Why haven't we started the search yet? My husband is out there, lost, and no one dares to begin the search? Much less care? Why doesn't anyone care?
"Artemis?" Athena asked from her throne. Artemis looked at her sister. "Yes?"
"I was asking if you have the device?"
"What?"
"Are you sure you are feeling well? I can take this from here, if you would like."
Artemis looked around the throne room. All the sudden the empty seat beside her seemed to blur everything out and call to her attention.
Artemis shook her head.
"Sorry, no. I do not at the moment have the device in my possession. I believe your daughter holds that honor."
Athena nodded her head. "I see."
The meeting continued.
Artemis lost herself in her pool of thoughts once again.
_|M.M.J. 12|_
"Hey Lil Sis! Are you sure you're okay?"
Artemis blankly stared into her brother's blue eyes. Everything seemed to rush back to her.
"Yes, yes. Everything is fine. Why do you ask?"
Apollo shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. I guess you just seem . . . Distant. Yeah that's the word. And besides, you still haven't shot me."
Artemis quirked a fine eyebrow. "And why, pray tell, would I shoot you?"
Apollo simply stared at Artemis. His mouth in the verge of hitting the floor. Realizing how he could "get away with murder" he shook his head. "No reason. Anyways," he tried to change the subject, "what do you want to do?"
Artemis began to march forward and push past her brother. "I'm going to find my husband."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Artemis turned around to face her brother. "Excuse me?"
Apollo raised his arms up in the universal sign of surrender. "I didn't say anything!"
Artemis narrowed her eyes. "Yes, you did." She stomped forward.
"No he didn't." A voice chuckled.
Artemis' head whipped to the side. "Who's there?" She called out. Apollo set a hand on his twin's shoulder. "Sis!" He yelped and pulled his hand away. "You're burning up! We need to get you to bed."
As he started to pull Artemis back to her palace, Artemis set a knife to his throat. A knife, she had grabbed from her husband's cloak. His hands shot up in the air.
"I am not going to bed. I am going to Athena's palace to have a discussion. Whether you accompany me or you don't, I do not care," she stated threateningly. Apollo sighed.
"Fine. FlashDancers NYC can wait."
_|M.M.J. 12|_
"Is it possible for primordials in Tartarus to communicate with us?"
Athena shifted in her seat. "Only if the primordial is strong enough, or feeding off of the energy of a strong source."
"And how do they, obtain, that energy?"
"Well, Gaia, I believe, was able to receive her energy from the blood of demigods coming into contact with the earth. According to Tartarus' domain, he would need to feast off of the blood supplied from torture, pain, or evil that was bestowed upon someone. And so on so forth. Why, if you don't mind me asking, do you ask?"
Artemis seemed to be deep in thought. "Nothing. I am just curious. What if Tartarus wants Percy to be found?"
Athena took a moment to think. She looked up from her desk and removed her hand from her chin. "Then we don't find him." She smiled.
_|M.M.J. 12|_
Tartarus let his eyes fall to the back of his head in pleasure. He couldn't help but let out a small moan as he pulled the gold-liquid-filled goblet from his lips. He turned to face a cyclops who served him the heavenly drink.
"What was it?"
The cyclops tried not to look below his master's face. He did not want to seem disrespectful. The cyclops then smiled when he realized that he must be special if the lord would allow him in his presence. "Your favorite, my lord."
"Ah, yes. I see. I think one more dose and a day of rest should be sufficient enough to make me powerful enough for step three."
The cyclops left to allow Tartarus to continue his occupations. (No don't think dirty. Tartarus is just preparing to "take over Percy")
_|M.M.J. 12|_
Percy's POV:
"Artemis please don't do this," I panted as Riptide clattered to my side. She scowled and slapped me, her ring leaving a dash on my face.
"You filthy pig!" She kicked my chest, causing me to fall backward onto my side.
"Artemis, please, listen to me! I love you, I would never cheat on you! We have a family!" I felt tears begin to stream down my face. I pulled myself back to my knees.
"Lies!" She slashed at me. "All of you men are always filled of lies! Don't you see how much pain you have caused me? How much suffering I am going through? Hurt?
"You promised! You promised you'd never hurt me! Hurt us!" She began to cry. "What would Sally and Jake say? What would they think?" I started to crawl to her like the pathetic and desperate animal I am.
I hugged her.
"Artemis, please forgive me. I am—"
"A sorry and pathetic excuse of a god."
"Her" face shifted into that of a monster. With yellow rotting teeth, three hairs combed back (as if that made him even the slightest bit more irresistible[which he's not]), and a bottle of beer in his hand. A cigar between those ugly teeth.
I crab-crawled and stumbled back. His name escaped past my lips.
I looked at the ground and watched in horror as it shifted into a blue carpet. I looked around the area.
We were back at Mom's old apartment in Manhattan.
"Heh. Just like old times, eh? If someone expects to live here, there are some prices to pay." He taunted. He said the last part in a sing-song voice.
He struck.
Just like old times indeed.
_|End|_