Allies and Training

2 Weeks Later

PERCY-POV

Percy sat with his head against a rock. He felt empty and alone. A week ago he watched his friends burn his shroud and say their goodbyes. He cried as each one of them delivered their final messages to him. It was a strange feeling, watching the people you care about the most crying because they think you're dead, but in reality he was standing not more than twenty feet away hidden in the crowd that had gathered for him. So close to them all, he only had to pull down his hood to make everything go back to normal…but he knew he couldn't. So he watched his burial shroud burn to ash and smoke, and with it his old life. Now not a week later he was already depressed.

Rhea was the only company he had, and she didn't do much to alleviate his isolation. She was normally gone for hours upon hours, leaving him only to train in the mountains of Greece itself. He didn't feel like he was bettering himself in anyway. Sure she had made him hunt and prepare his own food in the mountains, which had taught him a bit of survival skills and was good exercise, but it wasn't going to be something that helped him defeat the rising threat. The truth was Rhea just wasn't a Titan that was going to push him to new heights. Sure, she was powerful, he knew that, but she had no idea how to train someone. He was pretty sure she knew that too. Maybe that was why she was gone so often, she was looking for someone who could train him?

Percy heard a sound behind him and he quickly stood up from the spot he had been resting against just a moment ago. Rhea was back, standing in front of him. He noticed she had a look of discomfort on her face. He asked, "Something troubling you, lord Rhea?"

Rhea looked to the ground and began pacing. "I can't train you, that's not something I'm capable of doing." she stated.

Percy let a dry laugh escape him. "No offense to you, but I completely agree with that." When Rhea stopped pacing and looked him in the eye, Percy began to fidget. The look of discomfort was growing stronger as she seemed to analyze him and size him up. Finally he said, "How am I going to get stronger? Who's going to be able to train me?"

Rhea looked out to the horizon. "I have someone in mind, but I it will…complicate things to say the least."

"Who would-" he began.

"Never mind that." Rhea said. Judging by the look of determination that was now set on her face Percy felt she had reached a decision. She looked over to the river that ran just a little past them. "I have an endurance test for you." She pointed to the river. "Keep the river within its banks, but stop the flow and hold it until I can make it back from a visit I need to make."

Percy stared at her with a dumbfounded look. "Holding the current back will cause it to spill over the banks. I can't-"

"Try. We need tasks like that to be easy for you. I need to see how much work we have to do to prepare you." She stated. Percy stared at her in confusion. This wasn't like the normal tasks Rhea had him do…this was more like an actual test. But it still wasn't exactly training. "You can begin now, I'll be back as soon."

"But lord Rhea-" She flashed out before Percy could finish his complaint. He cursed in Greek before he focused on the river and felt a familiar tug in his gut.

Rhea-POV

The moment she flashed onto Olympus Rhea pulled a cowl over her head to hide her identity. Being a friendly titaness she was welcomed on Olympus, but she didn't want anyone keeping track of her, not when she was hiding one of the most powerful demigods in the world from everyone after he supposedly died. No she needed that to remain as quiet as possible…but she needed a teacher, a trainer for Perseus. She needed someone who could keep Percy a secret, someone who would understand why it was so important he remained "dead" to the world for now. Most importantly, she needed someone who would push Perseus past his limits and challenge him in everyway possible.

And she knew just the person for the job. As Rhea approached the council chamber she saw just the goddess she was looking for talking to Hermes. She waited for them to finish and she watched Hermes flash out of the council chamber. After checking to make sure they were alone, Rhea stepped out into the open, the goddess still not noticing her.

Convincing herself that this was her best option, Rhea said, "I'm sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but I have a request of you." as she pulled down her hood.

"Lady Rhea," Athena looked surprised as she turned to face Rhea. "You weren't interrupting me, I was just thinking about my child, Annabeth." Rhea felt guilt run through her at the mention of the poor girl she had ripped Percy away from. "What was the request you had?" Athena asked.

Rhea suddenly found it hard to speak, she wanted to choose her words carefully to see whether or not Athena would acknowledge the growing threat and approve of the actions she had taken to help secure Percy for the fight later. "Have you heard whether or not lord Poseidon had tracked down Oceanus…or has he made any attempt at all to locate him?"

Athena's face turned dark and Rhea had to bite back a smile; Athena's reaction was promising. "Lord Zeus declared that the remaining titans were no threat to us. He plans to leave them be. So no, my lady, Oceanus remains at large."

"This troubles you?" Rhea asked, already knowing the answer.

Athena sighed and shook her head. "It is unwise to leave your enemies unattended. But alas it's too late to track them down."

"Why do you say that?"

"Lord Hades mentioned that there was…a disturbance near the pit leading to Tartarus. I believe Oceanus has fled to the pit to rally more troops." Athena stated. "That would be the most logical plan, the Olympians won't have a chance against their forces in Tartarus. They could build an army."

"Kronos already tried." Rhea reminded her, hoping that Athena would stop beating around the bush and just admit she knew about the threat.

"Kronos was proud…he rallied only the titans, and only some of them at that. Oceanus is different." Rhea nodded when Athena turned to look at her, signaling Athena that it was okay to speak what she truly thought. "I believe Oceanus is gathering titans, monsters, and primordial gods. We won't stand a chance alone; we will have to rely on the demigods for help, as we always have to. But…I fear even with their help, Roman and Greek, we won't win."

