Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or any character in this story.
A/N: Hello everyone! Just quick heads up please know that this chapter is a bit fucked up and there are some trigger warnings. All in all, it is pretty gruesome, I just wanted to let you all know beforehand. Also, I hope you enjoy the twist in the story :) I guess you could say, this is where the rewrite truly begins hehe. Also read A/N at the end for more possible story changes.
LAST TIME:
"Recently Sally had to find a male to hide Percy's scent. The male she found is so repulsive not even Aphrodite could do anything to improve him, but… I don't trust his character, he seems risky and possibly might harm her." As he said this as his words were laced with worry.
"Are you asking for a second favor uncle?" I asked as he seemed to think for a second but shook his head.
"For now, I will have to watch the situation. I cannot personally go or Zeus will stop me and the situation will worsen. If it gets out of hand though, I will ask you to address it. I can't be too indebted to you all at once." He said as I nodded. Though I wish I could help if I was caught knowing that Poseidon had kids before anyone else, father would see to it that I would be punished since I did not tell him. I couldn't take that sort of risk for nothing.
"Well hopefully nothing bad will happen to Percy while he is with him. A few more years and Percy will be able to go to camp Half Blood and he will be much safer. Let us pray we don't have to make any house calls until then.
NOW:
THIRD PERSON POV:
1.5 YEARS AFTER GABE MOVED IN/ PERCY IS SIX: (i upped his age a bit)
A/N: Here comes the first big change in the rewrite let me know what you think. Also disturbing details bellow, just a heads up)
Percy has started school not too long ago but there was one thing about his life he hated the most, and that was going home. Sally would normally have to work late each night to make ends meet, she also had to stop going to school at the same time as well. All so that she could afford to pay rent on her home, Gabe basically wasted his income on other things.
The money that had been left with Sally from his real mom still hadn't been used. Sally didn't want to even suggest she had been hiding money from Gabe. Currently it was a big issue for the two, but through all the fighting Sally still didn't say a word about the money to Gabe. She honestly regretted her decision of using Gabe. Some nights she even cried herself to sleep in regret while he slept on the couch.
Gabe stays home most of the time, the only days he works are on the weekends at the supermarket down the street. Due to Percy's fast learning he was already in 2nd grade and still taking in knowledge at an almost alarming pace. When school was out at 3 and with nobody to take him home he was forced to walk, and even though it was extremely dangerous for a 6 year old, he made it home safely each day.
Each time he went home he would try his hardest to make the walks as long as possible, talking with friends from school and helping them with homework. Playing chess with old folks in the park. Even as far as staying with the teachers at school and helping where he could, he knew if he was later than 4:30 when getting home a big fight would break out and he didn't want his mommy and Gabe to yell. It only ever made his life worse in the end.
You could see that he was a lot different from when he first met Gabe. He only seemed to smile at school and when he was around others. When he wasn't, his face was that of no emotions, only Sally had seen a true smile from him when Gabe wasn't home and their own time together. Even then it had probably been months since that last happened.
He had almost changed a lot in that time frame as well. He grew fast as ever, nearly 4 foot 5 well over the height of normal kids his age. He also didn't seem to have an ounce of baby fat left on him. He almost seemed too skinny for his age even, but before any teachers could ask, his fake smile threw their worries away. He had unfortunately learned a lot about hiding emotions in the past year as well.
Every day even if it's a hundred degrees out, he always has on a long sleeve shirt and pants. Though the other kids complained Percy just said it felt comfy and didn't bother him about it. He had even tricked Sally into buying him just long sleeves and pants, no shorts or plain shirts were in his clothes selection at all. The reason being... It was to hide the bruises and cuts left from his tormenter that Sally had no idea about.
Right now though, Percy stood silently in front of his apartment door, he had been doing so for the last 25 minutes. It was a common site on this floor, but the neighbors had long turned a blind eye to him. Not wanting to get involved into any domestic dispute, some had called the cops already because of the yelling but nothing came of it. Sally would then visit and simply apologize, trying her best to ease their worries. She never had any injuries so it seemed to be enough for them.
From under the door a pungent and strong smell of beer and cigars smoke wafted out from under the door. The smell made Percy's nose crinkle in disgust, he had long gotten used to the smell but tonight was especially bad.
'Looks like Gabe has some of his moronic friends over again.' Percy thought as he slowly reached for the handle. He waited for a second and slowly took a deep breath of fresh air as he pushed open the door, releasing an even more disgusting odor into the hall. Percy just pushed onwards and completely opened the door.
