Next chapter
Percy POV
Percy materialized in a swirl of dark energy in the council chamber on Crete. The room was empty save for Zeus sitting in his makeshift throne. He looked up as Percy appeared and raised an eyebrow. "Is it time?" he asked. Percy just smiled. He and Zeus disappeared together in a flash of blinding light and a swirl of dark energy.
Percy and Zeus materialized at the base of Mount Othrys. Percy absently noted the future King of the Gods crouch behind a boulder, gaze fixed on the mountain peak. Percy, following Zeus's lead, crouched beside him. Before them was all the splendor of Othrys. Despite growing up in his father's palace in the Void, Percy couldn't help being impressed at what he saw. The mountain was covered in palaces, each different from the last, but the fortress at the mountain's peak drew the eye. A massive palace of black marble gave off a menacing aura. Glimmering black towers towered past the clouds, reaching greedily toward the stars above. Percy turned to Zeus, "So this is where you grew up, huh?" Percy knew from his time gazing into the Universe in his father's throne room that the massive black palace was new.
The shocked expression on Zeus's face confirmed what he already knew. "The city is the same, but that was never there before. My father seems to be growing more prideful by the day," Zeus replied. Percy couldn't help but agree. Only someone driven mad with the thirst for power would build such a seat for themselves.
"Well that's why I'm here, to help you bring him down a few pegs," Percy said grinning. He couldn't walk into this fight with an intimidated Zeus, and the sight of the new palace seemed to be sucking the confidence right out of him. Luckily, it worked. Having the Heir to the Void as an ally appeared to give the god the confidence he needed.
Zeus grinned back, and nodded. "So what's the plan?" he asked. "We can't just go in swords bared, my father will likely have his brothers with him. Two on six are not favorable odds."
"They are when I'm one of the two," Percy replied. "But I'd rather not alert them to my presence yet. I'll have to disguise myself. We'll wait till nightfall and attack when Kronos is alone. I should be able to subdue him while you force the potion down his throat. Apollo made three just in case, but I don't see us needing more than one."
"How do you plan to disguise yourself?" Zeus asked. Percy didn't answer him. Instead he snapped his fingers and his body began to glow with a red aura. Seconds later where Percy had stood, now stood Ares. A clearly shocked Zeus stared wide-eyed at his son's form.
"I thought this form most appropriate," Percy told him, answering the unasked question. "If you were planning a secret strike on your father's strong hold it makes the most sense to take your war-god son with you. It's what Kronos would expect. Plus," Percy added with a grin, "it might prevent your siblings from attacking me once they're freed. They don't know about me yet after all."
"You've had all of this planned out for a while haven't you?" Zeus asked him.
Percy in Ares's form nodded slowly before answering. "My father, mother and I had a lot of time in the Void to plan. The month that she was missing here was nearly two decades for us. Time passes differently there," he said before glancing at Zeus. Zeus looked mildly surprised, but seemed to take the time dilation in stride. I guess hanging out with me he's learning not to let things surprise him Percy thought wryly. "The time I didn't spend training, I spent with my parents planning this war. With any luck, that preparation will make the difference."
"You said you wouldn't take any direct action to dethrone Kronos," Zeus said confused. "Why would you need to plan for the war if you don't plan on fighting?"
"I said I wouldn't win Kronos's throne for you, I never said I would let his rule endure should you fail," Percy told him seriously. "If you want the throne you have to take it. If you don't I will find someone else who will, but Kronos will fall. One way or another." Zeus's brows drew down as he thought about what Percy had just told him. Percy reached over and grasped the god's shoulder, "My father has chosen you to rule over his creation after this war. As I was born to preserve and protect my father's creation, I will do my best to make sure my father's will comes to pass. That's why I planned, to give you every advantage I could. Prove your worth in this war, and the throne is yours," Percy finished with a grin. Zeus looked at him then and nodded.
Percy and Zeus fell into a restless silence as they waited for night to fall. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Percy stood. "It's time," he said as he grasped Zeus by the shoulder. "Remember, I'll restrain him, but you have to get one of those potions down his throat. Your siblings will be disoriented at first, but we'll have to do our best to get them out of there before the other Titans show up." Zeus just nodded, an eager light shining in his sky blue eyes. The duo disappeared in a swirl of dark energy.
Percy and Zeus rematerialized in a small chamber off of the main hall. Closing his eyes and concentrating, Percy sensed that Kronos was alone in his throne room. He put one hand on the door and turned to Zeus, "Ok, your father is through the door to the right. He's alone and not aware we're here yet. I can't sense the other Titans so they must not be close. You ready?" Zeus just grinned. Percy threw the door open and strode through. Around him were columns of black marble and braziers blazing with green flame. Between the columns were statues of the elder Titans. Percy's eyes took this all in as he turned to the Titan Lord. Kronos sat at the end of the hall in a massive obsidian throne encrusted with diamonds and inlaid with gold. His head jerked up as the door slammed against the wall, and piercing golden eyes locked on Zeus.
