Please note: I do not own Percy Jackson or related characters. This story is just an opportunity for me to play around with these characters and my creativity. I love getting feedback and you all deserve the best stories, so feel free to review so I can be the best storyteller I can be! Thank you!
Thalia
As Thalia fell asleep on one of the Holdings' undoubtedly gross mattresses, she felt herself returning to the soil. She felt like she was back at Half-Blood Hill again, spreading her roots and weaving into the ground. Thalia's consciousness then began to float- out of her body and away from this world. She felt herself permeating into whatever dreams were made of.
In her dream, she was at the Baltimore Harbor. The water at the Harbor served as the focal point for the metropolitan area. Skyscrapers, restaurants, and aquariums surrounded it like a nest. The two of them were on a large hill overlooking the Harbor. Behind them was a little park, decorated with tiny sidewalks, trees, and park benches.
Luke chased a young Annabeth around Thalia. Annabeth bobbed and weaved, opting to vault a nearby memorial of a Fort McHenry-era cannon. She then crouched behind it. Thalia saw Luke gave her a wink. He then straightened up and tap his chin with his finger. His charcoal red shirt rippled in the breeze. Though it had a few rips in it, he somehow still looked good.
"Hmm," Luke surmised exaggeratedly. "Where could Annabeth be?"
The wind carried the sound of Annabeth's muffled laughter right to Thalia's ears. She felt herself try to suppress a smile as Luke began to creep around the cannon. "Could she be…here?"
Luke popped his head on the other side of the cannon, but quickly stiffened. He stood and frowned at Thalia. "Where is she?"
Thalia blinked. "What do you mean? She-" Thalia mouthed, climbed over there.
Luke shook his head. He looked panicked, like this was no longer a joke. "No, she's not here."
Thalia's heart began to drum and began to pump anxiety through her body rather than blood. She couldn't lose Annabeth, especially not in this world.
"Annabeth," Thalia called. "Annabeth!"
Thalia scanned the park behind them. There was no sign of Annabeth. Thalia's hand crept towards her spear, and saw Luke also scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary.
Thalia frantically turned to Luke. "Where is she?!" she nearly yelled.
He shrugged, but his pants betrayed him. Out of the corner of her eye, Thalia noticed Luke's left pant leg move, but against the wind rather than with it. Thalia's lips tightened as she stepped to Luke. He was only a few inches taller than her, but Thalia felt like a mother as she discerned the meaning of Luke's unreadable expression.
Thalia stepped past Luke, only to see Annabeth crouching down behind the statue. Annabeth looked up at Luke, and the two of them couldn't hold it in any longer. They burst out into laughter, as Thalia crossed her arms.
"Good one, dumb and dumber," Thalia grumbled.
Annabeth pounced up and hugged Thalia's legs. "You found me!"
Thalia shook her head and tried to push Annabeth off. "Uh-uh. No hugs for tricksters like yourself."
Thalia then felt Luke hug her from behind. "You found her!" he exclaimed. Thalia heard a hint of joy in his voice, like he was enjoying being a kid again.
She tried to ignore how close Luke was to her. Instead, she cleared her throat and said, "Uh-oh…I'm…I'm falling!"
Thalia started to shift her center of balance so she was leaning towards the hill. Luke began to pull her back, but Thalia took his hand in hers. Luke got the message, and slowly began to push against Thalia.
Annabeth began to push against her, grunting. "Stop falling, you big dummy! Why are you so…heavy…"
Thalia grinned and continued to lean. Annabeth could've darted out from under Thalia, leaving Thalia to fall down the hill. However, Annabeth stayed there, trying to save Thalia from a grassy fate.
Finally, Annabeth couldn't hold it any longer. Thalia leaned past the tipping point, and the two of them fell to the ground. Before Annabeth could get back up, Thalia wrestled Annabeth to the ground. The two of them were met by a wall of Luke, who barreled into them from behind. The three of them tumbled down the steep hill in a ball of laughter, screaming, and grunting.
They ended their descent hard. Though Thalia hit rough ground and scraped herself, she used her legs to flip Annabeth over her and onto a soft patch of grass. Luke fell into Thalia and both of them fell onto the sidewalk. Luke sprung up when he saw Annabeth's face.
"You…did that…on purpose!" Annabeth scowled.
Luke ran a hand through his hair and gave a nervous laugh. His eyes flashed from Thalia to Annabeth. "Of course I did."
