All belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 72

Troublesome Transformations

(Artemis)

'What in uncle's name are they doing?' I shouted over the near constant crackle of thunder while yet again the sharp light flashed through the fabric roof.

'How am I supposed to know? I know as am much as what Percy told you, that he wanted to try something and needed Thalia's help.' My counterpart told me from a chair in the corner where she was oiling her bow.

You see since we had gotten the new weapon we now had the strength to separate again thankfully. However in doing so we also learned that in doing so divided the power of the bow meaning as long as we were we could only each have the equivalent of the short bow forms power level though we could change it to a longbow out of preference.

'That's the worrying thing Percy had an idea. Ten minutes later the thunderstorm from hell arrives without warning.' I complained as the rain continued to batter the canvas roof.

'Well if you are so worried about them why don't you go out and investigate?' Diana asked looking up from her task.

'I am not going out in the water.' I replied sharply. My hatred of having a tail may be considered irrational but the fact was I hated how helpless I felt with it.

'Getting wet by rain is different than getting submerged. Besides we don't even get wet anymore for more than a few seconds.'

'It's not happening.'

'If you are still worried about the hair it is not that bad now. You have most of it back to normal it's just the tips.'

'Easy for you to say, you haven't had to put up with this for six weeks.' I told her firmly picking a few strands and holding them in front of my face before flicking them away in disgust.

'No but I have had to put up with looking at it and listening to you complain about it. Besides hopefully it will be back to normal by the Solstice next week. Thank gods it is Greek aspects only.' She exclaimed with a sigh of relief.

'Lucky you get to stay here with Percy while I am stuck in yet another pointless meeting. The only thing interesting that has happened is the fact no one has seen Tethys since the attack on camp. Besides Percy is not invited so we won't have to put up with him explaining any of Orthrys affairs. Besides I have half a mind to fuse back with you before I go so you can suffer as well.'

'Yeah that is not going to happen. Though is it me or has it calmed down outside?' She questioned causing us both to look at the ceiling. Sure it was still raining but the thunder and lightning had stopped. Which meant either Percy's little experiment had finished… or he had been zapped into oblivion.

'If she's killed him, she's back on probation. And he better be back before the birth.' I joked grimly.

'Forget that he better be back by the weekend.' Diana replied jokingly. It was strange that like this I didn't mind conversing with my other aspect. The problem was when we were both stuck in the same head as we both had enough differences in personality to want to do different things in the same situation. Compared to say both Apollos where the only difference was Greek Idiot/Roman Idiot.

However while she was a separate being it was easier to think of her as being an annoying little sister. Who just occasionally took control of my body, got me an into an unwanted relationship which resulted in us both being pregnant. You know normal sibling problems in my family.

'Look Thals it is fine, how was you supposed to know that eventually the rain was gonna wash off my immunity.' Percy said hurriedly as he entered the tent followed by the very wet hunter. Were it not for my curiosity of what he was talking about I would have thrown the pair back out for barging in.

'What in hades have you been doing out there and why is she apologizing?' I asked the duo before glaring at Percy who noticeably gulped.

'I know how to resist electricity attacks or at least temporarily going by the last lightning bolt.' He explained and I noticed that though his clothes and body had naturally dried as he was talking his hair was still spiked up as if he had been shocked. However the fact he miraculously dried caused me to notice the hunter whose teeth were chattering due to the December climate outside.

'Percy as curious as I am to know how you even worked out how to do that, her shivering is driving me insane.' Diana said voicing my concerns as the pair noticed the Roman aspect for the first time in her corner which while Percy seemed unfazed Thalia had to do a double take between the pair of us.

'Oh yeah sorry Thals.' He apologized before placing a hand on her shoulder and drying her. However she was still freezing simply because her clothes had to acquire the heat from her body first. Though thankfully she clamped her teeth shut.

'Now that is done explain.' I commanded, I was annoyed that A) he hadn't told me he had some idea how to solve this problem and B) he had gone ahead and tested it despite it being insanely dangerous.

'It is all thanks to this actually.' He explained summoning a ball of water similar to the one Triton had given us.

'I hate that thing. You should call it fun wrecker.' Thalia complained.

'You still got me in the end but back to point. This is not ordinary water and by that I mean it's not sea or fresh water. It has none of the impurities those have.'

'So it's purified how does that help?' Diana asked voicing my own mirroring thoughts.

'Actually purification has everything to do with it. Mortals use it in scientific experiments so contamination doesn't occur and things like that but it is also known for being a very poor conductor of electricity.' He explained as if he was presenting a school science project.

