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Chapter 1: 6,000 Years
Artemis couldn't believe it had been 6,000 years since her world had been turned upside down. She had been Hunting with her hunters. But not Thalia as she was seeing their Father. When she felt more fear than she had ever in her life and her gifts she had kept hidden act up.She had flashed to Olympus and what she saw still haunts her too this day. It was Olympus in ruins and dead Gods, Demigods, Satyrs and Natural Spirits everywhere. But also New York and surrounding areas were damaged.She remembers looking for her brother. She HAD to find him. But she never did and never found her other family either. She KNEW they weren't dead. But not where they were. Someone was blocking her.The few Gods that survived were Asclepius, Epione, Panacea, Hygiea, Aceso, Iaso, Harmonia, Eris, Ariadne, Triton, Nemesis, Hypnos, Morpheus, Bellona, Pomona, Flora, Libertas, Honos, Virtus and the Five Rivers of the Underworld. There were a few more that survived but they were the main ones.She and those left searched but could not find. But at the time that had been hard as Erebus had been behind the attack. It had taken years and years to defeat him, and the Mortal and Divine Worlds weren't the same after it. As now the Mortal World knew about the Divine World.Artemis after victory had been made set in motion a New Era after they picked up the pieces of Olympus and the Mortal World. As Seer Queen. And the Goddess of the Moon, Hunt, Wilderness, Archery, Radiance, Secrets, Future, Knowing, Soulmates, Perseverance, Devotion, Truth, Foresight, Loyalty, Royalty, Titles, Dusk, Family/Home, Hope, Motherhood, Watching, Seeing, Sight, Forever, Eternity, Guardians.Artemis became High Queen of the New Earthian Empire. And found her love that was lost so long ago in Percy. His original soul had promised to always come back too her. And he never broke an oath too her. He became the High King, Oath Keeper and the God of Loyalty, Leadership, Courage, Bravery, Royalty, Titles, Soulmates, Perseverance, Devotion, Authority, Oceans, Combat, Battles, Duals, Swordsmanship, Weapons, Dawn, Oaths, Unbreakable Bonds, Family/Home, Fatherhood, Council, Order, Law, Time, Justice, Judgement, Fairness, Forever, Eternity, Guardians, Unpredictability, Quests, Heros.Many others were elevated to Godhood. Triton was now the King of the Seas. Meg was the Queen of Earth. Grover was the King of the Wilderness with his wife Juniper the Queen of the Wilderness. Nico became the King of the Underworld, and his consort was Will Solace. Skyton one of the few last children of Zeus was the King of the Skies.Sally Jackson became Queen of the Mortals, and her husband Paul was her Consort. And Calypso become Queen of the Titans with Leo as her Consort.Percy had forged relationships between Pantheons. So, Carter Kane and his wife Zia Rashid became Leaders, Lord/Lady and Ambassadors for the Egyptians. Along with Sadie Kane and her husband Walt Stone.Magnus Chase and Alex Fierro became the Leaders, Lord/Lady, and Ambassadors of the Norse with his friend Samirah al-Abbas.They also had Ambassadors for the Demi-Primordials and Demi-Titans. As well as the Mayan Gods. Other Mortals had also become immortal.But too Artemis her family wasn't complete, and it couldn't be without her Godly family, especially her twin. But for some reason she couldn't see.You see when she was born, she was gifted with several gifts that she had to keep secret. The gift of pulling the truth from others. The gift of Knowing. The gift of being able to cast her eyes around the world from anywhere and see what others can't or couldn't. And she could see the future. But NONE of those helped her find her brother.She didn't give up hope.How could she when her twin was like the half of her Percy couldn't fill.Artemis looks over New Haven Valley the Capital of the New Earthian Empire. It was a beautiful city a mixture of cultures all blended together. All thanks too Lady Annabeth Chase the Goddess of Wisdom, Architecture, Heritage, and Battle Strategy.She was really the most talented of Athena's Godly children and legacies.The Valley lead into the Sea and a port for boats too dock at the end. There were fields upon fields of healthy crops. Which after the War they had been in desperate need off.It had a large hospital, shops, stables, arenas, colosseum, houses, hotels, and everything you could find in a city.This Valley was the safest place too be. Besides the sections of Earth Triton, Nico, Skyton, Meg, Calypso and Sally ruled over. As still some allies of Erebus loved to cause trouble. As they were doing right now. So, Artemis's husband was away dealing with it.She thought about how much Apollo and the others would love it here."Apollo, Little Brother where are you?" Artemis mutters looking over her city as it shined in the sunset.
