Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto and Percy Jackson is the property of Rick Riordan and all series mentioned are the property of their respective owners. I don't own this in any way so please don't sue me.
Chapter 7: Titan's Bane
(New York Annabeth POV)
All around us the forces of the Titans were closing in, we were able to hold them back but we'd had several close calls. Both times our saving grace were allies breaking through Kronos' barriers, first Chiron returned with an army of Centaurs backing him up. The second time the horn of the Underworld sounded as Hades and his army joined by Nico rose up and again we were victorious. The hardest fight we had was against the Lydian Drakon, Clarrise managed to kill it and after her victory she was cloaked in the Blessing of Ares, weapons failed to even scratch her, combine that with the power of the 7th gate and we pushed back Kronos' forces but many fell, Chakra exhaustion and monsters getting lucky were thinning our ranks. Currently, Clarisse, Silena, and well over half our forces were in our medevac centers, with Hades' forces we managed to hold them in the block surrounding Olympus. Madara was our trump card, neither monster nor Titan could touch him but he couldn't be everywhere and it was clear we would need nothing short of a miracle to save us. Kronos stood at the vanguard of his army smiling cruelly at me clearly confident in his victory, I was holding my Kunai and dagger in each hand, my face was covered in sweat, my chakra was dangerously low and even my Hamon breathing was out of sync.
"Do you see it now Annabeth Chase?" Kronos taunted his arms spread wide, "the futility of serving the gods, even when you need them the most they fail you."
"This battle isn't lost yet." I growled back, "As long as I stand, our forces will triumph."
(Kronos POV)
Annabeth was glaring at me with those defiant eyes, the same eyes that Jackson would always glare at me with. I stepped forward, my scythe gripped in my left hand, Annabeth's chakra flared to life and two chakra tails flared behind her.
"So this is your last stand?" Although I asked that I knew that Annabeth was unable to beat me as I am now, she was running on fumes at best while I was fresh.
"If it is then I will die a Hero's death, and if I can't win I will take you with me." Annabeth's voice was darker as the Chakra of the Two-tails flooded her system.
"Nice resolve," I taunted, then an idea formed in my head. "But you won't best me even at the cost of your life, I will keep you as my prisoner, you will be my slave for all eternity, a final insult to Jackson, you will do what I say whenever I say it, then my victory will be absolute." I started laughing and Annabeth's look of anger turned to horror at the thought, just then a hand gripped my shoulder and a voice with a heavy Russian accent spoke.
"Would you care to repeat that?" Terror filled my heart as an all too familiar chakra flared to life, "You son of a bitch." I turned around to see a very angry Percy Jackson.
"JACK-!" Was all I got out before he punched me in the gut with enough force to rupture the organs in Luke's body, I collapsed to my knees coughing out globs of blood. Jackson grabbed me by my throat, I clawed at his hand but his grip was iron.
"I know you didn't just threaten what I think you did."
"PERCY!" Annabeth shouted relief clearly in her voice. Everyone turned to see me in his grip, my own forces trembled in fear, and the defenders of Olympus seemed to regain their vigor. Jackson threw me to the side then formed an army of Shadow Clones, they all had yellow chakra cloaks, the same as when he used the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"You know what to do." Percy's clones ran through the army slapping their hands' red chakra flared to life forming a miniature Nine-Tails' chakra cloak with a single red tail for each, they all had renewed vigor in their eyes as their strength returned.
"JACKSON!" I roared enraged, my victory was so close, only for it to be ripped away from me at the last minute. Percy ignored me and continued walking towards Annabeth then he picked her up and held her in his arms then he hugged her Annabeth started crying while she hugged him back.
"I thought you were gone forever." Her voice cracked.
"I told you," Percy replied, still with his thick Russian accent, "I would tear the pits of Tartarus itself apart if it meant getting back to you." I took advantage of Percy's distraction to charge in my scythe in my hand, but my target wasn't Percy, it was the doors of Olympus. I kicked open the doors of the Empire State Building and charged at the elevator, only to be met with Jackson's outstretched arm, catching me in the throat. "That was rude."
"I will not be denied!" I struck Jackson in the gut in order to knock the wind out of him for even a second in order to rush past him, or at least, that was I let him think I was trying. As expected he used his Kamui technique and I used the brief time he was dematerialized to run at the doors I accelerated time around me in order to slip past the guards. As I slammed the doors of the elevators shut I gave Jackson a look of victory and began my ascension to Olympus to bring it down.
(Percy POV)
I watched Kronos close the doors of the elevator, his twisted smile on Luke's face. I couldn't help but be impressed, he used my Kamui against me. I cracked my neck and prepared to follow him when the door burst open.
