All rights belong to Rick Riordan
Chapter 73
Why Do Old Ladies Hate Me
(Artemis)
'Will someone please explain why I have to go to this meeting again?' I complained loud enough to make sure the pair of figures sitting on my bed could hear. As they seemed to be feigning ignorance to me.
'Is she still going on about that?' Percy said turning to Diana who let out a small laugh before turning to me.
'Hey I would go but you know the rules Greek aspect only.' Diana remarked with a satisfied smile causing me to frown.
'As much as I hate any form of formal meeting, I wasn't invited to this meeting and I would rather not just turn up and piss your dad off.' Percy explained for the third time in the last 6 hours. The annoying thing was they both had a point which meant I had to go alone.
'So what are you two going to be doing while I am suffering in silence?' I asked them in resignation turning back to the small mirror on the table in front of me and checking to make sure all my hair was back to normal. There were still a few patches of discoloration around the tips but there was little I could do about that and I refused to cut them off. Hopefully I would be able to get away with no one noticing.
'I've got spearcraft with the girls first then I just have to feed Nemea and the wolves.' Percy explained at least he wasn't wasting the who day.
'I'm not officially here. So I can do whatever I want.' Unlike my counterpart.
'So in other words being lazy and lying around in bed. Just remember if he screws up I want pictures. I can't believe I missed that whole Persee charade.' Though I never did get the explanation of how they fixed it. They both had just skipped around the point during the recollection of the day's events.
'Not as much as I am glad you didn't see.'
'Good news is if your daughter looked anywhere near as cute as he did, she should be Ok.' Diana remarked causing Percy to turn crimson.
'Well of course he did he looked almost exactly like us from the way you described him.' I countered.
'Regardless of what she looks like, it is not going to matter because no boy is dating my daughter.' Percy proclaimed seriously before breaking down into a smile when he finished the statement.
'See now you know how our father has been for the last three thousand years.' I added.
'I don't see the problem with it. After all what are the chances of another decent male being born that isn't going to be brother.' Diana added and I had to nod in agreement to her reasoning. Besides I was almost certain that my daughter would inherit Virginity from me.
'Wow you two have such faith in my gender. May I just point out you have Aphrodite in yours.' Percy remarked sarcastically causing me to groan at the thought of being in a room with the 'love' goddess.
'Exactly, by the way your escort is here.' Percy said before I began to hear the sound of a familiar engine outside.
'What the hell is he doing here?' I demanded causing both my companions to shrug as I got up and walked towards the door, Percy doing likewise.
'Remember…I. Am. Not. here.' Diana remarked with a smile before lounging back on the bed.
I was ready to comment on her ease of avoiding responsibility when I bit my tongue for the moment. I was more concerned what in hades Apollo was doing here. I thought as we walked out the door and into the early morning sunlight. It wouldn't be long before the hunters were out and about and the last thing I wanted was Apollo here when they did.
As we turned the corner I caught sight of the fool getting out of his car. The frost around it all melted unfortunately as he did so he caught sight of us with a grin.
'A welcoming party how nice sis.' He asked with a grin.
'What in uncles name are you doing here?' I demanded coldly.
'Oh you know just wanted to make sure you hadn't been taken by any Titans again.' He explained before laughing at his own double entendre. Annoyingly Percy began to chuckle at the joke as well until I glared at him before turning back to my twin.
'Wow bro now I know who wears the trousers in this relationship.' He added causing me to turn red.
'Will you shut up already or I will make it so you have so many arrows up your ass you can never wear trousers again.' I threatened immediately stopping any sign of laughter from the idiot.
'Jeez I get it, take a joke. No I was just passing through and decided to visit and make sure your ok.' He asked actually serious.
'I am fine, I don't need you checking up on me. I have enough of that with mother.'
'We only want to help.'
'I don't need your help what I need is everyone else to stop trying to screw this up more than it already is. So how about you go away and leave us alone. If I want something I will ask.' I told him firmly before turning around and walking away.
(Percy)
'How do you put up with her when she is like that?' Apollo asked turning to me as we watched the goddess walk back inside her tent.
'I don't know I just guess I am used to it by now. You just manage to annoy her by simple proximity I guess. I have to work towards it and I find it is rarely worth it.'
'Bro I don't know whether to pity you or envy you.' Apollo told me shaking his head in confusion.
