Intertwined Fates • Parallel Universe • PJO (Book 1, The Lightning Thief)

Chapter 2 - I Help Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher

Quote of the chapter ~

"The future is worth it.

All the pain.

All the tears.

The future is worth the fight."

~ Martian Manhunter

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CHAPTER 2 - I HELP VAPORIZE MY PRE-ALGEBRA TEACHER

Selene POV

As soon as we got of the bus, Curly-Hair - no, Grover - pulled me to the side. Percy just kept walking, keeping this head down, like he didn't want to be seen, not even noticing that we weren't following him anymore. I snorted. Seaweed-Brain.

"Who are you?" Grover demanded. "What are you?"

He tried to look nonchalant, but failed miserably. I could hear the quiver in his voice, indicating that he was scared.

"My name is Selene, Selene Aetos. And you're Grover Underwood, the satyr protecting Percy." He took a step back, shocked.

"H-how dd-did you kk-know that?" He asked shakily. Suddenly, he removed his crutches and held them in front of him in a protective way. "You're a monster, aren't you? Who is your master? Why are you here? "

I raised my hands in an I surrender gesture. "I'm not a monster, I swear.

"That's what they all say." He said. "Prove it."

"Fine." I said exasperated. "I swear on the river Styx that I am not a monster. I just woke up here." The sky thundered, and lightning flashed.

Grover's eyes widened in awe and frear, but nonetheless he visibly relaxed. He took a deep breath, and then another. I could tell he was trying to stay calm and try to deal with the situation at hand. "Okay, so if you're not a monster, what are you. Are you," He lowered his voice to a whisper, "are you like Percy? A demigod?"

"N-" my voice shut off. I tried again, and again, but I couldn't talk. I tried to shake my head, but it wouldn't move. I tried to move my arms to show a cross that indicates no, but they wouldn't budge either. I knew what I wanted - no needed to say: that no, I wasn't a demigod, I was a normal 12 year old with a not-so-normal-but-kind-of-normal-compered-to-this life that was flung into her favourite book and was visited by the Fates. But, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't say anything. It was like my body was refusing to let me tell the truth. Curse you Fates.

Grover shook his head and ran his hand over his face. "Ok, I don't know what's going on with you but you need to talk to Chi... Mr. Brunner."

"What does Mr. Brunner have to do with this?" I asked, deciding to play along to see his reaction.

"Umm... Chi... Mr. Bru... h...w-well... ummm... well" He stuttered, his face going red in embarrassment. I was struggling to keep my laughter, but failing miserably. My face was red as well, when I burst. I laughed so hard I fell down. After a minute or so I sobered up.

"I know Mr. Brunner is," I lowered my voice. "Chiron, Grover. I know everything, literally everything that is gonig to happen, but for some reason that I can't state, I can't say it. I want to tell you, believe me but the Fat..." I suddenly couldn't say anything. I ran my hand through my hair in frustration.

"Sorry, but the people behind this stop me from telling you any important information that might affect the future..." I trailed off.

"W-wait, what do you mean by 'you know everything?' What do you know?"

"I know about what happned at the Winter Solstice, I know about the gods, the deadline, about Camp Half-Blood, everything." I said, in one huge rush. I was afraid that the Fates would take my voice away again. It was like in The Little Mermaid, when Ursula stole Ariel's voice. Again, I hate you Fates.

"The Winter Solstice... were you there? Do you know what was taken?" Grover frantically asked.

I nodded my head. "I wasn't there, no, but I know what was stolen. And I know who took it too. It was Lu - " there it was again. My voice had been ripped away from me. I am going to murder you Fates. Ughhhhh. I hate you

"Who? Who was it?" Grover grabbed my upper arms, but not in a threatening way. He was pleading me, just in the same way I was pleading with myself to let me speak.

"I... I can't. Like I said before, someone is not letting me say the words. I know everything that is going to happen, and I can't tell you, or Percy, or anyone. It's all like one big trick." I said helplessly. I felt so frustrated, I wanted to tear my hair out, one stupid strand at a time.

