[A/N]
This is my debut on my first formal fanfiction. Take it easy on me. Hope you like it.
The timeline is not as it was in the books. I'll keep everything explained at the end of the chapters, so make sure not to skip them. A lot of other things are also not canon, so it's kind of an AU. Also, there might be some future OOC'ness, Im not sure, a heads up. Anyways, enjoy, reviews are more than welcome.
Everything is in 3'RD P.O.V., but it will switch perspectives like in the original books, if you know what I mean.
(You can skip the disclaimer if you know what it means and what it is for.)
Rated T for seldom cussing and lovey dovey stuff. Read only if you are okay with this.
Disclaimer!
I do not any of the characters from Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Heroes of Olympus as they are all rightfully owned by Rick Riordan. I only own the plot and any original characters I may add in the future. No money is earned here and it is only out of the pure fun of it and through the fair use policy that I write this fanfiction.
Characters:
Percy Jackson, Zeus (Percy Jackson), Hera (Percy Jackson), Poseidon (Percy Jackson), Hestia (Percy Jackson), Hades (Percy Jackson), Demeter (Percy Jackson), Artemis (Percy Jackson), Apollo (Percy Jackson), Athena (Percy Jackson), Hermes (Percy Jackson), Aphrodite (Percy Jackson), Ares (Percy Jackson), Hephaestus (Percy Jackson), Dionysus (Percy Jackson), Persephone (Percy Jackson), Amphitrite (Percy Jackson), Triton (Percy Jackson), The Fates (Percy Jackson), Clotho (Percy Jackson), Lachesis (Percy Jackson), Atropos (Percy Jackson), Chloris (Hellenistic Religion & Lore), Hegemone (Hellenistic Religion & Lore), Zephyros (Percy Jackson), Merpeople (Percy Jackson), Nymphs (Percy Jackson), Naiads (Percy Jackson), Dryads (Percy Jackson),
Satyrs (Percy Jackson), Nature Spirits (Percy Jackson), Sally Jackson,
Beryl Grace, Camp Half-Blood Campers, Camp Jupiter Campers, Original Characters
The "Camp Half-Blood Campers and Camp Jupiter Campers" are a bit general, but it will also help prevent any future things from being spoiled later on.
Ψ Prologue: Lightning Ψ
3'RD POV: Omniscient Perspective
The air was still, saturnine, and virulent. The only thing you could hear was the shrill, gut-wrenching screams echoing through the massive, opulent room. Expertly crafted, marble, Doric pillars with gold crusted trimmings at the perfectly sculpted ends towered all the way from the smooth polished granite floor up to the high white ceiling. Meticulous paintings of twelve good-looking people hung proudly on part of the creamy white walls accompanied by an even more enormous panoramic mural depicting a war scene that was far too ornate to actually get the essence of it. All you could clearly distinguish from that painting was a large figure akin to a...titan being defeated. No matter, it was still breathtaking, especially when the brilliant spotlights showed the important parts of the scene, mainly more enigmatic figures battling. As opposed to these bright spotlights, there were also dim sconces spread evenly on the walls that radiated a soft purple glow in contrast to the humble yet blazing, crimson hearth at the side of the room, crackling in anticipation of what was to come. Several miniature potpourri smelling of fresh lavender and jasmine with a tinge of soothing mint were neatly placed on concrete pedestals all throughout the room and their tender and calming aroma filled the continuously and suffocatingly unmoving air, failing to actually ease the tension. Twelve mighty thrones were arranged in a semi-circle at the center of the room. For some reason, the people who made this room really favored the number "12".
Each fancy throne emitted a peculiar aura, a power so potent, entrancing, and unnerving that it could make your knees buck up in intimidation. Each seat was unique, in size, shape, and design, from ginormous, crackling lightning bolts to thin, sophisticated grapevines. They represented different people through different ways, but all remained to have this intriguing power. Such was the original power of the actual entities whom they belonged to, deities, to be exact. These were the gods and goddesses— beings with unimaginable power, strength, and prowess. No one would dare question them, as proven by the paintings depicting their victory over the wrathful titans long ago. Their word was law and nobody could do anything about it.
