All Rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 79

Pirates and Pegasi

(Artemis)

'If it isn't here soon I am eating the donuts.' I told Percy in annoyance at being outside in the frost and fog. Stupid horse couldn't even turn up on time.

'You mean finish them, I noticed you stealing one earlier. You're not as stealthy as you think you are. Besides you still have sprinkles on your top.' He remarked with a grin as I hurriedly brushed myself down.

'Hey I am not just feeding for me you know.' I defended indignantly careful to keep my voice down, we may not have been in the camp proper but voices could still carry back.

'You keep telling yourself that, you weren't much better before if I remember. At least you didn't kill the staff this time.' He said infuriatingly, it wasn't my fault the ditzs' they employed kept flirting with Percy. As a benefit monster unemployment was low if you wanted to work as a cashier due to high staff turnover.

'About time one of them realized it was bad idea.' I said crossing my arms.

'What can I say, I am a popular guy.' He added still grinning.

'Yeah you are how many people want to kill you again?' I said sarcastically causing him to rub the back of his head nervously.

'Exactly, I can always increase it by a dozen if you want.'

'Yeah can I have Christmas before I die.' He said in mock pleading.

'I will think about it.' I said with a cruel smile.

'That reassures me so much…We got company.' He said though I noticed that he started to frown looking skyward though the fog obscured vision past a dozen meters.

'What's the matter?'

'He has company, There are two monsters with him.' He said drawing Hurricane and I drew my bow in response. I noticed his wings suddenly appear only to disappear just as quickly as he remembered his inability to fly at the moment.

Before I could comment a black silhouette appeared in the fog coming into land nearby before coming towards us both of us pointing our weapons in its direction.

'Blackjack what the hell is going on?' Percy called as the Pegasi became clearly visible. The horse looked at the pair of us and the weapons we held before coming to an immediate stop and lifting his head and neighing. Apparently my newfound ability to talk to fishes did not cover horses, clearly that was purely hereditary to children of Poseidon.

'Blackjack what do you mean your dad and my brother? There are two monsters.' Percy called back. It was really annoying only being able to hear one side of the conversation, however it allowed me to concentrate on what Percy said.

'Percy, The original Pegasus is technically a monster though his offspring are classified as animals.' I remarked before the Pegasi could reply. Sure enough Pegasus was pretty treated as a divine animal by us gods but his origin as a child of Poseidon and Medusa meant he was either a demigod or a monster and he certainly wasn't the first.

'Ok then who is the other one.' Percy added causing the horse to reply and Percy to frown even further.

'Black what the hell is Chrysaor doing here? Shouldn't he being busy being a Pirate back on the Mediterranean?' Percy said angrily causing the Pegasi's hoof to twitch nervously as he whinnied in reply.

'I don't mind your dad Blackjack, admittedly I have wanted to meet him the point is. Why. Is. Chrysaor. Here?'

(Percy)

'I don't know why boss. I told my dad about what you said and he said he wanted to meet you. He just turned up with him saying he wanted to meet you again. I didn't know he was a bad guy.' Blackjack replied causing me to groan. This was going nowhere, the only way I would find out what the hades my 'siblings' wanted was to talk to them.

'Black go tell them to land and tell the Pirate if he tries anything I won't hesitate to send him to see your grandmother.' I said threateningly.

'Hey don't shoot the messenger boss, back in a second.' Blackjack replied before moving to a canter and flapping his wings taking off into the fog.

'Are you insane?' Artemis asked skeptically.

'Possibly. He tries anything take his damned head off.' I told her grinning. I was actually curious to see the pirate again. There was something I wanted to put to rest from our last encounter. Who would win in a fair sword fight?

'I hope he tries something. He looks at me funny and I will be feeding Nemea seafood.' Artemis joked holding her bow at her side though she remained holding the arrow in her other hand. I did the same with Hurricane, if it had been someone else I may have traded the silver blade for Maelstrom. But truthfully I did not want to be responsible for killing one of my brothers permanently even if he was a monster. Would put a real downer on my next conversation with my dad after all.

