Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Immortal Seas
Chapter Quote: "The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other." – Mario Puzo
Chapter 25: Loyalty
AS Orion
Thalia sat in the command chair in the center of the control room. Her sisters, the hunters were at the stations they had been assigned. Thalia was proud of them; they had learned quickly and were in complete control of this advanced ship.
"Thalia," someone called.
Thalia turned to see Silena. Thalia looked at her friend that she considered as a younger sibling. Silena had dark brown hair and blue eyes that matched her mothers. Thalia marveled at the resemblance between Silena and Sally Jackson-Blofis, her mother. "Yes Silena, do you need something?" Thalia asked.
Silena looked at the main screen that overlooked the city of Atlantis and the battle that raged before them. "Shouldn't we help them?" she asked.
Thalia frowned. "We were ordered to remain here and protect the ship," Thalia replied.
"We should be helping. Lady Artemis is down there. She could need us,"Silena said in frustration.
Thalia sighed at the temperamental nature of the girl. She was so much like her older half-brother, it sometimes drove Thalia mad. "Silena, orders are orders. We cannot disobey our mistress," Thalia scolded.
A sly grin crossed Silena's face. "She said to protect the ship; she didn't say where to protect it," Silena said.
Thalia's eyes narrowed before her own devious smile crossed her lips. Thalia hated to sit back and watch a fight. "Go to your station, prepare for battle," Thalia ordered. Silena grinned before running off to her duty station. "Attention hunters, we are going into battle. Prepare all defensive and weapons systems for combat. Remember what you have learned," Thalia said.
Phoebe approached Thalia. "Thalia, this is against Artemis's orders," Phoebe said.
Thalia turned and looked at her closest friend among the hunters. "No its not, she said to protect the ship. She didn't say where," Thalia argued.
Phoebe looked over at Silena and frowned. "You're letting the kid persuade you," Phoebe replied.
Thalia grinned at her friend. "Are you jealous?" she asked.
Phoebe's face turned red. "I'm not jealous; I've been a hunter for far longer than you or Silena. I'm reminding you of our orders," Phoebe said just barely holding in her anger.
Thalia stood before stepping closer to her friend. "I'm reminding you that I'm the lieutenant. Now, you've got your orders, prepare for battle," Thalia growled.
Phoebe was a little startled at Thalia's ferocity, but she nodded and went back to her duty station. She hit a few buttons and turned back to her friend. "Weapons and defensive systems online, all duty stations ready," Phoebe informed.
"Good, set a course for Atlantis, best possible speed. Rig for battle stations, shields up and arm weapon systems," Thalia said.
"Aye, course set and all weapons and defensive systems on," Phoebe said.
Thalia looked at Silena. Silena nodded before turning back to her duty station. "Here we go," Thalia said.
Atlantis – Throne room
Tartarus surveyed the aftermath of his confrontations. He looked over at Pontus; the primordial god of the sea eyed the fallen goddesses and immortals with pity in his eyes. "Don't get soft on me now. They must be broken before they can be built back up," Tartarus said.
Pontus eyed his Uncle curiously. "What do you mean? We're not going to destroy them?" Pontus inquired.
Tartarus laughed. The sound was hollow, devoid of all emotion. "I only destroy those that deserve it," Tartarus replied.
"What do we do with them?" Pontus asked as he looked into his Uncle's eyes.
"Take them to a prison cell. The goddesses in one and the brothers in the other," Tartarus said before a devious grin crossed his face. "We wouldn't want them to destroy each other."
Pontus whistled, but no one entered. "Where is everyone?" he asked.
Tartarus closed his eyes and opened up his senses. "It appears that we not only have a battle raging outside, but a group of mermen are fighting within the city. Our forces are currently occupied," Tartarus informed.
Suddenly, the doors to the throne room burst open. Two tall figures stood in the door way. One had his arm wrapped around the other to help him stand. Tartarus eyed the two closely. Percy knew these two beings. Tartarus faltered a little. He could feel Percy within him. The two beings before him stirred some emotion within the soul of the immortal demigod he possessed.
"Father," Tartarus said, but the voice was Percy's'.
