-1Heartbreak Warfare
Chapter 3:
Transformation
(AN: So I've not only decided this is going to be a short multi-chapter (like 7-10 chapters), but this is sort of a filler chapter, yet it's important. Oh, and if you didn't know, this is tied in with PrettyLittleRush's "Ghost of You".)
"So, are you one hundred percent sure about this?" Thalia Grace said to Spencer through the rainbow cloud.
"Yes, I'm ready to take the oath." Spencer replied.
"Well, Artemis will be delighted to hear this. You know how she's wanted you ever since she met you." she said.
"It'll be my honor." Spencer said.
"Great, just wait there and we will be there to set up camp soon. Are you packed and ready to leave?"
"As I'll ever be."
"You don't sound too sure of this."
"I'm just…nervous…I'll be fine." Spencer replied.
"Good"
"And you better hurry. There's a group leaving for a quest in the morning. This won't be discreet if they all find out." she said.
"Don't rush a goddess and her followers." Thalia replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry, sorry." Spencer said.
The cloud soon disappeared, leaving Spencer sitting in the grass out in the dark. She sat back on the butt of her jeans and picked at the grass, her stomach turning.
She had no clue if what she was doing was right, but she knew she didn't want to deal with Percy anymore. Her feelings for him were never going to change though. She knew he was her first love, and she wasn't sure what it would take for her to get over him.
She dug down in her pink duffle bag and dug out a picture she took of her and Percy, and then printed out at home. It was a simple, self taken shot, both teenagers smiling at the camera.
She ran her thumb across the image of his face, and then put it back in the bag with a frown as a bright light appeared, nearly blinding her.
"Woah…" she dragged out, shielding her eyes.
When the blinding light seemed to disappear, she moved her hand away from her eyes and looked up at the women standing before her.
Everyone of them looked drop dead gorgeous. Their skin had a glowing aura around it that made it shine beautifully. They all had their flawless hair either tied into perfect braids or left down, with traditional Greek twists in it. They had weaponry belts on their loose fitting white dresses and welcoming smiles on their faces.
The one in the center had auburn hair and bright silvery eyes. She walked towards Spencer and greeted her.
Spencer quickly scrambled to her feet and bowed before her, "Artemis, thank you for doing this under such short notice."
"Ah, nothing is too short of a notice for my…daughters." she smiled, "Now, let's not delay this any longer."
Spencer swallowed hard and said her last goodbyes to Percy, then apologized to her mother mentally. She took a deep breath before reciting the oath she'd heard talked about so many times before.
"I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt." she said the last three words slowly, as if they were going to be the last words she ever uttered.
"I agree." Artemis replies.
Spencer's head began to rush as she fell to the ground, power taking her over. She adjusted herself to where she was on her hands and knees, her blonde hair falling to her face, and then suddenly disappearing.
The rush continued for a few minutes before she looked up at the other hunters, the night sky, and then back down at her hands. Her usually lightly tanned skin was a creamy white color, as it was during the winter months. They had the same glowing aura about them that the women standing above her did.
"Welcome to the hunt, dear child." Artemis said as Thalia helped Spencer up.
She looked down to see that every element of what used to be herself was changed with the exception of her pink polo shirt, jean cutoffs, and Sperry Topsiders. She held her entire arm out in front of her with a gasp. The glow had her in total shock.
"Do not be afraid. It comes with the territory." Artemis said, "Now, not only are you simply beautiful, as your mother gave you the power to be. I have adopted you and made you eternally beautiful, and powerful."
"Congratulations, Spencer." Thalia said.
"Th-Thanks" She replied, still shaky.
"Come on, hunters. We must leave. The partakers of the quest will be leaving soon." Artemis said.
Spencer turned around to face Camp Half-Blood. She pursed her lips together and shook her head. Something told her this was the right decision, and with that, she turned away, leaving with her sisters of the hunt.
Meanwhile, back at the camp, the group going on the hunt was preparing to leave.
"So, is everything ready?" Annabeth asked, zipping up her book bag.
"Yes, that I can think of." Nico replied.
"So, Chiron's letting Spencer pretty much control the camp while we're gone?" Juliet asked in a questioning tone.
"Well, not control it, just help." Percy said, "She would have ended up dead if she'd went on this quest."
"Why do you have no faith in her, Percy?" Juliet asked.
Percy sighed, "Because…"
Before Percy could begin a sentence, Chiron approached the group.
"There has been a great disturbance within Cabin Aphrodite. I bet you can guess from whom the disturbance was caused." he said.
"That's why." Percy said dully, frowning.
"What happened?" Juliet asked Chiron.
"Spencer Knight, the cabin leader, is missing. Drew, another camper insists that when she comes back, she will be demoted and damned to something referred to as the boots of shame. Apparently, she's committed some disgrace to her cabin." Chiron said, "I have no further information, but Aphrodite must be keeping close contact with her children after this happened."
"You have got to be kidding me." Annabeth said, rolling her eyes.
"Where do you think she went?" Juliet asked.
"Who knows." Chiron said, "There are a lot of things that can, quote un quote, disgrace Aphrodite's cabin. Anything from wearing knock off clothes to betraying Aphrodite in some way, shape, or form can disgrace the cabin."
"From what I hear though, the most disgraceful thing one can do is join Artemis and her hunters." Annabeth said.
"I don't think she'd do that." Percy said, putting a hand to his chin thoughtfully.
"Why not?" she replied.
"She doesn't have enough skill in the hunt to join them. She's not like you, Annabeth. She's good with a sword, but remember when we first met the hunters? They have archery tools. She wouldn't stand a chance with them. That's why I don't think she did it." Percy said.
"Well, who's going to solve this mystery and wait for the little crazy to come back?" Nico spoke up.
"Nico!" Juliet spat.
"Well, I have the remaining cabin leaders, as well as members of Aphrodite's cabin watching for her return and I also am going to keep a close eye. I think it will be okay." Chiron said.
Nico nodded, "So we're all set to go?"
"Yes," Chiron said, "and good luck."
"Thanks" Percy said, "Let us know when you find something out about Spencer."
"Yes, please do." Juliet said.
"I will."
With that, the group leaving for the quest left as well. Something, however, was tossing and turning inside of Percy.
His mind played a few different scenes from the last few days, mostly all of his fights with Spencer. He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. It was his fault. He knew it deep down inside. There was no doubt there.
"What's bothering you?" Annabeth asked him.
"Nothing, just thinking." he replied.
"Okay" she replied, defeated.
His mind still wandered, trying to figure out exactly where his…ex-girlfriend…would run off to in the heat of the moment. The girl never ceased to confuse him.
Suddenly, a deep, familiar, voice rang in his head.
"She's alright. She's alive, but Aphrodite is not happy."
"Where is she?" He spoke back silently.
"You will be seeing her again soon."
"What happened?" Percy thought, trying to re-connect with his father, desperate for an answer.
"You will be seeing her again soon." Poseidon's voice repeated itself.
"Great," he sighed under his breath, "Thanks for all the help, Dad."