Author's Note: Yo! Another chapter up and the drama continues. Man, you guys are vicious with the whole fate of the Hunt! Don't worry, in time but there will be a little something for appeasement ;) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Uncle Rick


Three days had passed since Rhea and Percy joined the Hunt. In that time they'd memorized the patterns of the hunters and usual activities, looking for any chances to separate Andromeda from them so they could speak to her. So far, Percy had noticed she was a surprisingly early riser, just like Sally had been. Knowing that, Percy had taken to getting up even earlier and shadowing her while she went about her morning business which was usually walking around camp, exploring the nearby woods alone with a wolf or two from the companion pack, and generally enjoying the first bits of dawn alone.

She was smart from what he could tell and as sweet as Sally, always trying to get smiles out of everyone even when they were having a bad day. Hell, he was pretty sure Andromeda was the only one who'd ever gone into Thalia's tent to wake her up because she was lonely and came back out alive. Although, that made him wonder why was it that Artemis left her alone at such hours … maybe the goddess wasn't one for getting up at 5 in the morning. Though generally the entire Hunt was up by 7:30 at the latest.

The same thing was happening now except for a key difference. Instead of getting a few wolves from the pack, Andromeda left to explore without them, curious about the newest location the Hunt had stopped at. Apparently this was the first time the Hunt was stopping by Camp Jupiter in several years so she was very excited. Percy trailed silently after her, keeping an eye out for any threats that may be hiding in wait. He would have loved to walk beside her but he knew it would be too soon and some of the hunters still eyed him. The only times he got to enjoy her company was during the campfire that she would willingly sit by him and Rhea just to pet him.

He enjoyed that immensely but still his heart yearned for more. Still, he needed to bid his time and impatience wouldn't help him at all. So he watched her silently from the shadows, listening to her humming as she leisurely walked through the forest. They walked for some time until they arrived at a small creek where Andromeda sat down and took off her shoes before she dipped her feet in the cool stream, sighing in content. He sat back and merely watched, wondering what would be the best way to approach her. However, before he could think of anything he heard something snap from across the stream.

They both looked to see an injured boy, probably somewhere around 13 years old, stumbling out of the bushes. Percy could instantly tell it was a demigod by the scent and small sword in his hands. His purple t-shirt was ripped up and he looked like he'd been running for some time. He had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes with a lightly tanned complexion, his gate off since he was favoring his left leg.

The boy looked up to see Andromeda before he stopped. He probably recognized her hunter apparel considering that he suddenly looked more nervous as he scanned around before putting away his sword and raising his hand to look as harmless as possible.

"Hi," he said softly as Andromeda slowly got up and fidgeted with her hands. "I'm ah … Ryan."

"H-hello," she replied shyly while looking equally nervous. "I'm Atalanta."

"Nice name," Ryan complemented before he slowly lowered his hands. "Are you a huntress of Artemis?"

"No, not yet," Andromeda replied almost sadly before perking up, "But mommy says I will soon!"

"Oh, cool," Ryan replied easily as he continued to look around. "Hey … have you seen anyone else with a shirt like mine? I got separated from my team during our quest when a group of cyclops attacked us."

"No, I haven't," Andromeda replied as she looked around as well before focusing on Ryan again, "but maybe mommy might know. I can bring you with me if you want?" she asked sweetly with such a warm smile that Ryan couldn't help but smile at her.

"Umm sure … thank you," Ryan said as he walked a little closer and was about to offer a handshake when Percy caught the sound of something moving through the air.

He'd been so entrenched in his sister's exchange that he failed to notice the new presence … or react in time to stop what was coming. He watched, in shock, as a silver arrow embedded itself into Ryan's chest before he could shake Andromeda's hand. He gasped as Andromeda screamed in fright while falling back. Then, he coughed up some blood before his eyes rolled back into his head as he fell back, dead before he even hit the ground.

Percy's head snapped to the direction the arrow came from to see one of the most hated of hunters walking out of the shadows with a sneer on her face. Phoebe, the only hunter that rivaled Artemis in her hate for men and the most violent of the bunch being a child of Ares. Andromeda for her part was in shock as she looked at Ryan's still form and Percy continued to watch silently from the shadows, restraining every fiber in his being from killing the hunter here and now.

