Another new story! Because my brain is always racing with new ideas and now is no exception. I lose a lot of the ideas but this was one just too juicy to pass up, I couldn't very well make this a one shot either because the story is waay to expansive for that. Thusly, I think I will be posting chapters to this story. I don't know how frequent updates will be, likely not as frequent as Chain but I will try to keep it from being too line between chapters. Anyways, lets get right into this.
Looking out upon Olympus from my Mother's temple, seeing all the hustle and bustle as minor gods and nature spirits walked around, going about their daily lives. I came to a realization, I was bored. Very bored, of this place, staying upon this mountain. Where nothing ever changed, the Olympians always debated the same things, never actually putting anything into motion. Never actually doing anything to change how things were run around here, and that was unbearable for me after a while. Sure, the environment around us changed, shifting with the heart of the West. I could look from the clouds to the crowded New York city streets, hustling and bustling with activity. It was different compared to London, which was a chaotic mess of unfinished projects and half-finished promises.
New York City, however, was what she liked to refer to as "organized chaos." Sure there was a lot of mess and clutter around, but there was a clear system to it all underlying it. New York was much more akin to a puzzle where every piece fit together, even if all the pieces seem randomly cut at first. Staring out onto the city, my eyes kept jumping from mortal to mortal, the creatures like ants beneath me. Still, at the same time, everyone was different. A decade to them was a blink of an eye to me, focusing on two people, in particular, a child and an old man, it amazed me to think about how...Different the two were, with only a few decades between them, there were a lot of changes in everything about them. The child's eyes were still full of hope and wonder in contrast to the old man's weathered and war-torn ones. Though, that wasn't even the most dramatic difference I supposed. Teenagers change so much in just a few years.
"Ah, to be mortal...Maybe I would actually get to see what change is like. Though mother would never let me, the scorned, hidden daughter out of her cage to be one...Not without good reason."
Shifting my focus a little, I found a group of Adolescents outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I smiled and loved that place. It was a wonderful part of my domain, architecture. Well, architecture in harmony with nature accurately, but this still counted. Looking back to the group. There was a pair sitting on the steps outside of the museum that caught my eye instantly. There was a Satyr disguised as a human, his rasta cap, and wispy goatee the clear indicators of that. Talking to a dark-haired boy who just seemed to be radiating power, unrestrained, untrained, unrefined power, yes. But there was still a tremendous amount of potential in this boy!
Intrigued, I moved a little bit so I could see his face. The kid was obviously the child of an Olympian; his aura of power, before any training at all, confirmed that at least. It was the facial features that often determined who the parent was, however. Looking at him, I couldn't help but have a sense of familiarity wash over me when looking at him. He had a natural scowl it looked like, as if he was always profoundly thinking about something to himself, his jaw a little hard set and stuck out. Then, looking up to his eyes, I was amazed by their look, his irises looked stunning, to say the least. They were a deep, sea green, hues of blue mixed into the pools of verdant green shifting always in her vision like waves in the sea. The young man looked like a younger version of...No, no, he couldn't be the Poseidon's son. There was the pact banning them from having children! It was sworn upon the river Styx!
Though, it wasn't like that pact hadn't been broken before... So, it wasn't entirely out of the question. Still, Poseidon would never have a child like that out in the open, there would have to be cyclops around, protecting his son from Zeus and Hades' wrath. He wouldn't allow for a single satyr to be the only thing standing between the boy and the monsters if that was the case.
This child was probably just a legacy of the sea god and inherited some of his traits. That had to be it because this was just a boy. A boy who just seemed to be a little frustrated before an ugly redhead with orange freckles dropped her food into the satyr's lap. The boy closed his eyes, trying to concentrate something, probably remaining calm. When the water rose out of the fountain to grasp onto the girl and violently pulled her into the fountain! That, combined with the aura of power, and the water acting on its own, could only mean... Oh shit. Powers like that, accidental usage of powers, those couldn't come from a legacy.
Oh crap! The sea god he had...He had a demigod, son! That meant the prophecy was back on! That meant that Olympus probably only had five years left right! Wait, no..No, the great prophecy warned that the hero could either preserve or raze Olympus, right? That meant that there was a possibility that this child could choose to save them! Though, it would be nice to guarantee that somehow... Then I thought of my best idea ever! This kid, this child of Poseidon, could be the perfect excuse for me to become mortal and explore their world! See things changing rapidly around me for once.
