Caitlyn North Ogden Branch Genre: Fanfiction

School Hunt Prologue “Artie…” “Yes, Daddy?” I mumbled, still feeling the sensation of sleep. A second later, that feeling vanished as I was assaulted by a splash of water. Coughing and spitting the salty liquid out, I looked up to see the sea green eyes of my uncle Poseidon, sparkling with mischief. The sudden reality of the world hit me. “Oh, no, not you,” I groaned. It wasn't that I disliked him. In fact, he was my favorite uncle, but if he was here, that meant the time to put our plan in action had arrived. Reality was a pain. Dreams were much easier, and I was having a good one. “Only Zeus is allowed to call me ‘Artie,’” I snapped irritably. The momentarily stung look on his face made me regret my rudeness. It wasn't his idea to use me to try and convince Zeus something I was still l skeptical about. Of course, that got me the same punishment as everyone else: exile. So much for my long history of being Father's favorite. That brought us here, the other side of the country, to a nice beach in California. “Fine, Artemis,” Poseidon's look softened, and he gave me a sympathetic look, as if he'd sensed what I was thinking about. “How's banishment treating you?” “Oh, fine,” I said sarcastically, as I squeezed the salt water out of my dark red hair. “Just great! I totally love seeing Ares and Hermes all day, every day!” Even though they were my half-brothers, having only them for company was pushing it… too far. At least Ares didn't joke about this miserable situation. “Hey, at least this mission means you won't be stuck with them,” Uncle Po said encouragingly, having fun playing with the sea waves. He used his ocean powers to hold back a wave, letting all the water gather into a ten foot tall one, then let it crash down. I winced at the sound it made, as loud as thunder. We were far enough away from the shore that it only sent a spray over mist over us. He glanced at me, seeing my annoyance. “Sorry.” The mission he previously spoke of was looking for a school. Yes, you heard me. Me, the goddess of the Hunt, was charged with scouring the nation in search of a school. Everyone said it was important to find a good dwelling for the heroes, but I was more concerned about the heroes themselves than the place. After all, these heroes were supposed to save the world, or at the very least, succeed where me, Poseidon, Hermes, Ares, and Hera failed. We were the ones who opposed Zeus's idea of destroying the world. Because we couldn't convince him to spare humanity, we were exiled, and now had to get heroes from the past, the ancient times, to do it for us. So far, I had no idea who to bring back. Hera had already decided on Jason, and Poseidon on Theseus, both of which I didn't think was wise, as they had made a complete botch of their lives. I was itching to bring back Hippolytus, but that wouldn't be smart either, as Theseus was his father, and all our heroes would be around sixteen or seventeen, the peak of their youth. And, of course, before some of them died. “This is a waste of time,” I said. “I differ. We need a safe, unsuspicious haven for each of our heroes so the other Olympians don't sense anything. It's very important.” What he said made sense, but I wasn't ready to relent so soon. “What about your hero? Theseus? I know he's your son, but that guy's life was full of unneeded hostilities, false trust, and broken promises.” Poseidon groaned, “Not you, too. Come on, he killed the Minotaur.” “And his own son,” I countered, remembering Hippolytus's awful death. “Oh, so that's why you don't like him,” he narrowed his eyes. “Because you loved his son.” I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I was speechless. He dared to play that card? Just as I was about to unleash a barrage of insults and curses, Ares appeared in a column of flames. “What's this I hear? Oh, good! Join the “I Hate Theseus" club, Artemis!” With some difficulty, I swallowed back the flow of obscenities, and turned towards him, his fiery eyes blazing with amusement. “Hippolyta was your daughter, right?” I was referring to the Amazon queen, Hippolytus's mother. “Mm-hm.” “You're bringing her back?” “Probably.” “Well, so much for that idea!” It wouldn't work if Theseus was alive, and it definitely wouldn't work if Hippolyta was alive, seeing as Hippolytus knew her, his mother, to be dead. But there was a chance that it would work out between Theseus and Hippolyta, because they never met until later in their lives. Meanwhile, I was still left hero-less. “Why are we even talking about this?” Poseidon complained. “I'm supposed to be instructing you guys how to do this!” “So do it!” I yelled, my temper finally snapping. They both looked at me, surprised. “Sorry,” I amended. There was an awkward silence. Luckily, Hermes chose that instant to appear flying out of the air. “Hey!” he said, panting hard like he'd flown a long way. “Hera needs you,” he addressed Poseidon. “Underworld problems. I'm supposed to take your job.” Poseidon looked happy for an excuse to leave me, vanishing in a swirl of water instantly. “Artemis, chill,” Ares said to me in an undertone. “You don't want to scare Hermes away, too.” I took a deep breath. “Okay, Hermes, what's the news?” “I've found the coordinates to places near two suitable middle schools. Your job is teleport to each school, and stay there for a week, incognito, so you can experience the school, and see if it will serve it's purpose.” Hermes paused, then added slyly, “Remember, we are looking for the greatest school.” “It's a school hunt, then,” Ares clapped a hand on my shoulder. “And my school will be better.” I shrugged his hand off. “I wouldn't count on it.” Hermes gave us each a slip with the coordinates. I quickly memorized mine, then vanished it. He nodded approvingly, and took off back into the air. “You know, I don't get you,” I said to Ares suddenly. “Why would the god of war, a “manly man” thing, choose a woman as his hero?” He frowned. “I thought you'd be more pleased.” “I am,” I assured him. “It's just… unexpected.” “Well…” he hesitated, the harsh light in his eyes softening for a second. “You know the story, so you'd understand. Hippolyta had such a rotten life, and it wasn't even her fault. If she never met that… that son of seaweed… But it's not just that. Her life was bad before that, and I couldn't make it better. I couldn't even help her when she needed it most.” He balled his fists, and glanced at me. “You know what I'm talking about, right?” I nodded assent. “I want to give her another chance,” Ares continued. “She's strong, and more than capable of being part of this mission. And… I miss her. I failed her in the past, and I want to be there for her this time.” He grinned suddenly, “The Amazons were pretty badass.” “Yeah,” I agreed. “They kicked butt like no other.” “Oh well,” he sighed. “Let the bygones be bygones. It'll be good to see Hippolyta again.” I nodded, wishing I could see Hippolytus again. “What about you? You still looking for a hero?” “Obviously.” Ares looked thoughtful. It struck me how uncharacteristic he was acting. Maybe he just needed to get away from that slut, Aphrodite. They were lovers, but he seemed unconcerned that because he was now exiled, he couldn't see her. I had never liked him, but I realized the sudden connection between us. We were together the patron gods of the Amazons. He mourned Hippolyta’s death as much as I did Hippolytus. Away from Aphrodite, he actually seemed… less like the brute I always made him to be. Ares snapped his fingers. “Got it. What's that girl, you know, raised by a she-bear, runs faster than a deer, the one that that city in Georgia is named after?” “Atalanta?” “Yeah, that one. Would she work?” I thought about it. She was everything that I wanted, except for one thing. She'd killed my “Death Pig.” Oh well. No one was perfect. “Thanks, Ares,” I said. “Oh, and just because you helped me doesn't mean I'm going to let you win this contest to find a better school.” He winked, “I wouldn't expect any less of you. After all, wouldn't it be mortifying if the goddess of the Hunt lost the School Hunt?”