'I am more worried she will just turn up and eat him anyway. Hopefully the damp weather will keep her away or interfere with her sense of smell so she doesn't notice.' I joked; it would be amusing explaining that one.

'Incoming' Blackjack called before flying just over my head and touching down. Several seconds later a much larger mass glided down before gracefully landing and wheeling around and I got my first look at the real Pegasus. The first thought running through my head was 'That is a BIG horse.' Blackjack was large by regular horse standards being only slightly smaller than a draught horse but Pegasus towered over his son and was easily five or six hands taller than him and proportionally longer. So much so that the figure barely visible riding him looked comical. However I was unable to get a better look at the rider as he became hidden behind his brother's mass when Pegasus turned towards us and cantered towards us before stopping five feet in front of us.

'Lady Artemis, Perseus.' Pegasus said calmly bowing his head forward slightly respectfully in Artemis direction. So she understood the gesture even if she couldn't understand the words. In response Artemis tilted her head slightly in acknowledgment only to be interrupted by the sudden appearance of Pegasus's rider.

'Where the fuck is my ship!' Chrysaor demanded leaping of Pegasus's back and glaring at me holding his sword which remained sheathed fortunately for him as Artemis immediately pointed her bow at him. The pirate had clearly seen better days going by the state of his damaged clothes and his now missing golden mask. Without it he resembled his mother or what I had seen of her through that crystal ball so long ago. The same cold hearted expression and small boar tusks at the corners of his mouth. The only difference was the absence of snake hair instead he had a matted mass of black hair like most children of Poseidon and the fact he had Caucasian skin. Clearly he had got over his phobia of being seen without his mask since last time.

Fortunately for him Pegasus interposed his neck between Artemis's bow and Chrysaor. Not that it would actually do anything to stop an arrow from that bow.

'Brother if you wish to die, please do it when I am not next to you.' Pegasus snorted before turning back to us as the pirate crossed his arms in annoyance and leaned against his larger brother's flank turning away from us.

'What can I help you with Pegasus?' I asked curiously.

'I wanted to meet the one who wants my son and by association me to be his sacred animal.'

'And what about him?' I said nodding towards Chrysaor.

'He wants his ship back, I thought he made it pretty clear just now.' Pegasus replied with a tone of amusement.

'I don't know, the butt ugly Captain Jack Sparrow look suits him, besides I don't even have it. Ask Dionysius he has it now.' I replied with a grin calling out the last statement so Chrysaor could hear. As he snapped his head back towards me looking furious. Whether it was the pirate of the Caribbean reference or his ships current owner I didn't know.

'I am going to kill you.' He mouthed.

'I dare you to try.' Artemis replied bow still at the ready.

'Stay out of this goddess!' Chrysaor shouted back in annoyance before stumbling backwards as Pegasus moved to the side in an effort to get out of the firing line. Clearly even the horse had limits to how far family ties stretched when it came to personal safety and suicidal siblings.

'Why don't you take it up with the drunk, the guy couldn't win a sword fight with a toddler, you would kick his ass from here to the Mare Rostrum with your skill.'

'Brother shut up about the boat. he clearly doesn't have it, so your attitude is going to accomplish nothing but getting the pair of us killed and I would rather not spend time in Tartarus. There is a distinct lack of female company in the pit for me, besides I am not in a rush to get re-acquainted with mother. Even if you do have a face only she could love. Now let me deal with important matters. Now Perseus why should I allow my son such an honor?'Pegasus asked as his brother stood in silent anger.

'First my name is Percy second I wan-.'

'What difference does it make?' Chrysaor spat and I couldn't help but smile as I relinquished control of my body to my aspect.

'Don't kill him.' I said simply and though Perseus remained silent I could practically imagine him smiling from ear to ear.

