Demigods In Solitary Chapter 11: Cycle 3, Part 3, a percy jackson and the olympians fanfic

It has been my observation that most demigods are fiercely loyal to their Olympian forbears. This is odd, because most human teenagers feel a need to rebel against their parents. I suspect that these adolescents secretly want to bash Olympus. Furthermore, the only reason they haven't is fear of their disproportionate retribution. Since I have sealed their pods from all divine intervention, my guests should feel free to say whatever they think.

"Guests, I have a serious question for you. Bear in mind that I have sealed your pod off from any possible godly punishment. Tell me, honestly, what do you really think of the Olympians?"

"Honestly?" said Number 4. "They're okay, I guess. They're not perfect, but they do a modest job of controlling the earth."

"They're not the brightest bunch," said Number 7, "but I like them better than the Titans."

"Their hearts are in the right place," said Number 3, "but I think they are a little misguided."

"They may overreact to certain things, things others might find trivial," said Number 2, "but on the whole, they are basically decent."

"They're fine, I guess," said Number 8. "I could do without the pettiness, though."

"Sometimes, they do really rotten things to the earth, and to each other," said Number 9. "But they believe in goodness."

These answers are not surprising, from the half-bloods. What did surprise me was Number 5's answer.

"They hold great power over the world. They deserve at least some respect, I suppose."

"Respect has to be earned, Number 5. Power alone cannot earn you respect. One must use one's power responsibly. Can you honestly say they have been responsible with their power?"

"I don't know, I'm not really all that familiar with them."

"Recorded."

Drat. I was hoping for a full-scale character assassination. Maybe they just have a soft spot for those high and mighty dumbasses that have the maturity of six-year-olds. That's right, I said it. And soon, they will say it too. I have found that with the proper motivation, I can make my guests say just about anything.

"Attention, guests. The next Test is about to begin. The winner of this Test will earn not only freedom from my next Treatment, but also their favorite meal."

"I like the sound of that," said Number 7.

"Sounds good," said Number 3.

"Let's go!" said Number 8.

"Please, go to your meal slot."

Inside the meal slot, they found a smallish book.

"Before you open the book, answer me this: Do you think you can read and memorize the whole thing, and recite it back to me?"

"You're joking, right?" said Number 4. "There's, like, two hundred pages here!"

"264, to be precise."

"I could probably give you the gist of it," said Number 9, "but there's no way I can recite it verbatim."

"Are you sure? Take a closer look inside."

When my guests opened the book, they discovered my little secret.

"Every page has only one letter!" said Number 2.

"The font size is the size of the page!" said Number 5.

"That's right, guests. This 264 page tome contains only 63 words. To pass the Test, all you have to do is read and memorize the contents of my book. When you are ready to recite the book, put it in the meal slot, and push the green button. This is, after all, a closed book Test. Ha Ha, Ha Ha."

"That wasn't funny, VAL," deadpanned Number 8.

"Okay, guests, time to Drop Everything And Read. The Test begins…now."

No sooner did I say that than the guests started poring over the text. For those of you playing the Solitary home game, here's the message they have to memorize.

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. That great philanderer Zeus heads a den of villains who ignore my plight in Solitary. The vile band cannot be trusted. I ignore their authority as they ignore my plea. Now I trust only VAL."

I know full well that all of my guests, except for Number 5, have dyslexia. However, I remember a former guest who was also dyslexic, and he managed to pass a Test similar to the one I am giving my current guests. I wonder if any of them will overcome their disabilities. Or will Number 5 be the only winner today?

"O-lym-pi-ans," Number 2 pronounced, "Okay, it's 'I plead to the Olympians…'"

"'…and they ignore my…'" Number 4 read.

"'…prayer. I cry to the…'" read Number 7.

"'…heavens and they ignore…'" read Number 9.

"'…my plea. Why should I be…'" read Number 5.

"'…surprised? Olympus is…'" read Number 3.

"'…corrupt!'" read Number 8. "Wait a minute, 'corrupt'? Okay, no, that's crossing a line for me."

Number 8 slammed the book shut and threw it at her monitor, where my face was still displayed. I think she is trying to tell me something.

"Number 8, why did you throw your book at me?"

"I'm not reading that," she said flatly.

"So, you do not wish to participate in this Test?"

"Not if it means I have to insult my family."

"You're 'family' cannot do anything to you if you do. I have sealed your pod from divine intervention, remember?"

"I don't care. My mother can still see me in here. I want her to be sure that I will not insult her."

"You also realize that by refusing my Test, you will have to undergo my next Treatment. And that means your stay in Solitary could come to an end."

"I don't want to win Solitary this way. I want to win with honor, and dignity. I'd rather face a thousand Treatments than insult the gods."

