A/N Whats up! Its been like a month but that's better than like four years, right? I can't believe the love im getting for this old thing and Im playing with the idea of writing for a show I love called grimgar of fantay and ash but that probably won't happen. Anyway, if you like the story please give it a follow and leave a review for a chapter (even an old one) or PM me. Every little thing helps me stay motivated to write, even though all the BS work I have to do for my major. In fact, a PM was the whole reason I updated after all this time! Much love my dudes.
Demigod Exchange Program
Two Weeks before the campers return for the summer
"Artemis, tell the counsel the results of Perseus' training with the hunters." Zeus ordered.
"A week ago, Percy completed his final test. Hunting the sea creature that was terrorizing the eastern coastline. The mortals had chalked it up to be a series of ships running aground on coral, however, we discovered it was actually an Aspidochelone."
The other gods started murmuring to each other. The giant turtle monsters had not been seen since Olympus was in England. In fact, the island known as England was the shell of a deceased Aspidochelone, one that had been long dead when the gods were still young. The turtles hunted by tricking sailors into thinking they were islands, and when they landed to replenish supplies and fresh water, they sank below the waves, drowning their victims and leisurely sucking in their corpses.
"Continue." Was the reply of the king of the gods.
X
Percy stood at the end of a dock talking to a boy slightly older than himself. He was trying to convince the 15-year-old to let him borrow his sailboat. They had hit it off immediately, Percy seeing how expertly the boy had manned the rigging and docked the boat all by himself and were in the middle of discussing the best knot to use for the mooring line.
"All right, you've convinced me." Alec finally conceited. He bent down and untied the mooring line. "Show me how to tie the Mooring Hitch Knot." Percy couldn't help but let loose a cheeky smirk. He grabbed the rope and deftly moved his fingers. When he stood back up, an expertly tied knot remained. Alec grabbed the rope and gave it a few not too gentle test-tugs. He let out an audible huff of air.
"I really need to get home to my mother, but not only do you know what you're talking about, you obviously know what you're doing too. I guess it's okay for you to take the S.S. Sunny South for a bit. Just dock back her before sunset and tire her down like you did just now."
"Thanks man!" Percy smiled. "It's been a hot minute since I've been out on the water, I really appreciate it."
"No problem. The least I can do for a fellow enthusiast. By the way… What's with the bow and arrows?"
"Oh these? I recently got into bow fishin' and I've been dying to try it in a little deeper water." Percy answered through a toothy grin.
"Really? Man, I need to get myself into that. Good luck dude man, hope you catch a big one!" Alec replied, walking up the pier and raising his hand in farewell.
"I do too." Percy said to himself, untying the little one-man sailboat and pushing off. The hunt were a few miles inland and they had finally got up the creature that had been sinking mortals' boats all winter. The latest attack had happened three days ago, a couple dozen miles north of their current location. Normally when a huntress underwent her final examination, they went on a hunt with just Artemis. Since he had been receiving special training all winter from Artemis herself and already completed his induction ceremony hunt, he had to do this hunt solo. This was the final evaluation of the skills he learned. He had wanted to do the hunt right, as a result he had left riptide with Zoe and only carried his bow and a hunting knife in a sheath located on the small of his back.
When Percy crossed over the threshold between the bay and open water, he immediately noticed a change in himself, he knew his exact location, the depth of the water, and he could even feel the underwater currents shift and predict the changing winds. This was something he was meant to do. He immediately questioned why he didn't go sailing more often. Well, maybe he'd have more time for hobbies without something trying to kill him every other week, he reasoned.
A few hours had gone by and sun had set and moon had risen, and still no sign of the mystery creature. Judging on the frequency of attacks, and distance between the attacks, Percy and Artemis had deduced that the beast had to be in this area, but Percy couldn't sense anything monstrous moving around under the water. Sighing, he decided to head back towards the bay. However, in his way was a large, rocky, outcrop jutting out of the water that he was 93 percent sure wasn't there when he headed out. He maneuvered the sailboat so he would come as close as possible to the rock without hitting it. It was then that the impossible happened. The rock moved into a collision course with the SS Sunny South! Percy focused on his senses and felt the unmistakable energy of a sea creature. This thing was massive! Above the water it had to be at least 20 feet in diameter. Most likely larger below the surface. Not wanting to risk Alec's prized possession, Percy quickly folded the sails and dove into the water. While the water may have been the monsters home turf, it was also Percy's home turf. Percy could finally see the creature in its entirety. It was an overgrown turtle. The shell had to be 40 feet at its widest and its head was large enough to swallow his brother Tyson whole! The hooked beak came to a wicked sharp point and the claws on its legs were the size of his arm. The creature's beady red eyes locked with his sea-green ones and they sized each other up for a moment. The thing suddenly charged at Percy, while Percy simultaneously drew, knocked, and fired an arrow in one fluid motion. Many would question the sanity of an individual who fired a projectile underwater, but one should not doubt the prowess of the sea god's favored son. In fact, being surrounded by water only increased his power and accuracy with a bow, willing the currents to guide and propel his arrow. Knowing he would not be able to pierce the shell; the arrow found its mark in the turtle's left eye. The impact did little to slow the charge of the surprisingly fast turtle, but it did manage to cause the beat to careen towards the right, overcompensating for the lack of sight in the left. Percy willed the water to push him the rest of the distance out of its path, while shoving an arrow into the armpit of one of its front legs.
