A Series of Aru Shah Oneshots

You Would've Done the Same For Me

A/N Because I have no impulse control, I present to you, another PJO Pandava Quintet AU. This is based on the scene where Annabeth gets stabbed protecting Percy. Enjoy :)

There were too many enemies.

Aiden was overwhelmed just trying to fend off his section.  He whirled, slashing his scimitars and disarming one soldier. But it wasn't enough. More of the Sleeper's soldiers swarmed in whenever one fell. It was all he could do to stay on his feet.

A loud trumpeting noise broke the air. Brynne, in the form of a blue elephant, barged by, knocking aside the monsters and soldiers like bowling pins.

"Thanks, Bee!" Aiden shouted.

She affectionately bopped him on the head with her trunk and turned into a gazelle, running away.

Aiden continued to push back the wave of enemies. Rudy popped in for a second, chucking enchanted gems at the monsters. Then it was Mini, who winked in and out of sight. Then it was Aru.

Soot stained her skin and her clothes were torn in a few places, but she looked as fierce as ever. She threw Vajra. The lightning bolt skidded past a row of soldiers, incapacitating them all.

"Thanks," Aiden panted.

"No problem." Vajra flew back to Aru's hand. "Need anything else?"

Aiden held out his scimitars. "Light 'em up, Shah."

Electricity crackled up and down the blades, wreathing her face in light. She looked like a goddess: powerful and beautiful.

Aru grinned at him. "Nice fighting with you, Wifey. Let's turn the tide."

Aiden rolled his eyes at the nickname but didn't complain as they waded back into the army.

As he slashed a rakshasa's sword from their grip, though, he felt a chill run down his spine. Like someone was watching him. Too late, he realized his back was unguarded.

"AIDEN!" Aru screamed. "Watch out!"

He turned around but everything seemed to be moving too slowly. He didn't even see the blade until Aru launched herself in the way of it.

She collapsed at his feet, red soaking her shirt.

Aiden's blood suddenly raged through his veins. He looked up and locked eyes with the person who had stabbed Aru; an enemy soldier he didn't know the name of, still holding their knife aloft. He didn't care who they were. They'd hurt Aru, and they would pay.

Aiden moved so quickly, his mind didn't catch up with his actions until the soldier lay crumpled at his feet, a new dent in his helmet. 

He breathed deeply, trying to suppress the red tinting his vision. He couldn't lose his logic, not with Aru injured. She needed to get to safety immediately.

"Bee!" he yelled into the wind.

A giant blue eagle swooped down and grabbed her by the collar, hefting her up and flying away.

Aiden turned on the enemy again, and let his building fury loose.

- - -

Aru slipped in and out of lucidity. People were talking next to her, in lowered voices. She couldn't concentrate on what they were saying, so she passed out again. 

The next time she woke up, she was lying on a cot. She tried to sit up, but pain exploded in her shoulder. She slumped down again, fighting back a sudden wave of nausea.

Mini's voice rose above the others murmuring near her. "I'm here. What happened--oh."

Aru opened her eyes a crack. Her sister knelt next to her, scrubbing her hands with hand sanitizer.