The Adventures of Mavus Pt. III

"The Adventures of Mavus Pt. III" continues where Part II left off. Mavus Shaw has been taken into the Waystation as he searches for the demigod Remy Jackson to aid in the Inquisition's efforts to stopping the New Militia.

Chapter 12 - Foreigner

"So, Mavus, how did you find this place?" Josephine asked. This lady was really friendly... a bit too friendly. You know those old grannies who are super sweet and kind, but spoil you a bit too much? Josephine kind of reminded me of that. Aside from the fact that she was built like a bodybuilder. She had insane musculature enough to make Jason jealous.

"I used a magic crystal to locate the entrance. I came from... somewhere else." I couldn't tell her I was from another universe. "I see", Josephine said, taking me to the infirmary. She started to patch my scratches up. "Have you been on the run? Where's your family?"

That hit me hard. I stared at the ground. "I don't have one." No point lying to such a kind lady. I was from a family that was... complicated. My mom wanted me to be a doctor/lawyer/engineer. Choose one of the three, anything else I was considered "not fit to survive in the real world". My father wanted me to learn how to live off my own hustle. They were strict and I hardly considered them my parents.

I know, haha, he's an asian guy with asian parents that want him to be the most asian thing ever. The thing was, they treated me like I was a responsibility. Not as a son. My mom wanted me to be in STEM because she believed that to survive, I needed to be able to get hired into a stable job market. My dad, well. He believed that harsh discipline made strong men.

When my parents found out about my powers, they were disappointed to say the least. "After everything we had done for you." Those were their exact words. They saw me as a threat, and when the government showed up to my doorstep, they didn't even bother saying their goodbyes. Just sent me on my way, ready for the suits to pick me up.

Dark, huh? That's why I never talk about my past. Because it gets depressing real fast. I guess my expression showed that.

Josephine continued patching me up. "Poor thing... It's okay. Everyone in the Waystation is treated like family in a way. Emmie over there is my wife." I looked in her direction. "Huh?"

Josephine chuckled. "You sure are old fashioned for a man your age! Are you surprised of my orientation? I knew Emmie back when we were Hunters. We parted ways with Lady Artemis after we decided to get together."

"No! No... I have no problem with that. I'm totally fine with the LGBTQ community. It's just... I sent a freaking rocket her way. I'm so sorry Jo." Josephine laughed. She kind of reminded me of Varen. And yes, I jumped, causing the bandage to slip and run against my cut. "Ow!"

Josephine continued to patch me up. "It's a-okay kid. You're quite talented with machines! Are those your powers?" I looked at my hands. "Yeah. I'm a technomancer, I have the ability to create and manipulate technology." Josephine finished and helped me to my feet. "I can tell. I have similar powers, but not at your extent. My mother is Hecate."

"Like the goddess of magic?"
"Yep"

Josephine looked at me. "You know, I could always use an extra pair of hands with a few of my projects. You seem to know your way around a wrench."

That night, I joined a bunch of demigods and legacies to dinner at the Grand Hall. Everybody was chatting up a storm, having fun. Talking about a card game called Mythomagic. For the first time, I felt alone.

Believe me, I've been alone most my life. I was a loser in every school, elementary to college, because I wasn't allowed to be in society for being a Tier Zero Metahuman. But it never really bothered me. After talking with Josephine and being forced to recall my past, and seeing these guys having fun. I don't know. It just bothered me.

"Hey." Calypso sat next to me. I gave her a half smile. "Hey. Sorry for attacking your place." Calypso held up her hand. "Don't worry about it." I continued looking at the other residents. "The boy you seek is no longer in the Waystation."

I stared at her. "What? How? Why would he leave this place?" Calypso watched as several demigods started to play with their powers. "Remy wanted to go back to the real world, as he only saw this place as a temporary place to stay."

Dammit. I went through all this trouble to get here too. At this rate, I'll never get this mission done. "You're not from around here, are you?" God, she was like a freaking sleuth. "Nope. I'm from somewhere else, that's in deep trouble, and if I don't find this Remy guy, then it's a mission fail."

"Corinth?"
"Yeah. Wait, how the hell did you know that?"

