PJO (Earlier this Year/Late 2013)
The Guardian of Olympus
One-Shot/Prologue
The Guardian
Los Angeles, The day of the Summer Solstice 20XX, During the Events of the Lightning Thief.
Terror and fear.
They course through Ares' veins as he stares at the girl before him, she doesn't look that special, barely five feet tall with long black hair and eyes that change colors like a kaleidoscope. However that same girl is standing before him dressed in Celestial Bronze armor made by Hephaestus himself and wielding the Trident of Poseidon, Ares knew that no matter what he did he would lose. The girl before him was the most powerful being he'd ever met. She was as strong as the Big Three combined, although she was loosely mortal. No one knew who her parents were, except for the Big Three.
Her official title is the 'Guardian of Olympus' although Apollo once commented that it should be 'Princess of Olympus' instead. Trained and blessed by all twelve of the Olympians, Hades, Hestia and many of the Minor Gods. Ares knew that his chances of victory were no existent, he'd been expecting to face his daughter, a daughter of Athena and a daughter of Aphrodite. He'd not expected her to arrive.
Andromeda
That is her name, but that's all, no last name, no middle name. She is an enigma, but one that is fiercely loyal to Olympus. She has never failed in any of her duties as the 'Guardian' which included travelling to the Greek and Roman Demigod Camps as the ambassador of the gods, punishing any traitors to Olympus and most importantly guarding the Big Three's Symbols of Power.
Right now Ares was part of the reason her previously unblemished record was tarnished, and he was shitting bricks at the fact that not only did Andromeda know that, but she was standing before him with anger burning in her usually emotionless eyes.
Ares despite knowing he was going to lose no matter what, raises his sword and gulps. At Andromeda's waist the recovered Master Lightning Bolt in the shape of a Xiphos sparks as her immense power fills the area and without even a sound Andromeda moves.
Guardian
Watching from the sidelines, Clarisse Le Rue Daughter of Ares, Annabeth Chase Daughter of Athena and Silena Beauregard Daughter of Aphrodite watch as the strange girl who'd accompanied them into the Underworld and had been the only reason they'd escaped faces down Ares.
They are watching her intently when suddenly, the girl isn't there anymore.
Guardian
Ares goes flying backwards from the force of Andromeda's supersonic strike, he manages to flip midair to land on his feet… only to receive Andromeda's knee right between his legs.
Ares slowly wilts but before he can reach the ground the Trident's shaft is slammed into his stomach sending him flying towards the ocean.
Ares lands only inches away from the high point of the water, he slowly raises himself onto his hands and knees.
He desperately tries to crawl to safety, but before he can do so he is flipped over by Andromeda.
Andromeda stands above Ares like an avenging angel and is about to strike with the Trident when a loud rumble of thunder is heard. Andromeda plants her right foot on Ares chest and faces the sky. A second rumble is heard, but it sounds almost placating. Ares immediately realizes what it means, his father is selling him out. But first he would receive a trial before the council, he'd rat out that Castellan kid as fast as he can, anything to lessen his punishment, even being Hephaestus' errand boy would be better than being given to Andromeda.
Andromeda almost seems to smile at the expression on his face and in that moment Ares realizes something, she doesn't care about him, she wants the thief. He almost sags in relief, once he'd pointed the finger she focus on the thief and he'd be forgotten.
Andromeda then looks at him with an expression that says 'Well?' Ares quickly hands over the Helm of Shadows, Andromeda picks it up and to the shock of the demigod observers places it upon her head, where it is transformed into a princess' tiara, only made of Hellfire and Stygian Iron.
Without a word Andromeda transforms a bronze and black bracelet on her left wrist into a pair of shackles made of Celestial Bronze and Stygian Iron. Ares might have been able to break out of purely Celestial Bronze shackles but the addition of Stygian Iron made them nigh invulnerable, especially since they'd been quenched in water from the River Styx.
The reason Andromeda carried the shackles is twofold, first is that if she needed to restrain a god or other divine being for her duties, she had means. The other however was that if she ever betrayed Olympus the shackles would activate and restrain her, this was one of the fail-safes the Big Three had put in when they had chosen Andromeda for the position of Guardian.
The others are known only to the Six Children of Kronos and Rhea, wisely they have never spoken of them to any of the gods.
As Andromeda drags Ares off to Olympus a smile can be seen on Ares face, he had a way to keep Andromeda off of him and by the gods he was going to use it.