Somewhere Else…
A man groans as he leans against the wall of his cell. He wore basically rags and had a number of wounds on him both old and new. He looked sick and malnourished. He looked just like the rest off his family that were trapped here.He and they did not know how much time had passed or where they where. Or even if those they loved were still alive.The man could really only think of one person. She had been on his mind basically ever second since he arrived. Thinking off her kept him strong and willing to fight another day. If he found out, she was dead he would want to join her. He just could not even think about losing her."I want Arty", the man mutters with teary eyes."I know. We will find a way out you have to have hope", a young girl says."How can we have hope Hestia? When we have been trapped here for Chaos knows how long", a man says wiggling his chains.All of them were starting to feel hope fade. Many already felt no hope. Because wouldn't someone have rescued them by now?Some of them were worse than others. Like the man or Apollo as he was known. He had sunk into depression. He also spent time telling them he wanted Artemis or Arty as he kept saying. But what really shocked they that he started to say, "I want Arty. I want my twin. I want my Big Sister'. That had really drove home how bad Apollo was too the rest off them.But how could they cheer Apollo up when they were bad off?As it was did anyone even remember them?Many go back to their thoughts not hearing the doors unlock.But they do feel a light on them. And flinch it had been so long since they seen light.They squint to see a woman about 5'7 with long black hair done in a French braid. Her eyes were violet like Hecate's.Hecate herself looks at the woman. She may have had only a little bit of power. But she knew one off her own when she did. But which daughter was it?
"Oh, thank the Creator I found you!" the woman exclaims.
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Chapter 2:
Found and Coming Home
Lou had been having doubts that they would ever find their missing Old Gods alive no matter what their High Queen said. But this hideout she had been searching seemed to be pulsing with dark magic and weak light magic.So, she was checking every hidey hole. And she destroyed any monsters that stood in her path. Her and her fifteen soldiers of the Royal Guard."Madam we found a cellar that could be used as a prison or a dungeon. But it is locked by tough magicks", one of her men say to her."Show me", Lou demanded.Lou had become the Major Goddess of Magic with her Mothers disappearance. As well as the Goddess of Enchantments, Mystery, and the Mystic Arts. And the case of the missing Old Gods was a mystery of 6,000 years.She looked at the enchantments and runes of the door they were strong, but she was stronger AND smarter. She mutters and traced counter enchantments and runes on the door. Whatever they were hiding in here must be important to go to such lengths. As one enchantment on the door surpasses the powers of things inside it. And a few of the dark runes that did the same.Lou pushes out the magic and feels presence when the enchantments lift, and her eyes widen."Guards cover me", Lou orders, "We have something here"The Royal Guards form up around her as she undoes the final lock. She opened the door. Behind the door was what looked like a dungeon and looked farer inside to see dark cells with people inside them. Their auras were older than hers.It was them. She was sure."Oh, thank the Creator I found you!" Lou exclaims, "Guards I need lights, lots of lights and set a perimeter!"Lou walks down the stairs and waves her hands and light shoots from her fingers to like up the dingy dungeon cells. And her eyes widen in horror at the Elder Gods conditions."Oh Gods. Hang on I am getting you out of there", Lou tells them going over to the cells, "I need the medic!"She had one medic assigned to the Royal Guards. He would be needed now more then ever."Who?" a female asks weakly."Athena?" Lou asks softly trying to be gentle."Yes", Athena replies."Are you ALL here?" Lou asks quickly running her eyes over them."Yes, I think so", Athena replies weakly."How bad are your conditions?" Lou asks as she goes over the locking enchantments of the cells to undo them and get them out of here.She was looking for boobytraps too. Which she found and was dismantling them rune by rune."Apollo is bad. Daughter is that you?" Hecate asks weakly not believing her