"But how - "

"Mr. Underwood, Miss Aetos, if you could kindly join the rest of the class in the museum." A sharp voice sounded behind us. I froze in fear. That voice sounded just like I had imagined it, since I first read the book. Smooth, yet icy, like a glacier scraping against the snow.

Grover and I turned to the teacher, a little lady in a black leather jacket. Her face twisted into even more of a scowl when her cold black eyes met mine. I shivered. She emmited an aura of evil, darkness and fear, and I hated her the moment I set my eyes on her.

I cleared my throat and placed a hand on Grover's forearm. "Yes Mrs. Dodds."

*

Mr. Brunner lead the tour.

I stuck to Grover, knowing that if I let myself get seprated from the group, Mrs. Dodds will tear me to shreads. We followed Mr. Brunner's wheelchair and the other students through the Metropolitan. By the time we reached the Greek and Roman section I was trembling.

Percy was towards te front. I knew what he was thinking, but my arm couldn't reach out and grab his hand, nor could my mouth whisper his name to capture his attention. I was powerless, and it was terrifying. It's like I knew the outcome of World War II, and yet all I could do was sit on the sidelines and watch people destroy each other. Except, if I couldn't help this, then I would be dooming the fate of the Wastern Civilization. No pressure, right?

If I could somehow manage to speak to Percy about what is going to occur, I'll be able to save so many lives. We could stop this war before it even starts. But, somehow, I knew I couldn't. What's ment to happen, has to happen, or the balance of the Universe will be destroyed. All I can do is go along for the ride and help Percy with all of his upcoming quests, though I'm not sure how I can help him in the Son Of Neptune. Anyway...

For years, I had dreamed of this story being real. I had dreamed of being like Percy, a Hero. But Now that I was there I saw that it was a very, very foolish thing to wish for. People die in this story. People get hurt and I wasn't ready for that. I am someone that get's too attached sometimes and it's very hard for me to let people go.

While I was contemplating the reasoning behing bringing me here, Mr. Brunner was talking about the stele on display. Nancy Bobofit made a snide comment about the nude sculpture, and Percy wheeled on her. Uh-oh.

"Will you shut up?"

The students laughed. Unfortunately, the sound attracted Mr. Brunner's attention. He stopped mid-sentence and looked at Percy. "Mr. Jackson, did you have a comment?"

Percy's face flushed with embarrassment. "No, sir." I smacked the heel of my palm against my forehead. I knew exactly where this went, and, of course, the only thing I could do was watch as this train-wreck unfold in front of me.

Mr. Brunner pointed to carving at the bottom of the stele. "Perhaps you can tell us what this picture represents?"

Percy looked at the marker, and I saw his face relax in recognition. "That's Kronos eating his kids, the gods, right?"

"Yes," Mr. Brunner said, an unimpressed look adorning his centuries old face. "And he did this because..."

Percy looked struck. Come on, Percy, I know you know this! But he seemed ready to give up. Not knowing what came over me, I rushed forward until I was standing shoulder to shoulder with him. "Lord Kronos was the King of the Titans, and he was afraid that one of his children was going to overthrow him, due to the curse Lord Ouranus put on him before he died. Overcome by his fear, he ate his children as soon as they were born. But his wife, Lady Rhea, hid Lord Zues when he was born and gave Lord Kronos a rock to eat instead. And later, when Lord Zues grew up, he tricked his father into disgorging his brothers and sisters by giving Lord Kronos a mix of mustard and wine. And thus, the war between the gods and the Titans started." I said, breathless. "And the gods won."

The entire group was silent in astonishment. I glanced sideways at Percy, who looked thoroughly impressed. Mr. Brunner and Grover had looks of shock on their faces, but what worried me was Mrs. Dodds. She had a grin on her face, one that screamed victory. I gulped, Because of my impulse, I could have very well just changed the entire course of history, or rather, the storyline.

Nancy muttered to her friend behind me, "Like we're going to use this in real life. Like it's going to say on our job applications, 'Please explain why Kronos ate his kids.'"