All I had to was watch as time practically slowed down around us as Perseus launched us forward, a bi-metal blade forming in our free hand mid-stride only to stop inches from the pirates throat.

'That's the difference.' Artemis remarked gleefully as Chrysaor palely looked down at the sword and me into the eyes.

'The only thing stopping me smearing you over this forest with a wave of a hand is my other self's kind-hearted nature. Something I lack, so don't tempt me pirate.' Perseus sneered threateningly before jumping backwards a few feet and turning around.

'Please, Please, Please.' Perseus chanted in our head hoping the pirate would try and attack but either he was intimidated enough not to try anything or had enough honor to not attack an opponent from behind. 'Boring.' He groaned before turning control back over to me.

'Forgive any insult Percy that I or my brother may have caused. Can we get back to the point in hand?' Pegasus asked nervously eyeing the blades in my hand, so I reverted Maelstrom back into its watch form, though I kept a hold of Hurricane just in case.

'It is fine, you would not have known. Yes I want Blackjack to become one of my personal sacred animals. I am not claiming ownership of him nor you or any of your other descendants. I merely want to reward him for years of service.' I explained.

'One?'

'The other is the Nemean Lioness, she is around here somewhere.'

'Indeed you don't go for half measures do you? Blackjack come over here.' Pegasus asked causing the smaller Pegasi to trot over.

'Sure thing Dad, hey boss.'

'Why do you call him boss?'

'Don't look at me, I gave up one trying to stop him years ago.' I explained as Pegasus looked at me curiously tilting his head.

'Boss saved me from Kronos's minions so I owe him, besides it is less embarrassing than calling him Uncle Percy.' Blackjack snickered and I had to agree that was far too awkward to consider further.

'When you put it like that it is understandable. Blackjack do you want to accept this honor?'

'Do we not both prefer our mares tall, dark and feisty. Of course I do dad.' Blackjack snarked and I had to cringe at his choice of words something Chrysaor seemed to mirror.

'What did the horse say?' Artemis asked looking at me.

'You don't want to know.' I whispered back.

'In that case I will allow you to do as you please under one condition. You beat Chrysaor in a fair duel, no powers. Just blades and skill. If you do I won't allow you too. First blood or to concede defeat.' Pegasus explained causing me to groan to myself as the Pirate suddenly turned towards me with a cruel smile on his face. I realized exactly why Pegasus wanted him to be here, he wanted me to prove I was worthy. Sure enough I couldn't blame him, what was to stop any pretentious god from claiming Pegasi as a sacred animal. By making them duel for the honor against someone as skilled as Chrysaor, they would be sure to lose or in frustration resort to powers and therefore forfeit.

'Artemis stand back and don't interfere.'

'What do you mean?' She asked accusingly.

'I have to duel Chrysaor if I win I get Blackjack, if he wins I don't.' I explained causing her to frown.

'If you lose to a two-bit pirate I will never let you live this down.' She threatened mockingly before stepping back a few meters, meanwhile Chrysaor eagerly stepped in front of Pegasus and drew his Enchanted Gold sword (did it classify as Imperial Gold if it was older than Rome?)

To make things fair I traded Hurricane for Riptide, after all the Silver blade had the ability to phase shift through an obstruction such as another sword or a shield if it would mean I could hit a target on the far side.

Both of us held our swords one-handed in our right hand as we faced each other a few meters apart.

'Tell you what Chrysaor you win I will help you get your ship back but if I win you have to do what I tell you.' I proposed with a grin as a thought flashed through my head. I had no intention of losing but even so, I had nothing stopping me beating Dionysius senseless until he coughed up the whereabouts of the ship.

'Do what?' He asked through focused eyes keeping his eye on my blade in case my conversation was a feint.

'Oh don't you worry about it will be good for you in the long run, think of it as a surprise.' I said smiling before reverting to focus on the task at hand.

