Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan does, I don't own the book Cyborg - Martin Caidin does, nor do I own the old TV Show Six Million Dollar Man. I just wanted to make that clear.
Story: Cybernetic Hero
Chapter 21: The Ocean's Threat
AN: The conversations in this chapter happen underwater, therefore the italics text relates to the underwater discussions.
In Route to Atlantis
Percy's POV
As I sank down into the depths of Long Island Sound, I could feel the battle beneath the surface. It was far away, but the ripple effect that it had on the ocean was obvious. Well, at least to me. Suddenly, I had an idea to speed up my expedition to Atlantis. I concentrated on my legs and I was able to transform them into a massive water jet. I willed the sea to push me forward as the water jet exploded behind me, making me rocket through the water at speeds beyond imagination. I wasn't sure how I was able to transform my legs—first into rocket engines, and now into water jets. Hephaestus had told me that my left arm was the only cybernetic prosthetic that could morph into other objects, but now my legs could as well. I would have to ask him about that later.
I continued on my journey, passing massive schools of fish and undersea clouds of plankton. Eventually, I could see the lights of Atlantis before me. I slowed myself to a more modest speed as I approached the great city. The first things I saw were massive explosions and armies fighting. The explosions created clouds of debris, and I realized with a shock that the debris was actually people. Mermen. They were dressed in gold armor, and they were fighting creatures that looked like they were half shark and half man. These creatures had the heads of sharks and their skin color matched the shark species they represented. For example, one of the creatures had the head of a hammerhead shark and his skin color was the same dull grey. The creatures had normal human bodies, except for their webbed hands and feet. I guessed that these were the sharkmen Tyson had told me about.
I tried to avoid the terrible sight of the battles that raged around me as I stared at the city. Atlantis seemed to glow with an ethereal light. I realized that the buildings were made of living coral. Some of the bigger buildings were made of a swirled white and blue marble that I had never seen before. This city was nothing like Olympus, but to my eyes it was more beautiful.
Sea creatures of all sorts swam passed and into the city. They avoided the battles for the most part, but some creatures joined the fighting. Massive groups of sharks, squid and other types of fish I had never seen before entered the fray against the forces of Oceanus.
A colossal squid swam toward a massive dome in the center of the city. The dome was made of an unusual glass that seemed to glow with power. The squid approached the dome and a large tentacle extended up and over the structure. Before it could strike, a massive beam of blue light shot from the dome and hit the squid in the head. The creature dissolved into the ocean water, like a cloud of food coloring.
That power could only come from one person, my father. I made my legs return to normal and swam right through the glass dome, as if it wasn't there. Once inside, I realized that I was still in seawater. The dome allowed all kinds of sea creatures to enter and exit. I looked down and saw several figures looking over a map in the tiled floor. The tiles morphed into different shapes, some of which were three dimensional. Two large masses were clearly visible in the map. On one side were the forces of Atlantis. Mermen, sharks, whales and other creatures were fighting the forces of Oceanus. Oceanus's army was comprised of large groups of sharkmen with masses of giant squid, large crustaceans and other creatures I couldn't identify.
I concentrated on the figures looking at the map. A beautiful dark haired woman stood looking over the map wearing gold armor. She had tiny antenna or something extending out of her head. A dark-haired man floated next to her. He had two fish tails, and his upper body was that of a young man. He had the build of a swimmer: lean, but muscled. His skin had a light bluish tinge to it. An older man stood in front of him. He wore gold armor that seemed to weigh him down. His hair and long, flowing beard were white. He held a golden walking staff in his hand. On the opposite side of him was a large dolphin, but for some reason I knew he was more than that.
I slowly lowered myself to the tiled floor, but before I could reach it, I heard a voice in my head that I would know anywhere. Percy! I looked around to see my little brother Tyson swimming towards me excitedly.
Tyson? I asked. He was wearing work overalls and held a hammer in his hand, as if he had just materialized from the forges. He engulfed me in a tight hug. He would have normally squeezed me to a pulp, but with my cybernetic systems and metal bones all he could do was squeeze my new, sturdy body.
I turned towards the center of the room to see everyone staring at us, but especially me. Tyson and I swam over to the assembled group. I looked closely at the older man in the middle, and then my computer brain seemed to register that this man was Poseidon.
Dad? Poseidon gave me a tired smile at first, but then his eyes brightened when he saw my worried expression.
Percy! Please excuse my appearance. My form reflects the state of my kingdom, and, as you can tell, my realm is in great turmoil. I'm happy to see you son, but why are you here?
Sorry that I couldn't call, but I'm here to help. An irritated huff came from beside my father. The younger guy was scowling at me, as if I was some kind of annoying bug.
Percy Jackson, come to finally help out. I glared at him, already itching to blast him to the moon.
