Chapter Text
NO ONE TOLD PERCY that one of the demigods that they were sent to recruit had the capacity to fight. A poisonous, spike-throwing monster, nonetheless.
How he got in the situation? Well, Percy's arrogance had gotten himself and the three recruits in deep trouble.
Thalia had strictly told Annabeth, him and Grover to stick together. So, of course Percy went the other way, following the trail Bianca di Angelo, Nico di Angelo and Menodora Delune left behind.
If Thalia could see them being escorted by Dr. Thorn, the vice principal, she would've hit him with a big, fat told you!
Percy couldn't attack the vice principal, he was too fast. Percy even considered activating his shield and go full defensive mode, but he had three other kids to protect. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't protect all four of them.
So, he closed his eyes and focused on his feelings of fear and anxiety. Weird alternative, but Percy prayed to Poseidon and whatever god was willing to listen, that this would work.
"Jackson!" Dr. Thorn yelled out. "What are you doing?"
He opened his eyes and kept moving forward. "It's my shoulder," he lied, trying to sound miserable, which was easier than expected. "It burns."
Dr. Thorn scowled at Percy. "Bah! My poison causes pain. It won't kill you. Walk!"
The monster herded them outside, and Percy tried to concentrate. Grover! Percy thought. I'm being kidnapped with the demigods! Hey, Grover? You there?
No answer. Percy internally cursed. He wasn't even sure if the empathy link worked when awake.
Thorn led them into the woods, making Percy feel more agitated than he already was. They took a snowy path with old-fashioned lanterns that dimly lit their way.
A owl hooted, noticeably loud. There had been other animal making sounds, but this owl seemed more conscious and alerting than anything.
"Come on, Meno," a squeaky voice sounded from behind Percy.
Nico was tugging at Menodora's jacket, trying to gain her attention. But she was watching the owl as it hooted. As the owl stopped screeching, Menodora patted Nico's head and started walking again.
Percy had no idea what was going on. The owl didn't fly away; it kept staring at Menodora like a hawk.
"Stay behind me, don't do anything stupid," Menodora whispered in Percy's ear. It took him an entire minute to register what she had said.
When on earth did they switch roles? Menodora was supposed to be the recruit, not Percy?!
"There is a clearing ahead," Thorn said, unaware of Menodora and Percy's interaction. "We will summon your ride."
"Where are you taking us?" Menodora asked.
With sharp movement, Thorn spinned around and faced Menodora, giving her a warning look. "Silence, you insufferable little girl!"
Menodora faced Thorn. This girl was excellent at maintaining eye contact. Everyone was so focused on her eyes, that no one, including Dr. Thorn, saw Menodora's weapon emerge from under her shirt. She planted it into Dr. Thorn's side with all her force.
The monster cried out loud before pushing Menodora away.
Percy uncapped Riptide and looked for a way to help Menodora, but she seemed to be handling it pretty well—she rolled over, and steadied herself on her feet. She faced Dr. Thorn with a murderous look in her eyes. She stood high and confident, her weapon secured in her hand.
The moon-like dagger had a faint glow to it, something Percy had never seen before.
Dr. Thorn laughed loudly. "You foolish little girl. Too bad I can't kill you myself."
"I have encountered many of your sort," Menodora said coolly. "And all of them perished into nothingness. Leave us, or die fighting for your life."
Her voice was so determined that even Percy almost felt bad for Thorn.
"They needed you alive. Not conscious," Dr. Thorn said. Multiple spikes rose from behind him and he launched them at Menodora.
Menodora rolled away from the attack. Before Percy could even comprehend that she had disappeared from where she was, she appeared right behind Thorn.
She ran and launched herself between Thorn's legs, gashing one of them. His screams gave Menodora enough time to get back up and get herself steady on her feet again.
Half a second. Menodora lost her focus for half a second. A bright search light flew above the sea, and as it approached, the sound of chopping helicopter blades grew louder, attracting Menodora's attention.
