AN: Hello all! I'm still taking votes for the ship so please let me know! I can confirm that it will be a Daughter of Amaterasu and she'll be a fiery redhead (think Kushina because why not).
For introducing Dojutsu, I want to, but am unsure as of right now. It will be Sharingan that will progress to Eternal Mangekyou for the final face-off with Kronos (Probably immediate 2-3 tomei returning from Calypso's island and killing Steven who "conveniently" disappeared from Tyson and Grover and will return in Antaeus' arena).
With Eternal Mangekyou, let me know if there's a pattern you want to see. He will have Susano'o but not Amaterasu given his heritage, I think it's appropriate. Perhaps for the Giant War and Tartarus, he will unlock the Rinnegan, but I don't know if I want to make him that OP, but if that is what the people want, then they shall get it!
Again review and let me know. Check out my other stories: Trio of the Trio with OCs based off my brothers and I, Vanishing Hero which is complete and being Remastered with a Sequel coming courtesy of MasterChaos1, and Fairy God-Slayer, a PJO/Fairy Tail crossover.
In my queue to write, I have a YJ/PJO crossover coming, similar to how Fairy God-Slayer is set up and I want to do a One Piece/PJO crossover as well, but can only manage 3 stories at a time (hardly at that). A Fan (idea from LordNark) has requested a PJO story where Percy possesses One for All from MHA which is in consideration and another PJO with OCs (idea from sketchywolf) that will come later.
Finally, the last story I am considering, courtesy of ProminentDawn is a PJO story where Percy is the reincarnation of Ouranos. Thoughts are always appreciated and all I ask for is patience as I try to grind these stories out 3 at a time before I move onto the next. Cheers and enjoy!
Chapter 15: Back from the Dead
3rd Person POV
Dream Sequence
Percy had repeated dreams after he passed out in Calypso's cave. The first of which found him back on a dock in California. The only reason he knew that was because it was right on the water.
Wondering what exactly he was doing there, he tried to wander around in his ethereal form, only to find that he couldn't. He let out a hefty sign when he noticed the last person to get off of the boat.
She was beautiful by all standards with fiery red hair that flowed down to just above her admittedly nice butt. She had the bluest eyes Percy had ever seen; even more so than Thalia's that seemed to glow in the sunlight.
What caught Percy's eye the most about her however, was the boots she was wearing and their similarity to his own. That, and the katana she also had strapped securely to her back. 'Another Shinto demigod?' Percy mused and as he thought that, the girl seemed to turn and look directly at him; almost that she knew he was there.
As the dream faded out, he saw the ghost of a smirk on her face.
The next dream faded into Percy's view, but it was more of a memory. He was back at the Hoover Dam from the quest and more specifically, where he met the redhead who could see his sword.
The very same redhead from his dream of Nico. 'Why am I seeing her twice?' Percy thought to himself as he tried to uncover the hidden meaning as the dream changed to the same girl, but somewhere in New York. 'Okay good to know she's in New York,' Percy thought dryly as the dream changed one last time.
Percy was back in the remains of Hephaestus' forge that he blew up, but something was stirring beneath the rubble. It was big, powerful, and sinister and Percy did not like it one bit.
Dream Sequence End
Percy POV
I came to in the same cave as before, still sore, but not so much that I couldn't move around. I groggily sat up and inspected that my clothes were changed into a pair of cotton sweats and a t-shirt. I quickly panicked at my lack of weapons, but noticed that Kurouzu and my kunai pouch was sitting off to the side on a table and Anaklusmos was still clasped around my neck.
Then I heard the singing; the most wonderful singing I had ever heard and followed it to its source outside of the cave in a trance like state. I found the source tending to a small garden several meters from the cave and saw the girl from earlier.
"Someone's finally awake," she said as her song came to an end and I blinked thrice in rapid succession. "Uhh, yeah. Where am I?" I asked and the memories came rushing back to the forefront of my mind. "Calypso," I whispered before she could answer as she turned around. "Yes, young hero. This is Ogyia, my prison," she told me and I looked around at the beautiful island.
"Some prison," I mused and earned a grimace from her. "Why did you speak my sister's name?" she asked me and I looked at the ground solemnly. "She was my big sister and my best friend," I said quietly and I felt her eyes widen in shock. After she quickly regained her composure, she spoke softly, "Come. Let us eat and you can tell me your story." With no reason to object and my stomach growling, I followed her into the cave.
