Chapter 14: Amazon Challenges
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait, but recently I went on vacation with my family to Greece so needless to say I got quite a bit of inspiration for this story. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
It was late at night and we find ourselves near the docks as a boat was sailing towards it.
On it we see a young female around Tempest's age with tan skin, dark green armor, black hair tied in a ponytail, a metal headband and a large sword strapped to her back.
"Captain. We are nearing our destination." One woman calls out.
"Remember our orders, we are to bring her back alive." The captain orders.
"And if anyone stops us?" Another calls out.
"We stop them." The captain declares looking out at the approaching the city. "Today is the day Tempest comes back."
The next day, we see Tempest looking up at a fancy little building.
"Uh, what are we looking at?" Tempest asks.
"It's a spa. The perfect place to make sure our bodies are healed and rejuvenated. It's filled with aromas, techniques and healers to make sure we're ready for whatever problem we face." Theseus said.
"Sounds good to me," Hercules said.
"Yeah, I've never been pampered before," Icarus said.
"No. Absolutely not. This place is my worst nightmare." Tempest said.
"Come on Tempest, when was the last time you had yourself looked at?" Icarus asks.
"I do not want a man looking at my body." Tempest glares at the thought.
"They have females here too." Theseus points out.
"I still am not a fan of this," Tempest said.
"Come on Nico what do you say? Ready to feel spoiled and pampered?" Icarus asks.
"Oh alright. As long as they don't touch my feet." Nico emphasizes.
Making their way inside, Theseus, Herc, and Icarus were enjoying themselves and feeling more relaxed than ever, Tempest and Nico on the other hand.
Cringing in agony, Nico was held down by several staff as the dirt on his feet was being scrapped off.
"Don't touch me!" Tempest echoes from down the hall as a woman flies out and lands in the water.
An hour later, the three boys came out feeling like brand new.
"Well? Was I right or was I right?" Theseus asks.
"Oh man Theseus you were so right," Herc said.
"I feel so relaxed." Icarus sighed while Nico and Tempest stumbled out behind them.
"I feel violated," Nico said holding his stick for dear life.
"I swear I will never set foot in this accursed building for the rest of my life." Tempest shudders.
"Come on guys it wasn't that bad," Icarus said.
"Yes, it was." Nico and Tempest said at the same time.
"Geez Tempest, you are not big on relaxing are you?" Theseus asks as they leave.
"No she isn't," Nico said.
"Nico is correct, just being in that place made me feel weak. If my sisters knew—" Tempest said when she heard something.
"If your sisters knew what? Come on girl we're not oracles." Icarus asks when a spear flies in and lands right in front of Icarus scaring him into Herc's arms.
"Get down!" Tempest yells as they run for cover.
Putting his fingers to his mouth, Nico whistles for Talon.
Up on a perch, Talon heard the call and immediately flew after them.
"I hope your bird gets here quickly," Icarus said as they jumped behind a wagon.
"Who could be attacking us?" Theseus asks.
Reaching into his bag, Icarus takes out a special lens and slaps it over his right eye spectacle which zoomed in like a telescope.
"Oh, mama! We're under attack by women!" Icarus said.
"Women?" All four of them said before glaring at Icarus.
"What? Why are you all looking at me?" Icarus asks.
"What did you do this time Icarus?" Nico asks.
"Why do you all think it was me?" Icarus asks.
"Because you hit on more girls than Hercules, Nicodemus, and myself combined," Theseus said.
"Because every time you try flirting with me, I want to punch you in the face," Tempest said.
"I swear I didn't hit on any of those women…wait hang on is that brunette?" Icarus said looking one more time. "Yeah no."
"Well if they're not after you, then why are they after us?" Herc asks.
Before they could react, a net dropped down on Tempest.
"Tempest!" Everyone gasped as they looked up to see the women yank Tempest onto the rooftops.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Tempest struggles until the Captain gets in her face and she gasps. "Areti?"
"Long time Tempest. By order of the Queen, you are ordered to return to our island immediately." Areti orders.
Behind them, Talon flew in and spotted them allowing Nico to see through his eyes.
