Harry Potter, Son of the Shadows
Disclaimer: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Plot: Response to my 'Twice-Blessed Half-Blood' Challenge: Olympus, Earth, the Underworld; from a world of lies and pain, one shall come forth with the power to rule them all. Enter Harry Potter, determined by Thanatos, Champion of Hecate and son of…wait: is that possible? That God?
Author's Note: Okay, so for those wondering where this one's coming from: it's partially from that dangerous realm of creation known as my imagination and partially from the challenge idea. I know this may seem scary and a little weird, but kindly remember that this is Fan Fiction: also, if you don't like it, don't read it.
Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to my loyal readers and reviewers; my recommended reads are Conventus Domus by Lawstudent092 and Prince of Death by The Potters of the Future; two amazing stories by two very creative minds; also, I'd like to recommend Glorious Chaos by Undercover Operative;
Key Pairing: Harry/Thalia
Other Pairings: Others TBC
Normal Speech
'Thought'
'Voice of the Gods'
/Parseltongue/
Review Answers:
Lightskiller: Yes it does;
Wonderland Princess of Hearts: Well beyond the two I have named, I don't really plan on focusing too much on pairings;
T4: That is a coincidence, but unfortunately, as I was about to agree with that funny suggestion, I remembered one of the forbidden elements of the challenge: Harry and Tom as allies, but that doesn't mean Harry couldn't make Tom his slave…hm…possibilities, I sense;
Delta8: As Harry finishes Sea of Monsters and is forced back to Hogwarts, you'll find others joining him;
StrawHatLuffy94: Well I have given the explanation a few chapters back, but here it is again:
Harry is Kronos' actual son by him possessing James during conception and giving him the heir he – James – desired; then, in the months following Harry's birth, Zeus marked him with the lightning bolt trying to seal his power while Hades sent the hellhound and nearly killed Harry.
When Harry nearly died, Lily begged the Gods for help in saving her son, saying she'd do anything: such determination brought Thanatos to her who made her a deal: if Lily agreed to let Thanatos give Harry his determination as well as Kronos, he would protect Harry.
It's for this reason and this deal that Harry became what the challenge said he is: a Twice-Blessed Half-Blood;
Hope that clears things up…
'He accepts me,' thought the Cyclopean half-blood, 'When my own brother doesn't…and her: Annabeth, blaming me for their crimes. Why?'
Unbeknownst to Tyson, he had just started himself down the path that would lead to him becoming the better man…even though he wasn't exactly a man.
Chapter 14: Luke's Secret
Once again, Harry wondered what sort of fun and humour the gods got out of watching their progenies run rampant across the United States as their journey through one of the most nail-biting, stomach-churning rides he'd ever experienced proved when their ride-along brought them out in Washington DC.
Even then, it was only because the drivers of their cab – the infamous Grey Sisters of legend – overheard Annabeth admit they might be unable to pay the full amount.
Standing on the path that led down to the Capital Building, Harry shook his head as he whispered, "You just had to say it, didn't you?"
"Shut it," Annabeth scowled, moving along the street as she added, "Come on, let's get a bite to eat."
Walking behind Percy, Annabeth and Grover, Harry scoffed to himself before he whispered to a stunned Tyson, "The things I could have done to appease those ladies: I mean, the fortune I have access to would have helped cover the costs and I'm sure that even magical money converted to drachma if I wanted it to."
"Annabeth really doesn't like you, does she, Harry?" asked Tyson, earning a shake of Harry's head as they stopped outside a bistro that, to Harry's amusement, was served by Mist-concealed deities, in this case, a Harpy and a Hecatonchries/Hekatonkheires.
With their drinks prepared and paid for, the gang walked out onto the street again before Harry, leaning almost casually against one wall on the corner of an alleyway, asked them, "So, any ideas where we head for directions? Thanks to Owl Girl getting us kicked out of our only real ride, we're still several hundreds of miles far north of Florida."
"Why don't you just Flash us there?" asked Annabeth, earning a snigger from Harry as she added, "We didn't even want you on this journey anyway: everything you've done to Thalia and now you're trying to save her, but only so you can destroy her spirit."
