Disclaimer - I do not own PJO or HOO. All rights to our dear Uncle Rick.
Artemis sighed as she sharpened her hunting knives, sitting by the fire in the middle of her hunter's camp, surrounded by silver tents. Her lieutenant, Zoë Nightshade sat beside her, watching the fire, her body tense.
"Milady," Phoebe, daughter of Ares, one of Artemis' oldest hunters beside Zoë walked up toward her, bowing slightly. "We're ready to go."
Artemis stood up and nodded, Zoë standing up beside her. "Thank you, Phoebe. We'll go in five minutes."
"Do thou know what thee is hunting?" Zoë asked softly, her left hand holding her bow tightly as a dark look flashed across Artemis' face. There was a long pause before Zoe got an answer.
"Let us pray that I'm wrong," Artemis finally said as she shoulders her bow, walking toward her other hunters who were standing in a circle, waiting for their mistress and lieutenant. Artemis joined the circle. "Close your eyes, girls."
They did as they were told as a bright light surrounded them, flashing them near a military school, Westover Hall, where a powerful monster had been sensed by her father.
Artemis stayed quiet throughout the whole trip as her hunters and her moved stealthily through the trees, creeping closer toward the monster, which happened to be the manticore. Artemis cursed under her breath as she notched an arrow onto her bow, pulling the string back quietly.
She watched the half-bloods fighting as her breath caught in her throat when she saw the son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson. She saw him once after he came into the godly world, after his first quest, in which he returned her father's lightning bolt. He didn't spare her one glance, which hurt Artemis, but she knew that's for the best. However, she was ready to excuse it as the fact that he hadn't ever seen her in this form.
She hoped that he wouldn't connect the dots when he saw her silver eyes. She took another deep breath, realizing Zoë was studying her as she held a hunting horn to her lips. Artemis nodded as Zoë blew into it, signaling the monster and half-bloods of their arrival.
The manticore froze. For a moment, no one moved. There was only the swirl of snow and wind. Percy peered into the forest, hoping to see whoever came to their rescue. To his disappointment, he couldn't see anyone. He turned to look at Thalia, who was glaring at the forest.
Just about an hour ago, he had arrived at Westover hall with Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, and Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, his two best friends, after Grover called them over, saying that there's an emergency.
A year after Luna left, Percy found himself stuck in the mythology world, and he learned that his father was none other than Poseidon, God of earthquakes, storms, and the ocean. He soon realized Grover was actually a satyr and he found his way to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods like him. The very same year, he was framed for stealing Zeus' thunderbolt and embedded on a journey with Annabeth and Grover. Ever since then, the three of them have formed a pretty strong bond.
Then came the second year, when the pine tree that protects the camp's border, Thalia's pine tree, was poisoned and he sneaked out of camp with Annabeth and his cyclops half brother, Tyson, finding the golden fleece and brought Thalia back to life. Thalia became a quick friend of his yet they fought pretty often.
When they arrived at Westover hall, they were informed by Grover that he found two demigods. Things were going quite okay before Dr. Thorn turned into a manticore and took Bianca and Nico Di Angelo out of the dance hall they were in. Percy shortly followed, not wanting harm to come the sibling's way.
It was a hopeless battle the second they started fighting but Percy knew he couldn't give up. Annabeth, Thalia, and Grover came out soon after, helping him fight off the monster. And now it looks like someone else is here to help as well.
"No," Dr. Thorn said. "It cannot be—"
His sentence was cut short when something shot past Percy like a streak of moonlight. A glowing silver arrow sprouted from Dr. Thorn's shoulder. Percy jumped slightly, knowing if the arrow had missed, he would be dead by now.
Dr. Thorn staggered backward, wailing in agony.
"Curse you!" He cried. He unleashed his spikes, dozens of them at once, into the woods where the arrow had come from, but just as fast, silvery arrows shot back in reply. It almost looked like the arrows had intercepted the thrones in midair and sliced them in two. Percy's face shows both surprise and envy, if only he can shoot like that.
The manticore pulled the arrow out of his shoulder with a howl of pain. His breathing was heavy. Percy took that as a chance and tried to swipe at him with his sword but Dr. Thorn wasn't as injured as he looked. He slammed his tail into his shield after dodging his attack and knocking Percy off.
Then the archers came from the woods. They were girls, about a dozen of them. The youngest was maybe ten. The oldest, about fourteen. They wore silvery ski parkas and jeans, and they were all armed with bows. They advanced on the manticore with determined expressions.
"The Hunters!" Annabeth cried.
Thalia sent an angry glared their way as she muttered under her breath. "Oh, wonderful."
Percy studied his friend, wondering what made her think like that.
