Chapter Text
Prologue: The Hunt Begins
Artemis was angry at her father; he had kept her and her brother apart. Her brother was punished for nothing. Sent to live as a defenceless mortal and to restore his oracles and stop the Triumvirate. If she had her way, she would be with Apollo right now and making sure he was ok. If she even had it a little bit her way, she would be able to literally stalk her brother and his friend to make sure they didn't get hurt.
But no. She was trapped on Olympus. She had only been allowed to help her brother openly once when he was dying and because he summoned her because of a prophecy. She had not so openly helped him a few times.
But now Zeus was watching her more closely. Seeing Apollo's quest was near complete. She was hopefully soon going to breathe a sigh of relief when Apollo was a god again.
She was pacing her Temple all day. Something didn't feel right to her. Something was wrong. She just couldn't pin point it. Something was messing with her. She had a six sense which she had told nobody about. And these instincts were always, always, ALWAYS correct. But something was blocking her now. All she could tell was that something was wrong. And it had her on edge.
Suddenly there was a knock on her Temple door. Rushing over to the door she opens it to see Hermes looking grim.
"Artemis, Father has called a Council meeting it is urgent", Hermes tells her.
Artemis suddenly knew who this was about.
"Apollo", Artemis whispers fear in her voice.
Hermes barely was able to nod in confirmation before Artemis flashes herself to the Throne Room. She sees everyone there but obviously Apollo. Hermes flashes in a second after her. She DOES notice that some demigods were there looking grim. She recognised Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase as well as some of her brothers’ kids.
"What has happened? What has happened to Apollo?" Artemis asks rushed.
"Artemis…", Zeus starts.
"What. Has. Happen. To. My. Brother", Artemis growls her eyes flashing dangerously.
"He is missing my Lady. With his companion Meg", Will says nervously from the side.
"What?" Artemis asks shocked, "What do you mean missing?"
"He disappeared last night. We searched all today before coming here. There is no sign of them", Annabeth states.
"Mrs O'Leary also couldn't pick up their scent. It stopped on the edge of Camp where…", Percy adds.
"Where? What?" Artemis asks.
"There was blood Artemis. When we were notified about what happened I and Asclepius went to check the blood. It was Apollo's Artemis", Athena tells the Moon Goddess softly.
Artemis's face drained off colour. His brother was hurt. Someone had taken her brother. Someone has taken…her. Little. Brother.
"I am going to find him", Artemis declares moving to leave.
"Artemis you cannot! I forbid it! He is a mortal demigod and must get out of this himself", Zeus declares.
Artemis spins around and glares at him.
"You forbid me? You FORBID ME!" Artemis growls.
"Yes", Zeus states not bothered by her temper.
"HE IS MY TWIN BROTHER! I am NOT leaving him in the hands of those who mean him harm", Artemis declares.
"We don't even know if he has been kidnapped", Hera states.
"I don't care", Artemis states turning to glare at her Step-Mother, "I. Don't. Care. I will go looking even if he wasn't kidnapped just to make sure he is safe"
"Just wait Artemis too we have more proof", Athena states trying to cut off a fight.
"We might not have time", Artemis argues.
"It is all we can do Artemis unless Zeus says something", Poseidon says regret in his voice.
Artemis could tell her Uncle DID truly want to help her. She had always liked him.
"Well?" Artemis asks glaring at her so-called father.
"I have declared…", Zeus starts.
"So, I know. But how about you hear what I declare?" Artemis asks in a deathly voice.
"And what do you declare niece?" Hestia asks softly.
Many lean forward to hear. Hades was curious about what his nieces next more will be.
"It doesn't matter I have decreed…", Zeus starts angrily.
Artemis turns and storms to the doors and slams the Hall of the Gods doors open cracking them. Shocking many at her strength.
"Olympus hear my call!" Artemis yells on the steps to the Hall of the Gods.
Many turn to the Moon Goddess. Minor Gods, Natural Spirits, demigods and more step out. The Olympians had moved to behind Artemis worried about what she will now do.
