He had been making his way back to camp when a storm appeared overhead. It felt nothing like he was used to. It felt dangerous.
It felt fake. His sister, Ariadne, had taught him how to recognize the difference in the power of the storm.
("That irritating buzz you feel on your skin," his namesake started. "It's called The Mist. The magick of the gods. It was created by Hekate to keep our world hidden from mortals. Some people like your mother and May can see past it. Concentrate on it and never forget it.")
He jumped out of the way when a lightning struck where he had been standing. That felt absolutely nothing like his Uncle's power nor did it feel like Thalia who was under The Sleep on Olympus. That was pure magick. Pure mist.
Percy didn't stay long to find out what was going on. He pushed himself to run faster, inwardly cursing himself for not learning Ariadne's water sliding trick. He chanced a glance behind, catching sight of bright white Fruit of the Looms and decided he didn't want to see more.
He knew that creature.
Pasiphae's son.
He was so dead when his mom and stepmother found out about this.
["The Minotaur," his brother told him once. "Can't see or hear all that well. Horrible sense of direction that one. But his nose is unparalleled. If you're ever around it, wait until the last second to dodge. He can't change directions once he gets going, but always makes sure to have a backup plan. He catches on fast and doesn't have a sense of humor for most tricks."]
Thank the gods for his brother.
Once the smell of rotten meat came up on him, he threw out a water whip to one of the trees and pulled himself out of dodge. The bullman roared in fury and Percy noped out of it all.
Camp wasn't too far away.
He could see the lights of the academia shining in the distance. He could see Ariadne speaking with Persia. The look of anger and disappointment on her face was worth way more than being chased down.
Another roar sounded behind him; loud enough to catch the campers attention. He saw Ariadne turn slowly; horror creeping into her expression. She sprinted towards him when the barrier glowed an ominous green.
[This is a place to train them and keep them safe, but–" Ariadne and Annabeth stared each other in the eye, "It's also a prison."]
Her fist bang uselessly on the barrier; the other campers piling out of their cabins to watch him. "Move," she seemingly screeched. He thought he'd be able to dodge to the side once more, but it didn't happen like that. Jumping upwards, he flipped midair, and landed on its neck. Putting both hands around one horn, he pulled with all his might.
The monster tensed, gave a surprised grunt, then—snap! The bull-man screamed and flung him through the air. Percy braced himself for impact instead sank right through a shadow. He reappeared at Nico's side who stood with his sword pointed at the beast.
"You're grounded for the next three centuries," the man told him. Percy sagged in relief. "Oh, thank gods." The mist swirled around them ominously. Nico pulled him more securely behind him, "Don't relax too quickly." Percy stood at attention because no sooner than he said that… magick pulsed into the air and another copy of the Minotaur appeared before them. Nico cursed in the tongue of the netherworld. He was sure of it.
Ariadne punched at the barrier once more. Her eyes started to pulse with power as she dropped to the ground. He could feel aftershocks of quakes as she slammed her fist at the ground repeatedly. The minotaurs turned towards them. "Percy, when I say go. You go," Nico ordered. The younger male nodded his head.
The monsters sprinted towards them, "Percy, GO!" The boy sprinted forward, sliding underneath the monsters' legs heading for the giant crack his sister was beating into the ground. He could hear the aftermath of Nico cursing once more behind him before his sister screamed once more. His instincts screeched at him.
Percy tucked rolled and brought the broken horn up into the side of the minotaur before him. The monster froze, roared in confusion, before dissolving into golden dust.
The magick in the air disappeared as quickly as it came.
The barrier was free to walk through, and despite how much trouble he knew he was in, Percy couldn't help but to throw himself into his sister's arms and cry from stress.
[He didn't notice the pained looks that the two Fated exchanged over his head.]
A meeting had been called immediately in the aftermath. Jackjack had been squared away in Castellan where they placed his minotaur horn in their newly made spoil of war room. The boy had been chewed out by each member of the Fated, his half-siblings, his stepmother, and mother. If their Father was of mind, he would've chewed him out too.
It was a cause for concern to them all. If it weren't for Nico's nephew, Mark summoning him; who knows what would have happened.
[Jackjack would have won. They were sure of it, but would the barrier have come down? Who knows how much longer it would have taken Ariadne to break the ground? Who knows if Hekate wouldn't have repaired it as soon as it broke through?]
And if that wasn't a call for concern; Miranda Gardiner had been chased by a hydra throughout the fields of strawberries. On one hand, it brought her to the Grove of Dodona, but on the other hand; something was targeting the children.
Ariadne was sitting in her throne; absently watching the two different councils argue each other into circles. The end result was the same; it was the process that they couldn't agree on. She tapped her fingers against the arms of the throne; inwardly wondering why they allowed the mortal parents into the meeting. The thought was dismissed as quickly as it came. The parents deserved to know.
But then… Apollon stiffened.
Her attention was drawn instantly to her beloved as he gazed out into the kingdom. She furrowed her brow; standing when she noticed Rachel and May freezing in place. Will's mouth dropped in shock.
