CHAPTER 19
A GOD WAKES UP
We dragged Pan out of the coliseum and back into the courtyard, Grover following in our wake. After a few seconds, Annabeth got tired of carrying him, and Grover took up the weight. He was breathing hard and fast. It was hard working carrying a life size stone statue that weighed about a thousand pounds. I would have to say, it was much lighter than holding up the sky. We made it back to the doors and with great effort pushed them back open. We stepped back into the mall/labyrinth. It was difficult.
"At least we completed the quest," said Annabeth.
"Yeah," I said, "and know one died."
"Yeah," said Annabeth, relieved.
"What do you think happened to Clarisse, and Tyson?" I asked.
"Probably on their way to Olympus." said Annabeth.
"How do you figure?" I asked.
"Ares," said Annabeth, "he hated Enceladus. I doubt he'd want to watch his daughter fighting such a weak opponent without stepping in."
"Hmm," I said.
We were now almost through the food court, when we came around the side and saw Morgana. She was furious and holding her scepter.
"How dare you?!" she screamed. "Those gates were priceless antique!"
"We're so not in the mood for this right now." said Grover, angrily. First time I'd ever seen him or say something with rage.
"I doubt it!" said Morgana, holding up her scepter. I uncapped Riptide and slashed at Morgana. She fell to the ground with a dramatic scream and burst into black dust. Her scepter melted into a silver liquid.
"She was super annoying," I said.
We'd reached the fountain. Its crystal clear water sparkling in the light from the mall. The pendulum was spinning evilly above us. Together, we haled Pan into the fountain. Then we stepped into it ourselves. I, of course, wasn't wet, but I knew Annabeth and Grover had been.
"Okay," I breathed, "dad I…."
"Percy, wait," said Annabeth.
"What?" I said.
Annabeth stepped toward me, pulled me into a tight embrace, and kissed me. Now, I do think years flew by. Fireworks exploded in my head and I kissed her back. Three years of emotion spilled into that kiss. Then, when we finally broke apart she smiled and said, "I told you if we survived I owe you a kiss."
"Ah, yeah," I said. I couldn't think. My mind was totally blank. I didn't care that Grover had just seen that.
"Dad, help us get to Olympus safely with the God Pan." I prayed. At that moment, I felt our bodies melt into the water. Annabeth's and Grover's bodies were going deeper and deeper into the pool. Pan was sinking beside them. I was so sinking. It was a strange feeling. It felt like going down a roller coaster track really slow. Once I was submerged, Annabeth, Grover, and Pan vanished from my eyesight.
"Where are they?" I said. I looked around left and right to see that I could still see the fountain's walls around me. Then, something came up to me.
"MOOOO!" it said.
It was Bessie, the Ophiotarus, cow-serpent. I saved him last winter from a horrible fate.
"Bessie, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"MOOOO!" said Bessie.
"I don't speak cow." I said.
Bessie swam upward. I found it kind of odd that he was swimming to the very top of the fountain in the mall and decided to follow. We my head broke surface, I gasped. I was standing in a great room. I was in a crystal sphere tank. It was glowing. Bessie floated in front of me. I looked down to see Annabeth and Thalia standing, looking up at me. She had a smile on her face.
"That's where you belong, ah, Seaweed Brain." she said, smirking.
"No," I said, climbing out of the tank and slipping onto the floor.
"The summer solstice is about to begin." said Thalia. "Come on."
We stood before the twelve Olympians, sitting on their thrones, and staring down at us. Clarisse, Tyson, Grover, and surprisingly Sarissa were standing before the fire in the middle of the room on the hearth. Pan's stone body stood before the Olympians. Again, I felt that feeling of great power in the room. Zeus, wearing his suit, stared down at us. His beard crackling with electricity. My dad, Poseidon, smiled at me as I approached. Ares gave me a look of great disgust. Hermes was looking solemn and not happy. He looked almost care worn and sad. Maybe it was Luke. Hephasetus looked down at us and said nothing. Apollo beamed.
"What's up, heroes?" said Apollo. "Wait, I feel it! Yes! I have the perfect rhyme! Heroes come on by. Their dangerous journey ends. Time to start council! That's totally awesome."
"Will you please stop that?" said Artemis, irritably. She took the form of the twelve year old girl. She smiled and waved at us.
Athena looked stern and watchful.
Hera nodded curtly and Demeter waved happily.
Aphrodite smiled at me and Annabeth. I had the feeling she knew what had happened between us.
Dionysus looked just like a sour grape.
"Welcome back, heroes." said Zeus.
We bowed.
"It is time to begin council." said Athena.
"Yes," said Hera, her voice light, yet strong.
"Father," I said, looking at him, "I have news to report."
"Yes, Percy," said Poseidon, "your friends and Tyson have just recounted half of your adventure to us. Tell us what has happened at the Rhapcity."
I explained to them what we'd seen and what Anemoi had told us.
"……once Luke takes Kronos back to the Rhapcity, he will have his body again." I finished.
"Yes," said Ares, sinisterly, "finally the enemy draws first blood."
"Not on really Ares," said Athena. "Kronos hasn't placed an attack on this world, yet. But he will soon do so. We must get ready."
"I agree," said Demeter, "it is time to act."
"But, what must we do first?" I asked.
"Your sixteenth birthday will occur next year, are we sure that we can trust the boy?" said Hephasetus.
"I believe so," said Artemis. "Percy has proven himself worthy of us and he plans to fight on our side."
"That he has," said Aphrodite.
I felt myself blushing and didn't look at Annabeth.
"So now the Rhapcity has risen, the Titan Lord is will return once again, blah, blah, blah…." yawned Dionysus.
"We should take out his forces." said Hermes. "Should someone go to the Rhapcity to hold off Luke?"
"Morgana told us that no one could get into the Rhapcity for another year." said Annabeth.
"My dear," said Athena, "there are ways to work around laws, if one is clever enough to discover it."
"We will wait," said Zeus.
"Wait?" I said, shocked. "We can't just wait. We need to prepare. Start arming the Camp or something."
"We shall prepare, Percy." said Poseidon. "But we shall not act until the Titans rise."
"What about Hades?" I asked. "Tartarus is right there. Can't he send his army to guard it from Kronos's forces?"
"Boy," boomed Zeus, "don't you think we have done that. Hades and Persephone have been alerted. They are gathering their underworld forces as we speak."
"Most of the old monsters have been killed." said Apollo.
"Yes," said Artemis.
"Old sea spirits have risen, but I don't think I can keep them at bay for long." said Poseidon.
"The plan has been decided." said Zeus. "We shall prepare for our coming war with the Titans next year. But alas, we have an old friend in our midst." He glanced down at the stone statue of Pan.
"You can do it, Grover." I said, encouragingly.
Grover was breathing hard and shaking.
"Its okay, Grover. Just concentrate." said Sarissa.
All eyes were on Grover and Sarissa.
Grover put his lips to his reed pipe and began to play a slow melody. It was soothing. Sarissa began to dance around him, as though she were a wood nymph. As she danced I felt a rush of warm air. Sarissa's green aura returned and she held out her hands. She sent blasts of green light at the stone statue of Pan. It also glowed green. Grover's melody got louder and echoed off the walls.
Then, the stone statue glowed bright. When it died, Pan stood before them. He blinked and his bright green eyes took in their surroundings.
"Pan," said all twelve Olympians, in unison.
"Lord Pan," said Grover, bowing.
"Ah, dear satyr, Grover and dear daughter of Demeter, Sarissa." said Pan, in a kind grandfather type voice, "thank you for awakening me."
THE END.
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