Blind in one eye and with its movement crippled, the turtle was more worry of the creature it though of as prey. Being the predator that it was though, it could not fathom that it was the one that had been hunted this entire time. It opened its massive jaws and began sucking in water. The current it created was too strong, too sudden, and too close for Percy to resist. Reaching behind him, Percy pulled out the hunting knife from its sheath and hurled it towards the open maw of the turtle. Surprised when it swallowed the celestial bronze knife, the turtle instinctively snapped its mouth closed just as Percy appeared in front of its face. Already having another arrow knocked, Percy released the projectile point blank into the turtle's one remaining eye. The feathers of the arrow disappeared into the skull of the monster, skewering the brain. A moment later and the monster was slowly dissolving into dust.
X
The gods sat silently, staring at the moon goddess as she finished reporting the events of Percy's solo hunt. Very few could claim to have seen an aspidochelone and live to tell the tale, even fewer to claim to have fought one. But to have killed one, even a juvenile aspidochelone, and come out unscathed, with a perfectly intact boat no less, was unheard of. Artemis settled back into her throne with a smug look on her face. Apollo was the first to speak up.
"I thought Percy couldn't use a bow?"
"Foolish brother, Percy merely had no natural talent for the bow. Anyone can learn anything with enough time and dedication to practice."
"It appears that Perseus' training was a success than." Athena declared.
"What of Jason's quest to close Pandora's box?" The lord of the skies asked no one in particular, flickering into his roman aspect, Jupiter. About half of the counsel also shifted into their roman counterparts, while the others remained in their Greek.
"It was successful." Replied Mars, the god of war. "He lead a small contingent of 20 demigods from his cohort against the endless stream of monsters pouring out of the box and managed to close it without any casualties.
"Excellent." Jupiter declared, shooting a smug glance at Poseidon, still in his Greek form, thinking his son's achievements were more notable than his brother's.
"In fact," Mars continued, "Jason was elected to replace the retiring praetor shortly after his return." Jupiter absolutely beamed at that news. It was no wonder why he was favoring his roman aspect heavily since Jason made his debut at camp Jupiter.
"Unless anyone else has anything to add, lets end this meeting on that happy…"
"Actually, I have something dear." Hera interrupted the king of the gods. Jupiter grumbled but motioned for his wife to continue.
"I have noticed that Jason is a commendable leader. In fact, none are his equal at commanding troops and influencing the moral of his subordinates, however, he is far to reliant on his comrades."
"What are…" Jupiter jumped at his wife.
"Let me finish." Hera snapped. Jupiter grudgingly sat back down, shutting his mouth, displeased he was interrupted twice. "As I was saying, he is too reliant on his comrades. Not the he isn't strong in his own right; he just needs to realize somethings only he can do." Hera said. "On the other side of things, Perseus is strong, far stronger than any other demigod ever at his age. Of that there is no doubt." Hera spat out before Jupiter could protest. "But he has only ever fought in a small group or by himself. How are we to expect him to lead the Greeks in the defense of Olympus when he has no experience even fighting in a large group, in a large confrontation. He cannot shoulder this war by himself and inexperience will be his ruin."
"So, what are you suggesting?" Athena asked.
"An exchange of assets, if you will." The consul went deafly quiet.
"You mean to switch Perry and Johnson." Dionysus stated in an uncharacteristic, no non-sense, manner.
"Exactly. Well, Percy and Jason, but yes."
"Whatever." Murmured the wine god..
"No!" Shouted Jupiter and Poseidon in unison, agreeing on something for once. "They'll both be killed on sight." Poseidon continued.
"That's why we have a little insurance."
"What kind of insurance?" Mercury asked.
"I take their memories." Hera replied evenly. Silence followed in the throne room.
"You are not messing with my...!"
"That could work…" Athena interrupted the sea god. Surprised glances found the goddess of wisdom and battle strategies. Her words carried a lot of weight. Suddenly, Heras's hair brained scheme didn't seem that hair brained.
A few minutes went by before Poseidon spoke up. "I will agree to it only if both Percy and Jason are consenting."
"For once, my older brother and I are in agreeance." Jupiter declared. "Let's put it to a vote. All in favor of sending Jason to camp half-blood and Percy to camp Jupiter, with their memories erased, raise your hands." Slowly, one by one, twelve godly hands found their way to the air. "Motion passed." Jupiter declared. "Now, how long will the be switched for?" Jupiter asked, turning to his wife.
