Chapter 3: Of Gods and Cheaters: Part 1

Here comes the next chapter. Sorry for the delay. I was finishing some really important exams. Also, some of you may notice that I am changing the title for this chapter. Technically I fused chapter 2 with the first one but chapter 3 still had a different name. Again, some parts will be similar and others not so much. As for the Part 1 deal, let's just say for now that the cheater part will be dealt with in this chapter while the godly part in the next one.

I don't own any of this except for the plotline.

Read, enjoy, and review!

Percy's POV

I took a step backwards as if someone slapped me. I was so shocked I couldn't think straight for a few seconds and that happens more often to the people I talk than me since I started to time travel. When I finally settled down a little, I couldn't stop the trail of thought.

"He is a descendant of Achilles," I thought while placing a hand in my forehead. "Achilles wasn't supposed to have descendants but, since I changed that and he married Oenone, he has now," I reasoned. "But then, this Max guy wasn't supposed to be born. But he has been born because of me," I thought wide eyed. "Then, that almost makes me his creator or something," I thought shocked.

"Gods, that is a weird thought," Rachel said through or mind link. "Hey, you should say something, people are starting to stare," She pointed out.

"And what exactly should I say?" I asked her. "No Max, I am your father or something?" I asked sarcastically.

"I don't know, but it seems to me that you have learned to say the right things in the right time ever since we started time traveling so just say something," Rachel urged and break the mind connection.

Everyone was looking at me expectantly, especially Max.

"Uh, well I certainly didn't see that coming," I said. "I don't really know what to say," I admitted.

"Pathetic," Rachel joked through our link.

"I know what to say," Max said and stood up. "It will be an honor to do the quest alongside you," He said.

"Okay, welcome aboard," I said. "Now if you excuse me I think I will go to my Cabin," I said. "It has been a while since I have been there and I hadn't had a shower in, eh, 3000 years," I said grinning.

Some people started laughing.

"Hey, I have a question before you go," Bianca said. "If this Rachel girl is a mortal how is it that she managed to get inside the camp if she wasn't invited?" She asked looking at Chiron.

However, he looked as puzzled as her. I think about it for a moment until I came with a logical explanation.

"It must be because of that mind connection we share," I ended up saying.

"Yeah you said something about that when you were torturing Ares," Thalia remember. "But what exactly does that means and how did you get a link like that?" She asked.

"Well, we got it after Hecate gave me the necessary item to do something like that and it means that she can read my mind and I can read hers," I answer. "It also means that since we have a mind link, she can use my branch of magic," I added.

There were a few gasps of surprise but Clarisse looked annoyed.

"Come on, you mean to tell me that a pathetic mortal can use a powerful branch of magic?" She asked in a mocking tone. "Give me a break," She said and laughed.

I was going to yell at her but then I felt what Rachel was about to do through our link.

And I didn't stop her.

She clapped her hands and used a spell to lift her to the air and slammed her to the wall, effectively pinning her there.

Everyone looked startled but some people like Thalia and Bianca were laughing.

"You know, I always found the term mortal racist," Rachel revealed. "And I find very arrogant the people who use it with discrimination," She added.

"What do you want?" Clarisse blurted out.

"I want an apology," Rachel said.

Dead silence.

I laughed inwardly. No one ever, and I mean, ever, demands an apology from Clarisse and just walk away. But I think Rachel will do it just fine.

"Never!" Clarisse screamed with rage.

"Well I guess I will have to leave you pinned to the wall until the end of the summer," Rachel said with a smirk.

That seemed to have some effect on Clarisse if her twitching eye was anything to go by.

"Good luck doing that and not passing out of exhaustion eventually," Clarisse said stubbornly.

Before Rachel could reply though, Chiron made a loud thump on the floor with his hooves and looked at Clarisse in distaste.

"I am aware you don't want to swallow your pride but don't forget your started this and that like it or not, this mortal is our ally," The trainer of heroes declared. "And she is right, that comment was nothing if not racists and I will have none of it under this roof," He added with a stern gaze.

Clarisse bit her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood but she caved in.

"Argh, fine," Clarisse said. "I am sorry," She whispered.

"Excuse me, I didn't hear that," Rachel said innocently.

Clarisse snarled.

"I am sorry for mocking at you for what you are," She said clenching her teeth.

"Then I forgive you," Rachel said grinning and lift the spell.

Clarisse fell on her feet and glared at Rachel. She kept her mouth shut, though.

I looked at Rachel.

"That spell, did it required too much effort?" I asked her out loud.

"No, it just flowed naturally," She answered.

"Good, it means you are improving then," I said causing some people to stare again.

Then we left the Big House. Rachel went to shower in the Aphrodite Cabin and I went to my own Cabin. Before we started though, we agreed on declining our invitations so that we wouldn't be spying on the other. Granted, both of us were a little tempted but we restrained ourselves in time.

The hot water felt so good in my sore muscles. After, three time travels, several battles, tons of energy requiring spells and a lot of running, it was to be expected. When I was finished, I willed myself to dry and put a clean orange t-shirt of camp half-blood and black shorts. Then I brushed my teeth, something I hadn't done in a while either. After some things more I was fresh and clean like I hadn't been in a long time.

I got out of the Cabin and looked around. I couldn't help but smile. The demigods were doing the activities to enjoy themselves I used to do every summer I was here. It reminded me to the old days when things were easier for me.

