Twelve Olympian gods and goddesses stormed into the throne room on Olympus expecting to battle the Titan Lord Kronos as he attempted to destroy their seats of powers.
"Hey, this is at the end of the Titan War. I thought this book was of the future?" Apollo wined.
Past Artemis slapped him up side his head to shut him up, causing her future self to snicker. Past Artemis looked to her future counterpart in confusion.
"What?" she asked.
Future Artemis smiled before replying. "Sorry, it looks even funnier when you observe it."
Past Artemis smiled at her future self.
"The father of my-our-your-whatever… well, the father. Is he a good man?" Past Artemis asked, struggling to get her head around the whole concept of time travel.
Future Artemis smiled at her younger self. "The best." Was her reply, receiving an accepting nod from her younger self.
But when they burst into through the doors, they saw a sight no one expected. Luke Castellan, who had become the host for the Titan Lord, lay motionless on the floor, apparently dead.
"Don't worry, Brother," Future Artemis told Hermes. "There's a little surprise for you later on in the book."
Hermes looked confused but smiled at his half-sister anyway.
Percy Jackson stood above Annabeth Chase with his sword aimed at her throat. Unnoticed by the Olympians were the tears falling from his face.
"Damn right they didn't!" growled Past Thalia.
"Don't worry, Younger Me. That bitch gets what she deserves." Future Thalia told her younger self.
"Oh I know. She's in Tartarus." said the Thalia from the past.
Future Thalia and Zoe smiled evilly at the thought causing Past Thalia to squirm a little.
Unknown to the group, or so they thought, Athena looked down in shame.
"It's okay, Athena, nobody blames you for what your daughter did." Future Artemis told her past half-sister
When Annabeth noticed the Olympians, she quickly cried out for help.
"Mom, please help me. Percy is trying to kill me. He's a traitor." Annabeth yelled sounding helpless.
"Of course, only someone who has loyalty as a Fatal Flaw would be a traitor" Poseidon sighed sarcastically.
Before anyone could react, Athena sent a blast of energy at the son of Poseidon, knocking him off his feet. Annabeth quickly pulled out her dagger and aimed for a spot below Percy's left armpit.
"Umm, why she'd do that?" asked a very confused camper.
"It's were his Achilles spot is." Past Thalia said to the camper.
More like, where it was Hera thought to herself.
Before she could stab him, a silver arrow flew through the air, impaling the daughter of Athena through the arm that held the dagger causing the dagger to go flying across the floor.
"Thank you, Thalia." Poseidon told both Thalia's causing them to both smile at the Lord of the Oceans.
"You lying bitch." Spat a hobbling teenage girl in a silver parka. Thalia Grace, Lieutenant of the Hunters of Artemis, stood glaring at the blonde haired demigod.
"Tut, tut; language Thalia." Future Thalia scoldered her younger self.
"But you're me. You're basically telling yourself off." Past Thalia countered.
"Oh yeah…." Future Thalia said as realisation dawned on her.
Athena turned to attack the girl but was met with both a master bolt and trident leveled at her face.
"Enough!" Zeus bellowed. "Thalia, explain what is going on." Zeus ordered in an agitated tone.
"Well, Percy fought Kronos and kicked his ass, and then Princess betrayed the boy who was hopelessly in love with her." Clarisse growled, not noticing the look she got from an extremely jealous Future Artemis.
"First, you must restrain Annabeth. She is a traitor and will kill Percy first chance she gets." Thalia said gesturing to the semi-conscious Percy Jackson on the throne room floor.
"You lie. We clearly saw Jackson trying to kill my daughter." Athena hissed.
"Says the Goddess of Wisdom and Reasoning?" Poseidon scoffed.
Athena gave him an evil glare but said nothing back. She knew she had acted rashly.
"Silence!" Zeus yelled. "Ares, detain the girl. Apollo, tend to Jackson." Zeus barked before gesturing for Thalia to continue.
Ares snapped his fingers and Annabeth was bound in celestial bronze shackles, while Apollo checked on Percy who was starting to regain his senses.
"You know, mortal steel would do just fine. There was no need for Celestial Bronze." Hephaestus grumbled, shocking everyone that he actually spoke.
He ignore the looks he got from his fellow Olympians and began to tinker with some nuts and bolts.
"Annabeth, Percy and I were on our way to the throne room following Kronos. Outside the door, a statue of Hera fell and landed on my leg.
