Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or the Heroes of Olympus.
Story Title: Percy Jackson: Too Powerful
Chapter 9
Mount Olympus
The elevator doors to the City of the gods opened, revealing Annabeth, Jason, and Piper. The three demigods rushed out of the elevator, jogging by surprised minor gods and other mythological beings. They stopped in front of the three-story celestial bronze doors that led to the throne room.
"Stop, stop!" Piper exclaimed. Annabeth and Jason looked at her expectantly. "We can't just rush in there with an ultimatum. We need to have a plan."
Annabeth smiled at her friend; she did not sound like an Aphrodite child. "I think that's my line," she quipped. Piper rolled her eyes, which was strange considering that her eyes changed color three times; almost making her eyes look like a kaleidoscope. "Funny, Chase." "I thought so." Jason shook his head in amusement. "Okay, enough with the girl power for the moment. What are we going to tell them?" Annabeth nodded, it was a good question. "I think we just need to tell them the truth. If they want Percy back then they need to agree to his terms," Piper offered. Jason and Annabeth looked at each other. Annabeth bit her bottom lip. "It's probably the best plan we've got."
"Agreed," Jason, said before he pushed open the doors to the throne room. All the gods sat on their thrones; the usual bickering stopped as soon as they spotted the three demigods.
"Demigods," Zeus said, looking around to see if Percy Jackson was with them. "Where is Jackson?"
Jason stepped forward. "My Lord, we found him, but he would not come back without his friend.
"What friend?" Zeus replied. Annabeth stepped forward. "Alabaster Torrington!" Zeus stood from his throne, striking his master bolt on the marble floor causing it to crack. "That traitor! Jackson dares to dictate terms to us." Poseidon stood from his throne. The talk of his son coming back making him look decades younger. "Percy is loyal to his friends, besides the son of Hecate did not join Gaea. He's done nothing, except for believing our father's lies."
Zeus sat back on his throne. He turned to look at Athena. "Please advise," he said softly, looking older and more tired than Annabeth had ever seen the King of the gods look before. Athena nodded. "Poseidon speaks wisely Father. If we are to have Perseus with us to fulfill the prophecy then we need to allow Alabaster Torrington to return. He has family in Camp Half-Blood. He will fight for them."
"Mother," Annabeth said. The goddess looked down at her favorite child. "Yes, my dear, please speak." "We were not the only ones pursuing Percy. Two representatives from the Light appeared." "The Light," Zeus repeated. Jason stepped closer to the Greek aspect of his father. "Yes, they stated that they were the Champions of Aether and Hemera." The gods began to argue back and forth. Poseidon struck his trident onto the marble floor, silencing his fellow gods. "Stop arguing!" The gods became silent; Poseidon was nearly vibrating with anger. Athena just stared at her long-time rival, not truly understanding where this newfound energy or assertiveness came from. "You overstep your role, Brother," Zeus proclaimed, leaning forward on his throne. Poseidon leaned forward as well. "When my son returns and whether he forgives me or not, I will not abandon my family or you, but once this war is over I will no longer be on this Council. I am tired of the bickering and squabbling." He sat back on his throne. Zeus's face was pale, his brother would abandon them if they survived the coming war. He sighed. For the first time, he truly believed that he failed as the King. Was he truly such a bad leader?
Hestia frowned. "Poseidon, please reconsider." Poseidon looked at his older sister sadly. "I am sorry. I went along with my son's exile. I will not abandon all of you in this fight, but after, I will return to my kingdom. My people need me there." Hestia sighed. "I understand Brother. I will support your decision."
Hades nodded. "I will support it as well. I just rejoined this Council, but I will leave as well."
Hestia shook her head; her family was truly lost.
Zeus looked at the others on the Council; no one else spoke up but with two of the Big Three leaving the Council, would it ever be the same? "I will not try to convince you both to reconsider. I have failed you, all of you. I see that now." The rest of the Council just stared at their King in shock. "I think after this war, it will be time for a new King." Hera just stared at her husband. "You must be joking," she said. Zeus shook his head. "I do not joke. I will put it up for a vote. I ask that my brothers stay until the vote is cast."
Poseidon and Hades looked at each other. "I agree to this," Hades said. Poseidon took a deep breath. "I see no reason not to comply with this request."
Athena's gray eyes were still wide in shock. She looked down at her daughter. "We still need to vote on allowing Torrington to return." Zeus nodded. "Yes, that is true. All those in favor raise your hand." Everyone raised their hand, some more reluctant than others. "Then it is settled. Return to Jackson and bring him and Torrington back to Olympus. We wish to speak with them before they return to camp."