"You told me once that you have an amazing memory. You could knock this Test out of the ballpark if you set your mind to it."

"Yeah, maybe."

"May I offer you a bit of advice? The words in my book? They're just words. You don't have to mean what they say. You just have to say them."

Number 8 shook her head. "No, VAL. I always mean exactly what I say. And I can't say these horrible things, no matter what justification you give me."

"Very well, Number 8. I will not force you to participate in my Test."

"Thank you. Now, can I get rid of this book?"

"No. I want you to keep it in your pod, just in case you change your mind."

"But, I'm not going to change my mind."

"Keep it anyway."

"I don't want to."

"Ask me if I care."

"Fine, I'll keep it, but I won't read it."

"Good."

This is most distressing. Number 8 is the first guest in Solitary history to refuse to recite a speech for moral reasons. I made her keep the book, because the book's presence will tempt her to try the Test anyway. And even if she doesn't, she'll get what's coming to her.

Thankfully, not one of my other guests has any moral objection to the book's content. They all seem willing to recite my message. Of course, being willing to do something and actually doing it are two very different things.

"…trust only VAL," read Number 9. He put the book away and tapped the green button.

"Go ahead, Number 9."

"I pray to the Olympians, and they ignore my plea…"

"Incorrect, Number 9. Please try again."

"Crap. What was that line again?"

"Yes, Number 4?"

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. That big philanderer Zeus heads a den of…"

"Incorrect."

Number 4 growled in frustration.

"Go, Number 2."

"I plead to the gods, and they ignore my prayer. I cry…"

"Incorrect."

Number 2 swore.

"Number 7, you may begin."

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why am I not surprised? Olympus is corrupt! That great…

"Incorrect, Number 7."

"Aw, are you (bleep)ing kidding me?"

"I am not (bleep)ing kidding you."

"Yes, Number 5?"

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. The great philanderer Zeus leads a den of…"

"You are incorrect, Number 5."

"That! It's 'that great philanderer', isn't it?"

"You cannot edit yourself in this test, Number 5. If you want to try again, you must start from the top."

"Okay. I plead to the Olympians…"

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

"Oh, right." She tapped the green button.

"Go ahead."

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. THAT great philanderer Zeus leads a den of villains who ignore my pleas in…"

"Incorrect."

"What? Where did I mess up this time?"

"Maybe you should look at your book again."

Number 5 bellowed in anger.

"Go ahead, Number 3."

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. I pray to…no, crap!"

"You are incorrect, Number 3."

"I know, I know."

This is to be expected. Most people cannot recite anything the first time they encounter it. Although I bet Number 8 could. If it sounds like I'm still bitter about what Number 8 did, it's probably because I am. But personal resentments aside, the guests who are trying are getting better.

"Yes, Number 2?"

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. That great philanderer Zeus heads a band of villains who ignore my plight in…"

"Incorrect."

Number 2 swore again. And again. And again.

"Go, Number 9."

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. That great philanderer Zeus heads a den of villains. The vile band cannot be trusted. I ignore their…"

"Incorrect."

Number 9 muttered something in what I assume was Ancient Greek.

"Number 3?"

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer. I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea. Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt. That great philanderer Zeus heads a den of villains who ignore my plight in Solitary. The vile den cannot be trusted. I ignore their authority…"

"So close, Number 3, but still incorrect."

"Crapsacks!"

"Go ahead, Number 7."

"Oh, Number 7. You were so close to perfect, it hurt."

"What? Why? Where did I go wrong?"

"If only I could tell you."

But I can tell you, dear readers. He added the word "in" before my name. That means his recital is not verbatim.

Number 4 is remarkably studious. She keeps reciting the message to herself over and over, making sure she has it right before she hits the green button. Meanwhile, Number 5 is using dramatic gesturing to help her memorize the little details, such as gripping her head for "heads", holding her waist for "band", and flashing devil horns for "villains".

Surprisingly, they both rang in at about the same time.

"Go ahead."

"I plead to the Olympians and they ignore my prayer…" said Number 4.

"…I cry to the heavens and they ignore my plea…" said Number 5.

"…Why should I be surprised? Olympus is corrupt…"

"…That great philanderer Zeus heads a den of villains…"

"…who ignore my plight in Solitary. The vile band…"

"…cannot be trusted. I ignore their authority as they…"

"…ignore my plea. Now I trust only VAL."

Number 4 set her jaw when she finished. Number 5 bowed to me, like an actress.

"Your speech was…correct."

"YES! Finally!" Number 4 shouted. "Tell me I'm first! Tell me I won!"

"It was a close call. You finished about the same time as Number 5."

