Ch18
Annabeth ran through the forested island as she heard the large footsteps behind her. "Demigod where are you?" Polyphemus yelled. "I'll eat you both in one setting."
She covered her mouth to stifle her fear as tears fell down her face. She stumbled on a root and nearly fell but forced herself to run while ignoring the fatigue and hunger that ate her up on the inside. It had been a while since they landed on Polyphemus' Island. The good news was that they found the fleece the bad news was that Polyphemus was trying to kill them.
Clarisse tried to engage the giant cyclops and despite wounding him Polyphemus ended up capturing her.
At least I have my cap. That was the one thing saving grace, Polyphemus wasn't the brightest and so far, she had been able to evade him and his sheep that seemed to eat anything.
She quickly hid behind a few rocks her body shaking as the cyclops' footsteps became louder. "Come on its me," Polyphemus said mimicking Clarisse's voice. "Really come on lets get out of here."
Tears fell down her face as a shiver went down her spine. The memory of her younger days when she was nearly killed by a cyclops replayed in her head and suddenly she was a scared child waiting for Luke and Thalia to protect her. No. No. The memories came back, she froze in terror as they replayed in her head. I won't die here. I can't die here.
"Where are you?" Polyphemus asked mimicking Clarisse.
No please no. Her mind flashed with various memories of her childhood as she froze in terror. She wanted to scream and cry out for Luke and Thalia, it took all her willpower to not make a sound.
"Come on out so we can play," Polyphemus said as he used Clarisse's voice. "We can have so much fun together."
Tears fell down her face as she gripped her knife and drew it, her body shaking as the cyclops walked around where she hid. Suddenly a loud horn blared in the distance.
"Intruders!" Polyphemus roared as he stormed off in the distance.
We have to get out of here. Her body shook as she forced herself up and ran back. However, as she climbed over a hill she noticed a large cruise ship in the distance. Monsters were on board along with a familiar person.
No. She stared at Luke as he descended from the ship with two large bears to meet the cyclops "Polyphemus in the name of the Titan Lord surrender the golden fleece." Monsters quickly left the ship and ran all over the shore.
The Titan Lord? Her body shook, covering her mouth the tears fell down her face. Why Luke. She stared at him, a part of him wanted to scream at him and another wanted to hug him and bring him back.
Polyphemus laughed as he gripped the large stick he held. "The fleece is mine boy. No one shall take it. I shall give it to no one neither Kronos or the gods."
Luke laughed. "Submit to Lord Kronos and you shall prosper. If not you shall perish."
"Never!" Polyphemus yelled. "I shall never bow to anyone. I am the king of this island!"
"Then die!" Luke yelled. The two bears at his side charged at Polyphemus as various monsters swarmed from the deck. The cyclops roared as he batted them away with his stick.
"Secure the fleece!" Luke roared as various monsters emerged from the ship and quickly ran towards where the fleece was.
The cyclops roared as he charged through the monsters squashing them with his arms and stomping on them with his feet. "None shall take my fleece!"
Now's my chance. She forced herself to turn around and run. They had to get the Fleece now while Polyphemus was distracted with Luke. I don't know how we'll get through those monsters or the sheep but we'll think of something, we have to.
Her body was beyond exhausted, her legs staggering with each step but she forced herself to continue forward until she found her teammate strapped to the rocks.
"LET GO OF ME YOU BASTARD!" Clarisse yelled.
She took off her cap and staggered forward. "We have to leave now," he said her lungs aching as she tried to break off the chains with her knife.
Clarisse's eyes widened. "Wise girl? What are you doing?"
Her hands shook as she cut through the chains. "Luke, he and his army are here we have to get the fleece and leave." It hurt to say those words, she wanted to cry more than anything.
Clarisse swore as she fell to the ground and got up. "I'm not letting that bastard have it."
She nodded, the memory of Ares replayed in her head. "Come on, it's guarded we'll think of a way of getting it."
Clarisse nodded and grabbed her arm. "Lets go."
Percy's eyes widened as they approached the island. "Oh no, we are late." In the distance, he could see The Princess Andromeda and the sound of a large battle taking place while a group of monsters were being chewed up by a hoard of sheep.
Lou grabbed his arm. "Look!"
In the distance, he saw a large golden cloth guarded by a bunch of sheep. He nearly had a heart attack when he saw some monsters approach the sheep only to be torn to shreds. "Ok we'll have to do this carefully. Very carefully."