"Percy!" I heard Thalia's voice call from behind me, I turned to her with a smile on my face. "You're alive, thank the Gods."
"Let us thank the Gods when Kronos has been returned to the pit." I spoke, preparing to enter the other elevator.
"You're not doing this alone." Grover protested.
"It has to be me, I know his weakness." I turned back towards the elevator in order to finish Kronos once and for all when I remembered what Kurama told me. I turned to face Thalia, Grover, and Annabeth with a smile on my face, they opened their mouths to protest but I held up my hand. "Let's do this, together." I held out my hand, Annabeth walked over and grabbed it.
"Together." Annabeth agreed as one, the four of us walked into the Elevator. When we got to the top the bridge to Olympus was dissolving. We stepped out of the elevator onto the white marble walkway and immediately cracks appeared at our feet.
"Jump!" Grover said, which was easy for him since he's half mountain goat. He sprang to the next slab of stone while ours tilted sickeningly.
"Gods, I hate heights!" Thalia yelled as she and I leaped, But Annabeth was too low on chakra and she stumbled and yelled,
"Percy!" I caught her hand as the pavement fell, crumbling into dust. I pulled her up and as I did I passed her a large portion of Kurama's chakra and soon she was back to her old self.
"Let's keep moving!" I shouted and we ran across the collapsing bridge with the speed of trained Shinobi, we eventually made it to the edge of the mountain just as the final section collapsed. Annabeth looked back at the elevator, which was now completely out of reach a polished set of metal doors hanging in space, attached to nothing, six hundred stories above Manhattan.
"We're marooned," she said. "On our own."
"Blah-ha-ha!" Grover said. "The connection between Olympus and America is dissolving. If it fails-"
"The gods won't move on to another country this time," Thalia said. "This will be the end of Olympus. The final end." We ran through the streets. Mansions were burning. Statues had been hacked down. Trees in the parks were blasted to splinters. It looked like someone had attacked the city with a giant Weedwacker.
"Kronos's scythe," I growled, we followed the winding path toward the palace of the gods. I didn't remember the road being so long. Maybe Kronos was making time go slower, or maybe it was just dread slowing me down. The whole mountaintop was in ruins so many beautiful buildings and gardens were gone. A few minor gods and nature spirits had tried to stop Kronos. What remained of them was strewn about the road: shattered armor ripped clothing, swords, and spears broken in half. Somewhere ahead of us, Kronos's voice roared:
"Brick by brick! That was my promise. Tear it down BRICK BY BRICK!" A white marble temple with a gold dome suddenly exploded. The dome shot up like the lid of a teapot and shattered into a billion pieces, raining rubble over the city.
"That was a shrine to Artemis," Thalia grumbled. "He'll pay for that." We were running under the marble archway with the huge statues of Zeus and Hera when the entire mountain groaned, rocking sideways like a boat in a storm.
"Look out!" Grover yelped. The archway crumbled. I looked up in time to see a twenty-ton scowling Hera topple over on us, having none of it I smashed it to bits with my Susanoo.
"Not this time, bitch." I heard Annabeth curse and I laughed a bit, we made our way to the palace room and saw Kronos standing there, clearly waiting for us.
"Welcome to the end of your world, Jackson." Kronos taunted, "You're just in time to watch me end everything." Kronos turned to Ethan Nakamura, "Keep them busy, I will deal with Jackson."
"Yes my lord," Ethan replied as he bowed then charged at Annabeth, I stood still as she and Ethan battled my red eyes staring into Kronos' gold ones.
"Is that the choice you will make-to fight me and die instead of bowing down? Prophecies never end well, you know."
"As we say in the Motherland." I began, "Dolzhny li my tantsevat?" (Shall we dance) (A/N: Start Playing Naruto; My name) I charged in, my blade humming with my chakra, Kronos and I clashed back and forth our weapons exploding in showers of sparks. My advantage was clear but Kronos morphed his scythe into Backbiter as he realized his scythe was getting him nowhere. At first, I was surprised to see him keeping pace with me then my eyes saw time accelerating around him. I backed him into a corner and kicked him into Hephestus' throne which sprung to life.
'Defense mode, Defense mode' the chair warned lightning flashed in all directions and one hit Konros in the face.
"ARGH!" he screamed in pain as he gripped his face from the pain, and I saw my moment, I thrust my sword at Kronos' weak spot but he rolled out of the way and turned to face, rage clear on his face. "You bastard, you know exactly where you're aiming." I smiled in response.
