Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.
Consul of the Underworld: Grinding Phase
Chapter Twenty: Only in Hoover
Beta: ShadowofAxios
The walk from the Junkyard of the Gods to their RV was thankfully uneventful, giving the group the time to compare their quests so far. To Alkaid's pleasant surprise, no one, not even Zoë, protested their presence. They hadn't even asked why they were there, though Pyrrha had helpfully informed them that Apollo had sent them on a parallel quest to free Artemis. The daughter of Hades reasoned that after the beating they took in the Junkyard, the original team of questers felt that they needed any help they could get.
If that was case, then she couldn't really blame them. Apparently they'd had run ins with Skeleton Warriors and the Nemean Lion too, and although Grace had earned herself a nice new armored coat from the latter, they had also gotten quite badly banged up.
"So where are we going?" Percy asked curiously.
"Hoover Dam," Alkaid said tiredly. The spell she'd used to determine the location of the "bane of Olympus" they were supposed to be following was more exhausting than she'd expected. It was definitely harder than tracking the questers, like she had until now. Whatever it was probably had powerful protections keeping it hidden. In the end, she'd worked around it by targeting their next quest destination rather than the object itself.
As they filed into the RV, Chase was practically vibrating in excitement.
"Hoover Dam?" Chase gasped in glee. "That's one of my favourite architectural marvels!"
Everyone shot her a glare. The daughter of Athena stumbled back in shock, her mouth open seemingly ready to defend herself. A look from Zoë though shut her mouth. Alkaid would have done the same in the situation. The lieutenant of the Hunters was sporting a frankly terrifying mask at the moment.
"Alkaid, you're tracking the bane of Olympus right?" Grover said sounding sad. "I guess we are fulfilling the prophecy step by step, aren't we? Phoebe died in the desert, the land without rain."
"Yes she did," Zoë said, as she turned away from Annabeth to looking wistfully out the window next to which she'd taken a seat, to admire the Midwestern countryside outside the window. "Phoebe was nearly in the Hunt as long as I. It is difficult to know she is gone."
"Indeed it is. Though, even with your longevity, Hunters will pass sooner or later. It's the cycle of life." Alkaid told the ancient Hunter.
Zoë said nothing, instead opting to continue staring out the window with a thousand yard stare. To the daughter of Hades' surprise, this prompted Grace to hesitantly walk towards Zoë with a conflicted look on her face and take a seat next to her.
"I can't imagine your loss." The daughter of Zeus said in a whisper that only Alkaid's well honed hearing allowed her to pick up. "But I've lost people too."
The Hunter turned to look at Grace searchingly for a long moment before nodding and turning back to look out the window. If the daughter of Zeus was offended, she didn't show it. Instead she just sat there offering the older girl silent support and comfort.
Over in the living room, Percy was trying to talk with Annabeth, but the blonde had a miserable look on her face. One that Alkaid felt she totally deserved. No matter how they cut it, the girl's silly infatuation with Luke Castellan had cost Phoebe her life. The daughter of Athena deserved some misery for causing that. Grover meanwhile was sitting in one corner near his two friends, doing of all things, meditating! All while mumbling something about Pan.
Well, they did mention earlier that he felt traces of his power on their way to the Junkyard. He must be trying to figure out what that means.
Seeing everyone was busy doing their own thing, Alkaid sauntered over to the front of the motorhome and took a seat next to Pyrrha.
"Everything kosher back there?"
"It's as good as can be," Alkaid replied with a shrug. "Mind if I keep you company till we reach the Dam?"
"Mm, always, 'Kaidy."
As they drove into the designated Hoover Dam parking lot, Alkaid was greeted with an unpleasant sight. Standing right in the middle of the lot were a group of armed young women that she recognized as Amazons led by Tabitha, who was standing there at their head in all her blonde supermodel glory. They were holding up a large banner demanding Alkaid come and face her in a duel.
"'Kaidy, is that the crazy Amazon Queen you told me about that one time? The one your Father says has developed some kind of stalker obsession with you?" Pyrrha frowned as she leaned against the wheel.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Amazons here?" Zoë said as she came up front.
