The kiss was warm and sent electricity through Zoe's spine and she felt as though her heart would burst. It was soft and sweet, Zoe was temporarily stunned that Percy was kissing her. She suddenly felt excited that he could possibly liked her, she responded and Percy thought it was to good to be true. Zoe liked him, an eternal maiden had a thing for him? His whole face turned red and then he was yanked by the shirt and flung to the ground. Artemis stared at the two wide eyed before she glared at Percy who shakily stood up. Phoebe and Thalia watched from a distance in complete shock and disbelief.
"What the Hades Percy!" She yelled as she advanced on him. He would of told her not to use his greek father as a curse word but he was a little nervous he might die.
"See what had happened was, I like Zoe...a lot and I was excited she wasn't going to die and kinda kissed her." Artemis punched him and Percy's head snapped to the side he let out a scream of pain, he clutched his eye where Atlas had scratched him. Zoe leaped up and ran to Percy who was bent over covering his face with his hands. Artemis was in shock and felt bad for hurting her little brother, her anger overcame her and she didn't even realize he had a bloody scar slashed across his eye. The scratch was thick and ran across his left eye diagonally, it bled heavily thanks to Artemis punching him. Zoe leaned down towards Percy and wrapped an arm around his shoulders,
"Are you okay Percy?" She whispered, she felt nervous about the entire situation. Percy nodded but left his face in his hands. She then gave him a smack in the back of the head, he yelped and finally moved his hands from his face. She gasped at his jagged scar and he frowned at her,
"What was that for!" She got over her shock and glared at him,
"Of all the times you could of kissed me you do it in front of Artemis!" Percy cracked a smile and shrugged sheepishly,
"What can I say? I like to make a scene."
"Percy! This is serious!" Zoe yelled and threw her hands in the air. Percy paled,
"Right, sorry." She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration while Artemis watched them curiously. Percy scratched the back of his neck nervously,
"I'm really sorry Zoe...I...-" he was cut off when she gave him a kiss on the cheek making his whole face turn red. He smiled softly at her and she smiled back,
"You can apologize to me later stupid, right now you need to talk to Artemis." Percy paled again and prayed that Zoe wouldn't be kicked out of the hunt for his actions. What if she kicked you out? He wondered nervously and ran a hand through his hair. Zoe looked fearful as well, but in reality she was thrilled that he had kissed her, even though she didn't show it. He's her best friend who kissed her once he found out she was alive, not that she minded of course. He was handsome, somewhat smart, nice, brave. He was far better then Hercules, the doof was treacherous and just thinking of him made her bitter. Phoebe and Thalia made their way over, Phoebe was smirking at Zoe and Thalia looked shocked and then she face palmed,
"That idiot kissed you in front of the man hating goddess who is also his sister." Phoebe roared with laughter and Zoe blushed furiously. Percy nervously made his way over to his sister, she looked at him apologetically once she saw how bloody his scar had become.
"I'm sorry Percy, but why would you kiss Zoe? Especially in my presence?" He sighed, he seemed to get yelled at for that a lot. He tried to wipe some of the blood away from his wound and it stung like crazy. He hissed and wiped the blood from his hand to his already ripped shirt.
"Bianca died," Percy croaked and tears blurred his vision,"I couldn't let Zoe die and I've developed strong feelings for her throughout the years I've known her. We started out best friends but I soon fell for her and knew it was wrong, I kissed her because I like her a lot. Please don't kick her out of the hunt, I'll go since I kissed her and not the other way around." Artemis looked at him in shock, he seemed to really like her. She knew that if they were to be together he wouldn't end up like Hercules, she and Vesta had taught him better then that. What could be the harm? She would never kick Percy or Zoe out of the hunt no matter what, they were family and you could never abandon family. Before she could say anything three old ladies appeared.
"FOOLS! Zoe Nightshade was to die!" Atropos snarled as she fumbled with her knitting. Percy glared at her defiantly, his eyes burst into flames making the fates flinch.
"Well she didn't!" He growled and Atropos glared at him,
"You have tampered with fate boy! Thalia Grace is supposed to take Zoe's place as Lieutenant, now she must die." Artemis stepped beside Percy and Phoebe did as well. Thalia stood beside Zoe ready to defend her cousins girl. Zoe looked extremely nervous but Percy stepped towards the fates and put his hands up in surrender,
"What if Zoe is demoted? She could still be in the hunt but Thalia takes her position?" He asked and Lachesis looked thoughtful while Atropos scowled. Lachesis was the fate of life and Atropos was the fate of death. Clotho the fate of birth seemed to pay no attention as she hummed quietly and continued knitting a long sock.
"I don't see how that wouldn't work." Lachesis said cheerfully and Atropos glared at her,
"No! She must die!"