That was when I ran into Bianca. She smiled when she saw me. I noticed she had a big back pack in her hands.

"I want to show you my three favorite spoils of war," She said and looked for something in the bag.

The first thing she got out was a reptile head. It looked like…

"Is that the central head of the Hydra?" I asked surprised.

She nodded proudly.

"Since fire is its weak spot, I behead its central head with my fire knife and it destroyed it," She answered and looked for something else.

The next thing she took out was big paw, of about a foot and a half large.

"That is the paw of the Alpha Hell Hound," She explained.

That caught my attention.

"Without their leader the hell hounds may think twice before obeying Kronos every command," I pointed out. "Nice kill," I added.

Finally, she took out a snake's head. If the head alone was that big then it got to be…

"You killed Python?" I asked shocked. "One of Apollo's first challenges? One of the great monsters that were locked in Tartarus?

She nodded with pride.

"How?" I asked still surprised.

"Well, I discovered that the magic knives have another function," Bianca said. "If I focus enough, I can unleash the lightning and fire and throw it to my enemy," She claimed. "So when I was close enough, I threw Python a lightning bolt, paralyzing him momentarily, I opened my path with the fire and carved his heart out," She explained.

Then she paused before continuing.

"After I was done, Apollo himself came to congratulate me," She added with a smile.

I shook my head.

"I have to say I am impressed. Bianca I am proud of you," I said meaning every word.

Bianca smiled widen.

A few minutes later, the rest the quest members arrived. Tyson seemed excited to see me and I got to say, it was good to see him again.

"Okay, now there is one last thing I should do before we leave," I said.

"What?" Grover asked curiously. "You aren't gonna change an important aspect of history even before we enter the Labyrinth, are you?"

I paused for a moment to consider that question.

"Maybe a little," I ended up saying. "Anyway, I will be back soon," I said and walked away.

I didn't stop until I found Mrs. O'Leary play fetch with Quintus. He placed a training dummy in a catapult and fired away and then the friendly hell hound ran towards it with a big smile; her tongue hanging.

"She is certainly a happy pet," I said aloud, causing Quintus to turn around to look at me.

When he did his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. I took that as a sign that he considered me a wild card. The ancient demigod doesn't know what to make of me and so he is wary but he probably doesn't want to look for enemies if it isn't necessary so he would be polite.

I frowned, suddenly wondering if time travel doesn't only make me stronger but it also increases my observational skills. I will have to ask Hecate when I can.

"Ah, I was hoping to see you again before you left on your quest," Quintus said.

"To give me the Stygian ice whistle capable of summoning Mrs. O'Leary?" I guessed.

Quintus blinked.

"Yes," He said slowly as he took it out of his pocket and handed over to him. "Any other surprise you wish to spoil for me?"

"Does the fact that I know you are Daedalus counts?" I asked in an innocent tone.

"Again, yes," He said with a calculating look.

I raised my hands in a defeated gesture.

"Don't worry, I have no intention of telling the others at camp that you already gave Luke the string and that the only thing keeping him from overrunning us right now is my blasted half-brother Antaeus," I assured him.

This time, Daedalus looked confused.

"Why? I thought you cared about this camp of yours," He commented.

"And I definitely do, of that make no mistake," I highlighted. "Then again, there is nothing like a chance to undo past mistakes before they happen to put some creativity fuel in your brain, I suppose."

"It's too late for me to reclaim the string," Daedalus declared.

"That wasn't what I meant. For now let's just say I decided I am going to prove you wrong." I said with a grin.

"About what?"

"About our cause being doomed," I explained. "Before Luke can find a way to get anywhere near our local entrance to your Labyrinth I personally guarantee you a crippling blow to the Titan's cause. All you have to do is wait."

"And then?" Daedalus pressed on.

"Then I will use my personal connections with Hades and his children to make sure that blood thirsty hound you call Minos never bothers you again," I said confidently.

That certainly got his attention if his facial expression was any indication.

"Even if you can do that, the main reason I hide in the Labyrinth was to hide from Hades´ agents," Daedalus remind me. "In case you have forgotten I should be dead by now and Hades isn't exactly fond of those that cheat death."

"I remember, but when he hears my offer and my reasoning I am pretty sure he will accept to let you off the hook for at least the time equivalent to one more mortal lifetime; the main difference being that you will get to enjoy it properly this time."

"And your offer would be…?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I quickly said. "First I am going to make a show of Olympian force and of Titanic weakness. Then we can discuss your opinion about my "demonstration" after which I will tell you everything. If however, you don't want me to go to Hades with my offer and continue to exist in eternal paranoia then I will accept your wish but I have a feeling you will be better off accepting."

The gaze of the genius inventor penetrated me so hard that I had to wonder if his mechanic eyes were designed with the ability to read minds. In the end, he relaxed his metallic face.

"Very well, I will take your word for it," Daedalus stated. "Now go to your friends. You have quest to repeat and, if this talk was any indication, quite a few changes in history to make."

So here it is. Liked the new scene with Daedalus? Originally this conversation was going to happen in a slightly different manner after chapter 25 in what is now part 3's alternate version but after recalling the plot and seeing a few flaws in it I decided to re-work it and start with the side-plot early on. Also some of you may have noticed the changes in Clarisse's part. It took me a while to realized I posted the first draft instead of the finished version so I just changed that part. Anyway, please review!