Greeting 's, here's the next chapter.
Chapter 13
We gathered in the destroyed throne room I stuck the blade in the center of the room and waited as the rest of the Heroes came. The next few hours were a blur. The gods set about repairing the throne room, which went surprisingly fast with twelve super-powerful beings at work. Once the sky bridge re-formed, we greeted our friends who had survived. The Cyclopes was helping any demigod who needed help. Connor and Travis Stoll had made it through with only minor injuries. They promised me they hadn't even looted the city much. Katie Gardner reported that she'd seen some girl Rachel Elizabeth Dare run off. That was not my problem. I didn't know her so I didn't care. Clarisse marched in, still shivering from her time in the ice block, and Ares bellowed,
"There's my girl!" The god of war ruffled her hair and pounded her on the back, calling her the best warrior he'd ever seen.
"That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!" She looked pretty overwhelmed. All she could do was nod and blink, like she was afraid he'd start hitting her, but eventually she began to smile. Hera and Hephaestus passed me, and while Hephaestus was a little grumpy about my jumping on his throne. Hera sniffed in disdain.
"I suppose I won't destroy you."
"Like you could. I killed most of the the Titans. What makes you think I can't kill you?" I said as we glanced at the Blade of Olympus.
"Hmm," Hera whirled away in a huff. Dionysus's head was still wrapped in a bandage. He looked me up and down and said,
"Well, Percy Jackson. I see Pollux made it through, so I suppose you aren't completely inept." Mr. D nodded. "As thanks for my bravery, Zeus has cut my probation at that miserable camp in half. I now have only fifty years left instead of one hundred."
"Fifty years, huh?" I replied not caring. I wouldn't be around for it.
"Don't get so excited, Jackson," he said, and I realized he was saying my name correctly. "I still plan on making your life miserable."
"I won't be around much longer. So don't expect me to be at camp next year." I smirked.
"Very well." He turned and began repairing his grapevine throne, which had been singed by fire. Grover stayed at my side. From time to time he would break down in tears.
"So many nature spirits dead, Percy. So many."
"Not my problem."
"How could you be so heartless?"
"The mission isn't over till we give our report." I stated. I looked at the wolf Anbu mask and in truth the deaths did effect me.
"Percy!" Tyson yelled. He charged toward me with his arms open. Fortunately he'd shrunk back to normal size, so his hug was like getting hit by a tractor, not the entire farm.
"You are not dead!" he said.
"Was there ever any doubt?" I asked smiling The big guy was cool and the only brother in a way blood I liked. He clapped his hands and laughed happily.
"I am not dead either. Yay! We killed Oceanus. It was fun!" I smirked as the Cyclopes all starred at the blade as if figuring how it was made or how to replicate it. The conch horns blasted again. The Cyclopes parted, and my father strode into the throne room in his battle armor, his trident glowing in his hands.
"Tyson!" he roared. "Well done, my son. And Percy-" His face turned stern. He wagged his finger at me, and for a second I thought he was going to try to zap me. "You have saved Olympus!" He held out his arms and gave me a hug. I realized, a little embarrassed, that I'd never actually hugged my dad before. He was warm – like a regular human and he smelled of a salty beach and fresh sea air.
"I wasn't alone." I said looking at my students/team. When he pulled away, he smiled kindly at me. I felt so good, I'll admit I teared up a little.
"Shhh," he said. "No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules-"
"POSEIDON!" a voice roared. Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at my dad while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet.
"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?" I thought Poseidon was going to get mad, but he just looked at me and winked.
"I would be honored, Lord Zeus." Zeus grumbled, but he couldn't really get properly angry. Not with their recent victory hanging over their heads. Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian Council convened. While Zeus was talking – some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc. Annabeth walked in and stood next to me. She looked good for someone who'd recently passed out.
"Miss much?" she whispered.
"Only a new big three born from the Titan kings death." I whispered back.
