Return of The Pride
Chapter 1: Prologue: Ever get the feeling?
*? 3rd person*
Have you ever had the feeling that something was wrong but, you just did not know what it was? Like some big mystery as to why things happen as they do sometimes come up with some of the most ridiculous explanations to rationalize with what you know to be truth and fiction. Ever wonder why something is done and you never truly receive an answer? That is because the powers that be believe themselves to be infallible so much so, that the mortal world sometimes suffers for it whether by choice or circumstance some of these events happened in such away because, of fights or petty arguments of the gods.
One such historical event in both mortal and mythical worlds would be the Trojan war which came about because; of a beauty pageant held by the goddesses of Olympus but, these are stories for another day the story we're going to focus on now is that of Perseus Achilles Jackson the two-time hero of Olympus as well as the leader of an old clan of shifters.
~Percy 3rd person~
There are somethings in life you can't refuse especially if it means you get to live your life with the one you love most even if you've already done more than enough to prove you love someone by falling into a pit that was essentially hell for them. Its either that or saving a Pantheon of ungrateful bastards then again, to gain the blessing of my loves mother I suppose I could do something along those lines so I could understand better than most people because; of the way people view how children of Poseidon act by the history of those before me I understood but hated having to hide my true intellect.
This meant I could not show up the children of Athena no matter how much their hubris pissed me off then again, I guess I should be thankful that none of my inventions would ever reach the light of day nor that any had caught the eyes of Zeus. The day Athena came calling after we'd gotten back a few months after the war with Gaia I had known something was up because; she had gotten this look in her eye much like Annabeth did when she came up with a plan for capture the flag or back during the war so, I met with her on the beach in order to hear exactly what she wanted me to do in order to get her blessing to marry her daughter.
Though, as I pondered this it wasn't like I hadn't saved their collective asses for a second time as well as using both times to better the immortals whom were supposed to look after this world never the less I did as Athena commanded and told no one of where I was going only leaving Chiron a note explaining who set it and the day I should be returning. There was something off about this quest though, it was like Athena wanted me out of the way for Annabeth to find someone new maybe that was Athena's objective with the order she gave me to not tell where I was going because; to me that's what it seemed like.
The best thing that I knew to do was to accept her conditions and hope that everything we've been through together would convince Annabeth that I have been loyal to her even without my memories for the time I had been in the roman camp. I mean it wouldn't be long before I could return home and show my love by proposing to her then and there upon my return but, should she have cheated on me within that time though I would leave graciously no matter how much it hurt until I found someone that could return my love and loyalty I would not fall for another.
*Time skip: Six months later*
It had taken me some time but, I finished Athena's quest and to tell you the truth some of the things that happened were both weird and interesting at the same time. First and foremost was no sooner after I left, I had begun the metamorphosis for the change like any other shape shifter my height went from 5'7" to 6'1", my body temperature went from ninety-eight to a scorching one hundred and twenty degrees. Secondly, was the change itself which unlike the wolf shifters who need the presence of a vampire my kind can change in the presence of any mythical creature from either the pantheons.
I made good time coming back in my lion form running straight across the country sometimes saving others with the gene as well so, we could be a proper family maybe even a proper pride which is why when you look to his left and right you could see other lions running with him. They were just a few miles from the camp when he decided it was time for them to walk the rest of the way there it was not every day that one would see lions the size of an eighteen wheeler walking through the forest of long island or in the whole of the U.S. there were more people who could change into other animals.
This would be the first time in well over two thousand years that this species of shifter has been seen and now one of their own was coming from a quest though he had greatly changed and with him he was bringing more like him. No one had the heart to tell Perseus that the person he had went on the quest for had cheated on him with someone else so, they decided to let him find out on his own knowing full well he didn't deserve the shock he was about to get. The despicable thing about it is they doubted anyone would actually step forward and come clean though that would probably be asking too much for deceivers so, the pride would be waiting to see just what would happen but it could only be some time before we're all on our way again because; they destroyed his heart and trust.