The sound of the door bumping into empty beer cans and glass bottles was heard as he swung it open. The garbage piled by the door from Gabe's party overflowed from its spot and covered the ground. Seemingly unheard over the noise from their old TV playing a football game he sighed a bit as he walked in and closed the door behind him. He could hear Gabe and his friends playing poker as they laughed and joked over the sound of the TV.
He tried to walk by as fast as he could to his room but the hallway to his room went right past the living room and Gabe alway sat facing the hall. Gabe effectively spotted him instantly as he tried to sneak by.
"Hey twerp! What are you doing home so late!? Huh!? You know the rules! 4:30 pm at the latest!" He didn't even look up from his game of poker as his friends all quieted down, this event something they were long used to. Percy only glazed at the clock seeing it was at 4:31 pm he accidentally waited too long outside.
"My teacher had me help clean-up with them, I'm sorry." Percy said in a begging voice as Gabe looked up at him with his seemingly yellow eyes. Seeing them made Percy shiver in fright, it seemed Gabe was in no mood to play around tonight.
"Uh Huh... Well that doesn't change the fact that you are late and you know what that means. Sorry guys, we will have to continue this tomorrow. Gotta discipline my kid." He said as his friends just shrugged, not seeming to care about Percy in the slightest.
They left quickly and quietly, grabbing their things and moving around Percy who stood frozen in the hallway as he stared at Gabe. Not even saying goodbye as they kicked the used cans and bottles a little even, soon it was just Percy and Gabe left in the apartment.
"P-Please don't." Percy begged as tears threatened to spill from his eyes as Gabe gave a sigh as he slowly stood up. Percy then heard him crack his knuckles a bit and then just stared at the almost crying child. He had three hours until Sally got home.
Sally didn't know as much as a whisper of what was going on between the two. Sure she knew they didn't get along in the slightest but Gabe was too clever for his own good. He had threatened Percy many times that he would punish and hit Sally just like he did him if he so much as told her one thing about what was going on. Percy trying to protect his amazing mother did as he was told, he kept his mouth shut and let Gabe do as he wished.
"You know the rules kid, break the rules you get punished, now pick your poison or I will pick it for you. Punching? Whipping? Or my favorite, boiled water?" He said with pure evil in his voice that made Percy feel pure dread fill his body.
The rules were just a gimmick for Gabe, they were nothing but a means to an end. Just a way to make his actions seem righteous and proper even if it was only in his own little head. Even the smallest rule being broken such as passing the pepper instead of the salt on accident would result in a punch to the gut.
The worst of it started when Gabe discovered Percy was not like normal humans. He had discovered his demigod powers, it all happened one night when he was a bit drunker than most and actually tried to drown Percy. When he pulled the kid up after 15 minutes to find him completely fine and even minor cuts missing he kinda freaked out. Discovering Percy's powers only seemed to push Gabe's mind in another direction as its twisted nature, he saw an opportunity to somehow punish this so-called 'freak of nature' to new limits. That's when he discovered boiling water, Percy was truly afraid for his life in those moments.
The heat completely negated parts of his newly developed and weak powers as it made Percy's skin blister under the intense heat and scar his body, but Percy didn't have any scars to speak of, that's because each night before Sally came home Gabe would force Percy into a bath. Using Percy's powers for healing to restore his small body to its normal self.
"I don't want any of that Gab-." Before he could even finish the sentence a bottle flew by his head and hit the wall behind him. He just stood there, shaking in even more fear.
"What was that punk!?" He yelled as he approached the boy. Then Percy finally seemed to snap at him for the first time ever as he looked at him with a fire of anger in his eyes.
"You heard me! You're just a pig! A person who is supposed to be in hell! Someone who should just go die in a hole!" Percy closed his eyes and screamed as hard as he could, causing Gabe to stop for a second.
Percy didn't even open his eyes before he felt a fist collide with his chest. He flew back into the wall knocking the wind out of his lungs. He even left an imprint in the wall due to the force and slid down to where the waiting glass shards of the bottle were. Just then a boom of thunder shook the building and the lights flickered a bit but Gabe paid it no mind.
By the time Percy was even able to make a gasp for air, a foot collided with his gut. Knocking what little air he had in him out of him and even causing him to vomit the contents of his stomach onto the floor. Gabe just showed a disgusted face at the scene as she stepped back from it.
Percy on the other hand finished vomiting and gasped for air, coughing a lot as some of the vomit got into his lungs. Percy just coughed more and more but from what felt like a broken rib was causing him immense pain as his eyes spilled over with tears. Even in all the pain and coughing he managed to stand up and face Gabe as he raised his fists up to fight. Then he was met with a punch to the face that nearly knocked him out causing him to collapse on the ground wheezing in pain. Percy honestly just wished the punch had knocked him out. Gabe then went to the kitchen and filled up a pitcher of water and slowly came back and poured the water over Percy. Percy felt his body rejuvenated but he felt like crying even more at the feeling.