"What?" She shouted I cracked up, but Grover nudged me because Hera was giving us a dirty look.
"As for my brothers," Zeus said egnoring Annabeth, "we are thankful" – he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out "erm, thankful for the aid of Hades." The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen him.
"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like his pants were smoldering, "we must . . . um . . . thank Poseidon."
"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said. "What was that?"
"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom . . . it would've been difficult-"
"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently. The gods murmured agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.
"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well – even if there are a few dents in my throne." He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter and oldest child, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks. Artemis smiled.
"You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure." She glared pointedly at Hades. He shrugged.
"Probably. Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process." Thalia beamed with pride.
"Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis's side.
"Jason Grace, son Of Jupiter." Zeus said. I didn't pa much attention but from what I heard Zeus was proud and Jason was to be made Praetor. Nico, Bianca and Hazel were considered Heroes and were to be given special rights as kids of Hades/Pluto. "Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the Council, and Zeus grunted."Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new . . . um . . . what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"
"Stick!" Tyson said, showing his broken club. I was confused but didn't care.
"Very well," Zeus said. "We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found." Zeus very slowly banged his head against the back of his throne, while the others laughed loudly at Tyson's choice of weapon.
"Hooray!" Tyson cried, and all the Cyclopes cheered and pounded him on the back as he rejoined them.
"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called. Grover came forward nervously. "Oh, stop chewing your shirt," Dionysus chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. "For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders." Grover collapsed on the spot. "Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed, as several naiads came forward to help Grover. "Well, when he wakes up, someone tell him that he will no longer be an outcast, and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a lord of the Wild, with all rights, privileges, and honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."
"FOOOOOD," Grover moaned, as the nature spirits carried him away. I figured he'd be okay. He would wake up as a lord of the Wild with a bunch of beautiful naiads taking care of him. Life could be worse.
Athena called, "Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena." Annabeth squeezed my arm, then walked forward and knelt at her mother's feet. Athena smiled. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . well, trashed. The Titan lord, my father spawn and my uncles' spawns did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements."
"I heard that bitch." I shouted
"You dare-" She was cut off as my hand gripped the Blade of Olympus' handle. Annabeth looked up, stunned.
"My… my lady?" Athena smiled wryly.
"You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"
"You mean… I can design whatever I want?"
"To a certain extent, I hope," Dionysus groaned. If that girl made Olympus pink, or purple, or any other annoying, eye-popping colour, he was going to throttle her in her sleep, damn the consequences.
"As your heart desires," the goddess said ignoring the drunk. "Make us a city for the ages."
"As long as you have plenty of statues of me," Apollo added.
"Yeah!" Apollo beamed. "This place needs more of my awesomeness."
"And me," Aphrodite agreed.
"Hey, and me!" Ares said. "Big statues with huge wicked swords and-"
"I also expect at least one of our greatest Hero." My father said looking at me.
"All right!" Athena interrupted. "She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus." Annabeth rose in a trance and walked back toward me. I smiled. This was her dream and she got it. Something not many get. For once since I was here, she was at a loss for words.
"I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils-"
"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced. My name echoed around the chamber. All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on me-all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits. I walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at me reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Her smile gave me courage to keep walking to face what ever was to come. First I bowed to Zeus. Then I knelt at my father's feet.
"Rise, my son," Poseidon said. I stood.
"Lord Poseidon. The Titan army was taken care of. The Titans present at the battle are all dead. Many that have fled or those who would stand against Olympus have ether died or swore allegiance to Olympus. The Titan Krios was killed by Jason and the Titan Perses was killed by Nico. I have killed Typhoon, Hyperion, the traitor Prometheus and several others. Only by the combined power of myself, Jason, and Nico were we able to defeat and Kill Kronos in his true form. The Shinno Tsukiyomi was able to change what we saw so we didn't die from seeing him. The Titan's throne is also destroyed and the casualties are low. That is my mission report." I said.