The helicopter appeared out of the mist, hovering just beyond the cliffs. It was a sleek black military-style gunship, with attachments on the side that looked like laser-guided rockets.
Mortals must've been manning the helicopter. How could monsters work together with mortals? Luke, Percy thought.
Thorn seized his chance. A volley of spikes flew Menodora's way. Not as efficiently as before, she rolled over. Then, she collapsed whilst screaming in agony.
"MENO!" Nico screamed. He was about to run towards her, but Percy held him back.
"Let me go!" He cried. "She's dying!"
"Nico," Bianca mumbled in a fragile voice, "Meno's not going to die, remember? They need us alive. She wouldn't want you to get yourself hurt."
Thorn limped over to Menodora. She clutched onto her shoulder, rocking her body around in the dirt. Percy felt extremely useless, as if Menodora had come to recruit Nico di Angelo, Bianca di Angelo and Percy 'futile' Jackson.
"Respect is due to your courage. Or shall I call it foolishness?" Dr. Thorn laughed.
When Percy saw the spike planted right in her left shoulder—right above her heart—he fought his every cell not to uncap Riptide and slash Dr. Thorn into shreds. He was right there, focused on a grunting Menodora.
But he couldn't. It would be foolish.
His shoulder was already hurting, and if both he and Menodora were insensible... Percy didn't even want to imagine what Dr. Thorn would do to the di Angelos.
A loud scream echoed through the air. Percy was positive everyone in a ten mile radius had heard it.
Miraculously, Menodora got up with all her force. Her knees buckled, and Thorn approached her with a venomous smile. Yet, Menodora faced her vice principal with certitude and raging fury.
The spike that had slightly brushed at his arm was already slowing Percy down. Taking an entire dose of the venom would've killed him, as it would any other ordinary person. Menodora seemed to be the opposite of ordinary.
Menodora's mental and physical force both amazed and scared Percy.
"I won't let you touch him! I won't rest until you die!" Menodora shouted before attacking Thorn.
That's when the vice principal revealed his true self. His hands become huge, orange paws. His body transformed into that of a lion, although his face remained the same ugly one.
Thorn's sudden transformation had surprised Menodora, but she didn't commit the same mistake as earlier, she stayed focused.
Thorn leaped on her, and she swerved her way away from the lion/human hybrid.
Menodora started frequently using her teleportation ability, and Thorn's rapidity was starting to increase, getting used to the teleportation.
It was tiring her. Percy could tell: she breathed heavier, her time to recuperate extended, and her attacks reduced from violent attacks to defensive avoidance.
Thorn seemed to notice the same thing.
He didn't even have to do anything; Menodora collapsed on her own.
"They'll never need to know you were three," he menaced as he strut over to her limp body.
Percy couldn't help it. Like, literally. His body jolted up. His hand found its way to his wristband, activating it. Then, without a single doubt, he dived between Thorn and Menodora.
The shield took a violent hit, denting it severely.
Grover! Percy thought desperately. Please, just hurry up!
"What are you?" Percy asked, hoping to gain some time for Grover and the rest.
"Your worst nightmare," Thorn hissed.
Percy steadily held his shield in that position, his eyes squinted shut. With every second that passed, his muscles tensed even harder. But nothing came.
Percy could hear Dr. Thorn's back up. He wondered if he'd leap onto them, maybe then he could roll over and avoid him. As he thought of how he could get Menodora to roll with him, Nico yelped.
"HELP—" Bianca's last words were muffled.
Menodora's mouth moved slightly. Nothing but raspy breaths slipped out of her mouth.
Thorn had taken the di Angelos and was dragging them towards the cliff.
"I'll be right back," Percy promised Menodora. "Stay alive, please. You're strong."
He left the shield with her—she needed it more than he did.
"Let them go!" Percy bellowed. Dr. Thorn had transformed back into his human form.
Thorn turned around. His lips snaked into an evil grin as he threw the kids onto the floor.
