A/N: I'm very grateful for your amazing support for my story! It's been a hellish week again, unfortunately since the teachers have already informed us about the middle tests of the second semester. But great news is: My fifteen-day holiday starts next Friday so I can spend more time writing!
Special thanks to spawn8812, Azeael, Jade-Queen of Fantasy and DaughterofNeptune24 for following and favoring my story!
DeathmatchDrunkard: Thanks for reading again. Don't mind the OOC, he only appeared once; a friend of mine requested me to put him in and it was her birthday so I granted her wish. Also thanks for voting. Enjoy this chapter and there's more about this vote at the end of the chapter.
BeautifulNoMatterWhat: Your review is one of the things that urge me to update the most, so thanks, and also I appreciate your vote. There are many different ideas and preferences from different readers so it's hard to decide, but of course, I'll make up my mind. Enjoy the chapter.
Huy: You don't have to be sad because you can't give me a review but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate your effort trying to read my story. Anyway, heads up for the new chapter!
Jade-Queen of Fantasy: Thank you for your review. I like how you vote, very… differently from the others. I'm kind of interested in your idea for their next move and considering to lead it that way. The other demi-gods will have their suspicious about the truth and Zeus will be paranoid a always. Thanks for reading and enjoy the new chapter.
AN: I can see that you're into your favorite manga series these days so if you don't like to read my story anymore, just give a straight answer, don't make it unclear. But I appreciate your vote and we'll see what happens next.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Percy Jackson series. Rick Riordan does.
Chapter 12: Denial isn't healthy
Third person's point of view:
To say Poseidon was stunned when he saw Percy's barrier around the huntresses wasn't at least close judging his reactions. It took quite a long time for the Sea God to pick up his jaw and started to break the ice wall.
"Tell me how he did this again, son of Hades?" – asked Poseidon while concentrating on the water.
"Lord Poseidon, we'll have a detail conversation about this later, because right now, I need you to HURRY UP!" – Thalia was berserk. She couldn't believe that a boy and a kid just outran the huntresses.
"Something's blocking me from breaking down this thing around you." – Poseidon groaned in frustration. He didn't believe Hermes at first when the God of Messages appeared and informed him about the "accident".
"What do you mean?" – growled Artemis, banging her fist in futile to at least cause a little crack on the ice wall. – "You can't free us?"
"Guys, I think we should let Lord Poseidon think and solve this slowly." – said Nico tiredly.
"You have NO right to tell us what to do!" – exclaimed a huntress with pure hatred in her voice.
Nico sighed heavily at the grudge that the girls held against boys. It was just simply stupid.
Suddenly, a crack was heard and the girls stopped complaining. The "prisoners" held their breath and looked at their "cage" in order to find a slight break. Nothing.
"Nico, can't you just shadow-travel us all out?" – hissed Thalia, her electric blue eyes were glowing deadly.
"Thalia, how many times do I have to tell you that it's too narrow here? Mrs. O'Leary can't even stand comfortably!" – protested the son of Hades, shifting his depression on the water that was surrounded him by kick it.
Stupid son of Poseidon! Why did he turn against us? – thought Nico. – Why did he do this to his family?
"What the HADES is wrong with this damn thing?" – Poseidon gritted his teeth impatiently, focusing more but all he could do was making the water wavering.
"I swear Perseus Jackson will be very sorry for ever being born when we got out of this thing!" – announced Artemis.
"Wait, why don't we try Greek fire?" – advised a huntress near Nico, examining the barrier with disgust.
"Yeah, why haven't we thought of it earlier?" – Artemis clapped her hands together and took out the green little bomb. – "You might want to step back a little bit, Uncle."
Poseidon muttered under his breath and said:
"Fine, but we'll do this together. On three: one… two…"
"THREE!" – boomed Artemis with fury, strong will to get out of the hell hole she was in.
"God DAMN IT, are you NUTS?" – Nico shouted before the bomb hit the ground and then…
It happened in a flash. Poseidon forced all his powers to the task and the barrier crumbled under his effort while the Greek fire supported in burning down the ice wall. But right when the water retreated to the ground surrendering to the fierce flame, a horrible explosion reaped the air of the park apart causing everyone's eardrums wanted to explode. Mrs. O'Leary shielded Nico and reluctantly the huntresses during the incident while Poseidon stared at the whole thing in shock. White smoke covered their sight and a hiss clashed their whimpering ears as they came back to their senses. Fire. The barrier that Percy trapped them in had vanished but a thick wall of blood red fire was dancing around them.
"Okay, WHAT the hell does this mean?" – cried Thalia with terror and anger.
"It means we're screwed." – answered Nico exhaustedly receiving a whack from Artemis.
