Quiet Waters (Fem. Percy x Young Justice) (EDITING IN PROGRESS)

30

A branch crashed through the canopy, smashing into burning pieces on the ground. Hazy smoke filled the air, burning at my eyes and irritating my trachea. The soles of my shoes smoldered as I paused to catch my breath; each breath I took was short, panted, and all too lacking in the sweet, sweet oxygen I needed. I rubbed at my arm, hissing as I rubbed sweat into the cut marring it. As much as I wanted to heal it, it would've been more effort than it was worth. With no snow on the ground, it would be too much effort to pull moisture without harming the dryads even more. Therefore, no ranged attacks and no easy healing source.

I started moving again. I couldn't stop. Couldn't. Couldn't. Couldn't. My instincts screamed at me, raising all the hair on my arms and on my neck Not safe, not safe, not safe.

And for once, the danger wasn't from the monsters. Yes, their claws had torn through my skin like a finger through wet tissue paper. Yes, they may have been the reason I was sporting that gash on my arm, but nothing had changed from before. Riptide still sliced through them and turned them to dust. Whatever was giving me this feeling, this sinking abysmal terror, it was something different. Something bad. I mean, that's obvious. Rarely a monster will be friendly, but more often than not that's the exception rather than the rule. That wasn't the point.

The point was: I've faced countless beings, and none of them have ever put me this much on edge.

Liar.

I scowled, dancing back to narrowly avoid blowing flames. Thinking back on that was of no use to me. Because if it was one of the things that had this effect on me...I'm dead. No chance of survival, not a second time.

Coughs tore from my irritated throat, and the way my eyes were forced closed sent tears falling down my cheeks. I stumbled forward, stepping through a hell-forest of snapping branches and crackling wood. My hand dragged over my eyes, only succeeding in making them itch and burn more. Still, despite that, as I peered further ahead, I could see the shadowed figures of people.

Horror flooded my system, overwhelming my fear. Memories overlayed what I saw before me: trees turning to columns and the unknown people becoming my friends. I blinked. The trees were still there, I wasn't in Greece.

My feet moved before my mind could catch up, sending me hurtling into danger. Shadows and fire danced, battling with each other for dominance. A few flames took to my clothes. With quick pats, I put them out.

This far into the fire, I wished I had water. Even a stream would've been helpful. Far, far more helpful than the small amounts I could draw from the trees.

As it stood, I couldn't do much. Only douse the flames in my immediate surroundings. Anything further than that, anything closer to the people bunkering down, I couldn't help with. It was for the better. Clearly hiding, they'd only suffer by me giving away their location.

Considering I recognized them, it wasn't a good idea.

Ash and soot blew into my face. My face scrunched, but I kept walking into it. Dropping lower would protect from the smoke, thank you ever fire safety assembly ever, but whoever started this fire, they'd be looking for that. So my best bet was to walk as quick and as quiet as possible and hope I wouldn't die of smoke inhalation.

Honestly, if I die from that then I think the shroud Cabin Five made for me when I was twelve would be appropriate.

Six people sat behind a rock, pressing themselves as far away from the fire as possible. Two had been pressed into the old animal den beneath it, with one sitting mostly in front of it. Connor's head turned towards me, eyes narrowed.

"We've got company," he growled out. I dropped as an arrow shot towards me, narrowly avoided the net it released. I rolled to avoid Connor's attack, and I rolled right into fire. I could smell burnt rubber as the soles of my shoes smoldered. Connor's strong grip wrapped around my bicep, pulling me out as fast as I had entered. "What the hell are you doing here?"

I waved my hand and ripped myself from his grip. My eyes scanned each of the others: Robin's cape was gone, Artemis had burns along her left side, Wally's hair was singed and Robin's rebreather stuck in his mouth, Connor is invulnerable but maybe smoke inhalation? Probably. Wally was the only one really safe from that.

Kaldur and Megan were in much worse shape. Both trembled, sweat coating their skin. I grimaced. Atlanteans don't have much in terms of heat resistance, and I guess Martians are the same. Dropping to my knees I scrambled forward, pulling the straps of his waterpack from his cool and clammy skin. I paused for a moment, using what little water was around me still to soothe him. I couldn't do the same for Megan unfortunately , so I backed out into the still burning forest.

"What," Artemis said, "are you doing?"

"I-" I coughed. Should've seen that coming. Gentle fingers massaged my throat. "Get out of here," I rasped.

"Us? No, you need to get out of here." Connor butted in. "Aqualad's down, so is Miss Martian. We can't be protecting you too." A quick glance at him showed the obvious distrust in both his eyes and frame. Shoulders tensed, hands clenched into fists. It was probably taking every bit of his nearly non-existent self restraint to keep himself from decking me. 

I snorted and pulled a water-bearer free. "Trust me"--I grinned--"I don't need your protecting." Water surged out, coiling around me. Faster and faster it spun, stirring up winds and tugging the fire into its grasp, only to splash against what it was burning. "So get them out of here." I dropped the water-bearer and slipped Riptide from my pocket. "I can get myself out just fine."

Here you guys go.

I gotta go feed my animals

See yah