"Is that what you think I'm doing?" asked Harry, throwing his now-empty cup into a nearby bin with remarkably-perfect aim before, standing tall, he squared up to Annabeth as he asked, "Do you have any idea of how Thalia's been feeling while she was trapped in that tree? No, you'd just rather that she stayed that way so you didn't have to live with the guilt of what you'd done!"
"Why you…" Annabeth began, but as soon as she moved, so did three familiar figures from the shadows of the alley.
Ethan, Chris and Silena emerged as suddenly as though they'd actually moved through the darkness, the arms of the two male demigods grabbing Grover while Silena kept the others at bay with her sword.
As Harry followed them into the alley with Percy, Annabeth and Tyson, the three apparently-ex-campers saw him and, to Harry's surprise, Chris winked before Ethan revealed a golden disc with a green glowing essence at its heart.
'Magic!' Harry thought, watching as they vanished with Grover in tow, leaving the four demigods standing in the dark alone.
"How do they keep doing that?" wondered Percy.
"Never mind that, where did they come from?" asked Annabeth, earning a scoff from Harry.
"Luke," Percy explained, earning a nod from the Shadowborne as he continued, "He…he said that others had joined his quest, but…what does he want with Grover?"
"I can find out," Harry remarked, earning incredulous looks from the others; with a sigh, as though the explanation was obvious, Harry continued, "Those devices harnessed magic similar to Iris messages and nymph concealments: if I can sense that power for myself, I can Dark Flash myself to their location, but only me. It'd be too dangerous to risk you as well."
"So now you care about us?" asked Percy, earning a shake of the head from Harry.
"I wasn't talking to you, Seaweed Brain," Harry explained, moving over to where Tyson was watching before he continued, "We'll reunite soon, Ty, but until then, try and keep these two out of trouble."
"Are…are you sure I can't come with you?" asked Tyson, his voice edged by an expectant tone as he told Harry, "If they've taken him to the Sea of Monsters, then I can help you: I dunno, maybe talk to Polyphemus: Cyclops to Cyclops."
"It's a good idea, my friend," Harry smiled, putting a friendly hand on Tyson's shoulder as he explained, "But like I said, I couldn't risk my friends' safety using a power I've never used for the first time. Don't worry though, because if you catch up with me, I'll make sure you're unharmed."
"How can you be so sure?" asked Tyson, then noticing that Percy and Annabeth had left the alleyway and began to move.
"If Luke is the one behind Grover's satyr-napping," Harry explained, already focusing his magical sense on the area around them, "Then it means he wants Percy and Chase to follow them: I don't know why: maybe as bait for Polyphemus or as offerings to some other deity, but what I do know is that I'm the only one who can approach him freely without repercussions. So, go with them and make sure they don't die before our reunion."
With a soft smile, Tyson nodded and, with a wave to Harry, he went to follow the others out of the alley; alone in the darkness, Harry took a deep breath before he flexed his fingers and, lifting one hand into the dark of the alley, he felt around for the magical trace of those devices used by the fallen demigods.
For a long while, there was nothing and, for a moment, Harry was afraid he'd left it too late.
However, as he traced his sense back towards the light, a spark of recognition passed through his senses: the magic was there, faint given the time it had taken, but it was still there.
Clenching his fist, Harry closed his eyes before he whispered, "If you're listening, my Lady, let me find them!"
Then, with a sharp pull on his clenched hand, Harry vanished in a whirl of flames, the flash leaving nothing but the same dust-like remnant as left by the devices.
Son of the Shadows
In an almost comedic fashion, Harry almost tumbled onto the floor as his Dark Flash touched down on the other end of his sense's trail;
To his surprise, the young Shadowborne found himself standing on a boat of some sort, the place he had Flashed onto being what looked like the captain's cabin, which was being steered by controlled electronic devices. Out on the front end of the boat, Harry saw Luke, Chris and Silena strap a struggling Grover into a second craft, a few other human demigods that Harry didn't recognise keeping him tied down.
