A/N: Welcome back people to another chapter of Once Awake! *scattered clapping* A'ight so maybe I'm taking my time with things and what not but do you really want me to just start murderizing things right off the bat with now story what so ever? No you don't, if you did you would've tossed it in a review. I said it before I'll say it again DROP A REVIEW ABOUT WHAT YOU DO/DON'T LIKE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO OR DON'T WANT TO SEE. Ain't that hard. I would know I review all the time. Anywho to Matt who said I skipped the meeting with Nico: Well duh!
This is a FANFIC if everything were the same that wouldn't be the case. I'm changing things up and doing some stuff that I wanted to hear and see. Uncle Rick did awesome don't get me wrong but there were things I wanted to see and you guys no doubt wanted to see. Regardless, shorter chapter to prelude the upcoming conclusion since we're almost to the end of BOTL. I will be continuing through the entire series while I have time this is more for fun and enjoyment.
With that in mind ENJOY THE READ! I'M REALLY TRYING PEOPLE!
Disclaimer: Y'all know the drill I own my OC's and plot but PJO and HOO belong to Uncle Rick.
Chapter 18: Well Shit
Percy P.O.V
I would love to say that I wittily called Kronos out for being cliché and sounding like a cheesy Bond villain, but the truth is I hauled ass in the opposite direction. I didn't miss a beat as I javelin threw Riptide into the telekhine's chest and booked it for the exit.
Three steps in it felt like I was walking through syrup. Kronos approached with a lazy smile on his face, twirling his scythe as he approached.
"Fitting that Luke called this weapon Backbiter. Now that it is properly reforged it shall indeed bite back."
I was mentally panicking thinking this is where my life ends when I saw something blue fly past my field of vision and nail Kronos in the eye. He exclaimed in pain but it sounded more like Luke than the gravelly ancient voice of the Titan Lord. I didn't stick around to find out as the time spell broke. I grabbed Rachel and Annabeth, who had just stepped in, and ran like hell itself was following me.
"KILL THEM!"
Hell was definitely following me now.
Thankfully whatever had distracted him had caused enough of a delay for us to already reach the Labyrinth when the order was given. We made it to the crossroads, grabbed Tyson, Grover, and Noir, and sprinted down to the workshop. It wasn't long before we came to open bronze doors emblemized with a Greek Delta symbol. Today was just getting worse because it appeared that Daedalus was cornered by an Empousa, a Hellhound, and 2 Laistrygonians. Thankfully Noir knew better than to be shocked and sprinted right into the squad.
"HI-YAH!" And with that, 2 very surprised giants were kicked out the windows behind Daedalus. The Hellhound followed next when he grabbed it by the neck and tail and tossed it out into the wide open space that was the sky. The Empousa, I recognized as Kelli, was smart enough to duck when he tried to grab her but was promptly nailed in the back of the head with a bronze shield. She unceremoniously crumpled to the floor while Rachel flicked her hair out of her face and dropped the shield.
"I have had enough with Mythology for a nice long while."
Noir smirked and tossed a saucy grin her way, "I must say you're coping quite well. And if I'm honest that was kinda hot." She blushed and huffed before turning away as Noir snickered.
All eyes were back on Daedalus as a huge hellhound popped out of a shadow beside him looking ready to defend its master when it realized there wasn't a threat.
The questers, save Noir of course, drew weapons before dropping them and their jaws as she rolled over for Daedalus to scratch her belly.
"Well that's something you don't see everyday…"
All eyes shifted to the polymorph with four arms, wolf ears, and ten bushy tails.
"I'm just saying…Jeez."
"This is Mrs. O'Leary. She's my companion. As for you, why have you sought me out?"
The Annabeth stepped up to address Daedalus while Noir shifted to wolf form and started playing tag with Mrs. O'Leary. She promptly gave up when he pinned himself to the ceiling. He smugly waggled his tails while she whined at Daedalus who, at this point, was trying his hardest not to be surprised. It really wasn't working.
"You're too late. By a couple hours actually. I couldn't give you the String even if I had it." He continued to justify his decision but no one had heard.
They all shuddered. That was why Luke wanted to get through Antaeus, he already had the String. All he needed was the passage.
"Honestly I was just about to be a smear since he betrayed me. Too bad if he had. The Labyrinth is connected to my life force. Ending me would collapse the Labyrinth."
"Instead hundreds will die and the world will end in flames for your selfishness! You had wished to redeem yourself but all you've done is seal your fate!" Annabeth growled out.
