Fight
Cassiopeia was soon back at her cabin packing her bags. “I can’t believe you have to go on a quest with him.” Simon (her older brother) said as he was helping her pack. “I know, but I have no choice according to Chiron.” the girl replied back. “I just wish it wasn’t so close to the 23rd.” “Why?” the boy questioned. “I have a ball to go to with my mortal family.” “Oh. Anyways, are you really folding your clothes like that?” asked the boy judging her packing skills. “Yes, there is nothing wrong with how I am packing. If you don’t like it you can leave.” Cassiopeia responded.
Cassiopeia gave a small sad smile at the screen remembering her older brother. Percy reached over and gave her hand a firm squeeze, she turned towards him and whispered a small thank you.
Soon she was finished packing and gave Simon a hug as they said goodbye. She made her way to the camp store where she picked up some drachmas and muggle money. She then walked towards the sword training camp to say goodbye to the rest of her siblings where she was engulfed into a hug.
“Goodbye Cassie. You are going to do amazing! You are going to make your father proud. I know it.” Eurytion told her after he let her go from the hug. Clarisse was the next one to say goodbye. “Make it back in one piece okay. And promise to tell me all about the embarrassing things Prissy does.” Cassiopeia laughs. “I Will Lisse.” The last one to say goodbye was Alexander. “Cassie remember to always aim for the neck, it is one of the most vulnerable places.” “I will Alex.” “I love you Cassie.” “Love you too Alex.” She said as she hugged him.
“Princess, why does it sound like you saying your last goodbye?” asked Evan, “Because there was a high chance I wasn’t going to make it.” Cassiopeia replied. “What do you mean by that?” asked Cygnus. Cassiopeia turned towards her uncle. “Uncle Cygnus when a demigod goes on a quest it is very dangerous. So dangerous to the point most demigods don’t make it and die on their quest." This fact froze the wizarding world. If the quests were so dangerous why are they sending children to go on them.
After saying her goodbyes she made her way to meet Chiron, Annabeth, Percy and Grover. When she arrived to where they were saying goodbye to the rest of the campers minus her siblings (who deemed she was the only one important enough to say goodbye to). Chiron turned towards her and handed her a bag full of ambrosia squares for emergencies. After saying goodbye to the rest of the campers they made their way up half blood hill where Argus was standing.
“EWWWW! WHAT IS THAT THING!!!!” Sirius Black screamed. As some of the others were gagging. “He is a security guard, he is actually really chill.” Alexander replied. “He is ugly though.’ Thalia added.
“This is Argus,” Chiron told Percy. “He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things.” After Chiron was done explaining who Argus was Cassiopeia heard footsteps running up the hill. Both Percy and Cassiopeia turned around.
She saw Luke running up the hill, carrying a pair of basketball shoes. Cassiopeia smiled at him. “Hey!” he panted. “Glad I caught you.” Cassiopeia looked towards Annabeth to see her blush. ‘She is just making her crush on him even more obvious.’ Cassiopeia thought.
“Just wanted to say good luck,” Luke told percy. “And I thought…um maybe you could use these.” Cassiopeia saw him hand Percy a pair of shoes she recognized. ‘Why is he giving Percy those shoes? ' Cassiopeia questioned. Luke said, “Maia!”
White bird’s wings sprouted out of the heels, causing Percy to drop the shoes. The shoes flapped around on the ground until the wings folded up and disappeared.
“Those are awesome!!” exclaimed a gryffindor. “Do you still have those?” Asked Caspian. “No, they are gone forever. Wish I never even accepted them.” Percy told the boy. “Why, and what happened to them?” asked Beauregard. “It will show in the movie,” Annabeth replied.
“Awesome!” Grover said. Luke smiled. “Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don’t use them much these days.…” His expression turned sad. Cassiopeia could see Percy blush in the corner of her eye. “ Got one thing for Clarisse now. ” she said smiling. Percy gave her a confused look before turning towards Luke again.
“Hey, man, thanks.” Percy said. “Listen, Percy…” Luke looked uncomfortable. “A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just…kill some monsters for me, okay?”