"There's on the roof. We need to get up there." Nico said.
"We'll never get up there fast enough," Theseus said.
"Not on our own," Nico said looking at Hercules. "Herc, throw me up there."
"What?" Herc said surprised.
"Just do it." Nico orders.
Seeing they had no other options. Hercules grabs Nico by his arms and throws him up sending him flying over the amazons that were shooting at them but ended up overshooting it causing him to crash into Areti knocking them into an alley below.
"Ugh, we gotta work on that aim of his." Nico groans.
"You dare strike me?" Areti growls getting up.
"You bet I do. You're trying to kidnap Tempest." Nico said facing her.
"Don't make me have to kill you." Areti threatens.
"Don't make me have to stop you." Nico counters.
"Captain, what are your orders?" An Amazon calls out.
"Get to the port. I'll catch up with you once I'm done with this!" Areti orders.
As the Amazons took Tempest and made her escape the boys gasped.
"Come on. We gotta move!" Hercules said as Talon flew after to help them.
Reaching behind her back Areti pulls out her great sword.
Extending his metal staff, Nico took a stance.
Making the first move, Areti lunges at Nico who quickly evades it.
Turning around, Areti continues her assault forcing Nico to block her attacks.
As the amazons were taking Tempest to the docks, the guys were chasing after them while maneuvering past a crowded street.
"Excuse me! Pardon me! Coming through! On your left!" Icarus said.
"Of all the times to leave Pegasus at home," Hercules said.
Running up a nearby hill, they looked to see the Amazons had taken a chariot.
"How are we going to catch them now?" Theseus asks.
Looking around Icarus noticed a hay cart.
"I have an idea." Icarus grins.
As the Amazons raced through the city, Tempest wasn't putting up much of a fight. If the Queen had sent for her she knew that fighting back would only make this worse.
"CHARGE!" A familiar voice yells getting her attention.
From the side, the Amazons saw Hercules racing down the hill while pulling a cart with Theseus and Icarus in the back.
Ramming into them from the side the Amazons wobbled.
"What are you boys doing?!" Tempest calls out.
"What's it look like?!" Theseus said.
"We're saving you!" Hercules said.
"Treating you like a pathetic Damsel in Distress? How low have fallen?" An Amazon scolds making Tempest growl.
Back with Nico, the fight between him and Areti had gotten intense.
'Man I really wish I hadn't gotten that foot massage. My feet are still sore.' Nico thought kicking Areti in the chest.
Forcing him out of the alley, Areti swings her sword knocking him back towards a well.
She was about to lunge when Nico whacks the nearby bucket at her forcing her to deflect it.
Using this opening Nico jabs her in the gut with his staff before whacking her in the face knocking her to the ground and her sword out of her hand.
"Still think I'm an easy kill?" Nico mocks.
"You're skilled, I'll give you that," Areti said standing up.
Moving in Nico swings his staff at her but at the last second Arteti moves in and grabs the staff stopping his attack and making them grapple.
"But so am I." She declares.
Before Nico could react she used this lock to knee him in the gut making him gasp for air.
While he was dazed, Artei pushes back against Nico and knocks him into the well causing a splash to echo.
"You consider yourself blessed. I can't afford to waste time killing you, but get in my way again and I will finish this fight." Areti said tossing the staff down the well before leaving.
As the cart and chariot neared the docks, the rescue party was having some troubles.
Drawing their bows, the Amazons open fire forcing Hercules to pull back.
Raising his shield, Theseus deflects arrows coming towards him and Icarus.
"Come on Icarus hit'em!" Theseus said.
"I'm trying." Hurling a throwing knife, it canceled out an arrow but the shaky terrain was making it hard to concentrate.
Suddenly from behind an arrow flew in and destroyed a cart wheel causing them to come to a crashing stop.
"What in the?" Turning around Hercules saw Areti leap down from the roofs and join the others.
Bringing Tempest to the boat, they quickly disembarked unaware that a familiar crow had made his perch atop them.
"Wait. Wasn't she?" Hercules asks.