Still the water did its job and stopped Percy's coughing and dulling most of the pain as he simply laid there soaking wet. Gabe didn't want to kill the little bastard, he would be sent away to jail for that.
"Mommy." Percy mumbled a bit as Gabe frowned at the word.
"Mommy this, mommy that, if that bitch of a mommy of yours would just fucking sleep with me for once I'm sure I wouldnt need to relieve my stress this way." Gabe growled as he began to rain down hits on Percy. As the time passed Gabe seemed to lose his wind as he was covered in sweat and just looked down at the seemingly broken Percy. Realizing how far he had gone he quickly picked up the boy like a bag of garbage and took him to the tub and then started to run cold water over him.
Gasping in pain Percy seemed to react as Gabe nodded, at least the twerp was alive. He then waited for the bath to fill up and allowed Percy to soak as he sat on the toilet lit up a cigarette and just watched him quietly breath under water. Seeing the site made him grimace, it gave him a reminder that his body wasn't human. So he shouldn't be treated as such.
"You wait here for a while. I'm gonna go make a call." He said as she stood up and left the bathroom as Percy didn't even register his words in his trance-like state of pain and misery. Soon Gabe returned and drained the bath, seeing that Percy was in much better state albeit not fully recovered. Just then a second boom of thunder shook the apartment as Gabe glanced at the flickering lights.
"Stormy today, guess I missed the forecast." He murmured.
"Alright let's get you dried up and ready, you are expecting a guest here soon." Gabe said, pulling all of Percy's wet clothes off and drying him off with an old musty towel. Looking at the broken rib he saw it was now back in place but not fully healed. After a bit Percy was now seated in a chair in clean clothes in the living room, but his mind was only half with it. He no longer had the fight in him at this point, he didn't want to get hurt anymore.
Then a knock at the door came as Gabe got up from watching the football game as Percy slowly turned to the door to see a woman come inside. She was about 5 foot 6 with no distinguishable traits, she had dirty blonde hair that was dyed and was fairly busty but that was it. She just came in and sat down at the table across from Percy and they both just stared at each other without a word.
She then looked at Gabe as if asking something and he simply nodded at the unspoken question. He got out a wad of cash from his pocket as Percy couldn't help but frown at the sight. His mother was breaking her back to get ends meet and here he was loaded up on cash, turns out he was hiding cash as well. Then the woman quickly counted it and smiled as she gave a nod.
"It's a deal." She said as she then stood up and walked over to Percy with a sweet smile on her face. Percy though was just sitting there not knowing what to do until the women sat on the table right beside him.
"Listen sweety, I've been paid to... make a video with you." She said as Percy was clueless as to what she was talking about, but then she rummaged in her purse slowly pulling out something that he recognized. It was an item he had seen many times from many of Gabes adult magazines he left around the house. At that moment it seemed to click in his brain just what was going on.
"N-No!" Percy screamed, knocking the female strapon off the table and tried to run away. Sadly the woman easily caught his arm and he was far too weak to break her grasp.
"Let me go!" He screamed but the woman suddenly threw them both to the ground and pinned his back to the floor and trapped both his arms under her legs. She then gripped his mouth effectively stopping his screams as he could only stare up at her with extreme fright.
"Shut your mouth you little brat, just stay quiet and it will be over before you know it. Alright?" She threatened him and just gripped his mouth harder as tears ran down his face. All he could do was pray.
'Someone... anyone... Please help me.' He begged internally as he closed eyes. Just then a slash of warm liquid hit him and gave him a small shock. Then the splash turned into a spray coating his face and at the same time the woman on top of him seemed to choke a bit. She seemed to quickly get off of him and then he just heard her take a few steps and then crash into a pile of garbage by the now wide open front door.
"Keep your eyes closed Percy!" Suddenly a voice of his mother shouted at him as Percy felt immense happiness at the sound of her voice but frightened at the same time. He had never had his mom yell at him, but he did as he was told.
Now standing by the bleeding out woman was Sally Jackson in her New York Sweets work uniform, that was now splattered with deep crimson blood. Her face was covered in a look of pure rage, one glance at it was enough for any sane person to stop in their tracks. Especially for Gabe who had just come into the room. His eyes were only on her face for a moment as they slowly shifted to the blood covered kitchen knife she held firmly and steadily in her hand.
