Chapter 29: I am Given a Chance
This is a sad day in my life, not because I didn't get to be the hero, not because my dad didn't praise me and most certainly not because I wouldn't get to fight Kronos in my life. It was plainly because...well...she...
The rest of the way to the Empire State Building, or Mount Olympus was pretty silent. Annabeth, Luke and I brought up the rear of the party. I tried to keep just slightly in front of Annabeth and Luke so that I wouldn't have to see their faces.
I glanced back once in a while to observe the situation, until I saw it, they held hands.
I could feel myself moaning in pain and humiliation in my head, but physically, I never made a peep, ever.
Of all the fiction stories I've read, I would normally get the girl. Not Luke. Seriously, anyone, but Luke, preferably me.
As all the gods and demigods made their way to the top of the Empire State Building, I bustled up to the front to avoid Annabeth.
"Wait! Percy!" I heard her yell.
I didn't care anymore. She had made her decision, and I had made mine. I met up with Thalia, Nico and Grover.
"Hey, Percy, what's up?" Grover asked, "Is something wrong?"
Duh...empathy link...wouldn't you know what was wrong anyways? I wanted to yell back at him.
Instead, I chose more comfortable words, "I'm fine Grover, just a little bit tired, and...frustrated."
Grover looked carefully at me, then back at Annabeth.
"Ah...girl trouble I see," Grover whispered. "You know she wants you, you're just too oblivious to notice the changes."
"Thanks," I mumbled.
There was no way that was possible. I felt miserable, but that was never enough for Thalia. She needed to push me to the very bottom.
Thalia burst out laughing. "No way!" she said, staring back at Annabeth.
I looked to Nico for support. He shrugged silently.
When we got to the throne room, the gods were all seated in their appropriate chairs. Everyone crowded into the room and stood silently, waiting for instructions.
"Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Luke Castellan, Thalia of the Hunters, Nico di Angelo and Grover Underwood, come forth," Zeus' voice boomed.
The crowd made an opening for us. You'd think we were celebrities at the time. We made our way to the front. I never even glanced at Annabeth, instead I looked to Grover. He sighed in disbelief.
Zeus began his long speech, "We are gathered here today to celebrate a most extraordinary occasion. Kronos, father of the gods, lord of the Titans, has once again been defeated."
Cheers erupted at this comment. Zeus raised a hand and everybody fell silent.
He continued, "The demigods' assistance has proved, once again, invaluable to our successes. Perseus Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Thalia, Nico di Angelo and Grover Underwood, are whom to which we may give our deepest and most sincere gratitude."
There was a lot of clapping. I think I heard Silena Bureaugard cheering in the distance.
"Luke Castellan!" Zeus yelled.
"Yes sir," Luke replied in a courteous manner.
"You have been branded as a traitor, who although did not succumb to Kronos' will of his own accord, still proved invaluable to Kronos' plans," Zeus stated.
Luke nodded sadly.
"However," Zeus continued. "As you were only helping my father unconsciously, we will take a vote on your innocence of this matter. All in favour of incineration?"
A few hands went up, including Ares, and Hades. Ares grunted madly. I was mad too, mad that Zeus would rather incinerate me than Luke.
"Honestly, the boy is a BIG, FAT traitor!" Ares ennouciated clearly.
For once, I agreed with Ares, but I swear a few gods looked to him and almost burst out laughing. Um...Hades' helmet of darkness and Zeus' lightning bolt ringing bells much?
Zeus glared at Ares with animosity, and he immediately fell silent.
"I believe he deserves a second chance," my father stated calmly.
"All in favour?" Zeus asked.
Tons of hands shot up. Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis and Demeter. Aphrodite was too busy with her face and Dionysius, as always, abstained.
"Very well, then, Luke Castellan, I hereby clear you of all charges," Zeus said.
Luke looked overjoyed and smiled at Annabeth. There were even more cheers.
"Let the festivities begin!" Zeus roared and with a snap of his fingers, the whole room transformed into a party-like state.
Annabeth's POV
"May I have this dance?" Luke asked.
I looked towards Percy, he was walking away quickly, as if he just wanted to avoid me.
"Thanks Luke! But uh...I already have someone in mind," I replied.
Luke glanced towards Percy too.
"I see..." he replied. "Well I'm not going to hold you back if that's what you really want, go for it."
I nodded in gratitude.
"PERCY!!!!"
