Percy POV

Everyone, aside from my former Hell mates, stood up in outrage in a unified, "You're going to do what?!"

I just sighed, expecting such a reaction. "I said I was going to raise Gaea."

I waited for more questions, but was instead met with lightning bolt to the face. Now speaking as someone who has only been shot in the face twice so far, I can confidently say that I am FUCKING OVER IT.

At least that was what I was thinking as I flew backward, smashing into the wall behind me. However I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't smash through the wall, which was a nice change of pace.

On the floor, I could a burning sensation on my forehead where the bolt hit, along with a throbbing headache. Luckily the bolt wasn't strong enough to do any real damage, however I certainly didn't feel like getting up.

Judging by the sounds of growling, bows being drawn, and whimpering blondes, I figured it would be better if I got up sooner rather than later.

I quickly sat up and rubbed my head with a groan. I looked up to see Zoë and Jackie in their Hellhound forms glowering at a very scared Jason, next to whom was Piper, Leo, and Frank, and Hazel, on the other side of the table, Artemis simply sat watching, as did Bianca, who looked like she was used to this, even though its never happened before. Nico looked unsure of what to do so he just stood next to Bianca waiting for her guidance.

Zoë and Jackie were about to pounce before I finally stood up and clapped my hands, catching everyone's attention.

The demigods just looked at me in awe as to how I was still breathing, while Zoë and Jackie simply reverted to their human forms and looked at me with relief, although they still looked like they were tensed for a fight.

Jason raised his hand and pointed at me shakily, "You said that you could die! Why aren't you dead?"

I simply shrugged and said, "I can, but it's going to take more than a small spark to do it. A full power blast from your dad might do the trick, but you are not your dad."

Jason took a minute to process this. Unfortunately it seems he didn't process it correctly, cause his next action was especially stupid. He drew his sword and charged me, ready to run me through.

I considered dodging, countering, or simply disarming him, but instead if figured he needed to learn, so I just waited patiently for him to thrust his sword at my chest with as much force as he could.

The look on his face was priceless as he looked at his now bent sword. The swords clattered to the floor as he looked up at me in disbelief. As I watched, he then seemed understand the situation he was in and started to get on his knees, which I did not expect.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked him.

He looked up at me with hatred but he didn't lash out, instead he said, "I am offering myself to you on the terms that you let my friends go."

I was completely confused now, "What the fuck are you talking about? Why would I even need you? No offense."

He looked up me angrily, "To raise Gaea? You need the blood of a male and female demigod and I'm guessing you already used Annabeth so you don't need another female, just let them go and take me instead I am begging you.

I looked up at Zoë and Jackie wondering if they knew what he was talking about, but they just shrugged as confused as I was.

"Ummm, I actually wasn't planning on using any of your blood…"

His expression turned terrified, "Oh my gods… so you are just here to slaughter us—"

"Oh my gods no! Why the hell would you think that?" I asked him, completely lost to what he was thinking."

He looked at me uncertainly, "Because you are a servant of Gaea."

I looked at him in astonishment, "What brought you to that conclusion?"

He looked around, realizing what a mistake he might have just made, but continued, "You return from Tartarus with unfathomable power, you have brought back two people from the dead that you care about, you indulge in polygamy with a hunter and a Hellhound, you refuse to share your power, and now you say that you plan to raise Gaea, what the fuck am I supposed to think?"

I took a minute to process what he has said, "So you were demanding I share my power to test whether or not I was evil?"

"Of course! Why else would I?"

"I thought you were just as power hungry as Zeus."

"Well that is your mistake: my father is Jupiter, and he is not Zeus. "

I nodded thoughtfully. So it was a misunderstanding on both parties. I better clear it up.

"If you had let me finish, you would have known that I don't want to raise Gaea to aid her, I plan to draw her out into a physical form and defeat her once and for all. And I am reluctant to share my strength because I feel that I am going to need every ounce of it to win."

He still looked at me uncertainly, "How do I know you are telling the truth?"

I sighed at how fucking cliché this was and said, "I swear it on the River Jackson"

At this the familiar sound of thunder came, signifying the pact being made.

Jason's eyes widened at this. He stood up still staring at me, as he realized the mistake he had made, he looked around at all the people staring at him. He hung his head in embarrassment, "I am so sorry."

I sighed and put a hand on his shoulder, "I forgive you man, in hindsight, I did come off pretty sketchy. You were just doing what you thought was best for everyone. I respect that."

He looked back up at me with a mixture of disbelief, regret, and gratitude. "Th-thank you."