"So the prodigal son returns," Kronos said with a cold smile. "Come to join your siblings Zeus?"
"We've come to save them Father, not join them," Zeus replied just as coldly. Percy had expected Zeus to be fearful when he confronted his father, instead anger shone clearly on his face as Kronos spoke.
Chilling laughter echoed through the chamber. "My youngest son and a puny war-god come to challenge me? The ruler of the Universe? I thought even you were smarter than that boy." Zeus bristled at the insult and took a step toward his father. Percy stopped him with a hand on his arm, and stepped forward in his place.
"You talk large grandfather, but can you back it up? Come down from your throne and fight you little punk," Percy told the Titan in his best Ares impression. His sword sprang into existence in his right hand as he walked toward the throne. Kronos eyed the shining blade unconcerned.
"Another of Hephaestus's little inventions?" he asked. He held out his right hand and a black scythe materialized, the weapon's edge gleaming in the green light. Kronos stood. 'You're even more foolish than your father boy," Kronos said as he lunged forward.
Percy raised his left hand, palm out, and black energy erupted from his body. The energy formed into long ropes and circled the Titan Lord. Kronos swung his scythe at the ropes of dark energy, but Percy held them firm. He clenched his fist and the ropes contracted around the Titan's body pulling him to the ground and pinning his arms and legs. The scythe fell to the ground beside Kronos and disappeared. "Now Zeus," Percy said. "Quickly, he's powerful and this takes a lot of energy. I can't hold him for more than a few minutes."
Zeus sprung on his father. Kronos struggled against the restraints, and bit at Zeus's fingers as he reached for his father's mouth. Instead of prying his mouth open for the potion, Zeus threw several heavy punches at his father's face. Golden ichor dripped from the Titan's mouth as his held rolled back. "There," Zeus said with a grin. "That should make it easier on both of us."
Percy just laughed, "You've had your fun, now it's time to save you siblings. Use the potion." Zeus nodded and pulled out one of the vials. He opened his father's mouth and shoved entire thing between his teeth. A stiff uppercut shattered the glass between Kronos's teeth and the potion flowed down his throat. Zeus paused, looking thoughtful, and pulled out the other two vials. He forced these two into his father's mouth and broke them in the same way.
"Just being safe," Zeus said to Percy as he stood. "We only get one shot at this and I want to make sure it works."
Percy just shook his head, "I don't envy the poor bastard. I took one dose and it nearly put me out of commission. Three is going to suck." As Percy finished, Kronos's body began to shake violently. Percy turned his hand upside down, the ropes of dark energy responded by turning Kronos face down on the floor.
"How long is this going to take," Zeus asked impatiently.
"Shouldn't be long now," Percy told him. As he finished, Kronos began heaving. Mist flowed from his mouth and formed five clouds around his body. Orange, sea-green, black, gold, and green clouds materialized into the five oldest children of Kronos.
All the freed siblings collapsed beside their father. Zeus rushed to his nearest brother. Poseidon's sea-green eyes opened, "Brother?" he asked.
"It's me, all of you need to get up. We don't have much time," he told them all. The others were stirring by the time Zeus pulled Poseidon to his feet. Hades rose to his knees and looked expectantly at Zeus. "Can you travel Brothers," Zeus asked Poseidon and Hades. After they both nodded, albeit weakly, Zeus went on, "Each one of you grab a sister and follow me. We need to get out of here. Now." Zeus grabbed his disoriented wife, Poseidon cradled Hestia's child sized body, and Hades bent down placing a hand on an unconscious Demeter. "Will you follow?" Zeus asked turning to Percy.
"I will," Percy said. "Go, I'll cover you escape and meet you." Zeus nodded, and the six siblings flashed out together.
Percy dropped his hand, releasing the bonds of dark energy that held the Titan Lord. He stood over Kronos's unconscious body looking down with unveiled contempt. Snapping his fingers, Percy assumed his true form once more before crouching beside Kronos. He could feel the other Titans approaching, the amount of power he had used to restrain Kronos would not have gone unnoticed, but he was unconcerned. Slowly, Percy reached out with his sword and placed the blade across the Titan's throat. I could end this war now he thought.
That is not the way Percy, he felt his father's consciousness in his head. We must allow the gods to fight this battle themselves.
But Father, he thought back, I'm to protect your creation. If I end this now and crown Zeus I could prevent this world from being torn apart.
Yes, Chaos thought back sadly, but every work of art must have contrast. The greatest of my painting use both light and dark. So must my masterpiece have war and peace. To stop that would be to betray your duty as Curator.