"I will admit you know where to pick a weak point, hard to hit on purpose, but not for someone like me." I twirled my blade a bit. "Shall we continue?" Kronos growled, then closed in like a whirlwind. I matched him blow for blow, no matter how fast her accelerated time around himself I was able to track him easily, then landed a blow squarely in his stomach sending him crashing into a pillar. "That the best you can do?" I taunted, then I sensed Nakamura close behind me as Annabeth shouted my name, I leaped over the sword, while I countered by slicing off his arm. I pinned him to the ground, "You'll have to do better than that to sneak up on a sensory type Ethan." I held my blade at his chest. "The last time I spared your life it was out of pity and you betrayed me, so now I will ask you before I end your life, Are there any last words?"
"My only wish is to see a throne for my mother." He spoke, his voice no more than a whisper.
"I will consider your request." I stabbed Ethan through the heart, killing him.
"DIE JACKSON!" Kronos' voice called and I looked up and saw Kronos had used the distraction to close the distance, his form was glowing and I could see Luke's form burning away as Kronos was about to assume his true divine form, his eyes alive with glee. "I win," My Rinnegan flashed as Annabeth' dagger appeared in my hand, I grabbed Kronos' arm and thrust with the dagger which found it's mark. Kronos's look of glee was quickly changed to horror as Luke's blood flowed over my left hand.
"Hero's soul cursed blade shall reap." I quoted the prophecy.
"DAAAAMN YOU!" Kronos screamed to the heavens as my eyes saw the chains that anchored his spirit to Luke's body shatter and snap. (A/N: End Naruto My Name) When I looked into Luke's eyes they weren't gold anymore, they were the blue that I saw the first time I met him. He started laughing. It was the laugh not of a mad man, but of a man who was proud, a man who was free and could choose his own path.
"N-nice shot," Luke congratulated, his voice was hoarse, as he was remembering how to talk. "Percy." I looked at him and smiled a bit.
"I may be a shit shot with a bow," I laughed. "but with a blade I am unparalleled."
"That you are," Luke stepped back off the blade of the dagger and collapsed and leaned against a pillar looking at me standing above him.
"Luke." Thalia spoke, her voice cracking, betraying her sadness. Luke turned to her with a sad smile on his face, and he started coughing up blood.
"I don't have much time," he coughed again, "can you 3 come here? I want to give you my parting words." for once all three looked at me clearly wondering what to do, I nodded.
"His chakra is fading," I spoke, my voice was a monotone. "He already no longer possesses the strength to move." the three of them joined me at Luke's side, Luke's gaze fell on Annabeth and tears form in his eyes.
"Annabeth," his voice was little more than a whisper. "I tried to kill you, so many times, but I have to know….do you forgive me?" Annabeth didn't move or speak for what seemed like forever but then she nodded.
"Yes Luke," she said her voice cracked a bit. "I forgave you a long time ago," she grabbed my hand. "Percy helped me move on, I don't know what fate awaits you in the Underworld but if it eases your soul know that my hatred of you died just before you gave yourself to Kronos."
"Did you love me?" This seemed to take Annabeth by surprise as she didn't respond at first.
"For a time, but you hurt me, you made me question everything I believed in, but even now I still see you as the big brother who I could look up to." Luke nodded and coughed up more blood, then turned to Thalia.
"I know your oath, I know your choice, but I have to know, could we have been more, if my hatred hadn't consumed me?" Thalia started crying a bit but it was clear she couldn't bring herself to answer.
"W-we can heal you, get ambrosia." Grover broke the silence, "if not Percy…." he trailed off as he saw the look on Luke's face.
"You're the bravest Satyr I've ever met, but not even Percy can heal this." Luke laughed a bit and coughed more blood up then he looked at me. "Percy." He started and his eyes drooped a bit, I knelt down and held open his eye and locked his gaze with my left eye.
"Tsukuyomi." I heard him gasp as we were transported to my world, as usual, the blood moon hung overhead the clouds moved across the inverted sky Luke's, wounds were gone and he was strapped to the cross, my appearance was unchanged.
"Why?" was all Luke could ask. "Are you going to torture me before the end?" the cross melted and soon Luke and I were facing each other, then everything vanished and we were in a white room that stretched in all directions into infinity.
"Do you think so little of me?" I asked my voice echoing across the empty plane of existence. "This is simply a realm where we can talk."
"But my body-" Luke started.
"Will be fine, in this realm time moves a different speed, when I end this genjutsu only a single second will have passed the real world."
"Why?" Luke asked again. "Why do you want to talk? Don't you hate me?" I closed my eyes and laughed a bit.