The son of Hades was pissed off and tired of this intensely. He wanted to punch the huntresses in their faces, shout at Poseidon and look at Percy in the eye right after he found his sorry ass and demand for a reasonable explanation for this madness. The kid missed old times, during and after the Titan War when Percy was a carefree, idiotic guy who was always following Annabeth, messing up with the Ares kids and especially teasing him and Thalia. What exactly happened? Suddenly, he got dizzy as a voice spoke softly and warmly in his mind:
"You can't restrain water neither conquer fire, Nico di Angelo."
The son of Hades shut his eyes tightly while rubbed his messy hair. He knew that motherly tone. Hestia was trying to tell him something but he was completely clueless. It was damn frustrated that it was a trait of Percy, his ex-cousin. His black eyes looked at the fire around him with wonder and silently prayed to Hestia, asking for a clearer instruction.
"QUIET!" – He shouted, and surprisingly, everyone shut their mouths but glared daggers at him. – "Hestia's trying to tell me what to do, so do you mind giving some TIME?"
They hesitantly nodded, while Poseidon grumbled:
"This isn't normal fire, son of Hades. I doubt that…"
"Just leave it, Uncle." – hissed Artemis, her silver eyes flared up.
"Fire and water are working together." – humming Hestia warmly. –"What is it you really want?"
Nico was utterly confused. He couldn't restrain water neither conquer fire. They were working together. What? Why was it just as confusing as a prophecy? He couldn't win them, so it was foolish to fight water and fire. And what did he really want? What did fire and water stand for?
"Well, hurry up, Nico!" – said Thalia urged impatiently, stamping her feet on the ground.
"Everyone, hold hands together. We're getting out of here." – declared Nico clearly and determinedly.
"Wait, does that mean two of us have to hold your hands?" – growled Artemis, daring him to say yes.
"Do you want to get out or not?" – Nico shot back, his voice was as cold as his father making everyone flinched. – "I don't have germs or bacteria on my clothes so you'll survive touching my clothes. Just put your hands on my shoulders so that we're connected!"
Artemis and her huntresses cursed themselves for getting into this situation at first place but Thalia and Artemis still put their hands on the kid's shoulder.
"I, Nico Di Angelo, wish to not fight fire and water and know why they are working together!"
He took a deep breath and stepped into the dancing flame. The fire brushed his skin gently; it felt warm like a quilt before disappeared in thin air. Right after that water rose and turned into little drops flowing in the air beautifully like a scene in the fairy tale. It was cool and refreshing, but the sensation when the drops touched your skin felt exactly the same as fire. A blink of eye, both elements tied to each other and exploded gently in sunlight.
Nico di Angelo was going to not fight fire and water and discover why they were working together.
Percy's Point of View:
It was a miracle we survived the attack two days ago. Plasma and I were doing great, with everything required. Fake identities, check. Cameron wished us luck which both of us really appreciated even knowing that luck never smiled to us. We gave him some cash, but he just took half of it saying that he only took the amount he deserved. With that, we farewell and got back to our path.
Right now we were on a train, travelling out of New York. It was foolish to get back but I didn't regret however. Silent ruled the cabin we were sitting in since Plasma was staring at the window with wide eyes.
"Enjoy the trip, kid?" – I decided I'd start first since she wasn't the emotional one.
"This thing is called train, you mentioned earlier?" – Her voice was empty, which meant she was being herself.
"Yes."
"Mortals are more than just powerless creatures."
"That's right." – I frowned at the word creatures.
"It's nice out here."
"I'm glad you find it nice." – I smiled, scanning her face. Her tanned skin looked lovely in the red light of sunset. It was funny that my features were so good on her.
"What's your favorite place? Camp Half-blood?" – She asked, admiring the fields and mountains we were passing by.
"It was a safe place. But I love the people in there more than I love the place." – Automatically using past tense was quite distressing. – "I love Montauk beach."
"Memorial place?"
"Definitely." – I smiled sadly, trying to recall what it was like to be there.
"Want to go there now?" – Her turquoise eyes caught mine, and I immediately lost in their endless depth.
"What do you mean like now?" – I smirked, avoiding her eyes. – "I don't want us to get caught."
"You might never have a chance again."
There, she said it, loud and clear, without pity. I wanted to hear that. The truth. No-one would ever tell me straight away like:
"Dude, you're dying. Want to have a drink before it all ends? I bet it'll be fun!"
"And we might not have a chance to accomplish this. Finish this game, and we'll have the rest of our lives going anywhere we want." – I reasoned with her.
She looked at me strangely, like trying to analyze what kind of person I was. I wondered if she found anything special.
"The rest of our lives are for the game, Percy. This is already the rest."
"So you have 100% sure that we'll die, end of story." – I chuckled at the ironic conversation.
