Chapter 2
An island at a distance far from the men's world is the place dedicated to the mighty female warriors: Amazons.
The place is fill with birds and animals, with female warriors who honed their skills battling among each other to show their dominance at arenas., with women reading different languages from men's world, with other small children playing with each other. It can be called as a heaven.
Its beauty can be unmatched by any other place from men's world.
At a place far from the amazons who were happily spending time with each other, the Queen of Amazons Hippolyta is spending some time in a cave looking at the clay moulded in the form of a child.
All she ever wanted was a child of her own. Seeing the children running in the Themyscira, makes her jealous. She shouldn't be jealous of her sisters; she is happy for them. But still why won't the Gods give her a child. Didn't she serve them enough, didn't she try to maintain peace. Its her sole purpose, to protect the world from the Dark Lord when time arises.
"Why? Why don't you give me a child? All I ever wanted was a child. Don't I deserve a child?" Hippolyta yelled looking at the sky with tears running down her cheek.
"My Queen" A voice called her turning to look back at her trusted lieutenant, Antiope supporting their Oracle, Helen.
She brushed away her tears running to them and throwing Helen's hand over her shoulder, momentarily forgetting her wish for a child. They both silently carried the Oracle to the medic cabin and called Io to check her body condition.
While Io was checking her, Artemis, Queen and Antiope where waiting outside the cabin.
"What happened? "Hippolyta asked with concern looking at the cabin where Helen is getting treated.
Helen is a sweet girl who didn't share Amazons' hatred for men which caused a few Amazons to throw disgusted looks at her.
But they kept their mouth silent not wanting to anger Lord Apollo who blessed her with the powers of the Oracle.
"Anyone can be good and bad My Queen. Goodness and badness don't depend on being male or female. I know many men have done many vile actions. But at the same time women as Circe, Hecate have also done many acts as same as men. So that's why I believe even men can have goodness in their heart"She remembered what Helen said when she asked about her belief.
As much as she hates to admit, Helen is correct. Men like Hercules may be like pigs but still there is Perseus who is one the few men who inspired her. Like she told women like Hecate and Circe are some the enemies of the Amazons.
Maybe that is the reason why Lord Apollo blessed her being his Oracle, her heart to see good in even men. Her heart clenched on remembering how Helen was when they carried her to cabin, her tan skin had become pale, her bright blue eyes whose shine increases in sunshine looked like her life had been sucked out of her.
"My Queen are you okay?" Artemis asked with concern in her eyes.
"I am fine "Hippolyta said dismissively asking Antiope to explain what happened.
Both spared a glance at each other knowing the reason since those two were her closest sisters.
Antiope left that topic knowing the reason behind Helen's condition is much more important.
Before Antiope could explain they were teleported by a blinding light. Hippolyta blinked her eyes and saw herself and her sisters being teleported to temple built in the name of the Olympian Gods.
The three Amazons' hand went to the scabbard where their swords are being placed only to interrupted by a gentle voice "Relax my children".
All the three turned towards the source to find a beautiful woman with brown hair in a toga.
"My goddess "Hippolyta exclaimed kneeling in front of the Goddess followed by her sisters.
Hippolyta is shaking with fear expecting a sudden or painful death. She deserved it; she defied her patron. Lady Hera is going to punish her for her insolence.
Hera shook her head with a gentle smile placing a hand on her shoulder motioning her to get up along with the other two Amazons.
Hera walked towards Lord Poseidon's statue and looked it for a minute before saying in a sad tone "Children as per Apollo's prophetic vision the Doomsday will be near than we expected".
She finally turned around and looked at the three Amazons who were frozen on hearing that.
Hippolyta steeled her nerves asked despite the shiver down her spine "When it will happen Lady Hera?"
"As per Apollo's predictions it will happen within a few decades" Hera said carefully looking at the three Amazons who looked deathly pale on hearing that.
"No one other than you three and the Oracle should know about this "Hera warned" The Amazons should be trained for the final battle which will decide the fate of existence".
