Chapter Text
Clarisse rested her forearms against her thighs, doubling over and panting. She smiled at Percy, sharp and quick.
"That was good," She admitted grudgingly. "You almost had me."
Percy - the insufferable idiot - winked at her.
"Next time." He promised. "I'll beat you."
Clarisse wasn't sure when her relationship with Jackson became that. A relationship. But a year later, they were both still reeling from the second Gigantomachy. Afternoon runs became their thing. Pounding hearts and frenzied smiles. It was good-natured competition, and there was no room to think about all the what-ifs?
"Hey," The urgent noise brought Clarisse back to the present. Before she could think, she'd already slid her dagger out of her thigh sheath, not a spear, never again, and was scanning the horizon for possible threats. Seeing nothing, she loosened her grip on her dagger, but still tight, always be alert, and glanced at Percy. Confused.
Jackson's eyes were fixed at a point near Zeus's Fist. But there was nothing there - oh. Birds, too many to be coincidence were flying around the area. Heavy footfalls made both of them flinch instinctively as they turned towards the sound. Travis, Conner, and Leo burst out of the trees, gasping.
"Something's wrong." Connor was the first to recover from their mad dash across the forest.
Clarisse shared a look with Percy.
"We saw it too." She murmured.
Travis strode forward. "Something's wrong." He declared grandly.
Exchanging glances, the three followed.
On the other side of the forest, Annabeth was freaking out with Piper, Hazel, and Thalia.
"I just, don't know." She admitted.
Piper furrowed her brow. "About Percy?"
"Dude, the guy loves you. Anyone with eyes can see that." Hazel added, rolling her eyes.
"I know, I know." She huffed. "I know that but it's just, well....I'm not feeling that..fire anymore. After T-Tarturus, we changed, matured,..grew up. And now...I guess things have changed too much for us to still be okay."
Thalia glared at her. "Annabeth, you know I love you, and I practically raised you, but Percy's like my brother. I love him, I love you. So, if you break his heart...I'll break your face." She raised her fist threatenly, but the effect was somewhat ruined by her worried face.
And Annabeth got it. She wouldn't make her pseudo-sister choose. She wouldn't. Their family was too far broken for her to let that happen.
Hazel sighed. "Are you going to break up with him?"
"I - " Whatever Annabeth was going to say, it was cut off by the incoherent clamoring of birds. Piper's posture tensed and she stood up, alert.
"That's not good." The four friends sprinted down the hill, sharp blades of grass prickling their calves. Just as they reached the edge of the forest, however, Hazel crashed into Nico. Grover, who was standing beside him, just managed to dodge.
"Di Immortales!" She cursed, eyes wide. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to and - " She babbled on while helping her half-brother up.
"Did you guys see that?" Nico interrupted Hazel.
"Mmhm." Thalia grinned at Nico. "We were just headed there. Come with?" She offered.
Nico shrugged and sprinted in the forest, leaving the others behind. Grover took one look at Thalia's fuming face and trotted after Nico.
"Why, that little.." Thalia growled, chasing after him.
In the Big House, Diyonusys was grumbling to Chiron.
"And ever since my dear older brother got pardoned and wet back to Olympus, I'm alone!"
Chiron hummed. He knew Diyonusys cared more about the Camp than he cared to admit, the Camp and its campers. He couldn't do anything though. They all had their parts to play.
Meanwhile, at the clearing, the demigods had met only to discover...nothing.
Clarisse cleared her throat and looked around. "So, is no one here?"
"Well, I wouldn't describe myself as no-one." Said a wry and familiar voice. Exhausted, but clearly trying to pretend.
"Lady Artemis!" Thalia dropped to one knee and bowed. Looking at her, the rest of the demigods bowed as well.
"At ease," Artemis waved her hand. "I have a request to make."
Percy grumbled under his breath. Artemis, acting like she hadn't heard, went on.
"I need you all to travel. Travel back in time."
Her words were met with stunned silence. "Um," Leo hesitantly spoke up, "How far back are we talking? And...well, why?"
"Ancient Greece, and..." Artemis hesitated. "I can't answer your second question in depth, but I can tell you what you are to do. When you travel, you will appear in front of the Olympian Throne Roon. The first Gigantomachy will have just finished, and you heroes will have to...recap your lives, let's call it. I don't think I can tell you more, but I have it on good word that if you mortals do this, your actions will help future demigods - and maybe even yourselves."
A few seconds passed in an awkward silence. "Well," Grover looked around and bleated. "I think that if this is going to help, we should do it."
Percy nodded determinedly. Annabeth who was steadfastly ignoring him, also nodded her assent. Slowly, cheers of agreement arose from the rag-tag group.
Artemis, who looked relieved said, "Excellent." She snapped her fingers, and all the demigods felt a ripping in their guts like something was trying to tear loose. "Euragh!" Connor groaned. "What is this?" No sooner than he'd finished, the world blurred into focus, and like rag dolls, all demigods collapsed. Artemis of course, landed gracefully and darted behind an ancient-style pillar only to gaze wistfully at her brother. " 'Pollo. I wish you were here." Apollo, seeming to have heard her shifted his curious gaze from the demigods to her. Artemis meeped and darted out of the room. A second later, she flashed back to the demigods, a bright golden blush on her face.
"Well," rumbled Zeus in a deep, prideful voice. "Who might you be?" "And," He added, much more threateningly, "What business do mortals have on Olympus?"