Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: No Stopping Fate: Reading Divided Soul
Chapter 36: Defending Love
Third Person POV
Mount Olympus – Throne Room – One year prior to the Lightning Thief
"Nico," Thalia, Annabeth and Rachel yelled at the same time.
The son of Hades stood by the door of the throne room. His clothes were ripped and he had a bewildered look in his dark eyes. He had small cuts and bruises visible on his arms.
"Hey guys," Nico said as he made his way toward his friends and the gods. When he saw his father he instinctively bowed.
Hades smiled down at his son. "What happened to you my boy?" he asked.
"I was fighting in Greece when a bright light engulfed me, and then I was in front of the throne room door. Nico winced in pain as he looked up at his father. Nico's eyes glazed over before he collapsed in front of his father.
Hades shrank to human size. He rushed to his son's side. He looked him over for any severe injuries when he saw blood on the side of his head. He looked closely and saw a bloody wound on the side of his son's head. "Apollo get down here," Hades ordered.
Apollo was at the god's side in an instant. Apollo began to speak in ancient Greek as he healed the son of Hades.
Annabeth and the other demigods watched closely as Apollo healed their friend.
After several minutes Nico woke up and smiled when he saw his father. He looked at Apollo and grinned. "Thank you my lord," he said.
Apollo grinned. "No problem kid," he replied.
Hades helped his son stand up. The god of the dead waved his hand and a black chair appeared between Rachel and Annabeth. Nico smiled at his father before he took his seat. Apollo and Hades grew to their godly stature and took their thrones.
Poseidon snapped his fingers and the book appeared in Nico's hands. Nico nodded before opening the book. "Reunions, on board the Argo II," he read.
Percy stood on the elevated bow of the ship. He looked down at the two gods and the demigods that surrounded them. Mars just stared at him wide eyed.
"Percy," Juno said. Percy smiled at her, but it wasn't friendly. He looked like a lion that had a gazelle cornered. He seemed to be waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Bingo," Percy quipped.
" O… O…" Leo began to sing until Piper put her hand over his mouth.
"Hey, I like that song," Apollo said. Artemis smacked him over the head.
Jason shook his head in amusement. "Keep going Nico."
"How did you…?" Mars asked, but stopped when Percy held Riptide in the air. The blue green aura that surrounded the sword stunned the god of war into silence.
"I bathed in the Styx and found not only my sword, but many other things," Percy said as he lifted his sword into the air.
"Like what?" Juno asked. She was curious now, but she was also wary of the powerful demigod before her.
"As well she should be," Mars said.
"Well, I found out that I'm really Percy Jackson, I found out that you and your son stole my memories and replaced them with a new persona," Percy explained. His voice got louder as his anger rose.
Mars gulped; he didn't want to fight Percy, but he would to save his mother.
Mars sheathed his sword and stepped away from Jason. "We had to do it. You were needed, but the Romans couldn't know you were Greek," Mars explained. Juno nodded.
"Well, I found out something too," Percy said. He pointed his sword at Juno. "I found out that I'm Greek and Roman." The demigods all looked at Percy in confusion. Annabeth had a curious look on her face. She had an expression on her face that would make you believe that she was only one puzzle piece away from finishing a project that she had worked on all her life. Juno and Mars didn't act surprised. "You knew?"
Athena smiled; her daughter was figuring it all out.
Mars stepped closer to the stairs that led to the bow of the ship. He looked up at Percy with a look of regret on his face. His expression took Percy by surprise. "We found out later on. We didn't know until after your memory had been taken," Mars explained.
Athena looked at Mars curiously. "You really do care about him?" she asked.
Mars looked away from her, but his silence spoke volumes.
"Okay, I believe you, but it still doesn't excuse you for trying to ruin my life, or those that care about me," Percy said as he snuck a peek at Annabeth. The daughter of Athena just stared at him; Percy couldn't tell what she was feeling.
Nico looked at the girl that he thought of as an older sister. She smiled at him and gestured for him to continue.
"We didn't try to ruin your life," Mars denied. He looked at his mother hoping she would agree, but she just stared at him blankly. "Well, I didn't try to."
Hera sighed. "I'm sorry, so sorry for being such a terrible mother," she said. Everyone was stunned into silence. The feelings in the room were heavy, so Nico thought it was a good time to continue.
"I guess that must make you feel better," Percy said sadly.
