Thanks to 2016jsaprinceton for favoriting this story!
Thanks to 2016jsaprinceton and beccyroo56 for following this story!
Thanks to Percabeth824 for the review!
Favorites, follows, and reviews keep the plot bunny going!
Music I listened to was Warriors by Imagine Dragons.
BTW, I'm so sorry I had some wicked writer's block but no matter what this story will be finished, so please be patient.
The Council went so silent that one could have heard a pin drop.
"No?"
"No. I want to live my life fully. I want to date, get married, have children, and grow old. Besides, there's something more important."
"You are turning down our generous gift?" Zeus asked with a dangerous edge to his voice.
There was a moment of unease, as Percy considered how to word his coming proposal without angering him further. The air buzzed with electricity, as if a thunderstorm was about to erupt. The gods looked at each other apprehensively.
"I'm honored and all, but I wish for something else," Percy finally stated.
Zeus gritted his teeth. "If it is within our power and reasonable, I will grant you your other wish."
"I'm gonna need you to swear on the River Styx. I was told by someone," he glanced at Hades, "you should always get a solemn oath."
Hades shrugged. "Guilty," he admitted.
"Fine!" Zeus growled. "We swear on the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."
The gods nodded their assent and thunder boomed. The room shook. The deal was made.
"From now on, you will properly recognize all the children...of all the gods. Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents. They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a perfect right to be."
Zeus' nostrils flared. "You dare accuse..."
"No more undetermined kids. You have to promise to claim all of your children by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them to be claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained, and survive."
"Now wait just a moment," Apollo said, but Percy was on a roll.
"And the minor gods," he added. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe – they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and all friendly Titans should be pardoned, too. And Hades-"
"Are you calling me a minor god?!" Hades bellowed.
"No, my lord," he said quickly. "But your children should not be left out either. And no more pact of the Big Three. It never worked anyway. You have to stop getting rid of powerful demigods. They will be accepted from now on. That is my wish."
Zeus snorted. "Is that all?"
"Yes, my lord. I hold you to your oath, all of you."
Percy got a lot of steely looks, but Athena spoke up.
"I move to grant his wishes. The boy is correct. It has proved a strategic weakness and almost cost us Olympus to be so careless with our children. I have had my doubts about you, Percy Jackson, but now I see you were right."
"Humph," Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose..."
Hermes gave Percy an approving nod and said, "All in favor?"
All the gods raised their hands.
"Um, thanks."
"Also, has Hermes briefed you on what is to become of Luke Castellan?" Zeus asked Percy.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've got it. He'll serve me for ten years, or something like that, right?"
"Indeed. He will be your slave for a decade. You may do with him as you wish. There is nothing you will not be allowed. You may imprison him, torture him, or even satisfy your desires for the flesh with him for all I care."
Percy sat in stunned silence for a moment. Hermes became very red in the face.
"Uuuuhhhh, yeah, right." Percy stammered. "Ok. I – I think there's somewhere I need to be. So I'll, uh, just be going."
Zeus nodded and motioned towards the door, giving him permission to leave.
Percy turned, but before he could walk out, Poseidon shouted. "Honor guard!"
All the Cyclopes formed a ring around Percy and hoisted him onto their shoulders.
As they carried him out of the Council room, Tyson roared, "All hail Perseus Jackson, hero of Olympus and my brother!"
He came out and was about to leave when he saw Hermes.
"I'll catch up with you," he told Annabeth.
"You sure?" she asked and then noticed Hermes. "Yeah, you're sure. Meet you at your house?"
"Yeah," Percy agreed blushing a little.
Hermes was looking at what looked like an Iris message and it was going so fast that Percy couldn't keep up with it. The god looked up and gave Percy a worn smile.
"What humans will do to avoid the truth. They have chalked up Typhon to be a series of freak storms. They will probably even find an excuse for the statues that are in new positions. I will never cease to be amazed at the power of the Mist and mortal ignorance."
"Thanks, I guess."
"Oh, not you. Though I suppose I should wonder, if you turned down our offer of immortality."
"It was the right choice," Percy replied. "By the way, I owe you an apology. I thought you were a bad father, but I realize now why you left Luke alone."
"It was so hard, but I had to. I hope Luke will forgive me, but I understand if he doesn't. As of now, he won't even see me."
"It'll be ok. He'll turn around, you'll see. Now that Kronos is gone things will be different," Percy comforted him.
"I appreciate your words, but Kronos isn't dead. His essence may be gone for now, but there is still the possibility that he will return in another millennia."
"Well, that's just great. I have to go now or my mom will freak, so see you later I guess."
"Goodbye Percy Jackson, and good luck."
At that moment, Athena came up to him and stated, "I will allow you to date my daughter. Do not make me regret it."
"Yes, ma'am."
When Percy arrived at his apartment, it was late at night and he was exhausted, what with the battle against Kronos and convincing twelve stubborn gods to change their ways. He felt like he could sleep for a week straight.
He opened the door only to find Apollo talking to his mom, praising her seven-layer dip.
"Seven is my sacred number! It is so kind of you to create such a delectable mixture of condiments in my honor!" he exclaimed.
"Thank you," Sally said modestly.
She turned her head to see Percy. "There you are! I was worried."
"Everything's fine, Mom."
Apollo spoke up. "I healed Luke, but I left telling his punishment to you. You can go now if you like."
"I think I'll get some sleep first. We can do it in the morning. It's been a long day," Percy said with a yawn.
"Alright, shield your eyes!" Apollo warned. As they covered their eyes he disappeared in a flash of warm golden light.
"I'll never get over this," Paul said wide-eyed.
"I don't think any of us will," Annabeth said. "C'mon, Percy. We don't have all night." And she dragged him to his bedroom.
Thalia tried not to laugh.