'Dude she is your sister.' I told him with a frown.
'Huh… no eww. What I meant was I envy the fact that you can actually talk to her without her trying to kill you ninety-nine percent of the time. We used to actually get along before she got the first of the girl scouts and became this rampant man-hater she is now. Back when she was my cool big sis and not trying to eviscerate me for trying to seduce one of her minions.'
'Are you not seeing where the problem is with what you just said?' I asked him noting the absurdity of his problem.
'What can I say I am a guy, I've got needs just like anyone else.' He proclaimed causing me to face palm.
'You don't see me trying it on with every girl I meet do you and guess what surprise she actually likes me.' I said simply.
'That's because if you did try it on with other girls I would kill you for breaking my sis's heart.' He said smiling and I had to resist the urge to face palm again. He really was egotistical.
We were both suddenly distracted as a tent door opened and Reyna slowly shuffled out before slowly stretching her arms above her head revealing a decent part of her midriff. However as she did so she caught sight of the pair of us and froze mid stretch before noting the god giving her the once over in her pajamas and immediately running back inside hers and Thalia's tent.
'See what I mean, you can't help yourself can you?' I told him shaking my head.
'Hey what can I say I must be cursed or something. Actually I know I am cursed…with being awesome.' He proclaimed proudly causing me to groan.
'I give up…See ya later Apollo. By the way next time you turn up unexpected she will probably try and shoot you out the air, so watch out.' I told him wearily before walking back to Artemis's tent.
'You know you are going to have to tell everyone at some point soon. You can't hide it forever.' He called out and I was tempted to just shout it out to everyone already.
'We know.' I muttered under my breath before entering the tent. Just because we knew we would have to didn't mean we actually wanted to.
'Your brother is the densest individual I have ever met.' I told the two goddesses as I shut the door.
'It has taken you that long to realize that. I learned a few weeks after he was born when he proclaimed he could beat Python with a rock.'
'What happened?'
'It swallowed the rock…then him. You know who had to make it throw him up.' She explained daydreaming as if it was a happy memory she was recalling,
'With his mentality I am surprised he didn't go back the following day with more rocks.' I joked causing Diana to giggle in amusement.
'Oh gods he did didn't he.' I said in realization.
'My brothers aren't known for their intelligence. Even you are not as bad as they can be sometimes, accidentally turning into a girl aside.'
'Yeah well you don't know what Diana did afterwards do you? Who would you like to explain me or her?' I remarked knowing this was going to be fun to watch as the Roman goddess suddenly froze her head turning towards me slowly with a look of betrayal on her face.
'What does he mean? What did you do?' Artemis said looking at her counterpart with narrowed eyes causing the goddess to squirm under her silver gaze.
'Well I may have…'
(Artemis)
As I looked around the fourteen thrones, I couldn't help but notice that one was still empty with a slight smile.
Aphrodite still wasn't here despite the fact the meeting should have just begun.
'Has anyone seen Aphrodite?' My father impatiently asked the rest of us before focusing on her husband and lover who shrugged in synchronization. I could tell he was beginning to lose patience by the way he was holding his bolt so tight.
'Why can't you just start already, no one cares what the whore has to say anyway?' Diana chimed from the back of my head, her temporary prison due to me not forgiving her for what she had done with 'Persee'. Not that he was getting out of it so easy either when I got back. no wonder she had been so insistent not to join up and share the memory after the event. So now if I had to suffer so did she.
'Because father is so rigged up in protocol and tradition that he won't begin until she turns up.' I explained bumping my head off the back of my throne.
'Even when she is not here, she makes everything worse. I have things I could be doing now you know.' Diana complained.
'Yeah I will just tell father your complaint. I can imagine it now. Hi Dad I can't be bothered with the meeting I am going home to sleep and make out with our boyfriend all day. K thanks bye.' I joked before hearing a noticeable huff from my other half before the sight of the missing goddess appearing to my far left caused me to turn my attention back to the meeting at hand.
Unlike usual the goddess didn't seem to be trying to impress everyone else particularly the males in the council with the way she looked and if anything seemed to be trying to doing the opposite. Rather than her usual revealing outfits and make up she seemed to have given up and just gone with a plain pair of jeans and a ski jacket that was zipped up all the way to the top. However as she moved her head slightly I saw the reason, the ugly cut that was still present on her neck was barely hidden below the collar.
