A/N: I'd apologize for taking just over five years to update this story, but I think you're all sick of hearing that. All I can say is that I can only work on a story when I feel inspired. I can't do much if the muses desert me. I'm sure most, if not all, of you have been in this position, so you know what I mean.
Chapter Five
Echidna
While their doppelgängers prepared to unleash an ancient horror on an unsuspecting world, the heroes were making preparations of another sort.
First, they used the pendant key Zeus kept for his frequent forays into the school in his capacity as the janitor to retrieve new weapons from the cabinets in the armory. Then, they returned to Hera's office to discuss strategy.
Meanwhile, Hephaestus went to work forging new pendant keys to replace the stolen ones and Hermes monitored communications throughout the city for any news that could lead them to Cronus and their doubles.
"I think the first thing we need to decide is what we're going to do with our doppelgängers when we capture them," Jay announced. "Are we going to keep them here to try to rehabilitate them or send them to Tartarus with Cronus?"
"If we capture them," Theresa amended quietly.
"What do you mean if?" Jay asked.
"We need to consider the possibility that we might have to destroy them," Theresa responded.
"What are you talking about?" Jay demanded. "We can't just destroy them, they're human beings."
"Maybe," Theresa answered, "but don't forget I saw what they did at the dorm while you were out cold. They attacked without provocation, hurt you, dragged our friends from their beds, and stole our weapons and pendant keys. At no time did I see any signs of hesitation. They acted without any indication that they possess consciences, morals or a shred of human decency. They might look like human beings, but they behave like monsters."
"And you think our only option is to…to kill them?" Jay asked horrified.
"Of course not," Theresa protested. "If we can capture them then we will. I'm only suggesting that we be realistic about things. We need to consider the possibility that killing our doppelgängers may be the only way to stop them.
"I realize that the idea of destroying people who share our DNA is distasteful, but we have to think about this now while we still have time because once we're out there fighting them we're not going to have the luxury of thinking over our options. We have to be prepared for anything and we have to prepare now."
"I still don't think we should be discussing this," Jay objected.
"Then tell me," Theresa said, beginning to get frustrated, "what do you think Jessica will decide to do if she has to choose between killing or capturing you or me or anyone else who gets in her way? Do you honestly think that she or her band of thugs will hesitate to kill us?"
Jay stared at her clearly unable to formulate a response.
"If they want to kill us then why didn't they do it when they attacked the dorm?" Atlanta asked. "It wasn't like they didn't have a chance."
"They were probably following one of Cronus' convoluted schemes," Jay answered. "He doesn't want them to destroy us. He wants to save that privilege for himself, after he's taken sufficient time to gloat, of course. After all, it's not enough for him to kill us. He has to make sure we know how inferior, weak, and pathetic we are in comparison to him. He can't let us die without pointing out all our faults, flaws, and weaknesses because we couldn't possibly rest easy in our graves unless we knew that we never had even the slightest chance of winning."
Jay's comments drew more than a few eye-rolls from his friends. Cronus' self-aggrandizing speeches were a well-known fact and had contributed to his defeat on more than one occasion.
"Jay's right," Theresa agreed. "Cronus is always putting absurdly complex plans into motion and they always blow up in his face. This doppelgänger business won't be any different sooner or later it'll fail just like all his other plans."
"You may be right too," Jay conceded. "We can't afford to take any chances where these doubles are concerned. We have to be prepared for every contingency and if that means being ready to destroy them, then that's what we'll do, but only as a last resort."
"Of course," Theresa agreed.
"So what's the plan?" Archie asked.
Jay had just opened his mouth to explain his plan when Hermes burst into the room.
"We've got trouble," he exclaimed, clearly in a state of extreme agitation, "big trouble!"
"What is it, Hermes?" Hera asked, managing to keep calm despite his obvious distress.
"Cronus has summoned Echidna!" the messenger god gasped.
Echidna was everything Jessica dreamed she would be, lithe, muscular, powerful and above all, deadly. From the waist up, she was a beautiful dark haired woman, but from the waist down her body turned into a gleaming snake's tail. Jessica approached her with caution, keeping one wary eye on that tail.
"Mighty Echidna," she intoned solemnly, "it is an honor to finally meet you. I have heard stories of your greatness, but they do not begin to do you justice."
Echidna stared down at Jessica her gaze filled with icy disdain.
"Who are you?" she hissed. "Why have you summoned me to this strange place?"
"I am no one of consequence, my lady," Jessica answered quickly. "As for why you were summoned, my companions and I merely wished to offer you an opportunity to take your revenge on those responsible for the murder of your husband."
Before Jessica had time to realize what was happening, Echidna wrapped her powerful snake's tail around her waist, and lifted her into the air. Jessica bit back a cry of terror as Echidna brought her up to eye level. She did her best to show no fear as Echidna's cold, slit-pupiled gaze bored into her.
