John William's concert at the Hollywood Bowlˆˆ he really has the best music I have ever heard

Previously:
"I can't believe she did that!" I heard Harry's voice. "That no good, mother of a two faced donkey..."

I rose my eye brow at Nico, who looked slightly amused. I figured it would be a good idea to give Will some space. He looked almost as mad as Harry and Ron. "What happened?" I asked.

"Umbridge banned Harry from playing Quidditch," he answered. "And Will has created a considerable passion for the sport."

"Great," I muttered. Now Will is going to want to bring home the equipment and introduce it to Leo and Luke, both of which love things like this.

I looked out the window, it was growing dark. "I'm going to bed before anything worse happens. Wake me if you need me."

I left, trudging up the stairs, the cold air making my shiver.

It was almost winter. Half way done with the year. Can't wait. I've had it up to here with this Umbridge lady. I think she and I will be taking a walk into the Forbidden Forest tomorrow

Then next morning, I didn't even get to go down for training, much less breakfast. Or even that walk with Umbridge into the forest. A younger recruit knocked furiously on my door, jolting me from my slumber. He knocked a few more times before I finally got up and opened the door, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"My lord, why are you asleep?" He asked in confusion.

"Why are you awake?" I shot back sleepily.

"It is day time sir," he answered.

"There you go," I replied, yawning. "It's like one in the morning in England, Doug."

"Sorry, my lord but Dad wants you right away," he said. "He said something about giants."

That woke me up. "Giants? Where?" I asked, suddenly alert.

"I don't know, Dad just said to get you," he shuffled his feet nervously.

"Where is he?" I asked, flashing into my normal white and gold armor and cloak as I left my room and closed the door.

"Theta group is stationed in Jersey at the moment sir, he's in our camp," Doug answered.

"Got it, is it alright if I go through your tent?" I asked, going through the hall.

"Yes, sir, this way my lord," he led the way through to the other side to Jersey.

"Apollo, what's wrong?" I asked the god sitting by the fire.

"Percy, thank Chaos," Apollo stood up and crossed over to me as fast as he could. "Gration is back and he is hunting Artemis."

"Of course he is," I sighed. "That guy just doesn't give up. What do you want me to do?"

"Find Artemis and protect her until the threat is gone," he answered. "Whether that is where she sees you or not, don't care."

"What does she say about this?" I asked Apollo with narrowed eyes.

"She does not know," Apollo said reluctantly.

I sighed before turning to Doug. "Doug, I want you to go and tell Shooter to meet me in the kitchen."

"Thank you Perce, I don't know what I'd do what out you man," Apollo said happily.

"Where is she?" I asked, ignoring that thanks.

"In Montana," Apollo reported. "Thank you again Percy, I owe you one."

"I might need to take you up on that in the near future," I called over my shoulder to him. "If Artemis and Thalia have anything to say about it."

I walked into the kitchen the same time Michael, aka Shooter, came sleepily in.

"What's up Percy?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Get packed, we're going to Montana," I said, grabbing a banana from the fruit basket.

"Why?" Michael asked, getting some milk from the fridge and drinking it straight front the bottle.

"Apollo is worried about Artemis," I began, "Gration is on the loose again-" Before I could say anything more than that, Michael spat out all the milk he'd just consumed, spraying it all on the counter and floor. "Could you not get this place so messy this early in the morning?" I sighed in annoyance. "Now it will smell like spoiled milk until someone finally cleans it up. In other words, Dove."

"Sorry, it's just I thought you said we were watching over Artemis," Michael said gettting a towel that was hanging around and wiping himself off.

"I did," I said stridently.

"What?" He demanded. "Why me? Why not Phoenix? They trust him more than they do me."

"Because I'm hoping to stay as out of sight as long as possible," I said, "and I need a long distance expert to watch my back."

"Awe, I'm glad you thought of me but the answer is, 'I don't want to die again,' " he said, walking out of the kitchen with the milk jug and towel in his hands.

I sighed and followed him out into the living room. "I'll let you come back with me to Hogwarts," I did not bribe.

Michael eyed me as he sat down on a recliner, probably making sure it wasn't a joke. He had wanted to come but I had said no as I only needed one until I needed two then I chose someone that was not him. He was pretty bummed after that. Well-bummed may be an understatement but that is what happened.

Wow, I felt like a bad friend right now.

"Fine, I'll come," Michael sighed. "Just let me finish breakfast first."

"It's almost dinner time," I said.

"So?"