"Her death would be unnecessary! If she was demoted fate would be restored!" The fate of life argued. Thalia paled at the thought of being in the hunt, the very group she despised. She glanced Percy to see him nodding gratefully at Lachesis and she smiled back,
"If we keep the girl alive, fate will have a better course." She mused and Percy raised an eyebrow. Zoe sighed in relief along with Artemis and Phoebe, Thalia was grimacing about being in the hunt. A tiara was placed on Thalia's head on she cursed loudly, Zoe glared at her angrily,
"What's your problem?" Thalia returned the glare,
"I don't want to be a part of this stupid prejudice group!" Artemis was bristling in rage while Percy's eyes caught on fire. Phoebe snarled at Thalia and was about to advance but Percy held her back,
"It's okay big sis, she doesn't mean it. She's just gonna miss boys." Thalia's eyes widened and her face turned cherry red. Phoebe let out a laugh while Artemis started to mutter about how stupid males were. Zoe shook her head and continued glaring at the raven haired demigod. The fates disappeared and Artemis gave Percy a sympathetic look,
"Perce, do you happen to have an extra shirt?" She asked as she gestured to his ripped up shirt. You could see his chiseled abs and the long scars from the Nemean lion,
"No, why?" She tossed him ambrosia and he ate it, his scar stopped bleeding and turned white. Artemis grimaced,
"You'll see, everyone grab hands." Percy immediately grabbed Zoe's hand and she smiled at him. Artemis gave them a look that said they would continue the conversation later. They all flashed to Olympus in the throne room, Percy bowed to his mom and no one else and didn't notice Aphrodite ogling him. Zeus looked pleased,
"You all have saved my daughter, for this I thank you." Percy grinned at his uncle,
"I would never leave her with Atlas." Zeus smiled at his nephew happily until he looked at his group in surprise,
"Wasn't there supposed to be a fifth quest member?" Percy stiffened and fought to keep his voice controlled,
"Bianca DiAngelo died in a land without rain. The junkyard of the gods." He flashed Hephaestus a glare and the black smith glared back,
"I believe I heard you curse me at my junkyard." He growled and Percy's eyes were aflame along with his hands,
"Your automation Talos killed her, you had that stupid thing around to protect garbage!" He stalked up to Hephaestus and spat on his throne. The god looked enraged while Ares boomed with laughter, Aphrodite shrunk to a fourteen year old. She had blonde hair and kaleidoscope eyes. She was admittedly beautiful but blondes weren't his type, she sauntered up to Percy and put a hand on his shoulder, Zoe bristled in rage but decided to see how things played out. Hephaestus was about to yell at Percy for his disrespect towards for him but Aphrodite spoke first,
"You know Percy, we could always go to my place." Her voice was laced with charmspeak making Percy's eyes glaze over. He really wanted to listen to her command, her voice was gentle and inviting. He could feel something tug at his brain, he felt as though he was suddenly looking into familiar black eyes that were usually filled with mischievousness. He shook his head vigorously and stepped away from her,
"Sorry, your married and I'm not a home-wrecker like you are." She gasped in offense while the gods started snickering. Hephaestus roared with laughter along with Artemis for they were both tired of her cheating ways. She then traced his ab lines which made him extremely uncomfortable as he lightly brushed her hand away. Zoe was fuming at Aphrodite who then smiled at Percy with a look of seduction,
"You'll come around Percy, I always get what I want." He made gagging noises as the throne room erupted in laughter again. He went and stood beside Zoe who interlaced her fingers with his, he flashed her a smile which she happily returned. Aphrodite huffed and flashed back to her throne. Apollo's eyes widened and he grinned,
"Nice Percy!" Percy glared at the sun god, he had not forgotten what his brother had done.
"Halcyon Green, how could you?" He looked at his brother in disgust and Apollo looked at him in surprise and nervousness,
"Ho-how did you find out?" He stammered as Percy glowered,
"I had a dream, since I saw the past are you gonna kill me? Let the leucrota take my voice? All he wanted to do was help people and you punished him for it!" Apollo looked ashamed and mouthed, tell you later. Athena looked at the two suspiciously, he spoke to Apollo with a betrayed tone as if they've known each other for a long time. She analyzed Percy and pinned him for a strong fighter, he could lie easily, and was loyal to his friends. That's how he was lying to the gods, Apollo and Percy are hiding something. She mused as she tried to find the truth about Percy.
"At least one of those blasted Hades spawn is gone." Zeus grumbled and Percy's eyes widened in anger. His whole body lit on fire and the throne room shook violently, darkness seeped into the room and Percy took out his bow. His arrows lit on fire and he shot at the king of the gods multiple times. The flaming arrows stuck in the gods chest making him yelp in pain. The god batted the flames away from his toga and his chest, he then ripped the arrows out and bellowed in rage and pain as golden blood seeped from his wounds. He glared at Percy and made a lightning bolt appear, before he could throw it Apollo shot Zeus's hand. The god dropped it and clutched his hand in pain, Percy shot Apollo a grateful nod before he glared at Zeus,
"How dare you speak of Bianca that way! She was a hero, she was ten times the hero that Hercules was. He will never live up to her, all he did was kill monsters with his bare hands. The only benefit he did anyone was himself, Bianca sacrificed herself for your daughter so shut up you stupid brat and be grateful for her!" Percy roared as the flames grew along with his anger. Zeus stared at him wide eyed and looked at his daughter, he loved her so much. Though he wasn't the best father he loved all of his daughters especially Thalia, now knowing the fact that Bianca saved Thalia he felt guilty for disrespecting her. Though his chest was bloody and badly charred he knew he had to apologize,
"I'm sorry Percy, I thank you and Bianca for keeping both my daughters safe." Percy nodded and the flames disappeared, Zeus was so grateful that he didn't listen to him disrespect his son. Zoe wrapped an arm around his waist and he slung his arm over her shoulder. She smiled at him while he gave her a small smile, Artemis raised an eyebrow but couldn't help but notice how happy they seemed together.
