Prologue
AN: I know I have been gone awhile but I was tired of everything and didn't know what I wanted to do with this story. But I am back and feel better than I ever had. I decided to just start over with a different plot and a darker writing style. This story will take time and have a different plot than the other but trust me It will be better. I want to explore a bit with other pantheons and add to the Christians. I might offend some people and the is not my intended goal and sorry in advance. I don't know how I feel about religion I must say but I do feel something must be out there. Anyways I don't know when the next chapter will be out. Please give me feedback and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to PJO, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, and Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil.
December 13, 2006
Bar in Manhattan
"So, so you think you can tell"
The voice of Pink Floyd filled the somewhat empty bar. The only occupants being a drunk passed out in the corner, two construction workers at the end of the bar, a young man on the other end closer to the door, and the bartender.
"Heaven from hell"
The younger man scoffed at that lyric whilst taking a sip. The workers continued chatting while the bartender cleaned the shot glasses. It was a slow day. Well eleven in the morning is always slow for bars.
"Blue skies from pain"
The young man downed another cup of scotch and still not feeling anything.
"Can you tell a green field"
"From a cold steel rail?"
"A Smile from a veil?"
The man ordered another scotch as the workers downed their beers and the drunk snored lightly.
"Do you think you can tell?"
"Did they get you to trade?"
"Your heroes for ghosts?" The man finished before doing his drink and as the bar door opened allowing the rays of God pour through.
The door revealed a young woman who couldn't be older than twenty two. She wore a loose fitting black shirt. Her pants were an odd camo pattern with silver and black and she wore black combat boots that were more for hiking and protection of the feet than style. Her hair reminded people of fall leaves with red and brown. Her face was soft and delicate like a flower with freckles lightly dusted across her nose and cheeks like stars in the sky. But the most stunning part was her eyes. They were piercing silver. They were always calculating and always searching for a threat.
The young woman took a seat next to the younger man and as she did so she noticed the workers stopped talking and give her their undivided attention.
"What will it be, m'am?" The bartender asked who couldn't have been more than forty.
"A water please." She replied smoothly. Her voice was not too high but pleasing and entranced people luling them into false hope.
"Get her a whiskey. She will need it." The man beside her said finally turning towards her. "And me the hardest thing you have." The bartender nodded, taking the orders and not questioning it. He stopped questioning people years ago.
"Hello old friend." The woman said, turning to the man.
"Friend? Is that what we are? After 300 years of no contact." The bartender sat the drinks down hand the woman a water and a cup of whiskey and the man a shot of bacardi 151 knowing one shot could black the man out alone. "Thanks, Joseph." The man nodded and went back to work before the night shift came in.
"Yes, at least I thought we were." The woman replied taking a sip of her water. "I know it has been some time but I-"
"Need help. I know that is what everyone uses me for and then throws me away." The man cut her off and truly looked into her eyes with his ocean green eyes. "I am tired of it. I am tired of fighting. I am tired of the wars. I am tired of it all."
"I know, my fri-"
"Friend? I am no one's friend. Just a toy. An object for people's fascination." He sighed and bowed his head. "I am what people fear of Artemis. Not a friend."
The now known Artemis looked at the man and felt sadness for him. He was far older than her, hell far older than most beings and yet here he was. In a bar trying to drown his sadness in something that will never take effect.
"Look at me Perseus." She took his defined jaw and brought it up so that his eyes met hers. "Something is about to happen to me and I need your help. You are the only person I can trust with this."
"What about those hunters of yours?" He scoffed at her.
"They are mortal and have no match without some help. A war has started and not only are titans joining the fight but other creatures." Artemis took a shaky breath. "Creatures that we have not fought or seen since your uncle's time on Earth."
"You are lying." Perseus said to her and turned his head. Not actually wanting to believe her.
"Would I ever lie to your old friend." She asked with all certainty
"...No, no you wouldn't." He took his shot and downed it. Knowing what he must do. "What do you need, my friend?"
"I am hunting the ophiotaurus."
"I thought that think was dead."
"Like all things, it eventually was rebirthed." Artemis finally took a sip of her whiskey. One of the few times she drank anything besides nectar.
"Can't anything stay dead."
"I guess not." Artemis took a breath. "But that is not all. I heard rumors that Atlas is out of his prison and he is close by."
"What else?" Perseus was worried for his old friend. The only one to not shun him away. The only one to accept him. I guess being outcasts helps to bond.
"There is something else following me and all I know it isn't Greek." She said watching his reaction. "I can't trace it. It is toying with me. It allows me to get part of a scent but it just vanishes when I try to look for it. I don't know any creature in my parthenon able to do anything like that. At Least one that can get away from me." It was true. Artemis may not be the oldest goddess in her parthenon but she was by far one of the best huntresses out there. Including the Norse, Egyptians, and Native gods.
"I can't actually tell you what may be following you, but I do know if it is something from my parthenon then it is powerful and a trickster." Perseus' eyes turned darker fully intent to finding out what it might be. "Whatever it is do not fight it. If you have to run and call me. I may not be at what I used to, but I sure do have a better chance than you."
"I know you were always one of the best fighters I have ever witnessed in combat." Artemis finished both her drinks.
"What else do you need?" Perseus asked worried for his dear friend.
"One of my hunters, Zoe, was assigned a prophecy to find me." Artemis' hands began to shake briefly and stopped almost instantly. But didn't go unnoticed by Perseus. "What they are up agaisn't they will need your help. Zoe might not remember you though. She was badly injured after your last meeting with us and she lost part of her memory. My hunt is a lot shorter than what it used to be Perseus. I need you to find Zoe and help her. Help her find me."
"Find you? What do you mean to find you?" Perseus asked worried.
"I am not actually here Perseus." Artemis said with a shaky voice. "Look at me. Look at me with your real eyes."
Perseus did just that wondering what was going on. His eyes turned a deep red and really looked at Artemis. What should have been a woman sitting there was more of a hologram. She was transparent with a golden glow.
"Where are you?" Perseus' eyes turned back into the color of the vibrant sea.
"I can not say but I am losing my power and struggling to control this form." Her hands shook again and did not stop. "Find Zoe. Help her find me. Help me Perseus. Protect her please. Help her remember you." As she spoke her last sentence she vanished losing all her will to stay there. The occupants in the bar, besides Perseus seemed not to care. The mist taking effect.
"Don't worry old friend. I will find you. This I swear." Perseus got up noticing the time to be now noon. He threw on his old leather jacket and put a hundred dollar bill for the drinks and tip.
"Master be careful." The bartender said to Perseus in a quiet voice knowing he would hear. This caused the young man to stop at the door.
"Don't worry Joseph. I always am." Perseus told him before opening the door.
"So if you meet me"
"Have some courtesy"
"Have some sympathy, and some taste"
"Use all your well-learned politesse"
"Or I'll lay your soul to waste, oh yeah"
Is what the music in the bar blasted out as Perseus walked out and going to find his old friend, Artemis and her most loyal huntress.
I hope you have enjoyed the first chapter and stay for the next. I don't know of a pairing or if there will be one. Percy in this story is a bit of a broken soul and will need some help. Also yes it is very different than the other version and he will need some help. I am not giving away anything about his past or what exactly he can do just yet but PM me with anything that you would like to see or be changed. Thank you for your time.