'Aphrodite where have you been?' My father demanded.
'Make-up.' She muttered barely loud enough to hear.
'Looks like you need a refund.' My step-mother chimed in amusement and I had to smile at the whole situation. Sure it didn't make up for what she had done but it helped towards making me feel better at least.
'Now everyone is here. We can begin this meeting.' Father declared casting a scathing look at the goddess.
'Wake me up when it is over.' Diana pleaded before I quashed her plea.
'Does anyone have any news to declare?' Father asked looking around the room.
'I am bored does that count.' Hermes remarked pulling out his phone.
'I've got a date in a few hours.' Apollo announced.
'This year's cereal crop was good.' Demeter added causing everyone to groan in synchrony.
'Does anyone have any important news?' My father said with a sigh. At least he didn't bother to complain with the fact no one really cared about this point in the meeting. The actual meetings where we had actual important information were few and far between.
'How about were pregnant.' Diana shouted from inside my head jokingly.
'Pallas was released from Tartarus last week.' Hermes explained not turning from the phone he was holding in his lap.
'Wait-What?' I spat out as I focused on the sandy haired god.
'We released Pallas because he swore that Oath that we agreed with Percy for the release of the neutral Titans. Why is there a problem?' Hermes explained before momentarily looking up at me and I had to struggle to maintain a straight face and hide the fact I wanted to freak out. Yeah no problem other than his insane wife wants to him to kill Percy.
'No I just wanted to make sure I heard right.' I replied Percy hadn't been back to Orthrys in weeks so he wouldn't have found out.
'Olympus we have a problem.' Diana commented.
'Like he needed to swear an oath I would just kick his ass.' Ares scoffed arrogantly.
'I seem to recall him kicking your ass last time. Or is your tiny brain confusing him with the giant one?' Athena remarked coldly causing the war god to go silent.
'Enough the only Titans I care about is the ones who pose a threat to this council.' My father declared turning to Poseidon.
'Still no sign of Tethys and Oceanus's chances of escaping Tartarus are slim to none for at least a few centuries.' My uncle explained and in noted he seemed to be fitting a little snuggly in his throne. Causing me to remember he had grown by a few feet after Pontus's gift. Thankfully no one else seemed to have noticed the situation or at least remarked about it.
'Even so she has proved more than capable of striking without detection we will need to remain vigilant for when she reappears.' Athena added.
'Any thing else? My father asked causing everyone to look at each other just in case well except for those who were too preoccupied such as Dionysius who was asleep with a magazine on his lap.
'Lord Zeus if we may speak.' Three voices said as one causing us to turn towards the door where three familiar old ladies were standing.
'How may I help you ladies?' My father asked addressing them politely. They were just about the only people he ever spoke to politely for fear of their power. That and the cudgels they wielded with surprising skill.
'Certain individuals here are not being entirely honest with the news. Isn't that right Poseidon but before we go into that we may as well invite the other guilty members.' Clotho stated before clicking her fingers causing a small cloud of mist to appear in between them and the council before just as quickly fading revealing four very familiar and confused individuals. Though two of them had more immediate concerns of not trying to eat the dirt.
You see fish tails are not designed to be used out of water as Amphitrite learned pretty quickly as she fell face forward onto the marble floor only just throwing her hands out in front of her to catch herself. Triton had a bit more luck due to his nature of having two tales allowing him to simulate legs to some degree though he soon changed before helping his mother up. Tyson and Percy were a bit luckier in that they landed on their feet although they looked confused as to why they were here.
'Lord Zeus what is the meaning of this?' The queen of the sea demanded angrily from my father who was as confused as the rest of the council. I was pretty sure only myself and Poseidon had a clue this was about Pontus.
'Actually it was us who summoned you.' Clotho explained causing Amphitrite to turn around angrily and stare at the fates.
I turned my attention to Percy who seemed to have got his bearing faster than the others and had focused on me. I silently mouthed the words 'We've got problems.' Thankfully he seemed to understand and nodded.
'Why exactly?' Triton asked voicing the general question on most peoples lips.
'Oh you know the little incident a couple months back involving a certain primordial god and bequeathing of power to individuals in this room. Though of course the four of you are not alone are they Lord Poseidon, Lady Artemis. By the way Poseidon we don't appreciate being threatened.' Clotho remarked with a smirk on her old face.