"And why, Mr. Jackson," Mr. Brunner said, skipping over my interruption and following his script, "to paraphrase Miss Bobofit's excellent question, does this matter in real life?"

"Busted," Grover muttered, but he was still looking at me with wide eyes.

"Shut up." The redhead muttered, her face as bright as her hair.

Percy looked a little irritated, probable because he didn't want to answer the question when he didn't know the story to begin with. Finally, he shrugged. "I don't know sir, but why don't you ask Selene, she seems to be the expert here." I glared at him. Even though I knew the answer, throwing me under the bus like that when I just saved his sorry butt was just cruel. Percy simply smirked at me in response.

"Well, this Myth teaches you that you should never let fear overcome you." I said. "Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives, living existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is actually a sense of purpose lifting us to greater heights. Never forget that fear is but the precursor of valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero. Don't think. Become." By now everybody was staring at me in awe. The lines just came sprouting out of my mouth. Grover's eyes were even wider than before, which I thought was impossible.

(A/N - Does anyone get the reference? It's from Trollhunters. My little sis made me watch it. Blinky says this to cheer Jim up, and in the first battle against Gunmar, Deya the first Trollhunter says this as well. Oh and in the book Trollhunters does not exist.)

"Well Miss Aetos, that was certainly something," Mr. Brunner said, a hint of approval in his millenia old eyes. "Well done, full credit. As Miss Aetos said, Lord Zues did indeed feed Lord Kronos a mixture of mustard and wine, which made him disgorge his other five children, who, of course, being immortal, had been living and growing up, completely undigested in the Titan's stomach. The gods defeated their father, sliced him to pieces with his own scythe, and scattered his remains in Tartarus, the darkest part of the Underworld. On that happy note, it's time for lunch. Mrs. Dodds could you please lead us back outside?"

The class was hearded outside. Percy, Grover and I were bringing up the rear as how we... I mean they, were supposed to, when Mr. Brunner said, "Mr. Jackson."

Percy sighed, as though he knew what was to come. He turned towards the two of us. "You guys go ahead, I'll catch up."

Mr. Brunner stopped us again. "Actually, I need to speak with Miss Aetos as well." My eyes widened, and I looked towards Grover for support. He nodded encouragingly, and then slipped out the door.

*

I stayed back next to the entrance of the Greco-Roman section of the museum while Percy and Mr. Brunner talked. I already knew what they were saying, I didn't need to hear it as well. After a few minutes, Percy left and brushed past me, whispering a "Good Luck" to me, on his way out. I closed my eyes in anticipation.

I shuffled my feet and took a deep breath. When I opened my eyes Mr. Brunner was in front of me. His face was stern, but his eyes showed kindness, understanding and a little bit of suspicion. He turned his motorized wheelchair towards the entrance of the museum. "Walk with me, Selene."

I dragged my feet as I followed him through the exhibits. "I know what you're going to say," I began. Mr. Brunner raised an eyebrow, an invitation for me to keep going. "You're going to say that you've never seen me before today, that I somehow manipulated the Mist into having everyone think that they know me, especially Percy. He seems to think that I'm his friend. And I am, in a wierd sort of way, I guess. Honestly, if I told you where I come from, you wouldn't belive me." I peeked at Mr. Brunner through my eyelashes. He seemed to be deep in thought.

Finally, he spoke. "It is odd that a twelve year old has the power to alter so many minds at once. You must be very powerful. Do you know your parentage, child?"

I stopped. He thought I was a demigod? I tried to correct him, but my voice was taken away from me again. I then remembered what the Fates told me in my dream. I quote "You will act as a demigod." I hate you Fates. Somehow, words flowed from me, words I did not mean to say. "How do you know what I am?" Ughhhh. It's you again Fates, right?

Mr. Brunner chuckled. "You're aura is strong, my dear. Perhaps just as strong if not stronger than Mr. Jackson's. Tell me, what's your story?" Wait what? The fates told me that my aura will be like a Big Three kid, but Mr. Brunner/Chiron still thinks it is stronger than Percy's. How???