Tartarus's red eyes dimmed before flaring back to life. "Pontus it appears that Lord Poseidon has recovered," Tartarus said.
"What have you done to my son?" Poseidon questioned. His voice was raspy, but there was plenty of strength within it.
"Your son's body hosts my essence. I, Tartarus control his body and his power," Tartarus replied.
"For what purpose?" Poseidon asked.
Tartarus's evil grin spread across his face. "For any purpose I see fit," he replied.
Poseidon looked around the room. His eyes narrowed at the three goddesses within his throne room, but when he saw his two sons, he gasped. "Theseus and Orion, what have you done to them?" he asked angrily.
Tyson held his father protectively. "Daddy, don't hurt yourself," Tyson pleaded.
"Listen to your son. You wouldn't want to injure yourself," Tartarus mocked.
Pontus stepped forward. "Maybe we can resolve this without fighting," Pontus suggested.
Poseidon looked at the primordial god of the sea. "Pontus, what did I ever do to you?" Poseidon questioned.
Pontus looked at the marble floor. "Nothing, but I sought revenge on Oceanus," Pontus said.
Tartarus cleared his throat. "A revenge that I helped you complete," Tartarus reminded.
Pontus bowed toward his Uncle. "I thank you for that my lord," Pontus said.
"Remember your place then," Tartarus warned. Pontus backed away from Poseidon. Tartarus glared at Poseidon and Tyson. "Call off your forces."
Poseidon smiled. "No," he said.
Tartarus growled. "Call off your forces, or I'll destroy your sons," he threatened. Poseidon shook his head. Tartarus's face grew red with anger. "Pontus, destroy Theseus and Orion."
Pontus looked at his Uncle, and then toward Poseidon. "There has to be another way," Pontus argued.
Tartarus growled. "You weak fool," he yelled before waving his hand. Pontus flew across the room breaking through a marble bench before striking the wall. He slumped to the ground with golden ichor seeping through a wound on the back his head. "I'll take care of them."
Tartarus stepped down from the throne and leveled the trident at Theseus and Orion. He fired the weapon, but the energy blast stopped before it touched the two sons of Poseidon. "What is the meaning of this," he yelled before throwing the trident away from him.
Poseidon laughed. "My weapon will not hurt a child of the sea," he answered.
Tartarus stepped down from the thrones and uncapped Riptide; the celestial bronze sword extended into his hand. He walked towards Theseus and Orion.
"Theseus, Orion, snap out of it," Poseidon yelled. The two sons of Poseidon looked up at their father. They both stare at him in wonder before they noticed Tartarus. They both stood up quickly and separated to give the primordial two separate targets.
Tartarus smiled fiendishly at Percy's brothers. "I think the oldest should die first," he said as he approached Theseus.
Theseus pulled out his sword and held it protectively in front of him. "Percy, please don't do this," Theseus pleaded. Tartarus wavered as he lifted Riptide into the air.
"Big brother don't hurt brother," Tyson said. Tartarus turned toward Tyson. The primordial's red eyes dimmed; they were more green than red.
"I… we… I mean…" he began. Tartarus shook his head. "I will kill him." He lowered the sword, but the speed wasn't there. Theseus easily blocked the strike and pushed the blade away. Theseus swung his sword at Tartarus, but the primordial god moved in a blink of an eye and blocked the strike. "I'm in control demigod; your brother will not stop me." He pushed back and knocked Theseus against the wall.
Orion looked at his younger brother. He knew that Percy was in there fighting for control. "Percy, please come back to us," Orion said.
Tartarus looked at Orion and then turned to Theseus. "Why would Perseus help you? You both lied to him, with the help of your Uncles," Tartarus began. Theseus and Orion gave him curious looks, but Theseus looked nervous. "You agreed that after you saved your father that you could choose to renounce your immortality and return to Elysium."
Orion looked at Theseus; he knew they had been caught. "Yes, we said that," Theseus said. "Zeus and Hades agreed."
Tartarus's fiendish smile widened. "The gods can't take away immortality once it is given," Tartarus said. Tartarus turned to Poseidon. "Isn't that right sea god?"
