Disclaimer: I'm too tired to be sarcastic. So, let's just say that I don't own Percy Jackson and leave it at that, eh?
"Thanks." The word stunned Percy. He wasn't expecting anything like that. However, Phoebe continued, in a choked voice, "Look... I'm sorry. It wasn't right for me to try and blame you for everything that had happened. But I was so angry...I just wanted to blame someone for the death of my friend. You came along, and I just couldn't accept the changes. I'm sorry."
Percy held up his hands and smiled softly, "Thank you for your words. But can you see me now as me and accept me? Is it going to be a problem for you if I stay with you guys for some time?"
"No."
"Then all is forgiven. As long as we have cleared the air between us, I feel everything will be alright." He smiled again, "I think you should also make up with old Sparky there. I know she hated fighting with one of her best friends, no matter what the reason." As they stayed there and talked for for a while, the wounds began to heal and they came together again. Percy stayed with the Hunt with a fair amount of joy, performing odd jobs for his sisters and frequently flashing here and there for information's sake. He had somehow gained an amazing ability to play an instrument called "Veena", and managed to entertain them. It was a source of great amusement to the Hunters when Apollo arrived one night and couldn't figure out easily how to play the instrument and had to use his divine abilities.
So, Percy was happy, really happy...other than that time when he was asked to do laundry. You'd think being able to control water will make it easy, but Percy ranked it among his top five daunting enterprises.
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"Can you tell us again why we are here? I swear that if you weren't my cousin, I would have killed you already for making me wait here pointlessly."
"Tsk, tsk Thals. You should know that good things come to those who wait." Percy replied vaguely and then defended himself, "Look, it is not my fault that who we are waiting for is tardy with his schedule. Oh wait, I hear his arrival."
As Thalia squinted her eyes, she could feel the air picking up its pace. It was not natural, but had markings of supernatural laced in it. Soon, the object of their wait came into focus. Thalia looked on, shocked at the guy who landed from...what was that, anyway? However, he had similar features to her. The blond hair and electric blue eyes, so similar to hers. The same scar at the corner of his lips...Memories of distant past came to surface as she felt choked with emotion.
"J...Jason?" she asked tentatively, taking a step forward.
"Yes, that's my name, but who are you?" the Roman demigod asked, confused. Thalia was shocked to realize that her brother didn't remember her.
"That's Thalia Grace, Lieutenant of Artemis, Daughter of Zeus, wickedly powerful, all-around ass-kicker and your cousin." Percy said in a monotone. Then he grinned apologetically, "I am sorry Jason, but this will hurt". He touched his index finger to Jason's forehead as he stood shell-shocked for a moment before memories of a forgotten time assaulted him. As he remembered his sister, the night they were separated and the knowledge about different aspects of the Gods. He staggered back in shock, before embracing his sister in a tight hug.
"So, I take it that your memories are back to normal, huh?" Percy asked, smiling. Then he turned sober, "Before you ask about your condition, let me brief you about the situation." Then he explained to the siblings about his history, the imminent dangers and the reason why he was at Camp Jupiter, leaving out the part about his new abilities. As he finished, Jason scowled, "So, it doesn't explain why you approached me today."
Percy sighed, "The things have gotten more complicated. I had hoped that I can convince the Romans to join the fight in our time of need, but that might not be enough. We need a reverse of what had occurred to me. You need to go to Camp Half-Blood as a Greek demigod and earn their respect. Unless the Greeks experience firsthand that a Roman can be trusted, the situation will turn ugly in no time...and we better not forget the wars that had been waged earlier."
"So, let me get this straight. We have two unite two segments of Warriors who has been after each other's blood all along?" Jason sighed, "I'll think about it, but don't expect me to agree too soon, or never at all."
"That's all I am asking for." Percy shook Jason's outstretched hand, before smirking, "Reyna, if you have had enough of eavesdropping, you may come out now."
The siblings looked shocked at Percy's words, while a female figure seemed to materialize out of a few bushes nearby. Reyna glared at Percy, "How did you know that I was there?"
"Ah, it was easy. You were far too interested in my words, and didn't pay enough attention to your camouflage." That was very true. Reyna had never heard such a tale before. She would have thought it was a joke, but...She then turned on Percy, "So, why didn't you call me out? I thought this was going to be a secret?"