ON CHAOS' VACATION PLANET:
THIRD PERSON POV:
Chaos was the angriest she had been in her immortal life, there were a few points that came close but this rage she felt was like none she had ever felt before. If she had been at her maximum strength just the aura off her body would rip the planet and the whole galaxy around her apart. Her eyes glowed like supernovas and her normally stunning beauty was now one of pure rage. Even now the air trembled around her in an imposing manor that threatened all who approached.
Yet one man stood by her side with one hand on her shoulder that kept her seated. Order himself was not in much better shape than she was, His own anger making the room quake and warp as items in the room shattered into dust or distorted to strange shapes. Even though his face was one that matched Chaos', his eyes had a sliver of rationality.
"Let me go Order, so that I can erase him from this plane of existence. I have watched silently for the past year and a half and have done nothing. Let me go!" Chaos said with an infuriated and strained tone as she struggled against Orders hand that held her down.
"You know as well as I do, we cannot interfere. The instant you set foot on earth is the instant Percy's life is for the fates to take and the universe will crumble. Even if I or another primordial goes the result is the same, his destiny is not something we can change. I do not wish to see our rash decisions lead to Percy's death." Order said calmly as he hand gave a soft squeeze to Chaos' shoulder as she seemed to lose some of her steam but none of her anger.
They could only continue to watch the scene in silence, Gabe's actions from the point all the way until he left Percy in the bath to heal. Everything made the two shake in anger, even the other primordials in Chaos' living room had the same reaction but remained in their seats. Each having a different level of anger as they watched in silence.
They all had been called long ago by command of Order to subdue Chaos if need be if her emotions got too out of hand. Even then some of them seemed to want to do the same as her as they all watched their sibling grow up. From his youthful smiles and laughs to the present scene of torment he had been enduring for years.
"To treat a person in such a way is beyond human, this man is a psychopath." Nyx said with darkness flooding her expression.
"H-He wouldn't." Eros suddenly said as his cast on his arm and body injuries flared and bled from him exerting his power. The other others soon picked up on what he had figured out as they caught the conversation between Gabe and the women.
"NO!" Chaos screamed and tried to get up but Order held her down firmly as she struggled under his shaking hand. Feeling the pressing force on her keeping her still, Chaos's supernova-like eyes started to pour tears. Nyx and Hemera ran to her side and gave her a hug with tears in their eyes as well. Chaos just reached up to her face and let out sobs that shook everyone in the room.
"Sally?" Order suddenly said as everyone slowly looked up at the screen to see Sally Jackson open the door to her apartment and then walk into the terrifying scene before her.
What could only be described as a mothers fury overcame her as her blue eyes danced like the most violent hurricanes known to man.
BACK TO EARTH:
THIRD PERSON POV:
The surprise storm had killed the power to the factory Sally worked at. Since they couldn't get back up they decided to send everyone home with a full day's wage. Sally was even able to snag an extra big bag of blue candy for Percy. She hurried home as the lightning crossed the sky as the sea seemed to stir restlessly. She could only think that Poseidon and Zeus were throwing hissy fits at one another at the time.
Still she managed to get home well before she normally got home. She just happily hummed hoping that she could see her baby boy's smiling face. Although she was sure he would be happier seeing the massive bag of candy instead of her. She just rolled her eyes at his antics, but she had another surprise for him as well.
She spent a bit of her PTO hours and managed to get a week-long vacation. She hoped to bring Percy to Montauk Island, it would be his first time there. It was a place she treasured with Poseidon and decided to share it with Percy. As she approached the door she heard some muffled sounds and the normal strong stench of her apartment.
Giving it no mind she opened the door revealing a scene she would never forget. A woman had pinned Percy down to the floor holding his crying face still as she spoke to him. A strapon on the floor not too far away and what appeared to be vomit, blood, and a lot of water in a disgusting hallway. Sally was stunned to say the least as she dropped the bag of candy in shock.
Then it hit her again but this time the shock was dispersed and Sally was overcome with intense anger. Her eyes lit up like storms as she did the first thing that came to mind. Her actions were smooth and precise, one step she dropped the rest of her stuff in the door. By the next step she was by the entrance to the kitchen where her hand easily reached around the corner and grabbed the biggest kitchen knife they owned.
Sally's footsteps carried her as smoothly as silk and and as silent as a ghost around the garbage in the hall towards the woman. Sally's eyes trained on the woman in front of her, with a hand as fast as lightning the knife was twirled so the blade was facing towards Sally. The next second seemed instantaneous as Sally grabbed the woman's hair and slid the knife across throat effortlessly.