Percy and Luke shook hands. He patted Grover’s head between his horns, then gave a good-bye hug to Annabeth, who looked like she might pass out. Cassiopeia couldn’t wait to make fun of her for it. Luke made his way over to Cassiopeia and gave her a hug. “Don’t cause too much trouble, and try not to fight with Annabeth and Percy.” Luke told her. “I can’t make any promises Luke.” Luke just chuckled as he walked away.
“Cas number 1, you let him hug you? You didn’t let me hug you until last year.” Caspian asked. “Yes I did Cas number 2, he was an honorary brother to me.” Cassiopeia replied. “Was? What happened?” asked Rabastan. Cassiopeia’s eyes had a red glint to them. “I don’t want to talk about it. It will show soon anyway.” Cassiopeia replied.
After Luke was gone, Percy told her, “You’re hyperventilating.” Cassiopeia let out a laugh. “Nice one!” “Thank you!” Percy replied.
“Am not.” She argued back. “You’re lying to yourself, Wise-Girl.” Cassiopeia told her. Annabeth ignored her. “You let him capture the flag instead of you, didn’t you?” Percy Jackson teased “Oh…why do I want to go anywhere with you, Percy?” Annabeth complained as she stomped down the other side of the hill, where a white SUV waited on the shoulder of the road. Argus followed, jingling his car keys. “I am going to follow her” Cassiopeia said.
Cassiopeia made her way down the hill and climbed into the van sitting next to Annabeth. “Hey, why do you think Luke gave Percy his shoes?” asked Cassiopeia. Annabeth turned her head to look at her. “Were you not listening, he wanted to help Percy.”
“But Percy Can’t fly, Luke has got to know that. And those were a gift from his father. Why would he let go of them so quickly like that.?” Cassiopeia argued back. “This is the first quest in a long time. Luke just wants to help. And plus When was the last time you saw Luke touch those shoes?” Annabeth responded. “I guess you are right.’’
As soon as she finished the van door opened to reveal Grover. Cassiopeia got up from her seat to allow Grover to sit there. And moved towards the back. The van fell into silence as Annabeth went back to reading her book. Grover was holding the shoes that Luke gave Percy admiring them. As Cassiopeia was picturing dance moves and formations in her head.
“Wait, dance moves really? That is what you were thinking about?” James Potter asked mid laughter. Cassiopeia clenched her fists but responded. “Yes, I was thinking about dance moves, Potter. What were you expecting me to be thinking about war 24/7? Maybe instead of spending all that time trying to woo Lily Evans, you should do research. Here is some surprising news for you. Just because my father is the god of war doesn’t mean I could have other hobbies. My father was taught to dance by Priapus and I just so happened to inherit the love for dance. So keep your mouth shut Potter.” Cassiopeia replied. ‘I don’t understand what Lily sees in him.’ She thought.
“Yesss Cassie put him in his place!” Eurytion cheered on his little sister. As Alexander patted her head, while Clarisse laughed. “Your daughter is growing up into an amazing young woman, Orion.”Druella told her brother in law. “Thank you Druella.” Orion told her.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting on him. Percy finally walked up to the van, and opened the door. He got in and sat by Cassopeia. Argus began to drive. As they reached Long Island. Cassiopeia couldn’t help but look at the muggle world in disgust. All the loud noise, and the dirt was just disgusting to look at.
“So far so good,” Percy said “Ten miles and not a single monster.” Cassiopeia looked away from the window. “Thank you new kid! I might get to fight some monsters now.” Cassiopeia exclaimed. Percy looked at her curiously but was cut off by Annabeth. “It’s bad luck to talk that way, seaweed brain.”
“Remind me again—why do you hate me so much?” Percy asked. “I don’t hate you.” Annabeth responded. “Could’ve fooled me.”
‘At least there is going to be entertainment on this trip.’ Cassiopeia thought. Annabeth folded her invisibility cap. “Look…we’re just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals.”
“Wise-girl you use that same excuse for me, you are going to have to come up with a new one.” Cassiopeia interrupted.
“Cassiopeia, it is rude to interrupt others when they are speaking.” Orion told his daughter. “Yes papa, I am sorry.” Cassiopeia replied. Orion smiled at his princess. “It is ok princess.”