'Doesn't matter like last time I won't lose. And this time you will not cheat me out of my victory.' He spat in annoyance.

'Let me fight. Pleeease.' Perseus asked eagerly in my head.

'No this is my battle. It was me he beat last time besides you would forget about the whole no powers condition in an effort to make it look like a flawless victory.' I told him just in time to catch Chrysaor begin to move forward, sword held out wide in an effort to sweep across my front which I hastily parried downwards our blades passing between our bodies narrowly missing either of our legs.

Immediately I reversed my grip in an effort to slash across his chest on the backswing only to stagger backwards as he used his free hand to deliver a cross and punch me in the face.

'Not so confident now are you.' Chrysaor said with a smirk as I spat a small amount of Ichor out.

'Two can play that game, you want to play dirty then so be it.'

'Dirty, Hello Pirate.' He replied mockingly pointing at himself.

'Former Pirate actually.' I added causing his smirk to fade. As I went back on the attack more cautious time as I focused on what the rest of his body was doing as well as his sword. I started off with a straight thrust which he easily parried to the side as per my expectation but I used my newfound sideways momentum to complete a full three sixty swing with an initial feint with Riptide, before striking with my shin to his mid-riff knocking the pirate off his feet and to the side as he rolled to his feet and recovered.

'Not bad.' He remarked through gritted teeth suggesting the blow had at least hurt him. Of course this time it was me on the defensive as he went on the attack both of us hastily striking, parrying and dodging the others swings in an all out war of attrition over who would make the first mistake. If either of us had been using an ordinary mortal steel blade they would have long since become notched and broken under the force of our blows. What became clear was that I had more strength but he had greater reflexes allowing him to counter or avoid my moves just in time.

Even so neither of us could be described as untouched as both of us sported what would no doubt end up a nice collection of bruises on top of the clothing damage we each had from narrowly avoided attacks.

It was only by chance I managed to avoid a surprise knife attack to the chest after I had caught a overhead swing with my free hand and had thrown him over my shoulder where he hastily rolled to his feet before I could capitalize on my temporary victim. Of course I had lunged forward again but as I did so I noticed the small glint of metal in what should have been his free hand and I hurriedly summoned by damaged wings to increase my drag and stop me impaling myself on the hidden blade.

'Come now that has to be cheating.' Chrysaor complained looking at Pegasus.

'If he had flown I might have agreed but he only slowed himself down so carry on they are technically a part of his body.' The unofficial judge stated in my favor at least he wasn't biased I suppose.

'Put the bread knife away.' I said mockingly gesturing towards the blade he held in his left hand. It was little larger than a switchblade and easily concealable in what must have been his boot, meaning he must have retrieved it when I knocked him to the floor.

'Why can't keep up with someone with two weapons?'

'Pleeease I carry more blades than half a council, if you want to play with real swords at least fight with a real sword. Use this instead.' I explained tossing Riptide at his feet before summoning Maelstrom and its blunt twin to hand though I kept the real one in its sheath.

'I can't wait to see the look on your smug face when I make you get my ship back.' Chrysaor stated before sliding his Gold sword underneath Riptide and flipping it into the air before catching the grip at the apex of its arc in a reverse grip whereas I kept both swords straight in front of me. Besides I had a full foot of extra length on both blades compared to him.

Of course blade length wasn't everything as I had learned from my duel with Ares though this time I was the one with the advantage and Chrysaor was a lot better than I had been when I was twelve. Meaning he knew he had to get in close to stand a chance as he charged forward swinging his right-handed sword in a right upwards movement which I easily blocked, before his left hand sword followed soon after as he turned his body in a clockwise motion repeating the blows again and again only changing the angle of his attacks. The thing was due to the constant barrage of attacks his rotation caused I was unable to go on the attack instead he was slowly forcing me back step by step.

