Chapter 24: Meeting My Mother In Law

[Artemis' POV:]

"You so much as hurt a hair on his head and you'll find no food anywhere on this planet!" shouted Demeter at father, she was really pissed off for some reason.. Did she also love Percy? I don't think that was the case, this seemed more like mama bear protective rather than lover, but why? This wasn't the first time Zeus had threatened to kill him, then again this is the first meeting she's attended in years, hades I don't think she even knows of the prophecy, she was really only told of a rogue werewolf due to her absence.

"Sister calm down, why are you so upset? You've never shown him much of any favour before today" my father asked calmly not risking eternal dry season. Honestly I was curious why she even showed up, she mainly sent dryads or nymphs in her place to report news herself.

"Err, that child is the main reason we aren't ruled by the titans. We can't just kill our saviour! Even with all this prophecy stuff." her logic made sense, but it felt like an excuse to me and it seems my sister Athena thought so too by the questioning look on her face.

"Hmm, then we must ensure his direct loyalty to Olympus, Artemis, you are to find and capture Perseus alive and have him swear his absolute loyalty before us. In exchange he may live" gotta love fathers rewards.. Anyway, at least this gives me the opportunity to search for Percy, though no way am I bringing him here swearing loyalty to father is practically a death sentence.

"Very well father, I will be taking my hunt with me on my search, we won't be available for any other hunts until he is found" that should give us some peace. Father began talking about other things such as the camp's status which Dionysus stated is "fine" father sighed and moved on, I have no idea why he is an Olympian especially one that replaced aunt Hestia before Percy had her put back. Father finished off the meeting before flashing out dramatically, what is up with men and flashy exits?

Demeter was one of the last to leave, visibly distraught and anxious, she flashed out before I could ask why, now only I and Athena were left.

"Artemis, I'd like a word before you leave" asked my sister. Styx, I hope she didn't clock on to my lies.

"Sure sister, let's move to my palace first, I'd like to change into more appropriate gear for my hunt" I had already changed after my umm activities, I just wanted whatever conversation we were about to have to happen away from prying eyes or ears. She nodded her confirmation and we flashed away.

My palace was simple, I rarely ever used the place since I was always on a hunt, It was more a formality. Nonetheless I had it decorated well, Silver pillars lined the walls, and the various moons decorated my ceiling. To the normal girl, they'd all look the same for the most part but I could tell even the smallest difference between each. My living room was cosy, designed with the help of Aunt Hestia who gave me a fireplace blessed to never go out and calm all those near it. My couch had various furs ranging from deer's to monsters I'd hunted. I liked being warm ok.

We walked to my dining room, a simple table and chairs under eternal moonlight before Athena cut to the chase as usual.

"Demeter Is hiding something and so are you, I want to know what" Styx, sorry Auntie D, between you and me it's gonna be you.

"I'm not, but you're right Demeter was acting very strange today. Just showing up was odd, but her outburst and expression at the end were definitely weird" I was stating the obvious to the arguably smartest Goddess there is.

"Agreed, She made no actions to protect Percy until today so why now? I want you to investigate it. This alongside her long absence has me suspicious she's up to something" Dam I wanted to start searching for Percy straight away, not stalk a Goddess for my paranoid sister.

"Fine I'll find out where she goes, but my main priorities are hunting that wolf" I'll never call him a werewolf, he is nothing like that disgusting Lycaon.

"Good, let me know what you find" is this how Percy felt when I ordered him around? I gave a court nod and flashed toward where I felt Demeter went. She was in New York? I thought she hated the place since there was no agriculture at all there. I ended up in central park, hidden in the trees with my presence masked away from even Iris herself, who I should catch up on she checks in regularly on her daughter through either me or Percy.. Speaking of which I haven't seen Aria or Coral in.. wait that's them there, what In the Hades are they doing here?

[Jackson Apartment:]

[Before the Meeting:]

[Aria's POV:]

"Percy had Estella on his lap singing under the sea to her while Annabeth was teaching the bully a lesson she'd not soon forget" Grandma sally was currently telling the story of when Estelle was bullied in her school, Dad had found out and insisted they do a marathon of Disney sea songs.. I remember when he did that with us I couldn't get it out of my head for weeks!

"Ooh I should tell you about the time he accidentally blew up the toile-" and then she went silent for a moment before turning to grandpa Paul.

"Actually, can you take them to the park? I just remembered I have to get to my work place" he looked confused but then looked at us and said.

"Sure, I know a place that sells the best Hot dogs you've ever had" surprised by the sudden decision we looked at each other confused before responding.

"What's a hotdog?" not in much in the sense of food types when you're in the hunt.

".... Percy and I will be having words, you poor poor children. Get your coats on, we're leaving now!" he said looking very concerned and slightly offended.

We put on our silver lined coats, mu- Artemis loves silver way too much, and left with grandpa to try out this hot dog thing.. I hope it doesn't involve actual dogs.. Especially since my dad is one. Well might as well be.

