"What do you mean she's gone!" Percy roared in outrage as he paced back and forth. He ran a hand through his hair nervously and clenched his jaw. It was night time and Zoe, Phoebe, and Percy were having a quick meeting by Zeus fist. Phoebe looked at her brother sadly while Zoe put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He stopped pacing and looked at Zoe with slumped shoulders,
"We have to save her, we have to do something!" Zoe sighed,
"I know, Chiron has issued a quest for tomorrow. I have picked you, Phoebe, Bianca, and Thalia." She said Thalia's name bitterly which made Percy raise an eyebrow,
"What's wrong with Thalia?" Phoebe groaned and started mouthing, NO! But it was to late,
"She is far to clingy and annoying-" Phoebe held her face in her hands while Zoe droned on about why she didn't like Thalia. Zoe's real reason was because of how close she and Percy had become, but she made up several excuses as to why she didn't like the daughter of Zeus. Percy's eyes widened at all the reasons as he listened carefully...truth be told he started to space out and began to wonder the real reason Zoe didn't like Thalia, she was babbling and this made him instantly know that she was hiding something.
"She's great friend, and why did you pick Bianca? Just curious." Percy cut off Zoe who huffed and rolled her eyes,
"Gee I dunno, maybe it's because she's great with a bow and hunting knives. Or that she wants to be in the hunt and you've taught her how to shadow travel." She scoffed sarcastically making Phoebe snicker. Percy rolled his eyes and looked at Zoe worriedly,
"What's the prophesy say?" Zoe took a shuttered breath,
"Five shall go west to a goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in a land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titan's curse shall one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parents hand." Percy paled and looked at Zoe helplessly,
"We are not bringing Bianca on this little trip." He said trip as if it was the most disgusting thing in the world. Phoebe looked at him sympathetically,
"It'll be okay Perce, we'll protect her." He let out an exasperated sigh,
"But Phoebe, she hasn't mastered her shadow travel powers completely! What if she gets stuck and can't get to us because she has problems with her powers!" He started playing the role of worried big brother and it made Phoebe smile,
"Percy, your a great big brother. Bianca is tough, she'll be fine. Not to mention you'll be there to protect her!" Percy ran a hand through his hair and started pacing again,
"One shall perish by a parents hand...Five shall go west to a goddess in chains. Zoe! We're going to Mount Othrys! He has Artemis in chains, he's going-"
"to make her hold the sky." Zoe finished and Phoebe looked at them wide eyed,
"That was creepy, you guys just did one of those twin things." Despite the situation, Percy couldn't help but chuckle at Phoebe while Zoe looked at them angrily,
"Artemis is going to be forced to hold the sky and you two are laughing about twins!" They both looked down in shame,
"Sorry Zoe." They said in unison before Phoebe cursed in Greek,
"We did it again!" Percy held back a laugh but immediately turned solemn once he thought of his eldest sister in the hands of the titans. Phoebe saw this and did so as well and Percy wrapped an arm around her. Zoe looked at the two sadly for the hunters missed Artemis. Percy held out his free arm and Zoe embraced him as well and they stood there in silence as they thought of the difficult quest before them. Zoe buried her head in the crook of his neck making the son of Pluto blush. He rested his chin on her hair while Phoebe leaned her head on his shoulder. This is what a family is, people you can count on and trust, no spoken words are necessary for them to understand how your feeling. Percy thought as he stood there with his sister and best friend.
Zoe knew she would die, if they were freeing her mistress from Atlas then she would be the one to die by her fathers hand. She was deemed a traitor and now he wanted nothing but vengeance for her helping the demigod Hercules and siding with the gods. Artemis was like a mother or a best friend to Zoe. Yes they were sisters but they shared an extremely close bond, even if they didn't say it out loud they considered themselves as the closest sisters in the hunt. Zoe didn't want to die, she didn't want to leave the hunt behind, she didn't want to leave Percy behind. He was her best friend and...she liked him a lot. Her feelings for him were growing rapidly but with her being in the hunt it wouldn't work out. She held on to the tiniest bit of hope she had left and hoped that she would survive, hoped that someday she could be with Percy. She was still shaken up about the oracle appearing during the capture the flag game. A few tears slid down her cheeks and touched Percy's neck. He pulled away in surprise and saw that she was crying, One shall perish by a parents hand. His eyes widened and Phoebe saw the intimate moment that was about to happen,
"I'm gonna turn in early. We will find her and Bianca will be just fine." She gave Percy a kiss on the cheek and said good night to them both. As she walked away she knew what was going on between Percy and Zoe, both were just to oblivious and nervous to realize there feelings. She pretended that she hadn't saw Zoe crying, she decided that Percy needed to do this. She wanted Zoe and Percy together, honestly her little brother and her best friend were perfect for one another. She trusted them both to fully commit in a relationship once they finally admitted their feelings.
