DISCLAIMER: I do not own PJO or HoO. That includes all characters in this story. Please don't sue me. I have no money.
Set a couple of years after the Giant War, during a Tartarus outbreak. (Yes, the Doors of Death can be broken out of. I did it once myself.)
Percy sprinted into the throne room of Olympus, dragging a dripping and terrified Annabeth behind him. He looked a wreck. He had angry red gashes all over his arms and his orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt was caked in a mix and fresh and dried blood. Annabeth's hair was matted with grease and monster ash. They skidded to a halt in the centre of the room, and Percy's mouth dropped. Thunder rumbled around Olympus as the gods stood hesitantly, some swaying, some pacing, in one corner of the room. They all had looks of dread on their faces. Aphrodite's eyes were red and swollen, and Artemis looked like she was about to murder someone. Zeus looked like he couldn't believe what was happening, like he was in a state of denial, while Hades' knuckles were white on his clenched fists. He smashed at a pillar and it came tumbling down in one swift motion. The deafening crash snapped the other gods out of their delirious states.
Behind them was the broken body of Poseidon.
Percy ran forwards again and landed on his knees beside his father. His hands began to shake. Poseidon's eyes were closed, and his breath was ragged. Golden ichor pooled on the floor around his chest. Percy struggled to form a sentence. "Wh- H-how? I- I- Why? Dad?".
Zeus answered gravely. "Perseus, your father was attacked, to say the least, by Polybotes, deep in the Marianas Trench. That area of the ocean is closest to Tartarus, I believe, and Polybotes has returned there. Your father had just enough energy to flash here. I'm sorry, but he is about to scatter."
Percy stared at his uncle, a look of horror and disgust on his face. "Then help him!"
Apollo crouched by Percy's side, and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Percy, there's nothing anyone can do. Poseidon will remain scattered throughout the ocean for maybe a thousand years, until he has enough strength to reform. He'll reform quicker the more creatures believe in him, and hope for his return."
Hestia, in the form of a sixteen year old girl, spoke next. "Your hope for him is one of the strongest I've ever felt. Believe me, he will not be forgotten as long as you call yourself his son."
The dying god's eyelids flickered, and Percy snapped his head towards his father. His eyes opened slowly, and his voice was a cracked whisper. "I'm not gone yet, you know." Apollo smiled a little, but Percy and Annabeth's expressions mirrored each other with faces of shock and pain. Poseidon's hand shook as he reached up towards his son's face. "My boy, don't worry." Percy only broke further at his father's concern. "Stay strong. Annabeth, look after him, please."
Annabeth smiled painfully, tears streaming down her face. She knelt by Poseidon's side. He had become like a second father to her these last few months, when he learned of the extent of her and Percy's relationship. He took her under his wing and guided her, helping her draw the blueprints for the now crumbling Olympus. To watch his form tearing apart was like losing her own family. She held onto Percy and he leaned on her shoulder. He started to shake as sobs racked his body.
An almighty crash came from behind them, and a furious Triton stormed into the throne room. He raced over to Percy, trident in hand, picked him up by the shirt collar and slammed him against them wall. His green eyes boiled with fury.
"WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU CALL YOURSELF A SON OF THE SEA? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY FATHER, YOU PATHETIC MORTAL BASTARD? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Triton screamed at his half-brother. He gripped around Percy's neck and he gasped for air, shaking.
"TRITON, STOP!" Annabeth yelled desperately. Percy made gurgling noises and began to turn purple. Triton, with a disgusted look, threw Percy aside where he slid along the floor. He came to a halt and sat up, gasping for air.
"What are y-you talking about?" Percy whispered, with an angry yet despairing tone. "You think I did this? You think I wanted this?" His eyes were full of betrayal.
A hitched breath, followed by a whisper, came from across the room. "Please. Stop fighting, my sons. I can't bear it."
The whole room turned to look at Poseidon, whose form had started to disintegrate. "Five minutes," Apollo breathed.
