Chapter 24:

"So basically the strongest being in the universe wants to talk to me?" Percy asked as he stared at the universe now talking to him.

The being known as Chaos slowly nodded as it moved back sitting down on a throne made of a denser cluster of stars. The entire universe moved as one as the being supported it's head with it's hand and looked at Percy with what one would guess was an intrigued look, you know, if Chaos had a face.

"Yes I do, now Jacky boy what to do with you?"

"Ah…. let me go?"

"HAHA!" Chaos laughed, and with it the entirety of existence, every living thing, every sentient being alive laughed, "you're funny kiddo, I like that. But no can't do that, rules have to be followed."

"But, aren't you like the creator of existence? Like didn't you make the rules? Can't you like break them if want to?"

"Yeah I am, but you don't get it, I may have created everything, but the rules created me."

Percy's face scrunched up, "wait what? What came first? The creator or the rules?"

Again Chaos laughed, and with him Percy saw the stars that made up him light up as well, "I haven't heard that question in a long time. I suppose that is similar to the first riddle huh? What came first the chicken or the egg? Do you know the answer?"

"It's a circle," said the voice of Athena out of nowhere. Suddenly the bead necklace around Percy's neck lite up and the marble beads each representing a god or goddess Percy fought and won broke out of the necklace and flew away. The balls of light all transformed into each respective devine and they stood by Percy's side.

"There is no beginning or ending," finished Athena as she stood by Percy's side along with Apollo, Hephaestus, Demetr, Ares, Hera, Hermes and the only other god Percy fought when he was trapped in the past, Dionys thereby earning a immunity to alcohol and being able to throw cool parties.

"Ah yes the gods and goddess that hitched a ride with Percy as he traveled, missing a few aren't you?" said Chaos as the Olympians all looked at Chaos in marvel and awe and slowly they all bent their knees, "oh stop that. Your kneeing had no point, I am life, and death, I am all and nothing, there is no one in reality that is humbled for me. And I know already what you all think of me in your hearts."

Slowly they all up again and Athena stepped forward, "Lord Chaos, as a representative of the Olympian council we wish to-"

Chaos waved his hand shutting Athena up, "I already know wisdom goddess, there is no need for you to speak, as far as I am concerned Percy is the one I wish to speak to, so the rest of you, get lost," and with a wave of his mighty hand Chaos transformed each of them into their bead form again and attached it to Percy's necklace once more.

"So what do you wish to speak to me about?" Percy asked finally.

"Oh just a chat, you know I haven't had anyone to talk to since the last 300000 million years or so, it gets boring when you're me, but then again you are me, in one way or another every thing alive, or dead or existing or not existing is infact me. You get it?"

Percy nodded,"yeah."

"Really? I was under the impression you were, how did Annabeth call it, 'a seaweed brain?'"

"Blessing of Athena, not super smart but I understand the basic stuff."

"I see. Know as I was saying, everything is me and I am everything, so taking one being out of all that, one insignificant being and talking to you, I hope you realise how important such an act is kido."

"Why me?"

"Because of what you did kiddo. Basically ripping time a new one, nice job by the way. And basically creating the speed force, thanks for that by the way, now I have another force of nature that I have to somehow make work with the rest of them. By the way if gravity is switched off for a moment or two think nothing about it okay?"

"Ahhh okay?"

"Good. Now I suppose you're wondering, 'why me?' right?"

"Actually I already asked you that."

"You did?"

"Yup."

"Oh, well then… moving on."

"Are you really the representation of the entie of reality?"

Chaos shrugged, "what can I say, the universe is filled with idiots. Anyway Percy the main reason you are here if for one reason and one reason only, it is for me to tell you a story tell me Percy, how do you think the universe was created?"

"Hm," Percy sighed and thought. He was a greek demigod. He fought angels and demons, monster from all the pantheons on Earth and even at one point saw the universe begin again in a giant explosion. He is a paradox in himself, a child of religion who created the big bang, and he chose, despite the fact he was proof of gods, to believe in the big bang, "the big bang?"

"Ding ding ding! We have a winner!"

"Wait, really? Didn't you create it? Like I just told you what I believe in, but didn't you create it?"

"In a way, yeah. Let me explain from the beginning Percy. This all started before everything," Chaos waved his hand and suddenly Percy's field of vision changed, soon Percy was alone, the stars that made up Chaos was gone, and soon not even the light came from anywhere, Percy couldn't see anything, his hand and he couldn't feel anything, not his clothes, not his hair or even the air that came out of him, he existed in a time where friction didn't exists, where the magnetic force holding his atoms together didn't work and so there was no feeling.