That was enough of that.
She moved from her throne; walking towards the doors of the council room easily. Pushing open the doors, she ignored the kids as they huddled around it. Try as they might; the doors had been made to keep eavesdropping from happening.
And then she saw it.
It was just as horrifyingly disgusting as it was the first go round.
The doorway between Castellan and Camp Half-Blood was opened. The campers were peeking through in shock.
And striding through the doors was the Oracle herself.
"Pythia," she called out. The heaviness of the priestess settled over her. "You are not welcomed here." Not while she was in that body. The face shifted into a small smile. Ariadne felt nausea rise within her, "Never mind. Do what you want, just never do that again."
The zombie continued past her and Ariadne ate an ambrosia kiss to wash the nausea down. She turned once she heard the familiar introduction. The gods stood at the doors surrounded by the other Fated. Their parents peeked around them as the kids scrambled away from the zombie.
But Pythia looked directly at Jackjack not matter which way he turned.
Her younger, twin brother looked around for help, but they could only stare in return. The boy cleared his throat before questioning, "What is my destiny?" Green mist curled around the air; it twirled around May and Rachel and Will as the sound of a thousand snakes rang throughout the air. "You shall go west, and face the god who has turned," Pythia claimed. The gods eyed each other in suspicion. Ares, himself, knew it could not be him. Not this time. He wouldn't fall for the same mistake twice.
Rachel reached out to tilt his head towards her, "You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned." They all breathed sighs of relief. They knew that this would happen, but it was nice to have confirmation. Will stepped into his view, "You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend." That was a setback. Jackjack had loads of friends. Ariadne scowled; she'd make any of them pay for hurting him.
Pythia smiled once more in cruel amusement as she delivered the last line, "And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end."
Looks of confusion were shared here. Sally was alright. The furthest she had been allowed to go was the underground mall at camp. As far as the world knew, she had disappeared one day.
[Connor wondered if she would end up on Buzzfeed Unsolved.]
The oracle fell into herself and Ariadne moved to the side. She wasn't touching the zombie. Her eyes fell back on to the younger version of her brother, "Let's go back in. We have much to discuss. Luke, take the oracle back to the camp. Travis, Connor... help him. Percy, come with us."
Customer Information:
Percy "Jackjack" Jackson
813 Lee St Nakumara Town, Castellan
1-800-SeaBred
Customer Comments: Can you leave my life thread alone? I did not sign up for this at all! Pythia, this is not fair!!! Why do I have to travel with Annie and kidnapping goat boy? The new Welcome to Kwangya video game is coming out tomorrow. This is not fair!!
•Issue Type: Customer Complaint
•Issue Category: Fate - Life Accuracy
•Issue Sub Code: Fate Do-Over
Next Steps:
Customer Follow up and Contact Instructions
1. Customer Requests Follow Up. The customer did not specify the best time to be contacted.
2. For effective customer recovery, follow the "Rule of Three". Attempt to reach the customer by phone and if unsuccessful, try a second time AND immediately send a follow-up apology letter.
3. If follow-up is expected on this case, follow-up within 24-48 for effective customer recovery.
Multiple quality complaints for the same issue will only count as one quality complaint over all on the Global Performance Matrix.
Thank you,
Moirai Customer Care Team
Ariadne strolled into the diner as if she owned it. Her mind began cataloging everything wondering how much power it would take to make this a pit stop for demigods. A little magic here or there and it'd be magically inclined for demigods [especially those on the run] to venture towards the diner. They'll get some food in their systems and a place to rest before sending them on to camp or castellan.
[She wondered if Katie was interested in starting another restaurant.]
She looked over the walls. A new paint job would be needed. Maybe some moving murals? One side with Uncle Zeus with Aunt Hera and the Olympian council that are his children beside and behind them. Lighting flashes in the background. The twins shooting arrows. Athena wielding aegis while striking out and Ares swinging his own sword. Hephaestus with a hammer on fire that when it hits the metal a rumble of thunder will sound. Hermes would stand closer to the corners with one foot on the other side of the wall representing his ability to transgress realms. Dionysus smiling almost cruelly with a glint of madness in his eyes as his vines held.. Hmm, maybe a silhouette of medusa upside down.
Aphrodite would also be in the cress of the walls to represent her being of the sea also. She'd sit on the sea shell… no, a pegasus. A being of the sea and sky.
The next wall could be her father, the royal family, and the still loyal members of the atlantic council. She and Percy would be standing side by side with Riptide and Stormsurge crossed over each other. Triton would be wearing his heir apparent cloths. Rhode would be closer to the edge detailing her fact of being married to a being of the sky. Benny would look as if she was sinking deep within the waves as the sirens' eyes glowed behind her. Kym would face Triton; one hand pointed at the other as she called upon a storm and he calmed the waters.
