Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 14: Aftermath

Theseus's POV

I was finally feeling better after the battle. I walked into the makeshift infirmary and I froze, there were so many injured demigods. I finally collected myself, I walked through the infirmary and greeted injured heroes. I saw Malcolm with his head bandaged and both legs in casts. I saw Thalia in her bed, she had a broken leg and bandages across her abdomen. Nico was there, he tried to smile at me, but I knew he was too concerned about Thalia. I saw Clarisse as well, Chris was by her side. She looked terrible, she was unconscious again and all the color was out of her face.

I continued through the infirmary, there were so many kids injured, then I came across Katie Gardner. She was crying next to a bed. There was someone on the bed with a sheet over them. I knew the person must have been a Demeter kid. I walked over to the bed and pulled back the sheet slowly and I froze when I saw who it was. It was Sara, Katie's little sister. She was a good kid and she was a great help around camp. She was still very young, but she was second in command of her cabin. I knew Katie loved her very much. My anger grew over this stupid war. Sara was too young to die, she was a great little girl.

"Katie, I'm sorry!" I said, that's all I could think to say, I was too shocked. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. I knelt down and she hugged me and cried on my shoulder, soaking my shirt. She eventually pulled away from me and said, "Why did this happen, why?" Katie asked.

I just stood there and I couldn't think of a reason. I thought of all of the other wars and battles that I had fought in. The people I had lost who had trusted and believed in me.

"Katie, I'm sorry that I failed you and Sara." I said as I walked into the next room, I didn't even give her a chance to respond.

As I entered the next room I stopped when I saw Tyson, he was bandaged from his head to his feet. He was still unconscious, but Percy had told me earlier that he would be fine, but his recovery time could take months. Then I remembered all of the dead cyclops, his brothers, his troops. I knew he would feel terrible that he was alive when others were dead. I could certainly relate to that. I had that feeling too many times to count. I completed my tour of the infirmary, I was glad to go outside. I walked to the throne room, but I couldn't go in just yet. So I sat down in the garden to think. Then I felt someone sit next to me and then I heard my father say, "How are you son?"

I turned and looked at my father. He looked into my eyes and I into his, of course we had the same eyes. Then I forced a smile and said, "I'm tired of wars, battles, casualties, everything related to it."

Poseidon just looked at me with sympathy and concern. "I know son, you have fought more battles than even a god should have to." He said.

"I don't mean to be so depressed, I have a great family, I'm an Olympian, I love training heroes, but I can't stand the fighting. I don't know what to do." I said pleadingly.

"You know more than anyone else that heroes fight, thats what they do." Poseidon said as he put a hand on my shoulder.

"Yes and I'm the god of heroes, so does that mean I will be cursed with having to fight and see my heroes fight and die!" I yelled. I felt bad as soon as I said that. My father looked at me surprised and then he saw the look on my face and understood that I wasn't mad at him.

"Son, I know this upsets you, but you accepted this role, you will have to live with it." Poseidon said, he looked at me and I could see that he was very concerned for me.

"It's alright dad, your right, I'll have to deal with it." I said trying to relieve some of his concern.

"Let's go inside, we have a council meeting." Poseidon said as we walked into the throne room.

As we walked into the throne room I noticed all of the other Olympians were seated on their thrones. They clapped when we entered the throne room. I nodded respectfully and made my way to my throne next to Athena. She smiled at me as I sat next to her. Her smile always made me feel better, but today was not a normal day. I still felt bad and I knew she could tell that something was wrong.

"I call this Olympian council meeting into session." Zeus said, as he motioned for the attention of all Olympians.

"I wish to personally thank all those that fought in the battle to defend Olympus. I wish to honor those that lost their lives. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the fact that without Theseus here we would have lost this battle." Zeus said, as he gestured toward me. I forced a smile in return.

My fellow Olympians cheered for me again.

"Thank you!" I said, I forced a smile and a happy tone in my voice. I knew that Athena and Poseidon could see right through it.