Percy cautiously moved towards the children, keeping a safe distance from the shapeshifting monster. For some reason, he let Percy do his thing.
As he got to the children, Percy looked over the edge and wondered if he could make it. By himself, no doubt. It was the three newlings that posed problems.
"By all means, Son of Poseidon. Jump!" Dr. Thorn hissed. "There is the sea. Save yourself before it is too late."
"Son of who?" Bianca said.
"Poseidon..?" Nico asked before sniffing, a tone of excitement evident in his voice.
"I would kill you before you ever reach the water, however. But do as you see fit," the monster laughed. "You have no clue as to who I am."
"Then tell us who you are," Percy spoke up.
"You are a courageous one," the monster stated. "Too bad I can't kill you myself. You are wanted alive. Perhaps I can replace the girl with you."
"Well," Bianca hesitated, "who would even want us? If it's for ransom, you're in bad luck. We don't have family. We..." Her voice broke a little. "We only have each other."
"Aww," Thorn cooed. "Do not worry. "You will be meeting my employer soon enough. Then you will have a brand-new family."
"You work for Luke," Percy spat, regretting uttering that traitor's mouth.
Dr. Thorn's mouth twisted with distaste, reflecting exactly how Percy felt about Luke. "You have no idea what is happening, Perseus Jackson. I will let the General enlighten you. You are going to do him a great service tonight. He is looking forward to meeting you."
"The General?" Percy asked. "I mean... who's the General?"
Thorn looked towards the sky, towards the helicopter.
"Where are you taking us?" Nico demanded.
"You should be honoured, my boy. You will have the opportunity to join a great army! Just like that silly game you play with cards and dolls."
"They're not dolls!" Nico retorted defensively. "They're figurines! And you can take your great army and—"
"Nico!" Bianca hissed.
"Now, now," Dr. Thorn warned. "You will change your mind about joining us, my boy. And if you do not, well... there are other uses for half-bloods. We have many monstrous mouths to feed. The Great Stirring is underway."
"The Great what?" Percy asked, lifting an eyebrow. Anything to keep him talking while he tried to figure out a plan.
"The stirring of monsters." Dr. Thorn smiled evilly, falling for Percy's tactics. "The worst of them, the most powerful, are now waking. Monsters that have not been seen in thousands of years. They will cause death and destruction the likes of which mortals have never known. And soon we shall have the most important monster of all—the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus!"
"Okay," Bianca whispered to Percy. "He's completely nuts."
"We have to jump off the cliff," Percy told her quietly. "Into the sea."
"Oh, super idea," she huffed. "You're completely nuts, too. And besides, we can't leave Menodora here!"
Percy never got the chance to argue with her, because just then an invisible force slammed into him.
Percy smiled gratefully as his back ached from the fall; Annabeth never ceased to be brilliant.
With her invisibility cap, she knocked Percy and the di Angelos to the ground.
For a split second, Thorn was confused; he looked down at them with a frown. But, the monster was annoyingly fast. He shot a volley of missiles right above their heads, missing Nico by half an inch.
Luckily, this gave Grover and Thalia enough time to attack from behind. Thalia wielded her magic shield, Aegis.
Now, if you've never seen Thalia run into battle, you've never felt true fear. Thalia uses this huge spear that expands from a collapsible Mace canister. But that was far from being the scariest part.
Aegis—modeled after one of her father uses and a gift from Annabeth's mom—had the head of the gorgon Medusa sculpted in it. Although it didn't turn you into stone, it caused enough panic for you to run away and cry yourself into comfort.
But, it was either looking at Medusa's copy-paste, or at the hunger for victory that burned in Thalia's fierce eyes. Personally, Percy preferred the shield.
Even Thorn winced at the sight and growled at Thalia.
Thalia had no time for a growling contest—she moved in with her spear. "For Zeus!"
"For who?" Bianca asked.
"Zeus?!" Nico exclaimed again.