Annabeth sighed, “Just stay out of our conversation, Cassiopeia.” “Fine Wise-Girl, but don’t ask me for help when you need it.” Cassiopeia then went back to staring out the window while listening to Percy and Annabeth's conversation. “First, that was rude. Thank you Cassiopeia for helping me. And second, why?” Percy spoke up. ‘Why is he thanking me?’ Cassiopeia thought.
Annabeth sighed. “How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught Poseidon with his girlfriend in Athena’s temple, which is hugely disrespectful. Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring for his gift. My mom created the olive tree. The people saw that her gift was better, so they named the city after her.”
“They must really like olives.” Percy replied. “Oh, forget it.” Annabeth said annoyed. “Now, if she’d invented pizza—that I could understand.” This stumped Cassiopeia, she didn’t know what this food was. She had heard of it around camp, but since they only eat vegetables, fruits, and two days a week meat she never knew what it was.
“What is pizza?” Asked Cassiopeia. “Only one of the best foods ever! How do you not know what pizza is?” Percy asked. “I never had it and never saw one. You see what we eat at camp.” Cassiopeia replied. “But what about your mortal family, wouldn't they have gotten pizza at least once?” Percy asked.
“A muggle dish. Never.” replied Bellatrix. The demigods look at eachother, all thinking the same thing: what is wrong with eating a “muggle” dish?
“No My mortal family doesn’t eat things like that.” cassiopeia replied. “If we have time on this quest we are getting pizza for you to try.” Percy replied. “If you say so.” Cassiopeia replied.
They soon arrived at the greyhound station. Argus was helping them unload their bags from the car. Cassiopeia grabbed her backpack and slung it around her shoulders. Walking up to Percy and Grover. Cassiopeia looked around njot understanding most of what was going on.
“You want to know why she married him, Percy?” Percy stared at Grover. “Were you reading my mind or something?” Percy asked. “Just your emotions.” Grover shrugged. “Guess I forgot to tell you satyrs can do that. You were thinking about your mom and your stepdad, right?”
Percy nodded his head. Cassiopeia just looked between the two refusing to look anywhere else at the moment. ‘If mother knew I was here she would be so mad’ was all she was thinking.
“It was for your quest Cassiopeia, if you had a choice I know you wouldn’t be there in that filthy place.” Walburga told her daughter. Cassiopeia was suprised her mother wasn’t mad, but smiled anyway. The demigods were confused and started whispering amongst themselves making sure cassiopeia couldnt hear. “She was upset that cassie was holding a sword and fighting, but not at this?” Eurytion was the first to speak. “Even Cassie thought she was going to be mad. Now I don’t see why her mother would be mad at her being in the city.” Nico stated. “Lets just go back to watching the movie. I don’t think that woman is ever going to make sense.” Thalia said.
“Your mom married Gabe for you,” Grover told Percy. “You call him ‘Smelly,’ but you’ve got no idea. The guy has this aura.…Yuck. I can smell him from here. I can smell traces of him on you, and you haven’t been near him for a week.” Cassiopeia scrunched her nose. “Did he really smell that bad?” she asked. “Yup.” Percy said replied. Cassiopeia scrunched her nose in disgust.
‘Mama and papa were right muggles do stink.’ Cassiopeia thought. Grover just shook his head at her. “Thanks,” Percy said. “Where’s the nearest shower?” Cassiopeia laughed at that.
“You should be grateful, Percy. Your stepfather smells so repulsively human he could mask the presence of any demigod. As soon as I took a whiff inside his Camaro, I knew: Gabe has been covering your scent for years. If you hadn’t lived with him every summer, you probably would’ve been found by monsters a long time ago. Your mom stayed with him to protect you. She was a smart lady. She must’ve loved you a lot to put up with that guy—if that makes you feel any better.” Grover replied.
Percy stopped talking after that. Grover turned towards Cassiopeia. “Cassie I can feel your emotions right now, and I can tell you that not all I forgot the word that you use to refer to non magical people. But not all mortals smell like Percy’s stepdad.” Grover commented. Cassiopeia turned towards the Satyr. “I will believe it when I see it.”