"Our last order of business relates to the four ex-Olympians, come into the room Hera, Ares, Aphrodite and Hephaestus." Zeus said.

Ares and Hera walked in and knelt before us, then Aphrodite came in with her arm around Hephaestus, he looked terrible.

"You four left the Olympian council and led an assault against Camp Half-Blood, slaughtered huntresses, captured Olympians, and led an assault against Olympus. Many died on both sides, their blood is on your hands. Now we understand that the titans controlled you with the assistance of Hypnos. With the defeat of the titans you all are now free from his control. The council shall take this fact into consideration when we determine punishment. We must also take into account Ares assistance in the defeat of Atlas and the titans. I ask for proposals for punishment and whether we should reinstate them as Olympians." Zeus said.

All of the Olympians discussed ideas between each other.

"Brother I think it only right if you proposed a punishment and whether we should reinstate them." Poseidon said.

This idea went around the room and everyone shook their heads in agreement.

"Alright, I propose that Hera, Ares, Aprodite and Hephaestus be reinstated pending a one hundred year probationary period. This probationary period will be used to allow us to observe their actions toward their fellow gods and the half-bloods. All in favor raise your hands!' Zeus said.

Everyone raised their hands including me. I looked at Athena and she smiled at me again, I faked a smile in return, but again all I felt was disappointment, loss and an overwhelming desire to leave, to get away from all of this sadness.

"Now for their punishment. I propose that they be required to help rebuild both Camp Half-Blood and Olympus. Lastly, they will be responsible for contacting the families of those heroes that lost their lives during this battle. I want them to explain why this fight happened and to express their sorrow and apologize to those most impacted. All those in favor raise your hands!" Zeus said.

A fitting punishment I thought, considering it was their anger and stupidity that allowed them to be controlled. We all raised our hands in favor of this punishment. Although this punishment was satisfactory in my view, it didn't help me feel any better. I still felt like a failure, that I allowed too many heroes to die in this short war. Even though I played a major role in winning this war, it didn't make me feel better. All I could think about was the lifeless face of Sara and the look of utter sadness on Katie's face.

"Theseus!" Zeus said. I awoke from my thinking and answered, "Yes, uncle."

"I wanted to let you know in front of all those present today that I personally want to thank you for your efforts during this conflict. You have been an inspiration to all gods and heroes alike. I want to grant you a wish, my boy! What do you desire?"

I thought about that, the only real thing I would wish for could not be granted.

"I'm afraid uncle that no one can grant my wish, if someone could I would wish for an end to war." I said, giving a look toward Ares that made him shrink away from my view. I know Athena saw it and she smiled slightly at me, but I didn't return her smile, so I continued, "Don't thank me for my actions, I let too many heroes die in this battle. I'm a failure at leading the camp, I do not deserve to be the leader of camp or the god of heroes." I said. Before anyone could protest or say anything I looked at Zeus and said, "I resign as leader of Camp Half-Blood" Then I disappeared in a golden light, I didn't care if people thought I was a quitter, in my eyes I failed in my responsibility.

Percy's POV

I knew something was up, I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness, regret and guilt. I know it wasn't me feeling this then it hit me, it was Theseus. I ran to the throne room and hurried inside. As I reached the throne area I stopped stunned at what I saw. All of the gods had looks of shock on their faces. I looked around for Theseus, but his throne was empty. I ran in to the middle of the room and noticed Hera and Ares talking. They avoided my gaze when I ran in. All of the gods shrunk to human size when I approached.

"Percy Jackson, why do you interrupt this council meeting?" Zeus said curiously.

I knelt before them and looked up. "I suddenly felt this overwhelming wave of sadness, regret and guilt. I knew it wasn't me, so it had to be Theseus. Our mental link is strong and such strong emotions like these are hard not to transfer, especially when both of us are nearby." I said.

Athena and Poseidon just looked at me, I could tell that they were incredibly sad and disappointed

"Where is Theseus, uncle?" I asked.