Percy thought that would be it for Dr. Thorn. Thalia went straight for his head, but he swatted her attack.
Thorn's orange paw revealed gigantic claws that sparked against Thalia's shield.
If it hadn't been for Aegis, Thalia would be chopped like a tree trunk for firewood (Thalia had been a tree for several years).
As it was, Thalia rolled back and landed on her feet.
The sound of the helicopter was getting louder behind Percy and the di Angelos, but he didn't dare look.
Dr. Thorn launched another volley of missiles at Thalia, and this time Percy could see how he did it. He had a tail—a leathery, scorpionlike tail that bristled with spikes at the tip. The missiles deflected off Aegis, but the force of their impact knocked Thalia down.
Grover sprang forward. He put his reed pipes to his lips and began to play—a frantic jig that sounded like something pirates would dance to. Grass broke through the snow. Within seconds, rope-thick weeds were wrapping around Dr. Thorn's legs, entangling him.
Dr. Thorn roared and began to change. He grew larger until he was back in his true form. His leathery, spiky tail whipped deadly thorns in all directions.
"A manticore!" Annabeth said, now visible. Her magical New York Yankees cap had come off when she'd plowed into us. She was dragging Menodora against a tree, treating her with ambrosia.
"Who are you people?" Bianca di Angelo demanded. "And what is that?"
"A manticore?" Nico gasped. "He's got three thousand attack power and plus five to saving throws!"
Percy had no clue what he was talking about, but there was no time to worry about attack powers. The manticore clawed Grover's magic weeds to shreds then turned toward us with a snarl.
"Get down!" Annabeth pushed the di Angelos flat into the snow.
Annabeth threw Percy his shield. Not a moment too soon, the thorns impacted against it with such force they dented the metal even deeper. The beautiful shield, a gift from Percy's brother, was badly damaged. Percy wasn't even sure it would even stop a second volley.
Someone yelped, and Grover landed next to Percy with a thud.
"Yield!" the monster roared.
"Never!" Thalia yelled from across the field. She charged the monster, and for a second, Percy was afraid she would run the monster through. But then there was a thunderous noise and a blaze of light from behind us.
The search lights of the helicopter blinded Thalia, giving the manticore the opportunity to swat her away with it's tail. Her shield flew off into the snow. Her spear flew in the opposite direction.
"No!" Percy yelled out. He got up and fended off a spike with Riptide. He ran over to Thalia and put both of them under the temporary protection of his shield—this wasn't going to hold both of them.
"Always the same thing," Dr. Thorn laughed. "Don't you see how useless it is? Yield, little heroes!"
A piercing sound erupted from in the woods: the call of a hunting horn.
For a moment no one moved—except for Menodora. She started smiling up in the sky. Percy followed her eyes and saw the same owl from earlier circling above their heads.
Menodora muttered something in a foreign language before letting out a soft laugh. "You're so screwed," she laughed.
"Get back down!" Annabeth hissed.
"No," the manticore gasped, "it can't be—that's not fair!"
As if to shut him up, and arrow shot through the air like a streak of moonlight. A silvery arrow sprouted from Thorn's shoulder.
"Curse you!" He grunted in agony, stumbling backwards. He unleashed a dozen of spikes at once in the woods where the arrow had come from.
Before his spikes even dissapeared in the trees, a volley of the same silver arrows shot back in reply. Percy couldn't believe it: it seemed like the arrows were slicing the spikes in half, disrupting their trajectory.
Percy was startled. Not even children of Apollo had that much accuracy with their bows.
The manticore pulled the arrow out of his shoulder with a howl of pain. His breathing was heavy. Percy tried to swipe at him with his sword, but he wasn't as injured as he looked. He dodged the attack and slammed his tail into Percy's shield, knocking him aside.
Then the archers came from the woods. They were girls, about a dozen of them. The youngest was maybe ten. The oldest, about fourteen, like Percy. They wore silvery ski parkas and jeans, and they were all armed with bows. They advanced on the manticore with determined expressions.
