Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that school has started so will be posting less frequently know, probably once every week. Also, I realised I posted the last chapter over that authors note, so some of you may not have read it. So just go back a chapter and make sure you've read it before you read this one :)

Also, reviews. Jack Neale, I put some more Percabeth in this chapter for you, so enjoy. And Caladus, thanks for your long review! I appreciate your points and will go back to chapter 1 and correct some of my mistakes. However about Leo seeming a bit less cheerful then, remember that these seven demigods have just had pretty bad experiences in the House of Hades. Rick himself ays that after Leo leaves Calypso, he seems way more quiet and not as cheerful. So I hope you understand why I put his character like that.

Like usual, I will post the next chapter after some reviews. Read, enjoy and REVIEW! :)


Percy

"Give up!" Percy tickled Annabeth as she giggled, rolling around on the glass bay windows of the stable.

"Never!" Annabeth proclaimed, before flipping Percy over and standing above him. She smirked. "That will teach you to mess with a daughter of Athena."

Percy smiled slyly, as in one quick movement he pulled Annabeth down onto the floor with him. As she laughed he buried his face into her long, damp hair.

She turned so they were face to face. "I wish we could stay here forever, no quest or war. Just you and me." She sighed. Percy wished that as well, but he knew that they had to defeat Gaea. He leaned forward and kissed Annabeth.

"When this wars finished," he promised.

Annabeth smiled sadly, but nodded. Percy hated to see her upset. He took out a small parcel from his pocket finely wrapped in blue foil.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"Well, seeing as we never celebrated your birthday since we were in Tarturus, I decided to get you a present." He handed her the present. "Happy 17th Birthday!"

Annabeth carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a small silver charm in the shape of an owl, with two milky pearls set as the eyes. Percy had asked Tyson to make it when he had visited his father's palace. Surprisingly it had taken only two minutes to make.

Annabeth gasped. "Oh Percy, it's beautiful." She put it on her camp half-blood necklace, where it rested with all her camp beads, and her fathers ring. She kissed Percy. "Thank you."

Before Percy could reply, Leo's voice crackled over the intercom.

"Greetings, all fellow passengers. I hope you're enjoying your stay on Captain Leo's Argo II tour." Annabeth rolled her eyes at Leo. "Please join me at the upper deck. We have arrived at our destination."

The five demigods stood before the massive, white-pillared mansion. Aiginas island was a very small place, and while there were a few trees and rocks scattered on the beach, most of it was dominated by the huge house. It resembled a very big ancient Greek house, the kind for rich people. As Annabeth helpfully told Percy, it had 'strong infrastructure and a very distinctive boxed floor plan, designed to create space and stability'. Whatever that meant. The Argo II was anchored just off the coast.

There didn't seem to be a god in sight, but Percy guessed they were meant to go in. "So, should we enter?" He asked the others.

No one seemed to know what to do, so Annabeth shrugged and took his hand. "Sure. Lets go and see if we can find ourselves a council of the Gods."

The inside had white walls and was very ornate. The hall was straight, and soon they arrived at a massive set of oak double doors. In front of it stood an old woman. She had long grey hair, and almond eyes. She seemed to be in pretty good health, and you could tell she had once been beautiful. Like many other immortal beings, which Percy guessed she was, she radiated power.

"Demigods!" She cried as if she was delighted to see them. She stepped forward and fussed over each of them like she was their grandmother. "Welcome to my home. I am Rhea, but you can call me great grandmother."

Annabeth gasped and bowed. Everyone else looked confused. "Guys," She hissed. "This is Rhea, wife of Kronos, mother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia and Demeter."

Percy narrowed his eyes. "Wait! She's wife of Kronos! Why are we here?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw Annabeth face palm. Rhea sighed. "Please don't mention my husband. I mean, we never got along well, but eating our children was the last straw!"

That's when Percy remembered the full story. Rhea had replaced baby Zeus with a rock, so Zeus survived and grew up to take over his evil father. He guessed great grandma Rhea had moved to live here. "Oh, sorry."

Rhea patted his cheek. "Don't worry! Now move along, the gods are waiting." She ushered Percy and the others through the double doors. Waiting behind it were the 12 Olympian gods, as well as Hades. They sat in their usual U formation but they weren't discussing war matters or anything like that. They were just whining and complaining, and constantly changing from Greek to Roman. Percy looked around in disgust. The last time he had seen them in council was after the titan war, but compared to then this was a joke.

Anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach. He stepped forward.

Annabeth put a hand on his shoulder. "Percy, no!"

"Annabeth, look at them! I have to do something!" He turned to face his father, who was pressing his head and moaning to Hephaestus. The gods hadn't even realised they were here. "People! Uh, I mean Immortal beings!" He yelled. Like students who had been talking, they turned to face the teacher. "What are you doing? We requested a council so we could get you to help in this war, not just complain and blow off your duties!"

Several gods gave him killer stares. Zeus frowned. "Foolish demigod. We cannot help you! We are too conflicted." To demonstrate this point, he turned into Jupiter.

"Father!" Jason looked at Jupiter/Zeus. "You must help us! We have to defeat Gaia!"

Dionysus scowled. "You must do that yourself. We cannot help you."

"Only gods and demigods together can kill giants." Annabeth pointed out.

Juno nodded. "This is true. We must help, or the world shall be lost to the Earth mother." At this the gods descended into argument.

"SILENCE!" Jupiter/Zeus roared. "This matter is not open to debate. We cannot fight while we are in a state of internal conflict." The other gods nodded in assent.

Percy had seen that argument coming. But he had come prepared with a defence. "Annabeth found the Athena Parthenos." He announced. Athena leaned forward to listen, while some other gods looked shocked. "And its on its way to Camp Half-blood right now." He nodded at Hazel and Leo. Leo grinned and took out a water gun, spraying it in the air so that when the light met it, a rainbow appeared. Hazel chucked a drachma, which she had probably levitated from someone's pocket, into the rainbow. "O Iris, goddess of the rainbow. Show me Reyna and Nico."

The mist cleared and there was an image of Reyna, Nico and Coach Hedge standing at the top of Half –Blood Hill, the Athena Parthenos beside them. They all looked battered. Reyna cried out, "Romans! Greeks! There is no need to fight! Lay down your weapons. We are not enemies. We must fight as one, or Gaia will win!" The image dissolved, leaving the gods looking stunned.

"They have united," Percy said seriously. "Now you must fight."

And for once the gods stopped flickering. They stopped frowning and moaning.

Athena stepped forward. "I for one, feel honour bound to help these demigods." She smiled at Annabeth, who blushed. Percy squeezed her hand. "My daughter, and indeed her friends have shown true courage. They have stopped our conflict, and now we should act like gods, and help them.

Poseidon nodded in agreement. "It is time to face Gaia once and for all." He winked at Percy. There was a rumble of assent.

Zeus cleared his throat. "It seems like we shall help the demigods, and join this war. We shall do what we can to destroy these giants. But as for Gaia… her downfall shall ultimately rest on you seven demigods."

Jason hesitated. "But how do we defeat her?"

Athena looked at them warily. "Demigods, you will find some more answers in Athens. There you will find out what you need to know. I can tell you no more right now."

Hazel interrupted. "What about Frank and Piper?"

Leo nodded. 'Yeah, you gotta tell us some more info, and we need the rest of Team Leo!"

At that, Aphrodite and Ares looked at each other. "Don't worry punks, you'll see them real soon." Ares told them.

Zeus nodded. "Now demigods, you must go Athens. The giants have nearly gathered their army, and soon will be there. Gather your troops at Athens, set base. When it is time to fight, we shall be there."

"What about the mortals?" Hazel asked.

Hera answered. "Don't worry, they shall be safely removed during the battle."

At least that made Percy feel better. Zeus raised his hand. "That is all. The council is finished."

Suddenly, just before the Gods disappeared, Frank and Piper appeared in front of the demigods. Frank was holding a long spear that gave off waves of power. Several gods gasped.

"They got it!" Demeter whispered, her mouth wide open.

Frank looked a bit confused, but waved his hand. "Hey."

Piper looked equally surprised. "So… What's going on?"


Hope you enjoyed that chapter. The war is starting soon, and things should get interesting when they reach Athens…. but I'm not going to spoil it for you. I will post the next chapter after some reviews, so if you want me to keep posting, type a comment in the box below and press post. It's that easy people. Review! :)