'How the hell do you know all that? From what you have told me you were pretty much the worst student ever.'

'Seventh grade. Was the only exam I ever passed thanks to Tyson. They had to spray the whole lab down with the stuff and I asked the Hazmat guys what it was because I was curious.' He said proudly.

'Yeah but from what I know and I am not exactly Athena but it still conducts some. Which when you are talking Master bolt level shocks is still enough to kill someone.' I countered explaining what I knew of the substance.

'At least your on the right page with what it is, your right but that is because Mortals cant purify it perfectly. There are still a few impurities per million molecules. However we aren't restricted by human technology are we?' He explained tossing the sphere to me only for it to burst in mid air splashing all over me. Within moments I already had bow in hand ready to aim at him before I noticed that he and the hunter beside him had turned white in shock. In contrast to the laughing figure to his far left who was struggling not to fall of her chair.

'The look on all your faces.' Diana said between bouts of laughter seemed to break the tension in the room as Percy unfroze and turned to look at the aspect who smiled sickeningly in return.

'Anyway before you two try to kill each other, think of the children.' Percy said quickly stepping between us. Revenge could wait after all it was not as if she could hide from me.

'Is this what this relationship is usually like the three of you constantly bickering, arguing and threatening each other?' Thalia asked.

'Pretty much.' We all said at once causing the hunter to sweat drop.

'Anyway point is it should be enough to save me if your father over reacts.' Percy explained in summary.

'That is a very big SHOULD save me and it should be WHEN father over reacts.' I countered.

'Well otherwise I will just do what I have always done and wing it. Besides at least my shoes have got rubber soles if it helps.'

'Seaweed Brain you're an idiot. He forgot to mention the fact that it washes off in rain resulting in his current need for a haircut.' Thalia added.

'Well then hopefully we won't try to tell him in the middle of a storm.' Diana remarked.

'We could always tell him over the phone from the bottom of the Ocean. He can't get me there.'

'I am not living underwater.' I told him firmly crossing my arms.

'Was only a suggestion.' He whined.

'I am going to go because it is confusing as hell with the three of you. Have fun working out what you are gonna do. So see you later Percy, Miladi-es? I guess.' The hunter said before heading out into the torrent.

'She has a point though, do you think that some people consider it weird how this relationship works.' Percy asked looking from one of us to another.

'Difference is I don't care what they think. The only people who have a right to complain are currently in here. Besides I was rather she was over there than in here.' I told him tapping my finger against my forehead.

'Same here. This way I can keep an eye on you.' Diana countered.

'Keep an eye on me? You're the one who started this whole mess in the first place. Every time I turned around you made it worse.' I shouted at her.

'Can we stop the arguing?' Percy asked raising his hands as if to break us up.

'NO!' We shouted simultaneously causing Percy to simply sigh and sit on the bottom of my bed leaving us to it.

(Percy)

'Seaweed Brain what is taking you so long? You are supposed to be concentrating on imagining you body growing.' Diana commanded impatiently from behind and above me already in her immortal form causing me to quickly turn around before just as quickly turning back red-faced.

The problem was she was also wearing a skirt and she had yet to realize my source of distraction every time I turned to look at her. Sure enough ALL her clothes were silver.

'At this rate something is in danger of getting bigger.' I muttered to myself trying to clear my thoughts unsuccessfully.

You see this was the largest problem with shape shifting as explained to me. You needed to clearly imagine what you wanted to become. Which while simply thinking exactly the same but bigger sounds like easy concept with my attention span it wasn't. So now I was currently trying to clear me head of the goddess's underwear.

It was also the reason this bit of my training was taking so long. No matter how much I tried I had remained unsuccessful or at least in a full transformation. I had embarrassingly partially transformed twice which had resulted in me having a hilariously large limb or two until I calmed down and was able to imagine myself normally.

The goddess additionally refused to even discuss Divine forms until I had mastered this.

'Why are you blushing?' Diana asked from above me and I looked up to see the goddess leaning over me.

'Err no reason it's just that it is awkward having you standing behind me like that.' Causing the goddess to lean back allowing me a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. Before the shadow she cast dramatically shortened.

'Don't worry I will count to ten before I hunt you down.' She whispered into my ear causing me to turn about in panic.

'I am sorry I didn't mean too.' I said quickly turning towards her raising my hands defensively.

'So you did look?' She asked curiously. Though I also noticed her fingers slowly counting down.

'It was accident, you didn't exactly make it easy for me to talk to you while you are like that.' I complained closing my eyes as countdown ended in closed fists. I was at least expecting a slap for my lapse in concentration if not worst.