"It's funny, at first I did hate you, but eventually that hate just transformed into sympathy to understanding, of all the people in this world I can understand your thoughts, why you did this better than anyone."
"How?" I opened my eyes and looked at Luke.
"I never told you this, but the Uchiha had a rival clan, a clan that could match us." I waved my hand and a scene unfolded of clashes of steel and then a blazing fireball came roaring in. "The world was embroiled by chaos, the one village per-country system didn't exist back then, Ninja were mercenary groups divided up by clan." The scene shifted it showed a shinobi in armor blowing a horn and several other charged in, only to be blown back by a wall of wind, and showed Madara stabbing his gunbai into the ground. "In this world of constant strife power was everything, the Uchiha clan was known all over the world as a warrior clan, with remarkable chakra and the Sharingan," a group of Uchiha charged in their eyes glowing then a new group made itself known. "Then there was the Senju Clan, our cousin clan and rival, they could match us blow for blow when one Nation hired the Uchiha their enemies would hire the Senju. Time and time our clans clashed which only added fuel to the fires of hatred that our two clans felt for each other." Luke was clearly confused.
"Okay, that's great, but why are you telling me this?" I smiled a bit.
"If you hadn't interrupted me I was going to tell you." I cleared my throat. "Anyway, this animosity was caused by one event between these two clan founders, the Uchiha's founder, Indra Otsutsuki, and his younger brother, Asura Otsutsuki. They had different ways of walking through life, Indra believed that Power and strength was the way for eternal peace, as all needed his power and would never question him. Asura believed that love, understanding and working as a whole group was the way to peace as one man can only do so much on their own. These ideals are complete opposites, and when the time came for the Rikudo Sennin to announce his successor he chose Asura, the younger brother. This enraged Indra to no end as he was born first Indra thought that it was his birthright, and so he left, but he would soon return with hatred in his heart and aimed to kill his brother claiming what he believed was his. Asura and Indra clashed and, at first, Indra was clearly the victor but Asura called upon his power and the power of those he loved and bested his brother. Indra swore he would never accept his brother and fled into the night, he was never seen again by his brother, his ideology became known as the 'Curse of Hatred' and Asura's ideology became known as the 'Will of Fire.' These two ideals would become the founding philosophies of the Uchiha and Senju Clan respectively." Luke's eyes widened.
"I think I get it," he spoke and I raised an eyebrow. "You, as an Uchiha, bear the weight of this 'Curse of Hatred' and because of that you understand me, you understand why I hated the gods." I nodded smiling.
"Yes, and when I tried to reach you, to be a rope of salvation from the darkness, I did so, not just because your father asked me to, but because I know what it is to walk that path, that curse brings nothing but pain and the destruction of all you love."
"Reminds me of an old proverb I heard." Luke chuckled a bit. "There's this guy trapped in a hole, the walls are too slippery to grab and so he can't climb his way out, so he shouts hoping that others will hear him and help, but no one listens. Eventually, his friend comes, sees him in the hole and jumps in with him. The first guy asks 'Why did you do that? Now we're both stuck here.' and his friend responds-"
"It's okay because I've been in his hole before." I finished, Luke nods.
"That's it." I stepped forward and held out my hand to Luke.
"So, for the last time," I started, "I hold out my hand, if you are brave enough, take it and I'll get you out of that hole." Luke looks at my hand and starts to reach for mine.
"Am I worthy of this?" He hesitates, "am I worthy to be forgiven?"
"I wouldn't offer it if you weren't." Luke grabs my hand and I pull him into a hug, the same one I would give Tyson, a hug between brothers.
"Thank you….Percy." Luke whispers and I could feel him shaking as he cried his voice was silent but his despair was obvious. Eventually, Luke then took a step back and looked at me. "Before you end this Illusion, I have a few things I need to say." I nodded and remained silent. "First, my sword Backbiter, I want you to carry it, as a symbol of who you are, Ghost of the Uchiha." I raised an eyebrow.
"Why? You know I don't need a new blade, especially one with such a tainted history."
"I ask you this because I don't want it falling into the wrong hands, you don't have to wield it, all I ask is you keep it safe or even destroy it if you feel it is necessary."
"Fine, I will honor your request and the second?"
"When you see my father, tell him," Luke couldn't meet my gaze and I could feel the despair coming off him. "Tell him I forgive him, and that I am sorry."
"I will."
"Thank you, Percy." I broke the illusion and Luke and I are back on Olympus, I get back up and he looks up at me with tears in his eyes. "Ethan….me…..all the unclaimed….don't let it happen again." His face is angry but pleading too. "Promise me." I smiled.