"I don't know what you mean." Mars said, but his face showed that he knew exactly what the boy meant. Juno rolled her eyes at her son's bad lie.
"Stop trying to deny it. You care about the boy. You're definitely no Ares," Juno scoffed.
Aphrodite looked at Mars. She didn't like him, but she had to admit he was different than her ex-boyfriend.
Mars's eyes glowed red. "I wish I could say the same thing about you and Hera," Mars hissed as his anger rose.
Zeus was about to defend his wife, but Hera put a hand on his shoulder. "He's right," she whispered.
Juno glared at her son. "What do you mean by that?" Juno asked. Her voice dripped with venom.
Mars was too mad to care now. "You act like the world revolves around you. You and Hera are exactly alike," Mars explained. Juno stepped towards her son threateningly. "I'm your mother. You will respect me."
Mars stepped towards her. "I did once, but not anymore," Mars said.
Percy just stood there. The war god's actions completely surprised him.
"That daughter of Athena disrespected me. She must pay a price for insulting the Queen of the gods," Juno declared.
Athena frowned at Juno's words.
Percy jumped and flipped in the air before landing on his feet in front of Juno and her son. "You lay a hand on her and I will send you to the Styx," Percy warned.
Athena beamed at the words Nico read. She smiled at Annabeth before she turned her gaze to Poseidon. He was watching her admiringly. She looked away before she began to blush.
Juno's eyes glowed with power. Two beams of light shot from her eyes, but Percy deflected them with Riptide. Juno just stared at him in disbelief. "That's not possible. Those beams should have destroyed that sword," Juno exclaimed.
"I'm not the only one that bathed in the Styx," Percy explained. Percy pointed the sword toward the goddess. Juno flinched at the sight of the glowing sword.
Mars stepped beside his mother. "Sci… Percy, don't do this. I… a…apologize… for hurting you," Mars said with difficulty. Percy stared at him curiously.
Poseidon looked at Mars pointedly. "You do care for my son, don't you?" he asked.
Mars sighed. "Yes I do," he replied.
"I accept your apology, but I didn't hear one from her," Percy said as he motioned towards Juno with Riptide.
Mars stepped between Percy and Juno. "I can't let you hurt her," Mars said.
Percy's eyes narrowed. "You can't," Percy said. "What about the things you said about her?"
Mars sighed. "I meant them, but she's still my mother," Mars said.
"I think your loyalty is misplaced," Percy began. He glared at the goddess. "She wouldn't do the same for you."
Hera let go of Zeus's hand. She looked into the eyes of her children and step-children. "I'm so sorry," she said again before tears streamed down her cheeks. Zeus stepped in front of her and pulled her into a comforting embrace. He motioned for Nico to read.
Mars looked down at the deck sadly. "I know," Mars admitted. "Still, I can't let you hurt her." Hera gave Percy a smug smile.
"Then I guess you're just going to have to stop me," Percy said as he lunged forward with Riptide toward the goddess. Mars moved at incredible speed and blocked the strike of the son of Poseidon.
Mars shook his head in despair. He never wanted to fight the boy.
"We don't have to do this Percy," Mars said. Percy looked at him strangely.
"Since when have you not wanted a fight?" Percy asked incredulously.
"I'm not Ares. I'm the god of war not needless suffering," Mars explained.
"War is needless suffering," Percy retorted.
"Yes, it includes suffering, but wars can also save lives," Mars explained. "The war we face now. We can stop the giants and save the world from darkness and destruction." He pushed back against Riptide, but Percy pushed back just as hard. Mars looked at the son of Poseidon curiously. "You're stronger than before."
Athena looked at Mars. His words were wiser than anything that Ares had ever said before.
Percy smiled. "I'm the only child of the big three to be Roman and Greek. I'm the only being to ever bathe in the Styx twice and live. I think a little extra strength is not too much to ask for," Percy said before he pushed even harder knocking the god of war from his feet as he fell onto the deck hard. "Get up Mars. Show your mother how someone with courage fights."
"Oh burn," Hermes said before he received a high five from Apollo
Mars stood up his eyes flared with the flames of war. He moved his sword so quickly that the other demigods could barely see it. However, Percy could. He caught Mars's sword with the edge of Riptide's blade. Mars pushed with all his might, but Percy seemed to get stronger as the god strained against the power he exhibited.
Percy smiled at the god. Mars was taller and appeared to be stronger, but Percy knew that looks could be deceiving. The two fought for several more minutes, but Percy always managed to block the war god's strikes.