"Where is she?! Where is that stinking Amazon?!" Turning around they saw a soaking wet Nico had caught up with them.
"Dang Nico, you lost? I didn't think that was possible." Theseus said making him growl.
"Like you guys have room to judge me. Thanks to that stupid spa treatment were too relaxed to fight at our best." Nico counters.
"These girls are tough," Hercules said.
"What do we do now?" Icarus asks.
"What do you think we're doing? We're going after her and getting Tempest back and when I find that girl, I'm gonna kick her ass." Nico growls.
"But how are we going to find them? It's a big ocean." Theseus asks.
"A little birdie." Nico hints.
"Talon. He's still following them." Icarus said.
"You guys figure out a way to catch up with them. I'm going to go see if I can get some extra help." Nico said grabbing his walking stick and the 4 boys separated.
Running to the Temple of Athena, Nico made his way in.
"Thea?! Are you here?! I need you!" Nico calls out.
"Nico?" A familiar voice calls out.
Walking out from behind the statue of Athena, Thea approached him.
"What's going on? It's not like you to panic." Thea asks.
"Tempest has been kidnapped!" Nico panics.
"Wait what?!" Thea said her expression mimicking his. "Oh no, no, no. I just got you back on the team. I can't keep losing heroes. Do you know who took her?"
"Talon's following them now, but last time he gave me a glance they were a bunch of women who kinda dressed like Tempest," Nico recalls.
"The Amazons. An all-female tribe of warriors. And loyal followers of Artemis and myself." Thea said instantly knowing the answer. "They must have taken her back to their island."
"Wait Tempest got kidnapped by her own people?" Nico asks.
"And we thought you had family issues," Thea said. "Nico, you and your friends have to get her back. If I've learned anything from before, it's that I need all of you. Each member of your team brings your own set of abilities and skills to the table. Not to mention Tempest has the most combat experience out of all of you."
"Wait you want us to go to an island full of Women who hate men with a passion?" Nico cringed.
"I said it needed to be done. I didn't say it was going to be easy." Thea said.
"And it's not like I can just walk up to them and say I'm dating one of the goddesses they worship," Nico said making her giggle.
"No, sadly that's something only we know about. At least for now." Thea said.
"I don't suppose you can ask Artemis to help us?" Nico asks but Thea shakes her head.
"Also no. The Gods of Olympus are not allowed to reveal each other's secrets to mortals. Not unless said god gives them permission or someone else already knows it." Thea said leaving out the part that Nico already knew her, he just didn't know it.
"Like when my mom busted you," Nico recalls.
"Yes, like that." Thea sighs.
"Can you at least point us in the direction of the island?" Nico asks.
"Now that I can do. Give me a minute. I'll see if I can draw up a map for you to read." Thea said.
"You mean for the others to read," Nico said before waving his hand in front of his eyes making her roll her eyes and giggle.
"Right. The others. One of these days I'm going to have to teach basic written grammar. You can't use I'm blind as an excuse for everything." Thea said.
"Can, have, and will." Nico smirks.
Finishing the map Thea hands it back to him.
"Good luck, I hope you can find Tempest," Thea said.
"Me too," Nico said about to leave when Thea grabbed his arm and pulled him into a kiss surprising him. "Was that a goddess blessing?" He smirks.
"No, that was just for me." She smiles.
Smiling Nico was feeling much better.
As he ran off, Thea watched him meet up with his team.
'Hmm been a while since I went to that island. I suppose I can drop in and make sure things work out.' Thea thought.
Meanwhile, on the island of the Amazons, we see Tempest being escorted into the royal palace where a woman with long hair, tan skin, battle armor, and a helmet sits on her throne. This was Queen Hippolyta, leader of the Amazons.
"Well, if it isn't Ms. Sunshine and Flowers." Hippolyta mocks.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tempest glares.
"Don't get snippy with me. We know you've gotten soft. My Amazons have been keeping track of you for weeks." Hippolyta said.
"You've been spying on me?" Tempest said in disbelief.
Picking up a scroll, Hippolyta read it aloud.
"3 weeks ago, a boy cut in front of you and still lives to tell the tale." Hippolyta read.