"Yes! Yes! I can do it! But first, a bath." I got up from my viewing position, stretching a bit before walking my way through the temple gardens and into my mother's home. I ignored the various statues of mother as I passed them and went into my room, smiling at the scent of a woodland that emanated from the room as I stepped into it. Looking around for a bit, my smile widened, seeing a small bag of dried huckleberries on my bed, a gift from dad, no doubt. He loved sending me snacks whenever he could through the chain of his nymph friends. Walking over to my bed, I opened the baggie and popped a few berries in my mouth, savoring the tart flavors as they danced along with my tongue. Just a hint of sweetness was there, the sugar had been drawn out by the drying process it seemed.
"I wish I could have some fresh ones, things won't grow up on Olympus for some Hades Damned reason," I grumbled before popping another two berries into my mouth and sealing it shut. I placed the bag with some of the other things dad had sent me, dried salmon, some bear meat, more fish, a dozen or so different huckleberry products, and some buffalo jerky. My dad loved sending me food, but I didn't mind at all, getting a taste of his domain was wonderful whenever I got a new thing from him.
After undressing, I padded my way past a few bonsai pine trees, a few german clocks, and another set of foods, all magically enchanted to never spoil or run out of snacks for her to munch on. All gifts from my dad over the years, most of them for my birthday. How he managed to remember that after 550 years, I don't know, but he had managed to give me something for each of them. Most of the garden was made of flowers he sent me on that day.
Once I entered the bathroom and stared up the tap, I hummed a small tune to myself, thinking out all the ways that this potential relationship with Poseidon's son could go. Befriending the boy and staying with him throughout the years until the prophecy would royally piss off mother. Oh yes! Just another reason why this was an excellent idea, becoming friends with him, seeing him feel the rapid changes from 12 years old to 16, he already looked a bit like his father. I could only imagine that as he matures, he will gain the sea god's features. Though, beyond that, I had no idea how this would go. If it would even work, if I could convince the council to let me go! Mother would be against it. Because that would mean revealing myself to the whole of Olympus. She would rather see us burn than have her pride hurt, after all. Like I cared about that crap.
"Hopefully the rest of the council can outvote her, I don't doubt I will have lord Poseidon on my side, I want the boy to reach at least 16, maybe beyond that. He always cared for his demigod children, so that's one for one." My musings echoed throughout the bathroom, and I was stopped from continuing as my tub was almost full of water. Well, thoughts for another time.
Slowly, I dipped my hand into the water, shivering from the coldness before using my powers to heat it up, quickly shifting the temperature to a nice, steamy hot. One that fogged up the mirrors in the restroom before I lowered myself into the liquid. Out of all the powers that my father's domain contained over the years, this one had to be my favorite of all of them. Getting a perfect temperature bath every single time was simply amazing.
While in the tub, my eyes closed while I soaked in the calming heat of the water, my mind raced to what I would need when I turned mortal. First, I would definitely need some of the huckleberry products. I was not giving up my favorite food. Once I was a demigod, dad wouldn't be allowed to send me anything until I was immortal again. Though, the bag of huckleberries was quite large for something that was supposed to be bottomless. Did that mean he knew I would need an ample supply of the things soon? Did I have a finite amount of berries in the bag? More questions for later. Secondly, I would need to take along...The hat. I really didn't want to, that hat just represented everything bad about my mother to me but...Being able to vanish at any time you wanted, it was too valuable of an asset to just give up out of spite. It was also the whole reason I found out about the prophecy in the first place, sneaking around during the Olympic counsels.
"I want to protect him through all the monsters...I am going to need every advantage I can get. Even if I don't want to use her gifts, having an Olympian Parent will be important as well..." The plan was starting to sour a bit in her mind, but I shook my head a bit. This was important to the health of Olympus, to protect my own life as well as dad's. I also needed to change, to find changes, and get that experience. The experience of things moving at the breakneck pace of mortals for once...I may even like it in the end. Closing my eyes, I tried to imagine myself at his age, shifting ages was never something I excelled at, but...I probably should get used to a form like it for a while.
I soon felt my body shrinking, my body regressing in maturity by about a decade by mortal standards. Opening my eyes, I looked down at the body, it was weird. Shifting ages was always odd, but now I had a sudden lack of weight on my chest that I had never really noticed before. My limbs felt shorter, and I could tell that I was a lot weaker physically. Why did Hestia and Artemis prefer this type of form again? Getting out of the bath with a sigh, I almost tripped on my way out, I was a lot shorter now, and almost slipped on my way out.