I shook my head in amusement. "I'll be in Camp Half-Blood in fifteen minutes, you'd better hurry," I sad, walking out and to my room.

I was welcomed by an enthusiastic Vindex, my body guard and one of my friends from before I was sent to Earth for protection. His tail was knocking off lamps and boots off of tables and his tongue hung out. He looked overly happy to see me even thought we've seen each other every night since Dad gave him back to me right before my recent trip. His golden fur glinted in the dim light of my room and his bed that was suppose to be at the foot it mine was over on my bed all covered in slobber.

I sighed. "Vindex, if you're going to do that could you not slime up the beds as well?" I asked, "I know you missed me in the five minutes I was gone but there's no need to destroy both beds."

Vindex barked as if he understood but just did not care one bit and jumped up so his paws were on my shoulders. Now let me tell you, Vindex is by now means a light-weight dog.  The force of his action sent me tumbling onto my butt.

"Vindex, stop, I need to pack for my mission to watch over Artemis and her hunt," I said, pushing me off.

He whined and I rolled my eyes as I got up to pack. "No, you can't come, I'll be fine," I said before I thought about it. From what Thalia told me before I 'died', the Huntresses loved pulling pranks. I might need Vindex after all if they end up catching us. "Fine, Vindex, you can come but no attacking the girls. I don't care if they stuffed whipped cream in my shoes, attack only if you or I are being attacked and never to kill, got it?"

At this, Vindex jumped around a bit before waiting impatiently but the door to the rest of the mansion.

I pointed to the other door to Hogwarts. "We need to pack the tent as well," I told him, laughing. "We'll go through Will's tent to Michael's."

Vindex excitedly pushed aside the flaps and to Will's tent. I'm willing to bet he went to wake Will up.

Sure enough, just as I was packing up my tent, Will came stumbling out of his tent with Vindex clinging onto his back. "Vindex, get off me!" Will shouted. My body guard jumped off Will, causing him to fall on his face. "Vindex!"

Nico came crawling out, his messed up hair looking slightly comical. "Whassit?"

"Oh, good you're up," I said, slinging my tent roll over my shoulder. "Nico, you're in charge of the lesson today, Will, you're following Harry, I'll send Dove to help you out and both of you try not to blow up the school while I'm gone."

"Where are you going?" Will asked as he scratched Vindex behind the ears and down his back. 

"Michael and I are going to watch over Artemis and her huntresses," I said, "Gration is back. If I die, Luke is in charge until I come back."

"Got it," Nico grumbled.

I looked around the camp site, feeling like I'm forgetting something. "Okay, that's it, Will I'm going through your tent," I said just as Nico opened his nought to speak. As much as I wanted to know what he wanted to say, I was in a hurry.

Will squeaked in protest as I pushed through his tent flap. What I saw stopped me short. I popped my head out, nope, I was in the right tent. "Will!" I shouted from inside the tent.

"Yes, my lord?" Will sounded entirely too innocent in my ears.

"Will, are you sure you don't have Leo's tent?" I asked.

"What?" I heard Nico say before pushing his way through to where I was. "Will, what did you do?"

Will slowly came walking in with a sheepish grin on his face. "It was Vindex?" He said hesitantly.

"Oh, sure, blame it on the dog,' I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Percy, are you sure Leo could make this much of a mess?" Nico asked incredulously. "This seems worse."

The room had burn marks all over the place; on the sofa, the walls, the ceiling, the floor, everywhere. Clothes strewn about in piles, soda cans and candy wrappers litter the floor. His closet was basically on the floor and the smell of waste and burned fabric floated though the air.

"Will, you are going to tell me how you did those burn marks when I get back," I said, backing out of the tent. I noticed Vindex didn't bother coming in again, probably already had enough front he first time waking up Will.

I walked up to Vindex, traumatized for the rest of my immortal life. I didn't think he spent enough time in his room to mess it up that much.

"Will, get that cleaned up or you'll be responsible for a new room check throughout the Hunt. Nico, your's had better not look anywhere near that," I said pointing to each in turn. "I'm going to flash there, close your eyes."

I reached into my core, searching for Michael's connection to me before flashing there.

The elite and Delta team was still in camp waiting for Daniel, aka Perseus to recover enough to train and travel again. His wound in the last battle was very nearly fatal and he had yet to gain complete use of his right side front he spear wound in his side.

"Percy! For Chaos' sake, don't do that!" I looked around to see Michael on the ground, clutching his chest.

