Chapter Text
Kon sighed. It’s so boring when there are no missions and all his friends are busy with something. Not that he’s complaining about free time, but he literally has nothing to do. Hanging upside down, he trailed his fingers over the smooth floors of Titan’s Tower as he floated aimlessly. Kon did a few lazy loops in the air until eventually, he settled down in a criss-cross position in midair.
Is there even anything he can do? A call? A task? A place to visit?
Maybe he should go outside. Kon sighed. No one’s even in the tower right now, which is disappointing, seeing as the only reason he’s here is to see if there’s someone he can socialize with. San Francisco is still a nice vacation spot, though. Maybe he can just step outside and enjoy the California sun for a bit.
Mind made up, Kon decided to tour the San Francisco Bay area (again) for something fun to do. Going to the beach is fun, right? Or he can find a park to play in. The possibilities are endless!
It didn’t take long to punch in the codes to unlock the door and allow him to step out of the tower. It also didn’t take long for him to fly over the houses to look for somewhere interesting. Soon, he spotted something in the distance. A stretch of trees and nature that was different from the city and the beach. Kon hovered in the air and used his phone to check his location. According to Google Maps, he was in a place called “Sonoma Valley”.
Shrugging, Kon dropped down to take a walk through the forest. Behind the cover of the trees, he got out of his superboy suit, leaving Konner Kent, a regular civilian in his place. He trekked through the woods, appreciating the nature and the fresh scent of grass here. There were birds and a water source somewhere in the background. He could also hear insects and other critters like squirrels and wolves. Ah, what a nice day- wait wolves??
Kon turned towards the direction of the wolf pack. That’s interesting, he’s never seen a real wild wolf before! Guess today won’t be boring after all. Kon listened for the heartbeats of civilians and found none nearby, which meant he could fly without worrying about identities. He took off, flying through the canopies of the trees above.
Soon, he saw his target: a wolf pack. They seemed to be traveling. Hunting, maybe? With his powers, Kon easily kept up. The dynamic was interesting and each wolf seemed to know exactly where they needed to go.
The interactions between the pack reminded him of his team. They worked well together through years of cooperation, just like this pack. It was heartwarming and made the wolf pack even cooler. They clearly understand the power of friendship.
And the wolves were so fluffy ! At that moment, he decided, as a brand new wolfwatcher, birdwatchers have nothing on him.
They are kind of big, though. He noted. I thought they were the same size as huskies, but they’re more the size of bobcats. He moved even closer so he could observe the wolves better. The leading wolf turned around, presumably to interact with the rest of the wolves-
And raised its head to stare straight into his eyes.
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The wolf’s gleaming silver eyes pinned Kon in place, its too-intelligent gaze seemed to shoot right through him, burning him. He suddenly felt like prey, being hunted by something so much more powerful than he was. He felt like a butterfly on a board, dissected by the gaze of a predator he can never escape. Despite having the high ground and several superpowers, he felt hunted, as if the wolf would swallow him whole and leave nothing behind.
Which was ridiculous, because he’s Superboy . It’s not like the wolf has kryptonite lying around. It’s literally an animal. Kon’s fought giant robots, extraterrestrials, extra-dimensional beings, etc. It’s not even a mutated wolf.
And yet Kon stays still, careful not to disrespect or aggravate the wolf. Something in him tells him that the wolf is dangerous, and, well, he has long since learned to trust his gut instincts in his line of work.
“Come down.” The wolf speaks, in a tone so commanding that Kon is already floating down before he’s even processed the fact that she can speak. Halfway down the tree, he jolts at the command. Oh. That explains the unease. Not a normal wolf after all.
“Who are you?” He asked cautiously. He did not want to piss off this pack of wolves. The pack moves to be right under him, some even bearing their teeth. If he were to drop down, he would be surrounded by wolves. Wolves that are definitely bigger than average wolves, because he’s pretty sure the wolf that spoke is taller than even him. He didn’t notice earlier, but he sure sees it now.
The leading wolf has beautiful red fur and absolutely radiated power. Her steely eyes were still locked onto him when she replied, “I am Lupa, Roman goddess and the She-Wolf.”
Kon’s eyes widened at the answer. The wolves are prancing right below him, waiting for him to make a mistake. Kon has never felt more threatened by a single sentence.
Lupa’s lips curled back to reveal rows of sharp teeth. “You do not belong here.” Around her, the wolves growled. Kon’s heart was beating like a jackrabbit in his chest.
“Wait, a goddess? What do you mean by that?”
“You are a child of another land, favored by other gods.” Lupa sneered and stalked forward. The wolves followed and Kon floated higher to be out of reach. He has never been more confused and scared in his life.