Poseidon looked at Theseus and Orion. The look on Theseus face confirmed that he knew about the god's limitation. "We can't take away immortality, but…" Poseidon started, but Tartarus glared at him.
"There are no exceptions Poseidon," Tartarus said.
"All things are possible for Lord Chaos. He's your father, don't you agree?" Poseidon asked knowingly.
Tartarus growled. He had been caught and he knew it. "Chaos has not been seen for many millennia," he began. "How would you contact him?"
It was Poseidon's turn to smile. "My sister has been in touch with him for many years. Hestia has been his contact here on Earth," Poseidon replied.
Tartarus's face turned red and his red eyes flickered as the sea green began to take over again. "Dad," Percy's voice rang out through the throne room.
"Percy, you're in there. Please come back to us," Poseidon urged. Annabeth and the other goddesses looked up hopefully at the sound of Percy's voice.
Tartarus's red eyes flared back into control. "Impossible, no one can be that strong. Percy remember your anger and pain. I'm the one who helped you use it," Tartarus said.
Theseus's face lit up as an idea crossed his mind. "Percy, let go of your pain. Let go of your anger," Theseus urged.
Tartarus turned toward the eldest son of Poseidon. "You don't care for Perseus. You only wanted to come back to life for your own selfish reasons," he accused.
Theseus glared at the primordial. "Yes, I was selfish. I wanted to save my father and I wanted another chance at life," Theseus explained.
Tartarus laughed. "So, you could go back to your goddess," he said as he gave Athena an evil smirk.
"No, I wanted another chance to live again. I wanted to make up for the things I did and the things I never got to do. I wanted to live up to my potential, instead of wasting it," Theseus said.
Orion smiled at his older brother. "I wanted to come back for the same reason. I died too early. I wanted to live my life and serve a purpose, but first and foremost I wanted to save my dad,"
Orion said as he smiled at his father.
"See Tartarus, my boys are not evil and they aren't selfish. They think of others and they are loyal to those that return that loyalty," Poseidon said. He smiled at his two sons and gave disappointed glares to the three goddesses.
Tartarus just stared at Theseus and Orion. He didn't know what to say. "It is no matter. Perseus is mine. It is too late for him," Tartarus said.
"Tartarus listen to yourself. You act no better than Kronos. You have taken over my son's body. What did he ever do to you?" Poseidon asked.
Tartarus laughed at the question. "He never did anything to me. He was such a simple fool. I used his anger and grief against him. I used the betrayal that he felt and turned his loyalty to me," Tartarus said. Theseus and Orion looked at their father with knowing smiles on their faces.
"You've betrayed his loyalty. You used him to hurt others," Poseidon accused.
"Of course, the boy was a pawn in my plans," Tartarus said. He began to choke and steam began to come off his body. "What's happening?"
Poseidon looked at Tartarus in awe. Percy was using a power that Poseidon swore never to use; the power to use the water within someone's body. Percy was using the water within his own body to throw out the spirit of the primordial god. "Percy, be careful," Poseidon pleaded.
Tartarus looked at his arms and his hands, but they were never his. Percy's body began to heat up. He was boiling the water within his own body. "This is impossible. No one, no demigod can defeat me," Tartarus yelled. Percy's skin started to burn. Red blotches criss-crossed his skin as his body blistered.
Poseidon knew it would take perfect timing to defeat Tartarus and he knew of only one person who could help. Poseidon closed his eyes and prayed. A few moments later the earth began to shake beneath the throne room, until a large crack opened up in the floor between Tartarus and the sea god. Poseidon opened his eyes and said, "I give you permission to enter my realm," Poseidon proclaimed.
A dark shadow moved out of the crack in the ground and up onto the floor near Percy. Out of the shadow dressed in a black three piece suit stepped Hades, Lord of the dead. "A nice throne room you have here brother," Hades said. He turned toward Percy and his eyes turned coal black. "Tartarus, you've been seriously bad," Hades scolded.
Percy looked at his Uncle, his eyes were now green, but the red glow was still there. "Uncle, help me," Percy said.
Hades looked at his nephew with pity and something else, respect. "You have earned my help today Perseus," Hades raised his hands before a blast of dark energy hit Percy in the chest. Percy's body fell to the ground and began to convulse violently. Hades began to speak in an ancient language. Three white lights appeared next to him before fading into the forms of the Fates.