The wall after that would be for Uncle Hades, the royal family, and the Netherland council. They all will be closer to the corners to detail Persephone's ascension and descent to the underworld. Nico would sit with Melinoe with spirits serving them. Zagareus would have the power of gems and nature at his fingertips. Thanatos would have his wings spread. The five rivers would flow in the background dropping into a shadow like a hint towards Tartarus.
And for the love of the gods, Hekate had to be included. Might be better to soothe over the tensions now.
And the last wall would be for Aunt Demeter and the rest of the nature inclined gods that reside on earth. And nature spirits also. Persephone and Dionysus and Zagreus would be closer to those walls. Maybe have something to represent Gaia?
She'd need to talk to the others to work out the details.
Ariadne continued moving forward as if she had all the time in the world. And well she was immortal, she did have the time.
The floors would have to be changed out. Maybe some marble? A wide resource of foods simply so that each culture was well represented. [which reminded her that they needed to start working on demigods in the eastern continents. They needed safe places too in the ancient lands.]
She entered the backroom right as the monster lunged for her kids. Swiping her hand out, she threw her into one of her precious statues. "I'm not sure you're stupid or just-- no, you're just stupid. I don't appreciate when people touch what's mine, Medusa."
The woman stood slowly, eyeing the new player cautiously. Whispers had started through the night of the mysterious rulers of Castellan. Medusa thought it was impossible. Just rumors. Mere myths. She lived in ancient times and she had never come across them. Clearly, they weren't myths. The girl radiated power. And if this was just one of them, Medusa wasn't interested in meeting the others. "I'm only getting what I am owed, child of sea. The gray eyed one's mother made me this way and your father was the reason why. He raped me and I was punished."
Ariadne could feel the persuasion she concentrated into the air. The soothing voice she used to draw them under her spell. The eldest twin snorted in disdain. "But did you tell them the true story? How Athena only brought out your true self? A child of monsters turned into one."
She walked forward slowly, taking note of the children edging around to hide behind her. Her eyes locked onto the monster before her. She was afraid. That was good. She hurt Ariadne's kids. No one hurt her kids. "Tell them Medusa… how you were born a human. A monster to your own family. Tell them how you pledge your life to Athena. How you pledge to be a virgin to the end of your days. Tell them how you met my father and when he laid interest in you, you rejected him. But make sure to tell them how you fell in love with him. How you and your sisters snuck him into Athena's temple. How you willingly gave yourself to Father. Tell them how Athena punished you… not for being a victim but for breaking your vow. And then go on to tell them, how after Perseus sliced your head off… you were reborn into the roman era… tell them how you whispered a different tale to Ovid. You're not the victim that you make yourself out to be Medusa. They are real victims out in the world that deserve justice and they don't need your making a mockery of their pain. And that's why I'm here to offer you a job."
"What," four voices echoed.
Ariadne shrugged, smiling lightly, "It'd take too much time to think of a spell and too much usage of the mist to change how people know the myth. You've become the face of modern day feminism. I've been hearing rumors of a statue being made in your perceived image holding onto the original Perseus' severed head."
They all stared at her shock and Ariadne wondered if it would've been better to bring Katie. Then she thought about it… the girl was not fond of anything she deemed threats to her people. Attack first and ask questions never.
"So a job at Castellan, you got a good thing going here with the statues. I wonder how good you are hands on you know? From the bottom to the top and no pesky scary face. I can see if Becks and Sils can make some specs that'll let you be able to walk around without stoning somebody up. Like an on and off switch since we don't want you defenseless. It'd be better if we had actual victims to spearhead Castellan's campaign against sexual assault but you'll do. I know there's still some little godlings that like to get handsy. Probably get you and Athena into some counseling. You were her favored little priestess and maybe fix that little friendship up. Though I have to warn you to stay away from my stepmother or my sister in law… they're very protective. So what do you, Nagini?"
Medusa screamed and lunged for Ariadne. The princess ducked, rolled, and came up with Stormsurge in her hands. "You could've just said no." A shower of rain covered her eyes, blurring Medusa's image. "Fine. Let's do it your way. No one hurts my family and lives."
Everything had been going fine. She had Medusa on her toes; closing in to vanquish her.
And then Annie got in her line of sight.
The amount of rage Medusa felt at that moment couldn't have even been quantified.
Let it be known that Ariadne had never faced Medusa and she did not know those chicken legs could move that fast.
Ariadne was pinned down under at least ten statues. She could hear the sound of something being hit as she manipulated her body into liquid so she could move away. She solidified only to witness Grover giving the gorgon a particularly mean whack with a club.
Medusa threw him into a statue which, what do you know, was falling towards Ariadne. The demigoddess casually sidestepped the statue; grabbed Grover before looking back towards the monster.
She felt her heart freeze as Jackjack walked towards her. Looking around, Stormsurge was on the other side of the room. She twisted her wrist going for her trident instead. She threw her weapon with all the force she could muster as the monster lunged. Still it did nothing as Riptide sliced directly through her neck.
Ariadne stumbled over to them quickly, sinking to her knees to wrap Jackjack into a hug. The kid was going to send her to an early grave.