"It's only going to be five years, only five years, and I will be growing throughout that." Walking towards my sink after draping a towel over myself, I looked in the mirror. Seeing the reflection of my curly blonde hair. Smiling at that before scowling a bit at my gray eyes when I focused on them, the stormy gray was a constant reminder who my mother was. Though, the little specks of blue, like the sky poking through rain clouds, were a gentle reminder that she wasn't all I was. Taking a deep breath, I slowly started to age myself up again. Watching as my body matured, shifting year by year. My legs growing longer, muscles firming up, and my chest becoming heavier again until it was at the end of the five years. I stared at the girl in front of me, my vision going to the tan arms I sported, my skin immaculate, unmarred by anything.
I slowly lifted my arms and took a look at them, my immortal body couldn't scar. It couldn't tarnish like a mortal's would. If my plan was accepted by the council then, this would likely be the last time I saw it like this. I might come back, my beautiful body covered in wounds and scars, reminders of the time I was a mortal. Would my body even grow to the state I was currently in right now? I...I didn't know, but I could only hope it did. Taking in a deep breath before releasing it, I nodded to myself, offering that this was what I wanted before exiting the restroom and dressing, grabbing the cap from its place on my wall, and putting it on. It was time to start putting my plan into action.
After a few hundred years of continually sneaking around, you tended to be quite good at stealth. You could make it so that no one noticed your presence, even if you were right in front of them, with or without an invisibility cap to help along the way. So, my climb from the temple towards the olympian throne room was a quick and simple one. I easily snuck past the minor gods and nature spirits that loitered about the city like they always did. The throne room was a little trickier to figure out, especially with what sounded like a major argument going on in there, but I had my ways in.
Seeking around to where Hermes' throne usually sat, I felt about. I found the entrance he always used when going for deliveries mid council, opening the door smoothly and sneaking in. No doubt, the lord of thieves noticed my presence and gaining a slight smile on his face as I came in. That man was always kind to me and made sure that my father's flowers were never damaged when delivered. So, he was one of my favorite Olympians by far.
"We must destroy him before he has a chance of destroying us! Poseidon's son is a variable we can not afford to take a chance on!" I felt the chamber thundering some as Zeus yelled, trying to assert his will over everyone present, Ares and Apollo visibly shrinking away from their father's wrath. Poseidon, however, remained stern-looking, at his youngest sibling.
"I will not have my son killed because of your paranoia brother. May I remind you that the prophecy declares there will be a choice. One that, if he chooses right, may save us all. Remember, if he is the child of prophecy, then he shall survive no matter what you try to throw at him." The sea god's rage was utterly different from Zeus', I could tell that from the calm way he spoke. Each syllable intentional, with an underlying current of fury, bubbling under the surface, just waiting to be unleashed.
"You just want to protect him because he stole my bolt! You are trying to protect him from my wrath using the Prophecy as an excuse!"
"Father, I highly doubt that one of his children has the mental capacity to steal your master bolt. Poseidon's children are not exactly known for their brains, but I will say that he is too much of a variable. It would be safer to kill him, try to delay the prophecy for as long as possible." At my mother's words, I smirked. This would probably be the best time to interfere, sneaking forward to the middle of the room. I bowed towards Zeus before removing my hat, revealing myself to every one of the Olympians.
"Who dares interrupt such an important council! Who dares eavesdrop on the Olympians? You better have a good reason for such, or I shall throw you from Olympus within the next minute!" This was it, raising my head to look at Zeus head on I tried to steel my nerves.
"Lord Zeus, I am Annabeth, daughter of Athena by my father, Vrasmos. I was looking to the mortal world today, observing it, and I too noticed the child of Poseidon... There have been rumors about a child of the Big Three being important to Olympus's fate going around for a long while now." I gulped, the olympian's gazes on me. I could feel every one of them judging me for what I was saying.
"Ah yes, Bird Brain's greatest shame. How's that vow going for ya tightwad? Still pretending you swore off men forever?" Ares's barking insult made me cringe some, mother was not going to like that. I kept my eyes focused on Zeus as he looked at me, though. Studying me, I could feel his eyes tracing my body up and down, probably deciding if I was going to be his next lay. It felt dirty to be under his gaze like that, but I stayed firm.
"I have a plan for that. I came up with one, yes you could destroy him and delay the prophecy more-"
"We are not going to kill my son! That is final!" I could feel tremors starting to shake the palace with Poseidon's anger, threatening to disturb everyone on Olympus. I suddenly turned my body to face him, there was fear in my eyes as I did so.
"Of course not, my lord! My plan does not call for that at all! You are completely right, there is supposed to be a choice in this correct? My plan was to... To influence him, control the prophecy in a way that he will make the choice to save Olympus instead of destroying us all. We may be able to guarantee that your son lives and that we do as well." Then the tremors stopped, and the man seemed to calm down quite a bit. Nodding, his eyes starting to show a thankfulness in them that I did not expect.