"Yes, the current Queen… desires me." Alkaid admitted, disgusted at the mere thought of Tabitha's intentions.
"As a bed slave, yes, I've heard." Zoë said with a nod. "Most think she's a delusional fool. As if your Father would not exact bloody vengeance if she ever tried to carry out on her wish."
"Lord Hades can get in line." Pyrrha growled.
"Why am I thankful that Mina isn't here, right now?"
"Because she'd stabbity stab that dumb bitch?"
"And start a war with the Amazons," Alkaid said with a sigh.
"Hey, our little girl can take them."
"As true as that might be," Zoë pinched the bridge of her nose. "And as disagreeable as I think Tabitha's goals are, I would like to avoid conflict with the Amazons if at all possible. They have something of a special relationship with we Hunters."
"So I've heard," Alkaid noted with a smirk. "So let's try talking first?"
"Yes," Zoë agreed with a twinge of hopefulness in her voice. "I will try to convince her to not be so irrevocably daft."
"Good luck with that." Alkaid said as they parked. "Let's go start negotiations then."
"Greetings, pet." Tabitha said by way of greeting as the group piled out of the trailer and walked over. "And you as well Nightshade."
"What are we chopped liver?" Percy joked, only to be silenced by a jab from Annabeth.
"Percy, be serious! That woman wants to kidnap Alkaid and turn her into her sex slave."
As the blonde finished, all joviality bled out of Percy and his face changed. Gone was the playful teenager and in its place was the hero who had defeated Ares. A man who was itching to sink his blade into Tabitha. An image helped along by the way that Riptide just materialized in his hand.
The change was so drastic and so terrifying that Annabeth jerked back from him in shock. Tabitha though was not intimidated and just chuckled.
"Ha, an interesting little boy. I'm sure my Sisters would love him."
"Tabitha," Zoë returned the earlier greeting tersely. "This is not the time for thee to-"
"Ugh, all you do is lecture and prattle on, Nightshade! Honestly, you need to get laid."
"Be serious Tabitha! This quest-"
"Is important. When isn't it?"
"Zoë, she won't listen to reason." Alkaid told the Hunter, aggravation in her tone.
Zoë grit her teeth and nodded.
"Oh, I'm not as completely unreasonable as all that." Tabitha said with a smirk. "I'm not going to interfere with you lot's little quest. All I want is my pet. The rest of you can continue on your merry little way. Be heroes, save Lady Artemis. Go on, shoo."
Alkaid exchanged a look with Pyrrha at this, and after a moment received a nod from the redhead. Turning to the Hunter in their party, the daughter of Hades said. "Zoë take Percy with you."
"What!? Alkaid, I'm supposed to be with you!"
"For attempting to help Phoebe, I will do this." Zoë promised grabbing Percy and pulling him away. "Come boy. Sorceress, stay safe."
"Alkaid, you sure?" Grace asked, electricity sparking from all over her body as she sent the Amazons a glare.
"Yes, Py and I will handle this."
The daughter of Zeus gave them a nod, before she dragged a hesitant Grover and Annabeth off as she followed after Zoë.
"Now that they're gone, let's do this shall we?" Tabitha said with a smirk stepping forward with a malicious smirk on her face. Her mood wasn't shared by her Sisters though if the uneasy looks they were sporting were any clue. Not that they did anything to stop her.
Ugh, stupid social darwinistic Amazonian hierarchy.
"Fight me one on one, and when I win you'll submit to me." Tabitha flipped her hair braid, a vicious smile on her face.
"I don't think so," Pyrrha said stepping in front of Alkaid gallantly. "'Kaidy is my wife. Not your toy. You want to try anything with her, you'll have to go through me!"
Alkaid felt her heart skip a beat at Pyrrha's declaration. Especially because she'd said she was her "wife".
I'm so marrying that woman after this quest. War be damned. We can have the reception later, but I'm gonna have my ring on her finger by the end of this year or die trying.
Is that so, young one? A cultured voice echoed from the depths of her mind. Then let me help you with that.
The words were barely finished when a wall of divine multicolored flames exploded out of the earth and created an arena that separated Tabitha, Pyrrha and herself from the rest of the Amazons.