As we ate, I told her my entire story; my true heritage, how I killed my birth mother, Artemis' adoption, how I got both Bianca and Zoe killed, my training, and finally the Labyrinth and Hephaestus' forge.
She listened to all of it in silence as she sipped some tea and shed a few tears when I mentioned Zoe's death. "You have had quite a time, young hero," she said and I smiled sadly. "Percy," I said and she smiled warmly at me.
"Why did you call this place your prison? I remember from the myth that you can't leave, but surely this place isn't that bad?" I asked and she frowned at me. "The place itself isn't the prison. Time flows differently here and it has been some time since a hero last came," she began and I nodded in mock understanding.
"The heroes that are sent here are… destined to fall in love with me and I them, but they can never stay. They always have someone or something to take them back," she finished bitterly and I felt sympathy for her before she addressed me again. "So tell me, Percy: I take it you have someone to get back to as well?" she asked sadly, but with a tinge of hope.
I paused for a moment and contemplated her question. 'Did I have someone to go back to? I don't think I love Thalia, but there is an attraction there. Who was that other Shinto demigod I saw?' I mused before I realized she was still waiting for an answer.
"I… can't say I have someone like that to return to," I began and I saw the hope spark in her eyes, which made me feel exponentially guilty for what was about to come out of my mouth next. "But I have a mission to finish and I'm sure my mother is going to kill me herself for disappearing on her," I told her and she visibly deflated.
I quickly got up and crossed the table to kneel at her side. "But," I said and she picked her head up to look at me. "I am incredibly grateful that I got a chance to meet another Big Sister," I told her with a small smile and she gave me one as well after the shocked expression wore off. "I swear on my Father and the River Styx that I will free you from your prison, Big Sister," I told her finally with all the determination I could muster.
She again looked shocked before a bigger, more genuine smile graced her face. "Alright… Little Brother," she said after a moment and my heart soared slightly at the name and acknowledgement.
3rd Person POV
After their meal and conversation, Percy stepped outside of the cave to try a few theories on how to get out of there, but none of them worked. Before the frustration could fully settle in, a flash of fire alerted Percy to an immortal's presence. "Lord Hephaestus," Percy greeted and got a grunt in response.
"You really made a mess of my forge," he said and Percy tensed. "I did what I had to to buy us time against Kronos' rise," Percy told him and he grunted again. "Very well, but you caused an even bigger threat to stir. That forge was above Typhoon's prison," Hephaestus told him and his eyes widened.
"I will likely not be long until he is free, but no use dwelling on that now," the blacksmith told him, but grumbled something about automatons not making that mistake under his breath. "I drove those who were using your forge out of it, so are you going to help me find a way to navigate it now?" Percy asked as respectfully as he could, though his patience was wearing thin.
"The string wasn't the only thing that allowed Ariadne and Theseus to navigate the maze. It helped, but it wasn't necessary," Hephaestus grunted and Percy grew a contemplative look. "Well I've said enough, boy," he finished and disappeared in another flash of fire.
Percy spent the night with Calypso one last time and shared a meal with his new sister. A raft appeared the next morning to take Percy wherever he would desire and he bid Calypso farewell with a hug and received a kiss on his forehead in return. "Camp Half-Blood," Percy said to the raft and it drifted out to sea as he waved goodbye one last time.
Artemis POV
Two weeks. It had been two weeks since my son disappeared without a trace from the face of the world and I had never been so distraught; though losing Zoe was a close second. The Hunt wasn't in much of a better condition as they all mourned over their brother's presumed death. Phoebe and Thalia took it the hardest out of all of them.
Phoebe made sense, as Percy was her little brother and her partner in crime. Although the time they spent after Zoe's death and Percy's training was short, the two grew even closer than he and Zoe had. Thalia on the other hand worried me. I saw the way that she and my son looked at one another and it made me incredibly nervous that both my lieutenant and my son were having feelings for one another. Romantic feelings.
All of that was pushed aside, however, as Chiron and the Daughter of Athena, who was already distraught that she had lost her entire quest group in the maze, insisted on holding shrouds for all those missing and presumed dead. That day had finally come and Phoebe asked if she could make the address for my son.
The shroud was beautiful, even by the Hunt's standards. Sparkling silver with wave and storm patterns decorating it and both my symbol and a representation for his father - a bow and stag for me and a dragon for Susano'o. I couldn't bring myself to look at it without the tears spilling out, much to everyone's shock.