"That plan may be a fine one, but my...Daughter," Athena sounded like she was near vomiting from admitting their relationship. Something that almost made me smirk, but I held myself back. "We immortals are not allowed to interfere with mortal lives, nor show favoritism towards demigods. So, it is just safer to kill him, as we are allowed to do."
"Oh, but honored, mother! I have planned for that as well because I propose that you make me a mortal. That I become a demigod like the Son of Poseidon, at his age so I may befriend him and guide him towards the correct path. I am but a minor goddess, thus my presence here on Olympus is not as needed." My mouth was dry as I confronted my mother on this, barely believing in it myself. Still, I could only hope that the council agreed with my idea.
"Well, I think that's a brilliant plan. Subterfuge, trickery, manipulating the prophecy by embracing it, not avoiding it! Brilliant!" Hermes' voice echoed through the throne room, his mischievous smile on his face. "Apollo, do you think that this could lead to something disastrous like making it a self-fulfilling prophecy?"
"I suppose not, it could work. Most times, it's avoiding a prophecy that causes the worst possible situation to occur, so embracing it and trying to get the best thing we can from it may lead to a better end than most. Though I am not completely sure about that, it's not a feat often tried." Apollo looked contemplatively at me, suddenly his eyes were flooded with a bright green glow for a moment before they washed out to the usual sky blue.
"But I do believe that this girl will have a major influence on how things play out. No matter what, she is destined to be a major player in the future of the world. Better for us to choose what part she plays, at least." That was two on my side, my irises drifted to the rest of the Olympians, all of them looking at me with scrutiny.
"If she is going to be helping my son survive, then I have no problem with her becoming a-." The sea god was cut off by a loud squeal from Aphrodite like she had just realized something essential.
"Ooh, yes! Yes, I can see it now! The heartbreak! The Tragedy, the delicious forbidden true romance between a man and a soon to be immortal deity! I need this! I vote, yes! Yes, on her plan!" That was...Worrying, but ok. I got four votes on my side.
"Usually, if my brother thinks a plan will work, it is destined to fail. But, in this case, when dealing with Prophecies, I trust him above all else. I agree with this plan, it pains me that a young maiden will have to so closely consort with a boy for this, but we all must make sacrifices for the greater good." Five, I had five votes on my side! I only needed two more, and everyone else seemed to be deliberating it closer.
"You can't count on people, you can't count on gods or goddesses to do the right job, I like the idea, but we need a machine down there. Not something as malleable as a person. I say no," Hephestus spoke, barely looking up from the device he was tinkering with.
"Hmm, well, maybe if I have another immortal around down there, someone will understand my pain. Annabell, I am fine with taking you to the worst place on earth. Heck, if this turns out well, then my sentence may be reduced." Half the council was siding with my plan now, I calmed myself, trying not to get too excited at the prospect of becoming a mortal.
"It is too risky. I do not approve of my daughter risking her immortal life to get a chance at this, we should just kill the boy and get this over with." As expected, my mother didn't want me more exposed to the world than I already was. Two against me, six were with me. Looking up, I realized that neither Zeus nor Hera would approve of this plan. So it was six to four, the last two votes would determine everything.
"How long are you going to become a mortal? Just until the boy turns sixteen? For how long are ya gonna be down there with the other punks and worms, eh?" I looked to Ares with surprise, he wasn't usually the one for such questions.
"Five years, my lord, I plan to be down there for five years. I plan to start as a twelve-year-old at camp, and then age until I am seventeen, that should be enough to get through the prophecy and any aftermath." At the sound of that, I could see Ares perk up. His mind clearly starting to daydream about something.
"Five years...Five years of watching a god do battle as a mortal, just think of all the bloody conflict you could cause. Not even thinking about the destruction the kid could cause in the right hands...Oh yeah, I am not missing a chance at that! I would be missing out on a ton of amazing entertainment! I vote, yes! Yes!" The way he cheered at the idea of my potential destruction was alarming, but he was still on my side. It was seven to four, no way for the opposition to shoot this down.
"Then it is decided! Annabeth will become a mortal and travel to camp half-blood to guide Perseus Jackson onto our side. You shall become a mortal a week from when Perseus gets out of school to get adjusted before meeting my son!" Poseidon clapped, relief clear in his body as the tension from this situation flowed out of him. I smiled at him, it looked like despite his status, the god really cared for his son. I then gave everyone a bow before walking out of the throne room, mentally preparing myself for how this was going to change everything.