With a kick to the boat, Luke sent it off into the waters, one of the unnamed half-bloods turning on the engine and sailing them across the waters; as he rose up, a look of pleased success in his eyes, the estranged son of Hermes turned and, seeing Harry there, a smile crossed his face before he waved.
"I was wondering when you'd find your way here," Luke exclaimed, calling through the glass as Harry, leaving through the door, met him on the front side of the boat, both Chris and Silena leaving to tend to duties unknown.
Taking Night Shadow from his waist, Harry extended it into the dual-bladed form before he remarked, "You tried to kill Thalia."
"Not my intention, I assure you, Harry," Luke explained, holding up his hands as he told the Shadowborne, "I didn't know until Ethan revealed it to me that she was back in human form: I'd have found some other way to bring Jackson and his team here if I'd known what it would do to her. By the way, I have to congratulate you for bringing her back and sticking it to the Big Z at the same time."
Lifting one of the swords, Harry pinned it under Luke's chin before he hissed, "Swear that you didn't know what you'd done."
"I swear on the Styx that I did not know what I had done to the human form of Thalia," Luke replied calmly, the rumble of thunder showing his oath to be true; at the same time, Luke then placed one hand over Harry's wrist as he added, "I would never do anything to risk alienating you, Harry: remember what I said in New York? I want you to rule and I want to be the first to bow to you: with what I've found, we can do that. You can rule the three realms and we can teach the Olympians a thing or two about loyalty."
Lowering Night Shadow, Harry retracted the dual blades back into their dagger form as he asked, "What do you mean what I found?"
Smiling as though relieved that Harry chose to spare him, Luke indicated the back-end of the ship as he replied, "Come and see, my Lord."
Son of the Shadows
Tyson couldn't believe that, of all the things they could have used to track Harry's path and discover Luke's location, the best thing Percy and Annabeth could come up with was Hermes.
The guy seemed almost lost in his own sorrow about Luke's current condition and choice of path while, at the same time, he made jokes about cancelled television shows and tried to provide impressions with his caduceus staff's snakes. The stuff he then gave them to try and help out included things that were more welcome in spy films than helping with actual demigod traumas.
If he was so great and so quick, then why didn't he do something himself?
As they learned Luke's location, Tyson felt his heart grow cold as he began to realise why exactly Harry chose the path of the lone warrior;
A path that, from the way his estranged cousin treated him, he wanted Tyson to walk on in turn…
Son of the Shadows
Within the interior cabins of the ship, which he learned to be named the Princess Andromeda, Harry was a little surprised to find that Luke's allies didn't just include half-bloods. There was also what looked like a deformed giant of a creature as well as a strange canine creature that Luke explained was known as a manticore, a beast that nearly attacked Harry before it had picked up his scent and, rather amusingly, submitted to Harry like a wolf before its alpha.
Moving on to the back of the ship, Luke shrugged as Harry saw the Manticore walking with them, its faithfulness and spirit only increased by Harry's own titan-blooded presence.
"I can only apologise for him," Luke explained, almost amused with the way that the creature obeyed and submitted to Harry's presence, "Being Titan-blooded and having a thing for attacking half-bloods can make guys crazy…well, crazier."
"So does that mean you know who I am?" asked Harry, stepping out of the cabins and onto the Andromeda's stern side, a few other demigods amongst those who seemed to be observing a large tarpaulin-covered object.
"Yes," Luke answered, his voice calm as he explained, "I kind of figured it out when I learned about that prophecy of yours: I mean, how else could you have the power to topple old Bolt Boy and rule as you are destined to? After you left me in the ocean, which was a smart move on your part, I might add; anyway, after swimming to shore, I found a dealer who sold off some of those Iris Exploration Discs to me and managed to make my way down to the depths of the Underworld itself…also known as…"
"Tartarus," Harry whispered, watching with wide eyes as Luke's allies pulled off the tarpaulin, revealing a golden casket that was lined with strange lettering and mosaic-like designs of warriors and battles. Along the top of the sarcophagus/casket, there was a pyramid-like seal that was shaped like the roof of the Parthenon and, as he approached, Harry felt his dark nature rise up as he sensed Zeus' all-cursing power on the seal.