Hippolyta gulped in fear before steeling her nerves and said "Amazons will be prepared Lady Hera. We will send the Dark Lord again to the hell he crawled out from".
Hera beamed in pride on hearing that but soon her smile faded and said, "I believe even the combined forces of Amazons and Gods cannot defeat him child".
Antiope gasped in shock on hearing that. She heard rumour about the Doomsday and the power of the Dark Lord, but she never thought even their combined forces couldn't defeat him.
Hera gently said "Fear not my child, the prophecy will reveal everything to you. You may ask the Oracle for further information".
All the three Amazons hardened their faces and nodded with a steely confidence.
Hera was about to teleport her out to Olympus when she remembered the other reason for which she came here.
Hippolyta froze in fear on seeing Hera walking towards her.
Hippolyta started to speak but was cut-off by Hera who silenced her with a rise of her hand.
Hera placed a hand in her shoulder and said with mirth in her eyes "You have done well in leading the Amazons child. You deserve a present. All the gods agreed for that. You will get what you desire the most".
Hippolyta cannot believe her ears. She thought she is going to die for defying the Lady Hera. She never expected this. Despite her control pools of tears formed in her eyes.
Artemis and Antiope gasped on hearing that, finally their Queen is going to get the prize she deserves.
Hera summoned the clay baby moulded by Hippolyta and asked her to carry it like carrying a child.
Once she did Hera chanted a prayer emitting bright light blinding the Amazons.
Once the light dimmed, they were greeted by the crying sound of a child in Hippolyta's arms. The Queen burst into tears of joy and kneeled in front of the Goddess and thanked joyfully followed by the other two Amazons who were happy for her sister.
The Goddess said looking at the Queen who instead was looking at the child in her arms. She is the most beautiful child she had ever seen with brown eyes and brown hair and a cute smile.
"She will one day take your role of the queen. So, the queen must have a fitting name. So, I name her as Reyna. The future Queen who will play an important role in stopping the Dark Lord. She should get all the training she can. She should become an unstoppable force of nature. Otherwise, the world we know today will be doomed".
-BREAK-
"Aww is little wittle Jason crying again?" Percy heard a voice from the other side of the playground and saw a few kids teasing Jason who was clutching his head. Percy frowned and ran up to the kids who were teasing his best friend.
"Hey, leave him alone" Percy shouted at them and crouched near his best friend slinging an arm around his shoulder glaring at the mean kids in front of him.
"Aww is wittle Percy standing up for his freak of a friend" Matt Sloan a five-year-old kid just like them with crooked teeth cooed gaining laughter from his goons around him.
"He is not a freak Sloan" Percy snapped threateningly for a short five-year-old kid. Matt and his goons took a step back at this. They had never seen him angry like this. They swear his eyes flashed for a second.
"Whatever you say freak" Matt regained his composure and said sarcastically before running away with his goons clearly shaken by the incident.
"Come on Jay" Percy said softly dragging the blonde boy to the washroom. Jason washed his face while Percy played with the hem of his shirt.
He and Jason are neighbours, and they are literally attached to hip. One cannot be seen without the other. Jason is his first friend and his best friend. He knew everything about him from how he ate a stapler when he was two to how he will be a shuttering mess around that Lana girl. So, he knew something was wrong with Jason these days. Over the past few days, he started to freak out during classes and had what his mom said as meltdown.
Many kids started to tease Jason which started to freak him out more. Jason took his kerchief and wiped his face before looking at Percy and whispered, "They may be correct you know".
Percy asked with confused expression "What do you mean?"
"Maybe I am a freak" Jason whispered fiddling with his handkerchief.
Percy marched towards him and pointed his little finger threateningly "You are not a freak Jason".
Jason continued as if Percy never spoke anything "Maybe you shouldn't speak to me. You will have many friends other than me if you don't speak to me".
"I don't want more friends Jay. You are my best friend; I won't leave you. And you are not a freak" Percy said softly.
"Promise you will not leave me "Jason held his pinkie finger at him with a small smile on his face. Percy grinned at him and wrapped his pinkie around his sealing the promise.