"It's reality." – Plasma replied plainly.
"We're out of the Fates' reach for some time right now, so we can probably decide whether it's reality or not." – I shot back.
"So what do you suggest doing?"
It was a question of challenge. My nerves melted when she shot the question with that voice, so curious and innocent.
"Go anywhere, do anything except visit the places that might get us caught."
"Do you have any godly friends?" – Was this subject-changing?
"Well, if you ask for godly enemies, there are plenty of them. But friends? I won't even dream about it." – I said sarcastically.
"Hestia's okay with you." – She stated. Why was I so forgetful?
"She can't help us now. Well, she did, didn't she? And you hate her gift."
"I don't hate it. It doesn't like me." – She corrected me, staring at her hand.
"Trust me, if you give it a chance, it'll like you just fine." – I chuckled at her statement. – "Didn't you use it to back my barrier up few days ago?"
"I don't want to talk about that."
"Why, because you feel something?" – I asked angrily, why were emotions such a big deal?
"I guess so."
I wanted to give her a speech, but it was no use except raising the tension of the game; I decided to make it simple.
"Emotions aren't bad. Give them a chance."
Plasma stood up and looked out the window.
"I have a bad feeling." – Uh-oh. – "We have to get out of here, now."
"What is it?" – Damn it, already another one? – "Which god, I mean?"
But before any of us could say anything else, the train stopped. Okay, what kind of trouble were we in now?
"A god's helping them to find us."
"Can you tell me what they are?" – I asked urgently while both of us put on our backpacks hurriedly.
"A satyr and three demi-gods are on the train. A god sensed power radiating from the station."
I decided that I didn't want to know the exact names but the only god who could actually sense power coming from me was Poseidon. I really didn't want to face-to-face with him right now so we calmly walked towards the entrance of the train but knowing my rotten luck, we braced ourselves for the worst to come.
"Oops, I'm sorry!" – Someone said after bumped into me.
I nearly let out a gasp when I saw Hazel's sad face, but I nodded and continued walking. The necklaces did their jobs well.
"Excuse me; did you see these two teenagers?" – The voice of Annabeth Chase hit my ears. Damn it, life sucked!
Plasma was fast, she knew I had issues dealing with relationships; especially something involved a certain daughter of Athena.
"Are they criminals or something?" – Concern, curiosity and a little sympathy in her voice, perfect.
"Yeah, sort of. Did you see them?" – Her voice was full of hatred. I tightened my hold around Plasma's fingers; she squeezed back and went on talking.
"No, I'm sorry. Were they your friends?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Well, just the boy actually. I still can't believe that he has…" – Annabeth choked up, rendered me frozen. I wanted everything to stop, Annabeth was hurt.
"Who's the girl then?" – Did Plasma really have to ask the damn question?
"She's a terrorist who's stolen him from me, from us!" – Annabeth replied with venom, her grey eyes were like a storm. – "I supposed she's his new girlfriend!"
WHAT? I wanted to decline the statement immediately, to tell her otherwise but neither of us spoke. Plasma looked at me, like she wanted to see something. Without thinking, I smiled and she copied me.
"I'm sorry but good luck with that search. We have to go now, looking for the food trolley."
Annabeth nodded and ran down the hall the opposite direction. Plasma and I got out of the train right after that and ran with our fastest speed. Unlike training at camp, right now I felt like I could run eternally and never turn back, leave everything behind. When we found a place to camp, kid and I didn't talk until nightfall and like usual, Plasma insisted on taking the first guard and we'd have the same argument every night. Finally, I could persuade her to get in the tent with me after we created barriers around our tent which was camped in a meadow with high grass growing around. I wished I never had to go to sleep… My mind was filling with the words Annabeth told us on the train. Was that what people thought, that Plasma was my girlfriend? Seriously, I thought they were smarter than that! Plasma was surly pretty, yes, she was kind and accepting, yes, unique, hell yes, but I was in love with those? Hell NO! I respected her personality and loved the way she treated… WHAT?
"Plasma?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Aphrodite can control you?"
"You mean the Goddess of Love?"
"Yeah."
"No, she can't. No-one knew about my existence, or anything about my blood. It's different."
"Does that mean if I'm tied to you, she'll lost control over…?"
"Yes, she doesn't have a say in your relationships any longer."
"That's good, right?"
"Good and bad, Percy. Always both." – I decided not to question that.
"So I can like… control my own feelings and stuff now?" – I asked excitedly.
"Yes, you decide now, not her." – I could feel a smirk on her face even though it was dark.
"That's terrific." – I commented. – "Anyway, good night kid."
"Good night."
I was sure that most of you knew how crazy my sleep could be due to the dreams I had, but now not only dreams, but a person to argue with.