Annabeth and her two friends bowed their heads, acknowledging the order from the King. They turned and left the throne room; the doors closed behind them. Annabeth smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. Did they just witness the end of the Olympian Council? "I don't even want to think about what just happened in there." Jason and Piper nodded. "We need to tell Percy news," Jason said. The three demigods stood outside of the throne room. They found a fountain only a few yard away; they could use it to contact Percy. Annabeth looked around at the city she helped to redesign. It no longer seemed as clean and vibrant as it once did. Everything seemed darker now.
Juneau, Alaska – the apartment of Percy and Alabaster
"So, let me get this straight, the Olympians want you to return to fulfill some prophecy," Doctor Claymore repeated. Percy smiled; the Doctor's confusion was somehow amusing to the son of Poseidon. "Yes Doc, they asked me back. So, I asked them to allow Al to return." The Doctor really couldn't believe it. "We can't trust them. What do you think they'll do once the war is over? They won't allow us to stay."
Percy's eyes narrowed his mouth set in a hard line. Alabaster and the Doctor backed away from him. "They will rue the day they cross me or my friends again." The Doctor raised his hands in a placating motion. "I didn't mean to assert that you couldn't stand up to them." Percy shook his head; the dark feelings that sometimes overcame him melted away at the fear he saw in his friend's eyes. "I'm sorry, but who is to say that the Olympian Council will survive this war?" Alabaster stepped toward his friend. "You know something?" Percy smiled impishly. "This war will be on three fronts. The Light and the Darkness will fight, but Olympus will prevail with our support. However, the Olympian Council will not remain in its current form. Olympus will lead, but the leaders may not be the same." Alabaster shook his head. "That is not really an answer." Percy chuckled. "That is as much of an answer that you're going to get from me."
Alabaster walked over to the small table and sat down. "You're really a pain in the ass, Jackson."
Percy laughed. Doctor Claymore joined him. "Yep, I think it will be good to have both of you at camp," Percy said. "Great, more demigods to make fun of me," Doctor Claymore complained.
"We better pack before you complain to us about that too," Alabaster said, giving Percy a wink at the disgruntled face of the ghost. "I'm going to miss Alaska," Percy added. His two friends both nodded in silent agreement. Alabaster placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Hey, we can always come back and visit. I'm sure you'll be happy to see your mother again." Percy smiled; a warm feeling filled his heart as he thought about his mother. "Yeah, you're right Al. Let's get out of here."
Percy and Alabaster packed their few belongings. Annabeth, Iris-messaged them a few minutes later to inform them of the Council's decision. Percy looked around the small apartment before they left the building. The three friends stood on the street corner, looking out over the ocean before them. "So, Annabeth seemed pretty excited," Alabaster said, trying to break the melancholy feeling of leaving their new home for their old one. Percy nodded. "Yeah, I know she missed me, and I forgive her, but the pain is still there." Doctor Claymore turned to look at the two demigods. "People make mistakes Percy, especially young people. Do not feel anger toward your friends." "What about the gods?" Alabaster frowned. "You can hate them all you want. They deserve that." Doctor Claymore shook his head. "Percy, that's the talk that allows you to make another mistake. It allows you to join the wrong side. The gods are ancient, some are hell bent on keeping their power, but in the great scheme of things they are much better than the Titans or the Primordials. They at least interact and in their own way, they care about mortals." Percy smiled; it was good advice. Alabaster didn't seem happy, but at the stern look from the Doctor he sighed, nodding his head in reluctant capitulation. Percy pondered the conversation. "I won't hate them, but I won't forgive them as easy as my friends. They will need to earn that. Now, it's time to go home."
Alabaster nodded. He began to chant a spell; the runes on his clothes began to glow with power. He finished the spell; a portal opened. He stepped through, followed by the ghostly form of Doctor Claymore. Percy looked back at the City of Juneau, nodding his head in acknowledgment that he would return some day. He turned back to the portal and walked through.
Mount Olympus
Annabeth, Piper, and Jason stood outside of the throne room. The daughter of Athena paced back and forth impatiently. "What's keeping them?" Piper smiled. "Calm down Owl Head; you only called them a few minutes ago." Annabeth stopped, placing her hands on her hips. "Yes, but it's been over two years. He's coming home, finally." Jason stepped between the two demigoddesses. "I'm sure it felt longer for him." Piper and Annabeth both looked at the ground sadly. A strange noise and flash of light got their attention. They looked up to see a swirling vortex of energy before them. A moment later, Alabaster Torrington and the ghostly form of an older man stood before them. A second later the portal flashed, disappearing from view, but leaving the long lost son of Poseidon standing before them. Annabeth ran to him, jumping into his arms. A broad smiled was on her face, filling Percy's mind with old memories of better times.