Percy gently wiped her tears away with his thumb and cupped her face which his hands. They didn't say anything, they didn't have to. Both of them knew that they would take a blade for the other without a second thought, Percy stared into her dark eyes that held such misery that it hurt to look in them. He slowly kissed her forehead and drew her into an embrace, she blushed and rested her head on his chest.
"We'll make it Zoe, we'll get through it." He murmured and kissed her hair while holding her close. Zoe took comfort in Percy's arms and felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt safe with Percy, he was always there for her even when she was cruel to him.
"Zoe, we should go get some sleep. I would walk you to your cabin, but I'm an actor." He whispered, and she chuckled. He released her from the hug and looked into her eyes again, the misery was replaced with sleepiness and a bit of happiness. He smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek,
"Night Zoe." He then walked to the Apollo cabin looking back every now and then. He couldn't believe he did that, he gave Zoe a kiss on the cheek. It's friendly, he assured himself but knew the truth, he loved Zoe Nightshade. Aw man, Artemis is gonna kill me. He thought sadly before he went to bed.
Zoe was holding her cheek and smiling widely as she walked back to her cabin, Percy Jackson just kissed her. She couldn't believe it, hold on a second, I'm not an Aphrodite girl! She thought in outrage as she shook herself from her romantic trance, she shivered at the thought before falling asleep in her cabin.
-LINE BREAK, NEXT MORNING-
Percy jumped awake expecting a hunter to ambush him, he looked around and realized that he was in Apollos's cabin. He thought of last night and the kiss he gave Zoe on the cheek, Artemis in danger, Bianca risking her life on a quest. The breakfast horn sounded and he shot out of bed and ran to the dining pavilion. Once he got there he immediately searched for Bianca who was sitting at the Hermes table with Nico. He ran and grabbed them both before sitting them down at the Apollo table.
"Hey, get those two out of here." One of them shouted and Percy glared at him,
"If you value your life you'd shut up. I have no problem taking care of you right now." The boy paled and looked at his oatmeal. Percy frowned at the oatmeal and decided to pull a Ceres/Demeter,
"You should get some cereal, its so good for you!" He said making his voice sound exactly like the harvest goddess. Bianca, Nico, and Will laughed at him. He turned to Bianca and gave her a smile,
"Are you ready for this little sis?" Bianca looked at him nervously with onyx colored eyes,
"I guess, do you think I'll do good?" Percy shook his head and she deflated. He gave her a smile,
"I know you'll do good, Bianca your a fantastic fighter. Stop stressing okay? And don't worry, big brother Percy will protect you!" Bianca smiled gratefully at her brother and gave him a hug,
"Thanks Percy, your the best." He smiled and Nico started pouting, Percy rolled his eyes and drew him into the hug as well. It was awkward as Nico hugged Bianca who hugged Percy, Percy patted Nico back and started laughing. The siblings broke apart and Nico rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly,
"Ya that was really uncomfortable." Percy and Bianca laughed and Thalia made her way over,
"Sup quest mates!"
"Hey Thalia!" They said loudly in unison. Phoebe heard this and shivered, triplets. She thought and felt a little freaked out. Thalia sat down and Zoe gave her a sly glare before continuing to eat her food. Percy slung his arm around Bianca,
"Who's ready for this quest?" Percy asked as he ignored the look of annoyance he got from some of the Apollo cabin. He was trying to keep things light hearted for the quest sounded awful and full of misery. Thalia rolled her eyes while Bianca chuckled ruffled his hair, he mock glared at her,
"That's my job, and your younger so you can't so that!" He cried incredulously but didn't bother to smooth out his untamable hair. Bianca smirked,
"But your just SOOO adorable!" Nico laughed and Percy flicked his ear making him scowl and he rubbed it trying to get the stinging sensation to subside. Thalia laughed but then gave the hunters a side ways glance,
"I don't know how were gonna do this quest with the hunters." she grumbled and Percy frowned,
"What's wrong with the hunters?"