And then suddenly a giant flash of light was created from in front of him, from behind him from him, from everywhere and no where. Percy's eyes lit up with the light, his atoms realign themselves and suddenly he could hear again. The light rays passed him, going through him and around.

"And that is how it all began," Chaos's voice said, "can you guess why?"

Percy looked around, he was back again in front of Chaos and his throne of stars, "I-I don't know."

"Come on Percy use your head, you were there, back before it began, what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking, 'I am so lonely.'"

"Exactly! And that is why it all began, because the universe was so lonely. First there was nothing, then there was everything, two forces coexisting together in harmony, two primary forces in all of reality, do you understand now Percy?"

Percy looked up and for the first time, he understood, he looked all around him and saw each star, each and every one of them was created from that one flash of light, but something seemed of for Percy, "No, no something's not right. That can't be it."

Chaos smiled, or it would have if it had a face, "yes Percy," Chaos nodded, "there is infact another force Percy, one that not most would recognize. After existent came, another force came with it, the force of creation. If there had been only two forces in reality, then there would be only on side where one exists and another where they didn't, but from that great explosion came the force of existence and the force creation. Existence brought everything into reality, but creation made it into something.

"It formed the first ray of light, the first energy particle, the first electron, the first atom, the first molecule, the first laws of physics, the first everything. And from that creation everything was born, even I. And I became the creator, the representation of the universe, representation of the force of creation."

"Wait does that mean there are two other out there like you?" Percy asked.

"Yes, the force of non-existence and the force of existence, but in all words they are stronger than me, much more."

"But, your Chaos, you are one of the three forces of reality! How can they beat you?"

"A story for another time, for know this, I called you here Percy Jackson for one reason, and one reason alone, as the creator of the speed force you are now one of the few lords of force, and no that does not mean you're a jedi before you ask."

Percy's eyes widened, "b-but what does that mean?"

"It means its a title you take on to govern the force you created and released onto reality. You have to responsibility for your actions Percy."

"But what about the Doctor?"

"He is a man that has already payed for his actions a long time ago, right now, you are the only person I am concerned about, now tell me Jackson, do you accept?"

"Do I have choice?"

"Yes, you always have a choice, always. If you choose no then I would pick someone else to be a lord, in the end it is your choice."

Percy looked at Chaos and for a second considered rejecting the offer, but then he realised that it was duty and his responsibility, "if I accept, what is my duty?"

Chaos shook it's head, "nothing. If anything goes wrong, with your domain, if some evil genius out there tries to access your speed force and tries to destroy the world with that power, then its your job to stop him, if effect you are the guardian of the speed force, that is all."

Percy looked at Chaos, his dreams of a normal life at camp with Artemis after all this is over went up in flames. His ideal life disappeared, but what's done is done, Percy looked at Chaos in the eye, "tell me, how small am I? You know now that I think about it I must be so small when compared to the rest of reality, so I can't understand it, how can I be responsible for this? For all of this?"

Chaos lifted it's hand slowly and pointed to the center of where it's head would be, slowly a lone star lights up blue, bright blue, "there, that is where your planet is in the great scheme of things. And yes, you are small, very small, but you still have done great things, and yes you created the speed force with a fluke, but you still did it. In some ways Percy we don't choose our powers or our duties, they chose us, and it is up to us to decide whether to say yes or no. So tell me, do you agree?"

Percy looked up at Chaos and at everything around him, the whole universe was watching him, judging him, and waiting for his answer. And so with one breath Percy said, "yes."

"Then before I can deem you worthy we have something to finish before. Inside of you are four more deities you will have to face before you can become a lord of force."

"Quick question can't I just call myself a jedi instead? Like it seems a lot easier to say."

"No, why do they ask this every time? Anyway Percy first finish what you started so long ago, finish obtaining the power inside of you, and take your time, right now we exists beyond space and time, so take your time."

Percy nodded and closed his eyes, and for the first time in over a thousand years he looked inside of himself, inside his soul and saw the vast sea that represented himself. Percy opened his eyes and saw himself once again in that limitless ocean that was him. He looked around and saw the deep dark waters down and swam there. Slowly he reached it and suddenly his vision went white.

Percy opened his eyes once again and looked around, this time he was in front of a giant tree, it's branches nearly reached the sky and in front of him was a hole inside, 'this, this is Artemis's tree,' Percy thought to himself as he touched the wood and smelt the air remembering her everywhere.

