Gah! Well, my extreme apologies for the super late update. This only took forever and a day! A serious case of writers block mingled with the fact that I recently moved into a new apartment that had no internet is the main reason this is so late in coming. I mean, who doesn`t have internet this day and age? Plus Ive been helping to plan my best friends wedding...bad time to be a writer. But hurrah! Rejoice in the greatness that is a wireless router! I had to save up for it – as I am broke from the move T.T – but it is in and ready to do its wonder! Hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own no part of COTT, except for those characters created by myself, nor any lyrics that appear in this story. I write purely for pleasure, not profit.

Chapter Nine

I once again find myself stuck in that twilight zone between being asleep and being conscious of ones surroundings as Chiron`s medication slowly starts to wear off, leaving me with one hell of a headache. Lying on my back, I do my best to ignore the dull throbbing that seems prominent on every inch of skin I possess. My brain also seems to have taken up the drums. Through some sweet talking and a touch of physical force with some threats thrown in, Jay and the others managed to get me back down on this chair-couch-futon looking piece of furniture Chiron calls a bed while they start the hunt. Even Atlanta managed to pry herself away from me, and as much as I would love her to be next to me forever it was good to see her go. Seeing me like this has to be tough on everyone, but especially her. It would give her mind a break even though she promised to help with the search for Angela. I really have no idea how they`ll find her...it seems impossible now in my mind.

Finally breaking back into the real world from my drug induced stupor, I just stare at the ceiling. The ornate gold bas-relief and fabulous craftsmanship of the ceiling`s cornice does little to take my mind off of the past few days. It`s like a scratched record, skipping and replaying the same scenes and sounds over and over. Just when I think I`m close to getting my life back on track, to regain some sense of familiarity, life goes and craps over all my dreams. I know this sounds more than selfish, but why me? Haven`t I gone through enough already? I already knew my life was a near-literal Greek tragedy, but does whoever`s up there have to keep reminding me? Throwing my good arm across my eyes, I try and block out the daylight and the images. It does neither and I ball my fists in frustration. If it weren`t for my friends and the knowledge that Angela`s out there, I`d have absolutely nothing to live for. Talk about angst...I`m surprised I haven`t cracked like a nut.

Hearing soft steps coming my way, I lift my arm to find Galenthias heading towards me. Her gold eyes were always a little eerie against her black fur. That`s a witches assistant for you, I suppose. She has a look on her face that spells all kinds of guilt, and I lower my arm again as she takes a seat at the foot of my bed.

"Gal, no offence, but whenever you`re around I can`t help but tense up. Maybe cause you nearly ended my life half a dozen times. What`s up?"

She`s quiet for a long time and I begin to wonder if she became offended and left before she speaks quietly. "I`m sorry-"

"Not your fault." I butt in. There`s only enough room for one angsty individual in this place, and the broken tone in her voice isn`t helping my mood. "Nothing you could have done."

"But there was!" she`s almost pleading. I take my arm away and look at her. I didn`t think cats were capable of such pained facial expressions. "I could see what was happening, and I did nothing to stop it."

"Oh for Gods sake!" I push myself up onto my elbow, and give her my best I`m-pissed-as-hell look. "Understand one thing. I`m the one who failed here, not you!" she looks taken aback, and I continue before she can say anything. "Besides, you were on the goddamn moon! Do you really think you could have gotten there in time even if you had left a little early? You did what you could, which I am eternally grateful for. Besides, you already said Hecate wouldn`t let you leave and we all know what a bitch she can be."

I ungracefully flop back down, energy spent, jarring my wounds in the process but not really caring. My arm also finds its way back across my eyes. I could care less if Hecate heard me. Let her come down! I`ll give her a royal piece of my mind as well. I sigh, ever so frustrated. "You`re too nice a person to be working for that witch, Gal."

"She was the one who gave me this form so I could better serve her. I owe her my strength and powers, though she is a wicked and terrible Mistress." She pauses a moment. "Without her I would not have my wings, and without them I would not have been able to rescue Atlanta or help you in your fight with Cronus. For her gift, I am eternally grateful."

