Legends Never Die

The Surprise Is Real

"How?!" Artemis shouted, alarming the child.

The baby girl, for indeed it was a girl, immediately burst into tears and wailed. Percy grabbed her out of the basket and quickly tried fo sooth her, rocking her gently in his arms and whispering soothing words.

Artemis looked shocked. Here was a man with potential to completely destroy the gods, the Titans, and even stand on par with Primordials if not destroy them too. And yet, he was cooing at this baby, this child that looked so much like him and...her! He did it as if it was natural to him.

An image formed of a man with wild hair and blood red eyes. His voice rang out, but made no sound. It was like he was speaking in their minds. "To think that things could get so bad that even Chronus would break his own law of never tampering with the time line. This is quite the sight to behold. Yes, Artemis, that child is exactly what you think it is. It's been sent from the future, probably to ensure your husband doesn't lose sense of himself and has a far greater need to fight.

"I assume that if he doesn't defeat this 'Moon' guy, then a war the likes this planet has never seen would break out. Probably causing irreparable damage." With that, the image of Wrath disappeared.

Artemis looked at Percy, then Zoë and Thalia. The latter two were just stunned and had no idea what to say. The former just looked at Artemis. "You...weren't lying back then were you?"

Artemis frowned. "Of course not. I have no reason to lie, especially not to you. It might have taken awhile, and while I'm not entirely sure why either, I did fall for you. I was completely serious."

Percy looked back at their child. "Even so, at the time I could not bring myself to believe it. It sounded too good to be true. I don't deserve it."

Artemis looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean you don't deserve it?"

Percy shook his head. "You want to know where I was before you guys found me? How I became so good? Why not even that platoon size group of monsters could even scratch me even while I was dying?

"I'm a murderer. I've travelled far and wide through the other pantheons; learning, training, and killing. I...I lost my little brother to a fate worse than death. He wasn't even part of the mythological world, but my mother assumed he had the same ability she did to see through the mist as a baby.

"While I was out learning, I was unaware of the child. When I returned to New York at Hestia's behest, I learned of him. I searched high and low but quickly learned that he had been taken by a primordial power. I still haven't figured out who it was yet. Now, I hear that Annabeth never cheated on me. While I moved on to you, I can't very well leave her at the hands of him while we are happy.

"You can say you would be happy to be with me, but you know nothing of the demons that plague me. I've slaughtered numerous mortals and immortals alike. And here I am, fighting another battle for someone other than myself. At least this time its for someone I truly care about."

Artemis had no idea that Percy felt that way. She looked pained as he approached and placed their daughter in her hands. "Percy..."

"It's fine, Artemis. I need to go get Annabeth. No, I'm not leaving you. I think she'll understand far better than I would if I were in her place. And regardless, I have this gut feeling that wherever she is, so is my little brother."

Artemis moved to grab him but their daughter started whimpering at being jostled around too much. "At least help me come up with a name before you go."

Percy looked back. "I'd like Selina to be part of it."

Artemis nodded. "How about Phoebe Selina Jackson?"

Percy nodded, then grinned. "Well Mrs. Jackson, I will return," and disappeared in a flash.

-/-

"Mom, where should I start looking?"

"You know where. But, I don't think you should just go there so easily!" the goddess of the Hearth fretted.

Percy scowled. He had figured as much, but he didn't want to return there. "I'll be fine mom. I'll be back before you know it. I can't leave Artemis alone for too long. Not to mention, Chronus sent back our daughter from the future. Warn the rest of the gods. The fight between this Moon Primordial is just the beginning. Something else will be coming for us.