Outside the washroom Martha Grace heard the exchange between the boys and had tears in eyes because of both sorrow and happiness.
Sorrow because the world will not truly understand Jason for what he is. If the world knows the truth, they will hunt him down and use him for their science experiments. Happiness because his son has a nice friend like Percy. But she was slightly worried about what Percy will think once he knows the truth about Percy. She hoped their friendship will remain the same even after that.
She revealed herself and was attacked by a blond blur who wrapped his arms around her legs. She chuckled and patted her boy's head. She looked at Percy and teased "Hello Perseus" knowing how much he disliked being called as Perseus.
"Hello Mrs. Grace" Percy replied innocently. She shook her head knowing he is calling her that as a payback to being as called Perseus.
"Shall we go Jason?" Martha asked once her boy detached himself from her legs.
"How about I bake your favorite pancake?" She asked once noticing the gloom expression of her boy. This caused the boy to perk up.
"Really?" Jason asked with his shining blue eyes. Martha chuckled and nodded at the boy.
"Don't worry Percy there will be pancakes for you "Martha said knowingly how her pancake is his second favourite food just next to his mom's blue cookies.
Percy spared Jason a playful glare before looking at Martha "Jay himself will eat everything "making Jason to smile sheepishly.
"I am sure he won't eat everything "Martha reassured Percy before giving her son a stern look.
Jason gulped and nodded his head "Of course I won't eat everything ".
"You better not. If you did that again, I would send Mrs O Leary after you" Percy said innocently causing the blonde boy to pale.
Martha chuckled at Jason knowing his fear of Percy's dog.
"So, you are saying Perseus is not bad because of his friendship with your son "The agent said looking at Martha raising an eyebrow. Jonathan and Martha exchanged glances which didn't go unnoticed by the agent.
Martha opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by a cheerful voice "Ma, Pa I am home".
Jason entered his home though concerned by the presence of a motorcycle outside his home. He thought he may have seen that somewhere.
He immediately knew once he entered the living room and saw the blonde female agent present.
His eyes widened a moment before looking at his parents who immediately greeted him. Martha and Jonathan greeted their son and hugged him while the agent wars inspecting every movement of Jason Grace.
Jason walked towards the agent and held his hands out. "Hello, I am Jason grace" he said politely. The agent shook his hand and said "I am Annabelle Chase from FBI ".
"May I know why an FBI agent is here?" Jason asked politely knowing very well she is not from FBI.
"As you know our planet is now filled with many people who possess powers "Annabelle started bluntly looking at the Grace family "There are a few people like Leo Valdez, the CEO of Valdez Inc, the resident hero of California Tempest and others use their powers for maintain peace and harmony, but many others use their powers for destruction. So, it is the duty of the Government to neutralize these threats".
Jason processed what she said. It is basically true. Once upon a time he thought he is the only one with the superpowers. But what he thought was wrong. Over the few years many started to emerge with superpowers and started to destroy cities for fun. Heck he is the one responsible to bring some of those supervillains down. The Government first saw him as a threat but once he saved the world from an asteroid which would have submerged continents, they decided to give him a chance. Now he is one of the few superheroes in the world.
But still he is confused behind the reason for her visit. On seeing his confusion. Annabelle explained "You may have heard of a vigilante named 'Riptide' "giving Jason a pointed look. He rubbed his neck sheepishly since Praetor News the place where he works is the one who gave the name to the sea vigilante. Truth to be told he knows nothing about the vigilante. He doesn't whether the person underneath the suit is he or she, he doesn't where Riptide is from. It is like he born out of blue. One day he saw the news where a ship is being captured by some C-class supervillains for ransom at about 2000-3000 miles from the coast of California. He reached the location and saw the supervillains being knocked out and grimaced at the sight. They may have some broken bones and their armour which can even withstand his loosely packed punch and flames of the pyromaniac billionaire is broken badly into pieces. He made sure they were alive, but the hospital bills will probably kill them.