I was not expecting her to kiss me causing me to open my eyes and blink in confusion before she backed away giggling.

'Gods you can be an idiot, but you are also my idiot. It is not as you went out of your way to look or stared. Besides you have seen me wearing far less.'

'You mean the memory I have stored under the name Screensaver.' I joked before ducking narrowly dodging the resultant attempted slap.

'I would believe you were it not for the fact you were so shy to look at me the whole time.' She remarked placing her hands on her hips.

'Hey I was in a state of shock.' I argued in vain.

'You were in shock what about me? She practically ruined half my life with her stunt.'

'I was more shocked that a beautiful goddess like you would end up in bed with me.'

'That you then refused to look at said beautiful NAKED goddess?' She asked skeptically emphasizing that key word and I rapidly noticed myself sinking into a hole with every word. This was not an argument I was gonna win.

'Can we please change the subject?' I asked nervously.

'What back to your utter failure at mastering basic principles of immortality… Sure.'

'Hey it is not my fault.'

'Yes it is, it is entirely your fault that you cannot concentrate for more than a few seconds.'

'Fine I am going to do it and prove you wrong.' I told her indignantly and sounding more than a little childish.

If she was my constant source of distraction, I would simply think about her before trying to change. I thought to myself as I closed my eyes. I could no longer see the goddess but my mind made up for it as I imagined the details of her body which I had memorized from countless evening asleep next to each other.

When I had practically imagined the goddess in my head I suddenly shifted back to imagining myself and my desire to change myself and make myself larger. Hoping I could keep myself distracted from her for more than a few seconds.

Before long I could feel my body changing and I struggled to maintain my focus as this was the point I always screwed it up. However this time I was focused on proving her wrong no matter what. Just as I felt the change subsiding I was distracted by the sound of laughter causing me to open my eyes and look around before noticing my newfound elevation and looking down with a grin. Only to find the goddess rolling on the grass laughing hysterically.

Clearly I wasn't privy to some joke or something.

'What am I missing here?' I asked her immediately realizing what the problem was with a sense of dread.

(Diana)

This was easily his most hilarious screw up I had ever witnessed and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

At first when he had begun to glow and grow larger I had been shocked that he had actually managed to pull it off after dozens of failed efforts or worse. Yet as the light faded I noticed that though he had managed to make himself taller for sure, easily just above standard height for an immortal at around thirteen feet or so. In every other regard he had failed epically.

Of course 'he' hadn't realized it straight away when he noticed my laughter until he asked what the problem was. In a higher pitched voice that no man can naturally reach.

I stopped laughing long enough to watch 'him' raise his hands up to face noting the obvious difference in appearance before a long strand of black hair crossed his vision completing the revelation.

He had turned himself into a girl.

Then I watched as his eyes rolled back as he fainted shaking the ground as 'he' fell to the side.

'This is gonna be fun.' I told myself as I changed form myself. Sure it wouldn't be a permanent change but I guessed it would be a while before he calmed down enough to think straight and change back. It was not unheard of for gods and goddesses to take upon the appearance of the other sex on occasion. But I don't think I had heard of anyone doing it by accident.

As I walked around 'his' prone body I couldn't help but notice familiar signs with his current features. In fact some of them were far more than familiar as if looking in a mirror causing me to realize what he had done. He had thought of me during the process and inadvertently transformed into me. Or at least a hybrid of the two of us judging by the hair and eye color and the fact he was taller than me. As for 'his' overall body shape it was impossible to tell because it was all hidden underneath his semi-ever present coat and a pair of baggy jeans.

Slowly I sat down by 'his' head raising it up into my lap before stroking a few long raven strands out the way. Were it not for the fact I preferred to have the children grow up with a 'Father' I would have almost been tempted to keep him like this. Besides the hunters could not exactly complain about having a male around anymore I thought to myself with a smile.

'Percy wake up.' I whispered while gently stroking 'his' face causing the minor reaction of him scrunching 'his' face in annoyance.

'Wake up idiot.' I said firmer this time causing an eyelid to open.

'Diana thank the gods I had a horrible nightmare.' He muttered.

'Is it the one where you turned into a girl? Yeah because that one is real.' I told him firmly holding some of 'his' hair up for him to see causing both eyes to open full of fear. Before he suddenly leapt to his feet and began to pat his body down in a panic as he began to freak out more and more.

'This isn't funny how could this have happened? I don't want to be a girl!' He exclaimed hysterically as I got to my feet and delivered the universal panic attack fixer. I slapped 'him' causing him to freeze for a second as he comprehended my actions.

