Tee-Hee! I'm back! So I've been thinking about how I never put in a Nico's Pov, and I've decided... I'm Not! Well, maybe towards the end, depends how the story goes... Here's Chapter 5!
Stephanie's Pov:
Dad and I just poofed into this place with lots of people practicing with swords and stuff. It reminded me of the arena at camp. Except this place was outside. I think I saw forges somewhere behind all the practicing.
Dad led me through everything until we came into this big tent. Inside the tent looked like the conference table at the big house. A bunch of serious looking adults were sitting in, I don't know, maybe gold chairs? I realized they were probably minor gods and goddesses. I could actually feel power radiating through the room. There were only two empty chairs, which we sat in.
Sitting in that seemingly gold chair, it made me feel...powerful. Almost godly. "Welcome Stephanie. So glad to finally meet you." one God said. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"Stephanie, you are more powerful than an average half-blood. That's one of the reasons we want you to join us." Dad said.
"How am I more powerful?" I asked.
"Your mother. She was also a half-blood. Daughter of Erebus. Your only ΒΌ human. Your like a very minor goddess." Dad explained.
"Wh-What? No, this is too much. Your telling me, you fell in love with a half-blood? That's a little creepy Dad." I said.
"The only reason I'm not still with your mother is because her father was to mad at me for loving her. So I had to leave her, for your safety." Dad said. I nodded.
"Okay- on with the subject at hand." said another god. "Since your mother was also a half-blood, some of her powers were passed onto you. I'm sure you've figured out at least some of them by now, right?"
I shook my head, "No, only the ones from Dad."
"Well, it's a good thing we have Erebus here to teach you." said some goddess. Dad's eyes widened, they showed fear.
A man walked in who I guessed was Erebus. His face was pale, he had black hair and dark eyes. Shadows seemed to be encasing his entire figure and following him around, like he had more than one. He reminded me a lot of Nico. Like an older version of him. But in a way, my mom did have the same shaped nose and stuff.
Erebus' face hardened at the sight of Dad. You could see Morpheus shrink back into his chair like a scared little kid. I looked from Erebus to Dad, wondering what Erebus had done to make him feel like this. Erebus turned to me and smiled.
"So this is Stephanie. You look so much like your mother." he said. I blushed, nobody had ever told me that before. "So, you ready to start training? The invasion of Olympus is in 4 days so we have to get a move on!" I gasped. 4 days?
"Wait!" Dad said. "There were 2 half-bloods and a satyr watching us as we left! They probably are going to tell Zeus right now!" Everybody's eyes widened. Everybody's but mine, I sank into my chair, knowing what would happen now.
"We have to start as soon as possible!" somebody said. "We'll start phase one of the invasion, Erebus start teaching her everything you can, your part of phase 2 so hurry. Tell the troops to get there armor ready. Let's take down Zeus once and for all." Everybody cheered.
Erebus got up and took my hand. He led me to an empty practice area. "Um, one question before we start." I said. Erebus raised his eyebrows. "Where are we?"
"The only place in the universe where Zeus can't here us." he said simply. "Well that clears it up." I muttered.
"Okay! First we are going to learn how to manipulate shadows. Very easy, just focus on your own shadow and use your eyes like you use a computer mouse. Drag it to where you want it to go by concentrating, keep the place you want it to go in your mind. Don't let things distract you, or the shadow will fade. Remember, the shadow is two-dimensional." Erebus explained.
I looked at my shadow and concentrated on where I wanted it to go. Just like that my shadow was turning into a giant monster on the ground. I laughed. I made it open it's mouth and pretend to eat Erebus. He laughed too.
"It looks like your already ahead." He said. "Now, some places may not have shadows, like inside. You can create one, but it is a little bit difficult if it's dark out. Just focus and concentrate. It's a little hard to explain, so try to figure it out." I nodded.
After a little bit of concentrating, a shadow appeared. It didn't connect to anything, which made it weird. "Excellent! Try moving the shadow over yourself. Like I did in the tent."
"Okay." I said. I tried moving the shadow over myself, but it faded. I sighed in relief. I didn't realize how much effort that actually took. "Try again." Erebus said. "You'll get it. Just focus."
I moved the shadow over myself, it started to fade a bit, but it did stay put. I smiled. "I got it!"
"You'll never need sunglasses again." he said. We both laughed.
I don't know how long we were training. But it seemed like a long time. Erebus and I got along great, always laughing and he was so encouraging and nice. I was learning things at a good rate, but I could never get it totally perfect. I guess its because he wasn't exactly my dad.