Mr. Brunner was looking at me expectantly. I hesitated. How can I tell the greatest teacher in History that he is just a story, a character from a fictional book? But when I looked into his Milliena old eyes, and I knew he would know if I tried to lie to him. So, I told him the truth the best I could. It proved to be difficult. My tongue would twist up and my voice would fail me if I got too close to reveling the plot. But, I managed to tell him where I was from, how I was a mortal twelve-year-old reading a book about Greek Mythology in mordern times, my dream (though I could only say that I talked to the Fates and nothing else), How I was supposed to guide a boy I had looked up to for four years.

Mr. Brunner was a good listener and by the time I had finished my story, we were outside the museum, in the courtyard. I saw Percy and Grover sitting on the ledge of a fountain, far away from everyone else.

My teacher regarded me with those old eyes. "I sense no false words in your statement. It seems to me that the Fates have chosen you for a particular task, though I do not know what that task might be. But you know the outcome of this... problem. I cannot ask you to reveal it to me, as I know your words will lock up, the same way they did when you spoke to Grover earlier." He looked at me expectantly, as though he thought I would be surprised he overheard our conversation. But, I was used to him knowing things he shouldn't. Mr. Brunner continued, "You obviously have an important role to play in young Mr. Jackson's life. We will know more once we get the both of you to safety."

I looked up, my mouth agape. Safety. Does this mean I get to see the camp? With my own eyes? "You mean...?"

Mr. Brunner nodded, though his expression was grim. "Yes child. You must go to camp with Percy. Only with Percy, do you understand? Your fates ate intertwined, that much is certain. Stay with him, keep him safe with your knowlege of the future, but let time run it's course. Messing with fate is a dangerous thing," He warned. "Trying to interpret the future and knowing exactly what will happen are only divided by a very thin line. I trust you know about what happnes when someone tries to make a prophecy work for them." He gave me a grave look. I was trembling again. Yes, I know exactly what happens.

But I rolled my shoulders back and stood up tall. "Don't worry, Mr. Brunner. I won't tell Percy, or Grover, a thing until we're safe at camp. I'll let nature run it's course. I swear it on the river Styx." I said. Thunder rumbled loudly, a few children from Yancy looked up at the sky nervously, thinking it might rain. Black clouds drifted inland from the East. I knew why the sky was boiling, and with my luck, I just had to keep it a secret.

Mr. Brunner nodded, though that grave look was still on his face. We both knew the consequences of breaking that promise. He waved his hand towards the fountain. "Go, join your friends, Miss Aetos. They are waiting for you."

I nodded, and then ran to the fountain. Percy regarded me, "What did Brunner want? You guys were talking for a long time." I spared a fleeting glance towards Grover, who subtly shook his head.

"He wants me to do some sort of extra credit project on Greek Mythology. I guess reading all those books when I was younger payed off. Do you still have your apple?"

*

I kept quiet during lunch. My stomach was still doing flips, so I din't really have much of an appetite. I just nibbled half-heartedly on Percy's apple.

I watched Percy's face change as he longingly gazed out at Fifth Avenue. He was thinking about his mom, I knew he was. Then he sighed, hung his head, and grabbed his sandwich out of his brown lunch bag. My shoulders tensed. I had read the book enough to know what was going to happen after this.

But, like always, I couldn't do a thing. I saw Nancy Bobofit saunter up to the three of us, her friends in tow, and dump her lunch onto Grover's lap. "Oops,"

Percy's face and probably mine too, went red with rage. Percy was trying to keep his cool, but he exploded. Well, not him necessarily. The fountain we were sitting on the edge of suddenly exploded, water flying out of the faucets and grabbing Nancy, sucking her into the pool at the bottom, but what amazed me was that the wind was pushing her into the pool as well. For half a second, her face had a look of pure shock. And then she opened her mouth. "Percy and Selene pushed me!" Nancy wailed.

Mrs. Dodds materialized next to us. I always thought Percy was exaggerating about that part, but she literally shimmered into existence, three feet away from where we sat. The kids sitting around us started whispering to each other, trying to explain how the water suddenly got a mind of it's own.