I sigh, my headache eating away at my currently-less than-sane mind. "Like I said, too nice. Why on Earth would you have agreed to let her turn you into a cat in the first place..." I stop, thinking on what I just said. Something tugs at the back of my mind...something in the sentence...

I sit up as it hits me, though my mouth is slower to react. "Why on Earth...Earth! That`s it!" I smile at Gal, who no doubt thinks I`ve finally lost it. Gripping her by a shoulder, I slowly start hauling myself to my feet.

"Woah now!" Taking my hand off her, she carefully pushes me down. "You`re still in no condition to be up and about. You were seriously hurt!"

"Then please Gal! Get the others in here stat! I need to talk with them!"

"Stat? What is that?"

"It means right now, immediately, as fast as your feet can carry you I need them here pronto!"

"What`s pronto?"

"I swear to the Gods, Gal, if you don`t leave right now I`ll-"

She laughs and hops a safe distance away. "I was just bugging you. It`s good to see you finally back with us, Archie." Turning, she`s out the door faster than I can follow. I`m silent as I think on what she said, and give a chuckle. "Ah, I missed you Gal."

It seems she`s gone only moments when Galenthias re-entered the room with all my friends in tow. Most of them look down except Neil who looks like he just woke from a refreshing nap. Knowing the guy`s particular sleeping habits, he probably did. Odie looks especially depressed and he wrings his hands together as he approaches me first.

"I`m not sure how to tell you this..." Odie stalls and looks back at the others. They all avoid eye contact with him. "Trying to find Angela and Cronus...I don`t think it`ll be possible."

"Not that we`re giving up of course!" Theresa jumps in, a smile as fake as I`ve ever seen plastered on her face. It screams false hope. She tries to hold it but it slips as she continues. "We just have no idea where to even start."

Odie gives a solemn nod. "If either of them had a PMR or some way to track them via GPS it would be fine. Unfortunately Cronus has the whole world to hide in as well as other dimensional planes. If we do find them it would be a miracle." He cringes at his own words. "I don`t mean to get you down, but..."

"Now everyone, let`s stop." Jay intervenes. Atlanta comes and takes a seat next to me as the gang focuses on the captain. "Archie no doubt called us in here for a reason. Let`s hear him out."

Moving in closer, everyone seems eager about what I have to say. Judging by their reactions, I`m sure they didn`t expect the smile that crept over my face. "I have an idea as to how we`ll find them."

"Seriously?" Herry looks beyond excited, which seems to lift the others as well. "That`s awesome! What`s the plan?" Pounding a fist into his palm, he looks ready for a rumble.

"It`s not concrete but it`s the only thing I`ve been able to think of." Everyone`s looking at me like I`m playing mind games with them. "We`ll use the Earth."

Now they`re all looking at me like I`m crazy. Neil scratches the back of his head, looking confused. "Say what now?"

But there`s a flash of clarity in Jay`s eyes. He suddenly grabs my shoulders, smiling. "Archie, that`s brilliant!"

Odie seems to be on the same page as well. He grins in his mischievous way and runs towards the door. "I`ll go get Hera!"

"Could someone please fill in the rest of us?" Atlanta asks, an incredibly cute look on her face. Smiling I lean in and give her a kiss on her cheek. For the first time in a while I`m feeling like things are looking up. She blushes deep enough to match her hair as I answer her question with a single word.

"Gaia."

"One more time?" Neil leans in. I must not have said it loud enough. He also still looks half asleep. Whatever. Turning to the others, I repeat, "Gaia." I glance at Jay. I can practically see the gears turning in his mind. "You remember her right? She is literally Mother Nature, Goddess of the Earth. Though we`ve only seen her in her humanoid form, Gaia is the Earth itself."

"And if Cronus is anywhere on Earth, then she will know." Jay finishes off. "It`s also said that places like the Underworld and Tartarus are parts of her as well, like internal organs. There`s nowhere Cronus could hide without his mother knowing. Unless of course..."