"It's just like me," he whispered, looking at the sarcophagus once more as he added, "But that's not surprising, because he's…he's…my Father."
"Yes," Luke answered, before he nodded to the demigods who, seeing Harry standing in the eerie glow of the container, fell to their knees in homage of their new lord, "And once we have the Fleece, we can revive your Father and he can bestow your rightful place and power onto you, my Prince. Then my allies, my forces and I; we will be yours to command, I so swear it."
Lifting a hand, Harry placed it upon the side of the casket before he muttered, "Can…can he hear us?"
'I hear you, my son,' a deep, booming voice replied, echoing through Harry's mind as he recoiled in shock; when he did so, Luke went to support him before he steadied the young Shadowborne.
"I know," Luke replied, "His essence is amongst us, but the Fleece is the only thing that can resurrect his flesh: when we are close to this tomb of his, he speaks to us all. Would you like some privacy while you speak with him, Harry?"
"Everyone but you," Harry told him, watching as Luke obeyed once more, dismissing the others to their chores and duties leaving the two of them alone with the casket. Going for it once more, Harry took a breath before he placed his hand on the side once again and whispered, "Father…is that really you I hear?"
'Indeed it is, Harrison,' Kronos' powerful voice replied, the use of the olden-time version of Harry's name surprising the Shadowborne, but he said nothing as Kronos continued, 'I have been sealed away for so long now and you and your allies are the only ones who can bring me back to the world of man.'
With a cautious glance to Luke, Harry smirked before he asked, "But what about your reputation? I mean, when you return, you'll need…well, let's just say nutrition and, lookie here, you'll have a band of faithful half-bloods to snack on like you did my half-brothers and their siblings."
'Yes,' chuckled Kronos, amused with his son's reasoning as he explained, 'But there is more to my return than they will understand: had I not sensed your presence, my child, I might have done just that and fed openly upon their energies, but with you here, I am content. My return will alarm your enemies and there will be roles that need playing, but as your Father, Harrison, I vow that no matter what I may do, I will never mean any harm to you or your true allies.'
"What do you mean roles?" asked Harry, his eyes narrowed as he asked, "And what do you mean you won't harm me? You devoured your own sons and daughters before now, so why am I so different?"
'That is the question, isn't it?' chuckled Kronos, leaving Harry with a slight more confusion than he already had.
Removing his hand from the sarcophagus, Harry turned to face Luke before he asked, "Is he always so cryptic?"
"Not always," Luke answered, shrugging ruefully as he added, "But you are his child, Harry: a child born to three lines and with powers beyond the Gods. So I think even Lord Kronos could be forgiven for being cryptic and less dominating with you."
"But why?" asked Harry, moving with Luke back to the blonde's cabin as he asked, "If he ate his own children because he feared them toppling him, why am I so different?"
Luke shrugged ruefully before he answered, "Maybe it's because of what I said: you're not completely God and you're not completely Titan either; then there's your mage's blood and form as well as your protections from Thanatos. Add them together and you get something more than God and Titan."
"What do you get?" asked Harry, actually awed by the explanation.
Luke just smiled before he replied, "The future…"
As he said the words, Harry felt a mix of confusion and amusement settle inside him as he thought about what could happen if he actually chose to embrace his destiny and work with his Father.
He'd never really been one for evil deeds, but then again, the powers of good had led him to his death, left him with Muggles who hated and despised the ground he walked on and lied to him for so long.
So why should he stay so good?
As he considered the options, Harry's eyes narrowed as a feeling of discomfort also passed through his body; turning to Luke, he was surprised when the son of Hermes just nodded in agreement before he muttered, "I know: here comes the cavalry. Come on, let's go and give them a hero's welcome."
Indicating the door of his cabin, Luke followed Harry out of the sleeping quarters and into a large, open-spaced room where the son of Hermes, to Harry's amusement, began playing a game of chess while the young Shadowborne stood to one side, casually waiting for the inevitable.