'Are you actually going to try and attack him or what?' Perseus complained throwing me off guard as I narrowly avoided a strike from Riptide that would have severed my throat otherwise.

'Busy.' I hissed as I deflected the golden blades next upwards swing.

'If you are waiting for him to throw up from all the spinning, I don't blame you it is starting to make me queasy just watching. Then again he is a pirate so he must be used to motion sickness.' He mused unhelpfully.

'Unless you have anything important to say shut up for a few minutes!'

'Just stop him spinning and problem solved, as good as his reflexes are if you slam him to a dead stop it will still stun him for a second. Then do this.' He explained before flashing me an image of what he meant.

'If I do that Zoe will kill me.'

'Not if you fix it.' He said laughing as his voice faded into my subconscious. Regardless of the consequences it might just work.

What I needed was him to go for a dual low sweep, yet at the moment he seemed intent on trying to attack anything above the waist which would not work for what we had planned. Therefore I had to force him low which meant I had to risk the safety of defense and enter the cyclone of blades around him even if for only one strike.

Regardless as soon as I hastily blocked Riptide at the end of a rotation it meant I had approximately half a second until the gold blade reappeared which I used to thrust out with the Maelstrom clone towards his head which he easily leaned around with a smirk as his knee bent a little signaling to me that the feint worked. Due to his rotation he did not see me drop the sword as I hurriedly grabbed the real sword in both hands and plunged it downwards into the soil and gripped it tightly as the next cycle began.

The golden sword struck the sheathed blade like it had hit a solid wall causing the blow to jar both of our arms. Yet even so he still had the momentum in the rest of his body as Riptide followed a split second later and struck just below its counterpart before becoming wedged into the sheath half an inch. Something that would have been impossible if Maelstrom was still within it.

Yet as soon as the first sword struck I had began to withdraw my blade from its cover, careful to keep it partially inside so to keep the sheath straight, if it yielded at this point it would ruin everything. Just as the bronze sword became wedged I completed the upwards motion and jerked the deadly blade clear before bringing it down two-handed directly across the flats of both motionless blades.

Celestial Bronze and Imperial Gold were tough but they were far from indestructible as I had seen many a time before. Most were made so that the edges never became notched or blunt not that it mattered, I doubt Hephaestus could have made a sword that could survive what I was about to do to them.

The golden blade was forced down under the impact from above only to halt as it caught on the embedded blade below it. It was at this point that any sign of a smile disappeared from my half-brother's face as he understood what was about to happen. Then again I was not exactly going to enjoy what I was doing as I watched my blade snap his golden one in two just above the hilt before beginning to repeat the process on my own faithful blade. I like to think that it put up more resistance than his did under the abuse I was inflicting on it but there was no way to test that. One moment the Hesperide made blade was intact and the next it wasn't as Maelstrom impacted with the ground beneath it the two halves remaining motionless due to the cleanness of the strike. One half still wedged in the sheath the rest still in the pirate's hand.

As soon as I had completed the motion I backed up as quickly as possible to avoid the repercussions from the attack, going so far to leave Maelstrom where it lay embedded. Chrysaor had come to much the same conclusion as he hastily chucked the golden hilt as far as possible and hit the deck hard, just in time to see the weapon explode in a shower of Imperial gold fragments as the energy within ripped the remnants apart. It was like watching an Imperial Gold hand grenade go off.

As soon as the light had cleared I was already in motion charging towards the pirate as I summoned my spear and shield to hand. Just as I was closing in he rolled backwards to his feet still holding the bronze hilt in front of him, a few inches of jagged bronze all that remained of it.

'You lost yield.' I said matter of factly holding the flaming spear out in front of me level with his chest.

'I will never surrender, you will have to kill me.' He spat in defiance holding the wrecked blade out proudly.

'Perseus wins.'Pegasus announced from behind us.

'This is not over brother!' Chrysaor shouted at the stallion.

