This is the chapter in which the entire series takes a massive turn from the OG
From the deepest sleep he could ever remember having, Aaron was shaken away by Annabeth. Through sleep ridden eyes, he somehow managed to look at her with some concertation. She looked worried, her cap in hand.
Grover, doing the same for Percy, whispered to them. "The truck's stopped," he said. "We think they're coming to check on the animals."
"Hide!" Annabeth hissed. She just put on her magic cap and disappeared. Grover and Percy hid behind the feed bags, looking like convincingly perfect turnips. Aaron, being considerably bigger then the others, had to slip behind a box and turn to the side, trying to work through the exhaustion so visibly burning through his mind and body. Like walking through a river, dull and hot, he could barely focus but somehow managed to do so.
The trailer doors creaked open. Sunlight and heat poured in, waves upon waves of disgusting dry heat that sapped his strength even further.
"Man!" one of the truckers said, waving his hand in front of his ugly nose. "I wish I hauled appliances." He climbed inside and poured some water from a jug into the animals' dishes.
"You hot, big boy?" he asked the lion, then splashed the rest of the bucket right in the lion's face, somehow not seeing just utterly pissed the hidden kids were. Aaron personally wanted to whip him with his bow until it shattered, but barely managed to avoid the motion. Mostly thanks to his exhaustion.
The lion roared in indignation, a pitiful sound from the emaciated beast.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," the man said.
The trucker threw the antelope a squashed-looking Happy Meal bag. He smirked at the zebra. "How ya doin', Stripes? Least we'll be getting rid of you this stop. You like magic shows? You're gonna love this one. They're gonna saw you in half!"
The zebra, wild-eyed with fear, looked straight at Percy, getting the boy to almost gasp for some reason.
There was a loud knock, knock, knock on the side of the trailer.
The trucker inside yelled, "What do you want, Eddie?"
A voice outside-it must've been Eddie's-shouted back, "Maurice? What'd ya say?"
"What are you banging for?"
Knock, knock, knock.
Outside, Eddie yelled, "What banging?"
The less then intelligent Maurice rolled his eyes and went back outside, cursing at Eddie for being an idiot.
A second later, Annabeth appeared in anger and worry, clearly she had done the banging. She said, "This transport business can't be legal."
"No kidding," Grover said. He paused, as if listening. "The lion says these guys are animal smugglers! We've got to free them!" Grover said. He and Annabeth both looked at Percy and Aaron both,
"I know we have to save them but we need a way East... can either of you hotwire a car and drive it?" Aaron sighed. " I hate acting so cold, what's happening is wrong but we have to consider the grander picture, which in this case is the bolt."
Annabeth stepped forward. "I can, I think..."
"Best that we try soon, now let's get them out." Percy stood proud, nodding to them. Outside, Eddie and Maurice were still yelling at each other, and so Percy grabbed Riptide and slashed the lock off the zebra's cage.
The zebra burst out and bowed to Percy.
Grover held up his hands and said something to the zebra in goat talk, like a blessing. Aaron could feel it's power, so different then his magic, it was warm and far more potent then his natural strength. It invoked feelings of power, calm and unending peace.
Just as Maurice was poking his head back inside to check out the noise, the zebra leaped over him and into the street. There was yelling and screaming and cars honking. As one the Questers rushed to the doors of the trailer in time to see the zebra galloping down a wide boulevard lined with hotels and casinos and neon signs. It was honestly entertaining to watch, the damn thing startling tourists and making a scene.
Maurice and Eddie ran after it, with a few policemen running after them, shouting, "Hey! You need a permit for that!"
"Now would be a good time to leave," Annabeth said.
"The other animals first," Grover said.
Percy used his black to cut the locks. Grover raised his hands and spoke the same goat-blessing he'd used for the zebra.
As one the beasts flew out of their cages and into the bustling streets of Las Vegas, hopefully towards a future where they get to live and be happy. Some tourists screamed. Most just backed off and took pictures, probably thinking it was some kind of stunt by one of the casinos.