It wasn't long before the entire pride arrived in front of half-blood hill and they all transformed right there in front of the camps entrance and walked into the boundaries so, when he didn't see anyone, he knew that they could only be in two places either the pavilion or the amphitheater this is where we went none of us ran I just looked around as if today would be my last day in this camp although I could probably care less. Walking into the amphitheater with the others I could see that the gods had arrived and most were surrounding two people I couldn't make them out at first but, there was no mistaking those princess curls or the shade of blonde that they were in no what confused me was the kid who looked like a clone of me and my father sitting next to her holding her hand as I walked closer I noticed that Artemis and Hestia were the only ones to notice I was there.
The thing is before I came back to the camp hades had found us on the way here and told me of my mother's death as well as the death of my step father Paul saying that my little sister was still alive because; my mother hid her away before whatever had attacked and killed them got there he also, said that Hestia had saved her and was currently holding her until I had arrived. I had to thank him for the information because; I had not known that they were attacked nor do I know who did it but I could guarantee you that the person who took away my mortal family or most of my mortal family will soon find it hard to rest when I begin the hunt for justice. The fact is now its not just for me it's for my sister what happened in her presence shouldn't have happened at all it should've never been something for her to witness and the fact that she did the only person aside from Hestia she might trust would be me so, I walked further into the amphitheater to see the woman I had thought to love me with someone in similar appearance to me because; of how close Poseidon seemed I could only guess that this was a half-brother of mine.
Looking at the person next to the boy who was in front of Poseidon I could do nothing but shed a single tear as I walked in front of everyone there and stared at them my eyes like chips of emerald seeing the happy expressions on their faces except for a few so, I took in the scene before me with apathy before I spoke.
"I always wondered why hubris was the fatal flaw for children of Athena and now I know yet the thing is I always knew that this was a possibility." I said, looking around I could tell that most were confused by that statement the goddess herself included so I decided to elaborate.
"Hubris especially in your female children means that they're only going to want someone who has the fame to push their dreams and goals to new heights and when that is no longer possible the person they're with will be hurt the most for children of Poseidon our loyalty is absolute well let me rephrase for most children of Poseidon then again I suppose you had him hidden away and being given special training am I right or am I wrong father!" I finished with venom dripping from my tone.
I could see it all in the boy's face he was proud of being spoiled by our father while I have had to suffer the losses of some very good friends I am pretty sure that the expression on my face was one of pure disgust and hatred that made all the gods facing me flinch back I could feel my body shaking rapidly so, I stood myself still hoping to calm myself which was getting to be impossible because; of that I silently asked Aries to toss me backward so I can shift and not hurt anyone there. I soon felt my feet leave the ground and flipped backward before my body exploded and I landed back on all fours paws planted firmly as I walked back to my original place that was when I noticed the cub next to Hestia walk over to me bending down I allowed her to walk under my chin purring as she went.
Shock was the prevailing emotion from everyone there as they hadn't known about the transformation into a lion nor that I was capable of such a feat then again none here knows that I can have one of my pride mates translate what I had to say though so, too could the gods as well and considering my anger at the moment I feel it would be best for me to keep my current form because; hearing the purring of my little sister is the only thing that is keeping me from tearing the stooges apart. The thing about right now though is I don't want one of my pride to translate the things going through my head there is only one person who could hear the vows I made as thunder rumbled across the sky and Aphrodite paled as she listened in because; it meant she would no longer be able to affect him nor those close to him.
The looks on Aphrodite's face is a proven testament to the vitriol that was currently being spewed from my snarling pacing form and had most of my pride members worried about exactly how and what I said that could make a goddess pale as white as snow so, they waited until I had calmed enough to change back and with Kiara my little sister there it helped me become so quicker than usual because; of the effect the shift has on our clothes I looked at Hestia hoping she would understand what I am asking for lucky for me she nodded.
Picking my sister up by the fur on the scruff of her neck I narrowed my eye and bared my fangs partially as I walked over to Hestia, artemis, hades, Zeus, Hera, and Apollo I decided to speak of what I told Aphrodite a little while ago and coached the cub in front of me how to change back while Hera, Hestia, and artemis helped her with some new clothes. Watching my little sister as she came from behind the few female goddesses that I could trust and respect I thought of the clothes I wanted to wear and showed them to my uncle mentally and shifted back on the spot knowing that our timing would be in sync I was dressed in a black suit with a buttoned up long coat with the bottom closed yet open wearing sun glasses and my hair had been slicked back so, what I might look like neo from the matrix but it was the style of clothes I had always wanted to own.