"What?" I thought the idea was foolproof. I should have known.

"Well, I was just thinking...we have no idea what type of dimension lies within his portal. If he`s hiding there..."

"There`s no way to get to him." I nod. I hadn`t thought of that at all. Leave it to Jay to think things through so thoroughly. "Regardless, we still have to try."

"Of course we will!" Atlanta speaks up, putting a hand on my shoulder gently, mindful of my injuries. Its at that moment that Hera and Odie walk in. Odie is smiling, but striding a bit behind the Goddess, as if to keep out of her way. She`s striding up here as if she has only one purpose in life. I can`t tell yet if she wants to help me or end me.

"You want to do what?" she fumes. I guess it`s the latter. "I knew you were not of right mind, but I didn`t think you were suicidal!"

Galenthias steps between the angry goddess and myself, paws held up in a pacifying manner. Hera shoots a look of flame and death towards her. "Out of my way! I only even allow you here because you save these children`s lives."

"Whoa, whoa!" I get up slowly, much to Atlanta`s dismay. I love her but I am not handicapped yet. I wish everyone would stop treating me like fine china. "What`s the matter Ms. Hera?"

"Odie here has informed me of your insane plan to ask Gaia for help!" she turns her scathing look on me. "What you`re planning is absurd!"

"If it helps me find my sister and that bastard Cronus, then I would burn the whole world down if it would help."

My words nor my glare have her backing down. I know she could probably turn me into some deformed creature with a simple glance, but I`m to the point where I don`t give a shit. She doesn`t back down. "For the love of Zeus I knew when the Oracle prophesized the descendant of Achilles would be among the chosen, it would be more trouble that it was worth."

That stops my train of thought for a moment. I never thought Hera would have such a hate out for me. "Why then? Why is this plan so `insane`? Gaia seemed ok last time we met her."

"You`re hot-headed nature will lead the world to disaster!"

"But Archie`s right. She just wanted an apology from Zeus." Jay steps in to help. For him to defend me from his mentor has to be hard for him. "She was really nice! Why wouldn`t she help us out even just a little?"

"That was not her true nature. None of you know the true Gaia." Hera looks at each of us in turn. "She has a temper like no other. She is not a goddess, nor is she even a Titan. She is a Primordial Being, birthed by Chaos himself! She has more power in her pointer finger than all us Gods put together. Even if you are the prophesized children, you are still mortals! Mortals have to pay a toll for her help."

"A toll?" Theresa questions, looking confused. "What kind of toll?"

"Like all Primordial Beings, she demanded worship and the ancient humans of the past gave her what she wanted through blood sacrifice. As those days have come and gone, and humans have stopped their devotion to her, she has become angry and bitter taking her blood sacrifice whatever way she can. Have you noticed the increase in natural disasters lately?" Our silence and downcast eyes spoke volumes. I have a friend down in Louisiana who lost family in the Katrina disaster. Hera seems to take our silence a different way and continues. "Devastating hurricanes, deadly tsunami`s and earthquakes, volcanic eruptions! Thousands dead! Does this sound like the work of a benevolent being?"

"But..." we all turn to Herry, who looked thoroughly depressed, "...she was so nice at Granny`s party. I never thought of all that as her fault."

Herry`s expression seems to sober the Goddess. She sighs heavily. "I only spoke in anger to help you all understand what she is capable of. If you decide to go this route, prepare yourselves for a bloody end."

"She`s my last hope." The whisper escapes me before I can recall it. That damn filter again. "There may be something other than blood that she wants so badly. I have to try! And if it is true..." the silence is louder than I would have thought. All eyes are watching me now. "If it is true, and I lead the others into danger, I will not only take full responsibility but I will also give her my blood in exchange for their safety."

Someone once said that my blue eyes were sharper than glass, and I hope it really was the truth as I stare down a Goddess. Hera simply looks at me in resignation. "So you truly are suicidal. The prophesy calls for all seven of you to stop Cronus. You would place the fate of the world on your own selfishness and desires?"

