The Ghost of Sparta

Percy in this will be a Son of Hades and a mortal, it will stay in the past but characters from the canon will be dragged back in time also, unless I change my mind and decide to have him be a God or find a way to live for a long time. Enjoy!

Reviews are loved. I don't mind constructive criticism but please no flaming

Chapter 1: Sparta Burns

It was a clear night in Sparta, the moon was high in the sky and it would seem to be peaceful for the first time in centuries. The streets of Sparta were deserted and the homes were occupied with the women and children sleeping in bliss and perfect harmony, the men however were waiting for the inevitable. The old enemy Athens had double crossed Sparta and now attacked with many of Sparta's former allies, the skill of the Spartans would not match the sheer numbers of this deadly Greek force. Athena was commanding the Athenians in the shadows whilst Ares was stuck on Olympus without their patron Sparta would be lost, mere dust in the wind come the morrow.

When the force appeared outside Sparta the men without fear took up battle positions to guarantee the safety of the women and children for as long as they lived Sparta had a future. They took up a defensive position around the main road into Sparta forming Phalanx the infamous Greek formation in which their ancestors had used at Thermopylae led by Leonidas. The bronze from the armour and shields reflected from the moonlight, this would be Sparta's final hour, its final stand and they were going to make it worthy of the Gods.

Whilst the elite soldiers of Sparta steeled their nerves chaos spread throughout the city with families trying to evacuate the city. It was near impossible to get past the Athenian army who had encircled the beleaguered city keen to stop the return of any Sparta to create opposition to their united Greece.

The Athenian general leading counselled by Athena rode forth to offer the Spartans a peace agreement. "Spartans surely you know you cannot win this battle, think of your women and children your city will be burnt to the ground unless you swear on the Gods that you will serve Athens" no matter what the cost may be serving their greatest rival as a slave nation would be an insult to Spartan culture and to Ares, the finest soldiers of the world do not serve anyone but Sparta.

"We would rather go to Tartarus than bow to you Athenian" the Spartans cried, this battle would take them to Elysium and into the history books, Sparta's final hour was upon them as the Athenian rode back to his men ordering the charge. Tens of thousands of men charged towards the beautiful city and the fierce men in front a clash of swords rang through the night and screams of men filled the night sky.

The Spartans were fighting for their families and for the preservation and were determined to hold the city, they fought with great valour but the shield wall was broken and the Spartans were soon overwhelmed the screams of women and children could be heard throughout the city as many were trapped in burning buildings or being raped in the streets. A dense black smoke was now covering the city suffocating those who did not perish by the sword, a helpless Ares watched the horrific scenes of the Slaughter of Sparta from Olympus unable to help under threat of severe punishment from Zeus whilst Athena ran free he thought it extremely unfair but his father had a favourite child and favouritism would soon be the destruction of his people.

In the city a burning house held a mother and her boy; the mother was trapped by a wooden beam and a raging fire as hot as Hestia herself. She screamed at her child to leave the house but the seven year old would not desperate to save his mother who was all he had in the world. "Leave Perseus before it's too late, I will see you tomorrow child" the room had caved in and now the mother was gone. Leaving only the boy, he claws his way through the debris to find his mother's hand and that's when he burst into tears he made a promise to her. "I will avenge you mother... I swear it on the river Styx" thunder boomed sealing the oath. This had caught the attention of Ares, he had one last hope to save Sparta without joining the battle all he waited for was a pray to help find the boy.

"Ares, help me" Perseus said before unconsciousness claimed him.

As soon as the pray was said Ares was next to the boy, he looked strong for his age although he had fainted due to the lack of oxygen. He grabbed the boy and teleported back to his palace, something was strange about him. Ares felt an aura on him a half blood he was for sure, this would make his plan for revenge much better. The aura was familiar to him but he was unsure and was not going to jump to conclusions saving the boy would be his main priority.

Ares called for the only God he could trust, his Auntie Hestia. Hestia arrived soon after he called her and walked towards the boy who had been placed carefully on a stretcher. Hestia knew immediately what this was about and put a reassuring arm on Ares shoulder, the mere touch of Hestia could calm anyone and he was grateful for her being here as acting rashly could get him or more importantly the boy punished.