"Percy… was a little shit," Phoebe began wistfully and got some water chuckled from the Hunt. "He pushed everyone's buttons in the Hunt, but he loved all of us as sisters and looked after all of us, even if he was significantly younger," she continued and more tears fell. "I-I loved him almost the moment I met him and took him as my little brother… I lost Zoe a-and…" Phoebe trailed off and took a moment to compose herself before she finished. "W-We were supposed to be together forever a-and-" she stopped abruptly and stared wide-eyed out of the pavilion.
I lifted my head up to see why she stopped and sensed the presence before anything else could be said. I whipped my head around and saw my son standing sheepishly with a huge grin on his face. "AND HE'S RIGHT THERE! YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Phoebe yelled with complete relief and no malice and everyone else's heads whipped around.
Before he could even wave or laugh, I had him wrapped in a crushing embrace and relished in the feeling of holding to my chest again. Before I could pull away, the rest of the Hunt tackled the two of us and the water works began anew.
"Sorry you all thought I died," he finally let out and everyone got off of him, but not without slapping him first. Thalia stomped right up to him and slapped him with an electric hand before she pulled him back into her, nearly crushing him like I did. Before she could lecture him, Phoebe threw her back and punched him across the jaw, before doing the same.
"Never. Again. You hear me," she nearly whispered and Percy smiled and nodded before kissing her forehead and pulling her into another hug.
3rd Person POV
"Ahem," Chiron cleared his throat and everyone turned to him. "R-Right, well. As glad as we are that you're not dead, Perseus, I believe a council meeting is in order," the trainer said and everyone nodded before gathering around the ping pong table.
"So after I sent Annabeth back to Lord Hepaestus' forge, I sealed the entrances and exits and dispatched the telekines," Percy said and flinched at the reaction of his sisters and mother. "You call blowing up an entire mountain 'dispatching'?" Phoebe scolded and he rubbed the back of his neck. "After that, I crashed on Calypso's island and met my new big sister, promised to free her, and got a clue from Hephaestus about how to navigate the maze," Percy added quickly and everyone nodded after the shock wore off.
"What happened to the others?" Percy turned to Annabeth, who looked down. After we separated, we haven't heard from them. We assumed…" she said and trailed off and Percy nodded. "We can't assume they're dead, but we still have work to do," Percy said seriously and Annabeth nodded in determination.
"What was the hint Hephaestus gave you?" Chiron inquired as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "He told me the string wasn't the true key to navigating the maze. If I had to speculate, I'd wager it was more of a way to backtrack than actually navigate it," Percy said and the remainder grew thoughtful expressions. "Ariadne and Theseus… Theseus was a Son of Poseidon and Ariadne was mortal… maybe something to do with the moisture in the maze," Annabeth began and Percy's eyes lit up.
"Ariadne was mortal," Percy repeated and everyone looked at him like he was stupid. "Yeah. We've established that Perce," Thalia scolded and Percy shook his head and looked at Chiron and his mother. "Ariadne wasn't just moral," he said and everyone looked at him weirdly. "She was clear sighted," he finished and Annabeth's eyes widened in realization. "The maze couldn't trick her because she could see through it all… It's a possibility," Annabeth mused as the gears in her head began to turn.
"Where would you find a clear sighted mortal?" one of the Stolls chimed in. "And one willing to go into the maze?" the other finished and Percy slapped his forehead. "That's why I've been dreaming of her!" Percy exclaimed and Artemis growled at the thought of her baby boy dreaming of a girl.
"Who?" Thalia asked, far too hostilely than intended, but only Artemis, Phoebe, and Annabeth seemed to notice. "I met this girl at the Hoover Dam on the quest to save Mom. She could see the sparti and Kurouzu. She's clear sighted," Percy said and the others grew hopeful. "Okay, how do we find her?" Katie asked and Percy closed his eyes as he tried to remember.
"She's a redhead… I think she's an artist or something… Dare. Her last name was Dare," Percy said finally and a few demigods deflated. "That's not a lot to go off of, Percy," Chiron said and Percy shrugged. "I know she's in New York… do you have a phonebook?" Percy asked and Annabeth and Chiron left to research as the rest of the campers dispersed.
"I need to talk to you three," Percy said and Artemis flashed her, Percy, Thalia, and Phoebe to her cabin immediately.
Thalia POV
"Okay. Sorry I vanished. I really didn't mean to," Percy led off and received more slaps and glares from the three of us. "I think Steven is working with the Titans," he said next and Phoebe and I gasped as Artemis narrowed her eyes. "I know you don't like him, Percy, but that doesn't mean-" I began, but he held a hand up to silence me.