"Yes, but he'll walk with a limp for the rest of his life." Tempest defends.
"Then 2 days later, you challenge a boy in PE and lose." She read.
"Oh yeah that was the day I met Hercules and Nicodemus," Tempest recalls.
"Yes and to add insult to injury you joined their group and today we find you leaving a spa. A spa!" Hippolyta said.
"Okay I'll admit that was a bad call on Theseus' part, but I'm not the only one Nico didn't like it either," Tempest said.
"Why are you talking about them like that? Has spending all your time with them made you soft?" Hippolyta asks.
"No it hasn't. They're my friends. Sure they're annoying but they've helped me improve. We saved the city of Crete together and stopped King Minos." Tempest said.
"Were you the one who slayed them?" Hippolyta asks.
"Technically no." She admits.
"Disgraceful. A true amazon would have slayed that monster all on her own or died trying." Hippolyta said.
"It was a team mission. They were chosen just like me. Frankly, if Nico didn't show up when he did—" Tempest starts but stops not wanting to spill too many details.
"Unbelievable." Hippolyta groans. This was going to be a long talk.
Little did they know in the air not too far from the island, Talon and Pegasus were flying through the air with Hercules, Icarus, Theseus, and Nico riding him.
"Okay we're almost there," Theseus said looking down.
"Oh thank goodness." Nico groans.
"So you hate sailing and flying?" Theseus asks.
"Just shut and land. I don't wanna talk about it." Nico said not in the mood.
"You heard the man Herc," Icarus said.
Looking around, Hercules had Pegasus descend down and hide near the forest.
"Okay, we need to be careful. Let's just go in, find Tempest, and then get out before they do anything crazy." Hercules said.
"I'm good with that. Talon keep an eye out for any Amazons." Nico said holding out his arm and said crow flew up to the tree tops.
Using his Crow Vision, Nico could see a trail leading up to the castle as well as several Amazons training not too far.
"Okay odds are Tempest was taken to the castle, but there are a lot of angry Amazons training nearby and I think I speak for all of us when I say we don't want to be anywhere near them," Nico said.
"Agreed." The other 3 said.
Going in the opposite direction, the group made their way through the forest trying to be careful. Little did they know the Amazons were not ones to let people sneak onto their island unnoticed.
Reaching a trail that led up the hill, the 3 boys looked around with Nico in front of them.
"Wait a second," Nico said sticking his stick out and making them stop.
"What's wrong?" Hercules asks.
"They know we're here." Nico declares.
As if on cue, an arrow flew in forcing them to duck.
"Impressive, not many can tell when we're following them." Looking up they saw Captain Areti and her squad looking down at them.
"You." Nico growls.
"We just keep running into each other. You men really are stupid." Areti spat.
"We've come to rescue Tempest!" Hercules said.
"Yeah give her back!" Theseus orders.
"You dare order us around?" Areti glares.
"I was going for threaten but hey to each their own," Nico said.
"Oh I am going to enjoy executing you." Areti glares. "Fire the nets!"
Aiming their bows, the Amazons fired at them.
Jumping back Nico narrowly avoids getting captured but when he lands he slips on some mud and starts tumbling down the hill.
"Nico!" Hercu gasps when the net drops down on the rest of them.
"You three aren't going anywhere," Areti growls making them gulp. "Take them to the Queen!"
As they were forced up Icarus looked at his friends.
"Well look on the bright side. We wanted to get to the castle and they're taking us there." Icarus said.
"To execute us," Theseus said.
"Not if we escape first," Icarus whispers.
"How do we do that?" Herc asks.
"I don't know. I'm still working on that." Icarus said making them groan.
Looking around Icarus noticed Talon watching them from a tall branch.
Gesturing with his eyes towards the palace, Talon flew towards it.
'Alright Nico, hopefully you can find your way there before it's too late. We'll be waiting for you.' Icarus thought.
At the bottom of the hill, we see Luna sitting near the edge with her feet in the water.
"Well, the Amazons seem to be taking care of things. They hunt down monsters, stop idiots from causing trouble, and the best part not a single man on this island for miles." Luna said when someone crashed into her from behind knocking them both into the water.