The two demigods pulled apart, but Percy kept a hold on her hand. Jason and Piper greeted him. Before Doctor Claymore cleared his throat. "Ah yes, guys, this is my friend Doctor Claymore and you all remember Alabaster Torrington." The group exchanged greetings. "You traveled with a ghost?" Jason asked. Alabaster smiled. "Yeah, the Doctor was a good friend of mine; he agreed to travel with me as a ghost. I guess my mother convinced him. Doctor Claymore had his arms crossed in front of his chest. "His mother can be pretty convincing and scary." Percy chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure she can."
Percy walked to the throne room doors. He turned back to look at his friends. "Are you all ready?" Annabeth nodded. "I think I should be asking you and Alabaster the same question." Percy turned to look at his friend. Alabaster wore a determined expression on his face. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Doctor Claymore smiled. "I will look around," he said before disappearing. Jason's blue eyes widened behind his glasses. "Does he do that a lot?" Percy smiled. "Yeah, you'll get used to it." He turned back to the doors, pushing them open.
He walked into the throne room, followed by his friends. The gods all sat on their thrones. Poseidon's eyes shined when he saw his son, but the happiness disappeared when his son didn't even look his way. Percy's gaze never left the electric blue eyes of the King of the gods. The look in Percy's eyes made Zeus shift in his seat uncomfortably. He wanted to grab the Master Bolt, but he knew such an action would not end well. Percy and his friends walked into the room, stopping a few yards from the bottom of the thrones. Everyone knelt, except for Percy Jackson. Alabaster wanted to pull his friend down, but he didn't, Percy had let go of Annabeth's hand and he was nearly vibrating with anger.
"So, you only call me back when you need me," he said simply. The gods didn't say anything. They didn't even question him for not bowing. "I am back, so what do you want?"
Zeus didn't really know how to begin. "You should control that sharp tongue of yours demigod," Hera said, her voice full of venom. She could no longer hold her tongue. Zeus wanted to throw his bolt at her.
Percy shifted his gaze to the Queen of the gods. His sea green eyes were darker than she remembered, but they glowed with power. She tried to move, but she found that she was unable to. "What is the meaning of this?" she yelled. Percy took a step closer. Zeus wanted to reach for his bold, but he realized that he couldn't move either. His eyes moved to look at Ares, but his son was frozen in place as well.
Athena couldn't believe it. She looked at the three gods that were completely still before she looked at Percy, his eyes glowed, they didn't pulse, they glowed with power. "Perseus, our actions were rash, we know that now. We have ended your exile and that of your friend, because of the new prophecy and the war that is to come," Athena said. Percy didn't even look at the goddess of wisdom. He kept his eyes on Zeus. "I know why you called me. I knew this day would come before my friends came to find me." Athena's gray eyes widened. "How?" Percy's eyes stopped glowing. Zeus and the two other gods were able to move, but they dared not speak. "My grandmother told me." Poseidon leaned forward. "Grandmother?" Percy turned to look at his father. Poseidon leaned back in his seat at the look of hatred that crossed his son's face when he looked at him. "Yea, I know who I truly am, what my place is in this world. I am the grandson of Lady Chaos, I am a three-quarter blood, and I am the legacy of the Primordials."
Annabeth smiled beside him. His secret was out; she was proud of the way Percy was handling himself, controlling his emotions, even though he should be attacking them for what they did. Athena looked at her daughter and then returned her gaze to the son of her rival. "We all are grandchildren of Chaos." Percy looked back at the goddess; she tried to look into his eyes, but she couldn't, a cold, hard fear penetrated her soul. "Was your mother the daughter of Chaos?" "Of course not, only a few of the Primordials were children of the Creator." "Sally Jackson is a demigod, but much more than that. She is the daughter of Chaos and she was the vessel of her power." The gods were shocked into silence, all but Athena. "Vessel?" Percy smiled. It was time to tell the secret, his grandmother wanted the Olympians to know. "Her mother is Chaos, but she was born to pass on the legacy of power to her child, one destined to be the son of an elder god; a child that would wield the legacy to save the world. I am that child."
AN: Going to end it there, stay locked on target and I'll be back soon with the next chapter.