"Rot in hell bitch." Sally whispered in the ear of the woman as she finished the cut across the woman's neck. The woman didn't even have a chance to respond as her throat filled with blood and it splashed forward. Sally suddenly came from her focused state and noticed Percy was covered with blood, thankfully his eyes were closed.
The blonde woman stood up and let go of Percy to try and cover her slit throat, Sally just stepped out of the way giving the woman some space. Sally could see the fear in her eyes as blood frothed from her lips. She paid her no mind as she just looked at Percy in silence examining him to see if he was hurt. Just then the woman collapsed onto the ground making Percy slowly try and open his eyes.
"Keep your eyes closed Percy!" Sally yelled, hoping to keep the scene away from Percy's eyes. He seemed to listen to her as he just remained still, Sally then slowly turned her head to Gabe who stood stunned in the doorway.
"You... I should have known." Sally said as she just stared at the cause of her misery for the last year and half.
"S-Sally calm down, it's n-not what it looks like." Gabe said, raising both arms and slowly approached her but Sally just raised the knife towards him causing him to stop in his tracks.
"What have you been doing to him?" Sally asked, still keeping the knife trained on him as the both stood still.
"N-Nothing." Gabe managed to stutter out as he tried to swallow to only find his mouth dry. Sally's eyes were still storming as she gritted her teeth in anger.
"TELL ME!" She screamed at him causing the shorter man to jump a bit as he slowly began to speak.
"I was just punishing him." Gabe said as Sally felt her anger swell.
"THIS IS PUNISHMENT? WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO HIM!" Sally yelled as she approached Gabe as he took a few steps back. His back then hit a wall, and Sally just stopped a few feet from him as Gabe just stared at the knife sweating heavily.
"I-I..." As Gabe tried to speak he suddenly lunged at Sally who was slightly surprised. Her body moved on its own as the knife found Gabes gut easily, but this didn't stop him in the least. Though Sally was taller Gabe was much heavier as he slammed into Sally with all his force. This sent the two to the ground as Sally kept her hand firm on the blade and twisted it as Gabe let out a roar of pain.
"FUCK!" Gabe screamed as he ignored the knife wound and grasped Sally's throat and began to choke her out. Sally didn't lose an ounce of focus or fury as she tore out the blade and stabbed Gabe several more times, but his belly fat was plentiful keeping the knife away from any major organs or arteries.
"DIE YOU BITCH!" He roared with bloodshot eyes as Sally began to lose wind fast, her oxygen supply cut off as her muscles burned. Gabe was far too heavy for her move on her own. She then stopped stabbing him in the gut and then tried to stab him in the arms. He saw it coming and let go with one hand and pinned down her hand that had the knife.
Sally struggled with all her might even managing to push back against his arm but Gabe seemed to grow even stronger as his adrenaline hit the max. He slammed her arm down again and again trying to make her let go of the knife but she held strong. At this point it had been too long of a struggle. Sally was running out of wind.
"P-Percy." Sally managed to sputter out as her mind grew fuzzy due to lack of blood, Gabe just gripped hard causing her mouth to just gape but make no sound. Her focus slowly shifted from the man strangling her to her only joy in life at the moment. Her baby boy, her precious son she had raised. Her everything. A picture of him floated in her fuzzy mind, one of him giving her a toothy smile. His cheerful personality around her.
"LET HER GO!" Suddenly a scream shook the room and a small fist punched Gabe's face. It did nothing but jolt his head a bit and shake him from his crazed stupor, he just blinked and slowly looked to see Percy standing there ready to throw another punch. He was nearly completely covered in blood with tears running down his face.
"Let her go." Percy said with a small sob as Gabe slowly let go of Sally's throat a little causing her to cough and take deep breaths of air. Gabe almost gave a confused look but stopped as he turned back to Sally. Not giving Percy another glance.
"I'll deal with you later." He said but Percy just screamed with all his might and his eyes lit up with rage as his eyes glowed for a split second. Something seemed to snap in him as he landed another solid punch on Gabes face. It even made Gabe rear back and shake his head for a second and then locked his reddened eyes on Percy.
"I said later!" Gabe screamed as he took his hand completely off Sally's throat and backhanded Percy across the face. Percy stumbled back and fell but Gabe wasn't done as he reached over and managed to tear the knife from Sally's loosened grip. Sally was still recovering as her brain couldn't seem to control her body due to loss of oxygen for so long.
"R-Run." Sally managed to get out of her mouth. Gabe gave her no mind, he just stood up as blood fell from his stomach from his several stab wounds, but he just trained eyes on Percy with pure hate.