'Brother I cannot claim to know about combat like you two can but even I know flaming spears beat broken swords.' He replied in amusement at his brother's defiance of the obvious. Chrysaor meanwhile had caught sight of something he believed would give him a chance.

'Go ahead but you won't even be able to lift it, let alone use.' I told him looking at Maelstrom the blade slowly falling downwards as the loam supporting it yielded to the cutting edge.

'First my ships, then my sword and now my pride.'

'Dude you were practically kicking my ass and that is a feat that not many can attest to. Besides you are one of less than a handful who can claim to ever beat me in combat. I would say you still have your honor. Compared to say the Minotaur, who practically cries whenever he sees me.'

'Brother enough he has won and he is correct there is a time to admit your defeat. Think of it as you both being even.'

'He broke my sword!'

'I also broke my own sword, if I hadn't I would still be avoiding your attacks now.'

'I doubt it I was about ready to throw up. I concede in defeat.' Chrysaor said with a sigh falling backwards in exhaustion as I returned my weapons to their normal forms.

'Percy you have earned the right for my children to follow you.' Pegasus stated doing his best impression of a regal bow.

'You don't have to bow to me, I am not a god and I don't like to be treated like one. I am your brother not your master.' I explained sincerely avoiding the aggravated cough from the goddess nearby.

Any further conversation was halted by the arrival of more than a dozen new comers who upon seeing the scene in front of them all pointed their weapons at the downed pirate except in Nemea's case who was looking at Pegasus hungrily. The most hilarious thing about the whole situation was the trio of Zoe, Thalia and Reyna all riding the Lioness weapon in hand before jumping off. Zoe must have borrowed Reyna's bow judging by the fact she was holding her spear instead.

'Girls lower your weapons.' Artemis said commandingly before they reluctantly did as she told.

'Long way from the sea Pirate and still as ugly as ever.' Zoe remarked.

'Says the should be dead Hesperide.' Chrysaor remarked sarcastically sitting up and looking at her to confirm her identity.

'What can I say I got better. Better than your recent fortunes, no ship, no crew and you haven't even got your namesake blade anymore.' She said glibly looking at the bronze shard at his side.

'This isn't mine it is his.' Chrysaor said pointing at me and the hunter looked at me confused before recognition hit her.

'Perseus three questions one is that what I think it is? Two why does he have it? And three WHY IS IT BROKEN?' Zoe yelled practically screaming.

'I can fix it I swear, please don't kill me.' I pleaded in defense.

'Kill him!' Tania shouted from among the hunters.

'Ten…Nine…' Zoe began to count down pointing her bow at me.

'Time for a bit of brotherly love, toss me it quick or she kills us both.' I told Chrysaor rapidly as hurriedly scooped up the damage sword hilt and tossed it to me and I hurriedly caught it and began to focus on it.

'Three… Two…'

'There good as new.' I announced holding the intact sword out just as she finished counting off.

'Break it again and I am taking it back.' She said glaring before relaxing the bowstring.

'Zoe I would appreciate if you didn't kill my… Our guardian. Girls go back and get breakfast, we are moving camp shortly.' Artemis announced causing a lot of groaning from the hunters.

'Don't give me that, the weather here is awful. Besides I think we can have some fun with where we are going.' She added and I was just as confused as they were she hadn't told me about this.

'It better not be the camp.' Atlanta said causing Artemis to grin.

'Oh no it is better than that but it is a surprise. You have an hour to pack your things.' Artemis explained keeping tight lipped beyond that as the hunters began to run back to the campsite. With the exception of Zoe who had nothing to pack at this point.

'Can someone tell her to stop licking her lips.' Pegasus asked nervously eyeing the still present Lioness.

'Nemea fetch.' I said summoning a large wild boar which she hastily began to tear apart as I screamed in pain before going silent.

'Better it than me.' Chrysaor said nervously eyeing the blood splattered Lioness.

'That we can agree on brother. She appears different from what I remember of her though.'