“You already have, does Annabeth stink, does Percy stink? Does anyone at camp stink? Because they are all not a part of your world.” Grover argued back. “I don’t consider The people at camp muggles.” Cassiopeia replied.
“Why don’t you consider them muggles?” Asked Lily Evans. Everyone else was curious too. Cassiopeia turned to look at her. “I don’t consider them muggles because they aren’t muggles. Muggles are people born without magic who are blind to the magical world. But demigods get powers from their godly parent, and they know about the wizarding world. Us demigods even have our own magical world that only we demigods know about. So they aren’t muggles.” Cassiopeia stated her thinking. Most of the wizarding world couldnt fight that reasoning and just nodded their head.
As they were waiting for their bus to come, they played a game of hacky sacky. Cassiopeia decided to watch since she didn’t understand how the game was played. She atched as Annabeth showed off her skills hitting the apple with her elbow, her knee, and her shoulder. ‘Show off’ Cassiopeia thought. The game came to an end when Percy tossed the apple to Grover who caught it with his mouth and ate it.
Grover was trying to apoligize but Cassiopeia, Percy, and Annabeth were too busy laughing. And after what felt like years to Cassiopeia the bus finally arrived. As the four were standing in line Grover started sniffing around.
“What is it?” Percy asked. “I don’t know,” grover said tensely. “Maybe it’s nothing.” Cassiopeia was looking over her shoulder just to make sure nothing would sneak up on them.
They finally boarded the bus and found seats together in the very back of the bus. They stowed their backpacks away and sat down. Cassiopeia looked over to see Annabeth slapping her cap on her knee. Cassiopeia couldn’t judge Annabeth. As she herself was playing with her necklace.
As the last passengers got on the bus Cassiopeia could sense something was wrong and grabbed Percy’s hand. Percy looked at her confused. He was going to question her before Annabeth cut in. “Percy” Annbaeth said.
Percy watched this old lady board the bus. She wore a crumpled velvet dress, lace gloves, and a shapeless orange-knit hat that shadowed her face, and she carried a big paisley purse. And when she tilted her head up, her black eyes glittered.
“What is wrong with that old lady that is causing you guys so much stress?” asked Lucius Malfoy. Cassiopeia just replied with it will show in the movie.“
Two more old ladies walked into the bus behind her: one in a green hat, and one in a purple hat. Otherwise they looked exactly like the first old lady same gnarled hands, paisley handbags, wrinkled velvet dresses. Cassiopeia knew what they were. Just why all three at once.
“She didn’t stay dead long,” Percy said,Cassiopeia could hear the quiver in his voice. “I thought you said they could be dispelled for a lifetime.” Percy argued.
“I said if you’re lucky,” Annabeth said. “You’re obviously not.” “All three of them,” Grover whimpered. “Di immortales!” Cassiopeia just grinned. “It’s ok guys we can take them on.” Cassiopeia replied.
“Are you kidding me Cassie? No we can’t! They are the Furies. The three worst monsters from the underworld. We can’t fight them. We will have to slip through the window.” Annabeth argued back. Cassiopeia frowned at this. “They don’t open,” Grover moaned. “A back exit?” Annabeth suggested.
They looked and there wasn’t one. “Looks like we are fighting them anyways wise-girl.”Cassiopeia told Annabeth. Annabeth just ignored her. “They won’t attack us with witnesses around,” Percy interrupted. “Will they?” “Mortals don’t have good eyes,” Annabeth reminded Percy. “Their brains can only process what they see through the Mist.” Annabeth said “They’ll see three old ladies killing us, won’t they?” Percy asked.
“No they will see me killing three old ladies.” Cassiopeia replied. “And why are you so confident in that?” Asked percy. “Because Percy, I have to live long enough to give my father an offering from this quest.” Cassiopeia replied. Percy just looked at her confused.
“Etoile, don’t tell me that is all you cared about. You need to think about keeping yourself safe.” Regulus said in concern for his sister. “I know my lune but that I needed to get a spoil of war to please my father.” Cassiopeia told her older brother. “I understand Etoile just promise me you will start thinking about your own saftey.” Cassiopeia smiled at him “of course my lune.”