"Umm, sorry." Hera said to Past Thalia.
Everyone eyed the Queen of the Gods with wide eyes. She gave them a look that said, 'what?' before turning her attention back to Athena.
Percy tried to help me, but Annabeth dragged him into the throne room saying there was no time. As I struggled to free myself, I could hear Percy battling the Titan Lord. I managed to get free and dragged myself to the throne room doors just in time to see Annabeth sneak up behind Percy and stab him in the lower back. When the blade bounced off, Annabeth seemed shocked. I heard her say that that was where his Achilles' spot was to Kronos or Luke.
"Ha! Good old cousin didn't trust the traitorous bitch entirely." Apollo laughed.
Percy whirled around and stabbed Luke in his side, a strike that somehow found Luke's Achilles' spot. Annabeth then began attacking Percy, screaming about him killing the love of her life. Percy quickly disarmed her and had his sword at her throat. When Annabeth asked what he was waiting for, Percy told her that her fate wasn't his to decide. Percy said it would be up to the gods to decide what to do with her." Thalia explained out of breath as Apollo made his way to her to heal her leg.
"Fat lot of good said Gods did." Future Thalia mumbled under her breathe so that only her companions from the future could here.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Athena snapped at Thalia.
"Oh you know, aside from the fact that I'm the God of Truth." Apollo muttered sarcastically.
Thalia glared at the goddess before speaking, "I swear on the River Styx that every word I just told the gods was true." Thalia said still glaring at the Goddess of Wisdom.
"Or she could do that?" Apollo sighed.
Thunder rumbled loudly and the gods turned to look at Annabeth with looks of rage while she cowered in her shackles.
"Not so high and mighty now, eh?" Poseidon said smiling, happy that his son was proved innocent.
You have no idea Future Artemis said mentally. Her tone was sour but with good reason.
Percy managed to get to his feet and stumbled his way toward Thalia, who was now able to stand after Apollo had worked on her leg. As soon as he reached her, he hugged her tightly, whispering thank you, as tears still fell from his eyes.
Many campers sighed at the mention of their distraught friend… even Clarisse. Past Artemis couldn't help but feel sorry for the boy- sorry, man.
Thalia, who was also crying, hugged her cousin back just as tightly. Both Percy and Thalia sat near the hearth as the Olympians repaired the damage to their thrones and the throne room. Annabeth was proven a traitor and sentenced to Tartarus after her memories were searched and the gods saw she had been a traitor since the beginning with Luke.
"Too bad Tartarus didn't hold her." Zoe mumbled to Future Thalia who snickered,
"Don't worry; she got what was coming to her." Future Thalia whispered back to her fellow Lieutenant.
Once the throne room was repaired, the gods brought all the surviving demigods from the war, along with all the Cyclops and nature spirits who fought, inside the throne room for the reward ceremony. As Zeus droned on and on about the bravery of the gods,-
"I do NOT drone on!" Zeus declared.
"Ummm, Dad? You kinda do!" Apollo told his father.
Zeus huffed in annoyance and slouched back in his throne.
-Percy comforted his cousin as she continued to cry about the betrayal of their best friend.-
"Ex-best-friend." Past Thalia corrected the book.
-The same girl, who up until an hour prior, Percy had been hopelessly in love with.
Not anymore Future Artemis mentally said, smiling at the thought that Percy was all hers.
He, along with just about everyone else, thought she felt the same way. Apparently it had all been and act and now Percy was at a total loss for answers. His face slowly morphed into one with a look of hopelessness. His eyes lost their mirth and light, becoming lifeless and lost.
"I kinda felt sorry for the punk." Ares commented shocking many who heard.
"What? The kid had spunk." He continued.
Percy was snapped back to attention when the gods began to talk about the demigods. Hestia, who was sitting with both Percy and Thalia, gestured for the pair to go forward to hear what Zeus had to say.
Zeus called for Percy's Cyclops half-bother Tyson to come forward. Zeus appointed Tyson a general in the armies of Olympus; the leader of the Cyclops Army in times of war required by the gods. When Zeus offered Tyson a weapon of his choice, Tyson chose a stick. Most chuckled at the request but Percy just stared blankly ahead.
"Tyson loves his stick!" Future Thalia exclaimed causing many to chuckle.