Seconds later, she resurfaced.
"Okay who dares attack me while I'm resting?!" Luna said drawing her bow ready to pierce her attacker when seconds later Nico gasped for air surprising her.
"Help! I can't swim! Help!" Nico screams.
"Nico?" Luna said surprised before grabbing him.
"Please don't kill me! I don't wanna drown!" Nico said.
"Nico calm down you can stand!" Luna said.
"Huh?" Pausing Nico slowly stood up. "Wait Luna? What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that. You know this is the island of Amazons, right?" Luna asks.
"Yes. Wait Luna are you an Amazon? Wait were you part of the group that kidnapped Tempest?" Nico asks.
"What? No. I've been here all day." Luna said. "Wait they kidnapped your teammate?"
"Yes. That's why I'm here. I came to help get her back." Nico said.
"Well then you might have your work cut out for you. I know for a fact Queen Hippolyta is not one to be easily swayed. You're going to have to convince her that Tempest belongs with your team." Luna said.
"I don't suppose you can lead me to her? I got separated from Talon and the others so I'm not really sure which path is the right one." Nico asks.
"I guess I can help," Luna said.
"Thank you," Nico said as they got out of the lake. "And by the way I'm really sorry about knocking you into the water but I guess I'm glad I did."
"You're glad you knocked me into water?" Luna asks suspicious.
"Well that's the second time you've saved me from drowning. Thank you." Nico smiles.
Pausing Luna recalled what happened the first time, how he kissed her in thanks making her blush. Looking down at herself and him she could see that part of her robes had visible skin due to the water along with Nico's robes along his chest.
Blushing it was a good thing Nico couldn't see. If any other man saw her like this she would kill him on sight.
"Oh well I guess you're just lucky I was here. Uhm…I don't suppose I can get another one like last time?" She mutters.
"Another what?" Nico asks.
"Nothing," Luna said quickly. "Uh come on. We need to get you to the Queen and fast." Luna said leading him away.
From up above the island we see Rose watching Luna lead Nico to the castle while Thea had just arrived at the island.
"Ooh I spy a chance to win some hearts. And I know the perfect way." Rose giggles having a devious love plan in motion.
At the palace, Tempest looks in surprise to see her friends forced to the ground in front of her and Hippolyta.
"What are you guys doing here?" Tempest asks.
"Well we came to rescue you, but things didn't exactly work out the way we hoped," Hercules admits making her facepalm.
"So these are the ones you call teammates?" Hippolyta asks.
"Well one's missing but yes this is my team. Team this is Queen Hippolyta…my mother." Tempest declares surprising.
"Your mom is the Queen of the Amazons?" Herc gasps.
"Wow everyone on this team has some interesting parents," Theseus mutters.
"Well now I see Tempest gets her good looks from your majesty." Icarus flirts but she reaches for her sword.
"Not helping," Tempest mutters.
"Sorry," Icarus said.
"Okay only Nico does the talking from now on," Tempest said before realizing something. "Wait where is he?"
"The Blind one? I bet he ran into a tree and got lost trying to escape." Areti assumes.
"Well you would lose that bet." A familiar voice calls out.
Turning around the Amazons saw Nico at the door with Talon on his shoulder.
"Well, well, well. The final member has arrived." Hippolyta said as the Amazons pushed him forward.
"Hey I can walk," Nico said before turning to Tempest. "You didn't tell us your mother was a big shot."
"You didn't tell us the situation with your mother." Tempest counters.
"Touche," Nico said.
Up above, we see Thea looking down at this with Luna next to her.
"I didn't expect you to come here," Luna said not taking her eyes off the situation down there.
"If I've learned anything from my Crete mission. I need all 5 of them." Thea said.
"Well let's see if he can convince the same to Queen Hippolyta," Luna said interested.
"You men dare trespass on my island?" Hippolyta glares.
"We came to save our friend," Nico said.
"You men are responsible for turning my warrior into a softie. Give me one reason I shouldn't execute you all." Hippolyta taunts.