"What do you know about my husband's murder?" Echidna demanded.
"I know seven heroes killed him," Jessica answered. "I know that when they find out you are here, they will come seeking to do the same to you, but I know that you will triumph, Great Echidna, because you are stronger and far more cunning than they are."
Echidna stared at her in silence for several long moments as if trying to determine the truthfulness of her words.
"Why should you care if I revenge my husband's death?" she asked at last.
"The ones who killed him are our enemies as they are yours," Jessica replied.
"And you think that, what?" Echidna snapped, eyes blazing. "I am your pet that you may send me to destroy those who oppose you?"
"No! No, my lady," Jessica explained hurriedly as Echidna's tail began to tighten painfully around her. "I intended no disrespect. My only thought was that you should have justice for the wrongs committed against your husband and that you would prefer to mete that justice out with your own hand."
Echidna studied her intently for a moment, then, seemingly satisfied with Jessica's response dropped her to the ground.
"I will have justice for my husband," Echidna declared, "stay and watch if you wish or go, but know that I will tolerate no interference."
"Of course," Jessica agreed readily. "My companions and I regret that we cannot stay to witness your glorious victory, but we have pressing business elsewhere."
Echidna flicked her tail in a clear dismissal, and Jessica and her crew swiftly departed.
"That was close," Jessica muttered once they were far enough away. "Who'd have thought she'd be so touchy."
"Do you really think Echidna can destroy our doubles?" Nat asked.
"No," Jessica scoffed. "Mother of All Monsters or not they've taken on tougher opponents and won. I only meant for Echidna to serve as a distraction, anyway. She'll get our pesky duplicates out of the way long enough for us to take down the gods. Now, let's get out of here before they show up."
There was a moment of silence before Jessica shot a pointed look at Taylor.
"What?" he asked.
"Open a portal, genius," Jessica snapped. "Unless you'd rather walk to the school."
Taylor was tempted to destroy his so-called allies right now, but as annoying as they were, they might still prove useful. He smiled as he did as Jessica had asked, thinking of the look on her face when she finally realized who was really in charge.
Their dark doubles had scarcely fled the scene, when the heroes arrived. They spotted Echidna immediately. She was slithering through the park, smashing benches and picnic tables, uprooting trees, and generally doing whatever she could to cause as much chaos and destruction as possible. Fortunately, the innocent bystanders had had the good sense to clear out when the trouble started, so Jay and the others didn't have to worry about a bunch of civilians getting in the way.
Jay wondered, not for the first time, what people told themselves to explain away the frequent monster sightings in New Olympia. Did they think it was just some over-the-top publicity stunt or out of control marketing campaign for a new movie or video game? Did they blame it on something in the air or water? Maybe they thought it was an escaped zoo animal or circus act run amok. Perhaps they tried not to think about it at all, preferring to practice selective amnesia rather than worry that they might be going crazy. Whatever people thought about the monsters in their midst, Jay realized that now probably wasn't the best time to dwell on it. He put the thought aside and focused on getting his team ready to handle the current crisis.
"Let's make this quick guys," Jay instructed. "We still have to locate Jessica and her gang."
"How do we stop her?" Archie asked.
"Please tell me it doesn't involve shooting her with lightning bolts and dropping a mountain on her head," Atlanta added, "because I'm pretty sure we're out of both."
"I don't think so," Jay said. "At least, I don't remember my mom mentioning anything about that when she told me about Echidna. She said that Argus killed her while she slept."
"Who?" Herry questioned.
"A hundred-eyed giant who worked for Hera," Jay explained.
"I don't suppose Hera has him on speed dial," Theresa quipped.
"I doubt it," Jay responded. "Look we've dealt with plenty of monsters before we can deal with Echidna. Just don't mention the Typhoeus; we don't want to make her angrier than she already is."
"Why would she care about the Typhoeus, whatever that is?" Neil inquired.
"Neil, haven't you read any Greek mythology since you joined the team?" Odie queried.
"No, why would I?" Neil wondered. "You and Jay already know it all anyway."
Jay rolled his eyes at Neil's usual who cares attitude.
"The Typhoeus was Echidna's husband," he explained as patiently as he could, "and somehow I don't think telling her that Archie and Atlanta destroyed him would be a very good idea."
Everyone nodded in agreement and turned their attention to the task of stopping Echidna.
Archie and Atlanta charged toward her. Atlanta fired shots from her new laser wrist crossbow, hoping to distract her long enough for Archie to snag her with his whip. Unfortunately, for Archie, Echidna seized his whip and used it to fling him away. He flew through the air and slammed into a tree.
"Pathetic mortals, you'll have to do better than that," she hissed.
"Who're you calling pathetic?" Atlanta demanded.