Suddenly Percy heard a crack and he turned, "Artemis?"

Out of the tree line came a woman dressed in a pink robe with lowers braided in her hair and a dove on her shoulder. "No Percy I am not Artemis," Aphrodite said smiling at Percy as the dove flew away.

"Lady Aphrodite," Percy said bowing.

"Oh stop that Percy, you are about to be a lord of the force you need not bow to me a mere Olympian."

"I-ah I see… so this is your test?"

"Indeed," Aphrodite said as she walked around the giant tree leading Percy onwards, "and where else to do it than the place you fell in love?"

"It has been a long time since I saw this place again, thank you."

"You do realise that this is all in your mind yes?"

"Yes but still, thanks."

"No problem," Aphrodite said sitting down by the roots, she motioned Percy to join her and soon the two were under the tree enjoying the shade the tree provided, "so Percy do you really want this?"

"Want what?"

"To be a lord of force, gods that is a long title, you should just call yourself a jedi."

"Haha, yeah. And yes I do, it's my responsibility. I created the speed force, I started something thats should have not existed, it's my duty my lady."

"Yes, but see what duty has done to you Percy. It was your duty to save Annabeth from Kronos that started all of this in the first place, if you had just died there and then next to the thrones you would have died a hero. And then it was your duty to save the universe, and just when you and Artemis just got together again after so long in mind and spirit. And because of your duty, your love life died. Is it really all that worth it? And now again you have to choose, whether to pick to be lord of the force or be with Artemis again."

"What do you mean? If I become a lord of force then it won't mean Artemis and I can't be together, it just means from time to time I won't be with her that's all."

"Yes, but do you really think that? The universe is so big, almost everywhere some time some place there will be a crisis that you will have to stop, so tell me Percy, is it worth it, losing Artemis again? After all Chaos did say you have a choice."

Percy looked at Aphrodite's eyes, her face betrayed no emotion, she simply looked on, awaiting an answer that Percy was not sure he could give. He had faced Ares, he had crafted a master piece for Hephaestus, promised Apollo to look after his sister, but by far this was the most difficult battle he had to face.

"I-I," Percy spoke only to stop and think once more on his answer. He had done so much, for so many people, he fought, killed, saved, healed and even almost died several times in his life. And now he stood at the crossroads, and one choice will change his life. He had done so much, can't he just give up now? Just give in? Can't he… just have what he always wanted? Percy looked up at the sky and the tree branches, suddenly he remembered something,

"Well?" asked Artemis, "what are you waiting for?"

Percy snapped up and looked at her in the eyes, "what do you mean?"

Artemis nodded to the Doctor, "aren't you going to make sure he does this? You know fix everything?"

"Artemis if I do this….. if we reset the universe to what it was before then we… we will never-"

"-so what? I waited this long, I can wait some more. And if you don't do this Percy Jackson, if you don't go and be the hero I know you are, then you are also not the man I fell in love with. Now go you silly man, and remember to find me again, and make sure you kiss me just like this," and with that Artemis pulled him close and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Percy's eyes moistened and leaned in kissing her back.

And Percy smiled, slowly at first and then it was a smile that spread across his face and his very soul, "Yes, I would. Because it's who I am. I am the idiot who traveled through time, the idiot that somehow pissed of a primordial the first time he meet one, the idiot who didn't know where he was for half his life, the idiot that didn't act when he could have saved millions of lives. The idiot that didn't tell Artemis that he loved her the moment he saw her, the idiot that will choose duty over love, because I am also that idiot that Artemis loves with all her heart."

"Is that your answer?" Aphrodite asked looking at Percy with a neutral face.

"Yes," Percy replied with a confident face.

Aphrodite sighed, she stood up and walked away from Percy leaving him at the roots, "in all of us, there is something stopping us from loving, from showing another how we truly feel about each other. For some it is the fact that they're not confident enough, for some it is that we can't express ourselves properly, for some it is that we are not attractive enough for others for them to accept us. For you Percy," she turned and smiled finally, "it is that you wouldn't admit to yourself the things you would do, even if it meant putting your love, you happiness before everything else. And that is exactly the kind of man Artemis would love. I give you this, a blessing so that the next time you meet Artemis, you two will never have to be apart from each for too long. Goodbye Percy and remember, 'Love with all you being!'"