It looked like something straight out of New Rome.
"What is this?!" Tabitha shouted as she looked around them in shock. Her fellow Sisters shared her uncertainty of what was happening as they drew their weapons in a panic. They had their answer when suddenly a golden peacock walked out of the flames.
"This Amazon," the divine beast said, spitting the word. "Is my way of sanctioning this contest."
Alkaid and Pyrrha both bowed before this clear avatar of the Lady Hera, but Tabitha was either too stupid or brash to do the same.
"You, Lady Hera, would help me claim my pet?" Tabitha sneered. "I find that hard to believe."
"I know you are a slow child, but wow… Ares sure can pick them." The peacock said shaking its head and sighing in exasperation before turning to address the Potters. "Girls, pardon my language, but beat the shit out of this harlot. I am honestly angry. More so then having that girl so close by."
"Gladly, Lady Hera." Pyrrha roared as she lunged forward and swung her labrys in a powerful overhead strike at Tabitha. The vicious smile on her face was very akin to her father's. Alkaid didn't think that was a bad thing.
"Fool!" The Amazon Queen shouted as she deflected the blow with nothing more than her pinky. "I am a daughter of Bia! I can control the very forces of the world!"
"Silence!" Alkaid cast easily, her hands radiating arcane energy. "You talk too much. Oh, and eat a case of Slow! Confusion! Poison! as your side dishes."
The Amazon Queen might have said something in reply, but with all the curses Alkaid had just hit her with all she managed was a wordless slur made soundless by her Silence spell and stumble around as if drunk. An impression enhanced when she bent over and began vomiting thanks to the effect of the poison she'd been cursed with.
Oh, Alkaid had been waiting for this day. Physical spells might not work but outright curses? Well, the daughter of the Rich One had a list of those. Besides, it wasn't often that her opponent actually gave her the option to use all that subtle magic Baba Yaga had urged her to learn. She wasn't about to let the opportunity go unused.
Pyrrha took another powerful swing and knocked the Queen down as the madwoman stumbled around like a fool from all the status effects running amuck with her brain and body. Pouncing on their prone, disorientated opponent Pyrrha brought her labrys down on the bitch's right arm, cleanly severing it from the shoulder.
The prone Amazon Queen, unable to summon her defenses, let out a soundless scream as blood spurted out of her new stump.
"You wanted to hurt my 'Kaidy!? Well, I'm gonna break you then murder you!" Pyrrha roared as she moved to cut the woman's other arm off.
Oh my! That's, just, um- Alkaid thought, feeling all hot and bothered by Pyrrha's words. Watching her love fight for her honor was so sweet and hot and just- oh it was going to be a hell of a night after the wedding.
Unfortunately, the grievous wound seemed to give the Amazon enough of a shock to her system to regain some of her bearings and she summoned a mace to her remaining hand that she slammed into Pyrrha's side with thunderous force.
The blow sent Pyrrha tumbling off her, but Alkaid had layered her lover in enough spells that the blow should have felt like little more than a love tap especially since the bitch's powers were still silenced.
Too bad I don't have something to negate the full force of that blow. Something to work on I guess.
"I must give that pile of excrement credit, she's durable." Lady Hera's peacock said as Tabitha struggled to her feet, seemingly unfazed by the bloody wound from her dismemberment.
"Lord Ares won't be too upset if she dies, will he?" Alkaid asked.
"Not if I tell him to keep it to himself he won't."
"Thank you Lady Hera," Alkaid said with a respectful nod. "Oh! Slow! Confusion! Pain Amplification x10!"
"No no, Auntie will do. Family needs not be so formal in these situations."
Alkaid didn't know if she meant the fight or the wedding plans. Probably the latter.
While she was chatting with the goddess, Pyrrha had rushed towards Tabitha once more and ducking under the Amazon's addled, slowed swing, buried her labrys deep into the bitch's side. Spinning with the other woman embedded on the head of her axe, she sent her flying into the flaming walls of their conjured arena which set her ablaze.