It would be absolutely petrifying to be at their spotlight of attention, especially when in their rage or impatience. This was very much the problem of the young soon-to-be-hero baby boy who lied weakly in the bassinet decorated with dazzling smaragdine crystals and shiny abalone shells on the mound of soft, velvety blankets as green as his eyes at the center of the thrones, those beautiful captivating sea green eyes shedding their last tears, sonorous sobs dying down to low sniffles. He was Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon. These deities were powerful, yes, but, nothing was mentioned about them as completely good people. Of course this was not in general for every god and goddess. It was just that, sometimes, they could be paranoid and be blinded by their own silly fears. Which lead to this... As the cries softened, the deities' bickering reignited and reverberated throughout the room. It was a cacophony of arguments whether to keep the young innocent boy alive. Of course, in their eyes, well some of them, he was not. However, they could not come to a consensus. All of them simply continued their endless bicke—
"SILENCE!" The man at the front, who wore a glimmering, jeweled crown atop his head, thundered. He had this intimidating and authoritarian demeanor accompanied by a beard and a smug face, almost looking like something akin to a wannabe despot, but more...electric. He was the oh so mighty God of the Sky, Zeus. These...were the Greek gods, the Olympians. As silence filled the air once more, the God of the Sky continued, "We shall put to a vote! State your side and reason. I shall start. I vote for the death of Perseus, this pitiful sea spawn! He goes against the oath of the Big Three sworn long ago!"
"Shut up, brother!" A figure just as bearded as the latter brandishing an ocean blue trident snapped. The man smelled of a gentle sea spray splashing at your feet on a warm summer day, quite comforting at that, but still hiding potential rage like a sudden tidal wave. He was obviously Poseidon, God of the Seas. "You're the one to talk! You had two of them. Two! From different pantheons! You do nothing but eliminate my children and their mothers out of spite, arrogance, and pride! She was a queen amongst mortals caught in this pathetic crossfire of yours. The same goes for poor Hades! He simply wants someone else to care for yet you just have to go and ruin that. HOW IRONIC IS IT THAT YOUR TWO CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHER ARE SAFE AND HIDDEN AWAY WHILE YOU KILL OUR FAMILIES! My son is less than a year old, you stupid hypocrite! I vote against the death of my innocent son!"
"Hmph!" A stuffy woman straightened her silver crown as she grumbled at Poseidon. She smoothed the pavonated (peacock-blue) peacock feather detailing at the seams of her cascading dress while managing to sneer at young Perseus who had his eyes half-lidded, tired after all the crying. Hera... She then turned sent a fierce wolf glare at her unfaithful husband, the King of the Gods, making her as the Queen. "They're all just the same, right Zeus? They are just the products of infidelity! I vote for the death of this bastard."
Poseidon merely glowered at her, but internally shivered at the thought of Amphitrite's reaction when she finds out. However, he did consider the Queen of the Heavens' vote and found it somewhat justified. She was, indeed, the Goddess of Marriage. It must have scarred her very deeply every time someone cheats on each other while she remained faithful to her husband. Poseidon understood and his glare softened just the tiniest bit. The Sea God simply left the next person to vote, which happened to be his other sister.
"Hmm..." A lady in earthen robes smelling of the fresh fields after a bountiful harvest inspected the young boy, who already fell asleep in exhaustion, letting out a few snores here and there and some strong kicks around his sea green blankets. Her eyes narrowed appraisingly, "I vote against his death. He obviously eats his cereals! He is evidently healthy and his mother uses only eco-friendly products. Did I mention that he eats his cereal?" Everyone groaned in annoyance. Oh, boy. We just can't guess who that is— Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest.
"I vote for his death," a woman in a flowing ash grey toga announced. Her calculating, apathetic gray eyes bore into everyone else's. She was definitely Athena. "He is merely another child of Barnacle Beard, over there, and he is a possible threat to Olympus. We are also trying to avoid the Great Prophecy and it is the most logical solution." Her answer was quick and compendious.
Demeter has to put all of her strength and power into restraining Poseidon in place. Curious vines grew around the Sea King's wrists as he bellowed in pure rage, "LOGICAL? You, the Goddess of Wisdom, of all people should know that Zeus is taking the chance to have all the fame for himself!"
Zeus and Athena were about to retort, but a man in a a golden toga as bright as the blazing sun quickly cut in with his vote before any shenanigans could happen, "Uh... It's my turn to vote!" The evident Sun God cleverly cut in as the others shut up and waited for his answer. "I have to side with Uncle P on this one. He's just an innocent child. I mean look at him. The prophecy calls for a hero that will preserve or raze Olympus. I'm putting my bets on him saving us, especially with his fatal flaw being personal loyalty." The man, Apollo, ended albeit more cheerfully than expected.
"Wow, Apollo, you actually said something with sense!" An intimidating woman in a silver parka teased as she subconsciously played with her .
"Shut up, lil' sis," the Sun God responded cheekily with a blinding grin.
The Moon Goddess came back, "I'M OLDER THA—"
"Honey, how about you shut up and say your vote. I have a lot of other places to be, right now," A gorgeous and remarkably distracting woman in a revealing, pink dress chirped in and ended with a faraway expression on her face, probably thinking about the things she could be doing. "You know what? I'll go first. I vote against his death. I can already predict a very interesting love life ahead for him. I can't wait for the drama!" That was definitely Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love.
