Some Time Before...

Marcus watched as Alicia stormed away, his heart in his throat and his hand to his stinging cheek. It was for the best... There's no way we could ever-

"Man, that looked painful." came a voice from behind him. Marcus turned and saw Aaron leaning against a tree, the light reflecting off the lake casting his shadow back against it. "I told you it would be."

"It had to be done." Marcus muttered, turning back to the water and feeling the wind brush against his face. Not so soothing this time...

"Yeah, you said that. But you never told me why, and I thought we didn't have any secrets."

Marcus shrugged. "You know how she's been lately. I can't do anything without her getting jealous over some part of it."

"True." Aaron stood next to Marcus, looking out at the water. "But she didn't used to be like that. Only seemed to happen once you two actually started dating." Again, Marcus shrugged, refusing to answer. Aaron turned, his green eyes seeing more than Marcus liked. "It's almost like you're cursed man. She was so sweet before."

"Don't be stupid." Marcus replied. "Of course I'm not cursed. We just didn't work out. That's all."

"Alright Marcus. Whatever you say." Aaron sighed and put his hand on Marcus' shoulder as he turned back towards Camp. "I'll give you some space, but... you know you can always talk to me, right? No matter what it is." Marcus simply nodded in response. Aaron looked like he wanted to say more, but simply shook his head and walked off, leaving Marcus to his thoughts.

"I did warn you Marcus."

Marcus stiffened. Turning, he saw exactly the last entity he wanted to see, and she was standing just a few feet from him. "Aphrodite."

"I can tell you're angry." Aphrodite continued, her voice full of sympathy. "But I don't know why you're angry at me."

"You're right. Why should I be angry at the Goddess of Love when my love life just went to Hades? Especially when it's her fault to begin with!" Marcus felt his rage starting to boil over. All of this is her fault.

"Now Marcus, we both know that isn't true." Aphrodite walked over to join Marcus by the water, and Marcus had to fight the urge to not run. Instead, he settled for turning away in disgust. "I told you that it wouldn't work out between the two of you, even before her jealousy took hold."

"What are you talking about? I haven't seen you since that night by the campfire!"

"My sweet Marcus," Aphrodite smiled, placing her hand on Marcus' cheek, "did you really think I wasn't watching you this whole time? Any moment when you had doubts, when there was even an inkling that it wasn't the best idea? That was me, trying to warn you that this would happen."

Marcus turned to Aphrodite. "Remind me again how this isn't your fault?"

Aphrodite sighed and shook her head. "Marcus, why did you fight it? You knew it wasn't going to last before you even made the first move. So why did you fight that feeling? Why didn't you simply listen and do as-"

"Do as you wanted?!" Marcus exploded, pushing Aphrodite's hand away from his face. "Just perform like a good little puppet to entertain you, dear Goddess? How dare I have free will and make my own choices! Why don't we all just bow to your every whim, you flawless, perfect beings. You, who never make mistakes! Who are never wrong!" Marcus knew he should stop, that this wasn't going to end well, but he was too angry, too hurt, and he needed somebody to blame. "Your selfish wants and the need to have every demigod be your obedient toys caused this to happen! You're the reason the Fringe exists, the reason there's no trust in the Gods-"

"ENOUGH." Aphrodite spoke, and the power behind that one word was enough to push Marcus to his knees. And there he stayed. He knew he had gone too far, but he didn't care. Let her do what she wants. Marcus kneeled and waited for the Goddess' wrath to fall. And waited. And waited. Finally, Marcus lifted his head to see Aphrodite standing before him, a sad smile on her face. "I understand your anger Marcus. I knew this would happen. Just like Heracles and Percy Jackson before you, you rage against the Gods for your own mistakes. You were given guidance, and you denied it. Now look at you." She bent down and put her fingers to Marcus' chin, turning his face to the water. "Look. Look at your reflection in the water. Look at the pain in your eyes. This is what happens when you fight against an Olympian's will."

Marcus looked back at Aphrodite. "Tell me honestly. Why are you doing this?"

Aphrodite smiled in response, standing straight again. "I told you before Marcus. I've taken a liking to you. Your future is full of interesting possibilities for love, some of which you haven't even considered yet. I want to see what choices you make."

"You just told me to follow your guidance instead of making my own choices..."