Tabitha collapsed to the bottom of the flames, a burned mess crying out in pain but with no noise escaping her thanks to the still active Silence curse. Pyrrha was going in for the kill when in a pillar of flame Ares in all his biker glory appeared to stand between his daughter and the downed Amazon.
"Stay your hand, daughter." The god of war said in a strangely polite voice. The fire behind his wraparound shades were burning brightly, like he was furious but couldn't express it as he normally would.
If a peacock could scowl, Auntie Hera's avatar most certainly did. "Excuse me. Ares, son, you are interfering. Why?"
"I can't have you just kill my Amazon Queen just because she's a lech. Especially in a fight where the winners can't succeed her because it wasn't one on one. If I did, it would lead to political chaos and we can't afford that. Not right now. Not to mention Amazon dot com."
"I suggest you get a new Queen. This one seems to be defective."
"I'm working on it." Ares admitted, looking discomforted. "But until I get a new one, Tabitha's gotta stay. I like it as much as you do, mother. I actually like Hades' brat. She'll be a great daughter-in-law. But my hands are my tied. For now."
"Oh fine," Lady Hera allowed reluctantly. "Then just take your Amazons and be gone."
"Alright. Don't start the wedding without me. I'll be back in a sec!" Lord Ares said even as he disappeared in another pillar of flame taking Tabitha and her Amazons with her.
"Now that that's settled, time for the wedding." Lady Hera declared.
"Here? Now?" Alkaid said self consciously brushing her hair.
"Didn't you say the reception could wait?" Hera said shooting her a glare. "Besides, look, the guests are already arriving."
"Indeed, daughter." Father said as he materialized right next to Alkaid.
"So glad we're second string questers at the moment. Because if this ain't interference I don't know what is." Pyrrha muttered.
"Mum, Mama, I'm so, so happy! You're finally getting married!" Mina said as she tackle hugged a lost looking Pyrrha.
"Relax, Pyrrha." Baba Yaga said as she trailed after Mina. "Your Fates probably set this up to make sure you two didn't interfere with the other group too much. They like their little tapestries and you two take to them like a wrecking ball half the time."
"I want five sisters and three brothers." Mina demanded.
"Uh, we'll try?" Pyrrha said hesitantly.
"Good enough," Mina said as she hopped off and ran over to give Alkaid a hug.
"This is all very rushed," Alkaid tried once more even as she patted Mina's back.
"It is," Makaria agreed, appearing next to Melinoe who she was clutching like a lifeline.
"Hush, all of you." Hera said glaring at everyone. When the Queen of Heaven spoke, people certainly listened. "I say we do it now and I'm the Queen of the Heavens, so do as I say. Now!"
"Yes Sister." Father rolled his eyes. "Drama Queen more like it."
"I heard that Hades!" Hera snapped, but any further argument was cut short when Ares teleported back.
"What did I miss?"
"Nothing important, son." Hera smiled, turning to look at him. "Now conjure your daughter a nice wedding dress. You too Hades."
"Can it be blood armor?"
"No." Hera, Alkaid and Pyrrha all shouted at the same time, much to everyone else's amusement.
"Tch, fine." Ares said as he snapped his fingers and created a blood red, very feminine backless ball gown for Pyrrha. He even helped her style her hair so the beautiful red locks spilled down her back.
"Mama looks extra pretty." Mina cooed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Okay, so I see why you like her now." Melinoe said as another instance of her popped in with Jane and the di Angelos, the former of which rushed over to her daughter to gush at her. "She's a solid 7/10."
"Melinoe, be nice." Makaria said, slapping the arm of their sister she was leaning against even as the other one vanished.
"What? I am. She's usually lower." The goddess of ghosts said defensively.
"I don't care." Alkaid said at last, as she stepped away from her Father now dressed in a forest green off shoulder gown decorated with multiple onyxes like small stars. "She's the only one I want and that's that."
Pyrrha blushed at that and nodded in agreement with the sentiment.
"Melinoe, I'll repeat what Makaria said." Persephone said as she materialized with an unhappy looking Demeter in tow. "Be nice."
"Kore, this is what you wanted to drag me to? The bastard's wedding?"