The Fates stared at the injured body of Perseus. They walked to his body and placed their hands on it. Percy's convulsions stopped and a red ball of energy floated out of his chest. The ball of energy floated over until Hades held it between his hands. The Fates looked at the Lord of the dead and said, "Tartarus is yours to deal with Lord Hades, may his punishment fit the crime. He has toyed with fate and therefore he shall suffer the consequences."
Hades smiled as he held the essence of Tartarus in his hands. "Your will shall be done," he said. Hades body changed into a dark mist before it seeped into the crack in the floor and disappeared.
The Fates kept their hands on Percy's body. His body began to glow as they healed his wounds. "The greatest son of the sea shall return to his family, the darkness within his pure soul has been removed," they said as one. They turned to Poseidon and smiled. "Your son is now free; the father and sons of the sea are united. Let no one tear them asunder." The Fates began to glow until they changed into a golden ball of light. They sunk into the crack in the ground before it sealed itself; the marble floor was perfect once again.
Tyson helped his father over to Percy. The two kneeled on the ground next to him. Theseus and Orion limped over to their father and brothers. They knelt beside their father. Poseidon leaned forward and hugged his two eldest sons. "I missed you both so much," he said as tears poured from his eyes.
Theseus and Orion held onto their father and smiled happily. Tyson couldn't see, but he could feel the happiness in the room. "Brothers are good," he said. He reached forward and touched Percy. "Percy"
Poseidon let go of his sons. He turned toward Percy and pulled his son into his lap. Percy's eyes fluttered open, sea green met sea green. Poseidon smiled at his son. "I missed you Percy. I love you son," Poseidon said as he hugged his son tightly.
Percy looked around and smiled at the sight of his father and brothers seated around him. "Is it over?" he asked, still a little out of it from his ordeal.
As if in answer to his question the doors to the throne room burst open to reveal Commander Aquilon and a small group of the Phalanx. Alongside them were the hunters, they wore huge smiles as they discussed the battle that had waged outside the city. When they saw the scene before them, they stopped and stared in shock.
Commander Aquilon ordered his soldiers to take guard positions around the unconscious form of Pontus, while he joined Poseidon and his sons. Thalia and the hunters rushed to the aid of their mistress and the two goddesses.
Poseidon's eyes widened at the sight of the Commander. "Aquilon," he said.
Commander Aquilon smiled. His eyes were full of joy at the sight of his lord. He fell to his knees and bowed before Poseidon. "My lord, I'm so happy to see you," he said.
Poseidon's smile widened as he pulled the merman into a warm embrace. "I missed you my old friend," Poseidon said happily. They pulled apart after a few moments. "The Phalanx?"
The Commander smiled at his lord. "They are well, my lord. We defeated the sharkmen," he informed. He looked over at the hunters and said, "With the help of the hunters." Poseidon looked over at the hunters and whispered a thank you to Thalia. She smiled and nodded.
Theseus and Orion helped Percy sit up. He looked around, but stopped when he saw Annabeth and the others. He turned away from them. He tried not to think of the pain and betrayal that he felt when he thought of the daughter of Athena, but he had learned that her betrayal wasn't totally her fault. Athena and Hypnos had played a part. They preyed upon her fatal flaw.
"How do you feel?" Theseus asked.
Percy didn't really know what to say. The anger and hatred he had felt before was gone, but he still felt the pain, but most of all he just felt sad. He still cared for Annabeth. He didn't want to see her in pain, but he didn't know if he could ever trust her again. "Sad and guilty, I let you down. I let the anger get to me and it nearly destroyed all of you," Percy said.
"We all make mistakes, my anger and pain destroyed me in my prior life, but you overcame it. I'm proud to call you brother," Theseus said.
"I couldn't agree more. Percy, you are the best hero," Orion said.
Percy grinned at the compliments that he received from his brothers. It felt good to know that they were there for him. "Thanks," he said, a little embarrassed from all the praise.
"Percy, I'm sorry that I lied to you," Theseus said with a guilty expression on his face. "I knew that the gods couldn't take away immortality, but I told you they could. Orion didn't know about it until after I did it. Please forgive me."