Percy, this is your, ah, brother, Triton, Poseidon said awkwardly. The tension in the room was clearly evident.
Half-brother, The woman next to my father said.
My father looked at her and sighed. This is my wife, Amphitrite. I looked at her carefully and bowed my head in respect. She barely regarded me, but I let it slide.
I took a step forward, and everyone looked at me cautiously.
Typhon is free, and we think that the remaining Titan forces will try a covert attack on Olympus. Camp Half Blood has sent two forces to assist the gods. I came here to help you against Oceanus.
Triton snorted, if that was possible underwater. How can you help, little demigod?
I could feel the anger boiling inside of me. How many Titans have you defeated? Triton glared at me, and then looked away. He clearly knew about the battles I had fought.
My boy, we can definitely use your help, my father said.
Amphitrite stared at Poseidon incredulously. You can't expect us to rely on this child for assistance?
My father glared at her. Any assistance is always welcome. I think you'll find Percy more than capable of holding his own.
The queen of Atlantis scoffed. How? He's a child and a mortal.
I looked at my father; he gave me a slight nod to encourage me. I removed my eye patch and the laser eye lit up the tiled floor of the room. Amphitrite and Triton looked at me fearfully. I focused on my left arm and it began to glow, until it had transformed into a large harpoon gun.
I grinned. I think that you'll find that I'm full of surprises. Just point me in the right direction and I will fight. The two immortals just stared at me awestruck. My father gave me a warm smile that seemed to lighten the tension in the room.
The dolphin swam forward slightly. My lord, I would be honored to fight alongside young Perseus.
My father turned toward the dolphin and nodded. Thank you, Delphin. Percy, this is Delphin, the god of dolphins. He will be your commander in the field.
I bowed my head toward the large dolphin. I'm honored, my lord.
Father, where do you want me to fight? Triton asked. Poseidon touched his hand to his chin in a thoughtful manner. He looked at myhalf-brother, and then Amphitrite.
Triton, I want you and your mother to lead the mermen army in their assaults. I will face Oceanus, head on. Triton and Amphitrite bowed and swam away, but not before giving me one last glare.
Poseidon looked at me sympathetically. I'm sorry for that. Triton is jealous and Amphitrite has never forgiven me for my past involvement with your mother.
I understand, father. I guess I shouldn't be too mad at them. It is an awkward situation. Poseidon gave me a thoughtful smile.
Daddy, can I fight with Percy? Tyson asked.
My father turned toward my little brother. Tyson, I've told you that I need you in the forges. The army needs weapons. Tyson looked down toward his large feet sadly before he turned and walked away.
He didn't even say goodbye to me, he was so lost in his own thoughts.
I looked back towards my father. Dad, you should let him fight. He's a good fighter.
Poseidon gave me a stern look. He is too young to fight in these battles. I will not lose him.
However, you'll let me fight. How is that different? I asked.
Poseidon regarded me closely and visibly sighed. You have already proven yourself against formidable foes. Tyson has no experience in such conflicts.
He'll never get that experience, if you don't let him fight, I rationalized.
Poseidon just looked at me, and then he frowned. You sound like a child of Athena.
I guess they finally rubbed off on me. It was bound to happen.
My father's face brightened into an amused grin. I'll think about it. Now off to battle my boy, good luck. He motioned for me to follow Delphin.
I followed the dolphin through the great dome and into the turbulent waters that surrounded the city.
Delphin, where are we going? I asked curiously. The dolphin tilted his head toward a great sea plain that was opposite a large undersea mountain. I looked in that direction to see massive armies of sea creatures fighting against each other.
That is my army. They are engaged in battle against the sea creatures that support the Titan of the sea. Those are ancient creatures, some of which I haven't seen in millennia. I looked closely at the battlefield. A large force of sharks, dolphins and whales werefighting against giant squid, colossal squid, giant crabs and a huge creature that looked like an octopus of some type.
What is that? I asked, pointing to the unusually large and ferocious octopus. Delphin looked toward the creature, and I could almost feel him shiver at the sight of it.
Perseus, that is the great Leviathon. It has been a long time since that creature has shown itself to the forces of Lord Poseidon. He will be difficult to fight, but we must prevail. The good of the oceans and their inhabitants depend on our victory.
I was suddenlystruck with the sheer importance of this battle. This fight would not only preserve or destroy Atlantis, but more importantly, it wouldserve as a final battle to preserve or destroy numerous species of sea creatures, and the fate of the ocean itself. The stakes were higher, and we had no margin for error.
AN: This chapter sets up the battle for the oceans. Next chapter I will focus on the fight against Typhon. Stay tuned more to come. My thanks again to Starlit Reader, my excellent Beta.