"But you did try to kill me twice in a row."

He winced, "I understand, I will accept any punishment you feel is necessary."

I thought about it for a minute, and then said, "I am not going to do anything to you."

His eyes widened in shock (hehe) "Really?"

I smiled evilly, "Really. I am however going to tell Thalia, and let her decide what to do."

I thought I had seen Jason afraid before, but apparently I hadn't, because the look he gave now was that of pure terror unlike any I had seen on him before. But he just gulped and nodded, "Alright…"

He then went back to his seat and sat down, everyone else followed suit.

"Now," I began, "My plan is—"

"Just a minute Perseus." Artemis interjected

"Oh alright, why don't you tell us my plan, since no one wants to hear it from me!" I said irritated. There is just no respect anymore

Artemis glared at me and I remembered that I was still speaking with the man hating Olympian goddess.

I cleared my throat, "I mean, if you would please give us your thoughts my lady."

She nodded, "Better. I would like to know what your plans are after you defeat Gaea."

I blinked, "Umm, you don't mean…" my eyes wandered to Zoë and Jackie.

She followed where I was looking, and I swear to chaos I saw a hint of a golden blush on her face before she said, "No not that! I am referring to the fact that if you defeat Gaea you will inherit her power."

I made an oh with my mouth and felt a little awkward, but I replied. "What about it?"

She rolled her eyes at what I assumed was my own stupidity, that is what it usually is. "Not only will you become a primordial you will gain control over the entire planet. Can you guess whose nerves that will get on?"

I groaned. "Yeah I know: Zeus won't like the fact that the son of his brother is stronger than him, what do you think he will do about it?"

She thought for a minute, and then said, "He will probably declare war on you and use every ounce of Olympus' power to destroy you and take your power for himself."

"So what do you suggest I do about it?" I asked

"I suggest that you swear to give the power up. I know that it is unfair, but it is the option with the least bloodshed." She said firmly.

I took a deep breath and sighed loudly. But I was soon over it. I didn't really care about keeping the power, but it irritated me that I was being forced into giving it up. I didn't like being told what to do, which is ironic given my entire fucking life.

"I swear on the River Jackson to give up the power of Gaea after I defeat her."

With that the thunder shouted and it was official.

I sighed, "Alright now I will share my plan, does anyone want to interrupt me?"

When no one said anything I continued, ""Alright then, the first thing we do is—"

"What's for breakfast?" Bianca asked with a mischievous grin.

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

LATER

After I explained my plan, everyone ate breakfast and left to perform their duties until it was time to begin. I wanted a little time before I began the battle. I decided to head to the stables to check on Damasen

When I reached the stables I saw Damasen sitting down, as he was unable to stand in the cramped space, talking with Bianca. She had brought him several bowls off food since he was unable to fit in the mess hall.

I knocked on the doorway to alert them to my presence as I walked in. When Damasen saw me he gave me a big grin, "I heard you had an eventful morning."

I snorted, "Yeah you could say that. Did Bianca fill you in?"

They both nodded, "She told me your plan, but before that come here and let me see your forehead. "

It had stopped hurting, but I still walked forward and allowed him to bend down and take a look.

Suddenly I heard him laugh. "That is quite the scar you have."

He kept laughing, which confused me until Bianca brought me a hand mirror so I could take a look myself.

The scar was near the top of my forehead, so my semi-long hair easily hid it, but when I pushed my hair back, I saw a scar in the ironic form of a lightning bolt etched into my face.

As I stared at it, Damasen finally got over his laughter and asked, "I'm sure I can heal it, just give me a minute to find the—"

"No!" I said, partly because I meant it, and partly because I felt like interrupting someone else for a change.

He looked at me quizzically, "Really? Why would you want to keep it?"

I nodded. "I know it's a little counterintuitive seeing as I am the son of the sea and all, but it just looks so badass!"

Bianca and Damasen both chuckled. Then Damasen seemed to remember something and said, "That girl Reyna is awake by the way. She was looking around for you earlier, but when she heard you were in the meeting she decided to wait. Something about it being improper to interrupt."

I chuckled, that was Reyna all right. "Do you know where she is right now?"

"I am pretty sure she was heading to the top deck to take care of her Pegasus. Honestly what was that Valdez boy thinking putting pegasus stables in the bottom deck?"

I shrugged, "No idea. You two should make sure your ready after I talk with Reyna we are going to head out."

I turned to leave but before I could, Bianca said, "Actually Percy, as much as I want to help you? I think I would be better suited with taking back the statue. I have a bad feeling of what will happen if Nico tries to take it by himself, and even though I am a weaker fighter than Jackie and Zoë, I'm still probably more powerful than the rest of the demigods. I'm sorry but I think it is the right thing to do."