Mrs. Dodds hauled Nancy out of the fountain pool, cooing at her and making promises of getting her a new shirt from the gift shop. Then she turned on her heel, and glared at Percy and not surprisingly, me. Her eyes were dancing. She had what she came here for. "Now, honey-"

"I know," Percy grumbled. I shook my head and shot him a warning look, trying to make him stop, but he was already saying the words. "A month erasing workbooks."

If it were at all possible, Mrs. Dodds face got even crueler. "Come with me," She demanded. "Both of you."

"Wait," Grover yelped. "It was me. I pushed her."

Percy stared at him. I glanced towards Mr. Brunner, who was trying hard not to look at us. He needed to see how this would play out.

Mrs. Dodds shot daggers from her eyes. "I don't think so, Mr. Underwood," she said.

"But-"

"You-will-stay-here."

Grover looked at Percy, and then at me. I nodded reassuringly. This had to happen. But what I didn't understand was why I was being pulled along in it.

"It's ok, man," Percy told him, though his voice was tight. "Thanks for trying."

"Honey," Mrs. Dodds said. "Now."

Percy glared at Nancy Bobofit, and so did I. I shuddered. I always hoped to never be on the receiving end of that glare, and I knew that it wasn't even perfected yet. My friends always told me that my glare is as scary, if not more as Percy's perfected glare, but I always waved them off, claiming that it wasn't true. But, now I'm starting to belive them.

Percy turned back to face Mrs. Dodds, but she was already on the steps of the museum's entrance. Percy did a double take, but I grabbed his hand and pulkled him along gently. "Let's just get this over with."

Halfway up the steps, we both slowed and looked back at Grover. He was looking back and forth, between us and Mr. Brunner, trying to get him to notice what was going on. Mr. Brunner looked absorved in his Novel, but I knew better. He was just waiting for the right moment to get up and give Riptide to Percy.

Percy turned back and steered me into the museum. "We don't need to be in any more trouble than we already are," he whispered.

We kept following Mrs. Dodds through the museum. By the time she stopped, we were back in the Greco-Roman exhibit. It was empty, except for the three of us.

Mrs. Dodds glared up at he marble frieze of the gods. I don't know if she meant to, or not, but she was growling, the sound of rumbling through her chest, and echoing through the museum.

"You two have been giving us problems, honey," she said. She was staring at me and Percy like we were two pieces of meat waiting to be eaten. while I am trembling in fear, I wish I can do something to keep Percy safe.

He gulped. "Yes, ma'am."

Mrs. Dodds angrily fiddled with her jacket. "Did you really think that you could get away with it?"

Percy looked extremely nervous. He took a step back, his eyes wide with fear. "I'll-I'll try harder ma'am."

"We are not fools, Perseus Jackson," Mrs. Dodds said, malice in her voice. "It was only a matter of time before we found you two out. Confess, and you will suffer less pain." She rounded on me. "And you, Selene Aetos," She spit out my name, like it was poison. I'm not sure where you came from, but I know you helped Perseus to take them. I will make a throne out of your SKULL!" She hissed excitedly.

My heart was pounding. This wasn't in the book, and making a a throne out of my skull doesn't sound so good. Thankfully, or maybe not so, Mrs. Dodds didn't give me a chance to answer.

She turned back to Percy. "Well?"

Percy shook his head slightly. "Ma'am I don't..."

"Your time is up," She hissed.

Her eyes burst into flames. Her leather jacket melted into bat wings, and she bared her fangs at us, ready to rip us into shreds.

Mr. Brunner wheeled into the entrance of the gallery. "What ho, Percy." he shouted, and tossed a ballpoint pen through the air.

Mrs. Dodds took that as her que and lunged towards Percy.

"No!" I yelled, and tackled Percy around the waist, sending us both crashing to the floor. His instincts took over and he snatched the pen out of the air. It grew until he was holding a familiar bronze sword. Riptide.

Mrs. Dodds wheeled towards us again. Percy looked scared out of his wits, but he managed to get a grip on his sword, and he swept me behind him with his other arm.

Mrs. Dodds snarled. "Die, honey!"