"Fine, Miss I-Want-To-Have-More-Kids-Right-Now, I totally understand your situation, so I'll have to vote for his..." The maiden goddess paused her sarcastic reply when she got lost in thought— what would she vote? He was just a child, but he could easily turn into those pigs. But still, she could sense something special about the baby boy, but she probably ignored it when Artemis shook herself out her reverie and answered, "his...death. I'm afraid I just can't take a chance on a male. I think Thalia is a much better candidate, even if she is older, a year old, which means the prophecy will arrive just a tad bit earlier. No matter, she is safely tucked away."
Poseidon was fuming. The goddess has judged his son, who couldn't even speak, based on his sex? Not only that, Thalia was going to stay alive, yet his son is on the edge of imminent death for the same reason that she was alive. It was so unfair, so immoral, so...outrageous! He silently trembled in his seat, gripping his trident so hard that his knuckles turned white around the unnerving, three-pronged weapon that seemed to angrily glow a bright sea green for just one second. He simply shot a glare at Artemis as the voting continued.
To help placate Poseidon, a blacksmith looking man in loose mortal attire, a t-shirt and jeans, both with a tint of orange to them, quickly stepped up and proceeded to mention his vote. He quickly shot a glare at Hera before speaking. "I know what it feels like to be abandoned by family, my parents no less. I was thrown off Olympus by a certain perfectionist, over expectant mother," He paused to sneer at Hera once more and continued with just as much venom as before, "I vote against his death because what he needs right now is care and acceptance. He will surely return the favor to a loving family." The Forge God concluded, mixing his entire past with his advocacy.
"Well said, nephew," Poseidon smiled thankfully at him while Hephaestus simply nodded curtly in return. "Who's next?"
"I'll go. I don't even care," answered a man in some bold leopard print top with a contrasting deep aubergine pants. It was so mismatched that he was probably drunk when he chose them. Probably, but no. This was the God of Wine, Dionysus, and he was currently on probation, so he was not allowed any alcohol. Even worse, he was stuck at a place called Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for people like Percy, the children of the gods and goddesses. "I vote for his death," Dionysus decided, "I don't need another brat running around."
"I also vote for his death," a man in a war-torn, black, leather jacket seconded. He screamed out violence all the way from his dark shades to his studded boots— Ares, the God of War. "Sorry, Aphrodite, but this punk is nothing. Just kill him now and get it over with."
Poseidon scowled at the two, who merely shuffled uncomfortable in their thrones as they have angered their ill-tempered uncle. But, underneath that scowl was an intense anxiousness and worry. The vote was down to five versus six, the winning side being the one for death. He turned to the last person who hasn't voted. A man in a snappy business suit that almost looked like it could double as a mailman's uniform. He held a caduceus by his left side and wore golden winged shoes. He had a mischievous facade, but the King of the Sea knew that he was internally panicking because the last decision would be up to him. He was Hermes, God of Messengers. The speedy god let out a deep breath, he was used to being fast, breakneck with everything, especially with his deliveries, but now all the tension was there and it was absolutely nerve wrecking.
"I vote..." Hermes nervously started. "against his death." At that, Poseidon visibly loosened and relaxed, giving the God of Thieves a very grateful smile. He grinned back and finished his answer, "I know what our children means to us, especially me, and I know that killing uncle's son will break him. It's not right to just go on with this."
Apollo added to lighten up the mood a bit more, "Yeah! Besides, Uncle P would probably kill us all if we did."
Zeus merely trembled in anger and scrambled his brain to find a way to kill the bratty sea spawn. After a quick second, he smirked out of nowhere and announced, "As we have a tie, I summon Hades to break it."
Poseidon eyes widened as a puff of black smoke appeared. A man in stunning black armor materialized at the center of the throne room, just about a few feet away from young Percy.
"What is it now, Zeus?" The God of the Underworld impatiently demanded.
"Oh nothing..." Zeus replied cheekily. "Just here for your vote to break this tie. After that, you may return."
"Fine..." the Death God grumbled. "What is it?"
"Simple," Athena started to instruct. "Just vote whether or not to kill the child in front of you. By the way, he is the child of Poseidon." The grey eyes goddess smirked as Hades eyes widened and vacillated from Poseidon and his son.
He snarled at Poseidon and looked the baby in the green blankets, "HOW DARE YOU BREAK THE OATH!? Am I, the reason for the oath, the only one who actually—"
He became outraged at the sight, but when he turned back to Poseidon, he found someone he never knew. This was not his strong and proud brother, Poseidon. He was on the verge of tears and a mental breakdown. His sea green eyes nearly fading to dull ones, his scruffy beard seemingly getting grayer and older. The Sea God stared at him pleadingly with just one message— to save his son. The grief on his face reminded Hades of his own a long time ago. His mind flashed back to a beautiful woman in dark grey, almost black, robes, her Italian accented face smirking at him almost teasingly. Her stunning gaze could melt his frozen heart. Her sweet words could cheer up his mood from his usual glum face. Her caring personality could make him feel so at ease and relaxed, like nothing in this world could separate them. Their children were the symbols of their love and passion for each other, very adorable ones at that. It was decades ago that he met the angel to his deathly ways— Maria di Angelo.