"You have my word."
"Thank you." Luke draws his last breath and moves no more, soon the sound of the Gods of Olympus teleporting in filled the air and soon all 13 Olympians were standing over me, most looked quite hurt but my father seemed no worse for wear.
"Percy," he started, "What happened?" I got to my feet and looked at all the Olympians.
"We need a shroud, a shroud for the Son of Hermes." My voice was a whisper, but it seemed to hold weight, the Three Fates themselves took Luke's body. I hadn't seen the old ladies in years since I'd witnessed them snip a life thread at a roadside fruit stand when I was twelve. They'd scared me then, and I wasn't afraid anymore three ghoulish grandmothers with bags of knitting needles and yarn. One of them looked at me, and even though she didn't say anything, my life literally flashed before my eyes. Suddenly I was twenty, Then I was a middle-aged man, sitting on a porch hand in hand with Annabeth who was clearly pregnant, then I turned old and withered. All the strength left my body, and I saw my own tombstone and an open grave, a pair of coffins being lowered into the ground and the engraving had the Uchiha and Hyuga clan symbols then darkness, all this happened in less than a second.
"It is done." She said, then she held up the snippet of blue yarn and I knew it was the same one I'd seen four years ago, the lifeline I'd watched them snip. I had thought it was my life. Now I realized it was Luke's. They'd been showing me the life that would have to be sacrificed to set things right. They gathered up Luke's body, now wrapped in a white-and-green shroud, and began carrying it out of the throne room.
"Wait," Hermes said, The messenger god was dressed in his classic outfit of white Greek robes, sandals, and helmet. The wings of his helm fluttered as he walked. The snakes George and Martha curled around his caduceus, murmuring,
"Luke, poor Luke." Hermes unwrapped Luke's face and kissed his forehead. He murmured some words in Ancient Greek a final blessing.
"Farewell," he whispered. Then he nodded and allowed the Fates to carry away his son's body. The next few hours were a blur, so much happening and for a time I simply sat in a corner staring out at the horizon basking the light of day. The gods repaired the throne room, many of my friends came, they wept, they were grateful I was still alive, Clarisse marched in and Ares clapped her on the back.
"There's my girl!" The god of war ruffled her hair and pounded her on the back, calling her the best warrior he'd ever seen. "That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!" She looked pretty overwhelmed. All she could do was nod and blink like she was afraid he'd start hitting her, but eventually, she began to smile. Ares then did something I never thought he'd do in a million years, he turned to me and an understanding look was visible on his face. "You've seen it now, haven't you Jackson." It wasn't a question.
"You knew, you knew that would happen." Ares grinned at me but it was anything but friendly.
"Yes, all wars are mine to see, your Russian brothers mourned your death, and, as much as I hate to say this, there is a statue of you in Moscow, they remember the Ghost of the Uchiha, the terror of the eastern front." Ares walked away and Hera passed me not too long after, she opened her mouth as if she was going to say something but I held up my hand.
"Don't say something you'll regret." I glared, "I'm not as forgiving as I used to be, just ask Ares." Hera remained silent and walked away. I saw Dionysus talking to Annabeth about something and Annabeth laughed a bit then the Wine God walked away. Annabeth then walked over to me and she kissed me, I wrapped my arms around her and deepened our kiss, I could feel Athena glaring holes in the back of my head but I didn't care. We separated and Annabeth looked me up and down, then she sneezed.
"Bud'te zdorovy." (Bless you) She glared at me, it didn't take a genius to know why.
"You're getting rid of the beard."
"I like it." Annabeth grabbed Riptide and pointed it at me.
"Either you shave it, or I will." I saw the look in Annabeth's eyes and knew I wouldn't win this fight.
"Yes, dear." I admitted defeat, out of the corner of my eye I saw Thalia make the 'Whipped' motion and I turned to glare at her and her face went pale. I went over to a corner and used Hyoton to make a flawless Mirror and did as Annabeth demanded. Eventually, my father and Tyson made their way over to me. Poseidon clapped his hands on my shoulder and Tyson's shoulder and smiled at both of us.
"I am proud of both of you," He smiled at me and then at Tyson. "You two have made me very proud, Tyson wields Sharkskin like a master and you Percy." His face showed worry and then kindness. "No matter what anyone says, you are the best son I could have asked for, you are a true hero, and you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules-"
"POSEIDON!" a voice roared. Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at my dad while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on his bone throne again, while Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet. "Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?" I thought Poseidon was going to get mad, but he just looked at me and winked.
