Chapter 10: Secret Agent Man
THEO POV
I shifted my appearance from 'Percy' and went to gather my supplies. Combat boots, black cargo pants that housed ambrosia and nectar if need be, dark sea-green t-shirt, my black coat with hood. My mom and patron hooked it up with some new threads. On the back of my coat was a large silver crescent moon. On the front over the heart was a peacock sitting in the flames of the hearth like a phoenix would. On the right shoulder was a trident. That way all the gods I have ties with are represented.
Artemis left for her chariot after dinner and some of the Hunt came to find me and wish me luck. My littles ones all hugged me and told me to be safe. The older hunters that didn't interact with me much all gave me a swift nod. 'Glad to see our relationship is getting better,' I thought as Thalia, Phoebe, and Atalanta found me. "Stay safe out there Kelp-Head," Thalia said and gave me a fist bump. "Yeah, we wouldn't wanna have to cook our meals anymore," Phoebe and Atalanta teased. "Of course not, I have to do everything for you little girls around here," I replied back to earn playful slaps to the shoulders and back of the head.
"Seriously Perce, be careful," Thalia added one last time. I smiled at her, "I will, but it's 'Theo' in this form." She just rolled her eyes at me. Shortly after I went off to train until Artemis returned. I mainly focused on my archery and knife throwing, as it was more useful for these stealth missions. I also practiced my vapor traveling with objects, trying to simulate a monster if I need to take them out one at a time.
After about two hours of training and another hour of meditating, Artemis returned. 'Come to my tent Percy,' I heard in my head and fire traveled there. "Are you ready to go?" Artemis asked me, and I nodded before speaking, "Yes. I am going to hold off on eliminating any of the forces tonight, but if there is a group following us, they cause me more worry." Artemis sighed at this and said, "I know Percy, just be cautious tonight. If they're really leading us and they know about you then…" As she trailed off, I went to her side and grabbed her hand.
"I know, but knowing about me and being able to stop me are two different things. I'll be fine Artemis." I said reassuring her. She didn't seem to mind so much that I grabbed her hand, but it didn't last long. 'Just a friendly and reassuring hand hold that's all,' I thought as she sighed again.
"Just be careful Percy," she finished sternly. I smiled and chuckled, "Oh come on Arty! When have I not been careful? Besides, it's 'Theo' in this form." She caved in and smiled slightly, "Do you actually want me to answer that?" I laughed at myself with her and gave her one last half-bow, "I'll see you in the morning Milady," and flashed out in a column of fire.
I reappeared about 20 miles to the east of camp and climbed to a tall tree. I saw a bustling city in the distance further east. 'New Orleans,' I thought before I pressed my senses out to the surrounding area. During the two and a half weeks since my mission, I've been branching out about 20-30 miles at a time from the camp.
As luck would have it, I sensed a gathering of monsters about a mile from my position to the southwest. I stayed in the trees as I approached the encampment and listened. Most of it was idle chatter between cyclops, hyperborians, dracnae, empousai, and the like. Some telekines and hellhounds were present, but nothing to write home about.
I circled the camp several times to take a headcount of their numbers and composition. 'About 150 of them. That's not great, but manageable. I'll have to survey the area between here and the camp to see where they'll likely strike,' I thought as I quickly left.
I scouted ahead from the Hunters camp to the north and south as well to ensure no ambushes were waiting for us and there weren't any. Now for the moment of truth to scout back west. I avoided fire traveling, since it was far too obvious and stuck to the trees.
About eight miles back to the northwest was where I felt their presence and I cursed myself. I sensed the usual grunt soldiers, but three auras made my blood freeze. I finished surveying the encampment and found it larger than the bait group by double the numbers. 'Fuck. That's a lot of monsters, even just grunts,' I cursed and moved toward the command tent still in the trees.
Ensuring my aura was completely masked, I listened.