"It's not because of that. Or, at least, not only that. There are things from the Labyrinth that don't add up," he said and we waited for him to explain. "I found Nico. Long story short: he was on Geyron's ranch with Eurytion and the Ghost of Minos where we were captured. Well Annabeth, Grover, Tyson, and Nico were. Steven somehow wasn't, but had his sword drawn," Percy said and Phoebe and I frowned.
"He could have fought them off. I don't know how much stronger he got since I was gone, but I have my doubts. They were going to sell us to the Titans, but Steven and I bought time and made a tentative deal to clean the stables for freedom," he said and I tried to cut him off again. "Percy, where are you-" I began to be cut off again, but this time by Artemis.
"He didn't make Geyron swear on the Styx to the deal and seemed the slightest bit shocked that we weren't in binds when he returned, but he hid it well," Percy said. "He is a Kelp-Head," I argued and Percy frowned. "He can't be that stupid," Percy countered and I raised and eyebrow.
"And then when we were headed to Hephaestus' forge and split up, he was quick to volunteer to go with Grover and Tyson, instead of with Annabeth. Now that could have been because I was there, but it doesn't add up. And if he is also 'missing' like the others, it isn't entirely unbelievable that he rejoined the Titan's forces in the Labyrinth," Percy finished and Artemis looked deep in thought.
"While that is minorly suspicious, it's not a lot to go off of, Son," she said after a while and Percy frowned. "If you find him in there, keep an eye on him. You're hardly wrong in your observations, but it's not wise to instigate Poseidon's ire, especially for you," Artemis told him and Percy scowled.
"Like I care about what that bastard thinks," I heard him mutter and he quickly shook his head. "There's one other thing," Percy said and we raised an eyebrow. "I had a dream about a different girl," he said and Artemis and I frowned while Phoebe raised an eyebrow.
"Another Shinto demigod," he nearly whispered and our eyes widened. "How?" Artemis asked and Percy shook his head. "I don't know. She had gear similar to my own and fiery red hair with startling blue eyes," he said and I quickly realized I was scowling. "Got a crush, Little Brother?" Phoebe teased and Percy blushed slightly before shaking his head, much to my dismay, though I didn't realize that until later.
"She's obviously here for me, but whether that's to aid me or kill me… Well let's just say that if it's a select few Gods' daughter, then she's definitely here to kill me," Percy finished and we all tensed. "She could ally with the Titans… Where did you see her?" Artemis asked and Percy hesitated. "Somewhere in California, but I don't know where. I was… distracted," he nearly whispered the last part and Phoebe chuckled again.
"It was like she knew I was there in dream form though. She looked right at me and smirked," he finished and Artemis let out a sigh. "Right. I am needed on Olympus. Your explosion-" Artemis began and Percy cut her off. "Has caused Typhoon to stir. Sorry about that," Percy said and Phoebe and I went wide-eyed. "Finish this quest first. Defend the camp. We will worry about this other Shinto demigod after," Artemis said and we all nodded.
As we were leaving, Artemis called me back to talk. I gulped.
Artemis POV
"What are you feeling for my son?" I said, skipping all prelude to the matter at hand. "W-What?" Thalia sputtered and I sighed. "I see the way you look at each other and saw your reactions to the other demigod," I told her and she blushed slightly and looked away.
"I-I don't know… I guess I'm attracted to him, but I'm the lieutenant of the Hunt and-" she tried to justify and I held up my hand to silence her. "I am glad you realize your role in the Hunt. This is my son we are talking about, so he is far better than most. I cannot say I approve entirely, but I don't completely disapprove either," I told her and she looked at me shocked.
"The decision shall be both of yours, as long as both the Hunt AND myself approve. I will protect my son first and the Hunt second. Please keep that in mind, Lieutenant," I told her and she looked equal parts scared and deflated.
I sighed once more. "Thalia," I said and she looked at me again. "This is… uncharted waters for all of us, but especially me. Please, have patience and I cannot simply make these feelings disappear. It also wasn't a resounding 'no'," I told her with a small, but genuine smile and her spirits lifted as her eyes burned with determination.
I sighed one last time as she left and flashed myself to Olympus.
'That boy is going to be the death of me.'
AN: Chapter 15! I tried to set up the possibility of both Thalia and OC ships so please keep your votes coming in! Steven will likely die in the next chapter so that will be fun! Please review and check out my other stories! Until next time!