"I would be honored, Lord Zeus." I guess miracles do happen. Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian Council convened. While Zeus was talking some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc. Annabeth stood next to me with a smug smile on her face as she looked at my shaved face, I leaned next to her ear.
"Don't think you're getting out of trouble for this, I'm going to punish you." Annabeth shivered a bit at the husky tone of my voice.
"Please be gentle with me, master." She replied in a timid voice, then Grover nudged us both his face was red.
"As for my brothers," Zeus began, "we are thankful." he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out. "Thankful for the aid of Hades." The Lord of the Dead nodded and he looked twice as smug as Annabeth had and Nico was happy, happier than I'd seen him in a long time. "And of course." Zeus looked like his pants were smoldering. "We must….um… thank Percy Jackson."
"What was that Brother?" My father asked and, for the first time, I realized where I got my smart-ass attitude from. "Could you speak up?"
"We must thank Percy Jackson." Zeus growled, "for sending Madara to our aid, without whom it would have been difficult."
"Difficult?" My sensei spoke up clearly trying not to laugh.
"Impossible." Zeus clearly looked like he wanted to jump headfirst into Tartarus then give me any form of credit. "Impossible to defeat Typhon." Zeus looked at all of us. "Which leaves us, with only the matter of thanking our young demigods who defended Olympus, even if there are a few dents in my throne." He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks. Artemis smiled.
"You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure." She glared pointedly at Hades. He shrugged.
"Probably." Hades replied clearly not really all that interested Artemis glared at him some more. "Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process." Thalia beamed with pride.
"Thank you, my lady. " She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then walked over to stand by Artemis's side.
"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the Council, and Zeus grunted. "Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods." Tyson seemed happy and I gave him a big thumbs up.
"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called. Grover came forward nervously. "Oh, stop chewing your shirt," Dionysus chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders." Grover collapsed on the spot. "Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed, as several naiads came forward to help Grover. "Well, when he wakes up, someone please tell him that he will no longer be an outcast and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a lord of the Wild, with all rights, privileges, and honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."
"FOOOOOD," Grover moaned, as the nature spirits carried him away. I figured he'd be okay. He would wake up as a lord of the Wild with a bunch of beautiful naiads taking care of him. Life could be worse.
"Annabeth Chase," Athena called out. "My own daughter." Annabeth squeezed my arm, then walked forward and knelt at her mother's feet. Athena smiled. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . Well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements." Annabeth looked up, stunned.
"My . . . My lady?" Athena smiled wryly.
"You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"
"You mean . . . I can design whatever I want?"
"As your heart desires," the goddess said. "Make us a city for the ages."
"As long as you have plenty of statues of me," Apollo added.
"And me," Aphrodite agreed.
"Hey, and me!" Ares said. "Big statues with huge wicked swords and-"
"All right!" Athena interrupted. "She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus." Annabeth rose in a trance and walked back toward me.
"Way to go," I told her, grinning. For once she was at a loss for words.
"I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils-"
"Madara Uchiha." Hades spoke, Madara stepped forward his aura on full blast and some of the gods looked nervous. "You have gone above and beyond the deal, we made so long ago." The other gods, my father included, turned to look at him like he'd just called Zeus an asshole to his face.
"WHAT DEAL?!" They all asked as one.
"I asked a way to atone for my sins," Madaras spoke, "I saw young Percy and pleaded with Hades to allow me to train him, to make him a champion of Olympus, and in exchange, I would push Percy to make sure Hades was honored as he should be." Madara looked at me. "At first I thought it would be difficult and I thought I'd have my work cut out for me ."
"How long?" I asked. "How long have you been influencing my thoughts?"
"Honestly?" I glared at him. "Not at all, it was clear to me from the first time I spoke to you that you would need no interference from me to honor my side of the deal." My glare didn't lessen so Madara sighed. "I swear on the River Styx I did not influence you to make the choices you made to uphold my end of the bargain." Thunder rumbled but nothing happened and my glare went away, Madara looked at Hades who continued with his statement.
"You went above and beyond, so in exchange, I will grant her to you." Madara's eyes widened in shock and I saw tears leak from his eyes. Hades snapped his fingers and a portal opened and a woman stepped out. She was dark-skinned and a particularly notable feature is her smile it seemed to brighten the room around her. She has a long face with a cleft chin, a small nose, and very thin lips. Her hazel eyes are heavy-lidded and she has trimmed eyebrows. She has medium-length, dirty, blonde hair that reaches down to her upper back. She wears pinkish lipstick, dark eyeliner, complimentary blush, and pale eyeshadow. She has short arms and slender hands, a wide torso, an impressive chest size, and strong toned legs. She also wore a dark suit with the standard armor of that Senju clan over it. She was about as tall as Madara and it was clear that she was beautiful, and I saw a lot of Annabeth in her, she looked around and then saw Madara.