One of the older archers stepped forward with her bow drawn. She was tall and graceful with coppery colored skin. Unlike the other girls, she had a silver circlet braided into the top of her long dark hair, so she looked like some kind of Persian princess. "Permission to kill, milady?"
The monster wailed. "This is not fair! Direct interference! It is against the Ancient Laws."
"Not so," another girl said. This one was a little younger, about twelve or thirteen. She had auburn hair gathered back in a ponytail and strange eyes, silvery yellow like the moon. her face was so beautiful Percy had to stopped himself from staring. But her expression was stern and dangerous.
Percy's eyes widened as he thought of someone who would fit that description. Luna. Auburn hair, silver eyes. Yet at the same time, he doesn't think it's her. Luna is playful and her facial expressions were softer, not as stern.
Their face looks different as well. Besides their similar eyes color and hair color, Percy couldn't find anything in the girl speaking to the monster that would make her the Luna he knows. He was so lost in thoughts he didn't notice it until Annabeth was on the manticore's back and the hunters fired their arrows at it.
"No!" Percy screamed loudly as he tried to rush toward her but he couldn't make it in time as the manticore jumped off the cliff.
"This is not the end huntress! You shall pay!"
Percy ran toward the cliff, lowering himself onto the ground as he peered down the edge. "Annabeth! You have to let us save her!"
The auburn hair girl walked toward Percy and he looked up to meet her eyes. There is something about them that just seems familiar that he couldn't quite place. But he quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"I'm sorry Percy Jackson, but your friend is beyond help," she started slowly as Percy tried to get to his feet, his previous thoughts forgotten, all he could think about is saving Annabeth. But a couple of the hunters held him down.
"Let me go! Who do you think you are?" Percy demanded as he was pinned to the ground once more and Zoë walked forward, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"No," the other girl ordered. "I sense no disrespect, Zoë. He is simply distraught. He does not understand."
The young girl looked at Percy, her eyes colder and brighter than the winter moon. "I'm Artemis, goddess of the Hunt."
Artemis stood under the sky that holds up the world. She couldn't feel anything but pain as the weight of the world crushed on top of her. Her eyes closed and she tried to bear the pain. Sweat dripping from her forehead. Even in dream, the scenery felt really real. The tiredness is there.
Suddenly, her lieutenant, Zoë's voice rang through her mind and her eyes snapped open instantly. Artemis quickly shook her head with as much strength she could master and told her. "STOP! It's a trap!"
But to Artemis's protest, Zoë still moved toward her, tugging at the chain, trying to get it off. She saw Atlas, Luke, and the daughter of Athena, Annabeth as she recalled, appeared. The rest of the quester was looking at Atlas in shock.
Atlas chuckled and all Artemis wanted to do was reap his stupid head off so he can't talk. He looked at Zoë. "So much for old friends. And you, Zoë. It's been a long time. How is my little traitor? I will enjoy killing you."
"Do not respond," Artemis groaned when she saw Zoë's look. For the demigods' benefit, she added, "Do not challenge him."
None seemed to listen though as, they all charged forward. Her foolish and loyal best friend, Percy, charged Atlas straight on. She doesn't know whether to slap him or thanks him. Artemis could only watch silently as the others try to fight Atlas and Luke, the son of Hermes that betrayed them.
"The sky!" Percy exclaimed as he kneeled next to Artemis. All she could do was stare at him, her best friend, unable to say much. She doesn't want to, it took so much of her strength how could he survive it. "Give it to me."
"No Per— boy," Artemis quickly corrected herself, almost callin him Percy. Her forehead weas beaded with metallic sweat, like quicksilver. She shook her head. "You don't know what you're asking. It will crush you!"
"Annabeth took it," Percy protested as Artemis struggled under the sky. She felt jealousy bloom at the mention of the other girl but she didn't say anything. He's allowed to have other friends. Maybe if she visits him later as Luna, maybe they can try to be friends once more, maybe things could be like it was before. But as if fate prevented it, her plan didn't work.
"She barely survived. She had a spirit of a true huntress. You will not last long," Artemis told him. But even as she said it, it sounded wrong in her lips. He's her best friend. She had watched him his whole life, she knew he could do it.
"I'll die anyways. Give me the weight of the sky!"
Artemis was about to protest again when Perseus took out his sword, Zoë's sword, Riptide and slashed through the chain. He then stepped next to her and braced himself on one knee, holding up his hands and touched the cold, heavy cloud.
As he did that, one of his hands accidentally brushed Artemis' making her heart fluttered for some unknown reason. We're friends, that's all, she thought to herself and for a second, they held the sky together. Then. Artemis slipped out from under the burder, and Perseus was left to hold it alone.