"I wish for no such thing and you know that!" Heaven help me, I hate this feeling. "What if we could sacrifice Cronus instead? Promise her blood and get it from his veins as we beat him once and for all?"

Even as the words leave my mouth I know it`s insanity. The looks I`m getting from everyone is starting to piss me off. They don`t know how I feel! They don`t understand what I`m going through! And none of them – none – have any idea what I`m truly capable of. I saved them all once before, I can do it again. Mindful of my physical situation, I push past them all and head for the door. I can hear Hera as I pass her whisper something like "such a dangerous..." but keep going. If no one wants to take me seriously, I`ll just find Gaia myself. I know I`m unfairly judging the actions of the others on my anger for Hera, but in this case it may be justifiable. I don`t know yet. Walking from Chiron`s room, I make my way through the Gods wing and to the gym. Entering the locker room, I reach my locker and pull out my spare duffle bag. I`ve always kept one here locked away with extra clothes and some money. Call me selfish, call me whatever you want, but I knew from the very beginning one day I`d have to leave. Over time I had grown to think myself a coward for even doing such a thing, and today I know I`m right. I stop suddenly and stare at the bag. Am I really so willing to run away from my problems? I was so ready to book it the very first day I was here and now I`m doing it once again. I truly am a coward.

Grabbing the bag roughly with my good hand, I scream something feral and primordial, flinging the embodiment of my fear and cowardice across the room. Clothes and other objects scatter across the floor in a flurry of pent up rage. Something hits my foot and surprises me into silence. I stare down at my feet, the lack of the gold brace a reminder of my weakness, and notice a set of white earphone buds. Leaning I pick up the object, pulling out my PMR at the same time. Plugging the earphones into the dock, I scroll through the device until I reach my saved music. I choose a random song from Apocalyptica, an ironic choice for the situation. Maybe that`s my reasoning for picking the band, but they`ve always been one of my favourites. As the cello's play the familiar opening to `I Don`t Care` I can feel my anger ebbing. I lean my back against the cool metal of the locker and slowly slide down to the floor. I always thought the bands clever mix of hard rock and classical composition echoed my own personality, and as the words tumble through my head I calm down completely.

I try to make you see my side
I always try to stay in line
But your eyes see right through
That's all they do!

I'm getting buried in this place.
I`ve got no room, you`re in my face.
Don't say anything...just go away...

Even though the words are a perfect echo of my prior feelings and thought, I start thinking that maybe...maybe that`s how the others are feeling about me. I am selfish. I`ve thought only about myself for so long, now that I have friends and a girl I love more than life, I`ve continually only thought of myself and what I want. Being on this team has taught me a lot, including how to play well with others. Even so, I was so willing to just take off again? I`m such a loser. They don`t deserve to have to go through all this drama. They`re good people who warrant to have a better friend than me. Strengthening my resolve, I swear to myself here and now that, once the world is safe and Cronus is vanquished, I`ll say my goodbyes and I`ll leave. I`ll never darken their doorsteps again, no matter how much it hurts.

If you were dead or still alive
I don't care, I don't care
just go and leave this all behind
'Cause I swear (I swear)
I don't care
If you were dead or still alive
I don't care (I don't care), I don't care (I don't care)
just go and leave this all behind
I don't care (I swear) I don't care
At all...

Thank you for your patients, and again, sorry this took so long! I tried to make it a good one for you all, so I hope it was enjoyable. Things will heat up very quickly now, promise! Also, all lyrics in this chapter are the sole right of Apocalyptica, which if you haven`t heard them, I highly recommend! Some tunes I suggest are I Don`t Care (feat. Adam Gontier), Broken Pieces (feat. Lacey), Grace and Quutamo. I listen to a lot of music while I write, as you no doubt noticed. It gets my thoughts in the right mood, and lets the scenes come to mind. Enjoy!

`Till next time!

Crystal Marionette