"Your majesty with all due respect I think you're wrong," Nico said and instantly every Amazon glared at him. "Tempest is a lot of things but soft is not one of them. I've been helping her train and she's one of the best. You think we've made her soft well I bet you she's not. And if we can prove you wrong you let us all go back together." Nico bargains.
"You really think you can challenge me?" Hippolyta asks.
"Well I really doubt you'll let us do anything else. I bet you're already brainstorming ways to kill us right now." Nico assumes.
"You're not wrong," Tempest admits causing the two goddesses to giggle softly. "But he's also right. I have grown and I can prove that I've learned much from my friends that I never could here."
"Is that so?" Hippolyta said before standing up. "Alright Tempest, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. You and two of your allies will compete in the event of my choosing against 2 Amazon Warriors. If you win, you all go free."
"And if we lose?" Icarus asks and immediately hears the sharpening of axes. "Never mind I got my answer."
"So which one of us should compete with Tempest?" Herc asks.
Pausing Tempest looks to her mother. "Can we have a few minutes to talk amongst ourselves?"
As the guards look to Hippolyta she nods allowing the guards to free them from their chains.
Walking to the corner of the room by a window they huddled together.
"Okay Tempest you know these women better than any of us. What are our chances of winning?" Theseus asks.
"Low. Very low. Not to mention we have no idea what event they'll pick for us to compete in." Tempest said.
As they talked amongst themselves nobody noticed Rose hiding on the other side of the wall.
"Pick Nico," Rose whispers softly putting Theseus and Icarus in a trance.
"Nico should go." Both said before snapping out of it.
"Nico huh? I guess that makes sense." Herc said.
"You are the one who got me to join the team." Tempest agrees.
"Have you decided yet?" Hippolyta asks.
"We have." Tempest nods.
Soon we found ourselves in an arena, as the crowd was filled with Amazons cheering for the home team.
Up above them, we see Thea and Luna watching this unfurl.
"Ooh, what do we have here?" Turning around Luna saw Rose join them.
"What are you doing here? This isn't normally one of your steps." Thea said not taking her eyes off her team.
"Oh just having a little fun. Nothing to worry your little heads over." Rose said.
"If you're trying to play matchmaker it won't work. There's not a single woman on this whole island who will fall in love with any man." Luna states.
"Ooh, that sounds like a challenge." Rose grins as Hercules and Nico stand alongside Tempest.
"So they chose Nico and Hercules to represent them," Thea said concerned.
As Luna turns back to watch, neither of them notices Rose's smile.
The first event was the Discus throw and Hercules was standing alongside a very muscular Amazon.
"Remember Tempest, if you lose even once you're done," Hippolyta said.
"Oh I know. But I don't think my friends will give you an easy win." Tempest smirks trying to hide her amusement.
"I almost feel sorry for these ladies." Icarus snickers.
"Almost." Theseus smirks.
"Ladies first." Hercules gestures.
"Hmph don't get cocky." The Amazon said.
Grabbing the discus, she threw it with all her might sending it flying across the arena all the way to the other side just short of the wall.
"Beat that." She said as Hercules picked up a discus.
Slowly walking up, Hercules looks to Nico who just nods giving him the signal.
Using his demigod strength, Hercules throws the disc with all his might sending it flying across the field and smashing through the wall of the arena landing near the forest surprising them all.
"What in the?" Areti gasps.
"Uh oh. Guess you ladies weren't as thorough as you thought. Or you would have known we had a Demigod with god-like on our team." Nico mocks pissing her off.
Up above, Thea giggles. "They never had a chance. One down, two to go."
"Don't get cocky, the next event isn't as simple," Luna said.
The next event was the wooden beams.
"Alright blind one. For this event, you will face the Amazon of your choosing, and the first one to knock their opponent off the beams wins.
"I get to choose?" Nico said surprised.
"Alright Tempest, tell us right now. Which Amazon does Nico have the biggest chance of winning against?" Theseus asks.
"Uh let me see. It would probably be Dana." Tempest ponders.
"No thanks, Tempest. I want Areti." Nico declares surprising everyone.