"That's true, but we both know you won't follow my advice, no matter how much it would be in your best interest." Aphrodite smiled, but her smile never reached her eyes. "You're stubborn Marcus. You will do what you choose to do, no matter the consequences, and that will prove useful to you in the future. The Gods won't admit it openly, but we'll need you for what's coming."

"What's coming?" Marcus stood, facing Aphrodite.

"Oh, it's nothing you have to worry about for a long while my sweet Marcus." Aphrodite smiled. "The Gods have a purpose in mind for you. It would suit you to start to at least consider our guidance. It'll make your life far less painful."

"A purpose? What are you talking about?!" Marcus' head was reeling. One moment, it appeared as though he'd pushed the Goddess too far, and now she was talking as if he was some sort of piece on a game board.

"All in due time." Aphrodite smiled. "For now, just know that I have a vested interest in your choices from here on out. Be sure to keep me entertained, my sweet Marcus." And with that, Aphrodite disappeared into thin air, leaving just a trace of perfume behind.

Marcus went to reach for where she had been but stopped himself. A purpose? My choices? Marcus shook his head, his anger starting to return. To Hades with that. I refuse to be a pawn in some game the Gods are playing. Marcus turned and stormed off, too lost in his anger to notice the subtleties of the day around him. The way the sunlight seemed to bleed red, causing the water he had just been staring at to reflect its color. The way the wind seemed to shift around him as he walked. Nor did he notice the shadow cast out from behind the trees where he been, or the green eyes that had witnessed his exchange with the Goddess.

Present...

"You're sure?" Maddie looked at Marcus, her face full of the same shock he felt.

"Yeah. They're half-bloods." Marcus shook his head, trying to clear it off the numb shock that still filled his mind. "Who else would have bronze armor? Or use celestial bronze weapons?"

"But wait," Elliot interjected, "if they're half-bloods, why would they attack us? I mean, we're half-bloods too! And last I checked, there was no flag around here that they were worried we'd capture."

Marcus rolled his eyes. He can't be that big an idiot... Can he? "I don't know why they'd attack us." He said instead. "But this does give some form of evidence to the rumors we've been hearing around Camp."

"Rumors? The hell you talkin' about?" Joel called out, cleaning his sword in the corner.

"Satyrs have been coming back to Camp saying that some half-bloods have refused to go with them..." Maddie said, her eyes still glued to the corpses in front of her. Marcus thought he saw her hands gripping her camera. Looking for support... I should make sure she's alright later... for now, I have to make sure this gets taken care of. "We didn't know if they were simple runaways, or if they were making their own groups, separate from Camp Half-Blood..."

Marcus put his hand on Maddie's head, ruffling her hair a little to comfort her. "Well, now we know that at least one group was formed. But that still doesn't explain why they'd attack us..."

"It could be something to do with us comin' into their turf uninvited." Joel said, swinging his duffel bag back across his shoulders. "We did kinda just storm into their place."

But Marcus was already shaking his head. "If that's why, then why were they already in full armor waiting in ambush? And even if we accept that they didn't know we were other half-bloods, why didn't they stop fighting when they figured it out? After all, it's not like any of us give off the aura of a monster, and we have at least one Olympian half-blood with us."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Phillip spoke up. Marcus had to stop himself from flinching. Even when he knew he was here, Phillip was sneaky.

"Olympian half-bloods give off an aura of power." Marcus replied, doing his best to keep the bitterness from his voice. "Monsters can sense it naturally. But once an Olympian demigod has some training, they can make it so pretty much any half-blood can tell."

Maddie nodded her head. "Uh huh, and I've been doing that since we left Camp Half-Blood. We are looking for missing demigods after all!" Maddie gasped. "Marcus, you don't think-"

"No." Marcus replied before Maddie could even finish her question. "I don't think these are from Camp. They have no bead necklaces for one thing. And even if they'd thrown them away, they didn't seem to have any training." Which brings to question how they got their hands on celestial bronze weapons and armor... "For now, let's head back to the bus. I'll report to Chiron via Iris Message, then we'll continue on our way to New York."

The rest of the group agreed and started heading back towards the bus. Marcus knelt down and examined the bodies one more time, trying to gain any insight into who these half-bloods had been. All their clothes had been stained red with blood, as the wounds from his groupmates varied from corpse to corpse. No defining features... No tattoos on their arms so that rules out that theory... Marcus sighed as he stood up. Maybe they were just a one-off group. But still... Marcus couldn't shake the feeling there was something he was missing. With a shrug, he turned and went up the stairs to the main house.