'Stop freaking out for a few seconds and I will explain how to fix it.' I told 'him' firmly as he slowly nodded in agreement before rubbing 'his' cheek where I had hit 'him'.

'Listen it is not permanent, it is just like any other transformation you just need to calm down and reverse the process. Imagine yourself as you usually are.'

'How exactly am I supposed to keep calm? I have body parts I am not supposed to have!' He complained pointing at his chest and I realized I hated the sound of his voice like this. It was far too high pitched for my liking.

'Think about it like this you either calm down or get to spend the rest of your life as a girl. Though I am curious if you can join the hunt seeing as you were not a virgin but you could be in that form.' I told him curiously as I considered the idea.

'Please stop. This is so embarrassing. I don't even know what I look like. I probably look like an uglier version of Clarisse knowing my luck.' He complained causing me to chuckle as I summoned a mirror the size of a door and handed it to him causing him to look in surprise.

'Wait this is worse I am actually cute… Wait I look like.'

'Me seaweed brain. You were too focused on me as you transformed and combined my features with your own and how is this worse?' I asked in annoyance.

'Because now I would have your brother and the others flirting with me.' He complained.

'To be honest I am surprised he never tried before you changed. He is not exactly picky on who he spends the night with.' I remarked with a shudder at the thought.

'Eww that's not something I ever want to imagine again.' He replied also shuddering before he had that annoying thinking expression that was usually followed by a bad joke.

'Whatever you are thinking off it isn't happening.' I said warningly.

'I was just thinking that were dating so does this mean you are a lesbian?' And there it was. That annoying follow up grin that makes me not want to beat him into a pulse even as a girl he could pull it off annoyingly.

'I am not even going to lower myself to answer that. So what would you like me to change your name to now you're a Titaness because Persephone is taken, I suppose we could always do Persee.' I joked causing him to turn red and hold his head down so his hair hid his face.

'We could even ask the whore to get you a new wardrobe.' I said excitedly hearing an echoing groan.

'Get you a few pretty dresses and I am sure all the guys would love to take you out.'

'Please stop.' He complained sadly.

'Fine but only until you change back.' It was going to be a long time before I let him live it down after all.

'How am I supposed to concentrate on being myself when I have all this crap running through my head.' He protested, which was a fair point that was only made worse by my joking.

Fortunately or rather unfortunately I had some idea how he could focus on one thing only.

'Close your eyes and just do what you would normally do. Then try changing.' I told him causing him to nod in either agreement or confusion, who knows with him half the time? Before he did as I instructed and closed his eyes.

Once he had done so I slowly moved towards stopping barely a foot in front of him. I couldn't believe I was going to do this and that it was my idea. Regardless I had had enough of his voice already and this was almost worth just getting it to change back as I brushed a few raven strands out of the way and closing my eyes before grabbing him in an embrace and kissing him causing him to coil back in shock initially before returning it with passion. Meanwhile I spent my time thinking that I was kissing him and not 'him', which was far less awkward for me to consider.

Of course with the pair of us blindly fumbling it was only going to end in one conclusion in a pile on the floor though we somehow managed to maintain contact as I fell on him. However as I did my eyes opened briefly only to catch sight of him looking at me with a look of amusement causing me to break off the kiss in shock.

'You changed back?' I asked in surprise, sure it was the reason I kissed him but I never expected it to work.

'Oh this it was easy, I figured out how to do while we were talking. It was just worth it to see if I could get you to kiss me or not.' He explained with a grin.

.

'Asshole.' I muttered playfully punching him in the chest

'I don't know you looked like you were enjoying it as much as I was.'

'I was pretending it was You you, not strange crossbreed me/you.' I countered indignantly.

'Sure you were. Still you were pretty forceful for someone who was pretending I was someone else.' He said still grinning causing me to groan.

'So here's the deal you tell no one about this little incident and I won't tell anyone you like kissing other girls.' He proposed.

'Well technically I am not supposed to be kissing any guys so who are you going to tell?'

'Apollo knows about me and you and I am sure he will consider the idea weird but still hot.'

'Deal.' I replied with a grimace.

'Good because I was in the middle of something when you ruined it by opening your eyes. Remember it is me now, so go nuts.' He said grinning as he pulled me back close once again.

AN. Short chapter of mostly fluff but I wanted to get it out of the way before the next one which should be a lot longer.

Not to say I didn't have fun writing bits of this, besides who knows this may not be the last you see of 'Persee'. I just liked the concept of Percy screwing up what should be a relatively simple ability.

Finally wow no one has a clue where I am going with Nico do they? Hint he is the king of -'s.

So as always please Read and Review