"W-why?" Andromeda asked in a weak voice as she finally looked at the hunter.

"He was a boy," Phoebe answered as if it was all the reason she needed, "And was about to take advantage of you so I killed him."

"But he didn't do anything wrong," Andromeda defended as she started to tear up while looking at Ryan.

"Him being alive was enough wrong already," Phoebe continued as she put away her bow.

Andromeda didn't look at her as she slowly crawled closer to Ryan before slowly reaching forward to close his eyes. But before she could Phoebe rushed forward and harshly slapped her hand away while screaming, "What the Hades do you think you're doing!?"

"I … I …" Andromeda stuttered in fear as she backed up from Phoebe.

"Damn girl! Don't you get it! We hate men! The filthy, deceitful, lying, pigs! They don't deserve any honor or last rites!" Phoebe ranted as Andromeda started to cry while cowering away. "You're so lucky Artemis even bothered taking a liking to you," Phoebe muttered darkly but Andromeda caught the comment.

"W-what?" she asked in confusion. "Bother with me? But … she's my mommy … why wouldn't she?"

Phoebe noticed her slip and bit out a curse while glaring at Andromeda.

"Nothing little girl," she spat before turning away, "make sure to return to the Hunt soon or your … mother will be upset and punish you."

Andromeda shivered at her words and Percy knew in that moment, that Andromeda had been punished before. For what, he didn't know or care. All that mattered to him was that regardless of what happened, he was getting Andromeda as far from the Hunt as he could. He then watched as Phoebe stalked away while Andromeda pulled her knees to her chest and started to sob. When Percy was sure Phoebe was gone he slowly approached from the shadows, purposely making his footfalls loud so Andromeda would hear him coming.

When he stepped on a brittle stick her head snapped open to look at him. She looked spooked for a moment but he still got closer before laying down just a few feet away from her and waited to see if she would approach. After a few minutes of staring at each other she did, until she was curled up in between his front legs and resting her head against his chest as his neck wrapped over her. She was still sobbing but it was getting softer by the minute and he could feel her relaxing. Then, surprisingly, she started to speak to him.

"Why do you always feel so … safe?" she asked as she snuggled into his fur. "… Like I know you from somewhere."

'So Hera can separate memories but she can't take away familiar sensations and presences,' he thought, recalling the one time he had her in his arms and played with her for hours when he visited his mother and Paul. His mother did mention that Andromeda had been especially calm and happy when she played with Percy … well, as much as a 1 year old could before getting hungry or sleeping.

'Perhaps you do know me,' he thought but was surprised to see her suddenly sit up and look at him in the eyes. 'Oh shit! I didn't filter where my thoughts went!' he berated himself as Andromeda continued to stare at him.

"Y-you talked," she said in wonder.

He sighed, knowing he couldn't get out of his one so he nodded and watched with amusement as her eyes widened.

"Wow! You're a talking wolf!" she shouted in glee.

'Actually you can hear me in your thoughts,' he corrected making her frown in confusion.

"So you can't actually talk?" she asked in clear disappointment.

"I never said that," he whispered, his voice carrying an underlying growl thanks to being a wolf, 'I just prefer to talk with thoughts,' he finished mentally.

"That's so cool! Wait till I tell mommy and Aunty Thalia," Andromeda cheered but frowned when Percy shook his head.

'No, you can't tell them about me,' he said somewhat sadly.

"Why?" she asked.

'Because … it would lead to bad things,' he replied while lowering his head.

"Like what?" she asked.

'I can't tell you that right now but please … promise me you won't tell them, okay?' he asked her while looking at her intently.

She studied him for some time before she slowly nodded. "Okay, I won't, I promise," she added while hugging his neck briefly. Then, after a few minutes she pulled back and looked into Percy's eyes.

"Why are the hunters so mean to boys?" she asked him, "The ones that come by aren't that bad … but mommy always treats them bad and let's some of the hunters hurt them … at least Aunty Thalia doesn't join them … and mommy tried to get me to join but I said no. She shouted at me once and almost hit me when I asked her to stop … but then apologized a little later saying it was too soon."

'What have they told you about boys?' he asked, trying to keep his cool at the thought of Artemis laying a finger on his sister.