"Lets get it quickly," Alabaster said as he grabbed one of their C.C towels. "Aurum!" The towel quickly turned to the same shade of gold as the fleece on the tree and gave off a magical vibe. "A little trick to keep them off our back."
"Good idea but how are we going to get there?" he asked.
"I can do it," Lou said as she took out a piece of rope from the bag and tied it into a knot. A green aura flickered around her as she took a deep breath before she began to chant in Ancient Greek. Extending her hand the knot turned into a shepherd's crook and floated into the distance. It reverberated a green aura that pulsed through the surroundings.
The sheep looked up and began to move forward the crook as if entranced by a spell. "Come on lets go," Alabaster said with the fake fleece in hand. "I'll cover us with magic."
His heart raced in his chest as they made it to the tree, the sheep were too entranced by Lou's spell to notice them while monsters seemed to be regrouping. Grabbing the fleece he was surprised by how soft it was as he gently pulled it off.
Alabaster quickly put the fake fleece on the tree. "It won't fool him for long."
"Hey!"
He nearly drew Riptide as he turned around and saw Clarisse and Annabeth, the latter who looked as if she had been living in hell the past few days.
"What are you both doing here!" Clarisse yelled angrily. "This isn't your quest!"
"Come on!" He yelled as he held the fleece in hand. "Lets get out of here while Luke is distracted!"
Clarisse's eyes turned hard but neither she nor Annabeth said anything as they raced back to their ship. "Lou help me with the concealment spell," Alabaster said as the ship began to move.
Lou nodded and ended her spell. The sheep returned to their normal selves as another group of monsters came forward and were quickly eaten.
"L-Luke. H-He's there," Annabeth said as she turned to see The Princess Andromeda.
"He wants the fleece to restore Kronos," he said looking at the golden cloth. "He also poisoned Thalia's tree."
Annabeth stared at him with wide eyes, tears falling down her face. "No. No. You're lying he wouldn't do that."
"It's alright," Clarisse softly as she hugged the daughter of Athena.
"How could he," Annabeth muttered her voice a half sob.
He stared at Polyphemus' island, he didn't know how much longer they had but the sooner they got back to camp the better yet as they sailed away the hairs on his neck stood up.
No one spoke on the way back. Alabaster and Lou were focused on the concealment charm, he was focused on steering the ship, and Annabeth and Clarisse kept to themselves and only glared at him when he came into sight.
This was her quest. Looking at the two girls he noticed how beat up they were and a pang hit his heart. "Hey Clarisse." He tossed the golden fleece to her.
The daughter of Ares caught it, her eyes wide. "What?"
He shrugged. "This is your quest. You should finish it. "The healing properties should also help you both."
Clarisse looked at the fleece and nodded, she didn't say a word and he didn't expect her to. But to his surprise, she used the fleece to cover both her and Annabeth.
I guess even she can care for others. After giving them both some of their rations they went to bed while he and Alabaster took turns piloting the ship while everyone else rested. By the time they left the Sea of Monsters he could see a shoreline in the distance with various cruise ships. "Where are we?"
Alabaster squinted. "I think Miami."
Clarisse swore. "Great. How are we supposed to get this back to camp in time?"
"You can make it there by flying," Lou said as she reached into the bag Circe gave them and took out some cash. "Here. We'll also cover you with the mist to make the trip smoother."
"All I ask is that you give this cure to Tyson. Other than that you can claim this quest as your own and we won't say anything" He held out the bag that contained the potion.
Clarisse nodded and took it, her gaze firm. "Deal."
Alabaster then muttered some spells and drew some runes in the air above her. "There you should go." He raised a hand in the air and hailed a cab and worked mist around the cab driver.
Clarisse nodded and turned to Annabeth. "It was nice working with you, Wise Girl."
Annabeth nodded, as what appeared to be respect flickered in her eyes. "Go. Finish your quest."
With that, Clarisse entered the cab and quickly sped off to the airport. "Well I say we find a way back to camp," he muttered.
"I'll go and see if we can call Aunt Medea," Lou offered.
Annabeth frowned. "I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Don't worry she doesn't actually judge people based on assumptions," Alabaster said his eyes flickering in the sunlight.
He fought the urge to snicker as Annabeth's brow twitched. They headed back to their boat when they found themselves surrounded by monsters. "Not so fast!" yelled a voice that made him freeze.