"Areti? Nico, she's one of the best Amazons on this island." Tempest warns.
"Not to mention she's already kicked your butt once," Icarus said.
"And now I want revenge. Your mom thinks we've soft. Well, I want to show her we're not softies either." Nico said.
"If you say so," Tempest said.
Facing each other on wooden beams, Nico and Areti each had a wooden staff in their arms.
"Lucky me. I get to beat you twice in one day." Areti said.
"Fat chance," Nico said holding out his arm. "You better get off Talon. This is gonna get messy."
Cawing Talon flew off Nico's arm and flew just above them.
As Talon's eyes glowed, Nico was able to see Areti right in front of him for the first time. Needless to say, she wasn't as ugly as he pictured her. She was actually kind of pretty.
"Ready. Begin!" Hippolyta said as a horn blared.
Making the first move Areti swung her staff but Nico ducks.
Countering her swings his staff at her but she jumps up and lands on another beam.
As we look at their feet the two fighters were expertly maneuvering atop the beams dodging and blocking each other's strikes.
"Come on Nico. You gotta win too." Hercules said.
"Easier said than done. I've fought Areti. And she doesn't go down easy." Tempest said.
Banging their sticks against each other, the two pushed back trying to overpower the other.
"You are the most infuriating man I've ever met." Areti growls.
"I've been called worse," Nico said brushing it off.
Swinging his staff, he jabs Areti in the shoulder making her cringe in pain.
As she falls back she regains her balance narrowly avoiding falling over.
Using this chance, Nico goes on the attack, but at the last second, she retaliates and knocks Nico's staff out of his hands.
"Oh no not again!" Icarus gasps.
"Well looks like you lose," Hippolyta said.
"It's not over yet. Nico is still on the platforms." Tempest said in a worried tone.
Watching this, Thea was on the edge worried about Nico. "Come on Nico. Come on."
'You gotta think of a way out of this.' Luna thought.
"I win again," Areti smirks taking a stance.
"Not as long as I'm still standing," Nico said.
"That can fixed." Areti said racing towards him.
Listening to the sounds she made, Nico knew that even if he dodged it he wouldn't last long without a way to hit her back.
He had to trip her up.
'Well no pain no gain.' Nico thought.
Swinging her staff, Areti nails Nico in the gut making him cringe in pain.
Gasping all his friends and the two goddesses feared the worst thinking it was the end, but at the last second Nico grabs her staff surprising everyone.
"Hey, what are you doing?! Let go!" Areti said trying to pull back but Nico wouldn't budge.
"This isn't over! Not by a long shot!" Mustering up all his strength Nico pulls his head back and yanks the stick towards him with all his might.
As Areti stumbles towards him Nico swings forward and headbutts Areti in the forehead knocking her off the beams and to the ground.
"H-He won?!" Tempest smiles amazed.
"Whoo! Two down! One more to go, baby!" Icarus said.
"He took her attack at full force and not only managed to stand strong but managed to trap her and give him the opening he needed to win. Amazing." Thea said in awe.
"Yeah…amazing," Luna said.
Both goddesses looked down at Nico who was panting heavily. They saw a drop of blood go down his forehead and they both were thinking one thing…he looked so cool.
Down below Areti was struggling to get up when a hand appeared in front of her.
"Huh?" Looking up she saw Nico offering her a hand.
"What? Now you're pitying me? Where's the gloating?" Areti assumes.
"No. I beat you, that's more than gloating." Nico said.
"How could you beat me when just a few hours ago I was the victor?" Areti asks.
"Because I don't take losing lying down. You motivated me to take you down. And now I did. Not so fun when it's you, is it?" Nico smirks.
Looking at him, an amused smirk appeared on her face. Taking his hand he helped her up.
"Don't get cocky. You still have one more event to win." Areti said.
"If I was being cocky I would be throwing a lot more insults at you right," Nico said before turning away.
Watching him, Areti narrowed her eyes.
He had somehow managed to beat her. And just like Nico earlier, she was furious at the loss.
"Alright Tempest, it's all up to you now," Theseus said.
"Our lives are in your hands, but no pressure," Icarus said.