"Nothing besides that their extremely prejudice towards you and every other male on the planet." Percy glared at her for speaking about his sisters in such a manor,
"They all have good reasons for hating men, they've been through a lot and its completely understandable. They have been mistreated by men and have difficulty trusting us, I mean look at the gods. Your father is the biggest womanizer I've seen! Do you know how many siblings you have in the Olympian council! Do not judge their actions to harshly for they have been through many hardships." Thalia's eyebrows raised in surprise at Percy's defense for the hunters, she thought he would hate them for treating him so poorly while he was at camp. She then narrowed her eyes at him,
"Who are you to defend them? Who are you to pick their side over mine? Who are you to speak so harshly about my father?" Bianca saw an upcoming argument as she saw Thalia's hands crackle with electricity and steam coming from Percy's hands. Steam? She wondered and began to intervene,
"Thalia, Percy's right. Not to mention us three campers have to work together with the hunters, we must put aside our petty differences so we can save Artemis." At the mention of Artemis Percy immediately looked down sadly and his hands stopped steaming. His usual mirth filled eyes looked dull and depressed. Thalia looked at him in confusion but decided not to say anything, Bianca was wondering how Percy's hands were steaming. Percy looked up and gave a small smile to Bianca before giving her a peck on the cheek,
"Are you sure you aren't a child of V-Hestia?" He mentally cursed himself for almost speaking of the romans. No one seemed to notice and Bianca rolled her eyes and Nico laughed,
"Her? A child of the hearth goddess? She doesn't know the first thing about peace or love!" Bianca smacked him on the back of the head and Percy laughed. He was very surprised that Bianca had easily settled the conflict between himself and his cousin. He wrapped an arm around his sister and smiled fondly at her,
"It's time to kick some Titan butt." Thalia snorted,
"You couldn't of said anything stupider could you?"
-LINE BREAK-
"Are you guys sure we should be letting Thalia drive?" Percy asked teasingly and Thalia flicked him in the ear making him yelp.
"I trust her more then I trust you boy." Phoebe sneered and Percy glared at her, he absolutely hated that word. It reminded him of his time in the orphanage. Phoebe was only acting but it still angered him.
"My names Percy, not boy." Her eyes opened wide in realization and she flashed him an apology look before glaring at him as well,
"Whatever." Thalia glowered at Phoebe,
"Leave him alone and just get in the van." Zoe growled at Thalia and Percy quickly grabbed Bianca's hand and they both got in the back of the car. Thalia and Phoebe took the front seats while Zoe sat in the back with Percy and Bianca. Percy sat in between the girls and Zoe made a disgusted face. She hated acting as if she despised Percy, it was really hard to since she had known him for years. She slyly reached over and grabbed his hand, he looked at her in surprise but she was looking out the window. He interlaced his fingers with hers and their held hands were between them so no one noticed.
"Percy, if I make it out alive I'm thinking of joining the hunt." Bianca said and Percy beamed widely at her,
"That's great! They can make sure your safe and trained, not to mention I won't have to worry about those pesky boys that try to flirt with you. And Bianca, don't worry okay? We'll make it." Percy was thrilled at the thought of Bianca joining the hunt, then they could be with each other all the time. He then thought of Nico and felt saddened, he wasn't sure what he could do for his brother. He knew none of the hunters or Artemis would allow him into the hunt,
"Is that a promise, that we'll make it?" She asked as she stared at him. He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair,
"I'm honestly unsure of what will come, but don't stress about the future, live for now." Bianca's eyebrows raised in surprise at Percy's words, she then smiled and gave him a side hug,
"Thanks, your the best big brother ever." He smiled, he had never been a big brother before, he was always the little brother in family situations. Now he felt as though he had a responsibility to take care of Bianca and Nico. Even though he had known them for only a short period of time he realized that they meant the world to him.
"What about Nico?" He whispered softly, Bianca's eyes widened in surprise.
"He'll have you, it's not like I'll never see him again." Percy started to feel sick at the thought of Nico being all alone,
"That's the thing Bianca, after all this I was planning on going back to my family in the woods." Her eyes filled with sadness and she looked dejectedly at the ground,
"So I will miss both of you?" Percy gave her a sad smile,
"Only Nico." Bianca looked at him in surprise and Zoe elbowed him,
"Ow!" He glared at her and she glared back,
"We're here boy." He yawned and looked around, Washington D.C. The demigods exited the van and decided to eat at a restaurant. Instead of hanging around Percy decided to go for a walk. Bianca saw him walking away and quickly caught up,
"You can eat with us you know." He smiled at her concern as they continued to slowly walk along.
"I know, but I don't feel like hanging out with cranky hunters." It wasn't a complete lie, he didn't want to hang out with Zoe and Phoebe if he couldn't be family with them. Bianca linked her arm with his and he chuckled. He felt British at the moment, or like a like a guy courting a girl back in the nineteen hundreds.