"Madara!" She shouted happily, then ran over to him and kissed him, Madara spun her around and looked into her eyes.
"Rika." Madara's voice was happier than I'd ever heard it and tears were flowing down his face. "At long last, we are reunited." Madara set her down then bowed at her feet. "Can you ever forgive me?" Madara looked up at her. "I've done horrible things, my rage, my grief, I killed so many." Rika smiled at Madara.
"I know what you have done Madara, and while I can't say I like them, I was never angry, I was only sad because you lost your way." Madara got to his feet then bowed to Hades.
"Thank you, Hades-sama." After that heartwarming reunion, I almost forgot where I was.
"PERCY JACKSON!" My father shouted and I was brought back to reality, as my name was spoken the room went silent, Everyone's eyes were on me, all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits, my teacher and his wife. I walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at me reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Her smile gave me the courage to keep walking. First I bowed to Zeus. Then I knelt at my father's feet. "Rise, my son," Poseidon said. I stood uneasily. "A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?" I waited for someone to pipe up. The gods never agreed on anything, and many of them still didn't like me, but not a single one protested.
"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods." I hesitated.
"Any gift?" Zeus nodded grimly.
"I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson-if you wish it-you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time." I glanced back. Annabeth was trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was pale. I flashed back to two years ago when I'd thought she was going to die and I was never going to know if we could be more. I'd been on the edge of a panic attack, thinking that I'd lose her. Now, she looked pretty much the same way. I thought about the Three Fates and the way I'd seen my life flash by. I could avoid all that. No aging, no death, no body in the grave. I could be a teenager forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving my father. I could have power and eternal life. Who could refuse that? Then I looked at Annabeth again and I knew I couldn't do that to her.
"No offense," I started, "but do you really want to put up with me for all of eternity?" I saw Annabeth's eyes shining and her jaw dropped, Zeus seemed to ponder this then his face went pale as his offer caught up with his mind.
"ALL IN FAVOR OF DENYING IMMORTALITY TO PERCY JACKSON?!" Without hesitation, the entire council raised their hand, even my father, but it was clear he only did this because he didn't want to get called out for blatant favoritism.
"Motion passed." Hera spoke and it was clear she was relieved that everyone was in agreement.
"That's what I thought." I laughed a bit.
"Dodged a bullet there." Zeus muttered.
"However," I spoke up and my voice was serious once more. "I know what I want and before we go I want a promise that this will be honored."
"If it is within our power."
"It is," I said. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?" I raised an eyebrow and not even my father could meet my gaze.
"Very well!" Zeus growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power. " The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.
"From now on, I want you to properly recognize the children of the gods, I said. "All the children . . . Of all the gods." The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Percy," my father said, "what exactly do you mean?" I started pacing, a habit I had picked up from Madara.
"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason." Zeus's royal nostrils flared.
"You dare accuse-"
"I know hatred and rage better than anyone, save Madara." I looked at my Sensei who was nodding in approval. "No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children-all your demigod children-by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll.
"And the minor gods, " I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades-"
"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.
"Pardon the pun but, 'Hades no' I'm not saying that at all." I heard Rika laugh a bit and it was clear Madara was trying to keep a straight face. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."
"Is that all?" Zeus snorted.
"Percy," Poseidon said, "you ask much. You presume much."
"I hold you to your oath," I said. "All of you." I got a lot of steely looks. Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up.
"Every part of my being wants to vomit at once when I say this…." Athena looked like she was genuinely going to vomit. "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps," she glanced at Annabeth and then spoke as if the words and her face even turned a bit green, "perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."
"Humph, " Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose . . . "
"All in favor," Hermes said. All the gods raised their hands.
"Now if you will excuse me, " I started as I wrapped my arm around Annabeth's waist, "I have been through two wars and I'd very much like to return to camp and enjoy things returning to normal again." I turned, but before I could leave, Poseidon called,
"Honor guard!" Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door-an aisle for me to walk through. They came to attention.
"All hail, Perseus Jackson, " Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . And my big brother!" Annabeth and I walked down taking in the sights when we passed Hermes in a side courtyard. He was staring at an Iris-message formed from the mist of a fountain. I glanced at Annabeth.
"I'll meet you at the elevator."
