Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is familiar to you. These characters belong to Rick Riordan.

"Well isn't it the so called hero, Perseus Jackson. I think it is time we have a little chat. Now." Gaia demanded.

Before Percy got the chance to even think about saying something, Posideon yelled "you might have been able to convince that daughter of Athena your intentions were true, but there is no way you will ever be able to get my son to believe what you say! I should just kill-"

"Dad. I'll be okay." Percy told his father weakly. "You will all be safe."

Athena then stepped forward to warn Percy. "Perseus... You are a demigod. There is no telling what could happen to you. It is unwise to talk to Gaia. If she was able to convince my daughter, then what would she be able to make you believe?"

"There is no choice. Either I do this, or she wins. This is my desicion." Turning away from the two gods, Percy put on a mask of confidence. He strode towards Gaia and Annabeth. As he approached the pair, he noticed Annabeth was holding a note.

"You will bow before us." Gaia stated.

Percy narrowed his eyes, "I won't bow to a traitor and some goddess of dirt." Percy defiantlt answered.

"You really are a seaweed brain." Annabeth said. She then kicked the place where the sun doesn't shine to make Percy fall onto the ground groaning. "It was a statement. But that was an easy enough problem to solve."

Laughing Gaia pulled Percy's chin up, forcing him to look at her. "What a shame. Having to dispose of someone with such power... But of course, there are some who would like to have some fun with you! Are you excited yet?"

When Percy finally looking into Gaia's eyes he saw something strange. Her eyes looked as if they were the same as Tartarus'. Then he realized what Nyx meant.

-In Tartarus

"Perseus. I can't help you finish your journey here, for I musn't interfere in my brother's domain. However, I must tell you something." Nyx whispered hurridly. "Gaia isn't who you think she is."

"What does that-"

Before he could question Nyx, she vanished. A few seconds later, a man appeared. Percy had never seen him before, but he could guess that is was Tartarus by the way he looked. His irises were black, but the strangest part about his eyes, were his pupils. They were a dark red.

"Well isn't this nice? I finally get to meet the great Perseus Jackson? I am so honored." Tartarus mocked approaching Percy.

-Present Time

Percy stared at Gaia trying to form a plan. He had no idea what to do. He blocked out Gaia. She was boasting about how she was going to destroy everything and blah blah blah. Percy didn't care. He was giving up hope. How could a demigod defeat her?

In his mind someone whispered "Perseus, there is an eternal fire inside your heart. You will do anything and everything to save those who you care for most. Do not lose hope. Remember what you told me? 'Hope survives best at the hearth.' Your heart is a hearth I will always tend to. I hold Hope and you gave it to me. So now I give it back to you to hold. Be wise. You will know what to do." When the presence vanished, he knew it could only have been Hestia. Then he felt something in between his feet. Pandora's box.

Still on his knees before the two women, he glanced at Annabeth. "Gaia? May I speak with you alone. I don't want a traitor to be in this conversation."

Raising an eyebrow at Percy, Gaia sent away a fuming Annabeth. "She is just a worthless demigod. There is no harm in her being away. Did you do that so you have a "better" chance at defeating me?"

"I simply wish to speak with you in private," Percy said softly. "Oh, and I wanted to give you something. Your sister, Nyx, warned me in Tartarus 'Gaia isn't who you think she is'." Gaia did not take that very well.

"Yeah? And who does she think she is? Some worthless goddess that one is! She does not deserve to even be known as a primordal! And she told you this in Tartarus? IN MY DOMAIN?"Gaia bellowed.

Percy frowned. His assumptions were right. "And just what do you mean 'your domain'? You have no control over Tartarus... But it seems he has control over you."

Gaia was now her godly height. She was fuming. "YOU THINK SOMEONE... SOMEONE LIKE TARTARUS! HAS CONTROL OVER ME? I AM THE MOST POWERFU-" Gaia fell to her knees in silence.

"Now now, Gaia dearest. No need to get angry. I mean, the boy is right of course." Tartarus said appearing out of nowhere. "A goddess as weak as you has no right to control the earth. So that is why I do. You do everything I say without even knowing I am in control of you. It is just wonderful... Well it was. Until this child had to ruin everything. Nice try everyone, but I'm sorry to say Gaia will always be my puppet and you all will be destroyed." After a pause, Tartarus laughed evily "Who am I kidding. I am not sorry! I've had control over Gaia ever since she married that bastard Uranous. Well, now it is time to take my place as ruler of the pit and the earth!"

Unbeknownst by Tartarus while he was giving his speech, Percy grabbed Pandora's box and inched towards Gaia. When he reached her, he noticed the red in her pupils had vanished, and there were tears streaming down her face. The goddess looked like she wanted to give up everything and die. Percy slipped the jar into Gaia's hands.

Gaia looked up at Percy with tears in her eyes. "What is your reasoning for this? After all I have done to you, you give me Hope? I do not understand. Just kill me so I can be with my husband and never be able to hurt anyone ever again."

"I won't kill you. None of this was your fault. Now that you know what the right thing is, you can have your happiness. Just open the jar and you can overcome this. When all is finished, you will have a family you can go to," Percy whispered softly.

Percy glanced at Tartarus to find that he was turned towards the two. Tartarus looked at them confused, then realized what was happening. Percy knew he had to stall Tartarus so Gaia could become Mother Earth. But when he turned to check on the goddess, she was holding the jar, staring at Tartarus in fear.

"Gaia! You have to open the jar now!" Percy said quickly, then turned towards the god while pulling out riptide.

Gaia snapped out of the trance and opened the jar.