Looking around me again I walked over to Kiara who was now in a sundress that fit her small stature perfectly and it made me happy that there were still a few people who had my back making me happy that at least I could trust some of them if something ever happened to me. Those few gods who still stood by my side are the ones I would ride for and yet there are those I could no longer trust not with my life and certainly not with the life of my kid sister I also, knew it was time for a change too many bad memories in new York so, we had best move on and I know for a fact that the pride would join us wherever we went because; I was the king of the pride. For now though, it was time we left new York altogether and possibly never comeback because; if I am being honest there is nothing left for me here the only thing that could keep me here was if my little sister asked or if I had other half-siblings that needed training from someone who actually know how to use their powers.
That said I knew that aunt Hestia had a way for me to track other demigods and knowing her she likely has it in all of the cars I had restored such as the 69 dodge charger that sat just off the beach waiting along with the other cars that my pride of lions would be driving out of here after sending my mother off to the underworld with the others we lost in the war I was leaving especially after what I just witnessed. The looks that I keep receiving from these people whom I thought were my friends and family made me realize that sometimes things don't always last so, be prepared to move on when things stop being as they should be because; you never really know when someone will turn on you just because it is convenient for them to do just that.
The mere fact that my pride of lions is built upon by mostly demigods is the fact that each one here I have rescued on my time away and they had the gene to make the change so too, did the mortals whom were from the same tribe as my mother and they now needed a place where they belonged which was with me.
~Meanwhile Forks Washington: Swan residence~
{Charlie 3rd person}
I can and will freely admit to not being able to express my feelings its like some sort of switch has been going on without even realizing it I had slipped into a depression when Renee left with Bella while she was still a baby and it took me a while to come to terms that the only time I would see my daughter was during some of her adolescent years in the summers so, I got myself to the point where I would focus on my work and hope that they were safe wherever they were because; at least then I would know that they're happy. Over the years Bella had been coming to forks less frequently and even calling less that is until one day I had gotten a call saying that she would be coming to live with me while her mother traveled with her new husband a man by the name of Phil so, I got to work on redesigning her room she was never like most girls she didn't give a damn about being vein in the sense that she would flaunt her looks because; she didn't need too we gave her the name Isabella because she had a natural beauty.
When she first arrived things began like they normally would when a career cop picks up his teenage daughter from the airport I didn't have to buy her a car because; the son of my cousin in new York had sent one as a late seventeenth birthday present as according to sally her son had been restoring cars since he was twelve it was the only thing that she could think of that kept his a.d.h.d in control with no true role model he had to learn on his own what it meant to be a man. Considering our families ability to shift over into large lions then I would have to assume that all myths are true and that would mean Perseus is a demigod as well as a lion so, it stood to reason that Bella just might be the same either that or she was destined to be another type of supernatural.
That did not stop me from waiting till Bella was well and truly asleep before I went to the cruiser to get Perseus here to help me deal with what may come.
"Pride chief to pride boss do you read over." I let the button on the side of the radio go as I had set the frequency before I came in from work and waited.
"Pride boss to pride chief I read you what's on your mind." I could tell just from his terse tone that something had happened, and my nephew was not in the mood to deal with anymore crap.
"Bells got herself involved with a victor, alpha, mike, pier, India, rico, echo he broke her spirit when he left but, she went to save him in Italy at the end of the year and came back with the boy and the rest of his clan I am worried for her." I said, as I released the button, I knew he would be here likely dragging half the countries police force with him.
"Understood demolition inbound in seventy-two hours see you soon." He replied, I could hear the dodge charger roar to life and the sound of tires squealing as he and the rest left their current positions.
I knew that the Cullen's would soon know that I had known what they were all along if I read the situation with the pixie of that bunch right then she was the one with the seer gift meaning she would know and then so would the boy who broke my daughter for damn near a year so, knowing the boy was watching the decisions his sister saw I decided to let him see a message of my own.
'you now know that I know what you are and have most likely laughed at the threats I gave you before you left and your subsequent return I will say this if you get confused maybe Carlisle will tell you who and what I used to be as well as whom is now gunning for you because of what you did to his *sister* the king has returned.'
Turning deliberately for the stairs I cut my connection to Alice and went to bed knowing that in three days the boy was in for a very rough day.