The glare that Demeter was subjected to from the entire House of Hades, her daughter included, would have killed her if she was a lesser god.
"Mother, if you cannot be civil at my daughter's wedding then leave. Now." The goddess of Springtime and Flowers and Queen of the Underworld hissed.
Demeter grumbled but sat down in a hastily conjured throne made of wheat stalks, looking displeased as the corn in her hair popped occasionally.
"Chairs! Well at least you had one good idea today, Mother." Persephone said shooting Demeter another warning look, as she snapped her fingers and conjured chairs for everyone made from living bushes. "Everyone have a seat!"
"And get comfortable," Aunt Hestia said as she popped in via a pillar of flame and the whole area inside Hera's little arena was transformed into a Victorian ballroom. "I hope this suits your tastes, Alkaid, Pyrrha."
"It does," Alkaid assured her Aunt. "Very elegant."
"It reminds me a little of Hogwarts and that's nice."
"5/10." Melinoe commented with a sigh. "You two have bad taste."
"You're one to talk." Makaria said pinching the eldest daughter of Hades. "If you had your way this would look all punk goth."
That this was met with shudders from almost everyone present, except the clueless di Angelos, said much about what they thought of the goddess of ghosts' tastes.
Mostly ignoring the byplay, Hera looked at the sky, wings crossed with a frown, which was weird to see on a peacock. She only got a rumble in return. "Fine, be that way. Miss the biggest wedding we've had in decades."
"Sister, are you going to carry out the ceremony as a peacock?" Demeter teased. This earned laughs form both Hestia and Hades, though the latter almost immediately caught himself before frowning at laughing with his hated mother-in-law/sister. Alkaid knew her family was weird, but she loved them for it. Though with Artemis captured, their jovial nature was somewhat off putting.
"Of course not, Demeter." Hera said as she transformed into a regal human form. "I was just waiting for the right moment."
"In other words, you forgot." Hades said with a smirk, that had his other sisters tittering with amusement. Though like he had earlier, Demeter soon stifled her laughter and frowned.
Completely ignoring her brother, the Queen of the Heavens gestured for Alkaid and Pyrrha to step forward. "Let's get started shall we? We've wasted enough time as is."
As she obeyed, Alkaid felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She was excited in way that she'd never felt before. Finally after forever, she was marrying Pyrrha!
Alkaid would usually have paid more attention to the ceremony, since it invoked a great deal of ancient magical bindings and the like, but she was a little too overwhelmed with the prospect of marrying the love of her life. She did regain her focus though when Hera turned to address her.
"Alkaid Potter, daughter of Hades and Persephone, demigod, sorceress, do you take Pyrrha Branwen, daughter of Ares and Jane Branwen, demigod, as your lawfully married spouse for time immemorial?"
"I do." Alkaid said with utter conviction.
"Pyrrha Branwen, daughter of Ares and Jane Branwen, demigod, do you take Alkaid Potter, daughter of Hades and Persephone, demigod, sorceress, as your lawfully married spouse for time immemorial?"
"I do," Pyrrha said eagerly.
"Then exchange the symbolic foods." Hera said as Mina appeared between the two demigods holding up a pair of apples. Pyrrha looked at Alkaid in confusion, so the daughter of Hades took the lead and picked up one of the fruits and offered it to her.
"Together?" Pyrrha asked, as she copied her lover.
"That will be fine." Hera said offering the two young women a smile.
Smiling at each other, both women bit down on the apple offered to them by their partner.
"With this, as Goddess of Marriage I pronounce you two wed in the eyes of god and man. May none tear asunder what has been made one today or face the wrath of all Olympus. This I swear on the Styx!"
Magical thunder shook the world for a moment, as Hera put her power behind the sanctity of Alkaid and Pyrrha's marriage. It lasted only a moment though before the entire audience jumped to their feet and applauded the newlyweds. Amidst this standing ovation, Alkaid pulled Pyrrha into a tender kiss, eyes closed as she savoured the sweetest kiss they ever shared.
