Note :

First things first. A thousand apologies for suspending the story like this. If you're interested, I had my board exams and I had to throw away everything else to study. Deeply sorry again.

Secondly, a big thank you to :

Abigal Thalia La Rue,

Artemis,

Anaklusmos1,

sorrow-wing and

Emily Darkbrow.

I love you guys. For you maybe, they are few words, but they mean the world to me.

Lastly, a request. I am writing another Percy Jackson story, 'An Account of the 2nd Titanomachy'. It is under Suspense and Romance categories . I am rather proud of it and would greatly appreciate it if you would just have a look and tell me your views on it.

You can give me your ideas; God knows I desperately need them. You can even ask for particular scenes to be included.

And do tell me whom you want to win this fight : Artemis or Apollo.

PRE - BATTLE STATISTICS

"Say, why don't we sneak a peek on what the contestants are doing?" Hermes announced. The hungry crowd cheered in response. "Let's first visit Apollo. You're all set?"

"Always ready, just give me the signal," was Hephaestus's reply. "But Hermes,"

"Yeah?"

"Shouldn't we visit Artemis first? She being the first-born and all that?"

"Bro, as God of Languages, I follow only one sequence in these sticky situations."

"And that is?"

"Alphabetical."

Hermes reached the door at one end of the stadium emblazoned with a picture of the sun. Security was having a tough time chasing away drooling nymphs and minor gods. Himerus, the God of Lust, was being particularly persistent.

"Just one second mate; I waited a thousand years for this moment," he yelled, amidst being dragged away by the security guards. "Apollo, my dearest, when shall we meet?"

"I keep telling you, Hyacinthus was a princess!" snapped a good-looking female guard. "A common misunderstanding, since the name sounds similar to river god Xanthus and Menelaus and Narcissus."

"Shut up, lip-stick lady!" he cried in reply. "You just want him all to yourself!"

"What? Hell, I'm his daughter!" But she looked long into the mirror and rubbed away the maroon lip gloss.

"That looks fine by me Akira," She jumped up in surprise.

"Hermes! Don't do that to me again!" He just grinned apologetically. "Whatever," she murmured, hooking her thumbs in her pockets.

"How's Jason?"

"Good; ah yes, he has this parent career day tomorrow and the teacher was particular that the students' fathers come and talk."

"That's all right, you know I'm a talker," She nodded. Suddenly, his right pocket quivered violently.

"Oh, yeah,I..."

"Helloooo my dear, looong time nooo see" declared George.

"I told you, you will never get that chocolate-brown voice. Hello Ira," It was Martha.

"Seems ages since I ate some Japanese rats,"

"Me too!"

"They taste better than the ones Iris gives us, right?"

"George! You cannot ask Hermes to marry somebody because they give you better rats!"

"Who's talking about marriage now?"

"Some things never change," Hermes shook his head and put the phone back into his pocket. "We'll talk tomorrow. Now, take me to your father."

"Hermes!" yelled Himerus. "I'm gonna kill you! Don't try to steal my Apollo from me!"

Akira led the way, taking a pocket notebook and began scribbling furiously.

"What's that?" he asked curiously.

"A list. 'Things to do if I become an Immortal'. The first on the list is 'Flog Himerus'.

"By the way, was Hyacinthus a princess?"

"No, but it a very effective lie," she said smoothly. "Ah, your influence is rubbing off a lot on me."

"Told you so,loser," Martha hissed smugly.

"Mmmgggrrriiissss"

"The bet was three rats. Come on,cough up."

"Hey,it was two rats,"

"DON'T TRY TO DOUBLE CROSS ME!"

"Jeez, she saw through that,"

"George, I'm still here,"

"Yeah, you're always there,"

"Shall I tell Hermes about where your rat-tail collection is? He's soo gonna hate it,"

"All right,all right, I'll give you three rats! Happy?"

"Very much so,"

Apollo was relaxed, extremely relaxed. One nymph was doing his hair, another two were massaging his hands and legs. A clever looking satyr was checking the weapons.

"Ah, Hermes," he declared dreamily,extending his arms.

"Man, you look like you're going to the theater! Aren't you afraid at all?"

"I'm God of Archery remember? What should I be afraid of? Hey, but don't tell Arty that. It'll hurt her feelings."

"Hmm, is that the only reason?"

"Actually," he said in a stage whisper. "She'll give me such a whacking that my looks will be damaged for weeks. Now I can't afford that, can I?" Akira rolled her eyes.