Mars huffed in frustration again as his sword strike was blocked. Riptide glowed brighter as the fight continued. Mars couldn't help but admire the beauty of the sword. Suddenly, a terrible thought occurred to the god. He pushed against Percy's sword, but at the same time he studied Riptide. The sword glowed brighter the harder the god pushed. The sword gained power as force was exerted against it.
"Incredible," Athena said.
Mars knew the only way he could win was to knock Riptide out of Percy's hand. He kept pushing on Percy's sword, but at the last moment he slipped off the sword. Percy stumbled forward. He was shocked at the sudden movement of the god. Mars took the opportunity and hit the pressure point in Percy's hand. Riptide fell from his hand and skidded across the deck of the ship.
The throne room was quiet. Poseidon was on the edge of his seat. Annabeth's face paled at the thought of losing Percy again.
Mars took his chance and swung his sword at Percy's head, but Percy's hand moved in a blur as he grabbed the sword with his bare hand. Mars stared at the demigod wide eyed. Percy held the blade with his bare hand, but the invulnerable son of Poseidon wasn't hurt. Percy pushed the god away from him with a mighty shove.
Mars was getting tired. He knew there was only a limited chance he could win now. He lunged toward Percy again with all the speed he could muster. Percy side stepped the strike while lifting his left leg into a short kick to Mars's ankle. A loud crack could be heard around the ship as Percy broke Mars's ankle bone. The god of war cursed loudly as he hobbled away from the demigod. "Where did you learn that?" Mars asked through his pain.
"It just came to me," Percy said. Percy raised his hand and Riptide flew from the deck to his grip. Percy charged forward. Mars didn't have much time to react. He blocked Riptide as Percy sent blow after blow against the Roman god's sword. Mars was getting tired and Percy looked like he hadn't broken a sweat. Mars was panting now he knelt on one knee as he held his sword up protectively. "Yield."
"That sword truly is remarkable," Hephaestus said.
"So is the one that wields it," Artemis said. She smiled at Athena and Annabeth. It wasn't every day that a male garnered praise from the goddess of the hunt.
Mars shook his head. "No, you'll have to kill me," Mars declared. He was a god; he couldn't be killed, but there was something about Riptide that made him reconsider.
The gods listened closely. Could that blade really kill a god?
Percy held Riptide above the god's head. Mars stared into the boy's sea green eyes without fear.
"Percy," a female voice said. Percy turned to see Annabeth standing behind him with Piper at her side. "Let him go. He was just protecting his mother. You beat him fair and square."
Mars frowned. Saved by a girl; a daughter of Athena no less.
Percy just stared into Annabeth's eyes. His anger subsided almost immediately. He turned back to Mars and with one quick motion he knocked the sword out of his hand. Mars fell on his butt after the impact. "He's defeated now," Percy said. He turned back to Juno, but the goddess disappeared into a golden light. Percy huffed in frustration. He capped Riptide. He turned back to Mars; he extended his hand to the god. Mars looked at the hand for a moment before grabbing it. Percy pulled him up before slinging his arm over his shoulder. "Alex go get some ambrosia and nectar." Alex nodded before running below decks. Percy helped Mars to the stairs and sat him down.
"A very honorable thing to do," Hestia said admiringly.
"I can't believe you beat me," Mars exclaimed. He didn't look mad. He looked proud.
Percy grinned at the god. "Well, you're pretty fast," Percy said. Mars laughed softly, but he winced as pain shot through his ankle.
"What is it with you and hurting war god's feet and ankles?" Mars asked.
Percy's smile widened. "I don't know. I guess I was checking for an Achilles heel," Percy said.
Mars laughed, but he stopped as again a burning pain shot through his leg. Alex appeared and handed a canteen of nectar to his father. "Thank you son," Mars said. Alex smiled at his father.
After a few minutes of drinking nectar and eating ambrosia the god stood testing his ankle. He smiled when the pain finally disappeared.
"What are you going to do now?" Percy asked curiously.
"I need to persuade the Roman gods to fight alongside their children," Mars said.
Percy nodded. "Good luck," Percy said.
Mars smiled at him, and then he turned toward the other demigods. "I'd wish you all luck, but you've got the greatest piece of luck right here," Mars said as he pointed to Percy. The demigods closed their eyes before the god of war disappeared.