Omake: The Sabbington Six
Mina had just been tucked into bed by her parents, dutifully closing her eyes and pretending to fall asleep so that Mum and Mama wouldn't worry about her all night. As the two women closed the door to her room, the little goddess waited a solid ten minutes to make sure they weren't coming back to check on her before carefully opening her eyes and quietly sliding out of her bed.
Hehe, she was being so sneaky!
Making sure that she made as little noise as possible, the silver haired little girl opened the drawer of her study table and pulled out a notebook. It was decorated with all kinds of drawings of little boys and girls, musical notes and instruments. This was one of Mina's greatest treasures! It was the place where she penned down all her ideas for her future siblings and their future pop music group, the Sabbington Six!
Now she just needed to make sure Mum and Mama got pregnant right away. At the same time even. The faster the better in Mina's opinion.
"We girls will handle the vocals, of course, 'cause we're cute and people like cute singers." Mina said sagely as she flipped to a page full of costume designs. "We'll get to dress up in all kinda pretty dresses and costumes. It'll be great!"
Little Mina had been confused about how many sisters she wanted. But eventually settled on five of them, mainly because she'd seemed to always only manage to come up with six costume designs for every theme. Well, she'd actually usually have one more or less, but it averaged out to six at least.
"Oh!" She gasped quietly as she flipped to a page about all the support roles she'd learned that a performing group needed. "If Mama or Mum have twins, they can act as the sound and special effects directors. If not, we can just have the brothers who are born closest together do it. And we'll need another brother to be our manager and we'll be all set! Hehe, Mina's a genius."
Flipping through the pages of her book again, she settled on a listing of all the songs she'd written so far. It was a substantial list, but one which she still found lacking.
"Alright, we have cute songs. Happy songs. Hm, I think we need a bigger genre choice." She tapped her fuzzy pen against her lips. Man, planning for the future was hard!
"Little missy is not sleeping agains?" Missy, one of Mum's House Elves asked as she popped in, her arms crossed and trying to look stern. "Mistresses will nots be happy."
"Missy, shh! I'm plotting for my future siblings~!"
"Future little misses and masters?" Missy asked, her voice dreamy.
The goddess of serial killers nodded seriously. Which was greatly undermined by her fuzzy pjs.
"Whats you planning?" Missy asked curiously, her scolding completely forgotten.
"We're all gonna be a girl group!" Mina declared proudly. "Me and my sisters, there'll be six of us, will sing and our three brothers will run things for us backstage."
"Six little misses and three young masters to spoil? Oh my!" Missy all but squealed in joy as she squirmed on the spot.
"Hehe! That's why you gotta let me plan. First I have to threaten Eileithyia. Gotta make sure she makes Mum and Mama fertile."
"Yous haven't done it yet?" Missy said sounding disappointed.
"Baba says we'll go do it next time she babysits," Mina reassured the elf with a pout. She was making Arts and Crafts last time! Sue her!
"Can Missy help?" The elf asked eagerly. Her already large eyes broadened even further in excitement.
"Yes! Now, what kind of music would a girls idol group have to stand out more?"
Done and done! Thanks to the team of Nameless and Axios as always!
Man, this chapter, by itself, was a rollercoaster ride! Hope the craziness of the chapter matched the pace well enough.
Nameless: What we're saying is that the fast pace of the chapter is deliberate and is an attempt to show the insanely frantic turn of events that surrounded the wedding. Have we overdone it? Let us know.
Ah, seeing the stalker choke on it. It makes me all fuzzy inside. Its amazing she's still alive. I mean, one must question why she hasn't been killed… but that's for us to know.
Nameless: About Tabitha's easy defeat. We know it was a little too easy. That said, she was being stupid and was used by Hera to get what she wanted: a wedding. You might have missed it but it was Hera who set things up so that it was a thoroughly unfair fight for Tabby. Don't worry too much, our resident psycho will be back and with friends next time. Friends capable of preventing a repeat of such a one-sided defeat. Look forward to it. In the meantime, this humiliation will just serve to make her even more of a mad dog.
Another thing, what Persephone calls Alkaid in the wedding is very deliberate on her part. She's staking her claim at last. A little slow, considering she raised the girl but better late than never.
E4E: Yeah, all hail her daughter. Poor Lily.
Hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day!
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