"Will the animals be okay?" Percy asked Grover. "I mean, the desert and all-"
"Don't worry," he said. "I placed a satyr's sanctuary on them."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning they'll reach the wild safely," he said. "They'll find water, food, shade, whatever they need until they find a safe place to live."
Aaron fell peeved, looking at Grover with some disconcertion. "Why can't you place a blessing like that on us, that would have come in handy a while ago"
"It only works on wild animals."
"So it would only affect Percy," Annabeth reasoned.
"Hey!" Percy protested while Aaron just laughed.
"Kidding," she said. "Come on. Let's get out of this filthy truck."
They stumbled out into the desert afternoon. It was a hundred and ten degrees, easy, dry and uncomfortable but still better then the stuffy truck. A feeling of freedom, not being confined in the metal cage, set Aaron off with a smile as they took advantage of the screaming confused tourists. They passed the Monte Carlo and the MGM. We passed pyramids, a pirate ship, and the Statue of Liberty.
At some point it was clear that they must have taken a wrong turn, because they found ourselves at a dead end, standing in front of the Lotus Hotel and Casino. The entrance was a huge neon flower, the petals lighting up and blinking. No one was going in or out, but the glittering chrome doors were open, spilling out air-conditioning that smelled like flowers-lotus blossom, or so Aaron assumed.
The place oozed magic that surpassed even Hades' great power, leaving him breathless and reminding him of his dream. "Guys, this place reeks of potent magic."
They stared at him but nodded, walking away and towards the parking lot even as the doorman smiled, calling out. "Hey, kids. You look tired. You want to come in and sit down?"
Grover turned and nodded. " That sounds wonderful." But the others grabbed his arm and pulled him away.
Aaron called back out. "Our parents are waiting for us, but thank you sir." They quickly rushed away, finding their way towards the massive parking lot where they found the oddest assortment of cars. Some looked old, like utterly ancient, from the fifties or sixties or even earlier. Others were recent, but most were in poor shape.
"Is there a car show going on?" Aaron looked about, getting some looks from his friends. "These cars, their so old and worn down..."
"Too worn down for a car show, something is wrong with this place." Annabeth's eyes were determined. " Come on, I can at least drive this one over here." She led them to a simple sedan, something no one would question, with large tinted windows. It was actually a smart tactic, since no one would question a child driving It if they couldn't see said child. Oddly the car was unlocked, so they didn't have to jimmy it. "Keep watch, it's been a while since I've had to do this."
And so they did as she asked, keeping an eye out but no one came or even seemed to notice them. Not the six cop cars that went by, probably trying to catch the wild animals they had released, or even the fourteen groups of tourists that walked past their parking lot. It was like they were being veiled...
"The Mist... I didn't realize it before, but it is strong here." He looked about, seeing and focusing hard as he could, where he realized that there was potent concentrations of the mystical substance everywhere. It almost funneled around them, almost as thick as when Hecate had appeared in camp. "This place, it's coated in Mist, I think we're safe."
The car starting ended that part of their conversation, drawing all of them into the car where they felt the glorious coolness of the air conditioning soothing their worries, pain and heat sapping exhaustion.
"How'd you know how to do that?" Percy pipped up, asking the question they were all wondering.
She blushed. "My dad is big into airplanes and machines, and I lived on the streets for a while with Thalia and Luke. We slept in cars a few times, so I learned how to do this. Been a while though, I was worried I'd forgotten how to do it."
::::
Thanks to Annabeth's moderately decent driving, the speedometer never dipped lower then fifty miles an hour. On the road, they had plenty of time to talk. Percy told his friends' about his latest dream, about how he recognized the sound of the voice as Luke's like they had discussed before and how he called the creature in the Pit the Crooked one. That left everyone shivering, especially Annabeth.
"That's... that's... I didn't want to believe it." She looked into the rearview mirror right at me. "That's the name for The Father of the Big Three...don't say his name."
"That means, oh, I wondered why it didn't feel like a god's voice."
"You can tell the difference?" Aaron turned from the front passenger seat to fix me with a look.