Outside, Marcus used one of the spray bottles of water the bus had to create a rainbow in the light and contact Chiron.

"Half-bloods in a hidden home by the interstate? And they attacked you without warning?" Chiron's voice betrayed the shock that Marcus himself was still feeling. "And you said they had celestial bronze weapons and armor?"

"Yes." Marcus replied. "I don't think they were our half-bloods, but the fact that they had those weapons worries me."

"It concerns me as well Marcus." Chiron replied. "For now, continue on your way to New York. Perhaps the smugglers-"

"No." Marcus cut him off. "They wouldn't be able to provide that many celestial bronze weapons. Last time I was there, they barely had enough to protect themselves."

"Be that as it may," Chiron continued, "you will continue on to the smugglers den. They may have information we do not. And if our own half-bloods have made their way there, I want to know."

"Why?" Marcus replied incredulously. "Chiron, we have the confirmation of the rumors you wanted. The group never agreed to-"

"Yes, and what you've found has only convinced me that you need to continue." Chiron's frustration was starting to find its way into his voice. "You have your instructions Marcus. Go the smuggler's den near New York City. Question the smuggler's there for information on groups of half-bloods outside of Camp. The fact that you were attacked by other demigods worries me, and you will use every avenue open to you to find answers."

Marcus was about to reply when Chiron cut the feed. That's not like him. Something has him scared... But what is Chiron afraid of...?

Marcus leaned back against the bus, his arms crossed. In front of him was a nondescript warehouse. The only remarkable thing about it was that it was larger than the other buildings of its kind, but its ramshackle appearance and obvious neglect were enough to keep most curious onlookers away. Perfect for the half-bloods hiding here. At least it was... The longer he looked around at the area around the warehouse, the more concerned he became.

Last time he'd been there, the signs of occupancy were littered around the warehouse if you knew where to look. But now... Overgrown plants were clinging to not only the walls of the building, but the doorways as well. The doors themselves, while before they had looked broken down but usable, now appeared like they hadn't been opened at all since the last time Marcus had been here. Marcus scowled at the thought. The last time...

"Marcus?" Maddie's voice came from the other side of the bus. "Where did you go?"

No time to dwell on it now. Marcus shook his head clear and walked back to join the rest of the party. Got a job to do. As he came around the bus, Marcus saw that the party looked like they were preparing themselves for war. They all were checking weapons nervously. Even Chastity looks like she's ready to murder somebody... Although, she's had that look every time I was around for the past few days so... May not mean anything.

"So, what's the plan? Go in swingin'?" Joel asked, hoisting his duffel bag onto his shoulder.

"No." Marcus responded, shaking his head. "Last time I was here, these half-bloods were peaceful. All they wanted was to be left alone."

"After that last place, I'm not taking any chances." Elliot said, "First sign of trouble... Bear Form!"

"Maybe that's not such a good idea..." Maddie chimed in. "Besides, Chiron just wants us to find out what's happening here. We can do that without fighting."

"I agree with Elliot." Jason said nervously.

"Enough already." Marcus said. "We don't even know what we're walking in to. Let's keep an open mind, yeah?" Without waiting for an answer, Marcus turned and headed towards the warehouse. "Look, Maddie has a point." He called over his shoulder. "Chiron wants information. We can't get that if we're fighting." Marcus stopped in front of the doors. He heard the rest of the group following behind him and, gathering his nerve, Marcus opened the doors and stepped through.

The only light was what slipped through the grates high on the walls and through the doors behind the group. In the dim light, Marcus could see that, while the warehouse itself was still full of crates, cots, and tables, all of them were covered with dust. Along the warehouse, he could see clumsily constructed walls of cardboard and shelving, more for a form of privacy than anything else. Doesn't look any different but this just feels... cold. Lifeless.

"I thought there was supposed to be half-bloods here?" Chastity said. "Or did you bring us to the wrong place again Marcus?"

Marcus rolled his eyes in response and started searching the room for any clues. Where did you go...? As he looked around, his attention kept being brough back to the separate cots. Something's wrong... "Phillip."

"What?" Phillip replied, walking over to Marcus.

"Use your scoutness here." Marcus waved his hand at the cots in front of him.

Phillip raised an eyebrow at him. "Scout...ness? Is that a new word I'm unaware of?"

"Will you just tell me what you see."