eyes."Yeh Mum it is me", Lou replies."How can we trust you?" Zeus asks weakly.Lou looks them in the eyes, "I swear on the River Styx, my Magic and the new God of Oaths that I am Lou Ellen Blackstone daughter of Hecate, and I am here to help you and bring you home to Artemis""Arty?" a weak voice rasps hoarsely and weakly.Lou sees Apollo was in the worst condition of the bunch she needed to get them all to Artemis."Yes, Apollo your Arty", Lou says softly.Lou had unlocked three cells and Jo one of the Gods of Healing had come in. But they flinch away."Don't worry he is on our side and a good medic. I swear on my magic", Lou says gentle."Lou, we need these manacles off of them too. Damn barbarians have really trapped them in these cells like animals", Jo swears."I know. Enchantments on the outside of the dungeon prison. Enchantment on the inside walls. Enchantments on the cells and now the manacles. I see some markings I will need to look at some of the others while you heal them the best you can. Because I do not like this and I doubt if Artemis would like this anymore then I do", Lou replies she was not happy at what enchantments, traps, and bindings she was finding.She would need Artemis's help. Memories would help they find out how they blocked Artemis. So she better see it all."Arty?" Apollo asks feverishly."Don't worry we will get you too her", Jo assures the sick God."Want Arty", Apollo says with wet eyes.He just wanted this to be over.Lou and Jo give him a look of compassion."You will be reunited with her before you know it as long as you let Jo see to ALL of you. I won't move you long distance until he declares you safe", Lou says firmly."We are far away?" Hermes asks weakly from where he was receiving water from the Royal Guards who were helping out with what they could spare with water and food."Yes, we are. And things are a lot different then what you remember", Lou replies unlocking the last of the manacles.She winced seeing how bad their conditions were. She did not know if it was safe to long distance portal them. As Artemis would want to know they are safe.But boy she was going to murder the people who did this to her Little Brother. And that was a fact. Especially since he was nearly begging for her. And seemed to only want her.So, learning her was sick and tortured was going to make her torture the bastards who did this.But unfortunately, Lou was going to have to be the one that told Artemis ALL of this.This was going to go down so, so well . . .
(Hear the sarcasm)
It took 4 days to get the Elder Gods fit to travel long distances. Lou had to made short hops back to New Haven Valley. As long-distance portal hoping would not sit well with the weak, emaciated, starved, tortured, and traumatised Elder Gods.Lou could tell Apollo was the worst of the lot and he was the most traumatised and he was basically begging for Artemis. Lou's heart broke for him. ALL of them and she knew she needed to get them home. So did the Royal Guard and the Medic. Jo the Medic said what they needed right now was warm clothes, food and more importantly Artemis. As they all seemed to ask when they would be with her several times during their travels.But tonight, Jo said they should be able to reach the New Haven Valley Palace. Which Lou was relieved about they need warm beds and Artemis comforting presence. Hopefully, they will not be too shocked in the changes of Artemis. Because they were massive."Home?" Apollo asks weakly."This jump will bring you to her", Lou assures them, "Jo and the Royal Guard will be riding the rest of the way. But I can teleport you all safely now we are close enough for it not to hurt you and you have had the day to rest""We should only be a couple of days behind you", Jo replies."Remember a vow of silence. Nobody can know about this", Lou orders the Guard and Jo very seriously.The Royal Guard and Jo knew Lou was higher than they probably would ever be. And they immediately did a vow of silence. Because the High Queen would demand it anyway for safety reasons."Are you sure?" Hecate asks her daughter.Lou smiles a reassuring smile, "Mother I have been at this for a long time I know what I am doing. You will be safe in just a short while and I doubt anyone will have a chance to hurt any of you again"They look at her doubtfully. It was obvious even the tough children of Kronos were traumatised. Like Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. But it was sad to see how unsure and scared they were. Especially