"Yeah, a god's voice is more normal, like ours but this was booming... like the earth itself was talking to me."
"Huh... I guess that explains a lot... now what?
Annabeth frowned. "Nothing much, we know that we need to cast a sacrifice to get into Hades and we know that Luke stole Zeus's and Hades' symbol of power from Olympus, and the gods were hunting him, I mean, a lot of things could go wrong and it did. He fought out war happy cousin and he took the Bolt or at least hid it since there is no way they'd manage to keep it at Camp. We just have to talk to and prove that to Hades and... ugh, this is still going to be difficult to prove. I mean it's our word against an Olympian, who's going to believe us?"
Aaron seemed to feel her frustration. "Hopefully someone, if nothing else Percy can tell the contents of the Prophecy and we can share the information. If nothing else that has to be enough to get them to look into it."
''''
Eventually, with an empty tank of gas, they found themselves in L.A. With some spare change from Ares's backpack, they took the bus into West Hollywood, only stopping off at the Beach. Aaron had all but demanded that, getting his friends to follow him out of the bus and move onto the beach with him. They didn't question him actions, nor did they ask him what he was looking for as they moved along the sand.
At least, for the first three minutes they didn't.
Annabeth, ever the curious girl, turned to him. "What are we looking for?"
"And open fire, someone is bound to be having a bonfire with some food we can offer."
His friend's nodded, looking up and down the beach as he was for the fire in question. Naturally it was Grover with his advanced sensed that found it first. "There!" He said, getting them to speed up their pace.
There were no people near the fire, but there were a ton of surfboards and some iceboxes, making Aaron suspect it surfers and college kids were nearby. He knew they had to hurry, and so they did all but running towards the fire. Without hesitating, he threw in some Oreos from Ares' backpacks, went through the iceboxes and tossed in some pasta salad and beer he found.
Then, grabbing his talisman and assessing he had about half of it's total magic give or take a little bit, he closed his eyes and channeled as much power as he could into his voice. Then, in plain English, he cast his spell.
"Lord Hades, as per your request, we have offered you a sacrifice and promise you another one once we return to Camp, each of us do, as this sacrifice was not particularly worthy but haven't much on hand. We beseech your aide and beg of your entrance into your realm, so we can give to you the explanation that you deserve and the explanation that will stop this horrible war from moving forward. We do not have your Helm but we suspect it's location... so I ask of you, allow us to transgress your realm..."
Then, to add to the spell, he tossed in some Drachma from Percy's bag. The fire exploded into life, casting long shadows around them. The fire shifted, losing it's warmth, it turned a dark black, the color of Hellfire.
"So be it."
Before he could even gasp, Aaron's Shadow twisted around him. Depth appeared in the flat surface and he fell through the cold, empty space, moving a blinding pace a thousand times faster then he could manage on his own. It went on and on, the screams of his friends echoing around him loudly until finally, after what felt like forever, they landed in a pile on the ground.
Aaron struggled to breathe, his very core cold and exhausted, his head dizzy and worn. Shaking he looking up and saw the same beautiful man as before, Hades and beside him once again was Hecate with her silver circlet and Green eyes. Their power was so great, the raw feel from it, that he managed to feel his magic replenishing, surging into him with great strength like ice and fire, easing the odd cold in his every cell. The feeling of led in his blood melted away and he managed to stand.
He felt more then saw his friend's standing, looking forward at a very smug looking Hades. "I do keep my word, I brought you here... now, Acolyte of Hecate, I will design to listen to you... but I do wonder, if my brother's son did not steal the Masterbolt, why does he have it on his person?"
Aaron froze, turned to his Step brother, focusing his senses as best as his mortal frame could. Instantly he felt it, something fuzzy but strong. "The Bag... "Sir, before you judge us, let us tell you of our travels. There is something that I think you will like to hear."
Hades smirked, leaning on his arm. "Very well, I promised you an audience Acolyte of Hecate, I will listen to what you have to say and then I will cast my judgement."