Phillip shrugged and looked at the scene before Marcus. "I see a sleeping area. A cot, a box for storage, a privacy curtain..." Phillip's voice trailed off.

Marcus turned to Phillip. "What's wrong? Did you notice something?"

Phillip scratched his cheek, shaking his head. "Well it's just that... Isn't it a bit strange? There's everything a person would need... but no belongings."

Marcus paused. What...? Marcus looked back at the area in front of him. He's right... Storage box... cot... but nothing personal. No clothes, no sheets... "What...?"

A crash came from above their heads, causing Marcus to jump.

"What the heck was that?" Jason's voice cracked, betraying his nerves.

Marcus looked upward and saw that while at first it seemed like the building was a simple one floor warehouse, he hadn't noticed that there appeared to be a large room jutting out from the walls closer to the ceiling, with simple metal stairs leading up to it. Must have been the manager's office when this was still a warehouse... But what is it now? Marcus walked towards the steps, his hand unconsciously reaching into his pocket and grabbing his watch. Cautiously, Marcus walked up the steps to the office room, taking care to make as little noise as possible on the metal steps. Behind him, he heard the rest of the party start to gather together, possibly preparing for some form of danger. He couldn't hear their words clearly, but he heard the fear in some of their voices, excitement in others. Gods save me from these newbies...

Reaching the door to the office, Marcus turned the doorknob and was almost surprised when it turned easily. Cracking the door open, Marcus tried to peer inside. As soon as the door was open however, he heard voices from within.

"I don't get what we're doing here man. Didn't we already clear this place out?" One voice said. The words were spoken quickly, all in one breath, and the accent was New York City. Maybe the Bronx? Male. Sounds familiar... Marcus scowled.

"Orders." This voice was the opposite of the first. Soft spoken where the other had been loud, succinct where the other had seemed to revel in the amount of words he could spit in a short amount of time. Maybe a southern dialect? There hadn't been time to catch much. Also a male. Marcus' scowl deepened. That sounds familiar too... what in Hades...?

"Yeah, I get that man but like, why do we have to be the ones to do it? We already had to come to this dump once and I am so sick and tired of being sent out to who knows where whenever the boss gets a bad feeling." The first voice was coming closer. Marcus pulled out his pocket watch, ready for anything. Those that don't know him wouldn't know his weapon was drawn, so maybe he could get some answers from the talkative one.

"You talk too much." The other voice replied. Now that more words had been spoken, Marcus thought he could hear traces of a New Orleans accent. Enough of this. Marcus opened the door and walked inside, throwing caution to the wind.

Inside, the two young men inside were startled by his sudden appearance as Marcus casually walked into the room, closing the door behind him so they would think he was alone. Turning his attention to them, Marcus recognized them both. Half-bloods. Two of the missing half-bloods. "Billy? Isaac?" Marcus knew his voice betrayed his surprise, but he couldn't help it.

Billy laughed. "Ya see that Isaac? Looks like the boss had a good reason for sending us out here after all. How is he always right?" Shorter than Marcus by a head, Billy reminded Marcus of a chihuahua. Always yapping, especially at things more dangerous than himself. A child of Dolos who seemed to revel in his father's reputation.

Isaac nodded. "Marcus." Isaac was tall where Billy was short. They would be comical together if Marcus didn't know them better. Isaac was fidgeting with what looked like a large black Rubik's cube in his hand, and that was enough to catch Marcus' attention. A child of Hephaestus, Isaac had always been building contraptions while at camp, and the other half-bloods had learned to fear anything he made.

"This is a big surprise here Marcy Marc." Billy grinned. "Here we were thinking that all we'd find here was another abandoned building, but instead we find you. What, oh what, are we gonna do with you now?"

"Bring him back." Isaac replied. As he talked, Isaac pushed on his cube in what Marcus could only assume were hidden buttons.

As he watched, Marcus noticed that both of them were wearing red shirts. Torn and worn, but both of them were the same shade of red, with black letters painted across the front with what appeared to be house painting brushes. N.O...? No? Or does it mean something? "Whoa now hold on guys. Who said we have to fight?"

"Oh? Big man in Camp doesn't wanna fight little ol' me? I always knew you were afraid of me." Billy pulled a celestial bronze dagger out of a sheath on the back of his belt. "Sorry wind boy, but I'm sure the boss will want you to come with us."