"Now, if you all don't mind I have a camp to get to." He looked at Artemis and Athena noticed a large grey streak that ran through Percy's hair,
"Percy, you have grey in your hair." He frowned and ran a hand through his hair, Artemis noticed this and she had one as well.
"It's from holding the sky." The Olympians gasped and Vesta smiled proudly at her son. Zeus was nervous at the power Percy possessed, Poseidon didn't look at him but was impressed. Ares spoke up,
"I kinda like this kid, first he spits on ugly's throne, then he has the guts to go against Zeus, and then holds the sky! This guy is hard core! A true warrior!" Hera was surprised that her son liked a demigod that wasn't his child. Artemis gave Percy a look of concern before the quest members were all teleported to camp Halfblood.
Percy held the statue of Hades in his hand as himself and his friends appeared in the big house. His heart felt heavy about having to tell Nico of Bianca's death, campers cheered once they saw the quest members had returned. Percy ignored all of them as he walked to the Hermes cabin. Suddenly a brunette got in his way,
"I'm surprised that you made it back alive death spawn. Where's that pretty little sister of yours?" Jacob asked as he looked around for Bianca. Percy's hands twitched and he dropped the statue. He hated how Jacob had spoken about his sister, hated how he had called him death spawn. He tackled the son of Poseidon and threw blow after blow to his face. The brunette struggled to get the son of Hades off of him as he received heavy punches that were full of raw power and anger. His face was a bloody pulp but it didn't stop Percy from beating him. He let out every ounce of anger in each punch, gasps of panic were heard but he barely acknowledged anyone as he demolished the demigods face. Zoe and Phoebe pulled him off Jacob who laid there almost unconscious, blood decorated his face and Percy calmed at Zoe's touch,
"Don't you ever say her name again! Speak of her again sea spawn and I'll kill you and throw you in tartuarus!" Percy spat on his face and Apollo campers rushed Jacob to the infirmary. Zoe rubbed his back soothingly while the campers looked at him in fear, he sighed and wiped the blood from his knuckles onto his shirt that would go into the garbage anyway. Annabeth ran up to the group and engulfed Percy into a hug, she had earlier been talking with Thalia and heard what happened with Bianca. He hugged her back,
"I'm so sorry." She murmured as he fought the tears from falling, Zoe didn't feel jealousy because she knew that Percy needed this type of support from friends. He pulled away and she gave him a sad smile. He went and picked up the statue before trudging to the Hermes cabin.
"I'll be back...later." He muttered and entered the cabin to see Nico laying on his bed staring at a picture of himself, Percy, and Bianca. Percy bit back a sob as he looked at Bianca's happy face in the picture, all three of them had taken silly pictures with one another. It was taken on the beach, Bianca scrunched her face as though she had eaten a lemon, Nico had opened his mouth as wide as possible while crossing his eyes, and Percy made dear antlers behind his head while sticking his tongue out at the camera. Percy blinked away more tears,
"Nico, I'm back." He whispered and Nico jumped up and squeezed Percy into a hug. Percy held his little brother. Nico saw the statue and grabbed it excitedly, he grinned and tossed it on his bed,
"Thanks Percy! This is the only one missing for my collection!" Percy swallowed thickly as guilt began to eat away at him, Nico didn't notice his look of despair and crushed him in another hug.
"Actually Bianca got it for you." His voice cracked and tears fell down his cheeks.
"Where's Bianca?" He asked excitedly, the tears fell harder from Percy's face and he clenched his jaw.
"Nico, she's gone." Nico pulled back and stared at him in horror,
"You let her die! You were supposed to protect her!" He snarled as angry tears ran down his cheeks. Percy glared at the eleven year old,
"You think I didn't try! Talos was about to crush her, I shadow travelled to her but she shoved me out of the way! I tried Nico, I really did but..." He choked and Nico looked at his brother in devastation before embracing him,
"I wasn't good enough Nico, I miss her so much...I'm so sorry." Percy whispered as Nico cried into his shirt, his little brother looked up with blood shot eyes,
"It's not your fault Percy, you tried." Nico whispered back and the brothers sat there mourning their dead sister.
"So, she's really dead?" Nico asked hoarsely and Percy held onto his brother tighter,
"Don't think of her as dead, think of her as asleep. She's only sleeping Nico."
And with this whole Bianca thing I've really teared up, so painful to write. Sorry this chappies a bit short but what do you think? Luke will be...GOOD! Yep he won the vote! So who will be evil? Great question. So comment and tell me what you think.