"The Hunters!" Annabeth cried out.
"Just awesome," Thalia muttered.
Percy didn't have the chance to ask her about her sudden enthusiasm for the Hunters.
One of the older archers stepped forward with her bow drawn. She was tall and graceful with coppery colored skin. Unlike the other girls, she had a silver circlet braided into the top of her long dark hair, so she looked like some kind of Persian princess. "Permission to kill, my lady."
Percy thought she was a loon for a hot second. She seemed to be talking to herself, her eyes fixed on the manticore.
The monster hurled. "It's not fair! Direct intervention. It's against the Ancient Laws!"
"Not so." A younger girl came forward, a bit younger than Percy, about twelve or thirteen. She reminded him of his neighbour's daughter. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she had strange eyes—silvery yellow like the moon. Like Menodora.
The girl's face was beautiful, it made Percy catch his breath, but her expression was determined and dangerous. "The hunting of all wild beasts is within my sphere. And you, foul creature, are a wild beast." She turned to the older girl circlet. "Zoë, permission granted."
The manticore growled. "If I cannot have these alive, I shall have them dead!"
He lunged at Thalia and Percy, knowing they were weak and dazed.
"No!" Annabeth yelled, and she charged at the monster.
"Get back, half-blood!" the girl with the circlet said. "Get out of the line of fire!"
But Annabeth leaped onto the monster's back and drove her knife into his mane. The manticore howled, turning in circles with his tail flailing as Annabeth held on for dear life.
"Fire!" Zoë ordered.
"No!" Percy yelled.
Too late. Or maybe too little authority. The Hunters let their arrows fly. The first one hit the manticore in the neck, and the next one in the chest. He growled loudly as he stumbled towards the cliff. "You will pay for this, Huntress! This is not the end!"
And before anyone could react, the manticore, with Annabeth on his back, fell over the cliff.
"Annabeth!" Percy screamed, he tried to scramble up, but his shoulder was killing him. Quite literally.
Percy didn't let that stop him from running after him. What he did let him stop, though, were the bullets the mortals from the helicopter started shooting at them.
Most of the Hunters scattered as tiny holes formed in the snow. The girl with auburn hair stood still and calmly looked up at the sky.
"Mortals are not allowed to witness my hunt," she declared.
Simply by thrusting out her hand, the helicopter disintegrated into dust—no, into a flock of ravens which flew into the night. The mortals were nowhere to be seen.
The Hunters advanced towards Percy and his crew of demigods.
The one called Zoë stopped short when she saw Thalia. "You."
"Zoë Nightshade. Always a pleasure to see you," Thalia replied bitterly.
Zoë ignored Thalia and scanned the rest of the group. "Five half-bloods and a satyre, my lady."
"Yes," the auburn-haired girl confirmed. "Some of Chiron's campers, I see. Others..."
"Annabeth!" Percy yelled. "We have to save her!"
"Boys," Zoë scoffed. "Always assuming they have to save every girl in danger. She can handle herself." Her voice sounded...ancient. Just like Menodora looked.
Maybe the poison was getting to me, he thought.
Percy's face heated with anger. He was about to uncap Riptide on her, but the younger girl's voice calmed him down. "Percy Jackson, your friend is beyond help."
"Lies!" Percy exclaimed. A couple of Hunters held him down, stopping him from getting to his feet.
"You are in no condition to be throwing yourself off cliffs, boy," the auburn-haired girl said. Percy felt a bit insulted—this twelve year old was calling him boy?
"Let me go!" He struggled. "Who do you even think you are?"
Zoë stepped forward as if to smack Percy.
"Zoë," the younger girl said sternly. "I sense no disrespect. The boy is simply distraught. He does not understand."
The young girl looked at him, her eyes brighter and colder than the winter moon. "I am Artemis," she announced. "Godess of the Hunt."