"This is all your fault." Gabe mumbled as he slowly walked forward as Percy slowly looked up at him with gritted teeth.
"If you simply weren't here my life would have been perfect." Gabe said taking one more step forward but stopping as he felt a wave of nausea wash over him. He even put a hand on the wall as he blinked a few times to catch his bearings. But this didn't seem to help, then blood began to flow from his nose as he blinked in confusion. The brat's punch was not nearly hard enough to do this to him.
"What did you do to me?" Gabe asked as the nausea only grew worse and more blood began to flow from not just one but both nostrils now. Percy just stared in confusion as Gabe began to stumble forward. He dropped the knife and gripped his head in pain as he grasped for a chair and sat down hard.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME YOU MONSTER!" Gabe yelled as Sally and Percy just stared at the man. His whole face began to flush red and seemed to bulge a little with pressure. Then more blood came, both his eyes began to leak bloody tears. Even his ears began to leak blood as he just gripped his head in pain. The site was terrifying for Percy whose anger was washed away by horror.
"W-What did y-you do?" Gabe asked one last time as he lost all his strength and just sat there until both his hands fell from his head and he slowly slumped out of his chair and fell to the ground. Both of his eyes wide open as his now lifeless body laid on the ground, Percy could only stare into those lifeless eyes as he soon began to hyperventilate.
"Percy! Percy!" Sally tried to yell his name but Percy kept hyperventilating until his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out. Sally managed to crawl over and check him. She just sighed in relief as she heard his shallow breathing and heartbeat in his chest.
She then slowly pulled Percy into her lap and leaned against a wall as she began to cry. She wailed her heart out as she held her baby boy as close as she could. She nearly lost everything in a moment, but she and Percy had survived; it was the greatest blessing she could ask for. The scare of today would remain but time would heal it.
"We can't stay here." Sally suddenly said to herself as she looked at the rundown apartment with two corpses in it. She slowly managed to calm herself to the point she could think straight as she slowly exhaled. Her mind raced as she slowly stood up and began to get her and Percy to safety.
OLYMPUS:
THIRD PERSON POV:
Everyone was gathered for the anniversary of Zeus and Hera's wedding, believe it or not, a huge event in Olympus. Even though Zeus was incredibly unfaithful to Hera it was still widely celebrated. Everyone who was anyone was at the party; minor gods, major gods, every Olympian, even mythical creatures. Zeus and Hera were currently accepting gifts from everyone, however both had a questing gaze on their face at the next gift.
The sun god himself Apollo currently stood proudly with his arms crossed beside his present which was a 12 foot tall box present wrapped in shiny golden paper. Just looking at the shiny present was enough to almost blind some creatures. Artemis, who was in her adult form, just rolled her eyes at her brother's antics. Then she just glanced at her present. A small box maybe a few inches tall wrapped in silver wrapping paper.
She just looked around seemingly uninterested but clearly seeing if anyone was looking at her, once she saw nobody was she snapped her fingers and the box grew until it was about a foot tall. Giving a satisfied smile she quickly got into line for giving presents when suddenly the whole party stopped.
Each god present felt that small surge of energy, one all too familiar. The very same one that led them on a wild goose chase for several months, not once but twice, yet with nothing gained from either search. This time it was close, in fact it was right below them, in New York City. Zeus and Hera stopped looking at Apollo's gaudy present and glanced at Hermes who had his eyes closed.
"I've got an address." After a few seconds Zeus nodded and slammed his fist on his throne as thunder shook the room as all gods turned to him.
"Every god in Olympus is to get ready for battle immediately, wait for any reports before you act! All Olympians are to come with me!" Zeus said as everyone knew this was about the power signature they felt.
It was like nothing they had felt before, something outside the gods they all knew. However only the Olympians knew the true origin of the signature coming from that being all those years ago that trapped them. Most thought it was maybe a titan or a very powerful monster announcing its presence for a fight. All gods scurried off to get ready while all Olympians gathered in the throne room. Even Hades appeared in full armor as everyone nodded towards him.
"Today's finally the day brothers?" He asked as Both Poseidon and Zeus nodded.
"Took its sweet time to pop up again." He murmured but nobody paid him any mind. All of them already had the same exact thoughts as him.
"Hermes will take us to the location of the signature. Capture the target at all costs, if a fight is needed then proceed with action. We don't know what will happen so keep an eye on each other's backs. I also give you permission to use your divine forms if absolutely necessary. Artemis, have your hunters cover the city exits. They might try to escape using mortal means."
Zeus finished his instructions as everyone nodded. Artemis's hunters were currently at Camp half blood so a quick IM later they were already on the move. Some demigods even helped cover certain areas of the city.