Turning around he saw Luke Castellan, his face bloodied and his shirt tattered revealing various wounds. The son of Hades threw a C.C. towel on the ground. "I'm not playing around. Where is the fleece."
A smirk spread across his face. "Well it's not here."
Luke swore his body shaking. "Excuse me! Polyphemus nearly killed me! Do you know how many monsters that thing took down?"
"Well that's not our problem," Alabaster said as the monsters surrounded them.
"Luke is it true?" Annabeth croaked. "Did you do it?"
The son of Hermes avoided her gaze. "Escort them to the ship immediately."
The monsters around them pointed their spears at them and they were escorted behind Luke. Gripping Riptide tightly he noticed that the bears were no longer with Luke and the son of Hermes was muttering curses under his breath as he rubbed various gashes on his body.
When he saw the Princess Andromeda with various large dents along the hull. A smirk spread across his face. Well at least this is something.
"Polyphemus nearly destroyed our ship and thinks we stole it," Luke said once they were all on board. "I'm not playing. Where is the fleece!"
Annabeth stepped forward. "Luke is it true? Did you really do it?"
A thought came to him as he had his back to the ship's pool. Oh goddess Iris accept my offering, show me Dionysus. He discreetly threw a drachma and in a matter of seconds, Mr. D appeared in the image talking with Tantalus in front of the entire camp.
Luke laughed. "I did it. I poisoned Thalia's tree and framed Chiron. But it was for the greater good I swear." The son of Hermes laughed as Mr. D's posture turned rigid. "No one would've suspected a thing."
"Why?" Annabeth sobbed.
"Kronos will bring about a new age." Luke's stared at Annabeth his gaze hard. "The gods never cared for us. Please you can be a part of it."
Mr. D cleared his throat. "Well then I think I have an answer for you."
He stepped out of the way and Luke's face turned rigid as he glared at Mr. D. "The age of the gods will end soon."
Mr. D laughed coldly and snapped his fingers. Tantalus was instantly swallowed up into the Earth. "Chiron will be reinstated. Foolish boy I hope you get what you deserve."
The Iris message ended as Luke's face contorted in anger, he snapped his fingers and more monsters appeared around them. "Kill them all."
Alabaster snapped his fingers and a protective wall of green fire encircled them and burned the monsters around them. "Lets try to get out of here." The son of Hecate drew a card. A large hand emerged to reveal Medusa's head which turned the other line of monsters to stone.
He drew his sword as Lou and Alabaster summoned more green fire to take the monsters out. Using his sword he cut through the monsters that he could get his hands on while Annabeth stabbed at them with her knife.
"Luke please come to your senses!" Annabeth yelled as she dodged a few monsters.
Luke shook his head. "It's too late. Soon he will rise." He extended a hand. "Annabeth join me."
The daughter of Athena pulled away, tears falling down her face. "No. I can't."
He swore as he ran to the small hot tub and willed the water to the monsters. We can't beat them all. Noticing a pen full of animals he grabbed Riptide and slashed open the door. "Come on guys you're all free!" The various animals onboard stormed out creating a stampede, among them was a black pegasi that neighed loudly.
In the distance, Alabaster was fighting Luke with his golden sword while his cards danced around him. The son of Hecate was managing to keep up as Lou enhanced his strength. Suddenly Luke thrusted his spear. Alabaster dodged it but the attack wasn't for him.
"Look out!" He yelled.
But it was too late. The sword stabbed Lou in the gut. Her eyes widened as she fell to her knees clenching her wound.
"Lou!" He quickly ran over to her as Alabaster quickly grabbed her.
Alabaster held his sister in his arms his body shaking as his gaze turned furious. "You dare hurt my sister."
Luke chuckled. "She would never see the light. Come on Alabaster what is she in comparison to your mother's glory? Sacrifices must be made for a goddess as great as her."
He quickly grabbed hold of Lou who was convulsing on the ground. "Just hang in there," he said softly as he went into his bag, took out the ambrosia, and fed it to her.
Alabaster's body shook in rage, he emitted such a powerful aura that he froze and looked up at him. His eyes were burning like two torches as he traced a line in the air. "Sectumsempra!"
Luke stared at them as if dazed but then it happened. The scar on his face opened up as if a sword had cut through it. The son of Hermes' eyes widened in pain as the cut extended down to the left side of his body. "Ahhh!" The scream sent chills down his spine Luke's blood spilled everywhere around him.