"Artemis you must stop this. We can't spend all our efforts searching for him when we don't even know he is in danger", Zeus tells her.
Artemis snarls at Zeus, "This is YOUR fault for holding me from him and suppressing our bond. I swear that until my brother is found I will scour the US over and over again. I will scour the WORLD over and over again. I WILL NOT rest till my brother and his companion are back home safely. I don't care the cost I won't rest till he is found and is safe. I will even go to the ends of the earth and the-land-beyond-the-gods, Alaska, to find my little brother and his companion this I swear on the River Styx!"
Thunder rumbles signalling her oath. Everyone's eyes were wide. Nobody had guessed Artemis would do this for her brother. To go to Alaska was dangerous especially to a God. They would barely be as powerful as a demigod.
Suddenly Artemis turns to the gathered crowed. Which had grown in numbers.
"Hear me now those her have taken or are involved in my brothers and companions kidnapping. When and I do mean when I find you, I will show no mercy, no kneel quarter to you. If you have harmed my brother and his companion in any way you will pay tenfold. Also, as of now I CURSE you", Artemis says her eyes turning reddish silver.
Everyone trembles at the word 'curse' and off the fact the moon above them turns blood red.
"I curse you when you are under the moons rays, they will burn you. More and more as time goes on till my brother and his companion are safe. The Moon will haunt you and burn you any harm you do to my brother and his friend. The pain from the burns will get worse and worse the longer this goes on, and over time won't be able to heal. I swear this on the River Styx AND the Creator of us all!" Artemis yells.
Thunder rumbles and the ground shakes as the oath and curse takes hold. Everyone was wide eyed and gaping. They were terrified.
"Artemis you can't do this!" Zeus says he was trying not to show he was scared at what lengths his daughter will go too.
"Watch me Zeus!" Artemis snarls, "As of this night the curse won't start. But starting the next the person or people better stay out of the moons light if they are to not fall to the curse. I WILL find my brother. No. Matter. What. It. Takes. This is now my only hunt. Pray Zeus to the creator for when I find out who did this, they will be begging for true death by the time I have done with them. And for every ounce of pain, they have or will curse my brother and his friends, they WILL get it back tenfold!"
"Art...", Athena starts.
Artemis just glares everyone except a few shuddering at Artemis's eyes. Now reddish silver and black in anger.
"So, I have sworn so shall it be. By the Styx swore and witnessed, by the Creator swore and witnessed so shall it be!" Artemis declares with a bang flashing away.
Everyone was shaken to the core. The oath and curse Artemis set was of the highest even sworn or could be sworn.
There was now no doubt just how much Artemis loved her brother. She had just shown it to all.
Nobody could doubt the curse that had been set would start to show. But the question was how long would it take...
(Line Break)
Artemis flashed to her camp. Thalia and Reyna standing immediately seeing their Goddess looking enraged.
"My Lady?" Thalia asks timidly.
"Girls!" Artemis calls out.
Everyone stood looking at their Mistress. None of them had failed to notice the blood red moon. How could they? It was a sign of their Mistresses anger and fury.
"We have ourselves a Hunt. From this day on we will be hunting for my brother, his companion and his kidnappers. This is our first priority! I expect your effort more than ever. Anyone wish to back out? Because I won't be resting to, I find them. What say you? Anyone wish to back out can and be sent to the Waystation until he is found!" Artemis tells her Hunters.
It only took seconds but the Hunters took out their bows or knifes in unison. Thalia looks at the girls before turning to her Mistress. Each girl held a determined look.
"My Lady I speak for everyone here and saying we will follow you to the death in search of Apollo, his companions and their kidnappers. And I swear on the River Styx myself I won't stop searching to your brother...OUR brother is back in your arms and home safe and his kidnappers are punished!" Thalia declares drawing her spear and sending electricity through it.
Artemis shows a feral, grim and determined grin.
"Then girls let the hunt begin!"