"I shall guard Olympus." Hestia said as her young 8 year old form grew until she was in her 20's in full armor. Her black hair hidden by a helmet, only her ember-like eyes could be seen inside it. Her weapon of choice was a fire poker that was glowing hot on the end, the very same one she used to stoke the fire of Olympus. Many had never seen Hestia in battle form, it caused a stir in them that suggested how serious this truly was.
Soon everyone was ready as they linked arms with Hermes, he then teleported them all away. Leaving Hestia to herself in the throne room as she then turned to face the doors to the room and put her weapon in front of her ready for anything to come through the door.
SALLY'S HOME:
THIRD PERSON POV:
As everyone arrived outside the location they were quickly greeted by a startling scene. A raging fire was engulfing the very apartment complex that their target was supposed to be at. The rain coming down from the sky seemingly completed the scene. Upon seeing the location Poseidon seemed to freeze for only a split second, but Artemis who was behind him caught this and frowned slightly.
"Apollo." Zeus said to playful sun god just nodded and then in a flash of fire shot up to where the flames were coming from. As he did, mortals started to pour out of the building quickly. Thankfully the Olympians only appeared to be a passing group of business people.
'Uncle.' Poseidon heard a whisper in his head, but he didn't dare to turn to Artemis who had spoken to him in his head.
'Is this Sally's place?' She asked as he remained quiet, the silence was enough for Artemis as a slight frown spread on her lips. Just then her brother returned in a wisp of flame as all the gods turned to him as he shook his head.
"Only two corpses, one a middle aged male and the other a middle aged woman. The rest of the apartment was too burnt to distinguish anything." Apollo said as Poseidon slowly gripped his fist as tight as he could.
"But I did get a small vision of someone on the run. A woman and child, their figures were hidden though." Apollo said as a wave of relief ran through Poseidon.
"This must be related to them then, but that isn't much to run off of. Was there anything else?" Athena said as Apollo seemed to try and think as he put his finger to his chin and gave a thoughtful face.
"There was one other thing, but I don't know if it will help." Apollo said as everyone waited.
"A Camaro?" Apollo said as everyone paused.
"Color?" Demeter asked as Apollo shook his head.
"Nothing, just the word Camaro is all that comes up. The Fates are fickle tonight it seems." Apollo murmured the part to himself as Zeus seemed to think for a second.
"Spread out and look for a Camaro with a woman and child in it. They couldn't have gotten that far. They might only have 30 minutes or so on us. They don't sound like a threat but be on your toes." Zeus as everyone had their predetermined direction. Each quickly disappeared from the crowd of people as soon only Artemis and Poseidon were left.
"She is smart, I 'll give you that." Artemis said as Poseidon just gave her side glance.
"You're going West right?" Poseidon asked as she nodded.
"You wanna earn a favor?" He asked as she just gave a small laugh already understanding what he was getting at.
"Two favors at one time? Quite a debt you will have." Artemis said just staring as the fire consumed the old apartment building.
"The Camaro is black with white stripes. Now I only owe you one favor again." He said as Artemis turned to only find a gust of wind as she gave a slight frown.
"I didn't even agree to help yet, that's just bad business uncle. Us Olympians have rules we must follow." She mumbled to herself, after a second she just gave a light sigh and then like a glance of moonlight through the storm clouds she was gone.
SALLY POV:
If there was one thing that Gabe was good for it was his car, his Camaro was clean and sleek and moved like the wind. Even with the rain pelting the streets it kept its grip to the road and moved just fine. Currently Percy was still passed out in the back and buckled up tightly.
I didn't even turn on the radio as I just kept drying and driving, hoping to get out of New York. Whatever Percy did to Gabe was more than enough to attract any monster around and maybe even enough for some gods to stick their nose into it. They were a very nosy bunch if you asked me.
Thankfully I had been prepared for such a day, a bug out bag complete with all the essentials for me and Percy to survive. Call me paranoid or call me well prepared, it was for the better good for both of us. There were even a few weapons with the bags as well. I didn't want to buy them but my past habits got the better of me. I just shook my head trying to clear my head of such thoughts, that life was behind me.
Still as I bobbed and weaved out of traffic that was surprisingly light, probably due to the storm, I had one destination in mind. I needed to get to a train station so that I could get out of this place faster. My final destination is West Virginia and its plentiful mountains. With the money that Percy's real mother gave me I actually purchased a cabin there, again part of my bug out plan.