As Luke seemed ready to win the game against…well, himself, there was a sound of a scuffle from above and, from the stairs that led into the room, Chris and Ethan appeared, both of them dragging Percy, Annabeth and Tyson in-between their grips. Releasing them into the room, the two fallen gave curt nods to Harry before Luke spoke.
"Well look who's here," remarked the son of Hermes, "I expected you, Percy, but I didn't think we'd have guests: did you miss me?"
"You tried to destroy her," Annabeth scowled, then noticing Harry before she asked, "Where is Grover? What have you done with him?"
"Grover…Grover…ah, the satyr," Luke nodded, shrugging ruefully as he explained, "Well, by now, he'll be in the Sea of Monsters and on his way to the Fleece, but even if he gets there, I don't really see him getting past Polyphemus."
"Why would you want the Fleece?" asked Percy, "All this just to get back at your Dad?"
"Well, I suppose you've met him, then?" asked Luke, earning a scoff from Harry before he continued, "What did he say? How sorry he was and how he didn't want me to hate the world? It's rather funny, really: but then again, you'd know about the inability of a Father talking to their child themselves, right?"
Percy glowered while Luke, then noticing Tyson, asked, "So what's his story?"
"Tyson's a friend," Harry answered, giving a subtle nod in Ethan's direction, which made the demigod release the Cyclops, but not Percy, "I trust him and vouch for him: he's also a son of Poseidon."
"And a Cyclops," added Tyson, earning a confused look from Luke before he added, "Mist: thanks to Harry."
"But only to stop others seeing him and screaming in fear," Harry added, making a gesture with his hand where, to Luke's satisfaction, he saw Tyson for who he really was.
While Luke looked a little discomforted by the appearance, Harry continued, "I know about Thalia's past and how she became the tree, Luke, but you can't judge a half-breed half-blood for their crimes. Besides, unlike Seaweed Brain and Owl Girl here, I think Thalia actually accepts Tyson: when they were together in the mess hall, she didn't fear or hate him…unlike her."
He jabbed a finger at Annabeth, who scowled before she hissed, "Thalia would be disappointed if she could see you now, Luke: you were her best friend."
"Oh, that hurt!" groaned Luke, earning a laugh from Harry and the two fallen demigods before he added, "Take them to the brig: I was going to tell them the full story, but I think some time locked up will change their minds."
"Except…him," Harry added, indicating Tyson, who moved away from Ethan's would-be snatching grab as he explained, "I'll keep an eye on Tyson up here, no puns intended."
"None taken, Harry," Tyson smiled, watching as Percy and Annabeth were dragged away, leaving the second son of Poseidon with his friend and their apparent captor.
Once they were alone, Harry smiled with a sense of victory as he asked, "So Ty: want to see what all the fuss is really about?"
"Yeah," laughed Tyson, following Harry out of the leisure room.
After a few moments, however, Harry poked his head back under and, addressing Luke, he added, "By the way, I say five drachma on them escaping within thirty minutes."
"What makes you so confident?" asked Luke with a half-amused smile.
Indicating around them, Harry answered just as cryptically as his Father, "Call it a hunch: see you soon."
Chapter 14 and Harry has found out Luke's secret, had a 'sort-of' reunion with his Father and now has Tyson trusting him, but what side will he choose in the escape?
Also, why does Kronos seem so different towards Harry even though he's just like the other children of the Titan and will more than likely meet the same fate?
Keep Reading to Find Out…
Next Chapter: Percy escapes and Harry plays the game as the son of Poseidon goes up against the son of Kronos; also, in the escape, there's a shocking twist of fate and a chance for Harry to humiliate Jackson once again; and, to top it all off, an old friend returns as the gang reach the Sea of Monsters, but have they got there before Luke?
Please Read and Review
AN: Whew, this one took some thinking and shifting around, but I think it worked out okay: how did you like my interpretation of Kronos? I did him in this way because, I confess, he's not sticking around beyond Sea of Monsters except for vocal conversations with Harry…