Percy sighed, he knew his father was right, but he did not want to lose any of his new-made friends among the gods. I will do as you say Father, he thought back finally, but do not ask me to watch Mother or the other gods die. I will not do that.
I would not expect you to my son, Chaos thought back proudly. Your duty is important, but our family's safety trumps all. Percy felt his father's consciousness leave his mind
Percy stood and retracted his sword. Kronos's golden eyes fluttered and searched the room before falling on Percy's face. "I spared your life today Titan at my father's wish," Percy said, "but you will not be long on this Earth. You can count on that."
"Who are you?" Kronos asked weakly.
"You'll find out soon enough." Percy told him. The throne room doors burst open and the other Titans poured into the hall. Percy's eyes never left Kronos. "See you soon Kronos," Percy said as dark energy engulfed his body.
Aphrodite POV
Zeus declared the week after the rescue a time of feasting and celebration. Aphrodite sat in the massive black throne her son had provided her as she watched her family. The return of the five eldest children of Kronos had given the forces on Crete a much needed moral boost. The minor gods Zeus had gathered in her absence did not know who Percy was yet, at his request, and so they still believed they were fighting a losing war. In the minds of many, the rescue gave them the first real hope they had for victory.
Aphrodite smiled as she looked at her son. He sat at a table in the throne room laughing with Artemis, Apollo, and Hermes. Using her powers to sense emotion, she reached out toward the group. As a goddess of love, she knew what attraction looked like, and there was definitely an attraction between her son and the young moon goddess. Percy's eyes shot up and he glared at her when he felt her power reach him. Aphrodite smiled widely. Ohh yes, there's definitely attraction there, she thought. After a moment Percy's cheeks turned red and he dropped his gaze, but she could see a smile play across her son's features.
After a moment, Percy rose and walked to her throne. "Mother," he said, "would you come with me? I need to speak with Hades and Poseidon, and I think they would be more comfortable with a familiar face there."
"Of course son," she told him rising. The two walked to the trio of thrones where Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades sat. Zeus rose and embraced Percy, laughing all the while. Poseidon and Hades seemed wary, but rose as well.
Poseidon extended his hand toward Percy, while Hades contented himself with a bowed head and a murmured "Lord Perseus."
"No formalities please," Percy told him. "Just call me Percy. My mother and I need to speak with you three in private. Would you follow me?"
They all followed Percy to and empty corner of the room. "What's this about Percy?" Zeus asked.
Percy turned to the Eldest sons of Kronos. "My father has decreed that Zeus will take your father's throne when this war is done. I need to know that you two will not cause any problems with his ascension," Percy said seriously.
Poseidon answered immediately, "If not for you and Zeus I would still be in my father's stomach. Whatever you decided I will abide by, and I will gladly support Zeus as king."
Hades was a bit slower, but he affirmed what Poseidon had said. "I have no wish to rule, I will also follow Zeus as king if it is the will of Lord Chaos," he told Percy
"Thank you Brothers," Zeus said. "You two will rule beside me when I take the throne, I have no intention of making the same mistakes our father has made. Maybe you two can keep the authority from going to my head."
"Not likely," Poseidon said with a smile.
"Very doubtful," Hades agreed.
"Hey!" Zeus exclaimed. "Some brothers you two are!"
Percy laughed, "Ok you three, we need to plan our..." A scream from across the room cut him off. Aphrodite spun toward the source of the scream and felt the blood drain from her face. Iapetus and his son Atlas stood holding Artemis between them. "NO," Percy yelled beside her as he released a massive blast of dark energy toward the Titans. Before the blast reached them, all three immortals disappeared in flash of light.
Ohh no, Percy! she thought, spinning toward her son. What she saw made her stumble back in shock. His normally black eyes pulsed a blinding white, as if two infinitely bright stars had taken up residence inside her son's head. His sword appeared in his right hand and his armor exploded from the stone around his neck. She could feel power rolling off of him in uncontrolled waves. "Percy!" she screamed, "you need to calm down!"
The glowing orbs that had replaced her son's eyes turned toward her. "They will pay," was all he said. Wind began to whip through the room and lightning flashed overhead. Two massive black wings exploded from her sons back, and Aphrodite's breath caught. She had only seen those wings once before. They had appeared the one time during his training he had lost control. He took out a whole wing of Chaos's palace before they could calm him down. For them to appear now meant his feeling for Artemis were stronger than she had thought.
"Percy," she pleaded, "we'll get her back, but you can't fight all of my brothers alone. Even you're not that powerful."
If he heard her he gave no sign. Percy crouched to the ground and extended his wings fully. Bringing them down with mighty crack of thunder, Percy shot into the night sky, leaving behind a very stunned group of gods. "Chaos help us," Aphrodite whispered as she watched her son disappear.