"That's literally the opposite of no pressure." Nico deadpans as Talon lands back on his walking stick.
"Don't worry you two got us this far, I'll finish it," Tempest said.
In the final event, we see Tempest alone in the arena as a loud roar echoes from a caged door.
As the door opened, a lion burst out of the door.
"Oh, mama! They brought a lion!" Icarus panics.
"You're pitting your daughter against a lion?! Lady, you know there is such a thing as going too far!" Nico said turning in the direction of Hippolyta.
But she just brushed it off.
"Choose your weapons," Hippolyta said as Tempest grabbed a shield in one hand and a spear in the other.
Letting the chains go the lion was allowed to race out.
Roaring at Tempest, the Amazon braced herself as the lion began to slowly approach her.
Swinging its paw, Tempest uses the shield to block it.
Retaliating, Tempest slashes its paw with her spear making the lion roar in pain.
Furious by this retaliation the lion slashes her arm with its claws making her cringe in pain.
Charging in, the lion leaps at her.
Quickly rolling out of the way, Tempest dodges the attack, but this cat is not giving up on its prey so easily.
Leaping at her with teeth gleaming, Tempest held her spear up preventing it from biting down on her.
Struggling the Lion pushed against Tempest forcing her to the ground.
Using both her legs Tempest kicks it off her.
"Come on Tempest! What the heck are you doing?!" Nico calls out getting her attention. "You fought a Minotaur and you mean to tell me you're gonna let one ordinary Lion kick your butt?!"
"Yeah. You've been holding all of your experience over us since day 1, time to put your money where your mouth is!" Icarus calls out.
"What are they doing?" Hippolyta asks.
"Are they trying to motivate her or insult her?" Areti asks.
"I won my match. If you lose this then that means I can hold this over your head forever!" Hercules calls out.
Hearing this Tempest looked to her friends and grins.
They knew what she needed to hear. As she looked at Nico she remembered one of the moves he taught her.
Slowly getting up, Tempest turns to face the lion.
As the lion charged in, Tempest threw her shield at it hitting it in the face and dazing it.
Charging at it, Tempest had her weapons ready.
Roaring the lion charges back, but just as it pounced Tempest spun on the top of her foot dodging the attack and maneuvering behind it.
"What in the?" Hippolyta gasps.
Using this opening Tempest throws the spear piercing the lion's head causing it to fall to the ground dead.
Panting heavily Tempest looks to the Queen and smirks.
"We win!" Tempest declares causing her team to cheer.
"Whoo! Way to go Tempest!" Theseus cheers.
"That's our Amazon!" Icarus said.
From up above, Thea had a big grin on her face.
"Yes. I still have my team." Thea said.
"Amazing. They actually pulled it off." Luna said amazed.
"Yeah. I gotta say though. Of all of them, Nicodemus was my favorite event." Rose said putting that thought in their heads.
"Well, what do you know." Hippolyta smiles for the first time all day.
As the sun was setting we found ourselves at the docks.
"Where did you learn a move like that?" Hippolyta asks.
"My friend and trainer taught me that," Tempest said gesturing to Nico.
"It appears I was wrong to judge you. You did make my daughter stronger." Hippolyta apologizes.
"And you'll keep your end of the deal?" Tempest asks.
"Yes, you can go home. All of you." Hippolyta said making them all cheer.
"Oh thank you, Mother." Tempest said.
"But I will be sending my Amazons to check in on you from time to time." Hippolyta points.
"Fair enough," Tempest said boarding the boat to take them home.
"Hey Blind one," Areti calls out.
"It's Nico." He corrects.
"Well Nico, you and I are tied with one win and one loss. Next time we meet, we'll settle who really is the strongest." Areti said.
"Bring it on. Just don't go crying to your queen when I win." Nico smirks making her smirk back.
"Not if I beat you next time." Areti counters.
As they took off, Rose peeked at this and grinned.
"Ooh an Amazon rival. I can have some fun with this one too." Rose giggles.
As they sailed off, they had not only resolved the issues with the Amazons, but Nico now had all the more reason to push his skills further too.