And suddenly Percy was in front of Chaos once again. He coughed and out of his mouth came out a dust of marble that collected and formed a pink marble with a white dove on it that Percy then strung on his bead necklace.

"You good?" Chaos asked.

"Yup, but I have got to say that was one of the most difficult challenges I have ever had to do."

"Indeed, you see it will become more and more as it goes on. The divines occupy your body from the easiest to the most difficult. The first one you faced, Athena, probably had only 1% of her original power, and Aphrodite, though not strong, still had 80% of her strength and knew exactly what to ask you and how, to doubt yourself."

"But why is that? Kronos destroyed their thrones in an equal amount I think. Why is it that the gods further inside me are more powerful?"

"Because they are more like you Percy. They are closer to you in your heart then the others. Though some like Hermes are nice on the outside, and you may get along with them, they still are not the same as you."

"So wait…. that means I am more like Dionus than Athena?"

"Haha, yes I suppose. In his heart Dionys is only focused on one thing, being free and enjoying life while he can, aren't you the same?"

"I suppose, so how come they are more powerful?"

"The gods are like leeches whilst in your body, draining your energy. But if they want to be released they will have to give something back in return for all the energy they have consumed, thereby the gifts you receive when you defeat each one. The ones more like you drain more energy, hence they become stronger."

"So that means that the gods that are left are the strongest, and the most like me?"

"Yes…. now go, finish this, the next two I think you will enjoy."

Percy nodded and before he even closed his eyes he was suddenly under water again. He looked down and saw that the darkness down was slowly getting less and less dark. Percy dived again and this time when the scene flashed and turned white, Percy opened his eyes and found himself…. in the same place?

Percy looked around, this time however the sea he was in was filled with fishes and other types of aquatic creatures. There were rays of sunshine coming from above piercing the water and showing rays going down, and in the bottom, where Percy had only darkness, here there was a bright blue city, one which Percy recognized, 'Atlantis,' Percy thought, 'but that means...'

And then Percy turned around and like he expected, right there in front of him was the god of the seas, and his father, Poseidon.

"Like father like son, huh Percy?" Poseidon said as he glided towards Percy with his trident by his side wearing his hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts.

"Yeah dad," Percy said smiling. Percy reached out and hugged his dad, "I missed you dad, so very much."

Poseidon hugged back with everything he had, "oh Percy, I missed you too. I had to be in here, watching as you had to do so many things, seeing you in pain and hurt. There is no other pain greater to a parent than seeing their child in pain, and them not being able to do anything."

"It's okay dad, I'm fine," Percy said with tears in his eyes, "jesh dad I'm in one universe the leader of the human race."

"Haha, you may be that son, but I will never not stop worrying about you, after all it is my job," Poseidon said smiling breaking the hug and moving Percy aside, "oh by the gods Percy, you have made me so proud, with every thing you have done, everything you have become, the choices you have made and the people you have saved, I couldn't be prouder."

"Thanks dad."

"And I'll even forgive the fact that you have fire powers and use them with skill equal to your water powers. Honestly you are a son of Poseidon, act like it."

"Haha, hey I thought it would give me an advantage in battle, after all who would think that the son of Poseidon would shoot fire balls up their ass?"

"Indeed," Poseidon said laughing his ass of. Slowly Percy and his dad walked looking around and taking in the image of Atlantis that was in the mind of Poseidon.

"How come this place has so many more things in it than me dad?"

"Well if I had to guess it's because I have more experience than you," Poseidon said.

"You realise I have also lived for a thousand years or so yeah?"

"Well you did, but you never really let yourself be attached to anyone for too long did you? Think of it this was, the only person you remember properly, is Artemis, even then you have met like what three versions of her? You probably didn't get a good read on her," Poseidon said stopping near a school of fish, "you see these fishes? Their all the memories I have of my soldiers, loyal and brave. And you see that?" Poseidon asked pointing to a giant white whale swimming in the distance, "that is all of my memories of my wife Amphitrite, and that," he again pointed to a sea creature which was a white fish, but it's tail fins were long and left silver dust wherever it swam, "is how I see your mother Percy."

"And where am I?"

Poseidon smiled at his question and simply pointed at a a figure swimming far in the distance. Percy focused, and waited and soon quicker than thought possible the figure drew closer and closer and became larger and larger until it was bigger than any monster Percy had ever seen, even Typhon. It looked to be a dragon of some kind, it's scales blue with the hint of silver linings along it. It's wings were folded in and It swam like a fish in the sea, moving it's body to push itself forward.