After Tyson, Grover was appointed a new Lord of the Wild and given a place on the Council of Cloven Elders, to which he fainted after being told.
"Good old Goat Boy" both Thalias said before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Even after sooo many years, we still think the same, eh." Future Thalia laughed.
Next was Thalia. She was promised help in filling the Hunter's ranks and was complimented by both her father Zeus and mistress Artemis.
"Percy Jackson!" Poseidon bellowed, as his voice quickly hushed all talking.
Percy walked forward, bowing to Zeus first, before kneeling in front of his father's feet. Everyone stared at Percy who kept his head down, face emotionless.
"Good, the boy knows who to address first when he's in my throne room." Zeus muttered. It went unheard by everyone.
"Rise, my son." Poseidon said.
Percy rose to his feet, his facial features never wavering.
Poseidon sighed. His son really was hurt. Stupid Wisdom Spawn he thought to himself in anger.
"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"
"No one can deny that, brother, Perseus is the most loyal and kind-hearted demigod in existence." Hestia told her younger brother, who nodded his thanks.
The question was met with silence.
"The council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."
Percy looked up slowly, "Anything?"
Zeus nodded grimly, "I know what you will ask, the greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on any mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson—if you wish it—you shall be made a god. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."
Percy didn't hesitate.
"No thank you Lord Zeus." He said emotionlessly.
"I still cannot believe he denied our generosity." Zeus grumbled before being given a 'shut-up-now' elbow in the ribs from his wife.
"No." Zeus growled. "You are turning down our generous offer?"
"Well, duh, brother." Hades mocked.
"I understand it is unexpected my Lord. But I would like a gift. Do you promise to grant my wish?" Percy asked calmly.
Zeus eyed him warily, "If it is within our power."
"It is, and it's less difficult than making me a god. But I need your word on the River Styx." Percy added.
"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"
"Pfft, who would trust you D?" Apollo asked with a huge grin.
Percy turned and looked at Hades, "Someone once told me to always get a solemn oath."
Hades smirked, "Guilty."
"Fine," Zeus growled. "In the name of the council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request, as long as it is within the power of the gods."
Thunder boomed outside.
As it did in the throne room.
"Honestly Lord Zeus, I need some more time in the mortal world. Everything I thought I knew turned out to be a lie. While I'd like to be immortal, I'd rather avoid being bound by ancient laws. The first part of my wish is to be granted partial immortality like the Hunters of Artemis. I would also like cabins to be built at Camp Half Blood for all gods, both major and minor. I think my cousin Nico has proven himself to be more than worthy to have his own cabin." Percy started before he was interrupted.
"Are you calling me a minor god, Jackson?" Hades yelled.
Surprisingly, Percy smirked, "No Uncle. I just wanted to make sure Nico got his own cabin. I'm not quite done yet."
Zeus began to mumble: "Stupid nephew, telling me what to do." Again, nobody heard him.
Hades' eyes widened before narrowing at Percy, waiting for him to continue.
"I want the minor gods who joined the Titans to be pardoned just this once. I want the peaceful Titans like Calypso and Leto to be freed from their prisons. And lastly, I would like both my Uncle Hades and Aunt Hestia to have their thrones returned to them. That is my wish." Percy finished before returning to his position kneeling in front of his father.
Zeus snorted, "Is that all?"
"Percy," his father said, "you ask a lot."
"I hold you to your oath, all of you." Percy said calmly.
The council was silent. Percy looked up to see a number of different looks. Some looked angry but others confused. Percy caught the silvery eyes of Artemis boring into him. He couldn't tell what she was thinking but Percy looked away, deciding being a jackelope was not worth finding out.
"It seems that Perseus can be smart when he wants to." Past Artemis joked, earning a smile of off many present in the room.
"You wish for immortality, but freedom from the ancient laws. You could become a dangerous enemy over time should your loyalties ever change." Zeus said with narrowed eyes.
"Do the words: 'Personal Loyalty' mean anything to you, brother? My son would never betray his family." Poseidon stated proudly.
Percy stood from his spot at his father's feet and calmly walked in front of Zeus' throne where he knelt.
"I, Perseus Achilles Jackson, swear by the River Styx to stay forever loyal to Olympus and to fight to defend it should the need arise from another threat." Percy stated seriously.
Thunder boomed again, sealing the oath.
Just like it did there.