"Just that they're terrible and cause all the suffering in the world … but I don't see how," she replied with a sad frown. "I mean … I've heard horror stories but the boys that I've seen look more scared and alone than anything. "

'So you don't believe that all boys are terrible?' he asked.

"No … Aunty Thalia sometimes tells me stories about a brother she had but that he disappeared years ago … and mommy doesn't let her mention the name. Something about the Hunt searching for him for a few years but never finding him," Andromeda answered.

'Hmm … what if I told you stories about him too?' he asked as he shifted his paws around his sister so both were more comfortable.

"You know him!? Can you tell me his name!?" she asked excitedly but Percy shook his head.

'How about I tell you stories about him and later, when I think you're ready, I'll tell you his name,' he offered her.

She eagerly nodded making him chuckle before he looked up at the sky between the leaves of the leaves. 'I think we have a little story time right now …'


Atalanta was feeling great as she skipped through the camp on the way to the campfire. It had been nearly two weeks and they would soon arrive to Camp Jupiter just like her mommy said. In that time traveling she had gotten really close to Mira and her wolf, Umbra. Every morning she would explore with him, sometimes even getting to ride on his back and hear all kinds of stories about the Lost Hero of Olympus.

At times she wondered why he sounded so sad and bitter when he mention that particular title but he usually brushed it off if she tried to ask more about it. Still, the stories were amazing. To think that one boy, at 12, had killed the Minotaur with no training and then had so many adventures. He'd traveled to the Underworld, the Sea of Monsters, and the Old World. He fought Titans, sometimes alone or other times with help and saved the thrones of the gods. He'd held the sky up and rescued her mommy which made him super cool! That wasn't even the best part either!

Even after the Second Titan War, he fought again in the Second Giant War, became a praetor of Camp Jupiter, helped united the demigods fighting the Giants, and even defeated Gaea himself! She was so desperate to learn his name but Umbra never said it and she couldn't ask the other hunters since they weren't supposed to mention the name of that hero if they knew it. Still, she was sure Umbra would keep his promise and tell her someday. But for now she settled for sitting against Umbra's side, right next to Mira, as they listened to songs around the campfire.

As they sat Atalanta glanced around at the other hunters and couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. She wasn't sure why but she'd always had these migraines and nightmares that didn't make sense. They were mostly of a woman and man that she couldn't place and screams. Then there was a face with the brightest, sea green eyes she'd ever seen. Of course, the first time she'd had the nightmares she told her mommy and then she called this other woman in. She looked regal, with a white chiton, dark brown hair tied into a braid, and some fancy jewelry around her biceps and necks.

The woman had approached her and then she'd blacked out … but there were no more nightmares. However, on the same night Rhea and Umbra arrived, they started again. Just little snippets and that gave her small headaches but she didn't tell her mommy this time. It was as if there was a soothing voice in the back of her head telling her to not let her mommy know … that those nightmares meant something more. She'd decided to tell Umbra about it tonight instead, right after everyone went down for the night and mommy was gone to drive her chariot.

She waited patiently while half-way snuggling into Umbra's side as the girls sang their songs and joked around. It sometimes surprised her how these seemingly friendly girls could turn into scary and mean hunters whenever a boy appeared or was even mention. So far, she was pretty sure only she, Mira since she was new, and Thalia didn't follow the trend. In fact, just recently she'd started to notice how some of the girls whisper about Thalia might not be the lieutenant if it wasn't for her being a daughter of Zeus since she didn't act like the rest of the Hunt.

Phoebe, that meanie, was the most upset about it but they hid it whenever Thalia was around. She'd even noticed that sometimes her mommy would listen in and not shut them up or tell them that they were wrong. Aunty Thalia also looked sadder than usual and would spend more time alone unless Atalanta joined her or now, Mira and surprisingly Umbra would keep her silent company. It made her sad to see her normally positive aunt like that but maybe Umbra could help her too. After all, he knew about that hero that her aunty called her brother, so maybe they could relate and help each other … but Umbra said that he would decide when to let Thalia know about him.

