A/N: Hey guys! Sorry the updating is kinda late; I've been busy with swimming and going to state. I'll try to update more frequently but again, no promises. Anyway I've decided to slow down and focus more on how PJO changes so yeah! Disclaimer- I do not own PJO or HoO and this is entirely for entertainment for me and those of you who want to read this.
Chapter Two: The Throne Room
I stood in the center of the throne room on Olympus, Zoe on the left side and Thalia to my right. The gods were discussing the events of the quest and what they meant. Neither Zoe, Thalia, nor I had said a single word since Artemis had brought was to Olympus. Everything was still pretty numb, the words spoken by the gods were inaudible, time seemed slowed, but at the same time everything zoomed past at speeds I could not follow. Thalia was near tears, but refusing to show weakness in front of her father and the other Olympians. Zoe was expressionless, her years with the Hunt made her accustomed to loss. I, however, had no idea how to deal with it. Annabeth had been one of my first friends at Camp Half-Blood, she had been on every quest with me so far, saved my life countless of times, and I couldn't save hers.
"You three, tell us of the events of your quest before the fight with the titan Atlas." Zeus said, silencing the rest of the Olympians.
Thalia and I stood there, not being able to find our words. Zoe, however, had no trouble in finding hers. She bowed, "Lord Zeus, the quest started off with four members, Thalia, Bianca, Grover, and I. After traveling for several hours, we met with Perseus, turning our quest into a party of five." Zoe continued to recount the events, telling how I managed to find the Nemean Lion's weakness, telling of the Sparti, how Bianca killed one, Bianca's death, everything. The gods listened in silence at the accounts. Zoe was finishing up with how Luke tried to tempt Thalia with the Ophiotaurus's power.
"It is clear that we need to kill the Ophiotaurus, to prevent any other of our children from being tempted to sacrifice the entrails." Zeus said after Zoe was finished. This pulled me out of my daze. I looked around and saw nods of agreement.
"No! You can't kill Bessie!" I yelled. Every member of the consul starred at me with questioning faces.
"Percy," my father said, "Did you just call the Ophiotaurus 'Bessie'?" I nodded my head in reply.
"And why do you want this creature to be saved." Athena said with a look of suspicion.
"Yes, please tell us Perseus. Do you wish to sacrifice the Ophiotaurus for yourself?" Zeus said with a growl.
"No, that's not it at all! Bessie is innocent! He has nothing to do with this at all. Please, just let him on live, guard him, make sure no on harms him. Just please, do not hurt him." I said, sending my father a pleading look. "After all it is still a sea creature, aren't we suppose to protect them dad?"
"Poseidon! You're not actually going to let your son tell you what to do, are you?!" Zeus shouted at my father. Poseidon looked towards me, and then at his younger brother Zeus.
"I am afraid that Perseus is right, Lord Zeus." Poseidon said. "The Ophiotaurus is an innocent creature and has done nothing wrong besides existing. It is a creature born of the sea and therefor it is under my protection." Many Olympians nodded to this, seeing reason and justification to preventing the murder of this creature, despite it having the power to destroy them all.
"Would you have us just set the creature free into the sea then?" Zeus said through clenched teeth.
"If that's what it takes to prevent it from harm, yes." Poseidon retorted.
"If I may," Artemis stepped in, "The Ophiotaurus could stay here on Olympus. Poseidon can build it an aquarium and we can station guards on it. After all, what safer place is there then Olympus? If our enemy reaches the Ophiotaurus, then it will be too late to mean anything"
"Fine." Zeus said, obviously still fuming about it. "But if the Ophiotaurus is killed and we are brought to our knees, it will be on your head Poseidon."
I dipped my head in appreciation towards my father; he returned the gesture with a small smile. I looked over to see relief flood across Thalia's and Zoe's faces. They too had grown fund of Bessie and did not want to see it harmed.
"This brings us to our last order of business," Zeus said to the rest of the consul. "My daughter Thalia turns 16 tomorrow." He paused, looking around at the other gods, daring them to suggest a solution that would end up with Thalia being harmed. This, evidently, was the only solution anyone could think of.
"Father," Artemis said expectantly. "I may have a solution, a way to delay the prophecy." Zeus looked shocked, wondering if his daughter was about to suggest the only solution that was going through everyone else's minds. "Relax father, I simply wish to offer Thalia a place amongst the Hunters. She would make a great addition to the Hunt; it is as well that my blessing will prevent her from turning 16 and in turn delaying the prophecy." All the tension left the throne room; this was a very sensible idea. Zeus was pondering the idea with a face of contemplation.