Calypso put her plate on the ground. "I have the ability to see a person's past. I'm sorry, I should have asked for your consent, but at the time, I was suspicious. You are unlike any mortal I have ever seen."

"Thanks, I get that a lot from the average immortal."

Calypso continued. "You are not a demigod, and you lack the impulsiveness of many of the heroes I have met. Your powers are incomprehensible, yet you are not a god, but a mortal. And the way you speak, your dialect, it is almost... foreign."

"Racist." I managed a smirk, causing Calypso to smile. "Your humour is a lot like Leo's though. A bit edgier, but still similar."

I finished up my dinner and leaned back on the sofa. "How did you guys even meet? I'm guessing he is the guy who sprinted you from Ogygia." Calypso raised her eyebrows. "I'm surprised you know of this."

"Like I said, people, excuse me, mortals love to write about you guys."

Calypso continued watching the demigods. "Leonidas indeed rescued me from the island. He did what no man could, and returned, saving me from my curse. As we speak, he is currently away, at the Roman Demigod Camp." She looked worried, and I didn't blame her.

"I'm sure that guy is fine. He's good with machines, like me. We tend to be the more creative of the bunch." Calypso gave me grateful look. "Thank you for the kind words, Mavus. I hope all goes well with your love for Junon."

I nearly choked. "What?" Calypso looked amused. "I told you, I can see the past. You love this girl, to the point where you would follow her to battle without fear. I admire that." I repositioned myself on the couch. "If only she felt the same way." Calypso looked at me. "Just follow your heart, and it will work out eventually."

Something suddenly came to mind. Oh crap. I forgot about Junon! My coms unit was still in Main when Calypso had busted it up! She must be worried sick.

"Hey, I'm going to head to my room, it was great talking to you." Calypso waved me goodbye.

I quickly reassembled the com unit that Junon had given me. Hopefully this will work. "Um... hello?"

"Mavus? Is that you?" Junon's voice appeared from the com unit. It felt like the most reassuring thing ever. "Yeah, it's me. Listen, I'm sorry, the com unit broke after a mishap-"

"Don't worry about that. I'm just so glad that you're still here. I need your help, it's bad. Can you come to these coordinates as soon as you can?"

Junon uploaded the coordinates onto the device. San Francisco. How the heck did she get all the way over there?

"San Francisco? Did you find the demigod?" Junon was quiet for a few seconds. "Yes. She's with me. But Mavus, you need to hurry. We aren't the only ones who made it to this universe. There was a third person who managed to get through."

"Blackflame is here. And he's wiped out Camp Jupiter."

Chapter 13 - I Leave Junon On Read

I left The Waystation early. Josephine noticed that I had already grabbed my things and stopped by.

"Leaving so soon?" I looked down. "Yeah. Something came up. It's really urgent." Josephine crushed me in a hug. "I hope things get better for you kiddo. I'll be waiting to work with you on future projects, sorry you didn't get a chance to check out my workshop!" I thanked her. Emmie was at the door. "She's right. The Waystation serves as a refuge for anyone. Demigod, Hunter, even mortals like you. You are always welcome back if you need it."

I looked at the numerous people who were lost, who were given a home thanks to these two. I nodded. "Thank you."

I headed out, and closed my fist. Numerous pieces of scrap metal from the station swirled around me as I dissipated into green sparks, merging with the mechanical body, repurposed into Main. Blackflame, that scrawny edge lord. He had to ruin everything. I turned around. Josephine was giving me a thumbs up. "Nice. Go kick some ass kid!"

I gave her a thumbs up back. I activated my thrusters, then shot to the sky.

"Juno, set location to San Francisco, Camp Jupiter, fastest route, full aerial mode."
"Acknowledged."

My mechanical body transformed, metal parts clacking into place as my body became more streamlined. The flame from my thrusters shot up in intensity, turning it from its usual light green to bright white. I shot forward with immense speed, breaking the sound barrier.

I learned my lesson from my last encounter with this dude. If I was going to stand a chance against his ridiculous speed, taking damage was going to be inevitable. He got me last time because I was being cocky and fought him with a body upload. This time, I was going to... fight him with a body upload.

Dammit. Well, time for Plan B.