Mars smiled. "The boy, I mean Percy is amazing," Mars complimented. Poseidon nodded.
Jason, Alex, Nico, and Leo stepped forward and officially greeted the son of Poseidon. Jason stood in front of Percy carefully. He didn't really know what to say. "Scipio, I mean Percy," Jason began.
Piper smiled at Jason's unease. She knew Percy wouldn't make fun of him.
"Don't worry Jason. Scipio is inside me. I guess he always was. I still think you're a great leader," Percy explained.
Jason smiled. "Not as good as you," Jason said.
Zeus frowned. He didn't like his son to admit something like that, but he knew it was true.
Percy smiled. "Well, you can't beat perfection," Percy said mischievously. The boys all looked at him until Percy started to laugh at their surprised faces. "I'm kidding; you all got to loosen up a bit." The boys smiled at him.
Leo, Apollo and Hermes all laughed. "It's good to have you back Perce," Apollo said, but began to blush when he realized he spoke to a book.
Gwen and Piper approached him next. Percy gave them his classic crooked grin. "Percy, it's good to meet you," Piper said.
Percy smiled at both of them. "The pleasure is all mine," he said. He looked away from them as he spotted Annabeth walking up the stairs toward the bow of the ship. "Excuse me." Percy walked up the stairs. The other demigods walked away to give the two privacy. Even Leo, but Nico and Jason had to forcibly remove him.
Piper punched Leo in the arm. "Hey that really hurts," Leo whined. Piper glared at him. "This is in the future."
Piper smiled fiendishly. "Well now you have something to remember for the future," she said.
Aphrodite smiled. Her daughter was a lot different than her other children, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Aphrodite looked back at the book. Here comes the Percabeth, she thought.
Annabeth stood near the dragon's head. Percy walked up to her carefully. He really didn't know what to say to her, but he knew an apology was in order. He stood only a few feet behind her.
Annabeth smiled at Percy's thoughts.
"Annabeth," he said. Annabeth turned around slowly. Her eyes were red from when she had cried over him and her face was still a little pale from when she had fallen through the sky. "I'm sorry."
Annabeth just stared at him. "What are you sorry about?" Annabeth asked curiously.
"For being kidnapped and for forgetting you," Percy explained.
Annabeth smiled. "You couldn't help it. She took your memories," Annabeth said. She looked down at her feet. "She took you away from me."
Athena frowned. She hated to think that her daughter would still have to go through with all this pain because the Fates had deemed it so.
Percy couldn't control himself anymore. He rushed forward and held her tenderly. Annabeth nearly collapsed against him. She cried again, letting out all the pain and heartache. It had been a long time since Percy had seen her cry; it broke his heart. Percy hugged her tightly as he whispered in her ear, "I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere."
Aphrodite wiped a tear away. So cute, she thought.
Piper smiled at Jason. The two were happy that Annabeth and Percy would get back together.
Nico, Thalia and Rachel grinned at Annabeth. The daughter of Athena rolled her eyes, but soon she was smiling just like them.
Annabeth pulled away to look at her boyfriend. It felt so good to think about him that way again. "I missed you so much Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said. Percy smiled at his nickname.
"I missed you too, Wise Girl," Percy said with a big smile. Annabeth smiled happily. It was the first true smile anyone had seen from her in months. Percy was back.
Annabeth's smile faded. "How do you feel?" Annabeth asked as she studied his face. Percy knew what she was asking, was he still Percy?
He tried to smile, but he knew that it looked forced. "I remember everything, but I am different. I guess I'll always be different than the boy I was before," Percy said with a little sadness in his voice.
Annabeth was happy that he was back, but she still worried about how different he would be. She looked at her mother. Athena smiled at her and at that moment Annabeth knew everything would be okay.
Annabeth nodded. "I really liked the boy you were," Annabeth admitted. Percy looked at her in concern. "However, I think I'm going to like the man even more." She placed her arms around his neck as she reached up on her toes to kiss the son of Poseidon on the lips. Percy froze at the sensation. It was better than their underwater kiss. Percy felt his brain melt, but he felt more than that. He felt a connection to the young woman kissing him. A connection he could never describe before, but now he knew what it was. He was in love with the daughter of Athena.
Annabeth's smile widened. A few tears leaked from her eyes. Percy loved her. At that moment she knew that she loved him just as much.
AN: Another chapter down. A little Percabeth at the end, sorry but I had to appease Aphrodite. Stay tuned more to come.