They soon hit the Lincoln tunnel and the bus went dark. The first Furry got up. “I need to use the rest-room.” She said in a flat voice. “So do I,” said the second sister. “So do I,” said the third sister.
They all started coming down the aisle. “I’ve got it,” Annabeth said. “Percy, take my hat.” Annabeth said as she handed percy her hat. “What?” Percy looked confused. “You’re the one they want. Turn invisible and go up the aisle. Let them pass you. Maybe you can get to the front and get away.”
“But you guys—” “There’s an outside chance they might not notice us,” Annabeth said. “You’re a son of one of the Big Three. Your smell might be overpowering.”
“I can’t just leave you.” percy argued. “Percy go, we got this. We have been training for a fight our whole lives.” Cassiopeia told the boy. “We will be fine.”
Percy took the yankees cap and put it on. Cassiopeia watched as the three furies made their way to the back of the bus. She saw The first sister stop to sniff the air. ‘No, please don’t find him’ Cassiopeia thought as she lifted her hand to her necklace ready for a fight.
The first sister just shrugged it off and continued making her way to the back. ‘Good they didn’t find him’ Cassiopeia let out a sigh of relief. The three finally made it to the back row and started to wail.
Cassiopeia tightened her grip around her necklace as the three sisters transformed. The three old ladies were not old ladies anymore. Their faces were still the same but their bodies had shriveled into leathery brown hag bodies with bat’s wings and hands and feet like gargoyle claws. Their handbags had turned into fiery whips.
The furies surronded Grover, Annabeth and Cassiopeia.
“No, No, No, No.” Regulus just kept on repeating to himself as he reached for his sisters hand. Cassiopeia took his hand and squeezed it. Orion looked frightened. ‘No not my princess’ Orion thought . Walburga was worried too, she knows her duaghter is ok. She can see her daughter. But that doesn’t stop her from thinking about what could have happened to her only daughter.
“Where is it? Where?” They asked. The other people on the bus were screaming, cowering in their seats. They saw something, all right.
“He’s not here!” Annabeth yelled. “He’s gone!”
“You are attacking us for no reason!” Yelled Cassiopeia. “Look around do you see him?!”
That just angered the furies even more. They raised their whips. That is when Annabeth drew her bronze knife, Grover grabbed a tin can from his sack and Cassiopeia pulled at her necklace to reveal a bronze sword.
Cassiopeia was getting ready to fight when she felt the bus being jerked left to right. She watched as the three furies were being thrown agaisnt the windows. “Hey!” She heard the driver yell. Cassiopeia just smiled.’only Percy would hijack a bus.’ She thought.
Soon enough the bus driver began to wrestle for the wheel, slamming the bus against the tunnel, causing sparks to fly out. They drove out of the tunnel. Cassiopeia couldn’t pay attention to what the driver was doing anymore since the furies were no longer beig tossed around.
Cassiopeia turned her full sight onto the Furies again
‘No, no my baby sister shouldn’t be fighting.’ Sirius thought. Just wanting for her to be safe. “ Woooh we are getting to see Cassie fight!” Eurytion yelled. “I can already tell you did amazing Cassie!” Alexander told the girl while he pat her head. Cassiopeia just smiled at them.
One of the Furies lashed the whip at Annabeth as the other lashed at Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia slashed her Sword into the air. “What makes you think you are going to easily defeat a daughter of Ares.” She stated.
From the corner of her eye Cassiopeia saw Grover throw a tin can at one of the Furies. As Cassiopeia was raising her sword above her head to make another slash at the monster she heard a yell. She looked up to see Percy standing there.
‘Why did he reveal himself? He could have escaped.’ Cassiopeia thought. ‘Wait, why am I feeling worried for him?’ she questioned. Cassiopeia watched as the three furies made their way up front.
“Perseus Jackson,” The first sister said. “You have offended the gods. You shall die.” Cassiopeia slowly crept her way up to get behind them.
“I liked you better as a math teacher,” Percy told her. Cassiopeia looked to her right to see Grover and Annabeth next to her. All three stopped at a safe distance to wait for an opening.
Percy grabbed out a pen and uncapped it to reveal a bronze sword.