"I heard Jackson is traveling with the Hunt. We should take them now!" a shitty French accent said and I immediately knew the Manticore was there. 'Probably still bitter about Maine all those years ago," I silently chuckled to myself. "You will do no such thing," a voice I didn't recognize said. "My brother is lying in wait near the camp and has already called dibs on Jackson's head for that maple tree stunt." 'Okay so Hyperion is at camp and his brother… whose name escapes me is trailing us. Not the best circumstances,' I thought.
"We will trail them until they are led to camp, then we will finish them all off," Hyperion's brother continued before two of the auras exited the tent. The manticore seemingly frustrated, but that was to be expected. The other that exited after him was Kelli, the empousai and my blood boiled in rage slightly.
'Okay. They're moving with us, which means they'll camp here for the night. That gives me time to sneak into the command tent and steal some plans.'
I lowered myself to the ground of the tree, watching for patrols as I did so and crept to the shadows of the tent. I was dead silent in the camp as I heard the even breathing of slumber. I sent out a silent prayer and vapor traveled into the tent. I quickly assessed the scene and found a giant of a man asleep on the cot. I turned to see his armor mounted on display.
I was midnight black, decorated with constellations and a rams helmet. In reality, it was absolutely sweet, but I didn't have time to admire it. I went over to the table and flipped through any plans quickly. I didn't find much of any use, but snagged a few documents containing locations, forces, and a letter between Hyperion and his brother.
I heard footsteps coming toward the tent and panicked, quickly I vapor traveled out just as the flap was opening. The vapor either dissipated before whoever entered noticed, or they didn't pay it any mind. I heaved a sigh of relief and fire traveled back to the Hunters camp as the sun was coming up.
ARTEMIS POV
I awoke just before the sun was coming up and let out a deep sigh as I stretched. My joints and bones popped from sitting idle in the night, and I started to go about the day. As I was doing so, my thoughts went to Percy.
'I hope he's back soon. I hope he found information. I just hope he's okay," I thought and on cue, there was a knocking on my tent pole.
"Come in," I said and turned to see Percy walking in at a brisk pace. "Percy!" I called. 'Maybe a bit too excited to see him Artemis,' I thought as he addressed me. "Milady," as he did his half-bow. "Our fears were correct. The next group of bait is about 20 miles to the southeast near New Orleans. Around 150 monsters total, but nothing troublesome. I have scouted the area between here and there that they are likely to attack and we can discuss the plans later."
"Very well Percy. What about the west?" I asked and Percy tensed. "It doesn't look good Arty. About twice the numbers and they have the manticore and the Brother of Hyperion."
"Krios," I spat, but before I could continue, Percy did, "Yes. The only thing helping us, is that they are to trail us to camp. Unfortunately, Hyperion is lying in wait there and has called dibs on my head." I raised an eyebrow at this. "Why does the Titan of the East have a grudge against you?" I asked casually. Percy rubbed the back of his neck and said, "Well I kinda beat him in the Battle of Manhattan and he may or may not have ended up as a maple tree."
I couldn't help but laugh at that, before Percy chuckled too. "We need to tell the camps and Olympus," I finally said and Percy nodded. I notified the hunters quickly, while Percy changed to his 'Theo' aspect and we flashed to Olympus.
THEO POV
I landed in the throne room and took my place to meditate like always as Artemis launched an arrow to summon the council. 'I'm going to have to deal with the campers here for this. This is not going to be fun.' I thought as the gods flashed in one by one.
"Why have you called this meeting daughter?" Zeus asked like always. "Perseus has acquired some intel worth sharing with the council and the camps. Would you bring them here?" Artemis replied, but before they could continue, I needed some ground rules.
"Before you do that Uncle, I would like to ask the Council to make sure to refer to me as 'Theseus or Theo' and when the campers undoubtedly ask, I am a Son of Triton so as to not raise suspicions," I finished and received nods from the Council. As they summoned the campers, I heard a voice enter my mind and say 'You owe me one for this baby brother. Come visit mother and I soon.' I chuckled and told Triton that I would see him after the meeting.