"What?" I asked, frowning in confusion. "Why are you on the floor?"

"Percy, you scared us all pretty badly when you flashed in like that," Phoenix said from his place by the fire.

"Sorry," I said, plopping next to him, "Shooter, you ready?"

"I am, my lord,' Michael replied.

"Dove, you here?" I asked. I had fallen on my back so my face was looking at the growing darker sky.

"Yes," Sam answered.

"I want you to go help out Will and Nico," I said, "Shizzle and Phoenix be ready to join us in Hogwarts. I have a feeling things will get even crazier than they are now."

"Yes!" Leo shouted, jumping up and pumping his fist in the air. "Luke, did you hear that? We're going to Hogwarts!"

"Yes, Leo that's nice. Now, Percy," Luke said. "Any reason you want to tell me why you are not taking me with you on this mission?"

I lifted my head to look at Luke then Michael, who was trying hard to keep a straight face. "You want to protect the Hunters of Artemis and Lady Artemis?" I asked in disbelief. "We more than likely will get caught and sent to Tartarus-well, I will go to Tartarus, you guys might go to the Underworld again."

"That's your mission?" Luke demanded. "All Michael told me was you both were going on a mission!"

"Michael!" I scolded. "Just for that, you're going first."

"What? Hey wait I'm sor-" a flash of light and he disappeared to Montana.

"Does Lady Artemis know? Why are you going?" Leo asked as he say back down.

"No, Apollo asked us to do it. It is because Gration is back and he's hunting Artemis," I answered solemnly.

☀️            ☀️            ☀️            ☀️            ☀️

Michael and I have been following Artemis' hunt from a distance for almost a week now and we are both surprised we have not been caught. I thought for sure we'd get caught when Michael started a near panic with the deer in the vicinity when he stepped on a twig. Or when he spoke too loudly about when Gration was going to show up. Vindex was watching at a closer distance, staying right outside their camp.

We were patrolling the borders of their camp one night at a two mile radius when I both heard and smelled something out of the ordinary.

Shooter, I'm taking a detour of about two more miles to the north, I said mentally. Hang tight.

What is it my lord? He asked.

Not sure yet, I answered. We didn't say anymore as I silently trekked through the trees towards the strange smell and noises. They were similar to the forest's usual sounds but then there was a clanging of metal on metal.

"Why aren't we attacking?" a whiny voice reached my ears. "We're just following them around the country. We could have taken then by now and they won't know what hit them!"

"Shuddup, ya idiot!" I heard a yelp and realized that one must have hit the other. "We'll attack when we attack, there is no use in complaining about it, Gration will just kill you. Besides, that noseless guy likes waiting and Gration does not want to backstab him just yet."

The owners of the voices finally came into my view. It was a couple of monsters guarding a camp. A telekhines and a Cyclopes.

"So what are we doing right now again?" The telekhine asked, rubbing his head where the Cyclopes must have hit him.

"We're waiting for that hunter spy then we are going to lead them to Gration to report," he answered.

My breathing stopped short and the last sentence. The Hunt had a spy? Which one? I noticed they didn't say anything about the gender as the term 'hunter' could be used for either girls or boys.

Before I could do anything, a twig snapped to my left.

The Cyclopes and telekhines froze and rose their weapons.

Out stepped a hunter, bow slung over one shoulder and blonde hair cut short. They looked around sixteen or seventeen. The hunter walked confidently up to the guards, stopping just in front of them.

"I am the spy Gration is expecting," the hunter's musical voice rang through the clearing.

I reached into my powers of loyalty, just to see to whom the was really loyal to. They could have been a double agent. When I figured it out, I scowled. This hunter has been bringing vital information about Artemis' hunt for a little over a week.

Then an idea popped into my head and I changed my raven black hair to a lighter brown and my eyes to light blue. I shrunk down to about a twelve year old boy's body height and build. I then walked out of my hiding spot and strode confidently over to stand next to the girl hunter.

"I am Charles, the spy from Perseus' hunt Gration is expecting," I said, adding a slight waver in my voice  to show that I was older than I looked but also still young and scared of the two massive monsters in front of me.

"We have a spy in Perseus' hunt?" The Cyclopes asked, surprise. "I would have thought Perseus Jackson would have caught that by now."

The cyclopes' surprise comforted me. At least there is no spy in my ranks. The betrayal of someone in my hunt would have hurt a lot more than the girl's betrayal did.

