VERY IMPORTANT: I'm sorry for the shallowness of the text (728 words) but I may not be able to update often because, unlike most of you, my summer break ends this Wednesday. That's why I'm asking for a beta to cooperate with, to lessen the workload and to bring more to you guys. If you're interested, PM me, and I'll check to see if you could be my partner. As my assistant, I'll give you... a virtual cookie and a shout-out per chapter. Sorry, but that's all I've got.
Yet another notice: If anyone is good at art and is interested in helping out this story, I really need a cover. Sure, it's only optional, but covers catch the eye of the readers, and I could really use that.
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO nor it's assets
Enjoy, Muffins!
Chapter Twelve: The First Trial
"The Gauntlet Docks will be up and running in twenty minutes," yelled a velvety voice, "and the lines to Hephaestus TV will be active in thirty." Wait, we're gonna be on TV? Before I could ask, Sami answered.
"Um, well... instead of researching on how to beat Eros, I just watched TV," stated Sami, blushing. "That's how I found out about the Cave."
"Fine, fine. So, the challengers are Perseus Jackson and his harem?" asked Chrysaor. At that, Artemis snapped.
"Whoa, I am not in his 'harem'," stated the Goddess of Chastity. "For one, I am an independent woman."
"I apologize, Lady Artemis," replied the son of Poseidon.
"Mister Chrysaor, sir?" asked his assistant, Rosemary.
"Yes, intern?"
"After Percy completes the trials, can I have his autograph?" asked the girl.
"...I have no control of what you do to the contestants after the trial," replied the deep voice.
"YAY! Ooh, the Docks are already ready!" exclaimed the excited Rosmary. "Make your way through the door to start the trial. One at a time please!"
I looked at my companions. Artemis' cool was still blown from Chrysaor's insult, so she might not want to go right away. Aphrodite, who had resumed holding my hand, was still green with envy due to Rosemary's autograph remark. Sami looked like the only one eligible to progress. "Sami, would you like to go first?"
"Okay," said the Athenian, pulling out her dagger. I winced. It looked just like Annabeth's. Once she said 'okay', a wooden door unfolded from thin air in front of the blonde. "Wish me luck!"
I saluted, to which she giggled, reminding me of the first day we met each other. Why I was reminiscing was unknown to me. After closing the door, it disappeared. We stood there in the dark, damp cave, the warmth of Aphrodite's hand the only constant thing. Then a shrill scream was heard.
"SAMI!" I exclaimed. Instantly, a metal door appeared in front of me. All I could think was 'gotta save Sami' and that was repeating non-stop, like a broken record. Without thinking I opened the door, throwing off Aphrodite's hand.
Gotta save Sami
In front of me was Hell itself. No, I'm not talking about the underworld, I'm talking about eternal fire. It was just an inferno of flames, with tongues of fire and lava everywhere. I looked off into the distance, to see a fifty foot Cyclops charging a broken figure lying on the floor.
Gotta save Sami
I pulled out Aphrodite's Love and notched a celestial arrow. No need for the cyclops to fall in love, thank you very much. I fired, the arrow merely bouncing off the cyclops's iron-hard skin. Cursing, I pulled out Riptide and wiped my forehead. The heat was so intense that it was stinging my eyes.
Gotta save Sami
I charged. The one-eyed freak was fifty meters from where I was, and that thing was already in striking range of my friend. It brought out it's sword, the blood red blade's gleam giving off enmity towards it's opponent.
Gotta save Sami
Sami was trying to get up, propping herself on her elbows. Her plaid shirt was ripped, and her body was covered in bruises.
Gotta save Sami
The Cyclops swung. I'm ten meters away.
Gotta save Sami
I block.
Saved Sami
I push back the Zanbato (AN: A Zanbato is a Japanese sword capable of felling cavalry in one stroke. Imagine Cloud's Buster Sword from FF VII) and took a defensive stance. I sneak a peek at Sami. She was already on her knees, her dagger wielded in ice-pick position. The cyclops stepped back and swung down in an arc. The sword's weight, combined with gravity and momentum, made it so that I couldn't block. I hopped to the side. Sami took the initiative, running up the blade and stabbing the cyclops in the eye.
"Argh!" it yelled, staggering towards the lava. Sami kicked off of the one-eyed head, making it's fall inevitable and using the momentum to stay out of danger. Unfortunately, she wasn't a gymnast, so she wasn't exactly falling with style. I reached out and caught her bridal style. I set her down, a sense of victory overwhelming me.
"Wow," said Sami, looking at the text above, "I would've never thought the story would be this descriptive!"
"I know right! Before, this was barely worthy of a fifth grader, but now, it's a proper fanfiction!" I said. Then a golden light enveloped the area.
So yeah, there. Hope you like it, and review! Like I said, this story runs on reviews. More reviews, the farther this story will go.
I still need a beta and cover art, so I'll need your help with that.
See you later