"Not a very big secret for long. If we are to reunite the two Camps, sooner or later everyone will realize these things. Moreover, having another praetor as a friend and in the circle doesn't hurt. I also have a suspicion that you are going to be one of the seven..."at the collective blank looks, Percy sighed, "You don't know the prophecy, do you?"
The Romans looked uneasy at these revealations. The news about the Giant War was bad enough, but these revealations about a great foe unknown to them? What oath to keep with a final breath? And the earth to fall in storm or fire...nothing really sounded great. They could feel Percy knew more, but chose not to ask.
Percy clapped his hands, "So, now that everything is settled, I guess I should say goodbye for your return journey."
"Why? What will you be doing?" Thalia asked, curious.
"I have another little assignment to complete. I need to...capture the Colchian bulls." Percy announced.
"Why exactly do you need them?" Thalia knew about their abilities, but they weren't really a problem to anyone...at least, hadn't been one for a few millennia.
Percy ran his hands through his hair, "Well, there's more bad news. The doors of death have been opened and Thanatos, the god of death has been captured by the giant Aloneycius. He is the bane of Hades and immortal in Alaska. To rescue Thanatos, a quest has been issued, but the prophecy involves having the team pass through an area controlled by Amazons, you know, the Wonder Women? The team can't pass safely through it unless someone holds them back. I have talked with their patron, Lady Hera and she has promised their safety if I am able to capture these two beasts and restore them to the gods."
"Why does Juno need them?" Reyna asked, curious.
Percy snorted, "How am I supposed to know how the minds of gods work? Maybe she wants to take part in the Olympian bull-fighting?" Seeing their looks and glares, he defended, "Come on guys, it was a joke." He continued, "Down below, there is a secret passage here where we can meet Princess Medea of Colchis. She is the best person to give me knowledge about their whereabouts. So, I will now be going down."
"Well, we can accompany you." Jason suggested, wanting to be in another fight with Percy Jackson. Even in the short time they had been friends, he knew that there was a great fun in fighting beside him. Thalia and Reyna assented with their nods.
Percy had a sly smirk on his face. He whispered in a conspirational tone, "Are you sure, Jason? Many bad things can happen to you...things of unimaginable horror even."
"Sure, why not?" Besides his power being a bit less underground, there wasn't anything too dangerous down there, was it?
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"Why in the name of Pluto am I attired like this, again?" Jason whined like a small child, as the others chuckled. Percy grinned, "I told you it would be horrific and dangerous for you." Percy had, in some way changed Jason to completely look like a female, even changing his voice. He wasn't too pleased by that. "As I said, Princess Medea is highly temperamental. She is also the cousin of Circe, and is an enchantress herself. Also, as you know, your name might not be welcome in her presence."
Jason was going to open his mouth to say that no, he didn't know, but tripped on his dress and fell flat on his face. Amidst the laughter, they turned a corner and reached a cavern. There were numerous jars on display there, filled with multicoloured, frothing liquids. Percy raised his hands and asked, "Hello? Is anyone there?"
"Welcome, strangers." Came an airy voice from the side as Jason gasped. She was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Jason felt that at that moment, he would do anything for her. "What do you want of me?" she asked.
"Well, I wanted to ask..."Percy began before Jason abruptly cut him off. "We want to know the location of Colchian bulls." He declared proudly, puffing his err...his now sizeable chest out.
"Really? What would you possibly do with that?"
Jason suddenly felt a need to brag." Fair lady, I'm the son of Jupiter! I'm a child of Rome, consul to demigods, praetor of the First Legion. I slew the Trojan sea monster, I toppled the black throne of Kronos and destroyed the Titan Krios with my own hands. Jason Grace, at your service. We need to capture the bulls for a quest necessary for world safety." With this announcement, the glamour faded from his body, revealing his true form.
Percy looked on in horror at Jason. Stupid, stupid, stupid, he chided himself.
"Jason, really?" Medea's eyes narrowed in a dangerous glint, but Jason was still in a daze before he was simultaneously slapped by both Thalia and Reyna. "Ow," he exclaimed, rubbing his cheeks, "What was that for?"
"You fool. She was charmspeaking, and you fell right for it." Hissed Reyna.