"I believe," Zeus started, "that the final decision, to join the Hunt, is up to Thalia." Zeus turned towards his daughter, along with everyone else in the throne room.
Thalia stepped forward and took another bow. "I would be honored to join the ranks of the Hunt." Thalia said. She then took another bow towards Artemis who smiled in her direction.
"Excellent!" Artemis declared. "After the meeting you shall come with me to take your oath in private."
"Then that solves that." Zeus said. "Now unless anyone else has anything to say, the meeting is now adjourned." The gods looked around to see if anyone had more to say.
"Actually father," Artemis said with an almost nervous facial expression. "I do have one more thing I'd like to discuss. It regards Perseus here." Everyone stared at her in shock, while Apollo stared at her suspiciously, and then sent a glare in my direction.
"And what would you want with my son?" Poseidon asked dangerously.
"As you all know, Perseus here is next in line to become the prophesized child." Poseidon narrowed his eyes at Artemis, but she continued. "So far he has returned the Master Bolt, found the Golden Fleece, battled Atlas, and held the sky for me. None of these are small tasks separately; together they are the makings of a legend. However, I believe that Perseus will require more training than spending the summer at Camp Half-blood has to offer if we want him to succeed." Artemis now looked unsure of what she was about to say. "I would suggest that Percy spend the remaining months of winter training and traveling with the Hunt. I believe that our skills in tracking, hunting, archery, and battle strategy will be a huge aid in fulfilling the Great Prophecy." Artemis finished. The gods, epically Apollo, Poseidon and Zeus, all stared at her with mouths hanging open. I couldn't believe what I just heard.
"You want a boy to join the hunt?!" Apollo half yelled, half asked.
"Not join." Artemis snapped. "But to train and travel with? Yes, for a short time."
"No." Poseidon said flatly. "You and your hunters are a cult of man hating fury that would most likely kill Percy in his sleep."
"My hunters will do no such thing! They will restrain themselves from doing anything to Perseus, because they will follow my orders without question. Besides, I am in debt to Perseus after he held up the sky for me. I will not let him get hurt while that is still over my head." Artemis glared at Poseidon, while he glared back at her.
"I think that this is a very sensible thing to do, daughter." Zeus said with a small grin on his face, like he could picture the things the hunters would do to Percy when Artemis wasn't around. "What say you Poseidon?"
"I do not like the idea that my son will be subjected to the abuse that those hunters will put him though, but as you did with your daughter; the ultimate decision should fall upon Percy."
"Then what will be your decision, young Perseus?" Zeus asked me.
I looked at Thalia, who nodded her head. I then turned to Zoe, who also gave me looks of encouragement. I looked at my father, and I saw that he would support me no matter what I chose. I turned to Apollo who, again, was starring me down. Suddenly the story of Orion popped into my head. I looked towards him, then to Artemis, and then finally at Zeus. "Can I be assured that the incident with Orion will not be repeated?" I asked.
Apollo jumped to his feet, "This is an outrage!" he cried. "Are you suggesting that I will try to kill you!?"
"I am not suggesting it Lord Apollo," I quickly apologized. "I am merely nervous because sons of Poseidon do not of the best track record with Artemis. No offense Lady Artemis."
"None has been taken, Perseus."
"Yes, we can assure you that an event like that will not take place again." Zeus said, glaring at Apollo.
"Can the consul swear upon the river Styx?" I asked. "Someone once told me to always get a solemn oath."
Zeus narrowed his eyes once more. "Yes, the consul swears upon the river Styx that the incident with Orion, or an incident similar to what happened to Orion, will not happen again." Thunder boomed overhead, sealing the oath.
"Than my answer is yes, I would be honored to join the Hunt for the remaining months until summer training at Camp begins."
A/N: So chapter two! Tell me what you guys think! The reviews and PMs are always helpful and welcomed! Sorry, this update came out later than I originally wanted it to, I'll try to post more chapters next week! I should have more time with our spring break starting. Did you guys like how I got Percy involved with the hunt without him becoming the guardian? I get really tired of the guardian story lines, there's just way too many of them and they are all so similar! Again, let me know what you think so far!