"Ah, my dear, I may be a little selfish, but I love you, always will. Bear hug?"

"No thanks."

"Come on, an all-the-best hug for daddy?" She rolled her eyes again and complied.

"You know,how much ever I hate you,something happens when I hug you," she said. "It all seems to go away."

"That's the idea," he whispered.

"Okay, finish your farewells and be out in five minutes. I'll go pick Arty."

"Hey,don't you dare call her that!"

"That sounds nice. And you call her that."

Artemis's end was blazing with silver, due to all her hunters's presence. Hermes nodded curtly to them and entered the room.

Artemis was there doing last minute practice with Thalia helping her.

"Hi there sisters," he called out. "So Artemis, are you cool?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll turn the camera on." He focussed the camera.

"Wow," gasped Hephaestus. "She looks gorgeous on screen!"

"So, Artemis," said Hermes. "On a scale of one to ten, how sure are you that you're going to win?"

"Eight."

"Oh, I asked the wrong question. How much do you want to win?"

A smile played on her lips as she answered, "Ten."

"It's a full moon today," said Poseidon suddenly.

"So?" asked Hera.

"The odds are that Artemis is going to win."

"Oh please; open your eyes brother. It's broad daylight! Afternoon! The God of the Sun is in his element even now. And for once, support me."

"You know," declared Poseidon, getting philosophical. "This fight between you and Artemis is just . . .. baseless. Personally, I think you two are carbon copies of each other."

"WHAT? That is not true!"

"This is an observation result I ought to have told you years ago."

"I am NOT buying it," she stated, crossing her arms.

"He's right,you know. I think so too," Zeus said earnestly, stuffing his face in the popcorn.

"Oh,you're such a ton of help!"she snapped. "Wait, is that Hot Chilly Peppermint you're eating?"

"Oh no. But all the ones I finished eating are." She growled angrily.

"So much for honesty in our relationship," she murmured.

"Hey, you technically never asked me!"

"So you'll give me an honest answer for whatever question I ask." Poseidon shook his head vigorously in warning, but Zeus didn't see that.

"Of course darling, fire away."

"Who's Janet Goodman?" she shot out.

"Sorry?" he asked, turning bright red.

"Janet Goodman," Hera repeated. "Are you seeing her?"

"What? Absolutely not!" he snapped.

"You're lying."

"I swear on Styx that I don't look at her that way!" Thunder rumbled in response.

"So what were you doing in Paris hugging her?"

"She's had a very hard time! Her boyfriend broke up, her mother died and she got fired, all in the space of one day!"

"Ah, how pitiable! But I don't think you have any time to spare for mere mortal troubles, do you? And I don't see why Janet should upset you anymore."

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her."

"Why not?" she challenged.

"Because the last time you opposed me, I clearly saw you hanging from Olympus with brass chains bound to your hands."

"Pah, there's no need for such threats," declared a tall lady,with porcelain skin and a stony face that would give Severus Snape a run for his money.

"Nemesis?" enquired Poseidon.

"Greetings, my Lords and Lady," she inclined her head respectfully. "You must know Lady Hera, that Father Zeus has not looked at any woman but you for the past year."

Hera flushed. "But who is this girl Janet Goodman?"

"His daughter. Oh, um," she said, chancing a look at Zeus. "Um, didn't you know that? Well, excuse me, but Hestia has reserved a place for me and I'm already late." she slipped away to safety.

"Really?" asked Poseidon hopefully, getting up and knocking all the popcorn into Hades's lap.

"Er, actually, she especially requested that I alone come, you know," she trailed off.

"Oh," he said huffed.

"JUST HOW MANY KIDS DID YOU HAVE WITHOUT ME KNOWING?" Hera thundered. Zeus was silent.

"ANSWER ME!"

"Don't yell Hera, I'm counting," he said, face screwed up in concentration. "Ah yes, fifty seven children in all," he declared satisfied.

"Coming with me brother?" asked Hades, already whisking Persephone to safety. "Honesty never works in a relationship."

"What does that mean?" Persephone snapped weakly.

"What I meant was, honesty alone never works in a relationship."

Poseidon grinned. "Good save."

And the audience got a quarter of an hour viewing of the divine Olympus couple's stormy inner life as Hephaestus gleefully captured it in some very interesting angles and added accompanying statistics to boot.