After that over the year the presence of the vigilante increased. He has stopped many marine life-threatening illegal companies, has cleaned many oil spills, has shut down illegal oil platforms, heck once he even stopped a tsunami in Japan saving many lives. He tried to speak with the vigilante but before he could reach the spot he will vanish or go deep into the sea.
"The government didn't trust Riptide. We thought Tempest was the most powerful hero, but it quickly changed when Riptide showed up. His power may rival Tempest "The blonde agent informed.
Jason nodded knowing how he easily lifted a ship during the storm. Riptide's super strength may rival his own and he stopped a freaking tsunami. He heard from Inferno A.K.A Leo Valdez the vigilante can also control Earthquake. That's how he saved many lives and property during Nepal Earthquake. He has powers like superspeed, super strength, flight, laser vision and few other powers but still Riptide controlled freaking nature. Who knows how many other powers he has? The government has every reason to be afraid of him but still they should give Riptide a chance like how they gave him. Maybe he should find Riptide quickly and inform about this.
But he still doesn't know what it had do with him and his parents. Once he voiced his question, he saw his mom and dad move uneasily. He was little intrigued by this but looked at the Agent who took a black file from her lap and opened it.
"We had searched every satellite to find more information about Riptide and luckily last week we got this photo from a satellite in an island near Philippines "Annabelle said handing over the file to Jason.
Jason eyes widened on seeing the photo. It cannot be true. He searched every nook and corner of the Earth for him. Heck that's one of the main reasons why he became Tempest. But he still didn't find him. He lost his hope thinking his friend is dead but one seeing his adult photo especially the helmet of Riptide tucked under his arms brought tears to his eyes.
He looked at his mom and dad who were giving him a sad smile. He had many questions in his mind. He was angry at his best friend for not saying he is alive. Once he found him, they will find out who will pack the strongest punch but for now he asked the agent desperately "How is he alive?"
The blonde agent raised an eyebrow at the man in front of her. She thought he may know about Perseus Jackson being alive. But on seeing his parents and his reaction she was proved wrong. These types of reactions cannot be faked. It is the genuine reaction of the man who found his best friend is being alive after many years.
Annabelle took the file from Jason and said carefully choosing her words "Not many knows about Perseus Jackson being Riptide. I thought you may have any information; this is the reason why I came here. After doing some investigation I found out this is his hometown, and you are his best friend. I thought you may have any information but from your reaction you don't know him being alive or his crusade as a vigilante. I want some information about Mr. Jackson. Can you tell me about the night he disappeared? I don't think Riptide as a criminal. He is a superhero despite what my superiors think. The information you give me may prove my superiors that Riptide is not a criminal ".
Jason's face hardened at the mention of the day when Percy disappeared from the face of the planet. It is still a sour topic to him. But for the sake of his friend, his brother he told what happened that night.
After explaining what happened that night, Jason talked with the agent outside his house. Annabelle struck out her hand for Jason to shake who shook it and said gratefully "Thank you for telling me he is alive. I hope you convince you can your superiors about Percy".
"I will do my best Mr. Grace. But I cannot assure you" Annabelle said with sincerity.
Jason nodded understanding what she meant. Once she left Jason turned towards his home sparing a lingering glance at the ruins of the Jackson home. He took a deep breathe and entered the living room where his parents for him. He didn't have to say anything, they knew what he is going to do now.
His parents sent him a smile encouraging him to bring Percy home.
He thought back to the day when Percy protected him from the bullies while he suffered from his super hearing power development. At the day they swore to each other that they will never leave each other, and they stayed true to the promise for years until the fateful night of his birthday. All these years Jason thought it has his fault. If he had been fast enough, he could have saved Percy and Sally from their terrible fate. But now he knew the truth Perseus Jackson is still alive and most importantly he broke their promise.
Jason is going to give him one hell of a beating.
Hey everyone, I have already prepared this chapter, so I thought why not release it. Hence here is the second chapter. Percy is not in this chapter because I wanted to introduce some other characters.
I know Reyna is neither a Greek nor Roman name but bear with me as it truly means as Queen.
Still now pairing is not decided so if you have any suggestion comment it.
Until then Goodbye!