as someone who was so full as life that was the past Apollo."Gather round and I will transport us to the Home of Artemis", Lou explains knowing that saying Artemis's home will ease their fears.The shakily gather around her with the stronger ones helping Apollo. Lou begins to chant again, and the flash of light happens as they now know it to be portal jump travel.They appear in a richly decorated den. A fire was roaring by the wall and couches around the room."Arty?" Apollo whispers."I guarantee you Apollo she will be here in minutes tops", Lou assures them.As she knew Artemis's powers would have no doubt active by now and she would be here before they knew how long past. Even in her condition . . . And no doubt Mother Bear will come out to protect her family especially the scared former Sun God who was trembling curled up on the floor absolutely terrified . . .Artemis bolts upright in bed her powers screaming at her."APOLLO!" she shouts.She felt him and the others she jumped out of bed throwing on her dressing gown and runs through the corridors of her palace.No caring about the state she was in. She could feel that he needed her. Right now.She flies through the palace barefoot, in her dressing gown and with her hair in a messy ponytail. She gets to where her gifts tell her, her family is and hurriedly approaches the room where her missing family members where now residing in . . .Just what was she about to find?
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Chapter 3: Long Awaited Reunion, Artemis’s Surprises
Apollo and the others were still so scared. Even through Lou had promised them that they were safe know. Apollo had curled up afraid next to the fire with tears in his eyes.He just wanted his sister. He just wanted Arty. Just her. She would make everything better.But would she have forgotten about him? Would she care after all this time? How long had it been? Had she just dismissed their disappearances or not care? Would she love him in this broken state?Even if Lou did tell them Artemis has been looking for them for 60 centuries how could they be sure it was the truth?They ALL did not know what to believe anymore.Would those that tortured them and imprisoned them come back to finish the job?Before they could think about it even farer the door to this den flies open making them cringe. But Apollo's teary eyes looked at the woman who was scanning them all with her frantic eyes. She seemed to look more like him then before.There standing in front of them was an out of breath and frantic looking Artemis."Arty?" Apollo cries.Artemis had taken in the scene and when she heard her brothers cry for her, she was within seconds crossing the room and fell to her knees in front of Apollo. Not caring how uncomfortable it was for her."Little Brother", Artemis murmurs reaching for his face.Her blue/silver eyes looking at him with such gentleness it made more tears fall from his eyes.Apollo sobs, "You real?""Oh, dear one. I am as real as you", she assures him softly and cups his face, wiping his tears away with her thumb, ever so gently.Like a mother would so for their child.Artemis could see how distressed he was, so she quickly pulled him into her arms. Rocking him back and forward as he cried into her. Clutching her dressing grown as tight as he could.The others all starting to feel hope building in their bodies and minds. Hope that had long been beaten out of them.Apollo buries his face in his sister's chest. All he had wanted for, for so long was his big sister. Now she was here, and he was having a very hard time believing he was finally safe in her arms."Shh Little One. Your safe. You are ALL safe. Artemis is here and I will not let ANYONE harm you again", Artemis tells them while rocking her brother and kissing his forehead.Apollo smelt the comforting smell of his sister's scent. But it seemed to have changed slightly. He started to calm down hearing his sister's words."I'm sorry, I'm sorry . . .", Apollo sobs.Artemis pulls back and looks in his dull eyes."What are you sorry for Dear One?" Artemis says softly."I am broken. I believed you had left us behind", Apollo whispers."I would never leave any of you behind if I could help it. I have been searching for you the whole very long time", Artemis replies lacing her words with truth."I betrayed you . . . I'm broken. . . you won't love me anymore", Apollo whimpers."Oh, Little One. I have never stopped loving you. I love you with all my heart and soul and it