'You haven't seen nothing yet Nemea… Bacon.' I commanded summoning another smaller boar nearby which was immediately doused in flames from the Lioness's maw.

'Please don't tell me that is a product of her becoming a sacred animal. The last thing I need is my son accidentally setting himself on fire.'Pegasus remarked as the flames faded revealing one crispy piggy.

'Come on dad that would be awesome, your just being jealous.' Blackjack remarked playfully.

'Luckily for you Pegasus that is her own ability, so unlucky Black, though I have some idea what you might get out of it. Blackjack do you want to be the most badass flying horse ever?' I asked earning a cough from the older Pegasi.

'Step aside Dad it is my time to shine now. Yo boss let's get this over with.' Blackjack said arrogantly trotting forward past his father who muttered something about dropping him on his head a few times as a foal. Like before with Nemea I placed a hand on his head and allowed the change to come naturally.

Before long the pair of us were enveloped in light. As it faded I found myself still facing the horse though as I suspected his eye color matched my own just like Nemea's did. I was forced to step back to notice the other changes which was lucky because Blackjack used the opportunity to rear up onto his hind quarters and wave his hoofs. Which were now Imperial Gold by the looks of things. I guess he really could stomp my enemies to death now. Other ascetic changes included the front feathers of his wings becoming shiny and more metallic and him being larger though he was still a hand or two shorter than his father.

'Boss what is up with my feathers?' Blackjack asked struggling to turn his head far enough and see them for himself. I decided to step around him and see for myself running a hand over tip carefully feeling the sharp edges to them. Well it was obvious where that trait came from, as I looked at the metallic feather further I began to recognize the metal that composed them after all it was the same substance that was on my left wrist.

'Black you have got Adamantium wings.' I summarized simply before jumping on his back. however this act triggered another unexpected change in the pair of us as suddenly everything else became very small in comparison. I had unexpectedly triggered my 'godly' form and yet strangely I was still very much able to ride Blackjack because he had scaled up with me.

'Suck it Dad who's top horse now.' Blackjack called down at the other horse who only now came up to his chest. Before Blackjack reared back again before slamming his hooves into the ground causing the ground to shake slightly.

'This is awesome boss!' He said trotting around in a circle meanwhile my mind was on over drive about how I could use this fact in the future.

'Can we go now, he is just showing off.' Chrysaor complained to Pegasus as I decided to end Blackjack's fun and revert to normal size which apparently affected him too. Much to his disappointment.

'You still have to do as I tell you.' I pointed out.

'I never agreed to that.'

'You did when you kept saying I was going to get your boat back, works both ways.' I corrected causing him to sneer.

'So what way have you decided to ruin my life further?'

'Oh no consider it a life lesson, I want you to go to Camp Half-Blood and volunteer to be the new swordsmanship trainer for a few years. As good as Nico and Jason are they are busy managing domains and the camps and you are a lot better than they are. Do a good enough job and I will see about getting your boat back, perhaps then you can sail the Oceans and deal with the modern wannabe imitation pirates that attack the mortals. What is the term? That's it you can be a Privateer. There you go follow the rules and you get to sail again. If you don't well you can visit your mum because then all powers are in effect and all bets are off.' I told him seriously making him aware of what any funny business would result in.

'You want me to get… A Job?' Chrysaor asked wide eyed blinking repeatedly.

'Simply put yeah, hey it isn't that bad I don't hang around here for the company after a-.' I remarked sarcastically only to be dragged of Blackjack's back by a certain goddess as she threw me to the floor and pinned me down.

'By the looks of things that is the entire reason you are here brother!' Pegasus laughed.

'Too bad the maiden goddess will never love him bac-' Chrysaor commented only to go silent as Artemis planted a kiss on my lips and I used my hand to flip him the bird in triumph.

'You were saying Pirate? Don't you have some classes to teach?' Artemis said after pulling aware and glaring at the dumbstruck duo who were both doing their best guppy impressions.