The immortal campers (The Seven) and the counsellors were all flashed in along with Chiron, Reyna, and Lupa respectively. Before all the questions began, all their eyes settled on me. 'Well this is going to be fun,' I thought bitterly.
ARTEMIS POV
I was slightly nervous for Percy to be in front of the campers again. I must admit he was rather clever for claiming to be a Son of Triton to cover his bases.
"So daughter, what intel have you found?" Zeus asked me and I nodded to 'Theo' to give the papers to Athena first. As he was doing so I spoke, "My Guardian has been scouting ahead of the Hunt for the past two and a half weeks now as we make our way to camp. We came to the realization that the forces we were encountering were less than formidable." Athena interrupted me, "You realized they were scouts or bait?"
"Yes Athena, my Guardian determined it first and made sure to double back and scout for any forces trailing us." I replied to Athena and she continued the discussion. "And he found Krios along with about 300 monsters doing so until you got to camp"
"Yes and it appears Hyperion is lying in wait near camp to take the both of us out," I said, getting some gasps from those gathered.
ANNABETH POV
Okay I was confused about a lot of things. One: there's another war coming. Two: The Hunter of Artemis, haters of all men, have a male Guardian. Three: apparently he's tactically a genius and thought to double back to ensure he was in a trap.
As I was trying to wrap my head around these thoughts, Zeus spoke up, "Well done, Guardian. It seems like your mission so far is a success. Athena, what do you suggest the course of action should be?"
"WAIT!" I yelled, causing everyone to turn (and some glare) to me. "Uhh. What's going on? You need to explain to us. And who's that?" I finished pointing at the figure who seemed to be meditating in the middle of the commotion.
The next hour flew by as the gods explained how there was another war coming and a prophecy that was unmistakably about Percy, but the gods seemed to think otherwise. Then there's this Guardian of the Hunt. No one outside the hunters even knew he existed and he's oddly similar to Percy.
I was brought out of my musings as my mother and the Guardian continued to talk strategy. "Well you can't wipe them out too early, because then Hyperion will know he's getting no support," my mom started. "Yes, but if I make sure to wipe out all 300 of them, then they'll have no way of getting word out," the guardian countered.
Suddenly he stiffened and pointed at me. "What do you think?" he asked void of emotion that sent chills down my spine. I hesitantly walked over to the table with the map and intel and started to piece a plan together.
"Well it's not logical to take on a force of that size by yourself, assuming you even c-" I didn't get to finish my statement as the temperature in the throne room plummeted, the ground shook, and the hearth turned to greek fire. "Do not question my ability, Daughter of Athena," he stated coldly.
"I am the Minor Goddess of Strategy, Architecture, and Heroes! You WILL show me respect!" I yelled at him only to not be able to move. Suddenly I was suspended into the air and he crept toward me. In a brilliant flash, a katana was in his hand. For the first time since Tartarus, I was terrified.
"Do you like what I did to you? The human body is 60% water. The godly body, not so much. But still enough to bend that water to my will." He said void of emotion again and I was paling rapidly. "I am well aware of your titles goddess. I don't respect people who simply demand it. You'd all do well to not forget that." he said while looking at the campers.
THEO POV
After that episode with Annabeth, part of me regretted it instantly. The looks of fear from everyone hurt a little bit. But the part of me that was hurt by them so long ago thought, 'Good. That'll teach them not to cross me a second time.'
Unfortunately, I was broken out of my thoughts by my mother. She grabbed me by the ear and started twisting. HARD. Hestia was right behind her to smack me upside the head several times as well.
"MOM! I got it, I'm sorry! Please stop," I whined, only to get more questioning glances from the campers.
"Uhh. Mom? Lady Hera is your mom?" I turned to see Jason looking incredulously at me. I rubbed my neck sheepishly, which made a lot of the campers narrow their eyes at me. "Yeah. Well adopted, but she loves me like I'm her own and I love her the same," I replied and got a kiss on the forehead from my mom. I smiled and gave her a light squeeze.