"Just for this summer, and their memories will be returned by September 1st." Hera declared.
"Fine. No point in wasting time when we're all gathered here. Mars, you're going to camp Jupiter to get Jason. Artemis bring Percy here. Be back in 10 minutes." The throne room was filled with two flashes.
X
Mars suddenly appeared at the front of the banquet hall, all music and jovial chatter died the instant he flashed in. "Jason." The god bellowed. "You're needed for a quest." He snapped his fingers the newly appointed praetor vanished. "He'll be back by the end of the summer. Don't worry about him." The respected war god declared before vanishing into the night. The romans all sat their stunned, having the new Praetor taken away during his appointment celebration was baffling, but who were they to question an Olympian.
X
Artemis flashed into the middle of her Hunters' camp, she glanced around and saw a feast well underway. She smiled. This little festival had been going on since the night Percy returned from killing the aspidochelone. Her hunters had been preparing this festival during the weeks leading up to the hunt while Percy and she were tracking the great sea beast. She was reluctant to pull Percy away, after all they been expecting Percy to stay with them for another two weeks before they dropped him off at camp. Now he wouldn't even recognize them in a few hours. She was looking forward to the traditional capture the flag game at camp when the hunters came. She was curious what side he would have picked. Artemis was sure her hunters would have done anything to convince him to be on their team. Sighing, she made her way towards the laughter and smiles. She made her way to the front so that everyone could see her.
"I hate to be the barer of bad news, but the festivities must be cut short." Artemis called out, silencing the hunters who had just know noticed their lady had arrived. "Percy has been called to Olympus for an important quest." She announced looking around but failing to see Percy. "Ahh, where is he?" She asked.
"He's in his tent." Zoe called out. "He went to bed about an hour ago."
"Thank you, Zoe." Artemis said, making her way to the outer most tent. She didn't bother to knock or announce herself; she was a goddess after all. She didn't need permission to enter a tent in her hunt. She waltzes right in and immediately froze, her face turning bright red. The sight see found was the sea spawn sprawled on top pf his bed roll, in nothing but some form fitting boxer briefs. All she could do was stare. She may have been millennia old, and he may have been 13, but her form was that of a 13-year-old too. So, it wasn't creepy. At all. They were basically the same age. And why did she even care? Her face turning redder by the second, finally he let out a massive snore that broke her trance. She through a blanket over him before gently kicking him awake.
"Whaaa" Percy incoherently murmured, uncapping riptide instinctively. Artemis couldn't help but admire him. Even just waking up, he was ready for a fight. Their eyes met, and Percy immediately got up onto one knee. "Milady" He said respectively. Artemis reluctantly snapped her fingers, putting his typical camp half-blood clothes on him.
"You're need on Olympus Percy, prepare yourself. We're leaving now." With that, I flashed us both to the throne room of Olympus.
Percy appeared before the 12 Olympians, except, some of them looked different. Standing next to him was a blonde kid he had never seen before. He looked almost the same age as him, with a thing scar on his chin.
"Jason, Percy," The weird looking god of thunder called out. "We have brought you hear to ask something of you. Before we do, however, we need the both of you to consent to having your memories wiped if you refused our request."
Percy and Jason looked at each other with confused expressions, they both shrugged and turned back to the king of the gods. "I consent." They both replied at the same time.
"My wife, Hera has decided we're of need of a little exchange program. First you need to know that each god has a roman and Greek aspects." Silence. The look and both the demigods face were one's of disbelief. "Jason, you are my son, the son of Jupiter. Perseus, you are the son of my brother, the son of Poseidon. There are two demigod camps, camp Jupiter, the roman camp, and camp half-blood, the Greek camp. We have decided that it is on all our best interests if you were to switch places for the summer. In the past, whenever the two camps met, war broke out. To prevent this from happening, we need to lock away your memories. Come September 1st, your memories will be restored, and you will keep those of the other camp. We will not take these memories from you. We will only fallow through if both of you agree. Should one or both of you refuse, your memories of this meeting will be forfeit." Jupiter announced.
Again, the two cousins turned to face each other. An unspoken conversation was had for several minutes. They both looked at towards their fathers, and Percy stole a glance at Artemis before facing Jupiter.
"We agree." They said in unison.
A/N WOW what do you think? As the giant war hasn't happened yet and Hera hasn't been kidnapped, the gods are not at war with their two halves and, in fact, have some semblance of control over it. Mainly whatever aspect they resonate more with that's the form they usually take. Just because they're switching places doesn't mean the camps will find out about each other either. I'm actually really excited to see how this influences the legend of Perseus Jackson and friends! Sadly, I can't guarantee regular updates but know that im constantly thinking of what ifs. I originally had planned a cool little capture the flag when Percy returned to camp half-blood but whoops, looks like he's not returning this summer!