""""
The Conversation lasted nearly an hour, telling each and every bit and piece of their journey, complete with oaths of sincerity from each one of them. Even Annabeth, with her loathing of the dark god, managed to squeeze out an oath. Eventually they finished and when they did, the man turned to Hecate.
"I would never had suspected Ares would be so utterly foolish."
Hecate snorted. "I would, he has long since been impetuous and ruthless. This is exactly what he would do... but to think that your father is rising after so many years dormant... this is unprecedented and cannot be ignored." After that she and Hades jabbered away in perfect Greek, so fast that he doubted that even Annabeth could understand them. She turned to the Questers. "Percy Jackson, open your bag, dear child."
Percy frowned at her and they turned to look at him with shock as when he opened it up... they all saw the contents. "That wasn't there before."
Hades chuckled. "I doubt you would have. That is the Masterbolt and it seems Ares set you down here to frame me, or you or something of that nature... or perhaps your Luke tricked him... it matters little. We must be quick, there is little time."
Hecate stood straight, her eyes wide and focused on something they could not see. " I see a new path ahead of you, but Aaron must stay here with me for the time being. He and I have much to discuss. Lord Hades will return you to the beach above where you will make a powerful choice." On her statuesque face a smile appeared, almost carved across. " Be proud of yourselves, you had discovered a great many things that will serve our people well. We will reveal what you know to Zeus and the other Olympians. Your actions and discoveries will not be in vein. Do not despair of that."
Percy, ever the tool, frowned. " What choice?"
"Percy, a god cannot challenge another god, even to return a stolen good." Annabeth spoke up, her face pale and tired. " That means you or I or Grover is going to have to-"
A wave of shadow ripped across them, blasting upwards into the cavernous walls above. The Shadow didn't vanish however, and Aaron watched as it began to project an image of his fellow questers. They were facing Ares...and Aaron broke out into a panicky sweat.
"Please don't die... please don't die."
"Sit back, Child and watch the show." A chair appeared beneath him, getting Aaron to sit and watch as ordered. "This scene was fated and you cannot intervene. I am afraid it must happened exactly as was destined." Hecate appeared beside him, her face serious. " Consider this a lesson that you have struggled to accept. You cannot fix everything or stop every stupid act... and this, my dear, is one of them."
;;;;
"They won... they really won. How the hell did they... did he..." Aaron looked, stunned and disbelieving at the shadowy screen before him. Ares was there, bleeding from his heel while Percy, badass that he was, stood away from him with blood on his sword Riptide. Percy looked as disbelieving as Aaron himself was, just as startled and almost afraid. It was honestly comical in a million ways, but scary and impressive in a million more.
Hecate hummed beside him, nodding her youthful head. "That happens when you underestimate your enemy and when you fight Ares. He fairs poorly against anyone with power or skill beyond fighting like a beast. Tactics and actually attempting to make him bleed, that is what allowed your friend to win... that and Kronos' interference." She gestured to the image, where they watched as Ares stood still and the image lost some of it's color. "He was influencing Ares' and the man realized that now, but he was playing to his terrible habit of playing with his enemies. Making it so Ares wouldn't do that smart thing and just attack your Brother with full force or any attempt beyond playing with him. This is the future I foresaw and this is the future that we needed to pass."
Standing, she brushed off her robes and gestured to him to stand. He did so, watching the chair he was sitting upon evaporate into nothingness.
"I guess we need to speak now, don't we?"
Hecate smirked. " Of course we do." Her smirk shifted into a warm smile. " Give me your talisman."
Gulping, he obeyed, shaking as he pulled off the talisman, handing it to the Goddess. The moment it left his skin, he was amazed to realize something incredible. "I can still sense your presence,... and what's that, it's warm... and cold but not like your power." He turned around, realizing he felt something tingling against his skin, sinking into it not at all differently then the Talisman only it came through every cell, every pore.
She laughed. "That would be magic, the magic of the Earth and the magic naturally stored in you."
"I have sensitivity, but how?"