The son of Hermes screamed as he crumbled to his knees, his blood falling to the ground as if Alabaster had brought a sword down on his right side sending him to the ground.
Alabaster glared at Luke his body glowing a powerful aura that made everyone turn to him. "Stay the hell away from my sister and keep my mother's name out of your fucking mouth!" With a flick of his wrist, his cards flew at the monsters around them. "Gehennam Ignis!" The monsters that were hit by the flame screamed in agony as they ran around trying to put out the flames.
"Luke!" Annabeth screamed as the son of Hermes coughed up blood and screamed in pain.
Alabaster pointed a finger at Luke and muttered a few words in Latin and Ancient Greek, half of which were insults.
"NO! NO! Thalia No!" Luke rolled around coughing in his blood. "Please don't leave me Thalia!"
"You want me to answer what you asked me earlier?" Alabaster asked as a cold wind passed through the area. "Rot in hell I would never join Kronos. Crucio!"
Luke screamed and writhed in pain while Alabaster laughed. "No mom please no!"
"Stop it!" Annabeth sobbed as tears fell down her face. "Please."
Yet there was no mercy in Alabaster's eyes as he muttered another curse in Latin. Luke let out another blood curdling scream as his face turned next row of monsters came and quickly grabbed ahold of Luke who was babbling incoherently. Alabaster quickly went over to his sister. "Don't worry you'll be ok." He began to chant in a mixture of Green and Latin, his cards flew everywhere sending the enemy monsters in a frenzy.
He held Lou as the spell took effect. The color returned to her cheeks and the wound closed up. "Al we need to leave," Lou muttered.
"Don't worry you're safe," Alabaster said as they helped her up.
Suddenly a horn blared throughout the area and arrows began to rain down on them and onto the various monsters screaming in pain "Look Chiron!"
Chiron waved at them, by his side was Grover and a few other centaurs. "Lets get out of here. We can't take all these monsters while Lou is down."
Alabaster nodded and summoned a stronger fire as they made their way through the enemy lines and reached the end of the ship. "Percy help me get Lou out of here."
He nodded as they both helped Lou up. She was still staggering a bit but Alabaster summoned green flames to prevent the monsters from getting too close.
"I'll help us down." Alabaster chanted a spell in Latin and the next thing he knew a strong wind lifted them up and slowly let them down.
It was then they were greeted by a familiar satyr. "Hey guys glad you're all safe."
"Grover! What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Oh I heard Chiron needed help so I went to him quickly," Grover said. The satyr looked at both of them. "Is it true about Luke?"
Annabeth sobbed. "It is."
Chiron came to them. "Well then I say we retreat. But first lets fix Ms. Blackstone first."
They handed Lou Ellen and the Satyr gently placed her on his back. "We should leave as soon as possible."
Alabaster frowned. "But we can take them here. Luke is bleeding out as we speak." Annabeth sobbed some more.
Chiron shook his head. "My brothers here aren't fighters and we don't know who they have on board. Lets get out of here while we can."
Alabaster sighed. "Fine. I only didn't use Medusa's head on him because I figured Hermes might take it out on us or my mother later."
"Well you did a good job." Hopefully Luke stays on the ground.
The son of Hecate smiled his eyes flickering. "You too."
He sighed and slowly nodded as he got onto Chiron's back while the others got onto the backs of the other centaurs. With the Party Ponies galloped away from The Princess Andromeda and north towards Camp.
AN: Since it has been brought up yes unfortunately I have received harassment and been bullied for writing in this fandom. I don't let it get to me much but I don't interact with the wider PJO fandom anymore due to harassment and threats. So I just publish my stories and nothing more.
Long story short on the subreddit r/camphalfblood the subreddit moderators harassed and bullied me along with a few other reddit users who write fanfics. They then went out of their way to make a profile on to harass me and other authors. When caught they claimed innocence and were being impersonated/ hacked despite them using personal information in their threats.
I also received harassment from certain authors here for not making Nico look good enough and for saying I like Bianca and ship Percy with other people. I just ignore those people now and block them if they start sending threats.
Ironically a series that teaches tolerance and diversity isn't that tolerant. Trust me I'm not the only PJO content creator who has quit the fandom and taken breaks due to threats and harassment
But nonetheless, I continue to write and will continue to write until I feel bored and will write how I want and ship whoever I want with whoever I want.