has been killing me not being able to see you or find any of you", Artemis tells him pulling him back into a hug.Apollo tries to hang onto the words his sister was saying. Was it really true?Then he realised he was still filthy, and he was getting all that filth onto his sister."Sorry, sorry", Apollo says breaking out of the hug."Whatever for?" Artemis asks confused."How can you stand to be near me? When I am so dirty and have not had a shower in Gods knows how long", Apollo states."Little Brother clothes are not important to me. You could get me as dirty as you want, and I will not care. You are my Little Brother who is hurting, scared and desperate for reassurance from the one person you could always trust. I would never grudge you for that my darling", Artemis tells him.Apollo sure her eyes were so gentle. And they seemed to be filled with motherly concern. A type of concern he never knew she had."Lou, can you get some food, ambrosia and nectar? Oh, and maybe some clean bandages?" Artemis asks not getting off the floor."Of course. I will be right back", Lou says gentle and disappears from the room."Help me up Dear One and I can see to ALL of your injuries", Artemis tells them, "After all the floor is not the comfiest place for me these days", she jokes.Apollo helps her up and freezes like they all do when Artemis's dressing gown opens to reveal her slightly rounded stomach.That could only mean . . ."Arty . . .?" Apollo asks confused.Artemis laughs at their expressions she had waited so long to tell them her new lifestyle."Why are you laughing?" Athena asks confused."I have waited so long for you to have a part in my children's life and for you to see my pregnant. That I nearly can't believe this is happening", Artemis says with a smile and then pulls Athena into a comforting hug.She then does the rounds. Around ALL of them. Hugging everyone and kissing cheeks to everyone including the shocked males. She whispers reassurance in their ears as she does.Promising her love, support, comfort, and that of her people's.That is when Lou returns with the things Artemis had asked for."Thank you, Lou. You can leave us. But this must remain between us", Artemis orders."As you command", Lou replies."Oh, and set a council date with EVERYONE for when my Husband returns", Artemis orders."At once. As you command my Queen. By your leave, Your Majesty?" Lou replies bowing before turning and leaving at Artemis's nod."Your Majesty? My Queen?" Zeus asks weakly."Yes Dad. Someone needed to step up in all these centuries and many have included me and my husband", Artemis replies gently."Your husband?" Hera asks looking curious even know she was still wearily."Yes. You did not think I would cheat, would you? Or not have a child without a husband? And my husband does not cheat either, by the way. We have been quite happily married for a very, very long time", Artemis says teasing her."I didn't mean to offend . . .", Hera says hurriedly."Auntie I was joking. Honesty", Artemis tells her gently, "Except the part about cheating"They nod still not really sure about everything.Artemis takes a seat on one of the couches."Please sit and take as much food, nectar and ambrosia as you need. While I tend to your wounds. Little Brother come sit next to me", Artemis orders gently in a tone they would have never expected from her.A motherly tone.Apollo tries not to hurry to his sister's side. He did not want to be parted from her long. When he sat closer to her, he did not expect her to smile softly at him."Let me look Dear One", Artemis murmurs softly holding out her hands to inspect him.Apollo trembling does and Artemis gently sends her powers out. He was amazed to see most the cuts, bruises and marks on his arms fade and warmth spreads through his body. She also cleans some of his not healable wounds with disinfectant and bandages them up."Remember I told you once before Little Brother that I have more then enough experience to heal your wounds", Artemis teases at his amazed look, "And besides I had a good teacher"Apollo looks at her shocked. Did she just compliment him? In front of everyone?Artemis sees his and ALL of their insecure looks."None of this changes anything. I know your not whole yet. And I will do my darnedest to make sure you get whole again", Artemis informs them firmly."But you don't know what happened to us", Hestia says softly."I know that. But it still will not change", Artemis firmly.They still not look convinced."I speak the truth