Shooter, come here, I found Gration's camp and I've learned of a spy in Artemis' hunt. I'm going to need your help, I mentally said to Michael.

Who was it? He asked me.

I looked into the girl's memories for her name since she was not a demigod. Indiana Soleil, I said. Human, not one of the ones we rescued.

Where are you?

Feel for me with our bond, you should know how to do that, I said before I started focusing on following the monsters through their camp and ignoring the girl who was looking at us strangely.

"What group are you in?" She asked. Everyone knew how my hunt was organized. I had five groups other than the elite team of about thirty recruits and about five larger sub groups of around fifty underneath them.

I hesitated, turning my head to narrow my eyes at her. "Why do you care?" I asked defensively. I decided to play the part of a lonely, under appreciated member of my Omega group. I knew that none of my members in that group truly felt that way, I just figured that it would be easy to believe.

"Watch your tone, boy," she sneered before ignoring me as we finished our long walk to Gration's tent.

The telekhine went in to inform the giant while we waited outside with the Cyclopes.

"What do you mean the spy from Perseus Jackson's hunt is here along with the spy for Artemis?" A roar came from inside the tent.

I winced inwardly. Michael where are you? I said urgently. My cover has been blown.

I'm right outside the camp, do you want me to come in?

Yes, and quickly, I told him, slightly panicking.

You got it boss.

Have you been hanging around Blackjack?

Michael didn't say anything but that was all the answer I needed. I groaned out loud but that was loud enough for Gration to hear.

"What was that?" He demanded loudly.

I made a move to get farther away from the tent and the Cyclopes but Indiana caught me before I could go anywhere. With me being in a smaller form, it was easier than it would have been for her to stop me.

"Where do you think you're going? We're about to have some fun." Her voice came at me from right next to my left ear.

I froze up, horrible memories of my old stepfather flashing up from the deep pit I had hid them in. I didn't hear anything said after that until Gration walked into my view and said, "Well, well, well, a Hunter of Perseus, what do you think you are doing here?"

"Spying perhaps?" I offered, jerking out of Indiana's grasp and getting as far away from her as I could. She did not seem at all what she seemed.

"I can see that, but for which side?" Gration sneered, grabbing my arm himself.

I smiled, pushing those memories away once again. "Me," I said, uncapping and stabbing with Riptide in one fluid motion.

"Wha-at?" Gration yelled, his hand letting go of me to clutch at his stomach. "You! Get back here!"

I started to run towards the entrance of the camp, hoping to meet up with Michael on the way so we could come up with a plan.

"Percy!" He yelled as I almost ran right past him. "What happened?"

I knew he wasn't talking about the commotion that was following Gration as he ran after me even in is wounded state. Michael was always one of the ones who could sense when I had been thinking too much on the past. "I'll tell you later, right now we need to kill Gration and capture that spy!"

"Right, what do we do?" He asked.

"You get Indiana tied up and deal with as many monsters as you can while I deal with Gration," I said, looking up at him and lifting Riptide which seemed far heavier than usual.

"Um, Percy?" Michael said. "You're still...um..."

"What?" I asked before looking down at myself where he was looking. "Oh, right." I started growing into my usual form; raven black hair with the white streak, taller and more muscular and scars all over.

"Perseus Jackson!" Gration yelled, coming to a stop. "I knew that your hunt wouldn't have any spies, at least none on our side." He turned to the cyclopes and the telekhine. "And you two buffoons believed him!"

I laughed. "Gration, I believe your time on the surface is going to be cut short," I said, spinning my sword in my hand expertly. "I hear Tartarus is bored."

"What do you know?" The giant growled. "We're allies, Tartarus and I. You on the other hand, are going to be having a Hades of a time down there."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Surely you've heard?" I started with a glance at Michael who was laughing out right. "Tartarus and I are brothers."

Gration paled. He started backing away while the huntress stepped forward, rolling her eyes at the giant's actions. "Surely you knew that, you incompetent fool," she said, unslinging her bow.

Now, I mentally told Michael and we immediately attacked. He went for Indiana and I went for Gration.

Gration yelped and started to feebly fight with his massive sword. As we fought, I did my best to do as much damage so that he would get tired so when Michael came to join me, we could get it over with. If we got it done fast, then we will be able to deal with the other monsters as well.

I managed a large gash on Gration's ugly face and one at his foot, hindering his ability to see and maneuver.

"Gah!" He roared so loudly it made my eardrums ring. "You will pay for this, pathetic demigod!"