'Brother what is the meaning of this explain!' My father demanded from the god next to him while a few eyes looked at me curiously wondering how I was involved.
'Pontus came to my palace and asked for Percy to kill him.' He said emotionlessly causing all eyes to turn to the Titan Lord.
'Hey I just did what the guy asked me too, if anything it was assisted suicide.' Percy exclaimed raising his hands up defensively.
'Makes sense the boy has the only known means by which to slay an immortal.' Athena deduced aloud.
'What this about bequeathing power though, why was I not made aware?' Father said angrily.
'Because you would over react like always. Yes those here, myself and Artemis received a fraction of his power. It was also how Perseus became a full Immortal.' Poseidon explained wearily causing his brother to turn red.
'I should have been consulted! This is unacceptable!' Father ranted back at him.
'Be that as it may Father but there is nothing that can be done about it now. I would like to hear what they each got out of this.' Athena stated and I didn't know whether to thank her or groan as people would then hear about me.
'I agree with Athena I am more curious what they gained besides I am even more interested in how Artemis is involved.' Gods dammit Hera.
'Hmph explain.' Father demanded before slouching in his chair looking at the group in front of him while Amphitrite glared daggers back at him.
'I gained true mastery of the Oceans and Amphitrite gained the same of the Seas. Tyson is now god of Cyclops. Triton is Lord of the Depths. Percy and Artemis gained the domains of tides to share.' Poseidon explained simply though everyone seemed to focus on the last statement.
'Arr. They share another domain how cute.' Aphrodite added with a giggle.
'What do you mean the boy has another domain! Every time we turn our back on him for five minutes he comes back with more power. He is becoming more and more of a threat.' Father said getting to his feet and staring at Percy bolt held in hand. Best not to tell him about the Sword then just yet then.
'Lord Zeus if I may defend myself, this happened months ago and I have made completely no effort to do anything against you. I am sure other council members can testify that I have done nothing out of the ordinary with this new power short of pulling of a few pranks on Lady Artemis's hunters in revenge for their own. Which I may point out is still a favor I am doing for this council without recompense.' Percy explained locking eyes with my father's before my father pulled away after a period causing Percy to sigh in relief when the god wasn't looking.
'How did you become involved in this Artemis?' Athena asked curiously.
'I just happened to be with Perseus when he went to Atlantis after he was injured because he was unable to flash around.' I said simply.
'So you got a domain for a taxi fare, you are so lucky.' Hermes complained.
'Pretty much.' I said in agreement with the basic summary causing a few chortles of amusement throughout the room.
'I want one too.' Ares complained only to be ignored.
'Enough. Poseidon I want an explanation afterwards. The rest of you get out of here. Perseus you are treading on thin ice. One more incident and you will be in Tartarus before you even register the shock of this bolt.' Father said surprisingly calmly considering he was giving someone a death threat. I couldn't help but think that it didn't bode well for my boyfriend.
'So I guess we aren't telling him today then.' Diana remarked sarcastically.
'What do you think?' I thought back.
'Yes Lord Zeus I understand.' Percy said before bowing and turning to leave.
'Anything else Ladies?' Father said addressing the fates who merely shook their heads causing me to want to sigh in relief.
'Very well then thank you for bringing certain events to light, hope to see you again.' He told them to which they nodded and turned to leave with the left and right twin disappearing into fog that surrounded them before Clotho suddenly paused mid stride and turned around so she was looking directly at Percy with a smile on her wrinkled lips.
'Don't you do it you bitch!' Diana shouted in my head and I had to silently echo the statement.
'Oh how silly of us. We forgot the main reason we came after all.' She said with a smile.
'Which is?' Hades asked with a raised eyebrow.
'To congratulate Perseus and Artemis on the pregnancy of course.' She said laughing before disappearing as the entire room turned from the two of us towards my father.
'Well I'm fucked.' No prizes for who said that.
AN. Well here it is finally, the big reveal is upon us. Will Zeus take the news sitting down or will he be a Ass about it. who knows... no one well except me.
As the saying goes you cant fight fate because they are three vindictive bitches and they will screw you over at the worst possible time.
The next chapter should be a lot longer, so expect it to take a bit longer to come out though you have had four chapters this week so be happy.
so comment what you would like to see and I will try and incorporate them where possible.
So as always please read and review.