"And you also revealed your real name to her." Thalia sighed, "I had forgotten that my idiot brother here doesn't know much about the Greek myths. Jason, it was your namesake who was romantically tangled with her long ago, and she might be really, really angry at you."
"Ye-es, and I believe you deserve a fitting welcome. You wanted to know about the bulls of Colchis? Have fun with them." As she gestured with her hands, there came a loud rumbling noise from the adjacent room.
Percy made a snap decision. This woman was clearly psychotic, bringing pyro-monsters into a room filled with volatile liquids. With a quick nod among the quartet, the Graces and Percy ran out to engage them in the adjacent room, as Reyna was left alone to vend off Medea.
"So, you little demigoddess, do you think you can stand up to a princess?" Medea taunted her, trying to get her angry.
Reyna adopted a thoughtful pose, "Princess? Really? Well forgive me if my History is a bit tardy." With a swipe of her weapon, few glass bottles on the counter shattered.
"Stop! Don't do that," Medea screamed hysterically.
"Or what, Princess? You'll send your Royal Army after me?" Reyna fired back. At this, Medea lost her cool and her body clothing morphed into a battle armour, with a spear in her hand. "I'll teach you to respect your betters," she hissed.
Reyna gestured towards her in a "Bring it on!" move and a furious clash ensured. However, it was nothing compared to battle in the next room.
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As a column of flame arched towards them, the three scampered for cover. Thalia screamed, "So, this was your bright plan? To bring in these monsters alone?"
"I have faced worse..." although, I think I'd rather take any of them now, Percy thought.
"Screw it." As the siblings looked at each other, a spark of understanding flew between them. Jason and Thalia took to air, where Thalia caught Jason by his legs and swung him towards the behemoth. As Jason flew with his gladius, the flames came again, but a cocoon of moisture was enveloping the son of Jupiter. He landed unharmed on the bull's back and drove his gladius inside its body. Somersaulting over its body, Jason cut it's horns off in another swipe and rolled away, as Thalia led the second charge. With eyes alight, she landed with as much precision as Jason and drove two hunting knives on its back which was crackling with static electricity. With a loud jarring noise, the fire in the bull's eye dimmed.
Percy was having his hands full with the other metal menace. He had already been singed badly and if not for his Son of Poseidon abilities, he would have been a crisp. Percy, tired of dodging, had the stupidest idea ever; he flipped over his body and with a great leap, landed on the bull's back. Using it's horns as some sort of handle, he drove the bull right into the solid walls...twice, thrice...as it impacted with a seemingly suicide move, Percy jumped off right in the nick of time as the bulls lay unmoving.
"That was easy," Percy said, wiping his eyebrows of sweat.
Jason was going to comment on this unfair statement, when suddenly the fire reignited in the eyes of the bulls. As they rose up for Round 2, their powers seemed to have intensified. With a breath like a dragon, they led an inferno loose within the room, as the metal floor melted like lava and flames covered everything. They were pouring out their full strength and a ring of fire had formed around them which the demigods found impenetrable. Jason and Thalia were airborne again, while Percy focussed on his geokinetic abilities and let his strength loose on the floor. The room shook as the floor formed fissures, preventing the lava from reaching Percy.
"You know, that's pretty impressive...Uh" there was just a slight shout from Thalia and an expression of shock on her face before she fell silent. She had been distracted by the heat and her natural fear of heights and while Jason had moved in time, she had not. One of the fireballs reached her and for a moment, she was lost in a fire shower. Then her badly charred body fell to the floor, unmoving.
Percy looked blankly at the scene. Thalia was hurt.
His cousin was hurt.
His friend was hurt.
A person who had believed in him was hurt.
A person who always wanted to help him was hurt.
Rage consumed the son of Poseidon as his body lit up in a sea-green aura. With scream of primal rage, he sprinted across the room and drove his bare fist into one of the bull's torso. Effortlessly ducking another wave, he kicked the other bull, causing it to roll away. He lifted the first one by its horns and slammed it on the stone floor. As the two tried to charge him, Jason saw a sight to behold; Percy, with each hand was keeping each one back.
