The Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter Nine


Catherine and Erica sat in Catherine's office. A smile spread across Catherine's lips seeing a purple eyed Celeste on her monitor by the lake. Dionysus came into view with a sword in hand.

"With each cut, I infected her with chaos," Erica said.

"Interesting, I can't wait to see what the outcome will be," Catherine said, as she pulled out her notebook.

Erica saw this and tilted her head.

"Why do you take notes?" She asked.

"To document everything that is going on. So, I can come back to if later for reference." Catherine explained.

Erica nodded. "Can I have a notebook?"

Pulling out a drawer, Catherine picked up a new notebook and pencil. She handed it over to Erica.

Smiling Erica opened her notebook and started writing.

Silence swirled around both women as they looked at the monitor while scribbling in their notebooks. Catherine smiled, she wondered if Erica was taking notes as well or perhaps writing about something else.

Back at the lake, Celeste charged at Dionysus and the kitten. She flipped over Dionysus only for him to pull her back to him.

Annoyed, Celeste pushed Dionysus back and kicked him in the chest. Celeste eyes flickered as she slashed away at Dionysus. The kitten jumped from shoulder to shoulder avoiding the blade. That's when they both noticed the cuts all over Celeste body reopen. A dark purple liquid seep out of the wounds causing her body to glow. With only her face not engulfed by the liquid Dionysus stepped back, he was unsure how to go about this.

"Cel, I know you're in there, please don't do this," Dionysus pleaded.

"But I must, I need this power to defeat her!" Celeste screamed.

"No, you don't. Deep down you know having such a power would only do more harm than good."

Celeste shook her head as she grits her teeth. Breathing hard she looked back at Dionysus with one eye brown and the other still having a violet tint.

Seeing this Dionysus charged at Celeste. The kitten jumped on Celeste covering her eyes. Celeste stumbled back as Dionysus stopped, putting his sword away. He watched as Celeste dropped her sword as she tried to grab at the kitten. But every time she came close the kitten moved. Running all over her body glowing Celeste dropped to her knees. The moment the kitten touched the black liquid with her paws it dissolved. As more and more of the liquid dissolved Celeste's body shook violently.

Celeste grit her teeth as tears fell from her eyes. The kitten hopped off Celeste as her shaking stopped. Falling forward Dionysus caught Celeste in his arms. She looked up at Dionysus with her eyes back to normal.

"Dio?" Celeste asked.

"There you are, you scared me," Dionysus said.

"What happened? My body feels like it's on fire."

"You were infected with chaos."

Celeste thought for a moment.

"The woman I fought; I am gonna get her."

Dionysus smiled. "Yes you will, but for now how about you rest."

"Oh yeah, rest sounds good."

Celeste felt something brush up against her. She looked down into the crystal blue eyes of an unusual white kitten. The kitten purred as it continued brushing up against her.

"Selene?" Celeste asked.

The kitten purred louder and smiled as her eyes twinkled. Nodding, the kitten walked over to Chiron and jumped back on his shoulder.

Celeste eyes grew heavy as she struggled to keep them open. Seeing this Dionysus lifts Celeste up into his arms.

"I think it's time for a nap," Celeste said, closing her eyes as a yawn escaped her lips. "Keep me in the loop will ya?"

"Always," Dionysus said.

Smiling, Celeste finally fell asleep.

Dionysus sighed as he walked over to Hazel and Chiron. Looking at the kitten he nodded.

"Thank you," he said to the kitten.

The kitten nodded. Dionysus looked at Chiron and Hazel.

"I am going to look after Cel for a while, I will join you both later," Dionysus said.

"I understand," Chiron said, patting Dionysus on the back.

Chiron and Hazel headed to Big House.

"Come on, we need to talk," Hazel said.

"Agreed." Chiron replied.

Back in the lab, Catherine nodded as she finished taking her notes. Setting down her notebook she turned to Erica.

"You did good infecting Celeste with chaos, but that kitten seems to spark a new problem for us."

"Yes, a glowing kitten how strange," Erica said.

"How so? Couldn't you get a read on it?"

"No, during the whole fight I tried to tune in to the kitten and scan it." "But it was like the kitten was blocking me,"

"I see," Catherine said.

Opening her notebook Catherine scribbled down a few more things, but also made a mental note to keep an eye on the glowing kitten.

Back at Camp Half Blood, Chiron was standing behind his desk. Dionysus was with Celeste. While Percy, Annabeth and Grover were still in the infirmary. It left only him, Hazel and the kitten.

Chiron placed a hand over his mouth as he yawned. He looked over at Hazel who was examining the kittens' paws. Smiling he drifted off to sleep.

In his dream, Chiron was running along the beach under the night sky. The stars sparkled with each gallop he took. He came to a stop at the sight of a full moon emerging from the clouds.

Looking away from the sky he saw Selene, sitting there looking out at the ocean.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" Selene asked.

"Always," Chiron said.

"I miss this, you galloping along the beach while I watch from the hill top."

"You would always dance the moment the moon came into view."

Selene smiled as she wiped away a few tears that trickled down her cheeks.

"I am known for having such terrible luck,"

"You're not the only one."

Selene sighed looking down at the sand.

"I am sorry for putting you all through this."

"You're sorry? I should be the one apologizing," Chiron said.

"What do you mean?" Selene asked, looking up at him.

"I should have been there that night," Chiron paused. "I could have done something."

Selene stood up and turned to Chiron. She gently reached up and caressed his cheek.

"Now you listen to me," Selene paused." Don't you dare blame yourself for this."

Chiron sighed as tears filled his eyes.

"Fate is cruel, but absolute. I know we can stop this, I found you again, didn't I?"

Chiron opened his eyes; he was no longer on the beach in his dream. He was back at his desk with the kitten looking right at him.

"Yes, you did Selene," he said.

Reaching out his arm the kitten brushed herself over his arm. Chiron smiled scratching her head.

"Well, the kitten is Selene," Hazel said. "A piece of her anyways."

"A piece?" Chiron said, raising an eye brow. "Would it be a piece of her heart?

"Yes, this means we have a fighting chance," Hazel said.

Chiron smiled. As the kitten snuggled close to Chiron's arm, she drifted off to sleep.

"Yeah, I like the sound of that."