'You would be advised to keep that quiet for a week or so or I won't stop her hunting either of you down.' I explained from my position beneath her.

'Right classes fun… Err brother where is Camp Half-Blood these days been centuries since I last pillaged it. I mean visited.' He hastily corrected grabbing onto Pegasus's mane and swinging himself onto his back.

'I am not staying, Arion probably still wants to eat me after I spread those stories. By the way Percy if you hear any more little tidbits about him do make sure to tell me or any of my children. I love seeing that smug bastard upset. Oooh look at me I am a god and I can run quickly, your just a monster, sucks to be you. He has the lamest mom in history even if she is an Olympian. She can grow crops mine can turn people to stone just by looking at them.' Pegasus said badly impersonating the horse god, there was by far not enough swear words to actually be passable as Arion.

'Just remind him how he got captured by a bunch of girls who spend most of their day selling My Little Pony merchandise. I guess that makes him a Brony by default.' I said with a smile as the pair of them smirked before Pegasus launched himself forward and took to the air with a mighty flap of his wings.

'How come you have no problem telling random strangers but you can't tell the hunters?' Zoe asked curiously looking down on the pair of us disapprovingly.

'We don't have to live with them and the threat of pain make a great motivator to keep your mouth shut.' I said simply as Artemis rolled of me and got to her feet allowing me to do the same.

'By the way Milady where are we going?' Zoe asked reminding me of that surprise.

'To visit the Romans after all it has been far too long since someone burned it down is it not. Only this time it will be the HUN-TERS who are doing it. Make sure to pack lots of Greek Fire just in case wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to return the favor after all.' She explained with a cruel smile leaving me and the hunter in stunned silence as she made her way back towards the camp.

'Now I see what you love about her, unnecessary violence towards innocents, I approve.' Perseus remarked happily. I had no idea what was running through her head but I doubted it was going to end well for everyone. I would be lucky if I didn't get lynched at the boundary as soon as they recognized me, then again it would take about fifteen minutes for Terminus to disarm me at the boundary.

'This is not going to end well.' Zoe said with a sigh as she followed her mistress.

'Blackjack you can go brag to whoever you want I will call when I need you.'

'Sure thing boss, let's see how the ladies like my new bling.' He remarked before starting to hum a tune that sounded a lot like 'Can't touch this' and taking off.

'Why can't I just have an easy day?' I said sighing to no one in particular before trudging back towards my own tent.

AN. So much use of Bold and Italic so confusing.

Trying to write a fight between two evenly matched fighters is actually really hard to do, monsters you can use their features against them, two swordsmen using near identical blades not so easy. easy enough on camera but to do the same in a story seems a lot harder for me at least.

Originally Blackjack was going to get imperial gold wing tips and a mane but i changed it because i wanted to largely keep his color scheme and Adamantium gets no love in this apart from the shield. Percy doesn't need no chariot not with a super sized Pegasi.

I like writing the aspect of Pegasus and Chrysaor actually bonding as brothers sure they are nothing alike in appearance but they still look out for one another which is something most of the siblings in myths don't do. That and using Chrysaor as a challenge to any two bit god (Dionysius cough) from claiming Pegasi as a sacred animal meant i could bring the pirate back. i like characters that can kick canon percy's ass because they allow me to show development over time and in this case if you take away all of his powers he doesn't automatically win by default like he did versus the Olympians. he still has to work towards the victory and can actually take hits when he lets his guard down. that and he has to use underhanded techniques himself.

Fun fact Maelstrom in current chapters is far more powerful than it was originally. It went from being able to cut through Krios's armor to being able to cut through just about anything if he actually tries. Word of god Canon explanation is that the sword is getting more accustomed to its wielder and as he gains power so does it.

As for Arty mood swing has kicked in and the Romans better watch out.

Thanks for reading and as always please read and review.