The Olympians looked at Percy with shock now, except Athena. She was still fuming about her daughter being a traitor. She still hated Percy but she was mostly embarrassed her daughter had been a traitor right under her nose for years.
Zeus' anger seemed to diminish rather quickly after Percy's oath. He was angry about being told what to do but now had an extremely powerful demigod at his disposal and decided that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
"Paranoid Zeus?" Hera asked with a smirk.
"Oh course not. I never get paranoid." Zeus said, well try to say, before being cut off with snorts from many council members.
"Very well Perseus. We the council shall grant your wish." Zeus thundered as two new thrones rose at the end of the rows of thrones.
Hades' looked at Percy oddly before giving a grudging nod of appreciation. Hestia walked up to Percy and hugged him tightly.
She leaned down to his ear, "Thank you Perseus. If you ever need help, come to hearth and I will be there for you." She whispered before planting a kiss on his cheek and walking to her new throne. Percy's face broke into the smallest of smiles for a second before the pain of betrayal wiped it from his face again.
"Niece, you guys are from the future right? Do we ever find my son?" Poseidon asked future Artemis sadly.
Instead of replying verbally, Artemis opened a mental connection with her uncle.
Do not worry uncle, Perseus may be joining us soon.
Poseidon mentally smiled before he thanked his niece.
Thank you, niece. I have missed him dearly.
Percy returned to his position kneeling in front of Zeus, waiting to be dismissed.
"Artemis, please come here, daughter." Zeus announced.
Artemis narrowed her eyes a bit but got up from her throne and strode over to where Percy was standing.
"It would be easiest if you could just give Perseus the same immortality as your hunters." Zeus asked.
Artemis nodded and touched Percy's shoulder, causing him to glow silver for a second before it vanished.
"Why would he glow silver?" a demigod asked.
At this everyone turned to face both Artemis' who purposely looked away.
"Thank you, Lady Artemis." Percy said politely.
Artemis stared at Percy for a moment before giving him a nod and returning to her throne.
"I believe this ceremony is now complete. New cabins will be built at Camp Half Blood and the peaceful Titans shall be released as soon as possible. Now, we shall celebrate our victory with a party on Olympus." Zeus thundered.
Apollo, Dionysus and Hermes all smiled and vanished. When the first person opened the throne room doors, they were greeted with a massive courtyard filled with food and wine. Music was playing and a dance floor was set up. People began exiting the throne room and heading to the party.
"One of the best parties that Olympus has ever had." Dionysus said with a smile. Of course, everyone ignored the Wine God.
Percy hung back waiting for people to clear out so he could slip out without being noticed. He already had plans on how he wanted to spend the foreseeable future.
"Apparently, none of those plans include his cousins." Past Thalia huffed.
"You'd be surprised, younger me." Future Thalia told her younger self.
When everyone was gone, Percy made to sneak off through a side room to escape the party. But when he turned, he saw Hera glaring at him from her throne.
"Hera, I swear that if you have harmed my son, I will kill you!" Poseidon roared at his sister.
"Of course I didn't. Hades would know if I did because he'd be in his domain." Hera counted; she was hurt that her brother would think that. While it was true that, a few decades ago, she would have; she had changed for the better.
Percy tensed a bit but then surprisingly made his way over to her throne and bowed.
"What's he doing? Does Kelp Head have a death wish?" Past Thalia exclaimed loudly. Many of Percy's friends looked worried for him.
"Lady Hera, I was wondering if I could please have a moment of your time." Percy asked quietly.
Hera narrowed her eyes at Percy but gave him a slight nod.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way I spoke to you last year after the quest in the Labyrinth. I didn't actually agree with what she said to you but I was naïve and stupid. I was trying to direct your anger toward me instead of her. I am sorry for what I said." Percy explained. He bowed and turned to leave but was stopped when Hera spoke.
"He-He a-apologised?" Clarisse asked. "Prissy never apologises!"
"Wait, Perseus." Hera called.
Percy turned back and looked up at Hera, half expecting to get incinerated.
"She'd better not or I'll make her fade." Poseidon growled to himself.
"I believe you are trying to avoid the celebration, correct?" Hera asked.
Percy nodded warily.
"Well, I will help you. Thank you for your apology. While I was angry, I understand your reasons." Hera said with a small smile before she snapped her fingers and Percy vanished.
"You helped him?" Poseidon asked shocked.