Soon the campfire songs finally ended and most of the hunters left to their tents without complaint. Atalanta for her part remained snuggled to Umbra and Mira with a blanket draped over them that Thalia had brought specifically for them since this wouldn't be the first time they simply stayed out and slept under the stars together. Atalanta occasionally opened an eye to peak around but saw that all the lights for the hunter tents were off which meant everyone was asleep. She then checked to see if Mira and Umbra were awake but nearly shrieked when two pairs of eyes were trained on her with clear amusement.

'Did you know you fidget a lot when you're antsy or excited?' Umbra asked with a wolf smirk.

"Someone wants to talk about something," Mira whispered with wagging eyebrows.

Atalanta faintly blushed in embarrassment but soon enough nodded. Silently the trio got up before both girls got onto Umbra's back since he was perfectly silent when he wanted to be and in the darkness not even her mommy could track him much to her displeasure. Soon they were a fair distance from the camp allowing them to talk regularly and Atalanta noticed that the moon wasn't over them yet and wouldn't be for a few hours. Something in her gut told her that it wouldn't be good if mommy saw them speaking. She then glanced at Mira and Umbra only to see them patiently waiting for her to speak.

"Umm …" she started as her feet shuffled nervously. "So … I … um, have something to tell you both."

Mira raised an eyebrow while making a 'continue' motion with her hand.

"So, I've been having these … nightmares," she whispered as she looked at them. "And … sometimes it's a man and woman that I don't know. They were screaming and … bloody. All I hear is the screaming and someone laughing but that's it. Then, sometimes it's a dream where I see this boy with sea green eyes looking at me … but I don't know him either."

As she spoke both Umbra and Mira gave her a sad look before Mira sighed. She then glanced at Umbra before turning back to her. "I think its best you and Umbra speak about this in private. I'll be nearby so shout if anything but otherwise, excuse me."

And with that, Mira walked off, out of the clearing and into the shadows of the forest while Umbra approached Atalanta until he was just a few inches away.

"So," he started, using his actual voice to let Atalanta know that this conversation was serious. "Would you like me to explain the nightmares … or show you?"

"What?" she asked nervously. "Did you know about them?"

"Not that you were having them but … I've dealt with something similar," he answered with a tired sigh. "And they aren't nightmares but memories. You're trying to remember something from your past that was taken away … but I can help it all come back."

"Y-you can?" she asked.

"Yes but it will change everything about your life and it will hurt … but know that I will always be here for you," Umbra replied as his snout inched closer. "So … are you ready?"

She looked at him hesitantly, wondering on what to do. What did he mean that it would change her life? Would it take her mommy and Thalia away? She didn't want to lose them but at the same time, she wanted to know what happened in her past. Who were those people that felt so important to her? She had to know, regardless of what might change … but at least Umbra is with her. So she nodded and watched as Umbra closed the distance so that his snout was touching her forehead.

There was a faint glow before she suddenly felt a head splitting headache, making her knees buckle as she slammed her eyes shut and screamed. All the images and nightmares suddenly assaulted her again but this time in clarity …


She was sitting up in what looked like a crib. She was gurgling and squirming around until a light turned on and a beautiful woman with eyes and hair like her appeared. She gave her a warm smile and cooed at her, making her baby self giggle and reach out with her hands to the woman … no … her real mommy.

She could feel it in her bones that this was her true mommy, not Lady Artemis. Her mommy was about to pick her up when there was a shout from somewhere outside the room making her mommy start as she turned around calling a name that she didn't catch. Her mommy left to check but soon ran back with terror in her eyes. She was about to pick her up when she cried out in pain and fell short of the crib … a silver dagger imbedded in her back. Her baby self started to cry as a familiar 12 year old with auburn hair appeared, her hands bloody as she looked down at her mommy with contempt.

At the sight Atalanta felt her heart break at the betrayal and lies revealed to her. Umbra was right, everything would change with these memories and it hurt so much. How could she even think to look at Artemis or any of her hunters after this, how could she even stay? Did Thalia know any of this? All those thoughts raced through her head and she continued to watch with growing dread.

She walked past her sobbing mommy and picked up her baby self, not caring how much she was crying, before glancing back at her mommy as she bled out. She grimaced before walking out with her baby self and entered a living room. There she saw another familiar child of Ares sitting on who she knew to be her daddy's stomach, slowly dragging a dagger across his face as he screamed. She also noticed that his waist was bleeding profusely and it looked like his legs were broken.