Clear memories flashed through: the beach house, the rain, the thunder, his children, the...lightning. The Lord of the Dead choked back a sob reminiscing about the death of his beloved. He was merely grateful that his children survived and are safely hidden in a special place where time is more unstable. There, they would be safe until necessary release. The Death King didn't know how his children survived, though. As far as he knew, the lightning bolt struck down before he could cast a shadowy shield upon Maria and his kids, but they still lived. Hades was grateful and in great debt to whatever or whomever saved them. He looked back to Poseidon, the God of Wat— Water! He only put the pieces together here and now, right in the throne room, after decades of mind boggling detective work.
Poseidon! No one else could have interfered. No other water deity, save Oceanus, Pontus, and Hyrdos, was powerful enough to protect his children from Zeus' lightning bolt. Oceanus would never do that and the other two primordial gods are either faded or in hiding. It was so obvious! It was all coming together. They were by the beach! His brother must have protected his children with the rain out of care or pity. He suddenly felt this feeling throbbing within him, beating against his chest since he was going to vote for his death and then torture the Sea God's son and lover's soul for the rest of eternity when Poseidon himself put away their difference to save his children— guilt. It was a good thing that...Molly? Stephanie? Oh yes, Sally, the God of the Dead harked back. She was currently in the Fields of Asphodel and he would later move her to Elysium. Hades gave Poseidon a reassuring smile. The God of the Underworld sighed. "I vote against his death." He managed to get out as everyone else seemed flabbergasted, the most affected being Poseidon, who was still confused from the reassuring smile. Hades sent him a knowing and gratifying gaze and the Sea God's eyes widened in understanding as he nodded back in sheer happiness. Hades was going to explain his answer when his brother, the King of the Gods, cut him off.
"Never mind, brother. You may return to the under world," The Sky God's hand waved in a ceremonious and dramatic manner and bolt of thunder flashed Hades away back to the Underworld. "I veto that answer and instead I, as King, simply break this tie in the favor of Perseus' death."
Many gods and goddesses from both sides of the argument were shocked that Zeus could just do something like that, some more outraged, rather. Before Poseidon or anyone supporting him could even contest, a certain fiery goddess blazed in anger as she stomped her way from the hearth to the center of the throne room, right beside the son of Poseidon, her flowing robes sliding on the smooth floor, eyes burning in determination. She was Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth.
"That is unfair, brother! Hades rightfully broke the tie in favor of his survival. You have no right, even as King, to veto that!" She contested.
"And what are you going do about it, sister? You are not even an Olympian. I will do as I please. If I want to kill this worthless child, I can and I will!" Zeus boomed as he took out his master bolt and flung it ferociously at the boy before anyone could do anything.
Poseidon screeched in rage as he tried to erect barriers around the child, the energy seeping from his trident into the cocoon surrounding the baby. Alas, it was too late, the powerful bolt of electricity already did its damage. All that was heard was the loudest, ear splitting scream that resonated throughout Olympus. The God of the Oceans was so heartbroken to see that the shields did not pull through and gently let the turquoise barrier of energy subside, leaving a pile of ash, some crushed gemstones from the bassinet, and remnants of heavily charred blankets on the blackened floor, which was so scorched that the limestone turned into marble.
"ZEUS!" The Sea God explosively vociferated as the rest of the Olympians cowered at the sight of man in a raging sea green aura gripping his trident so tightly that it would probably break under any more pressure.
And that's a wrap!
FOR CLARIFICATION! Thalia is still the older sister to Jason, but only by 1 YEAR. Why? Well, maybe because Zeus can't resist himself and keep it in his pants for more than a year. Well, that means, currently Thalia is 1 year and a few months old, Percy is less than 1 year old, and Jason is a few months old.
I fixed the problems with the code and italics and bold. Also, this story is definitely not one of those cliché OP Percy ones. This is just a normal PJO AU.
Sorry for any OOC'ness.
Reviews, comments, and suggestions are heavily appreciated. If you have the time, please do leave some, it helps me stay interested with the story. Thanks :)
Next update is on January 14 (M), because I don't want to rush it and I can on work on weekends because of school. I can tell how horrible rushed stories are. No matter how good the author is, if it's not well thawed out, it's not going to be fun or of good quality.
R&R!
I placed a Update Schedule in my profile/bio. :)
Happy Reading ~OneMoonlessNight