As I sped through my 5th red light and approached the station I needed to get to I suddenly saw a flash of silver in the middle of the street. I didn't stop though as I instantly sped past it. Just like that my world seemed to slow down as I sped past the person in the road. Missing them by mere inches, It was an absolutely stunning woman with auburn hair put into a ponytail with silver eyes tha met mine for the mere moment.
She just looked at me with a calm face the entire time as I could sense a majestic aura on her like that of Poseidon. In an instant, the moment ended and I sped past her as my heart began to race even faster. Why in the hell were the Olympian gods chasing after me and Percy? Could it be that word got out about Poseidon adopting Percy and they were here to finish the job?
"No that wouldn't be it." I mumbled to myself forcing my brain to think, the only thing I could think of was the strange event that happened when Percy punched Gabe in the face. My face paled a bit as I glanced back at Percy who was sound asleep, maybe it had to do with his real mother.
The puzzle seemed to slowly fall into place as my thoughts faced and soon I found myself by the train station. I even managed to book the last train of the night, though it would only take me to Philadelphia. It was more than enough for now. Bless the... we will hold off on blessing them for now, at least until I find out what's going on. As I pulled up to the station there was nobody around. New York is the city that never sleeps, where are the people?
I just slowly parked by the station and waited for a bit, however nothing came from it as I felt my heart beat faster. Slowly I parked the car and grabbed one of the weapons I packed and got out of the Camaro. As I did, a small flash of silver crossed my eyes as I turned to see the very same woman I passed a bit ago now right in front of me. Her silver eyes locked onto me and then slowly glanced at my weapon.
"A bit much... don't you think?" The woman asked, looking at the pump action shotgun in my arms. I just remembered my training as I slowly exhaled and put the butt of the gun to my shoulder and aimed it at her. She just slowly raised her hands as I kept my eyes trained on her every movement.
"A bit much, yes, but I must do what I can to keep us safe." I said as she just slowly nodded.
"Do you perhaps know who I am?" She asked as I gave a slight nod.
"You are Lady Artemis aren't you? Goddess of the hunt?" I asked as she gave a small smile and nodded.
"Indeed I am, you must be Sally. Poseidon talks about you a lot, you know, he is completely infatuated with you. Now I can kinda see why." Artemis said as I felt my heart jump a little.
"Did Zeus find out that Percy is Poseidon's?" I asked as she shook her head.
"He doesn't know a single thing other than rumors of Percy." She said as I felt part of a weight be lifted off my chest. I still didn't release my aim on her.
"Then why are you here?" I asked as she seemed to think for a second. Finally she gave me a thoughtful look and slowly spread out her arms as I raised an eyebrow at her actions.
"Let's just say it has to do with Percy's origins that not even we know of. But for now, take the shot." Artemis said as I was thrown through a loop. Maybe the rain soaking me to the bone made me not hear her correctly?
"W-What?" I asked her as she gave a light chuckle.
"I found you and Olympus must know that. However, you were very well armed. Caught me right off my guard you managed to stun me by blasting a few slugs at me. That is what you have loaded in that gun, at least from what I can tell." She said, still having her arms spread as she slowly began to walk closer to me as I kept my aim trained on her. How she knew my loadout for the shotgun was a surprise as well.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you letting me go?" I asked her as curiosity laced my steen voice, but she simply paused and gave a slight glance at the car that still held Percy.
"A young hero should not be judged by his origins but only by his deeds. While we have been searching for him for quite some time, I feel if I brought him into Olympus it would not be much of anything to the council. Maybe Zeus would keep him there and study to figure out his origins. That is not something I wish to put on a young child." With a slight pause and stare I nodded and motioned for her to continue.
"Plus I feel he should have a chance to grow and learn of his powers and origin, he could make for a great ally of Olympus in the future. Especially if you are the one teaching him, I can only see good things coming from this decision." She said as I just continued to stare at her as I racked my first round.
"Plus... it's a favor for a certain sea god." She said with a light smile as I felt my eyes tear up a little.
"Thank you Artemis. Also I am sorry. " I said as I pulled the trigger, lighting up the darkened rainy sky with brilliant flashes.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A/N: Sooo how do you like the new chapter and the turn I took? I figured eh why not and just went for it. But I had quite the amount of fun writing Sally like this and if you have any comments let me know. But I hope you all enjoyed it! Also I have been thinking, I kinda wanna add Thalia into the harem and also Annabeth... Any thoughts, my peeps?
E/N: Had to take a small break with the old chapters, Nuts here got chapter 15 and 16 out rather quickly! Anyway I hope the editing I did makes it a bit of a better read (some mistakes used to break my immersion years ago!) Love you all! - Dex
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