dear ones", Artemis says lacing her voice with the truth, "While I won't force the issue to talk to me. I would like it if you saw our God of Mental Health at some stage. But if you're not comfortable my door is ALWAYS open for any of you and I am sure your children will not mind either once they know you have been found", Artemis promises, "This I vow on the River Styx, the Black Stone and the God of Oaths"They all felt the oath take affect and they started to believe. And as Artemis tended to them gently and told them things she never pushed for them to tell her anything or how they got the wound. She just smoothed them and bandaged them up.They felt more safe and secure then they had ever felt in their lifetimes. Especially lately.Artemis felt angry as she treated each of their wounds, but she made sure not to sure it and project what she was feeling.She could see they were nearly asleep. Obviously, some good food and tender care is what they needed. She checked the clock and saw it was 1am.'Time to bed I think', Artemis thinks.She finishes the last of the wound care making careful mental notes for when she shows those bastards who did this what pain felt like."Come on Dear Ones. You need to sleep, and it is late. Let me show you to your rooms", Artemis coaxes gently in a tone she used on her frightened children.They look at her a little reluctant."We have rooms?" Demeter asks softly and flinches expecting to be hit."And do we need too?" Apollo asks scared to be left alone but he too flinches.Artemis saw the flinches and knew she had her work cut out for her to get them better."Aunt Demeter, Little One I will never raise my hand to you or probably my voice. Trust me I only get angry when someone does something incredibly stupid or council meeting or my children deciding to break the rules or my husband getting hurt again. But they are only words not physical punishment this I swear", she assures them.They nod and the see her reach out her hand in offering. Apollo quickly snatches it up. Clinging to it to make sure this was still real.They follow her through the halls. All was silent. It was so peaceful."Now you all have rooms pretty close to mine and my Husbands. And if you need us at night our door is always open. We will not care what time it is. Him and me will just want to help in anyway we can", Artemis tells them softly.She could tell they were jittery and deathly scared to sleep. Artemis promised herself she would not go back to bed tonight they needed her more then she needed sleep."We have rooms near yours?" Hermes asks uncertainly."Yes, in fact we are here. My room is at the end of the hall", she tells them pointing at the double oak doors at the end.They nod seeing them."Now we have had your rooms prepared for a while . . .", she notices their disbelieving looks, "I always KNEW you would come back. That you would be found. So, these rooms have been here since the palace was constructed and you ALL have clothes in there too. Goddess of Fashion and Goddess of Clothes out did themselves"They nod too tired and nervous to say anything and what was there to say about that?She directs the to their rooms and wishes them goodnight and breakfast would be at 8. They nod and slowly enter them. But Apollo keeps at tight grip on her hand."Would you like so see your Little Sun? I designed it especially and it is connected to mine. And of course I will say with you", Artemis tells her gently squeezing his hand."Thank you Arty", Apollo says softly letting her lead him in.It was everything he could have dreamed of in his room, and he just felt Artemis's presence all over this room."Get changed Little Brother", Artemis nudges him to the bathroom having picked out a pair of pyjamas while he was looking."Thank you", Apollo whispers."No need to thank me Little One. I love you", Artemis tells him."Love you too", Apollo whispers.He goes and has a shower and change and he sees Artemis on his bed, and she opens her arms for him."Come here Little Brother", Artemis orders gently.Apollo hurries into her arms hardly believing she was going to stay with him. As he cuddles into her, he felt her pull up the blankets and this was more conformable than anything he remembered."Thank you, Big Sister. I loved you and missed you", Apollo whispers tiredly closing his eyes knowing Artemis had his back.He felt a kiss on his forehead and fingers running through his hair."I missed you too Little Sun. I missed and love you too. Always and forever"