[Sally's POV:]

Zeus has called a meeting. Usually I'd ignore it and have one of my nymphs attend, but I hadn't spoken to them and I know how Zeus gets when one of us doesn't report in, in some way. I'm not letting him investigate this new life I've made for myself. I need something other than damn plants and cereal in my life that's just for me, plus I broke more than a few laws with this alone.

I undid my disguise allowing my true self to show for the first time in months, it still felt comfortable even after all this time.

"I hope this is a short meeting, I want to get back to my grandbabies" I began my flash, contrary to what mortals and demigods think it isn't instantaneous for us it can take a while, time sorta moves differentially during it giving me time to think.

Zeus's Meetings were always the same, him asserting dominance and calling someone a threat.. I swear if it weren't for the first prophecy I received I would've killed him the first time he threatened my son.. almost did. He really has no sense of gratitude, he finds the master bolt his son stole from him, well Luke did, but Ares might as well have, and then blames my son who risked his life at 12 years old to retrieve it! Tricking the barriers into blocking me was tricky but necessary to maintain this life of mine.. hah it Was hilarious when Hades captured me, I just used the opportunity to assess my daughter's living conditions. Her marriage to God angered me at first but of all the God she could've loved he was the best choice.. Even If he bed a mortal woman while with her, apparently she was aware and even ok with it saying it was necessary for the demigod population. I was happy he asked but still pissed off at him for doing it.

Everyone else flashes in with Artemis being the last to arrive and sat down at her throne, I paid her more attention since she was going after my son, I'm still looking forward to rubbing that into her face. Her throne was silver with two date palms on the back, full moons above, and a wolf-skin cushion for her tushy. I cared not for the rest. Half of them have tried to kill my son. Ares and Zeus especially. Though Hera was not far on my list with that switch stunt she pulled.

I didn't listen for the most part, saying the state of the gardens and why I came personally. Then I heard something I couldn't just leave be. Zeus wanted to kill my son.

Not happening.

Sure I haven't said much before in his defence, but the oracle herself had assured me Percy would survive all of those so I opted to remain hidden and indifferent so as not to affect anything. Now? Now was different, my son could actually die, so naturally I went full mama bear just like I did when Persephone went missing. And with the promise that no food would ever touch his or any mortal's lips if he even tries to.

I realised my mistake fast, and covered it up with the Gratitude to our saviour being the reason, feels weird calling my son that, but it is true.

Zeus finished off the meeting and flashed away with most of the others, I stood up pacing in distress.. Artemis loves Percy; she won't turn him in right? No she is hiding him as well, where did he go? Artemis I leave it to you, find my boy and keep him safe.. With that I flashed out to a bush in central park near my husband but didn't come out straight away, putting on a disguise can take a while to ensure all the details are right.

"Hey you what're you doing in the bush you fil- Demeter? What are yo- OH MY HADES!" nononono this can't be happening please don't say that's who I think it is.

[Artemis' POV]

I was in the tree watching Aria and Coral eat what looked like hot dogs with who I think was Paul based on Percy's description. He was a decent male if what Percy said about him is true. I then noticed a person hidden in the bushing, A pervert? On my babies? Not today, the jackalope population is getting a +1.

"Hey you what're you doing in the bush you fil- Demeter? What are yo- OH MY HADES!" DEMETER IS SALLY, SALLY IS DEMETER. I was not expecting this kind of secret when I flashed here.. So Demeter is Percy's mother? I love Demeter's son?!? I need to sit down..

"Umm hello Artemis, what brings you here?" she asks, trying to break the awkward silence and ignore the fact I just caught her changing into Sally.. Honestly her being his mother would explain a lot, his forest navigation, obsession with sleeping in trees, it really does add up.

"So, you're both Sally Jackson and Demeter? How does that work out?" I needed all the answers. She sighed in defeat before answering.

"Firstly, I'm a Blofis now and It started when I was doing a shop at the local flora shop, I realised I enjoyed being almost mortal, being seen as an equal no more important than any of them and no less either. Here my personality was being a Goddess that feeds everyone, but whatever I wanted it to be. I could take up art, baking, have a kid I could bring up that would be an adult in weeks.. Then Poseidon came along. I admit I had feelings for him for a long time even as a Demeter, and when he showed me that care and affection as a mortal I caved in and let him in. As I'm a Goddess I had no idea how he'd turn out. Would he be a God? A mortal? What If I gave birth to a horse or something?? So I went to the only person I could that wouldn't alert the Godly world, The oracle of Delphi." she took a breath and recomposed herself, I could tell this was an emotional thing for her.

"She told me the child would be born a Demigod but more God than anything else. She told me he'd be in 2 great prophecies, of which his survival was guaranteed. It didn't help when I had to send him off to camp. I'd already lost Persephone for the next 6 months and he was my way of coping with that." I had no words, it was overwhelming to think about.

"So that's why you got angry during the meeting?" she nodded her head and told me she was worried for his life since it was no longer guaranteed he'd survive. I understood what she meant. If she was worried about him when it was guaranteed I can't imagine how stressed she is now it isn't. I let her compose herself.. I then realised something, if Aria and Coral are here that means they probably told her… oh no.

"So, the man hating Goddess wants to be my daughter-in-law hmm?" She asked with a smirk, Gaea swallow me now. Please.