Annabeth growled and sprung out of the patch of the grass. Luke gave a yelp and ran down the sidewalk. Annabeth was a whirlwind of blonde hair and fury as she chased him around the base of the hill.
Thalia stood, wincing as her body screamed back at her. Then, she felt something- something that was not originally in this memory. Thalia felt something behind her, and tried to turn. However, she had trouble doing so, like her dream was trying to hold her back from deviating from the memory depicted in the dream. With one good push, though, Thalia was able to turn around.
She didn't necessarily see anything, but she noticed a familiar presence there as clear as if he was right in behind her.
"Percy?"
Thalia….where am I?
Thalia jumped and took out her spear. She held it out in front of her and turned in a slow circle until she felt herself pointing at the source of the consciousness. However, she couldn't see anything.
The voice was there, though. It wasn't anything she could necessarily hear, nor was it like her mother's messages being imprinted on her soul. It was like Percy decided to cut out the middleman of speaking and having Thalia process by directly injecting his message into her brain. It was strangely intrusive, like Percy could read her thoughts at any point in time. Thalia couldn't stop herself from imagining several barriers to enclose her thoughts.
"Why are you here?"
I wish I knew. You can put the spear down now.
Thalia lowered her weapon slowly. She tried to ignore the mounting wave of irritation and awkwardness that was beginning to hit her. She hadn't talked to Percy since that one night, and their conversation hadn't necessarily gone the best. Now, he was here. And she didn't know how.
Is this New York?
"It's not New York," Thalia said, while looking around her for Luke and Annabeth. "This is Baltimore."
Maryland? I don't know if I've been here too often. This is cool, I guess. Is that an aquarium?
"Percy, what is going on? How are you in my head? Are you involved in some magic or something?"
There was silence for a bit, like Percy had hit mute on a phone call. Then, Percy's voice returned.
I don't think this is magic. I'm asleep on the Argo III with Leo and the crew right now. I mean, Calypso's here, but I don't think she's doing anything weird.
Thalia's breath caught in her throat. "There's an Argo III?"
Yeah. Leo built it inside of Festus. We tried to take Festus to reach you, but met a wall of rain, wind, and lightning. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?
A family passed by Thalia, wearing clothes with the Maryland flag pattern on them. They looked like Maryland pride personified. Thalia stepped out of the way, and thought about what Percy was saying.
"Wait, you tried to reach me?"
Yeah. Over the Atlantic.
Thalia felt nauseous. That wasn't Artemis in her chariot- it was Percy, Leo, and other allies, including friends of Jason's. And she had struck them down, sending them everything she could.
She could have killed them.
She was about to respond when she heard whoops and cheering. She saw Luke and Annabeth rounding the corner. Now, somehow, it was Luke chasing Annabeth around the base of the hill, rather than the other way around.
Against her conscious will, Thalia felt herself smile and raise her hand. "Hit the hand for a boost!" she yelled.
Annabeth grinned and slapped Thalia's hand, continuing down the sidewalk. Luke followed close behind, sweating and breathing fairly hard. He hit Thalia's hand before she could put it down, and proceeded to chase Annabeth.
Thalia watched them turn the corner around the hill. She then felt Percy's essence move towards the sidewalk. Thalia caught a faint whiff of a saltwater breeze. It triggered her nostalgia, making her dream- self shudder.
Hit for a boost? I didn't know you played Mario Kart!
"Shut up," Thalia grumbled.
Was that Luke, though? And Annabeth, back in the day?
Thalia had to rip herself from the restrictions of the dream once more to look at Percy. Again, there was nothing visually there, but his presence was so strong and tangible that she felt like she could reach out and touch him.
"Yeah."
This is a memory, Percy judged. This was back in the day, before you all got to Camp.
"Yup. Nice going, Sherlock," Thalia muttered, as she looked at the base of the hill. The grass there was full and tangled, with a few tiny blue flowers growing from the soil. The breeze blew a bit harder, and she wished she had grabbed her jacket from the bench before falling down the hill.
Huh. I don't usually dream in memories. It's cool that you do.
"I dream almost exclusively in memories," Thalia admitted. "Since Half-Blood Hill…well, the only things to dream about were memories. Along with the occasional precognitive dream or trippy vision. Sometimes I'm in the dream, and sometimes I'm just watching."
They look so happy, Percy pointed out. It's almost weird to see.
"Not for me," Thalia said. "I lived this. It was weird to see Luke become a camp counselor and watch Annabeth grow up and start becoming interested in dumb boys."