Percy felt the same tug in his gut he used to feel in his early demigod days, only much stronger this time and more potent. He threw them apart again and drove Riptide into the ground. The bulls, instead of charging again, drew out a long flame breath, but it never reached Percy. The already weak floor seemed to disintegrate as a geyser of water basted out from underground and lifted them off their feet. Percy, with outstretched hands, sent two blasts of water right at them. A split second stall presented itself between the elemental pairs-fire and water-as steam filled the cavern, but Percy's rage was unstoppable. The water washed over the bulls and threw them with the force of a cannon blast. Two hand-like constructs appeared; as Percy brought his hands together, they wrapped around the bulls and smashed their bodies together. Two blobs of water encircled them as Percy increased the hydrostatic pressure. Audibly, the celestial bronze snapped and the fire was truly gone this time, but Percy wasn't taking chances. With another snarl, two ice spikes impaled the monsters and they were thrown to the side, where they lay unmoving.
Percy's murderous look was instantly gone as he joined Jason in kneeling behind Thalia. She had a pulse, but it was weakening. Praying to every god that she doesn't die, Percy started muttering, "Please, Thals...stay with me. Please be alive. I cannot lose you too." Focussing every ounce of his healing abilities on healing her, Percy prayed to Apollo to arrive. He knew it was highly unlikely that the Sun God could hear and pay attention, but he had to try.
He was rewarded as Apollo arrived immediately in his sun chariot. Immediately assessing the situation, he kneeled beside Thalia as a golden light spread over her. The external wounds were healing, but Apollo cursed loudly in ancient Greek. Turning to Percy, he explained, "Her lungs are burnt. She can't breathe."
"Do the Phaelcian shuffle". Percy suggested, as he lost his shirt.
"Percy, that's too dangerous." Apollo exclaimed, concerned for the safety of the kid he almost saw as a brother.
"I don't care." Screamed Percy. Seeing his state, Apollo nodded grimly as he closed his eyes. With a bright shower of lights, suddenly colour started to return to the pale Thalia. Percy sat down beside her as he kept an eye on her state and tried to numb his pain.
The procedure wasn't a common one, and fairly ancient. It was used in the ancient times by the Phaelcians, who were very similar to the Centaurs but were their rival. It wasn't before Chiron was fatally injured by the arrows of Hercules, stained in Hydra blood that one of the Phaelcians came forward to help and heal him by replacing his entire blood with someone else's. You see, this was just like organ transplants, only much more painful. What Apollo had done was to shift one of Percy's lungs into Thalia's body, and one of her lungs into her. Percy was, however, still connected to it, and with each inhale, the lung inside Thalia's body inhaled too. Percy was pained and exhausted, but he sat determined and matched Thalia's rising and falling chest with his breathing rate. Slowly, but surely, she started healing as Apollo patched up her other lung. Percy felt that it was humorous that it was Chiron who had told him all about this when he had troubled him day and night, trying to know how he had survived that incident. He never liked the explanation Chiron had given in the first day. He had also told him how the Phaelcians had merged into the Centaur clans and given up their violent attitudes. It was amazing how much the Mist could cover up.
Time passed rapidly and they ascended upwards once Thalia was stable enough to be moved. Jason was beside them all this time, muttering encouragements. Reyna had appeared too after her encounter to see the scene, but as Apollo was almost equivalent in both aspects, another awkwardness was avoided. They reached the Hunter's Campsite and it was ten hours later, when Apollo switched back Percy's lung back into his own body as Thalia was now capable of respiring on her own. Percy welcomed the release from pain and promptly fell unconscious. However, he didn't forget to inform Apollo to send those bulls back to Olympus. He would have liked to disintegrate them, but it would be of no use.
Artemis watched all these proceedings with a shock. Somehow, Percy Jackson had surprised her again. How could someone be so selfless and sacrificing? As she watched his unconscious form, she couldn't help but admire the man in front of her, before cursing herself. She was afraid of this very thing; she had tried to prevent this, but it was of no use...she was falling for Percy Jackson. Badly. She had never felt anything like this in her immortal life. She had to stop this before this went out of control. She decided, then and there to distance himself from Percy Jackson.
Even though something inside her told that it was the stupidest decision she could ever make.
A/N: Phew, that was a pain to get out. I certainly don't own the idea to the Phaelcian shuffle...it was used in a different name, but much more effectively by a different author and much better author. Care to guess his identity, readers? Tell me what you thought of these new developments. Were the characters too OOC? How did you like the battle? I'd love to hear from you. As always, suggestions to improve the story and my writing is welcome.