Right now we were on our last one, then we had to leave. I was completely stuck and loosing patience. It was a more advanced move. I just couldn't get it. I felt drained and more tired than usual.
"Stephanie," Erebus said. "This is a very important move. You need to learn this. If you do, there's no way we'll loose." I sighed. "Okay."
This move was taking my dream powers and combining them with Erebus'. It made me really tired. Again, I entered Erebus' mind. I focused on darkness, shadows. My head started to hurt, but I ignored it and focused more. The pain grew and I pulled out of his mind and fell to the ground.
A shadow caught me. Erebus lifted me up and said, "I think your just tired right now. We can try later." I nodded.
Morpheus walked into our practice area and said, "Time to go. Phase 2 is starting."
"What was phase one?" I asked.
"Breaking into Olympus and defeating the guards and things the 'important' gods has time to set up. If phase two goes according to plan, we can't possibly loose." he said.
Morpheus led us to the stables. Erebus got his own pegasus but I had to share with Dad. "Uh, won't Zeus know we're coming if we ride these?" I asked. "No. Hecate's putting a little spell on them. He'll probably just think their birds or something." Dad said. All of us loaded up and took off with a bunch of other minor Gods.
The flight took about an hour. And finally I got the courage to ask, "Do you think that's why he dumped me too?" I asked Dad.
"What do you mean?" he said.
"Well, you said you left mom because Erebus was mad at you. Do you think he dumped me because you were mad at him?" I asked.
"Maybe." he shrugged. The conversation ended after that. I was thinking about my mom. I looked over to Morpheus, he looked like a teenager. And way over his head. His eyes looked tired, just like mine. I saw a lot of similarities between us. Even our posture looked the same. It was weird.
"What about the half-bloods?" I asked as we landed. It was already dark out.
"They weren't there during phase 1. Probably because they were preparing. But you'll see them sometime soon." dad said.
"Wait! I don't have a sword..."
"You won't need one. Your going to be hidden in shadows until your needed." he said. "Okay. So what do I do then?"
"Knock out as many people as you can without being seen. People meaning half-bloods." I groaned. I knew I was going to be called a traitor for life. But honestly, I have to. This is my dad we're talking about. Plus, its not like we're killing Zeus or anything. Just taking his throne. Think about it, Zeus doesn't make it dark every night. Erebus does. Morpheus has to give dreams to everybody in the world every night. Yet he's a minor god? I mean, I can see how Apollo's job might be important, but Aphrodite? Love sucks. End of story.
I concealed myself into shadows just in time. I saw lots of fighting as I moved through New York. I had no idea where I was going. I was kind of just messing with their heads. Making them see things. Sometimes I would push a little too hard and they would faint. But I didn't kill anyone, I couldn't bare to do that. Why haven't I seen any half-bloods yet?
You know, I'm kinda glad I haven't seen any. It would be horrible if they knew I was here. Of course Percy probably told the entire camp.
I wondered around until I was face to face with the Empire State building. I'd never seen it before, it was so huge. So awesome. Especially at night. "Cool." I whispered. Then I heard something behind me. I turned around and saw a group of half bloods. I gasped and looks of confusion showed on their faces. Then I realized they couldn't see me. I slowly moved around them as they took posts next to the front doors.
Wait a second! If they can't see me, maybe I can just sit here for a while...
I walked straight up to some Athena kid. Might as well have a little fun right? I waved my hand in front of his face and stuck my tongue out at him. Confusion crossed his eyes again. I whispered so soft only he heard, "I'm the ghost of your great...uncle. Alfred. Put the cheese in the pan and bake it at 350 for 20 minutes then sprinkle dog turds for a nice casserole taste."
"Guys, did you hear that?" the Athena kid said. They shook there heads and said no. I gave a menacing laugh and scared the shit out of him. I figured I would get caught soon so I backed away slowly.
Once I got around the corner I burst out laughing. The look on his face!
"You shouldn't waste your powers on little things like that Stephanie. You'll only tire yourself out." Said a voice from no where. It must have been Erebus. I sighed, "Sorry." Suddenly Erebus came out of the shadows from in front of me. "It's okay. Come on, I think you might need to see this." he said hastily.
"What's wrong?" I asked suddenly afraid.
"See for yourself." he said and pushed me forward.
What I saw could have made me either a) scream. b) kill somebody or c) cry my heart out.
Nico was leading the half bloods.
Dun Dun Dun! Sorry I haven't updated in so long. Been at my cousins house. You know what's horrible? I'm going to be sick on my birthday! :( I promise the next chapter will come faster than this one. But you know would give me a super duper speedy update? Review!