"When I get into the hunt I won't treat you like Zoe or Phoebe." He thought of how Zoe treated him as her own punching bag and Phoebe laughed at him all the time. He laughed,
"I should hope not, you are my little sister." She smiled and was glad she had Percy, she felt confident that she would survive the quest. Percy heard loud footsteps and saw a boy running into a smithsonian, he grabbed her hand and shadow traveled them closer to the smithsonian, he quickly slipped in and had a feeling something bad was going to happen. The children of the death god hid in the shadows as they watched the boy speak with a man.
" General, I've got the cloth from Zoe N-"
"Silence!" He bellowed and ripped it from his hands. He looked to be sprinkling blood over something that Percy couldn't identify. He froze once he realized they were skeleton warriors and held back a laugh. They were easy to kill if you were a child of Hades or Pluto. Suddenly the warriors arose and they weren't made of bones, but of gold. What the Jupiter! He thought in surprise, he knew that the General was Atlas but he didn't know that the warriors could be made with gold. He realized that Atlas knew of Bianca's heritage, why else would he make them gold. He grabbed Bianca and quickly shadow travelled to where their friends were eating. Thalia and Phoebe were in the middle of a heated argument while Zoe seemed to be thinking about something important.
"Skeleton warriors are after us, their made of gold." Bianca said in a rush and six pairs of eyes looked at the duo. Zoe lept up and they all started running to the van, when they made it to the parking lot when there was a loud roar. The demigods froze and slowly turned to see the Nemean lion stalking towards them hungrily.
"Can we ever get a break!" Thalia complained and Percy grinned,
"It's part of the package cuz." Zoe's eyes widened in surprise, so Percy and Thalia were cousins. She felt extremely relived and silly for assuming that Percy had found a love interest.
"Thalia and I are very tasty so we'll distract it." Percy suggested and brought out his hunting knives, Thalia brought out her electric spear and they high fived. They rushed to the lion, Percy knew the monster was impenetrable, he just wasn't sure where the weakness was. He started hacking away in ransom spots hoping to find its weakness, Thalia was surprised about it's skin and started following Percy's example as she tried to electrocute the beast. Percy slashed at it's tail and the beast turned and swung its paw at him. He ducked and was surprised at the large lions grace and speed, he slammed into it's shoulder with the flat of his blades making the beast roar and bat Percy away with its paw. Claw marks embedded into the son of Pluto's chest and he howled in pain as he slammed into a car. The monster charged at him only to be blasted with electricity, silver arrows were being shot with remarkable speed but no one seemed to find a weakness. Percy staggered to his feet and ignored the pain in his chest, he could remember the lions pink tongue and realization struck him, the tongue was the weakness.
"Hey guys! Shoot at it's tongue!" Percy hollered as he rushed into battle once again. As if hearing his words the lion kept its mouth shut and took swipes at Thalia with its long, silver claws. She started to have trouble avoiding them when Bianca jumped in and slashed at the monster from behind. It still refused to open it's mouth and Percy remembered his guitar. Sheathing his knives he pulled on his golden guitar necklace, it turned into a electric guitar with silver strings. He blasted it loudly causing the monster to roar in pain of the noise, it's sensitive ears couldn't handle the loud sound and it continued roaring. Zoe's ears were starting to hurt but she understood his plan, she shot the lion in the mouth and it blew up into gold dust. The only thing that remained was the pelt. Percy's guitar morphed back into a necklace and Bianca's and Thalia's eyes were opened wide,
"Why didn't you use that earlier!" Thalia screamed and Percy shrugged,
"Don't blow a fuse sparky, I didn't know that it was the weakness earlier." Her eyes opened wide and her mouth fell open. Bianca and Phoebe roared with laughter while Zoe stifled a laugh. Percy took out a square of ambrosia and was about to eat it when he was zapped by Thalia. He jumped in pain as his chest began to bleed again, he swallowed thickly and ignored the looks of concern from everyone. He popped the ambrosia in his mouth and his wounds closed only leaving three long white marks on his chest. He picked up the pelt and knew Zoe wanted nothing to do with it because of Hercules, he held up a finger and walked behind a car. He set the spoil of war on fire,
"To my sister Artemis." He whispered and set it on the ground. The group came over and Bianca looked at Percy in confusion,
"You didn't want to keep it?" Percy knew Artemis needed strength right now and he didn't want Zoe to reminisce about her horrible past with the son of Zeus.
"Artemis needs all the strength she can get, and it's not my kill. I also know that Zoe has no use for it because fur is lame." She gave him a small smile,
"Well, we should get going."
And I put in a fight scene! Hope it was good enough, longest chapter yet. Comment! Many of you don't want anyone to die, sadly there will be death. The question is, who will die? Comment!