A/N: Here's Chapter 3! I'm hoping I can keep cranking out chapters at this rate, but expect there to be a small time gap between each one starting soon. This chapter deviates quite a bit from the original, but I hope you enjoy it either way!
I DON'T OWN PJO, OR ANYTHING ELSE WITH A COPYRIGHT. IF YOU CAN FIND IT WITH A TWO WORD GOOGLE SEARCH, I DON'T OWN IT.
Chapter 3
Earthquake
Artemis
Artemis looked at Jayden expectantly. She wasn't expecting him to be so willing to give up information easily. But the fact that he was going to tell her meant that he knew the whole time. Which meant he lied. She waited. Jayden took a breath. Artemis held hers.
"My mother," he said, "is Gaea." Silence.
Artemis couldn't help it. She laughed. It was too ridiculous. "You expect me to believe that?" she said once she was finally able to control herself.
Jayden smiled. Then the ground started shaking. Cracks ran through the earth around him. The ground beneath his feet cratered. His eyes started to glow green. Artemis stepped back in fear and awe. The power radiating from him was…amazing. Then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped. The glow faded from Jayden's eyes. He looked around awkwardly. "So, um, bye." He went back inside.
Artemis didn't know what to do. Gaea had another child? And, if he truly was a demigod, with a mortal! She turned to the Hunt. "Do not provoke him, understand?" She didn't want any of her Hunters to risk getting him mad. They nodded blankly. "If it comes to it, come get me." Artemis went to her tent. She needed advice. Athena? A moment later, she heard her voice.
Hello, Artemis. What can I help you with?
Artemis took a breath. I found out the parent of that demigod.
Really? And I assume there's an issue?
Yes. It's Gaea.
Athena was stunned into silence. Th-the parent?
Yes.
You're certain?
Absolutely. He told me himself, and he just demonstrated his powers.
Have you told Zeus?
That's actually what I need to talk to you about. I don't know if I should tell him yet. There is something else about this boy, but we both know how rash Father can be.
Athena thought for a moment. Did he only want you to get the identity of Jayden's parent?
Artemis thought back to her conversation. No, he said to find out why it was kept secret too.
Then I'd say you still have work to do.
Artemis understood. Thank you. But she knew she had to tell Zeus something. She focused on him. Father?
Back so soon? He said with a small chuckle.
I have made progress.
Really?
I know at the least that he is immensely powerful. He likely surpasses the minor gods. Artemis could almost feel the tension and anger building up. She acted quickly. I think we need to know who's side he's on before anything else. If he shows any potential threat, I'll kill him.
Yes, Zeus agreed. See to it that he remains with you. I don't want him escaping us again.
Artemis felt Zeus leave. She sighed. Great, now she had to come up with another excuse to keep Jayden around. She walked out of her tent. She could tell the Hunters were uneasy, They kept throwing glances at Jayden's tent. Most of them still had their bows out. Artemis found Thalia. She looked at Artemis.
"Well?"
"We're going to be having company for a while."
Thalia looked at Jayden's tent. "I was afraid of that."
"We need to know who's side he's on," Artemis explained. "And we're the only ones that have any chance of doing so without arousing too much suspicion. Thalia sighed.
"Whatever you say, Lady Artemis. I just hope he's on our side"
Artemis watched him come out from his tent. "Me too."
Jayden
Jayden walked outside. He appeared uncaring on the outside, but in reality, he was in full alert. He had decided to test the Hunt by revealing his mother, but was unsure of how they would react. He saw Artemis approach. "Come to deliver my sentence?"
Artemis glared. "My offer still stands, boy, just for different reasons."
Jayden was mildly surprised. "And that is…?"
"You are a great potential threat to Olympus. You have been placed under my watch. You are to remain with me until we know that you are on our side."
Jayden found this part rather amusing. "So you told them about my mother then?"
Artemis gave him a serious look. "No."
Jayden was actually shocked. He searched for any signs of a lie, but found none. He didn't rule out the possibility however. "Well, thank you," he said humbly, "but you'll have to forgive me if I'm slightly suspicious." Artemis didn't seem offended.
"Just mind your distance and you manners, and there won't be any issues, boy."
Jayden smiled. "And as long as you don't try to kill me, I'll promise the same," he held out his hand, "Deal?"
Artemis glared at him for a moment, then grabbed his hand. "Deal."
The moment they touched, the ground shuddered. It was faint, barely even noticeable. Jayden only felt it because of his senses. But he knew what it meant. He had felt it once before. He let go of Artemis' hand. "See you later, Artemis." She nodded, and turned to leave. Jayden went inside.
He sat on the ground, and touched his hand to the Earth.
"Mother?" He said quietly. She didn't speak, of course, but he didn't expect her to. He stood up. Artemis and him agreeing on something. Why would that disturb her sleep?
Gaea
Gaea slept. She drifted in the pitch black of her slumber. Floating, floating—
She stirred. Through the immense darkness of her sleep, she felt a vibration. A tiny vibration, but needle-pointed, stabbing the delicate nerve web she kept spread over the Earth, a web that took in the vibrations of every speck of dirt on the surface.
Someone had moved something. She took herself away from the caress of the dark. She steeled herself.
Then, for the briefest of moments, her eyes fluttered open. She let the power of her mind scorch out, burning into every crack and fissure.
Nothing. Whatever she had felt, it was gone. Her child was safe. Her darling boy. Everything was still as it should be.
But from now on, she would be watching.
END
A/N: There we go! Number 3 is done! I met my word count, so depending on the views I get, or any reviews, I might keep future chapters around this length. But, regardless, thank you guys so much for reading! And I will see all you guys next time!
And to the comments: Chapter 2 was something of a special case. Most chapters will not be that short. And I'm here to stay.
A0818