“Woah awesome!” A ravenclaw yelled. ‘I know right.” Percy replied. “Where did you get the sword Mr. Jackson?” Asked Slughorn. “Chiron gave it to me. It was a gift from my dad.” Percy replied. Slughorn nodded his head.
Submit now,” the first sister hissed. “And you will not suffer eternal torment.”
The “Nice try,” Percy told her. “Percy Look out! / Percy!” Annabeth and Cassiopeia Cried out.
The first fury sister lashed her whip around Percy’s sword hand while the furies on side lunged at him. Cassiopeia watched as Percy knocked the fury on his left making her fly to one of the seats. Cassiopeia smiled at this. ‘This is going to be so fun.’ She thought.
She walked up to the first Fury and raised her sword to finish the Fury off, but was stopped.The fury had hit Cassiopeia in the stomach with her whip. Cassiopeia flinched in pain.
“Etoile show me your stomach.” Regulus demanded. “Lune I am ok, you don’t need to see my stomach.” Cassiopeia replied. “Please Etoile, I need to see if you are ok.” Regulus asked. “Ok but what about everyone else in the room?” Cassiopeia asked, looking around. Just as soon as she asked that, Evan Rosier, Rabastan Lestrange, Barty Crouch Jr., Caspian Nott and Beauregard Parkinson all formed a circle around her. “Now you have privacy.” Barty said with a smile.
Regulus lifted her shirt just enough to see her stomach and saw the scar that went from one end of her stomach to the other. He wanted to cry looking at it, he couldn’t tell where the scar came from. “Star is that scar from that monster or mother?” Regulus asked in a hushed voice. Cassiopeia looked at him “From the monster my moon. But as you can see I am fine.” Cassiopeia replied.
“Ok” Regulus said, wishing he could do more to keep his sister out of harm's way. The circle dispersed but Evan stayed behind. “Princess, how many of your scars are from monsters and how many are from your mother?” he asked in a whispered voice so no one else could hear them. She knew she would have to tell the truth, he has seen the scars her mother gave her. It was only right that he was curious. “Most of the scars are from monsters. Except for the ones on my lower back, and the ones that healed fast.” Cassiopeia replied. Evan just gave her a sad smile. He wished that all her scars were from monsters, and not her own mother.
This made Cassiopeia angry, the fury went to hit her with her whip again. This time Cassiopeia caught it in her hand and winced through the pain. She focused all her energy on turning the Fury’s whip into a pebble. ‘This is much harder than turning a regular weapon.’ She thought. After a while of just dealing with the pain, Cassiopeia was able to turn the whip into a pebble.
After she succeeded she cut off the Fury’s arm, and slashed her sword through the furies chest causing the fury to explode into dust. She felt something scrape her back and looked to her right to see the first Fury tied up and on the ground. Cassiopeia turned and walked towards Percy, Annabeth, and Grover.
“Zeus will destroy you!” she promised. “Hades will have your soul!” “Braccas meas vescimini!” Percy yelled. Cassiopeia was pretty sure he told her to eat his pants. She wasn’t so sure she was not good with Latin. After he said that thunder shook the bus. Cassiopeia looked outside the window. ‘No, No, No.’ She thought.
“Get out!” Annbeth yelled. “Now!” They all ran outside of the bus. Cassiopeia could hear the other passengers yelling “We’re going to die!” She can only guess that they are in a daze.
“Our bags!” Grover realized. “We left our—” BOOOOOM! Lightning hit the bus. Cassiopeia watched as the windows exploded and at the top of the bus was a crater where the lightning hit. From inside the bus you could hear the first fury wailing.
“Run!” Annabeth said. “She’s calling for reinforcements! We have to get out of here!” Cassiopeia didn’t argue with Annabeth, she just ran. To be honest Cassiopeia was tired, turning that whip into a pebble took a lot out of her. ‘I need to be more careful next time.’ she thought. That is when she realized she lost her spoil of war.
“Please tell me these were the only monsters you ran into.” Said Beauregard . “Sorry Beau, but no this was not the only time.” She replied. This scared her family and friends. ‘What else is she going to have to face?’ They all thought. “Yea especially since she is on a quest with the unlucky charm.” Nico added. “Hey!” Percy yelled, offended.