"Don't ant so surprised brother." Hera replied with a warm smile.
Percy reappeared inside an empty Camp Half- Blood. Percy felt relieved knowing he wouldn't have to deal with anyone seeing him leave. He quickly went into the Poseidon cabin and gathered clothes, money, drachmas, weapons and supplies. He grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down a short letter addressed to Chiron.
Percy left his cabin and walked into the dining pavilion where he convinced a few nymphs to give him some food for travel. Percy walked over to the brazier and dropped a couple pieces of his food into the fire. "For Lady Hera. Thank you for getting me off Olympus." Percy muttered before jogging off to the big house where he left the note for Chiron. Percy looked over the camp one last time before he made his way up Half Blood Hill. After petting Peleus, Percy turned his back on his home for the past four years, unsure when or if he would see it again.
Line Break
The next morning when Chiron returned to Camp Half Blood with the demigods, he was greeted with a letter that sent a pang of pain through his heart.
Dear Chiron,
I am letting you know I won't be staying at camp for a while.-
"A while? It's been years." Past Thalia fumed.
-After everything that happened yesterday, I have decided to spend some time traveling. I need some time to sort through my emotions. Please don't think I am angry with you or anyone. You are like a father to me, and the campers like my brothers and sisters. I just need some time to myself. Please don't search for me. I will return when I have figured things out. Thank you for everything Chiron, and please tell the campers I am sorry.
Thank you,
Percy Jackson.
"Oh, where'd you go Percy?" Past Thalia muttered.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light from the top of the room and when it cleared, a figure dropped from the roof. It hit the floor with a loud THUMP and it groaned. From the sound of its voice, it was clear that this mysterious figure was male.
Shakily, the figure rose to his feet and stretched his back.
"Stupid time-travel. I just had to appear twenty-five feet above where I wanted to be." He groaned.
This man had brown hair, brown eyes (with a small glint of gold) and was very well built. His hooded jumper clung to his chest and back, defining his muscles.
He studied the room's reaction to his sudden appearance. Aphrodite was practically drooling at the sight of him, which disgusted him. He was married for Zeus' sake. Hera and Hestia were staring at him with wide eyes. Zeus looked ready to blow a fuse whereas three hunters grinned madly at him. Before he could even say anything, the said three hunters tackled him into a hug.
"Blake!" they screamed and hugged him tightly.
The man, Blake, smiled warmly. "Hello Christy, Megan and Diana. How are you?"
"We're good. Thank you for bringing us to the hunters, we finally have a family and our sisters are nice too." Diana said as she continued to hug him.
"That's good guys." He said as he detached himself from the hunters. The rest of the hunters, except the future ones were glaring daggers at him.
"You are the one who rescues demigods correct?" Past Artemis asked.
"I am." He declared. "Although I'm not the 'Blake' from your timeline. My younger self is still out there rescuing demigods."
Past Artemis nodded, only really understanding a tiny bit of what he just said. Blake turned to the couch containing the rest of the people from the future. Future Artemis stood up and walked towards him.
"Hello, my love." Blake said before he pulled Future Artemis into a passionate kiss.
"WHAT!" screamed two very pissed gods, while two more gasped.
AN: Okay so the first chapter didnt have an AN but who cares. So yeah, as the summary says, this is a reading of The Queen's Champion by Anaklusmos14. I have read many on FanFiction but i really wanted to try my hand at it. If you follow me, then you'll know that I have another reading of a book going on at the moment. The truth is, i'm finding it hard to find inspiration for continuing Reading About Destiny. Not because its a bad story but because of my own retard-ness. Therefore, I will continue to switch between the two stories until one is completed before I upload my own story.
Anyway, let me know what you guys think and if i can make any improvements on the two chapters.
If it's a pile of Minotaur dung then tell me and i'll try and get it to your liking and if it's great then let me know with a review.
My aim is to keep within the cannon of the original story, The Queen's Champion and if you feel as though i am straying from this aim, then i beg you to tell me so i can correct it.
NOTE: I dont know when you'll get new chapters for the two stories because i am extrmemly busy with school work, work, etc. but i'll try and update frequently. Sorry for those of you that want an update for Reading About Destiny because i was supposed to write the next chapter for it but then decided to do this one instead. All is not lost because you can expect an update for R.A.D by monday next week (hopefully).
Enjoy!