Guardian
Across the country at Camp Half-Blood Luke Castellan shivers in terror, he had no idea why, but his instincts were screaming at him to flee. So he did, like the hounds of Hades were after him.
Guardian
Andromeda walks into the Throne Room with the bound Ares being dragged behind her, despite the severity of the situation Apollo, Hermes, Hephaestus and Dionysus can't help but snicker at Ares' plight. Even Zeus, Poseidon and Hades (Had been summoned for the Trial as his Helm had been stolen as well) were suppressing smirks, along with the goddesses except for Athena and Artemis.
Athena was smirking at Ares predicament while Artemis was smiling at Andromeda.
Andromeda dumps Ares in front of the Big Three before nodding to them and sending her memories of the situation and the ones she'd gleamed from the daughters of Ares, Athena and Aphrodite.
Andromeda didn't speak unless she has to and none of the gods wanted to force her to.
Before any of the Big Three can say anything Ares speaks up "Before you convict me, I will just say that I wasn't the Thief nor was I behind the theft. The real thief is that punk kid of Hermes, Luke Castellan. After I caught him with the Lightning Bolt and Helm he tried to convince me to follow an idea of his, somehow he managed to control me, not that I wouldn't have done it anyway if I thought I could get away with it"
Immediately the three turn to Apollo who nods "He's telling the truth"
Then Poseidon turns to Hermes "Hermes, would you bring him here, I want to hear his reasons for his actions" Zeus and Hades both nod in agreement.
Hermes vanishes and a few minutes later returns "He's not at camp, I guess he realized that he'd been found out and decided to run for it" Hermes looks down with sadness in his eyes, George and Martha try to cheer him up. The Big Three immediately start whispering to each other.
Before Hermes can leave like he plans to he feels a tugging on his right hand, he looks down to see Andromeda standing there. She smiles at him before giving his leg a hug, like she is trying to reassure him that everything will be okay.
A cough is heard and Andromeda and Hermes split apart and immediately focus on the Big Three. Zeus nods to his son "Hermes, I would imagine that you aren't very focused right now, why don't you go relax? I'll have someone tell you anything important that we decide on" Hermes smiles gratefully at his father and uncles before flashing away.
The Big Three then focus on Andromeda who incredibly asks "What should I do?" Her voice is beautiful with a musical quality to it that makes people and gods stop and listen, Apollo loves to play songs for Andromeda to sing to because of this.
Hades after looking at his brothers and receiving nods from both replies "Andromeda, you are to seek out and bring Luke Castellan to us. Is there anything else?"
Andromeda looks conflicted for a second but then straightens up "Yes, while I was with the questing trio, they made mentions of dreams about a dark voice and a pit. I believe that they were referencing the Crooked One, perhaps we should be wary of his return"
Andromeda hated to give circumstantial evidence and preferred to give only cold hard facts, but the possibility of the Titan Lord's return had spooked her, she knew that if he did return she would most likely be one of his highest priority targets.
The Big Three immediately look at each other with concern, but before Poseidon or Hades can say anything Zeus stands up and says "While there is no direct evidence we should be careful none the less. Each of us should be on alert for any hints of his return. Artemis, I would like you and your hunt to accompany Andromeda on her search. No her hunt for the son of Hermes" Artemis nods immediately, she loves to spend time with Andromeda. "Athena, since Ares will be punished for his actions, you'll have to keep an eye out on his domains while he is… indisposed. Ares, you'll be working for Hades for the next five years, without pay or the right to complain, at which time we'll decide whether to lengthen your punishment or not" Ares looks horrified while Hades looks like Christmas had come early, a helping hand that couldn't ask for pay and couldn't complain was a godsend, pun intended. Zeus smiles slightly, he owed Hades for all of the crap he'd put him through, this was a good start to fixing that.
Zeus looks around for a second before nodding "This meeting is adjourned, if any of you find any evidence of the Crooked One's return please bring it to me immediately, Apollo would you please inform Hermes of what was decided" Apollo nods and flashes out with the majority of the gods following suit. Only the Big Three, Hestia, Ares and Artemis remain.
Zeus smiles down at Andromeda "Good luck on your hunt Andromeda" Hades and Poseidon both echo the sentiment, Andromeda smiles and turns to Artemis who flashes the both of them to the Hunter's Camp.
The Big Three turn to Ares with sadistic smirks on their faces, while Hestia watches on with a smile on her face, the Big Three beat the immortal stuffing out of Ares. Despite being a violent event Hestia is happy, it's good to see family working together, even if it is just to punish a fool who likes to fight too much.