FIRELIGHT

-ATHENA-

I walked through the courtyard of Olympus, keeping my eyes firmly locked on my target. My grey dress dragged along the slightly glowing pathway as I struggled to keep his pace.

"Athena…" he croaked "Come to destroy my life some more?"

I pursed my lips "Don't be so melodramatic, Perseus. She was going to die anyway."

He spun round to face me. "Melodramatic? Me? Athena, after all that has happened this day, you have no right to say this. Never speak to me again, and remember when you need me most I won't be here to help the next time. Remember this, and you can be the one to tell the Olympians why the light of day will never be on their side again. Remember. This." he hissed at me, before vanishing in a soft golden light.

I felt the power of his words hit me in waves. This was bad. I had just lost us one of our most powerful allies. Di Immortales! Zeus is going to kill me. I turned and made my way to the council meeting that was due to start in a number of seconds, judging by the sudden rumbles of thunder that raced across the night sky.

{Line Break}

300 years ago. I last spoke to him 300 years ago. It can't have been that long, could it? This was one of the rare moments, as the goddess of wisdom, where I could be found doubting myself. I woke this morning with a feeling in my stomach, and I knew that this was the day I was going to regret the mistake I made 300 years ago today. Many of the Olympians had forgiven or forgotten the mistake I made, but some still reserved some slight resentment for me personally. I made a lot of enemies that day. I got out of my bed and put on an old dress, a light blue one I think, I wasn't really paying attention. I was worried. Something big was on the horizon, something that could alter the fate of Olympus forever. I walked silently out of my quarters, holding my head high.

"Athena." Apollo said, acknowledging my presence as he walked by

"Apollo." I nodded to him

Apollo was one of the ones who still resented me. He and Perseus were rather close. After what I did, Perseus severed all contact with Olympus and the Primordials apart from his sister, Nyx, Primordial goddess of Night. If she did not occasionally bring news of him to Apollo, and some others, I would have assumed he had faded. I carried on walking towards the council room, keeping a slight distance between myself and Apollo. It still felt strange for him not to be on full speaking terms with me. I almost missed his ridiculous jokes and Hades awful haikus about my weaving or my Parthenos being stolen by those revolting romans. I took my seat at my throne, and with surprise I noticed that I was the last to arrive. The entire council was there, including Hades, Hestia and a few minor Gods like Hypnos and Hecate.

"… Poseidon, it is not hard for me to send you to the Fields of Punishment…"

"… Men. You can never trust them, always late…"

"… Demeter, for Gods sakes I DO NOT WANT ANY CEREAL!"

"…. Shut up, Zeus, what do you know about the fish population…"

"… You know I think I have a potion that would put you in your place…"

"…Mother please, Hades is not that bad…"

"… You threw me off Mount Olympus when I was a baby! I owe you nothing…"

"… Squuueeee! They are so cute!…"

Although I was not surprised when I walked into what appeared to be a mini war in motion between my family members. Hades was simultaneously arguing with Zeus and Poseidon about domain size and Persephone and Demeter about Hades' suitability for Persephone, Hephaestus and Hera were arguing, Artemis and Hecate were complaining about Apollo's behaviour to Apollo, and Aphrodite was just squealing about some new couple she had put together. Nothing unusual then.

"ENOUGH!" I heard someone cry. I felt a wave of heat wash over my skin, as I turned round to see the hearth explode

"WE ARE A FAMILY. WE HAVE BEEN SUMMONED HERE FOR A REASON, CAN WE PLEASE TRY TO GET ON FOR ONCE?" yelled Hestia

Everyone looked in shock at the normally peaceful goddess. She had changed from an eight year old to a twenty five year old, smart move. We were unlikely to listen to an eight year old, but a twenty five year old whose body was engulfed with flames was a different matter.

Zeus cleared his throat "Erm… Yes. Sister Hestia is right; we do have a lot to discuss this morning."

There was an awkward pause, where Zeus seemed to struggle for words.

"Poseidon you owe me five drachmas, I told you he would chicken out." Hades smirked triumphantly

Zeus sent a glare across the table and tried to continue.

"As I was saying we have a lot to discuss today. There is a threat to Olympus."

He had everyone's attention now.

"I have received sufficient evidence to suggest that … to suggest that Gaea is waking."

This caused a riot worse than before.

"SILENCE. I have already called all our allies to arms and have sent out some Gods to go hunting for others."

The Gods dissolved into conversation, Ares talking tactics and Poseidon making new bets with Hades. Apollo and Hermes seemed to be discussing something interesting for once, judging by the gestures Hermes was making with his staff and the fact that Artemis was actually listening intently to this one.

"Did Perseus respond to the call?" Artemis asked, twisting violently in her seat to face Zeus. Apollo glared at me, along with Hermes. I think I know the subject of their discussion.

"He has not yet responded no but-"

Poseidon rolled his eyes, "Come on Zeus, we all know he will not respond. Not after… what happened." He said flicking his eyes up sadly to me.

"We must keep hoping Poseidon. We will surely fail without him, and he knows this. He will not leave those of us who have remained loyal to him." Said Hestia calmly

"Yes and that's all very well Hestia, but he hates us all. I understand that his fatal flaw is loyalty, but you didn't see him when he said what he did. He was completely, and totally serious. Do not expect any help, or even a response from him." I snapped at Hestia

There was complete silence.

"Congratulations, Athena. You've doomed us all." Apollo muttered before flashing out.

A/N: Anyone watch the Vicar of Dibley? The council meetings in that, is pretty much how I imagine the council meetings on Olympus ;)…If you want me to continue, please review and let me know what you think… This one will not be Percabeth (although I might include some demigods at some point)I'm gonna make this one Percy/Hestia, but if you REALLY don't like that pairing I am open to suggestions although I would prefer it to be a Percy/Hestia fic… hope you enjoy

P. don't get the wrong idea, I do like Athena…

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