The campers continued to just gawk at me. I turned to Hestia, "And I'm also sorry my patron. I was in the heat of the moment, but that doesn't excuse my actions." "And Hestia is your patron?" this time it was Leo who was confirming. "Yeup!" I said popping the "p".
"So who exactly are you? I mean the way you carry yourself, the whole 'doing the impossible' thing, and the trident on the right shoulder of your cloak. Are you going to finally reveal yourself after all these years?" Piper asked and I tensed briefly. 'I guess it's time for them to meet Theseus,' I thought as I turned to Artemis.
"Milady. Do I have your permission to reveal myself?" I asked, but quickly followed it up with a mental message, 'Don't worry, just Theo. I'm not ready for Percy yet.'
"Very well Guardian."
ANNABETH POV
I can't believe Piper of all people put the clues together. Percy. MY Seaweed Brain is finally back, or has been for awhile but here he is and I can't wait to see him!
He slowly crept back to the middle of the throne room and slowly looked at all of us with his hood and half-mask still on. My heart sank. Percy's eyes are a magnificent sea-green that pulsed with love and power. His eyes are a deep ocean blue that dances with the flames of pain. He slowly removed his hood and half-mask to get gasps from me, Piper, and the other counsellors from camp.
This man wasn't Percy. He had shoulder length dirty blonde hair, with honey-gold tips, pulled haphazardly into a man-bun that worked for him. I might've even blushed a little, but he looked at all of us emotionlessly.
"My name is Theseus Phoebus Murphy. Son of Triton. Adopted Son of Hera. Champion of Hestia. Guardian of the Hunt." he said with pride, but also hurt in his voice.
THEO POV
"Did you mistake me for someone else?" I asked knowing the answer all too well. 'They're not technically wrong,' I thought as I was going to mess with them.
"Yeah, sorry. You reminded us a lot of an old friend we haven't seen for years now. Percy-" Jason started but I cut him off.
"Jackson?" I asked and they all rushed forward. "Have you seen him?" Annabeth first. "How do you know him?" Piper next. "Is he doing fine?" Hazel and Frank next. I took a few steps back to get some space.
"Uhh. Once. Who doesn't know him. And last I saw him he was." I answered in order. "How long ago did you see him?" Annabeth asked, clearly on the verge of tears.
"Err. Close to 4 years ago? I found him wandering up north." I answered as casually as I could. "Did he say where he was headed?" Annabeth again.
"He said he wanted to get away. He was tired of the fighting and then no one paid him any attention after it was all over. Pretty sad if you ask me," I said and everyone's eyes were downcast and I heard some sniffling.
"Right. Well, I have some secret agent stuff to do still, you know spy on the enemy and save the world as we know it, but the Hunt is coming to camp in like a week so I'll see you all then!" I tried to sound as cheery as I could, but they all just nodded before inspecting me one more time and turning to leave.
3RD PERSON POV
After the not-so-heartfelt reunion, Theo formulated his battle plan with Athena and Annabeth. They decided it was best to take them out two days before the battle at camp to minimize the threat of exposure. Theo would sneak into camp in the evening and assassinate Krios and the manticore, while the Hunt would start an attack at sunrise the following morning.
After that was finalized, the campers asked about any leads on Percy's whereabouts and everyone just shook their heads sadly. Percy just wasn't ready to be known quite yet, although everyone comes out of hiding eventually.
Zeus concluded the meeting and wished Percy luck on his mission in about a weeks time and everyone flashed out except for Posiedon, Hestia, Hera, and Artemis. Theo approached his mother and patron first, taking each of them in one arm and hugging them. "I love you both," he said. "I'll be just fine so don't worry." Hera gave him a nod and a loving hand cupping his cheek before flashing out.
Hestia turned to him and said "You cannot stay hidden forever my Champion." Theo grumbled, "I know I know. I'm just not ready to forgive yet." Hestia nodded and gave him a kiss on the forehead before flashing out as well.