Rhea nodded again. Athena looked away from her and Rhea took in a breath. Its now or never she thought to herself. "Do you believe there is any chance for victory?"

Athena stayed quiet for a moment, and Rhea thought she saw a storm going on in the goddess's face, as if she were debating something. Finally, Athena answered, "Not anymore."

"Because of young Perseus' demise?" Rhea asked bluntly. Athena took on a look of disgust, but nodded her head yes.

"Poseidon's child was powerful, but I believe he had even more potential than anyone ever truly acknowledged." Athena said. "But he's gone now, and we are without him. We will have to find another way to win."

"Do you believe Oceanus and the others were responsible for killing him?"

"No," Athena answered, "but I believe they would have sought him out and killed him anyway. He has proven to much a threat to their forces in the past, and they undoubtedly know of his involvement in defeating Gaia and the giants. He would have been one of the first demigods they eliminated."

Rhea finally allowed herself to smile. Having Athena agree that Percy was their best shot, and that he would have been a target justified her plan. Rhea was sure Athena would approve and be willing to help train him. Athena must have noticed Rhea's smile because she had a questioning look on her face. "What if I told you the boy lived?" Rhea asked.

Athena's eyes showed confusion for brief moment before they set into a hard look of realization. "How-no. Where?" she said in a steely voice.

PERCY-POV

Percy lay gasping for air on the now soaking wet ground. He was so drained of energy he couldn't even keep himself dry; the water that had spilled over the riverbanks soaked his clothes. He cursed aloud several times. He had thought he was doing well for about the first minute or two. The water just kept climbing though and Percy began to struggle rather quickly. He had tried his best to hold it, creating what looked like a wall of water that started to rise up the mountain. Soon it had overtaken him though and the water had flooded down the mountain. Blocking the water from taking him down the mountain had nearly caused him to pass out. He was just getting his breath back to normal when he heard Rhea flash back.

"It seems you didn't hold it long enough." She said.

Percy scoffed, not looking up. "I held it as long as I could, but it was too much, I'm not strong enough." Percy took one more deep breath before he finally turned to look at Rhea. He instead found himself face to face with the goddess of wisdom, and Percy felt his heart jump into his throat. She didn't look very happy at all to see him. "Lady Athena…"

"You left my daughter heart broken. She thinks your dead. Give me one reason I shouldn't make the lie you've made everyone believe into the truth and actually kill you." Athena demanded in a lethally calm voice.

Percy felt afraid for a moment, but then he got angry. Athena was mad because he had left Annabeth. She had no idea how hard that was for him, leaving the woman he loved and watching her break down anytime she heard your name. "I'll give you two." Percy stated flatly. He stepped forward, getting what most would consider dangerously close to the upset goddess and he looked her right into the eyes. "The lesser reason, I was told I could make the difference in another approaching war. I was told I could be the Olympians best hope for survival if I was kept alive and trained hard until the day came when I was needed and ready. The more important of the reasons though, I was informed that I was considered a threat and that the titans and primordial gods would kill me first chance they saw, and they'd use anyone they could to draw me out. My first thought was that they would hurt Annabeth," he let his voice rise, "my Annabeth!" The water around Percy began to gather at his feet and he felt power surging through him, rising with his anger. "I swore to protect her, to never let anything happen to her. If the only way to protect her was to do this, then I would do it a hundred of times over."

Athena actually took a step back trying to distance herself from Percy, causing him to realize that he was letting anger get the best of him. He quickly let go of his anger and released the water that he had unconsciously been gathering around him. "Lady Athena, you have no idea how much your daughter means to me. I would've rather traveled through Tartarus a hundred more times myself than to hurt her like I did. But I can't let her be harmed because of me." Percy finished in a much more soft and calmer voice.

Athena seemed to ponder his answer for a moment. "Thank you for protecting her." she said. Percy looked at the goddess like he was sure he had misheard her. Athena, the goddess that despised everything related to Poseidon was actually thanking him? "I believe your actions to be honorable and noble, Perseus. I will keep your existence a secret. But the truly important matter, Rhea has asked me to train you." Percy nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I am a war goddess, Perseus. This will not be easy for you. For every trial and test you overcome, I will find you a new one. I will push you till I see you break and then I will push you harder. Are you prepared for that?" She asked him.

Percy nodded his head once. "I'll do whatever it takes, lady Athena."

Athena smiled, but it wasn't warm. It was cold, a calculated smile. It sent shivers down Percy's spine. He felt fear for what he had just agreed to, until he looked into her eyes. The eyes that were so much like Annabeth's, the eyes that reminded him that in order to save her and everyone he cared about, he would have to become stronger. The fear was replaced with determination. "Where do we start?" he asked.

"Your powers, you can control water easily?" Athena asked him. Percy nodded. "Have you ever tried manipulating the rest of your fathers realm?"

Confused, Percy said, "I've manipulated ice in Alaska, I've talked to horses and sea-"

"Your father is the Earthshaker, the Stormbringer. Have you not explored those possibilities?" Percy shook his head no in response. Athena sighed. "We have a lot of work to do, Perseus."