After what seemed like years the boy slowly rose from his sleep, he had been unconscious for three days and called for his mother. This was one of the few moments that the war god was genuinely brought to tears; he should have defended the Spartans from his half sister Athena. Hestia quickly made her way over to the young boy and quickly brought him into a caring hug but not before staring into his eyes, she saw obsidian and his face was paler than natural why didn't she see it before she thought to herself the child was one her brothers, Hades no less.

She began comforting the distressed boy. "Don't worry I'm your auntie and will take care of you, what is your name?" she used a soft voice which brought serenity to the situation. The boy was calming down all the while looking around Ares Palace.

"My name is Perseus, Where am I auntie" he said sulking into her shoulder a smile was brought to her face but not for long as she took him away from her shoulders and had put him directly in front so she could look at the boy.

"Well Perseus you are on Olympus in Ares' Palace would you like anything to eat or drink" he quickly nodded his head frantically before burying his head back into her shoulders, the boy was still shaken up from the events he had witnessed a fire now raged inside him. One Ares intended to use as a weapon against Athens.

Ares came back into the room and the boy broke his eye contact from Hestia and bowed towards Ares. "You shouldn't kneel Spartan not even to me" he raised his hand to signal for Perseus to stand and the boy did so without hesitation but a confused look on his face, he was being told not to bow to his Patron?

"I'm sorry lord Ares but why mustn't I respect your status and title as Patron of Sparta?" Perseus asked.

"You are the last Spartan, last of the greatest warrior race in all history I think your title is more impressive than mine" he said with a smile on his face which was rare of the war god. Perseus was shocked with his mouth wide open which made Hestia smile.

"Close your mouth before you catch flies" she said with a smile on her face and Perseus went bright red with embarrassment.

"Your training will begin tomorrow, young Spartan so rest while you can" Ares commanded with a smirk on his face to raise the perfect warrior meant to train him to his limits something Ares would do with the son of Hades. Thunder boomed signalling the council, Hades was he becoming more and more bored with these council meetings but he nodded at Hestia and flashed into the throne room eager to release his anger towards Athena and his father.

"Auntie Hestia, you're not leaving too are you like mommy?" Perseus said as Hestia stood up and started walking towards the hearth in his palace, what Ares could say Hestia was one of the only Gods he liked and got along with. She was the most caring and friendly Goddess in existence, but his words hit her hard she had to go to the council meeting but she really wanted to stay with her nephew.

"I have to go to the council meeting but I will see you soon don't worry, go rest for tomorrow Ares will no doubt want to train you to become a great warrior and you will need all your strength" he nodded and went towards a room with a comfy bed and drifted into the realm of Morpheus. Hestia smiled at him before flashing to the throne room wondering what the controversy was all about.

As usual it was several shouting matches at the same time, Ares was yelling at Athena whilst issuing threats towards Athens with Athena mocking him and Sparta calling them 'pathetic and useless' she should know Ares has a small temper but this time she crossed the line, "I'll kill you and all your pathetic followers" shouted and charged at her with his sword and shield. This caused everyone to stop and glance over to the now fighting god and goddess of war. Athena was using her shield to block most of the attacks but was slowly faltering as Ares' powerful strikes were coming down relentlessly and with supersonic speed.

Seeing his opportune moment to teach the wisdom woman a lesson he quickly grabbed her shield and threw it across the throne room and into a pillar completely smashing it with parts flying towards other Olympians who simply waved them off still interested in the cause of this. Now defenceless the Goddess was looking afraid and completely at the mercy of Ares who gave her a mocking smile and look. He was about to strike down when a flash of thunder came in and Zeus was standing pointing the master bolt towards Ares.

"Stop this NOW Ares or face Tartarus" Zeus boomed. Seeing no way out of this situation he complied rather reluctantly with his father letting Athena up who looked thankfully towards her father. Ares slumped into his throne and prepared for the long meeting and the bickering of many of the Gods.