She ran forward and engaged Atlas in a battle, changing forms as she did so and slowly leading Atlas back toward the sky. Zoë was by her side the whole time.
Get ready, she told Percy. A small smile graced her lips when his response was as she predicted. She rolled her eyes mentally.
Agggghh-owwwwwwww.
Kelp head, she thought to herself, shaking her head but didn't comment on it. But Atlas' next comment makes her want to punch him even more.
"You fight well for a girl," Atlas laughed. "But you are no match for me."
He feinted with the top of his javelin and Artemis dodged. Atlas's javelin swept around and knocked Artemis's legs off the ground. She fell, and Atlas brought up his javelin top for the kill.
"No!" Zoë screamed. She leaped between her father and Artemis and shot an arrow straight into the Titan's forehead, where it lodged like a unicorn's horn. Atlas bellowed in rage. He swept aside his daughter with the back of his hand, sending her flying into the black rock.
Artemis was wounded but she pretended she couldn't get up, hoping for Atlas to fall for her trick as he turned toward her with a look of triumph.
"The first blood in a new war," Atlas gloated. And he stabbed downward.
As fast as thought, Artemis grabbed his javelin shaft. It hit the earth right next to her and she pulled backward, just the javelin like a lever, kicking the Titan Lord and sending him flying over her. Artemis watched as Atlas came down on top of her best friend and he loosened his grip on the sky. He was pushed out of the way as Atlas slammed full force into him. She restrained herself from running forward, checking that he was okay.
The weight of the sky dropped onto Atlas' back, almost smashing him flat until he managed to get to his knees, struggling to get out from under the crushing weight of the sky. But it was too late.
"Nooooo!" He bellowed so hard it shook the mountain. "Not again!"
Artemis has a satisfied smile on her face as she wiped her hands on her shattered silver hunting clothes. She quickly ran after Zoë after that, searching for her fallen friend.
Percy stood near the edge of Olympus, staring at the city of New York below him. He tilted his head slightly, seeing the newest constellation, The Huntress, in the sky. It brought tears to his eyes remembering the huntress who had aided them to save Artemis, knowing she will die in the end.
He found his finger wrapped around his sword, Riptide, or Zoë's sword. I won't disappoint you, he swore to himself.
"Beautiful isn't it?" A voice sounded out, making Percy turned around quickly, surprised when he met the glaze of Lady Artemis. He quickly bowed.
"Lady Artemis," he exclaimed in surprise as Artemis nodded in greeting. She looked nervous, looking anywhere but at him. Percy frowned slightly. What did he do that made the man hating goddess scared of him?
"You don't have to bow to your best friend kelp head," Artemis rolled her eyes, making Percy widened his eyes at the goddess standing in front of him. A bright light surrounded Artemis, causing him to cover his eyes. When he opened them once more, his best friend Luna stood in front of him.
"L-Luna?" Percy shuttered as he backed away slightly. Luna or Artemis just sighed as she sat down, her feet dangling over the edge of Olympus.
"Yeah," Artemis nodded slightly, glowing again before she reappeared back as Artemis again. "It's me."
"B-But- What, why?" Percy asked, trying to form a sentence as Artemis chuckled slightly at his failed attempt to make a sentence. Percy glared half heartedly at her before finding himself sitting next to the man hating goddess of the moon and hunt. Half of him was tempted to act like nothing had changed, it's just him and Luna. But the other half is screaming 'You'll die! She's Artemis! THE Artemis! Known for turning boys into jackalope!"
Artemis just sighed, knowing this will be a long conversation. "Your father asked me to look after you and I owe him a favor. I was tempted to watch from afar but I found myself inside your school. I didn't know we'd become best friends. Not like I regret anything," she quickly added in the end.
All Percy could do was stare as Artemis shifted uncomfortably under his glance. He didn't know what to feel. Part of him was happy, the other part was confused. Finally, he worked up the courage to ask nervously. "Can I hug you?"
Artemis stared at him in disbelief, making Percy think that he said something wrong. He was about to take back his work when Artemis rolled her eyes. "Just because I'm a goddess, doesn't mean I'm not Luna. I'm still the same person, just in a different body you idiot."
Percy let out a nervous laughter as he wrapped his arms around her, making Artemis hugged him back. "I miss you so much," he found himself saying.
"I miss you too Percy," she whispered slightly against his chest, not wanting this to end. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"What matters is that you tell me now," Percy smiled slightly, pulling away from the hug as he leaned against Artemis, both of them staring at the sky, glad to be reunited again.
AN: Okay! Rewrite is up!
Hope this wasn't too rush. It's a bit different (okay fine really different) then the rest old one but I quite like it. What do you guys think?
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Leave a review/comment and tell me what you think about it!
- Kathy