"Dude, you know I'm not a demigod anymore right?" I said, stepping back from the fight to stare at him carefully. "Have your brains not been fully reformed?"

"I'll show you-"

"Michael, any time now!" I shouted as I went to stab him in the chest, expecting him to either doge or parry. "Demigod and god working togeth-"

I stopped short as my sword went through his chest like it was a hot blade moving through butter and didn't stop until the sword was buried to its hilt. All the fighting in the clearing stopped as Gration burst into golden dust around my sword and blew away into the wind.

"Well, that will be handy," I commented before taking  advantage of the shocked state of the nearby monsters and sliced them into dust as well.

Later after the skirmish, I walked up to Indiana who was tied up and gagged. "Let's see what Lady Artemis has to say about this shall we?" I asked with a wicked smile on my face as Indiana's paled dramatically.

I threw Indiana at the feet of Artemis who was at the campfire, hand on the hilt of her knives ready for and attack. "What are you doing, Persues?" Artemis demanded. "Indiana is my hunter, how dare you-"

"Are you all spies too?" I demanded angrily, interrupting the goddess in her rant that was honestly getting old. "Was she reporting to Gration on behalf of all of you?" I stared at all the shocked faces of the Hunters of Artemis and Artemis herself.

They all looked shocked at first then angry, though at me or at Indiana, I had yet to figure out.

"We found her at Gration's monster camp not five miles north," Michael sneered, after I had said my part. "Please tell me that you all aren't spies on the giant's and Voldemort's side."

"It's no use, Shooter," I said. "They're all traitors." I spat the word out as if it were poison.

"What?" Thalia shouted, panicking. "No! Percy, please!"

My looks softened. "That is what would have happened if you had been spies," I said. "Since you are not, I hope you know now what judging without seeing all the proof would get you."

Thalia punched me. "Kelp head!" She shouted, tears dripping from her eyes. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry Thals," I said, pulling her into a hug. "I didn't know how else to introduce the problem with out getting accused of mistreating your sisters."

"You could have told me," she said, pulling me in tighter.

I smiled before I caught sight of a huntress trying to sneak away. "Stop her," I said calmly to Michael who I knew had seen her too.

Immediately, he took off, coming up behind her and tackling her to the ground. I checked her loyalty along with the rest of the hunters just to make sure.

"Percy?" Thalia questioned, coming out of the hug to see Michael tie up the other girl next to Indiana.

"These two have no loyalties to Olympus nor you, Lady Artemis," I said calmly.

Artemis' eyes glowed a brilliant silver, her anger leaking through her powers. "I hereby revoke the pledge Indiana and Marley made in my hunt," she said before I could think she was mad at me. "They are no longer a part of my hunt."

"How do we know none of your hunters are not spies?" Thalia asked worriedly.

I waved a hand. "I periodically check their loyalties just to make sure," I said in answer. I turned to Artemis. "I would be honored to do that for you as well, my lady. "

"Are you suggesting that-"

"No, not at all, my lady," I bowed deeply. "You have been a faithful soldier in the fight for Olympus as well as your huntresses now and in the past. I am merely suggesting my services so nothing like this happens again. You need never to even know that I am doing it, that is, until I find one such as them." I gestured to the girls tied up at my feet.

Artemis smiled. "I would be honored if you would do that, Percy, when ever you do it for your hunt would be marvelous, if you don't mind."

I nodded. "Gration is destroyed, the monster camp obliterated and my job here is done," I said happily. "Thalia, girls, it was great seeing you. May your hunt be ever successful."

"Bye, Percy," Thalia gave me another hug. "Come visit soon, or else..." The sky cackled with lightning as well as her hair.

"I will, don't you worry, cuz," I laughed. "Come on, Michael, we'll let them deal with the traitors. We need to get to Hogwarts." I winked at the girls and flashed both Michael and I out of the US and into Hogwarts.

We landed in our room provided by the headmaster just as the door closed. I looked at the time and frowned. It was past bed time, what could they possibly be doing up at such an hour? 

I told Michael to leave his tent on the floor and set mine down, taking off after Will and Nico. We followed them down the stairs and out of the common room. Down the corridor and through the halls, they seemed to know where they were going but they stopped in a corridor with no doors and they paced three times. I was starting to wonder about their sanity before a door finally appeared.

They snuck in with the door shutting quietly behind them. Before it could shut all the way however, I flashed over and caught the door. I motioned for Michael to come and followed him in. Inside, I saw something I honest to Chaos did not expect to see.