She fired another blast with her crossbow, but Echidna ignored it. Jay jumped in with his replacement xiphos, but Echidna batted him aside with her tail as if he were no more than an irritating fly. Herry stepped in next, trying to lasso Echidna with a specially reinforced rope, but Echidna grabbed it in one hand and started dragging him toward her.
"Herry, let go of the rope!" Jay shouted, but it was already too late.
Echidna wrapped Herry in the powerful coils of her tail and squeezed.
"You are the great heroes who defeated my husband," she laughed. "Absurd. Clearly, the girl deceived me, but no matter. First, I will deal with you, then, I will see to it that she pays the price for her lies."
Jay had recovered from Echidna's attack, but he had no idea what to do. Archie had rejoined them, seemingly all right despite his earlier mishap, and Jay was trying to figure out their next step. The situation was challenging enough before, but now Echidna had Herry in her coils and there was no guarantee she wouldn't use him as a human shield if they attacked her.
Standing a short distance away, Theresa could see that Jay was struggling to find a solution to their current problem. She wanted to help, but she had no idea if her plan would work.
"We have to do something," Archie said. "She's going to crush Herry!"
"I know. I know," Jay muttered. "I'm open to suggestions."
"Maybe we could…" Odie started, only to break off, shaking his head. "No, no, that won't work. Oh, what if we..? No, that's no good."
Theresa stepped forward. Her idea might not be perfect, but it seemed like the only viable option.
After the phantom incident a few months earlier, Persephone had stepped up Theresa's magical training. Theresa had worked hard, determined to control the power that had very nearly overwhelmed her, and she had improved dramatically. Among other things, Persephone had had her working on her ability to control animals mentally. Theresa had progressed beyond simple creatures, such as Garry the bottle imp, to more difficult, more intelligent minds. Chiron had allowed her to practice on him with varying degrees of success. Theresa knew that trying to control a mind as strong as Echidna's probably was could very well end in disaster, but as Archie had said they had to do something.
Taking a deep breath, Theresa squared her shoulders, and moved to position herself directly in front of Echidna. She knew she would only get one chance to make this work, so she had to get it right…for all their sakes.
"What is this?" Echidna laughed derisively. "Do you think you can frighten me with one pitiful, insignificant girl? I am Echidna, the Mother of All Monsters, and I fear nothing! I will destroy you all!"
Theresa locked eyes with her, and Echidna fell silent, shocked by her audacity.
"Let Herry go," Theresa ordered, putting every bit of power that she could into the command.
There was a moment of stunned silence, and then, shockingly, Echidna did as Theresa had directed. Her coils loosened, and Herry dropped to the ground. He had the good sense to put some distance between himself and Echidna as quickly as possible.
"Did you know Theresa could do that?" he asked Jay once he'd rejoined his friends.
"I had no idea," Jay answered, admiringly.
They all watched in mingled wonder and disbelief as Theresa continued to interact with Echidna.
"You're lonely," Theresa said, her voice calm and even. "This world is strange to you. You miss your husband and children. You want Campe to come here and take you to Tartarus, so you can reunite with them."
"Yes," Echidna responded, sounding as though she'd been hypnotized.
"Odie, call Campe and ask her to come and escort Echidna to Tartarus," Jay instructed. "Tell her to hurry. I have no idea how long Theresa can keep this up."
Campe arrived quickly and wasted no time securing chains around Echidna's wrists. The moment Theresa broke eye contact, Echidna snapped out of her trance. She was furious, of course, but there was nothing she could do. Campe led her away still spitting curses and promising dire repercussions. Campe ignored her and soon they were out of sight.
"Well, that's one problem taken care of," Jay sighed with relief. "Great job, Theresa."
"Yeah. How'd you know that would work?" Atlanta chimed in.
"I didn't," Theresa admitted, feeling a little shaky now that it was over. "I just figured it was worth a try."
"Thanks for getting me out of that mess," Herry spoke up.
"No problem," Theresa responded.
"So why do you think Cronus summoned Echidna?" Odie asked Jay.
"Probably to distract us from whatever he and our doubles are doing," Jay reasoned.
"If you really want to know, you could just ask him," Neil remarked offhandedly. "He's hiding in those trees over there."
He pointed to a handful of trees a short distance away, and sure enough, Cronus was peeking around one of the trunks. As if that wasn't strange enough, the moment he realized they were watching him he started beckoning to them.
"What should we do?" Archie asked after a moment.
Jay considered that. This could be some sort of trap, but Cronus' behavior wasn't in keeping with anything he'd come to expect from the god. He waited to see if anything else would happen, but apart from Cronus beginning to look impatient, nothing did.
"I suppose we should go and see what he wants," Jay said at last, wondering what other surprises the Fates had in store for them today.
A/N: I apologize if the fight scene isn't very good. Writing fight scenes isn't exactly my forte, but I did the best I could. I'll try to have the next chapter out as soon as possible. I want to get this story wrapped up by the end of the year.