"I couldn't have said it better myself."
Minos walked in flanked by ghosts and holding a bound Nico Di Angelo. Noir actually snarled in distaste at the judge, and he flinched in response before stepping back. It was just enough space for me to dart forward and pull Nico towards us before the undead squad recomposed itself. I cut his bonds and he removed his gag, "Sorry, I was trying to see if I could get any info by trekking through some of the tunnels in the underworld when this clown jumped me."
I nodded and pulled Riptide out as Daedalus backed away, pale as a ghost. The irony of the situation was exceptional.
"I do not understand how you've cheated death for so long Daedalus but now I will get to drag you down to the underworld and toss you into Tartarus myself! Capture him!"
` "No! Return to the earth!" Nico's command only slowed the legion while Minos cackled wildly. "They will not obey you! You have no power while I stand! I am the Ghost King!"
Nico growled and his eyes darkened, he glowed the slightest bit black as he raised his Stygian Iron blade. "I am Nico Di Angelo, Son of Hades Lord of the Underworld and commander of the legions of the damned. I AM the true Ghost King! Now, RETURN!"
He plunged his blade into the ground splitting it like butter. Cracks extended from the point where it stuck snaking towards the legion who began to scramble for the exit. In their commotion they knocked over a few vials of Greek fire which promptly began to engulf the room. They were sent screaming back to Hades while we were left in a burning room. Perfect.
"Guys!" Everyone swung to Rachel who was clipping on a pair of bronze wings by a rack of spares. We wasted no time getting our own pairs before turning to see Daedalus shadow traveling out with his hellhound. I cursed under my breath and turned as the fire closed in.
"How do we know these even work?!" Nico yelled over the roar of the flames.
"We find out." With that said I launched myself out of the window, praying Zeus was in a good mood.
-Line Break!-
3rd P.O.V
The questers flailed like fish out of water before Percy finally straightened out and spread his arms wide. After some experimental flaps and some mimicked motion from his compatriots the group was whooping and laughing, spiralling through the sir doing barrel rolls and loop de loops. A though hit Annabeth as she was cruising on an updraft. She banked sharply before flipping upside down and rolling over to be on Percy's starboard flank.
"Where's Noir?!" She called over the wind. Percy frowned before looking around briefly. His eyes caught something and widened dramatically as he quickly pulled away. She followed suit on instinct and had time to watch a black and platinum blur scream past. It roared way up into the sky before its wings closed in and fell back to earth in a steep spiral. When it was finally back into view she recognized Noir in his massive owl form, cruising as silent as a shadow with them.
"Show Off!" Percy yelled. Noir chuckled and pulled ahead, forming a smooth slipstream for the questers to trail on.
Eventually they had to find a place to land when the adhesive strips began to shed feathers, Unlike Noir their wings weren't flesh and blood, then again Noir was an energy entity so maybe he doesn't really count. When Noir finally started to take them down they were farther away than they had expected.
"Denver? That's good distance ya got right there. But now we need to get back to the camp. We need to warn them and I can feel the chapter close coming soon. This battle is upon us and then the war."
The questers' expression remained serious until Rachel started giggling uncontrollably. Noir who was just in front of them was now delivering a full ten tailed tickle torture to the red head.
"Now quit it with the downcast looks. We'll go, we'll kick ass, and then we'll relax with a couple glasses of lemonade by the beach before we pack it up Kronos's ass. Sound good? A'ight break! Go team Olympus!"
For effect he even conjured two pom-poms. Everyone fixed the smiling hybrid with a deadpan look. Rachel led the way past him first still blushing but lightly glaring.
"We'll use the Labyrinth and cut them off. Hopefully we get there before them."
"Can't Noir just blink us there?"
All eyes turned to him as he tossed the pom-poms over his shoulders and shook his head.
"However, there is a nearby entrance. Rachel you manage it from there. Everybody ready?"
Nods all around.
"So let's go."
They found themselves standing outside of an abandoned mineshaft. Noir quickly cut down the boards covering it with a swipe of his hands, revealing a Greek schemed brick lay tunnel.
"A'ight RED, you're up." She nodded and took the lead at an easy jog. It wasn't long before they saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
A/N: Like I said shorter chapter and build up to the main battle. This is like dubstep people, a good drop needs build up other wise ya get straight up base. You need ya undertones, snares, traps, effects, and additions. bit of patience is all I'm asking. Anyway see ya next time.