Athena's POV
Yet another tedious and monotonous council meeting had taken place. Olympus was currently a busy area at war. Gods and magical creatures of all kinds were scattering around, getting ready for the gruesome war which was sure to come. Gods and goddesses were practicing day and night in the arena, father was getting lightning bolts ready, and I was planning out military strategies that couldn't fail. All most of us ever do is plan, practice, meetings, prepare weapons, and plan again.
Honestly, it pestered me to see how Poseidon had made something that could have been extremely simple into such a big pain in my ass but I guess it couldn't be helped. He wasn't ready to swallow his pride.
Zeus was strangely very nonchalant and apathetic with everything that was happening and it was irritating me. Seemingly, he didn't care whether we won or lost because he still has a feeling in his gut that Percy and I would be horrible for each other. Although, he only felt that way because the man I chose was not one he had approved of. Percy didn't mind though.
In fact, I haven't seen him since that… awkward shower incident. We unfortunately had less time than expected to get the demigods ready, so Percy was on permanent training duty for the time being. It was rather depressing not to see him around with his perky grin that could make a room full of demons from Hades smile. It was dull without him here, but I had Artemis's company.
"That Poseidon is getting on my last nerves! I can't see even the slightest bit of resemblance he and Percy have!" She ranted during one of our very rare break times outside her hunting grounds, sitting in a wooden, nicely made bench.
"Tell me about it. You would assume that after all his son has done for him he would let his ego go, and just deal with it."
"That's the problem with men, they always think they're right and won't give up until they get their way. Percy is an exception, you were very lucky."
"Indeed." I smiled as Thalia came out from inside her tent, plopping down in between us with a sigh.
"Wow, still find it hard to believe that Percy of all guys could get Artemis to lighten her heart a bit." I let out a soft chuckle while Artemis glared at her.
"You were eavesdropping again Thalia, we talked about this."
"Oh come on, you're my half-sister Lady Artemis. You should know that lectures about what not to do are only recommendations. Besides, I think I may have a solution to your problem that doesn't involve such a big war."
"Please tell I'm all ears for any idea at the time being. But don't say chaining Poseidon in a cell or to a mountain for the rest of eternity, because we already considered that and Percy didn't like the idea so much."
"I still think it was a brilliant plan." Artemis muttered under her breath.
"Well, majority of men, especially conceited Olympians, believe they are right about everything. And they tend to still have an old-fashioned way of thinking, reason why Poseidon won't let the patron goddess thing go. Back in old time Greece, most disputes were solved in one way. Battle. Fighting and bloodshed is the best way to get a god to let go of his side of an argument.
But, the problem with this would be that Poseidon would expect something in return if he were to win. The best offer you could give him would be that you and Percy never see each other again. That being said, you can't lose. The real trick would be to get Poseidon to agree to this."
Processing all the risks, advantages, and ways to go through with this, I decided that it was worth a shot. Sure, it could be possible that Poseidon wins, but the odds were thin to nothing. I haven't lost a dispute yet (excluding the one with Aphrodite.) Anything was better than actually going through with the war. With my brains, his strength, and our many other advantages, it would be an easy win. Quickly thanking Thalia for the brilliant idea, I flashed away to get Percy's opinion.
Percy's POV
As soon as Athena had told me about the plan, I was all for it. This was a thousand times better than going into full out war with him, the skies attacking the seas. Mortals would begin to think the end of the world is near.
Appearing outside Poseidon's palace in Olympus, the merman guards hesitantly let me go but insisted on going with me. They probably thought I was trying to snoop around for the 'other side' like a spy. The sight I saw was really not what I was expecting though.
Stooped over his desk, eyes bloodshot, hair a tangled mess, Poseidon glared at a pile of papers, scattered all over his desk. In his large, pearl white study he sat alone with the window covering the wall behind him showing the sight of raging black waters. Ever since this started a few earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and many other tropical storms had been starting to appear frequently, majority not causing much damage thankfully.
Clearing my throat and knocking on the door, he looked up from his desk as though he just woke from a dream. Eyes narrowing, he ushered me in, telling the guards to leave.
"I am hoping you are here to agree to my conditions, it is the only reason you are still allowed here. I just have a slight hope that you will see you aren't doing the right thing." Letting out an exasperated breath, I glower at him.
"No, I know what I'm doing is the right thing. I would rather die myself before I let you tear me apart from her."
"Persistent aren't you? Then tell me why you're here."
"I have an offer." Wrapping his fingers together and resting his chin on them, he was ready to listen. "Athena and I have decided that instead of this stupid war thing, you would prefer to fight us personally. We win, you forget about this, accept us whole-heartedly, and hold no grudge whatsoever against Athena. We lose, I agree to your terms, marry whoever you want and I forget about Athena." Even saying those last words murdered a part of my soul inside. Dad surprisingly looked amused.
"Very tempting, but I believe that I should have the right to a partner as well."
"Why? I'm only a minor god, that wouldn't exactly be fair if you teamed up with someone like Ares, now would it?"
"True. Then how about this, it can be a tag-team sort of thing. I get to choose whoever I deem suitable, and it can only be one of us against you two at a time."
"Dad, that's seriously not fair."
"I'm sorry Percy, truly I am, but this is a hazardous compromise. If I don't get these two requirements, I'm going to lead an attack straight to Olympus." Clenching my teeth, my eyebrows furrowed over my eyes in anger, I nodded an agreement and stormed out of there before I did something I would regret. How could Poseidon, my Dad, be so… I don't even know the right words for it. I bet if I asked Athena she could list a million words to describe him. None would be positive. It still shocked me that he could be like this with his laid-back personality, but I guess you never really know a person.
Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down when I reached the shore, I stared back at the dark blue, raging waters and said to the God of the Ocean, "Bring it on dad, I'm ready to fight for her... I'm going to win if it's the last thing I do..."
A/N: Yes, yes I know it's been forever. I have really delayed the update on this and I am ashamed, you have every right to be mad and want to kill me. I'll even tell you where I am if you really want to hurt me that much, I am sorry. But I have valid reasons:
1- Writers Block
2- Fanfiction wouldn't let me upload T_T
3- I was helping someone start on their first fanfiction story.
Sincerest Apologies,
~ Zero