"So Jackson, still doing good huh? – Kronos and his evil laugh.
'Thanks for your concern, gramps. How's my head?'
'Horrible. Your mind is full of rubbish and filth, demi-god.'
'Cleaner than yours.'
I felt him snarling under his breath but instead a force of power crashed me.
'I really don't understand why you let my spawn travel with you and stay loyal to those Olympian bugs.'
'Because your skull is empty and you don't have a heart.'
'Watch your mouth Jackson. I do have a heart, and it beats stronger than yours. I'll crush you in the end.'
'Why am I not surprised?' – I smirked. – 'If you do have one, prove it.'
'If I didn't have a heart, the girl who's with you right now wouldn't have known what life is.'
'Trust me; she wants to not know what life is, thanks to you.' – I sighed, thinking about how demonic she was. – 'You're just like Gabe.' – I mumbled to myself.
'I don't drink stupid wine and I smell better than that asshole.' – Kronos objected my words, surprising me.
'You know who Gabe is?' – I was quite stunned that the Lord of Time would bother to carry that information.
'Pay some respect and attention in that stupid centaur's stories, Jackson. Titans and gods know things.'
'That doesn't make you remember those things you know.'
'Make sense, but I'm in your useless mind, aren't I?'
'Yes, yes, you are, gramps.' – I tried to hide my ridiculous emotions so he wouldn't have the satisfaction of manipulating me.
'Back to our conversation, what do you think of the Sap… that so-called spawn of mine?'
'Were you about to say Sapphire's daughter?' – I said smugly, waiting for a reaction.
'Answer the question, boy!'
'Sorry, gramps. I'm the host; I don't take orders from guests.'
'I'll show you…'
'Flowers and ribbons, cotton candy and caramel ice cream?' – I thought of bright things on Earth and Kronos nearly crushed my brain cells with his anger.
'Go ahead and enjoy yourself, grandson. You're no better than us, son of Poseidon.'
'Yeah, because you're worst than the worst thing and Plasma's way better than me.'
'Oh, are those words of a lovesick puppy I'm hearing?' - I wanted to punch him in the face but the way he said it somehow hurt me. I began having images of Annabeth and her expressions when she told us that Plasma was my new girlfriend according to the gods and demi-gods' judgments.
'I'll never fall in love.' – I announced confidently.
'Oh, you will, trust me, my dear grandson.' – This time, his voice was bitter but humiliating, like he was cursing me. – 'You've sealed your own fate the day you accepted her as your companion.
'Why are you so sure, granny?' – I said mockingly, denying his words. He laughed evilly, but there was something else in his voice, regrets, and… longing?
'Because, Jackson, no men can resist or outrun the Knight girls.'
"SHUT UP!" – I shot up, darted out of my sleeping bag with my head in my hands.
Plasma was already sitting up in a corner of the tent, her turquoise eyes stared at me silently like a cat at night.
"Is it too early for breakfast?" – She asked lowly but sincerely. I stared.
No men can resist or outrun the Knight girls. It was another way to say: Kronos had failed to resist Sapphire Knight. I smiled at the girl in front of me and said:
"Breakfast sounds nice."
I knew that I could. I will resist a Knight girl, for my and Plasma's sake.
A/N: Another chapter done. Was it acceptable, folks? The most important thing to do is WEIVER! Or another thing is REVIEW!
Okay, so about the vote in chapter 11. I've received a few votes from readers. Different minds, different taste.
Most of you are interested in option 2 and 3, so I'll use both in my story if it's possible. There are a few requests saying that I should use three of them because the bet between Percy and Gaea took place in 6 months, so there is plenty of time for different events. Some of you love option 1 because it's peaceful and I don't want to upset any of you. So there are two options. I'll start writing about the next location in the next chapter, so you should make up your mind about what you really want.
1) Percy and Plasma go to Tartarus to look for allies and also information about Plasma's mother. A minor titan or god knows about her and offers help. They live on the surface as normal people, but also go hunting for Giants.
2) Percy and Plasma go to Tartarus and stay there to be friends with the creatures there and also stay hidden from the gods. Tartarus (the primordial god) is interested in both of them and offers them a chance to become the pit's guardians since Percy stated that he might not have a life on the surface anymore after the final battle.
Allies (applied for both choices)/(friends and my options, but you can give me a name and we'll see):
a) Hades (he's not an Olympian so he can keep the secret)
b) Rhea (she's very motherly so why not?)
c) Thanatos (He owes Percy a favor, and I can make it like he also owed Sapphire Knight a favor)
d) Iapetus (He lost his memories and became Percy's friend in the Demigods file so he can be an ally)
So think carefully and pick your choice. Thanks for reading and voting, readers!