"What was that?" Apollo asked.
"It is custom for a Shinobi to give a mission report before the mission can truly be called over. Now this one is. I'd rank it as a SSS-rank mission."
"That good?" Hermes asked.
"It is the highest, one can get." I smiled. "And the fact that everyone here survived it means something."
"Percy." my father said getting my attention. "A great hero must be rewarded, is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"
"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."
"Any gift?" I asked. Zeus nodded grimly.
"I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson – if you wish it – you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."
"A god?" I asked Zeus rolled his eyes.
"A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."
"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."
"Really, liking this idea," Ares snickered.
"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth.
"No thanks on the god plan." I said as if it was nothing. Now we were back to the lazy, laid back, caring Percy. I thought about the kids from camp. I wasn't going to be around for too long. So I had to make the world better in any way I could. And I knew what to do. The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.
"Nobody has ever turned down immortality before," Demeter pointed out.
"Well there are a number of reason why."
"Which are?" Athena asked.
"Well for one I need to go home."
"You are home Percy." Bianca said the sound of worry in her voice.
"No, this isn't, my home is Konoha. Where I trained, I was raised, where I loved, and where I plan to die. When I do I can see her again." I said saddened by the last part. "My family needs me there. If I became a God then I would forever be bond here. My master once said; 'Everyone wants things to stay the same. But when things change, they can change for the better.'"
"I see." Poseidon said saddened by my decision.
"I do want a gift, though," I said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"
Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."
"It is," I said. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"
"Someone once told me," I said, looking at Hades, "you should always get a solemn oath."
Hades shrugged. "Guilty."
"Very well!" Zeus growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."
The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.
"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All the children of all the gods. And the Gods themselves." The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Percy," my father said, "what exactly do you mean?"
"Kronos could never have risen if it hadn't been for demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."
Zeus's royal nostrils flared. "You dare accuse-"
"No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children – all your demigod 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 claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll.
"And the minor gods," I said. "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 the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades-"
"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.
"No,Uncle," I said quickly. "But your children/you should not be left out. Hades and Hesta should gain a throne from this since they are the childern of the Titan just as much as Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, and Demeter. Hades should also have a cabin at camp. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You should stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. You're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."
Zeus snorted. "Is that all?"
"Can you keep it in your pants?" I countered.
"Percy," Poseidon said, "you ask much. You presume much."
"I hold you to your oath," I said. "All of you." I got a lot of steely looks. Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up:
"The boy is correct."
"Excuse you but I'm a man. I killed a man at age five, battled the Sanbi and won at age tweleve, lost my virginity at thirteen to my wife I might add. I was apart of the Third Great Shinobi war and helped end the Kiri Civil war."
"Holy Shit dude." Nico said as the room got quite.
"Ah well the man is right." Athena started again. "We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the...man's plan."
"Humph," Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child, ah mortal." Zeus corrected seeing my sharingan eyes glare at him. "But I suppose . . ."
"All in favor," Hermes said. All the gods raised their hands.
"Now about the Blade." Ares said looking down at the blue glowing sword.
"Indeed." Zeus said. "Perseus we must insist you give us the Blade of Olympus." I pulled the blade from the ground and looked at it. It then smimmered and disappeared once more.
"No." I stated. "The blade is too powerful to exist. It would only corrupt you all. The power to kill a God is far to great to exist. So I have returned it to nothing like before it was created."
"That is wise." Athena said looking at Zeus. "Power like that will only lead to trouble."
"I will leave you now." I turned, but before I could leave, Poseidon called,
"Honor guard!" Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door-an aisle for me to walk through. They came to attention.
"All hail, Perseus Jackson," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"
Well that's over. There's only a few more chapters before Percy returns to the leaf village. Please review and stay tuned for the next chapter. Oh and to
Matt (Guest), I would kill myself. But were's the fun in that? So sorry. If you don't like then don't read.
Illusions
Blade of Olympus