A/N: I don't own Percy Jackson. Rick Riordan does.

-Athena's palace on Olympus-

Athena was slumped in her chair with her eyes staring blankly across the room at an overflowing bookshelf. Minutes ago she had been the reason why Percy Jackson was sent to Tartarus. Annabeth will never forgive me, Athena thought, I will never forgive myself. She knew as well as everyone else that he didn't deserve to go to Tartarus. Scratch that. She knew better than anyone else that he did not belong in that pit.

Suddenly there was a flash of light and another goddess stood in the room. She eyed Athena quietly before going to sit in the chair next to her. They sat in silence for a long time, both of them ruminating on what exactly they had done to the hero who had saved all of Olympus earlier that day.

"Do you think anyone noticed?" Athena asked quietly, still not looking at her companion.

Hera sighed deeply and rubbed her temples, "No," She spoke as softly as Athena did. It was like they didn't want anyone to hear them even though they knew they were alone in the palace. "Everyone probably thinks we are bitches, but I don't think they noticed anything."

Athena gave a sharp, humorless laugh, "They already think we're bitches." The room grew silent again. Both of them would do anything to protect their family and if the wisest course of action made them look evil, well, they could handle that. Or at least Athena used to be able to. "I can't stop feeling guilty," she admitted to her stepmother.

Without looking, the queen of the gods leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, "I feel guilty too but it was necessary. We need all the advantages we can get if we're to survive the next war."

"I know that. It's just that the original plan didn't include Tartarus. Wiping his mind was a good plan. He would've been fine, he would still fight for us after that. But now? We'll be lucky if he doesn't join the other side," Athena's voice grew as she spoke. She had thought they had a good plan. A great plan, actually. In order to bring the Greek and Roman camps together Hera was going to wipe the memories of the two leaders and switch them. Athena knew the demigods would be upset over it, but with the confusion and the impending war she was sure that they would get over it and fight for the gods.

Sending Percy to Tartarus hadn't been a part of the plan. Demigods attacking right after the defeat of Kronos definitely was not part of the plan. They had thought they had more time. At least a couple of years- they needed a few years if not a decade to get ready. Gaia, the primordial of earth was awakening in order to rule the world once more. Athena and Hera both knew that the gods didn't stand a chance against her alone. Hades, they would barely stand a chance against her with all the demigods, minor gods, and some titans on their side. This was not a war they had ever expected.

"He'll fight for us," Hera interrupted her thoughts. Athena glanced at the elder goddess and raised her eyebrow to show her doubts. Sighing, Hera spoke slowly, trying to convince not only Athena but also herself that her words were true. "His fatal flaw is loyalty. Percy will feel a need to protect his family and friends and he will fight once again when he is needed."

Athena shook her head, "Will he still be loyal to us after being tortured? I wouldn't be."

A smile touched the edges of Hera's mouth, "No, your pride would force you to join the enemy," The smile vanished, "Percy will still be loyal to everyone who was on his side and the demigods who remain his friends. Not to mention his family in the mortal world would be in danger if Gaia wins this war. He won't let the Olympians lose their thrones, especially not after being tortured."

Athena nodded, understanding the logic Hera was working off of, "He won't let anyone else feel the pain he did. He will try to protect everyone, just like he always does."

The two goddesses sat in quiet once more as they thought about what the future held for them. It was looking mighty bleak to say the least.

"How long do you think we have?" Hera asked, finally breaking the silence.

Athena shrugged, "She will probably send monsters to kill off as many of our allies and children as they can first. After that she will have to raise the giants. That should take a couple of years like we were originally planning for. However, I'm still worried about those demigods that Percy killed," she paused, "and about how long we'll be leaving Percy to be torture for."

"The reason behind the demigod's attack will be revealed in time. Percy was the only one who knew anything and he wouldn't say a word about it. As for how long we leave him in Tartarus… he will need to stay for as long as possible."

"That's what I was afraid of," Athena felt her shoulders slump. Percy had to stay hidden and separated from them so that Gaia will think he is no longer on the god's side. The more the primordial goddess underestimates the god's the better chance the war will turn out in their favor. Percy is going to be their secret weapon. Hopefully Tartarus makes him stronger. The world rests upon the young demigod's shoulders once more. "The fates are cruel," Athena whispered so quietly Hera barely heard it. The older goddess didn't reply but merely nodded and flashed out of the palace.

There was nothing more they could do right now. The plan had started, the trap was set, and the world was on the precipice of war once again.

-Camp Half-blood-

Hestia sat at the campfire, poking the flames every now and then but mostly she was lost in thought. In her lap was Pandora's Pithos which Percy had given her during the battle. She had been so proud of her nephew when he had trusted her with Hope. It was because of these actions that the events from after the battle were burned into her memory and wouldn't leave her alone. It was all so wrong.

Perseus Jackson did not belong in Tartarus. Oh how Hestia wanted to smack her sister upside the head when she had suggested that punishment. A tear leaked out of the goddess' eye as she thought of the hero who had been carelessly thrown aside. She had been the last Olympian, she hadn't left. As a peaceful goddess, Hestia never intended to truly fight against Kronos but that didn't mean that she hadn't helped Percy along before and during the fight with her father.

She had watched proudly as the demigod took her advice about yielding and gave the traitor and later hero, Luke Castellan, Annabeth's knife.

The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap

A single choice shall end his days

How long had everyone thought that Percy was the hero destined to die? The boy had suffered four years knowing that he was the deciding factor of the second titan war. Hestia couldn't imagine bearing that fate as a mere mortal boy.

And she had thought that everything was over when Kronos' screams pierced the air. She hadn't paid much attention to what happened next, she had just been happy the war was over. The killing could finally stop. She had never been more wrong.

New screams of pain infiltrated her ears as she watched in horror as Percy merciless murdered 20 demigods who had entered through the main doors. He never hesitated as he slashed through the bodies, shredding skin and splattering blood. None of them stood a chance. When the last one fell, Percy stood still staring at the gore that littered the floor, his back to the thrones. He didn't move. He didn't speak. He only stood there with a white knuckle grip on Riptide.

Seconds later the other gods flashed in. They were happily celebrating the defeat of both Typhon and Kronos when they caught sight of the massacre. Nobody moved for what felt like hours before Zeus yelled for Percy to be in chains and called a meeting to decide on the young boy's fate. It all happened so fast and nothing had been explained. One question haunted Hestia's lips; all she wanted was to ask the demigod why?

A/N: So this was a bit of a filler chapter because I'm still trying to decide on what I want to happen to Percy when he comes out and who I want him to be romantically involved with. Do I want him to visit Camp Jupiter? Camp Half-blood? The Hunters? The Underworld? Gods why are there so many choices?

Good news I finished a term paper today so two more to go and then I'll be freeeeee to write whenever and think more on this story.

I also wanted to say a HUGE thanks to AlexUdinov, PixelUp, Hans50, and bambino01 for reviewing. Those were the first reviews I've ever gotten and I wanted to scream from happiness when I read them. Thank you so so so so much. They really helped boost my confidence. Seriously, thank you.

Please let me know what you think!