The two boys looked at each other, then traipsed to their father's side. Both had broken looks in their eyes. Annabeth came to sit beside them. Poseidon started his final address, beginning with his heir, who could barely hold in his grief. "Triton. Child of the water. I love you so much." He lifted a hand to caress his face, and Triton grabbed on to it in desperation. "Look after the sea for me. As your inheritance, it is your duty to keep it alive. Without hope, without power and strength, the water will wage war upon the land and flood the earth in sadness and abandonment." He pulled a rod out of his pocket, which extended into his glowing silver trident. An aura of power surrounded it, like a beacon. The three by his side stared at the radiating masterpiece in amazement. "This trident holds the power of the seven great oceans, and all their creatures. Be a strong leader for them. Tell Tyson to look after the armies of the sea. I will return, and I will be in the water, always. You won't be alone. I leave to you the title of God of the Sea." He held out the shining trident. Triton, with jittering hands, curled his fingers around the shaft, and as he did, he glowed with the power of the water. Poseidon's eyes dimmed to a dull teal.
He turned his head a little, to his half-blood son. Percy met his eyes with as much strength and bitter pride as he could muster. Poseidon smiled. "Percy, my boy. My favourite son. Hold on." He pulled a blue-brown marbled stone, the size of a matchbox, from his pocket. "This stone holds the power of the earth. You are the only child of mine to call any place on land your home, and I cannot think of a better person to take this. I am so proud of you, Percy. You are the strongest, most loyal and bravest demigod to ever have lived. I leave you the title of Earthshaker. I don't expect to reform during your lifetime, so pass this on to your daughter or son, and all your descendants. Look after the tectonics for me. Stay strong." Tears were streaming down Percy's cheeks. He wrapped his hands around the stone and glowed with power, dimmer but more tangible than Triton.
Poseidon's voice was barely more than a whisper when he spoke to Athena's daughter. "Annabeth. My newfound daughter. I could not imagine anyone other than you by Percy's side, and believe me when I say you have earned my respect, gratitude and love. It takes a lot to for the sea to stay in one place. I want you two to be happy together, for both your sakes. Keep him strong. H-hold onto him, as he will hold on to you." He took a shaky breath. Annabeth nodded firmly with swollen, red eyes. "I leave you my blessing." His hand shook uncontrollably as he reached towards her forehead. Still holding tight to Percy, she closed her eyes. Poseidon whispered snatches of a Greek blessing forgotten by all others than himself, to welcome the daughter of wisdom into his domain. She glowed softly. As one final gesture, Poseidon's gaze followed his fingers down to her heart, and her body pulsed. With the last of his strength, he gave Annabeth a piece of the water, hidden so deep in her heart only Percy could see it. With that, Poseidon's eyes went dark.
His body tore itself into wisps, like smoke, that dissolved in the air. Those with the sea in their blood, Triton, Percy, and now Annabeth, lit up a little. The consciousness of Poseidon faded into the depths.
The sky outside darkened. The rolling thunder transformed into a raging storm, battering the walls of the throne room. Triton roared. Percy let out a little gasp of pain, and Annabeth pulled him closer, rocking him back and forth.
The sea would calm, in time. The earth would stop shaking. But for then the bitter grief of the children of the water could not be contained, and the oceans turned cold for eight hundred years. The life of the sea was scattered.
A/N: Okay, so maybe I didn't plan such a depressing ending, but I liked how it turned out. It was going to be all 'Triton takes his place on the Olympian Council' and 'Percy stops earthquakes so people don't die', but then that would never happen. Oh well.
Please, please leave a review. I only realised after writing my first fanfiction that reviews are like gold dust, and I really want to know how to improve my writing skills. I try to leave a review on every fanfic I read now, and I think more people should try to do that. Spread the love/constructive criticism guys!
I'm planning on writing some more one-shots, but also a longer, chaptered story in weeks to come. Feel free to leave any requests/suggestions! I know I won't include any OCs (I am nowhere near confident enough to do that, and make it any good). :)
Marshmallows to anyone who leaves a review, favourites or subscribes to this story (although not too sure why you'd want alerts for a one-shot)!
~ FlamesOfHestia