Artemis exchanged some words with Phoebe before pointing to where her mommy was. Phoebe nodded with a smirk and then, in a flash of silver, they were gone. Then the scene changed into the ones from Atalanta's dreams. This time she was in her mommy's arms as she smiled down at her and now, Atalanta could hear her.

"My little baby," her mommy cooed in such a warm tone that it made Atalanta's heart ache with want. "This is your big, goofy brother." She turned her as she said that and Atalanta saw the boy with sea green eyes looking at her with a huge smile. Soon she was in his arms as he looked at her with love and care, making her giggle happily as she touched his face with her chubby hands.

"Hey little sis," he said in a gentle voice as he looked at her, "I'm your goofy brother … and my name is …"


"… Percy," she whispered as she opened her eyes after the pain settled.

She looked up at Umbra as he watched her. "I have a big brother and his name is Percy."

"Yes … he is," Umbra said softly as he lowered his head to be closer to her. "… and he is the hero Thalia talked about … the lost Hero of Olympus."

"But … why'd he leave me?" she asked as tears started to build in her eyes. "Didn't he want me? He just left me after Artemis took me and killed our parents."

"He was forced to," Umbra explained sadly. "He couldn't do much at the time and if he tried to fight the Hunt, it would have been too easy to get you hurt … so he left but swore to get you back when he was ready."

"But … I want him here now!" she shouted as the tears fell. "I don't want to stay with those murderers! Why can't he just come back!?" she cried as her tiny hands balled into fists. "… I want my brother!"

She started crying her heart out as tears blurred her vision, her chest throbbing with the pain of the betrayals. All she wanted now was Percy. Umbra said he swore to come back for her and it was the only hope left for her, otherwise she would run away. She couldn't even think about returning to that camp of murderers. Maybe only two had a hand in her parent's death, but that didn't erase their crimes against others throughout the years.

"… he's already here," Umbra's voice cut in, making her crying abruptly stop in surprise.

"What?" she asked as she looked at Umbra through her tears.

She watched as Umbra stepped back before the shadows condensed over him, his form changing into that of a human. The shadows dispersed to reveal a tall man dressed in a cloak of darkness with his hood pulled up but even with that she could tell he was very fit and muscular. He stepped closer and kneeled before her as his hood was pulled back to show her his face. She gasped as she recognized his features, even if his once sea green eyes had changed to swirls of black fire with glowing, icy blue pupils that looked at her with the same love and care that her brother had.

"P-Percy?" she choked out as a spark of hope ignited in her chest.

"Hello … Andromeda," He replied as he cupped her cheek and used his thumb to wipe away her tears. "… I came back for you."

Andromeda, her true name. And her brother was right there before her. She didn't even hesitated as she dived at him, hugging his neck like a life-line as she cried into his shoulder. His strong and warm arms wrapped around her as he soothed her with soft words. She'd never felt so whole before, safe within her brother's embrace, her true family. She didn't want to let him go so she tightened her grip and nuzzled into his neck as her sobs died down.

But sadly, it seemed that the Fates were not being kind as she heard the familiar sound of an arrow being notched joined with a scream, "What the Hades is going on here!?"

Andromeda turned in time to see Phoebe release her arrow straight at her but before she could so much as make a sound, Percy's hand shot out and caught the arrow between two fingers. He kept one of his arms wrapped protectively around her as he glared at her, his hood suddenly pulled back up with his eyes glowing ominously within the shadow of it, making the normally stubborn hunter step back in fear even as she kept another arrow aimed at them.

"I knew keeping you would be a mistake," Phoebe sneered after regaining some courage. "And who are you, boy!?"

Percy didn't even bother to answer her as he looked down at Andromeda with soft eyes before speaking gently, "Head to the edge of the clearing. Mira is waiting for you to take you away from here."

"What about you?" Andromeda asked as she clutched onto his coat.

"I'll meet you in a special place a little later," he replied before he kissed her on the forehead. "Now go and trust me. I'm not leaving you this time or ever again."

"Promise?" she asked with wet eyes.

"Pinky promise," he replied while raising his pinky to her.