"D-dad what is that?"

"It's the Colchian dragon, the original one. We used it's descendants to gaurd the golden fleece, but they lacked the sheer size this one possessed, not many gods remember it, but I do. and every time I do, I think of you Percy."

"Am I really such a monster dad?" Percy asked turning away from his father with fear in his eyes, "am I really so bad?"

Poseidon smiled, and put his hand on Percy's shoulder,"no Percy you're not a monster. The Colichian dragon, it's a special beast. It is in fact one of the strongest monster in the world, even Typhoon at one point feared it, but it is also the kindest." At that Percy looked at his dad and into his eyes, he saw no lies or deceit, "the reason it longer exists in this world Percy, is because I had to kill it."

"What?"

"Before I became a god, that is obtain my domain from the Fates, I was simply a divine with the abilities over water. But people knew that I was to be the new lord of the sea, so before I even became a god, I had enemies. They attacked my friends and even threatened my family Percy. So I had to prove to them I was no push over. And in my arrogance and hubris, I did something that I regret to this very day,I attacked the Colichan.

" It was almost funny how it almost killed me with a swipe of his talons. He even laughed his ass of when I stood up again. He asked me 'Why do you fight? I have already beaten you?' And I told him, that my family was in danger, and that I had to prove myself a worthy lord of the sea. And he laughed again. That night I tried to kill him again, only to have him knock me out with a puff of his breath.

"Eventually a day turned into a year, and then a decade, soon instead of blindly attacking him, I learned from my mistakes, and soon he became my teacher. He taught my the best thing in life is not power of fame, but love, don't tell Aphrodite I said that. Anyway one day that all ended, I got word that my castle was being attacked and my people were in danger. I ran, as fast as I could, and I reached there just as the army was at their front gates.

"I fought fought with everything I had, but even then it wasn't enough. In the end I was beaten and on the steps of my throne with the titan Oceanus right in front of me. He reached back to throw a spear at me, but just then, a roar was heard in the city. And from the surface of the sea, Colichan came down. He destroyed every enemy troop in seconds and he and the titan Oceanus battled. Colichan won turning Oceanus into dust, but he was slowly fading away. He said he goodbye to me and I couldn't do anything except stand there and watch. It was my greatest failure Percy.

"You see Percy you and Colichan have the same mortal weakness, you both are loyal to a fault. You both would give your lives to save the ones you love, and though he did not know me for two long in his life, I was his only friend, he was my first. And you are both powerful, powerful beyond belief. Do you get it now son?"

"I-I do dad," Percy said, looking at his dad with a new found confidence in his eyes, "I get it."

Poseidon nods,"good, now go,I give you my blessing my son, not that it will do you any good but you will get a little more kick in you water powers, and remember 'What came from the sea, will return to the sea!'"

Percy's eyes flashed white and suddenly he appeared in his mind again. the vast empty sea seemed smaller now that Percy saw his father's version. 'No, I'm not alone, not anymore, I'm coming home, I'm coming home,' Percy thought.

And so Percy focused He focused inside of himself looking through his memories, looking at who all he had meet, and the first one he saw when he went on this journey, Artemis.

Suddenly from inside of him a light glowed breaking out and slowly the light died out and in front of Percy was a white and silver fish with feathers instead of scales and wings instead of fins. It's very presence calmed Percy down and he knew exactly who the fish represented, "Artemis."

And just then the fish swam away and slowly it grew bigger and bigger until it became the size of an elephant. Then the angel fish swam away going further and further away until it became a dot in the background, and it shined, brighter than any star Percy had ever seen.

Percy smiled as he closed his eyes and waited for the next god to fight, and when he opened it he saw himself by Artemis's tree once again. "Aphrodite?" Percy asked aloud, "I thought we were done?"

A laugh rang out across the forest, and suddenly the very hair on Percy's neck stood up. He recognized that voice, he even dreamed about it. He turned and right there at the opening in the trees root stood a woman dressed in silver with long straight red hair that reached her knees and the most beautiful silver eyes Percy had ever seen.

She smiled, "I told you to find me again, I suppose you did huh?"

Percy smiled, "yes you did Arty, and if I recall you asked me to do this as well," and with that Percy walked to her, he put his arms around her waist bringing her closer to him. Her scent of the forest and mint filled his lungs and with a single motion he kissed her perfect lips and held her tighter, and they stayed like that, till even time forgot for how long.

Alright 1 MORE TO GO! Promise

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