Theo then turned his appearance into Percy and gave Artemis a half-bow, "Milady, could I go visit my father's palace? I kinda owe Triton for letting me use his name." he chuckled sheepishly and Poseidon boomed in laughter. Artemis smiled slightly and said, "Yes Perseus, just be back after lunch."
Percy bowed one more time and flashed out with his dad to Atlantis.
PERCY POV
I arrived in the throne room of my fathers palace and had my breath taken away. The reconstruction that took place after the Second Titan War was finally done and the place looked immaculate. The walls brilliant sea-greens and blues, layered with pearls and gems, magnificently orchestrated into murals of Atlantis and even my feats!
I was so in shock, I didn't notice the three gazing upon me from their thrones, nor the empty throne among them. My mouth must've been wide open as I took in the sights of the palace and the way sunlight reflected off of the walls and through the waters, because I heard someone snicker.
"Hey son," Triton added, trying, and failing, to hold in the laughs. Amphitrite was losing it and my father was chuckling too. I rolled my eyes at him and knelt at his throne. "It's always good to see you Lord Triton." I quickly rose and knelt at Amphitrite's and said, "An honor to be back in Atlantis, Queen Amphitrite."
I stayed kneeling to show respect, but I couldn't help it when I heard my father snicker, then laugh uproariously. I looked at him incredulously and Amphitrite finally spoke, "Rise Perseus. It is us who have the honor. We haven't exactly been fair to you and we wish to correct that now." I stood there shocked before finally chuckling to myself.
"Lady Amphitrite, you have nothing to apologize for. While my father and I are on great terms, I am still a bastard in the very definition of the word. I did not wish to cause any discomfort within your kingdom as a result of this." I stayed kneeling while I said this only to look up moments later and see all three of them gaping at me.
"What?" I asked confused. And Triton answered, "Nothing Baby Brother. Just keep leaving us speechless." 'Was that pride in his voice?' I thought before we spent the rest of the afternoon catching up. I talked mostly about where I've been and I asked them about the kingdom and when I could expect to be an uncle, much to Amphitrite's excitement and Triton's discomfort.
When it was time for me to go, Dad finally spoke up, "Percy. I want to bestow upon you the title 'Prince of the Seas'. You're in line to rule behind Triton of course." I gaped at him for awhile and finally spoke, "Uhh thanks dad, but as long as Triton is your number two man and isn't ruling unfairly, then I swear on Lady Styx that I won't ever want the throne."
Thunder rumbled and the three of them looked at me like I was crazy. Finally my father came to and laughed, "Only you son." Triton gave me a quick fist bump and Amphitrite hugged me and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "I always wanted another son of the sea," she said and I smiled so wide it hurt.
"Wait Percy!" my dad called out. "One more thing," he said as he handed me a silver necklace with a trident pendant and a moon pendant on it. "What's this?" I asked but I already had an idea as I slipped it on. I pulled on the trident and sure enough, a trident appeared in my hands.
"Thanks dad," I said as I turned to hug him. "What about the moon one?" I asked confused. "Tyson and Braires have been working on armor for you," he said and I busted into a wide grin again. I thought of the armor and it molded to my body. Light but durable, it was dark ocean blue with sea-green trim. The chest plate had a crescent moon with the hearth and peacock symbol next to it and the trident below it.
I withdrew it back to the necklace and gave another round of hugs and fire traveled back to the Hunt's camp. I found Artemis immediately. "Milady," as I gave my half-bow.
"Perseus. Get ready to go. We sent a scouting team ahead to set the traps we discussed. We leave in 10 minutes." A wicked smirk adorned my face as I thought of trying my new weapon and armor.
AN: Another short chapter. They're easier to write to keep my focus on the plot but yeah!
BearWarrior3000: I am unsure on the idea of like a double agent basically but that is the direction I would take it forsure
ToxicGhost20: I'll work on those! Also I plan on adding in smut scenes but that'll be wayy later but it'll be coming
Claymaster27: Either you or me gets sucked into a book and placed in the percy jackson universe, or I might say fuck it and just creat a new character based on you and I