"That spell of yours, to disarm Hephaestus' spell. When it did not kill you, it jump started your ability to sense magic. Keep in mind, your body is still mortal and the limit of your body to hold magic in your cells is still limited. It will expand as your practice but you will forever be limited. Never forget that, less you overextend your powers again. Now, a question, if you will. Why did you join this quest?" Reaching forward, she placed her fingers on his forehead, power surging through his body painfully as his shoulders screamed out. When she released her fingers, she smiled at him, just as he noticed the utter lack of soreness or exhaustion that had been passively present since they first fought Medusa. ""There, I have restored your body from the damage you have collected while on this quest. I will not do it again, but I think as a reward for your success in stopping the war that this is the least I can do. Now, with a clear heart and mind, why did you join the Quest?"
He frowned. " Other then you telling me? Doubt. I doubted the Percy could manage it. He is uneducated, untrained and too emotional. I didn't think he would succeed."
She smiled. "You saw a path and changed it based on what you knew, you made a choice beyond my order. Good, that sort of mentality will do you well. Remember, understanding your choices and respecting them is key to magic... I cannot tell you anything else, that is forbidden, but that I can tell you."
Hades cleared his throat, getting them to turn to him. " Since you are going to leave soon..., I would like to say thank you." Stunned, Aaron turned to the man fully. " I heard how you defended my honor, repeatedly throughout your quest. No one ever stands up for this place, or me... and while that is not enough to grant you a boon, perhaps it is enough for advice... yes... " The man smiled and snapped his fingers, causing skeletons to rise from the ground, clattering onto the floor. " Magical bones can be touched by anyone, even mortals... I think that if you are searching for a better, more appropriate close quarters weapon in the future, that might be the way to go."
"I will keep that in mind, My Lord, thank you."
Hades smiled, looking oddly warm. "I hope you will continue to be this respectful, never forget you lack the same inherit protections your Step brother has. That respect will keep you safe for some time... now, I do believe it is time for you to return to Camp. You are still allowed down here, but do not abuse the privilege. Come here when you need to, not when you want to. Be it in spirit or flesh, either way it counts. Now go, to the surface with you."
Shadows exploded at his feet just a second later, and everything went cold and dark and tight... and then he tumbled to the ground, rolling forward to all but slam into a familiar thin body.
"Aaron, how the hell are you here?"
Hearing Alabaster's voice, Aaron laughed. "Well, that is a long story...but since I don't want to tell it twice, we should wait till I tell Chiron."
"That's fin- your talisman is gone, does that mean you... you've gained Sensivity?" Alabaster smiled, looking genuinely proud.
"Yup!"
Then he smirked. "Time for the hard part then, you have to relearn magic. The talisman was pumping you full of magic passively. Now you have to learn how to channel from the Earth itself for power. Trust me, not as easy as it sounds without my mom's divine blood or the innate talent for it. The training wheels are off, time for the hard part."
"""
"Are you sure it was him?" Chiron's voice was sad as Aaron pulled the man aside, just as the others left, amazed by his tale. He had withheld a lot of details, like Ares' actions and Luke's part of it, only to tell Chiron about it when they were alone. "Luke I mean."
"It fits, and he has enough reasons for it... just... keep others away from him, so no one else is caught up in the blast."
"I will try... sigh, I cannot believe he would do something so foolish." Chiron's voice shifted as did his expression, becoming more pained and sad. "Yes, I can actually and that is what hurts. I will do my best child, but for now it would be best if you kept this under your hat."
Aaron nodded. "There is a reason I only told you... trust me, not stupid...do you think he'll dip out before we can deal with him?"
"He's a smart boy, it's likely..."
"""
Alabaster smirked, dismissing the rune on his ear, no longer listening into the conversation between Chiron and Aaron. He knew his time in Camp was up, he had helped Luke already and he did not trust the other boy to not reveal his part in the betrayal even if it didn't matter. The shoes never took Percy into Tartarus, they skipped past it entirely, nullifying the spell.
He wasn't pleased though, he had thought his Mother on his side... if he was to do as he planned, he would do it without her aide and that would be impossibly difficult.
Things were about to get hard and he could only hope he could manage it.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was fun to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.