She looked at it before locking their fingers for a moment. Then, once they separated she hopped up to kiss him on the cheek before turning and running towards the edge of the clearing, Mira already in sight with a warm smile.

"Hey! You're not going anywhere!" she heard Phoebe shout with another arrow being loosed but as she glanced back she saw the shadows from a barrier between her and the arrow, making it bounce off and leaving her unharmed.

She soon reached Mira's side and glanced at her before asking, "What's Percy going to do to Phoebe?"

"Paying back a debt," Mira replied with a blank face.

She didn't need to say if for Andromeda to know she meant killing Phoebe … but even then she didn't want her brother to fall to the same thing as the hunters. She understood that it needed to be done but still … She looked back at Percy before shouting out, "Percy!"

He looked at her over his shoulder while Phoebe's eyes widened at the revelation.

"Please … make it quick."

Percy looked at her for a few moments before slowly nodding. She gave him a smile before turning to Mira, who placed a hand on her shoulder. Then, with a burst of shadow, they were gone …


Percy watched as they shadow traveled away before looking back at the still shocked Phoebe. 'Oh Rhea, you're too good to me,' he thought with a smirk. He could feel the barrier she erected over them long before Phoebe showed up after Rhea purposefully let her in. Phoebe had been watching them more than the other hunters, especially on the nights they stayed out together, so they knew the hunter would follow. Just to get a treat out of their sweet goodbye, Rhea had erected a barrier with several functions.

It suppressed all sound from leaving and made them blurry to the outside so not even Artemis would notice them if she happened to fly over them. As an added precaution no prayers would escape so Phoebe was effectively stranded … and she didn't even know it. The only other way Artemis could be alerted would be when a hunter dies or breaks the oath. Percy didn't have any interest in the second method … but the first would do after he made sure she'd suffered enough. Let it be known that, that was the only time he would willingly lie to his little sister. Phoebe had too much to pay for to get a swift death.

"So, little hunter, what shall we do with you?" he asked as he let darkness seep off his frame.

"It's not like you could do anything boy!" Phoebe shouted with another arrow aimed at him. "And once my lady arrives we'll finish off your damn family. I'll make that little bitch scream like I did her father."

"Oh you do not know when to cut your losses," Percy growled as his fists clenched. "Too bad for you."

Before she could say anything else he surged forward, closing the distance in a blink of the eye. She gasped at his sudden closeness but didn't react fast enough as his hand reached out and grasped her wrist. With a smirk he twisted, snapping her bones like twigs as she screamed to the high heavens and dropped her bow. He maintained his smirk as he used his free hand to backhand her across the mouth, blood splattering out along with a broken jaw.

"Come on little huntress. Is this all you can do? Gang up on helpless mortals and children to assure yourself just because you were a sorry disgrace to your father? And that is big considering he's little more than a godly shit stain," he mocked as he tossed her across the field.

She rolled like a rag doll until she landed on her back, tears already streaming down her cheeks but Percy wasn't placated in the slightest. He slowly stalked to her as she tried in vain to crawl away while sobbing, the smell of piss already tainting the air.

"Too easy," he muttered as he raised his hand.

At his whim, spears of shadows shot up from underneath Phoebe, piercing her through her arms, shoulders, shins, and thighs as she screamed again through her broken jaws. He twisted his hand, the shadows copying him until Phoebe was turned to face him, held spread eagle before him.

"You say you hate males yet I've met few of his children that are such embodiments of him. You take the cake really and I have no doubt that if you had been born male, you would have been a serial rapist and murderer of the worst degree. Funny. Maybe even the Fates didn't want to allow a monster like you to reach full potential," he said as he stopped a few feet away from her. "Your time has come huntress and this will not be over quickly … I won't even let your soul go to the underworld. Oh no, I've taken the time to make a special place just for you and the other traitors in the worst recesses of Tartarus … Now then, let's get on with your one way ticket to hell."

With that he took his massive wolf form, towering over the sniveling and begging huntress. His lips pulled back into a vicious snarl that would terrify even the Fates before he lunged … and there was nothing more than broken screams and blood splattering …


Author's Rant: And with that, first blood is spilled ... What will happen next? Who knows ... okay, maybe I do but I'm known to be a troll at times so you've been warned! Review and let me hear your thoughts!

A pleasure, Jbubu