"I'm afraid my boy, your brother has rendered his resignation as camp leader and disappeared. No one knows where he went." Zeus said sadly.

"It's his or our fatal flaw isn't it? He did this because of how many heroes died, didn't he?" I asked.

Athena looked at me and I could see the tears in her eyes.

"I believe your correct Percy, he's not thinking clearly. He's letting his emotions get the better of him. He believes that he failed those that died and those that are injured." Athena said, just barely able to control her tears.

Poseidon walked over to her and put his arm around her and I saw him whisper to her softly. She acknowledged his words and then she hugged him and began to cry into his shoulder. Poseidon gave me a pleading look that I knew meant find your brother and make everything alright. I guess Zeus caught on because he said, "Percy do you think you can find Theseus?"

"I do not feel anything from out connection. He's too far away and he doesn't want to be found." I said with disappointment in my voice.

"Alright, the victory celebration is postponed until we can find and talk some sense into my nephew. I need volunteers to go look for Theseus, who will come forward to help?" Zeus said anxiously.

"Father, my sister and I volunteer to help!" Apollo said as Artemis nodded in agreement.

"I will help as well." Hermes said.

"Father, if you will let me, I would like to go with Hermes to help search." Ares said.

We all looked at him like he just went insane. He was going to look for Theseus, he hated him.

"Why would you want to help? Your feelings toward your cousin are well known." Zeus said.

"Father, I have been an angry and jealous fool toward my cousin. I know that now, please let me help, please let me make amends." Ares said, the whole room was taken aback by Ares words. I couldn't believe the change in his tone, I hoped it would last.

"Alright son, Hermes take your brother with you on the search." Zeus said.

Hermes nodded, but I could tell that he wasn't happy.

"Brother, I think Athena and I should search for my son as well." Poseidon said.

"I know that both of you are upset, are you both sure you can do this?" Zeus asked.

"Yes!" Athena said, she was looking more composed at the moment.

"Excuse me, uncle!" I said pleadingly.

"Yes, Perseus!" Zeus said.

"Can I go with them?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes, you can come with us my son." Poseidon said.

"On one condition." Athena said.

"What is the condition my lady!" I asked.

"Annabeth needs to come as well. Athena said as she gave me a sly smile.

"Yes, my lady!" I said happily, I noticed Aphrodite smiling at me, but I didn't return her gaze. She was still a traitor in my book.

"Our council meeting is adjourned. Good luck on the search!" Zeus said as he ended the meeting.

I walked over to Athena and my father.

"Thank you for allowing me to come along." I said.

"Well, I think we're going to need your help to find Theseus." Poseidon said.

Annabeth ran up from behind me and gave me a big hug.

"Seaweed brain there you are." Annabeth said, she blushed fiercely when she saw that I was talking to my dad and her mother. She released me from the hug and stood next to me with her arms nervously crossed behind her back. She was even beautiful when she was nervous I thought.

"Sorry to interrupt!" Annabeth said nervously.

"It's alright my dear." Athena said as she gave Annabeth a hug. Then Athena filled her daughter in on what had transpired.

"I never thought Theseus was a quitter." Annabeth said, I could tell she regretted that statement as soon as she saw may face. My face turned red with anger.

"He's not a quitter wise girl!" I yelled.

Athena and Poseidon both gave me a disapproving look.

"Annabeth, I'm sorry for getting mad." I said. Annabeth just looked at me sympathetically and said, "I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry too."

We both smiled at each other and then I heard someone clear their throat.

"Well, we need to be going if we're going to find him." Poseidon said anxiously.

"Annabeth, you and Percy are coming with us." Athena said as she looked at her daughter.

"Glad to help." Annabeth said as she grabbed my hand tightly.

"Good, everyone hold hands, I have a spot that I want to search first." Poseidon said.

We all disappeared into a golden light. All I could think about was my brother, Theseus where are you?

There are several reasons why Theseus feels the way he does, those will be explored in the next chapter, enjoy!