After she finished she looked down as if ashamed and scared I might yell at her. I smiled and said, "You know what you are probably right, Nico might have trouble shadow traveling so much alone and I would feel much better if you were with them."

She smiled at me, "Thank you!"

I nodded and left for the upper decks. When I reached the top deck I spied Reyna near the stern brushing Scipio's fur, which was matted and ruffled from his previous wounds.

As I approached them Scipio saw me first and quickly bowed his head in respect. Good morning my Lord! I would just like to convey how grateful I am to you for what you did! From here on out I will prioritize you as my second Master next to Reyna! Any time you need something I will be there!

I chuckled and said, "That's alright Scipio, although I'm sure you would be a great help, I already have a pal like that, and I think you are more need by Reyna.

The Pegasus didn't seem pleased by this answer but he nodded all the same. Reyna on the other hand was confused, "Why are you talking like you can understand him?"

I smirked, "Poseidon created horses as well as Pegasus. I am able to speak to all equestrian creatures as well as sea creatures."

Instead of the usually Oh my god that is awesome look that people usually give when I tell them that, she just nodded understandingly, as if it didn't surprise her at all. "So what did he say?"

"He was just saying thank you for last night, but honestly its hardly necessary, back at camp, the Pegasi basically used me to fix all their problems that they couldn't convey to anyone else, so I was happy to help."

She nodded again, and she wore her usually deep thinker look. "Well, even so, Scipio is one of my closes friends, if he died, I think a part of me would have died with him. So I have to repay you."

I blinked, "Umm, that's really okay, you don't need to—"

"No I do. Hazel told me your plan. I am going to come with you."

"But I already have Zoë, Jackie and Damasen, and not to be rude but they are all a lot more durable. We are going to fight giants, this is not going to be pain free."

"I know that! And I understand that you bathed them in your river, is that correct?"

"…Yes."

"Then do the same to me."

I sighed, "Reyna it isn't that simple. Bathing is extremely painful, and it gives you a weakness. It was a really idiotic idea and I promised to not do it again if I can help it"

She just stared at me unfaltering.

I could feel myself losing, "Oh my gods fine. But I am not going to bathe you! That sounded weird. You know what I mean!"

As I said that I thought I saw a slight break in her mask, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. "That's fine, I don't need it."

I raised an eyebrow, "You're going to need something. Just don't tell anyone about this until later ok?"

She nodded. I concentrated on my powers. Unfortunately I was fresh out of hellhound power, so I would have to use something else. So I focused on something else: actually several something else's."

The familiar gold substance began to stream into her, startling her at first, but she soon got over it as she felt the power enter her. Her eyes widened comically as she felt her news strength. As I watched, I saw her already toned muscles become more toned, like mine did, only not too much to be unattractive.

"What did you give me?" she asked

I smirked at her reaction; "You now have the speed, endurance, and senses of a centaur, as well as the combined strength and durability of five Cyclopes."

She looked at me like I had grown a second head, "What!? Why would you give me so much? I thought your other… um… friends…. Only have hellhound powers. "

I nodded, "That, the curse of Achilles, and the skills you can only get from training in Tartarus for a century. Besides the physical strength, you are just barely up to their level, not to be rude of course. And I have killed a couple hundred Cyclopes, so I was planning on giving them about as much as I gave you as well."

She looked like she needed a minute to take it all in, so I decided to go see to what I said. I expanded my senses and quickly located Jackie and Zoë in the crow's nest. I quickly hopped rom my place on the deck, to their position, causing them to let out startled eeps, which in turn, made me laugh like hell.

Zoë of course was the first to smack me lightly, "Don't do that you jerk!"

Once I was done laughing I said: "Sorry, I'm here for a couple things: one is that Reyna will now be coming with us. And two is to do this"

I focused on my powers and again sent the power of five Cyclopes into each of them,

After I was done they felt out their new strength and looked at me, "What was that for?"

I looked at them, "Insurance. It is time to go."

Chapter 36!

First off: I just want to let you know that I was planning on having this out on Saturday or Sunday, but Friday Mom went to the emergency room and had to have an appendectomy, so I was a bit distracted. She has since come through it ok, although she is still in pain, so I thought it would be nice if added a little, "Get well Mom! In your reviews. If you feel like it of course.

Next chapter we will be leaving to go fight Gaea. No more preparations, no more procrastination.

Anyways I love you all and will see you next time!