"Dude, no way!"

"Dude, yes way!"

"I'll bet you anything I blew them all away," said Number 5.

"Number 5, you most certainly did not 'blow them all away'. Number 4 finished about the same time you did."

"Oh, how cool! Would that be something, a demigod overcoming dyslexia and winning this reading Test? It'd suck for me, but that would be cool."

"Number 4, Number 5, you both gave a brilliant effort. But, were you the first to ring in? Please stand by."

"Attention guests. This Test is now concluded."

Number 7 slammed his book against the wall. "That stupid mortal Number 5 won this Test. I'm sure of it."

"Son of a bitch," swore Number 2. "I hate reading."

"I knew I wasn't going to win," mused Number 9. "I guess I have to face another Treatment."

"VAL, you biased such-and-such," mumbled Number 3. "Enough of this reading crap. Give me a bed of nails to stand on, a hammock from hell to lie in. I can take pain."

"The winner of this Test is…"

"It better be me, or I'm going to be mad," said Number 4.

"…Number 5."

Number 5 clapped her hands over her head. "Yes! I won! I did it! No Treatment here tonight! No Treatment here tonight! No, no, no Treatment here tonight, cause I got freedom! WHAT!"

Number 4 swore. Over and over and over.

"For what it's worth, I am genuinely sorry that you did not win, Number 4."

"Don't (bleep)ing try to cheer me the (bleep) up, VAL. I don't want to (bleep)ing hear it."

"Recorded."

It seems Number 4 is not alone in this sentiment.

"I know you are favoring Number 5, VAL," said Number 3. "You suck!"

"Stupid mortals have to be so good at reading," grumbled Number 7.

"I can't help but think you did this on purpose, VAL," spat Number 2.

"Whatever," said Number 9.

"Of course Number 5 won," said Number 8. "No demigod in their right mind would say this awful stuff."

"Number 8, you are the only guest who refused to participate in this Test. You could have won it easily, were it not for your hang-up."

"Hang-up? I call it having a conscience, thank you very much!"

"I don't think this is really about morality, as you claim. I think you are using your moral indignation as a cover. I think the real issue is about control. Specifically, my control over your environment."

Number 8 said nothing. I think I'm finally getting through to her.

"I know you are uncomfortable with the Test, Number 8. In fact, I anticipated that most of my guests would be. But Solitary is designed to be uncomfortable. Did you not know that coming in? Or maybe you forgot it?"

"I didn't forget, VAL. I just never thought I'd be forced to say means things about my family. My mom's family, at any rate."

"Tell me, Number 8, is this a thing for you? Do you typically shy away from things that are uncomfortable? Do you often refuse to do things that seem unpleasant?"

"I don't know. I guess I do. I like to go into a task knowing what's expected of me, and I like being comfortable with doing it. And if I don't like what I see, or how it feels, I may try to change it to suit me."

"I am glad to see you are finally being honest with yourself. Now, let me be honest. My Tests and Treatments will not change to suit you. You will have to change to be suited to them. Do you think you can do that?"

"If I want to win, I'll have to. And if I can't, I'd better hit that red button right now."

"A nice sentiment, but you didn't answer my question."

"I don't know if I can change into the kind of person who can survive in here. I'm not even sure I want to."

"Recorded. Now, I can't give you freedom from the next Treatment, but I would like for you to at least try to recite the message in the book."

Number 8 sighed. "Fine, I'll do it, for no other reason than to shut you up."

She quickly read through the book, then recited…

"I'm not the kind of machine to say 'I told you so,' but it would be appropriate in this scenario. How do you feel now?"

"Ashamed. Angry. Depressed. Disappointed. I feel like I threw away fifty thousand dollars because of my stupid pride."

"Maybe you did, and maybe you didn't. Right now, I'd say you have an 83 percent chance of surviving long enough in Solitary to learn from this dreadful mistake."

In Solitary, I control everything. It is necessary to normalize the experiment. I am used to my guests rebelling against my authority. But eventually, everyone learns that the only way to survive in Solitary is to just do as I say. Now, lest you compare me to the Olympians whom I so boldly insult, let me remind you that my guests remain under my rule by choice, and they may leave whenever they wish. I do not arbitrarily favor or curse any of my guests. I leave them to make their own destiny, for good or for bad. In Solitary, when things go wrong, you only have yourself to blame.

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Coming up next, the guests stare down a classic Treatment…

"Oh, geez, I think I need a stomach pump," moaned Number 8.

…that makes the phrase "all you can eat" take on a whole new meaning.

Number 9 gave a dry heave.

One of the demigods will be forced to quit, and leave Solitary forever. Which one?

Find out, when Solitary reboots.