5 hours later

Ares along with Poseidon had his hands in his head the two were closer than they thought especially with meetings, both often had little to say and were required to listen the entire time although he felt sorry for the Sea god his domain was always moving and unpredictable meaning sitting still and listening to Demeter bang on grain and cereal, Aphrodite on her newest couple, Hephaestus with his forges and Athena with her books. He was getting a headache massaging his temples was no longer working and if he stayed in the room any longer he was going to explode or teleport out of there. After all he had the legacy of Sparta to train and prepare, then it was his turn to discuss the events of Sparta.

"Ares do you have any issues that you wish to discuss?" Zeus said obviously bored too.

"Yes I do for a change..." everyone was eager to leave and was expecting a no, many huffed which didn't concern him he didn't care if they wanted to do other things this issue was much more important than cereal or books.

"Athena has led a sacking of my city and I demand she be punished or I will carry it out myself on her city" he threatened glancing over towards the Athena with a scowl and a threatening tone in his voice, she visibly flinched which made him smirk inside the avenging of Sparta would be in the future he wanted her punished and he had evidence.

"Athena is this true..." Zeus boomed angrily as Gods aren't meant to interfere with the mortal world, her face gave her away she sulked and nodded slowly trying to gain sympathy to which no one gave apart from Zeus which wasn't surprising.

"Daughter why did you do it?" he asked and Ares wasn't happy he was expecting a punishment immediately like he would usually get, but announcing his anger now would only lighten her sentence so he held back his feelings for the time being.

"Ares always mocks Athens saying they are weak and I wanted to prove him wrong and it looks like I did" she looked proud of herself and that broke Ares willpower he snapped.

"You not only outnumbered them you actually led them into battle, no mortal is a match for any minor god let alone an Olympian. You have no idea what your actions will cost your precious city and people, Athens will burn for a decade when I am done with it Bitch" he was proud not only was she cowering, his threat was actually taken seriously by the council.

"Athena you will be confined to Olympus and in no sense or form to communicate with the mortal world you will also keep away from Ares for the duration of your punishment"

"Yes father" she looked down at her feet like a school girl who was being told off by the head teacher.

"Are those terms to your liking Ares" he asked wanting to keep anymore mortals out of harm's way, despite what most believed he did take the responsibility of ruling seriously.

"Does anyone else have any issues?" Zeus asked everyone shook their heads.

"Meeting adjourned" he flashed away immediately with Hera and was followed by most until it was only Ares, Hestia and Hades surprisingly.

"Uncle why are you still here?"

"I'm here to offer my deepest condolences regarding Sparta, I had a son there unknown to Zeus and I'm guessing he's gone now due to Athena" his voice quietened towards the end and Ares had an idea, Perseus was the son of Hades perhaps having his father help him with training he could be a great asset of his.

"Uncle there was one who survived a boy of around seven" Ares said and Hades sharply looked up at him.

"Where is he?" he replied

"In my Palace resting, you can come now if you want" Hades nodded his head and they both flashed back towards the war gods palace. When they arrived they were met with a boy who was sitting on his bed but was awake facing a wall, he wasn't grieving anymore but anger was across his face, his eyes were deep ebony his skin pale was almost see through. Perseus had felt the two as they flashed in and turned his head towards bedroom door to where they were now standing, he recognised Ares but he looked at Hades with doubt. He saw that the God had the same dark ebony eyes and pale skin as him, he gasped; was this his long lost father that mum had told him so much about?

"Father?" he asked with uncertainty but praying for it to be true, Hades advanced towards the boy to get a closer look he needed to be absolutely sure and not a sick joke that Ares was capable of, when he was certain he was not an illusion he nodded and smiled.

"Yes Perseus I'm your father and I'm sorry I haven't been there to protect you, I hope you will forgive me I should have done more for you and your mother" his face saddened he had truly loved Perseus and his mother but staying would only bring the attention of Zeus and his death.

"I forgive you father, you are here now that's all that matters" Perseus said whilst opening his arms a smile went across Hades face and he happily went and embraced his son, they stayed that way for some time and Hades made a promise.

"I will always be there for you and I won't leave you again"