I have read this part many times. I knew she was a Kindly One, but standing here, living it, paralyzed me with fear. I had always downplayed Percy's heroics in my head, but now I see why they were praised so highly. Mrs. Dodds was terrifying.

The demon beat her wings and she flew towards us. I closed my eyed, and gathered up my courage. I quickly touched my bracelet and it transformed into a bow. I pulled the string back and asked for a normal arrow. I aimed at Mrs. Dodds and fired. The arrow hit her square in the stomach. As she was turning into dust, she lunged at me. I was too stunned to react. I was flung out of my stupor when Percy swung his sword. It passed right through her shoulder.

With an angry wail, Mrs. Dodds finally exploded into dust, covering us in thick golden powder. The smell of sulfur in the air was overwhelming, and Mrs. Dodds' evil screech was echoing throughout the entire gallery.

We were alone. Percy held a pen in his hand.

I coughed and blinked the dust out of my eyes. Percy turned on his hel, his eyes wide, like he had forgotten that I was there. He dropped Riptide and gripped my shoulders. "Selene! Are you okay?" His eyes scanned my body, lookng for any injuries.

I sniffed and brushed the powder out of my hair. "You seem to be asking me that a lot today." I tried to sound cool, but my voice was shaking. I looked into his sea-green eyes. "Thank you," I stammered. "You saved my life."

Percy let out a nervous laugh. "I'm not even sure what I did." He took a deep breath. "let's go before something else tried to attack us."

"Where did you get that bow from?"

I panicked. Lady Fates please help me!

"Just snap your fingers in front of Mr. Jackson's face, and manipulate the mist to make him forget about the bow, but when you reach the Camp the mist will fade and he will see what really happned." They said in my mind.

I did as told, and his face became blank for a moment, and then it cleared.

We walked back outside, shoulder to shoulder. It had started to rain.

Grover was sitting on the edge of the fountain, like nothing had happned. Nancy was standing a few feet away from him, still looking like she lost a fight with a swimming pool. When she saw us she grinned, a grin full of spite. She said, "I hope Ms. Kerr whipped your butts."

Percy blinked. He said, "Who?"

"Our teacher. Duh!"

"What are you talking about?"

Nancy just rolled her eyes and walked away. Percy looked at me in bewilderment, but I shook my head. I couldn't keep up the charade that Mrs. Dodds never existed, so the only thing I could do was actas confused as he was.

Percy turned to our friend. "Grover, where's Mrs. Dodds?"

Grover hesitated for a millisecond. Then he said, "Who?" He met my eyes, and I shook my head as subtly as possible, sending him a silent message: Say nothing.

"Not funny man," Percy told him. "This is serious."

A c***k of thunder made me jump. Percy took my hand, "C'mon Selene."

I followed him to Mr. Brunner, who was still reading his paperback novel. He looked up at us. "Ah, that would be my pen. Please bring your own writing utensil in the future, Mr. Jackson."

Percy handed Riptide back to Mr. Brunner. "Sir," he started, "where's Mrs. Dodds?"

Mr. Brunner cast a fleeting glance to me, then turned to Percy. "Who?"

"The other chaperone. Mrs. Dodds. The pre-algebra teacher."

He frowned and leaned forward in his wheelchair. "Percy, there was no Mrs. Dodds on this trip. As far as I know, there has never been a Mrs. Dodds in Yancy Academy. Are you feeling alright?"

Percy opened his mouth to say something, but he just shook his head and walked back to Grover. I was about to follow him, but Mr. Brunner said, "How did he do, Miss Aetos?"

I turned back to my teacher. "Just as he was supposed to, with a slight nudge."

***

I hope you liked the second chapter of the book. Did you figure out who her godly parent is?

Btw her godly parent can also be one of the gods' that blessed her, so good luck finding out. I have dropped big hints in this chapter.

Disclaimer:

I don't own Percy Jackson and his books, all credit goes to Uncle Rick. I do however, own Selene Aetos and her storyline.

Please vote, comment and share my story if you liked it.

xoxo, Zoe_Nightshade_