Before he could respond, the window to the outside shattered, and in flew a bronze winged automaton, shaped like an angel. Marcus barely had time to react as Isaac pointed at him and the automaton charged, grabbing him by his shirt front. The speed of the walking statue shocked him, and before he could react the automaton had swung him around and threw him at the wall, sending him through it and falling to the floor outside the office.

"Marcus!" Maddie's voice screamed out from below him.

Marcus twisted in the air, grabbing at the cardboard walls ad he fell to slow his descent enough that he could twist and land on his feet. "I'm alright! Watch out!"

The automaton that had tossed Marcus through the wall now flew out of the hole it had made, holding on to Billy in one hand and Isaac in the other. Setting them down on the ground floor, it stood still as the statue it resembled.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here Isaac. A whole gang of half-bloods! And from the look of 'em, I'd say they're all campers." The disgust in Billy's voice was plain.

"Maddie." Isaac said, bringing her to Billy's attention.

"Yeah, yeah I see her..." Billy mumbled, his face going red. "Let's just ignore that for now yeah? We got campers to take down!"

Marcus swung his watch into whip form, charging as he saw the automaton rise back into the air. With a flick of his wrist, Marcus wrapped his whip around the automatons neck. "Elliot! Bear form!"

"Finally!" Elliot replied with a grin, shifting into a bear before charging over to Marcus. Ignoring the battle that started around him, Marcus tossed the handle of his whip to Elliot, who caught it in his mouth, using his weight to keep the automaton from flying freely.

Grabbing onto the whip, Marcus climbed his way to the automaton. Dodging the punches and kicks it aimed at him as he clambered over it, Marcus climbed onto the automaton's back. "Alright let go!" Marcus called out to Elliot. As soon as Elliot had let go of the whip, Marcus swung the handle back up into his own hand, switching his weapon to sword form and swinging it with all his might at the automaton's neck. As its head went flying, Marcus was forced to grab on the stub where its head had been as the automaton started flying erratically around the building. Dammit you'd think it would just quit without a head... Glancing down, Marcus saw that Billy was keeping Elliot, Chastity, and Phillip busy, dodging in and out of their group and all around them, mocking them endlessly as he did so. Isaac on the other hand, was keeping his distance, and Marcus now saw the secret of his black cube. Tossing it lightly into the air, Isaac was causing it to change form to different firearms, from a pistol, to a machine gun, to... is that a rocket launcher!? Isaac turned his face up to Marcus, and even with the distance between them Marcus could see him smile as he aimed his rocket launcher at the automaton. Shit... Marcus jumped from the automaton just as Isaac fired his rocket, destroying the bronze statue in a single blast. As he fell, Marcus saw that without meaning to, he was falling right on top of Billy. With a grin, Marcus swung his blade back into a watch as he fell, landing with enough force to knock Billy to the ground, and before he could react, Marcus swung his fist, heavy with his pocket watch, into Billy's chin with a satisfying crack. As he knocked Billy unconscious, he couldn't help but feel some satisfaction. Scared of you huh? Guess again kid.

Jumping up, Marcus was just in time to see Maddie whack Isaac across the back of his head with her spear, knocking him unconscious as well. Marcus couldn't help but grin. That's my Maddie. Walking over quickly, Marcus put his hand on top of Maddie's head, messing up her hair. "That's enough Maddie. You did good." He smiled at her warmly, seeing the berserker rage fade from her eyes as they became clear. The eyes he knew so well.

She looked up at him, her face turning into a smile to match his own. "Marcus! You're okay!" She leapt forward, hugging Marcus tightly, her voice muffled against his chest. "When I saw you fall, I thought..."

Marcus laughed lightly, messing her hair again. "Oh come on Mads." Marcus said gently. "As if something as small as being thrown through some drywall to a twenty-foot fall could do anything to me."

Maddie stepped back and put her hands on her hips, stomping her foot with her face in a pout. "Don't you try that with me! You're still only half God Marcus! You're still mortal!" Marcus couldn't help but laugh.

"I see you two haven't changed. Get a room already." A voice called out from above them. Marcus whipped his watch out to its sword form again, pulling Maddie behind him instinctively. Looking upward, at first all Marcus could see was a bright light, as the light around the figure seemed to gleam off of him. As his eyes adjusted, Marcus could see that the figure was wearing golden armor that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly sheen. Looking towards his face, Marcus couldn't believe what he saw. Dark hair. Green eyes. Tan skin. The only thing missing from this face was the grin he always had in his memories.

"Aaron...?"