"You sure?" Then she studied my face. "Yeah, you're sure." Hermes didn't seem to notice me approach. The Iris-message images were going so fast I could hardly understand them. Mortal newscasts from all over the country flashed by scenes of Typhon's destruction, the wreckage our battle had left across Manhattan, President Obama holding a news conference, the mayor of New York, some army vehicles riding down the Avenue of the Americas.
"Amazing, " Hermes murmured. He turned toward me. "Three thousand years and I will never get over the power of the Mist . . . And mortal ignorance."
"Well fuck you too then." I joked and anyone listening to my tone could tell I was joking, Hermes turned to me.
"You spoke to Luke at the end."
"I did, and I've seen his guts." Hermes raised an eyebrow. "An old expression, basically it means I have seen what was in Luke's heart, and I don't know how you will react but it's something you need to hear." I took a breath and locked eyes with the god. "Luke forgave you at the end, he passed me that message, that is the last thing your son wanted you to know." Hermes' eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
"Too late for him and me."
"You have other children. Honor Luke by recognizing them. All the gods can do that." Hermes's shoulders sagged.
"They'll try, Percy. Oh, we'll all try to keep our promise. And maybe for a while, things will get better. But we gods have never been good at keeping oaths. You were born because of a broken promise, eh? Eventually, we'll become forgetful. We always do."
"You can change." Hermes laughed.
"After three thousand years, you think the gods can change their nature?"
"The Uchiha did," I said. "If a clan founded on the premise of hatred can change its ways, it should be simple for a God." Hermes seemed surprised by that.
"You should go, camp needs you and I have work to do, helping this city and this country get back on its feet." Hermes stared at the fountain. "I'll give you a list of my children. There's a boy in Wisconsin. Two girls in Los Angeles. A few others. Will you see that they get to camp?"
"I promise," I said. "And I won't forget." George and Martha twirled around the caduceus. I know snakes can't smile, but they seemed to be trying.
"Percy Jackson," Hermes said, "you might just teach us a thing or two. " Another god was waiting for me on the way out of Olympus. Athena stood in the middle of the road with her arms crossed and I mentally prepared myself for another lecture from the Goddess.
"Well Percy," She started, "you shall remain mortal."
"Disappointed?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.
"Of all the mortals I have ever come across, you are the cockiest, you stand before the gods and are not humbled by it."
"Humility doesn't run easily in my family," I met Athena's gaze. "On either side." Athena sighed and rubbed her temples.
"No, I suppose it doesn't." She looked at me. "I once warned you that to save a friend you would destroy the world. Perhaps I was mistaken. You seem to have saved both your friends and the world. But think very carefully about how you proceed from here. I have given you the benefit of the doubt. Don't mess up."
"So I'll see you at my wedding then?" I raised an eyebrow, smirking, Athena's eye started twitching rapidly, she turned on her heel and walked away. When I got to the elevator Annabeth was waiting for me, she was silent as we entered the elevator. "Anna-" I started when she pinned me against the wall of the elevator and all but shoved her tongue down my throat when we finally separated she looked at me.
"You turned down Immortality for me." My face was a bit red and I couldn't bring myself to speak "Percy," she tapped her foot on the ground. "To others, you are a stoic, immovable force and as readable as the tides, but to me, you're an open book." I smiled at her.
"Yes, I gave up Immortality for you, and I would do it again in a heartbeat." Annabeth looked at me and she smiled.
"Same here, Seaweed Brain." We spent the rest of the ride down in silence but we held hands, eventually, we reached the ground floor and I saw my mom arguing with the bald security guy, who'd returned to his post.
"I'm telling you, " my mom yelled, "we have to go up! My son-" Then she saw me and her eyes widened. "Percy!" She hugged the breath right out of me. "Annabeth told me what happened, thank the gods you're alright."
"I am, our family is safe." I wrapped my arm around Annabeth's waist. "And all is right with the world."
"For now." Annabeth added. "But the lives of Demigods are never as they appear." As if she could see the future Nico ran in from the street, and his face told me something was wrong.
"It's Rachel," he said. "I just ran into her down on 32nd Street." Annabeth frowned.
"What's she done this time?"
"It's where she's gone," Nico said. "I told her she would die if she tried, but she insisted. She just took Blackjack and-"
"She took my pegasus?" I demanded. Nico nodded.
"She's heading to Half-Blood Hill. She said she had to get to camp."
"Stand still!" I commanded I took one look at my mom. "I will Iris message you later." She nodded then I placed my hand on Nico's shoulder, he flinched a bit and focused on the Hiraishin Maker that I placed on Thalia's tree and in a flash of yellow light we were gone.