Percy reached forward and held his brother's shoulder in his hand. "Yes, you lied to me, but you did it to save our dad," Percy started. He looked at Poseidon with his crooked grin on his face. "I can't blame you for that, but if you lie to me again, I'll kick your butt." Theseus smiled at his brother before the two of them broke down with laughter. Orion shook his head at his two brothers, but it was clear that he was happy that all was well between them.
Tyson moved around with his head bandaged. "What do we do now daddy," Tyson questioned.
Poseidon looked at his son and his injured eye. "We set things right," Poseidon said. He placed his hands on his son's face and concentrated. Tyson's face began to glow until the light finally receded. Poseidon removed his hands.
Tyson looked around curiously before pulling the bandage off his face. He opened his large calf brown eye; it was perfectly healed. He smiled at his father before he engulfed him in warm embrace. "Thank you, daddy," he said.
"You're welcome my boy," Poseidon said. Poseidon turned toward the other side of the room; he stared at the three goddesses and the hunters. He stood and walked toward Athena and the others. He stopped only a few feet from them. "Athena, I… thank you… for helping me… and my sons," Poseidon said with difficulty. Athena smiled at his reluctance to thank her, but she knew better than to cause a seen, so she just nodded and gave him a small smile. Poseidon looked at Artemis and her hunters. "Artemis, you have my thanks, and so do your hunters."
"You're welcome," Artemis said simply. She smiled at Thalia and the hunters on a job well done.
Annabeth stepped forward. "Lord Poseidon, what happens now?" she asked curiously. She looked toward Percy, but she could only see the back of his head. She sighed in disappointment.
"I will send you all home to Olympus," Poseidon said. He followed Annabeth's gaze and frowned. "We can take it from here."
Poseidon stepped away from the goddesses and approached his sons. He looked over at Pontus and shook his head. Theseus approached his father. "He could have hurt us, but he didn't," Theseus explained.
"I know, but he still participated in Tartarus's and Oceanus's actions. He must be punished," Poseidon said.
Percy joined his father and brother. "Punishment only leads to resentment and then pursuit of vengeance. I think there has been enough punishment for today," Percy said. Theseus just stared at his little brother in wonder. Percy rolled his eyes. "I can say something smart, once in a while."
Orion laughed as he slung his arm around Percy's shoulder. "Oh gods, please tell me that you're not turning into another King," Orion said.
Percy grinned as he shrugged off his brother's arm. "Nah, if I ever get that boring you have my permission to kick my butt," Percy said. Orion, Percy and even Poseidon laughed at Theseus's expense.
Theseus's face turned red with embarrassment. "Some family I have here. I was better off dead," he said. Percy and Orion stopped laughing before they pulled their brother into a tight hug. They separated with mischievous grins on their faces. "You're forgiven, I guess."
"Excuse us," someone said from behind them. Poseidon and his sons turned around to see the three goddesses before them. "I would like to talk to Orion," Artemis said. Orion frowned at first before he nodded. He led Artemis off to a corner of the throne room.
Athena cleared her throat as she looked at Theseus expectantly. The eldest son of Poseidon tried to frown at her, but he couldn't. "Can we talk Theseus?" she asked. Theseus looked at Poseidon. The goddess's rival shrugged his shoulders. Theseus smiled before he walked to another corner of the room with Athena in pursuit.
That left Percy, Poseidon and Annabeth standing in the middle of throne room. Poseidon looked between the two. "I should go and check on Pontus," Poseidon said as he hurriedly walked toward the Mermen that guarded the primordial sea god.
Annabeth looked into Percy's green eyes. It had been so long since she had seen them, but they were as beautiful as she remembered. "Percy," she said.
"What? This is the jack ass," a teenage girl's voice rang out across the throne room. Annabeth and Percy turned towards the sound to see a hunter storm toward them with her bow in her hand.
AN: A longer chapter. We're not over yet, a lot of drama to continue. Silena will confront Percy, but here's the real question. Should Percy, Orion and Theseus forgive the women they loved or love? Should the classic pairings continue? You vote and I'll write it, so stay tuned.