Then she lunged, and Kon yelped as he was pulled down by his leg. The pack piled onto him, and for a few moments, he struggled to shake them off. Growls and snarls filled his air and his vision was blocked by fur. Kon flailed within the wolf pile. He could feel their sharp teeth and claws over his skin, but thankfully, they couldn’t pierce through.
Kon blocked a silver wolf lunging for his throat with his forearm, then swung around to throw it onto a dark brown wolf. Both went down, but more came at him. He shoved the closest wolves away from him and shot up into the sky. He yelped as a few wolves slung to him still, shaking them off and dodging wolves jumping at him as he ascended.
Finally, he was free of the pack. The wolves prowled beneath him, anxious and aggressive, but he was too high up for them to reach. The new height kept him far from the jump range of even Lupa. He struggled to calm his heart down, the fresh adrenaline keeping his muscles tense.
He shivered as he watched the wolves pace below him. If he wasn’t a Kryptonian, he’d be dead now.
Kon could fly away. He should fly away, but for some reason, he stayed. Lupa seemed to study him for a moment, but this time, there was something like approval in her eyes. Kon had the feeling that he had just passed some sort of test, though he didn't know what.
Lupa seized him up one last time, then said, “Come. It’s high time for Rao’s children to meet ours. Since ” She turned around and started walking in a direction, the pack following behind her. Bewildered, Kon followed the wolves. He didn't know why, but he knew it was the right choice.
What even is my life? He wondered, feeling very much out of his depth.
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Now, Hazel isn’t a pessimist. In fact, she’d even say she’s the opposite. However, recent events may have made her a little negative.
Jason, dead. Nico, gone. Leo, missing. (again! Leonidas Valdez, you are so dead when we find you! Was one time not enough?!) And if that wasn’t enough, apparently something is going on with Lupa, too.
Hazel has the feeling that something bad is going to happen, and she doesn’t like it. Lupa has been seen several times throughout the past month, which is unusual because she never goes near camp. Once the demigods leave her, they’re on their own. So although the entire camp is technically her children, they are considered part of the legion rather than part of her house.
All of this comes to a head when someone flies into Camp Jupiter. Emphasis on the flying part because no one has ever done that. Not even Jason, because he made the trek on foot. The only demigods with the power of flight are children of wind gods… or Jupiter himself.
And unfortunately, this new arrival radiates power the way that normal demigods don’t. He carries with him a sort of confidence that only those with power do. He holds himself like he’s invulnerable.
Hazel couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu. It was just like when she saw Percy for the first time. Percy had looked like a god to her, then. This guy, just like Percy, has a sort of otherworldly aura to him. Hazel would know, she’s manipulated the Mist enough times to recognize things or people that are other .
She sincerely hoped there would not be another great prophecy, but she wouldn’t hold her breath. The demigod life has taught her that Tyche never gives enough luck to them.
Hazel prays to the gods, once again, for everything to turn out okay. It’s never worked before, but just in case.
Hazel breathes in, and the praetor of the Twelfth Legion steps forth. “Hello.”
The young man turns to face her, confused. Just like Percy was on the first day. Her brain unhelpfully reminded her. He blinked, looked at the soldiers behind her, blinked again, and then looked back at her.
“Uh, hello?” His lost expression would be funny if she wasn’t busy worrying over his parentage and potential familial relation to the king of the gods.
Behind her, the legion shifts, evidently agitated. They’re depending on her, their leader, so instead of voicing her worries, Hazel squared her shoulders. “Do you know where you are?”
He shakes his head. Oh gods, this is just like Percy’s situation. Please do not have amnesia and then need to go on a quest to save the world from some powerful being. He scanned the camp curiously, but Hazel could also see cautiousness in his eyes. “Ok, so who are you? A talking wolf kinda told me to get here? I honestly have no idea what is going on right now.” He suddenly stopped, his forehead furrowing. “Wait, this is Camp Jupiter, right?”
“Yes,” Hazel replied, perplexed by his reaction but not showing it, “My name is Hazel Levesque and I am the praetor of the Twelfth Legion. Who are you?” Her eyes narrowed. He may claim to have been sent by Lupa, but he could also easily be anyone. As a praetor, she must be suspicious of outsiders to ensure the safety of the legion.
“Um,” the newcomer paused, seemingly debating with himself before replying, “it’s Kon, with a K.”
Hazel spared a glance at the people behind her, then came to a decision. “Come with me.” She commanded and turned around, the swish of her purple cape no doubt making her look like some sort of superhero. Kon followed her, clearly still confused but willing to cooperate.
Good. Now, time to handle this while causing as little problems as possible.