Ouch.
"No offense," Thalia offered, despite the fact that she meant all the offense. "Why were you all trying to reach me, though? Over the ocean?"
Well, Percy started, before hesitating for a bit. We wanted to get your autograph. It's not every day that you know the Empress of the Triumvirate Holdings.
She felt like she could see those shining green eyes right in front of her, seeing right through any excuse or façade she was thinking about giving.
Thalia tousled her own hair. "So you know about that," she replied with a sigh.
Yeah. Reyna told us she was trying to bring you in. We didn't know what was going on, but we knew it couldn't be good if the Hunters were after you.
Thalia felt her face get hot. "And the Hunters are always right, aren't they?" She tugged at the hem of her Simple Plan punk rock t-shirt.
Well, they're not in the wrong too often. Especially when you were still with them.
Thalia didn't answer, but decided to pivot. "You said you were sleeping. Are you dreaming?"
I guess? It feels like other dreams I've had.
There was silence between the two before Percy jumped back in.
Do you think we're dreaming of each other?
Thalia snorted. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe you're dreaming about me and happened to enter my dream."
Well, your dreams need some more security if just anyone can walk in.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "This is my dream, dummy. Not yours. Don't make me beat you up."
As if you could.
"Oh, I did. Remember? At Camp?"
Nearly immediately after her declaration, Thalia felt her surroundings turn milky white and dissipate into fog.
She watched the surroundings change to that of the combat arena at Camp Half-Blood. Straw dummies were hammered into the arena ground like posts. The sky was a cheerful blue, with no cloud in sight. A small crowd was gathered, funneling food, clothes, and trinkets into a brown pot held by Travis and Connor Stoll.
Thalia suddenly found herself in the crowd, watching two warriors in an arena.
The first fighter was her. At least, she was a younger Thalia. She was dressed in a breastplate, shin guards, and a helmet. She was holding a sword and a shield. From her expression, Young Thalia seemed to have a considerable amount of distaste for the weapon in her hands. It made sense- swords were never her favorite weapon. They were too limited in their range, and were clunky to manage while holding a shield.
From the way young Thalia was holding it, her shield seemed a little too heavy for her and not as well-balanced as Aegis. Young Thalia was not even wearing her bracelet.
"Place your bets, people!" Connor yelled.
"Zeus vs. Poseidon. The battle of the century," Travis added.
Chiron frowned at both of them. His white horse half looked immaculate in the sunlight. His beard and hair were well-groomed, and he looked years younger. His eyes, however, were much older and wiser than any of the campers around him. "This is just a sparring session, Stolls."
He cleared his throat and drew his attention back to Young Thalia and her opponent. "All right, you two. Remember, it's just sparring. And no powers," he advised.
The crowd groaned in disappointment.
"Enough of that," Chiron replied. "You must learn to engage one another in combat without relying on your abilities. One day, your abilities will leave you, and you must have the wit to prevail anyway."
Thalia heard Percy's voice. Is this still your dream?
Thalia nodded, but found herself to be disembodied. She no longer had a head. She seemed intangible and seemingly invisible to the people around her. However, her mind and thoughts worked just fine.
For now, she was just a spectator, rather than an active participant. I think so. Maybe formed because we were talking about it.
Thalia tried not to think about the fact that Percy somehow single-handedly manipulated her dreams into something specific. Instead, she watched Young Thalia crack her neck.
Thalia looked across the arena to see the second warrior; an adolescent Percy, in a breastplate and shin-guards as well. He held a random sword that was not Riptide, as well as a shield in the shape of a pentagon. His helmet was much too big for him, and nearly covered his eyes. He looked much shorter, scrawnier, and more innocent than his current self.
Young Percy checked the straps on his shield.
If you actually dream in memories, then we'll see exactly what happened, Percy theorized.
She wondered if he was able to see her, or if he could also just sense her presence. Oh, yeah, Thalia said. This is when I beat you up.
Percy gave a laugh. No, we tied. You definitely didn't beat me.
Thalia shook her head as her consciousness moved through the crowd and into the arena. She felt Percy's consciousness move towards her as well, until they were right next to one another.
All right then, Thalia said, watching her younger self stretch. How about we let this memory play out and we'll see who's right?
Fine, Percy said. Get ready to give me your best apology.
Thalia laughed as well. Her laugh was cut short by an epiphany. That might have been the first time she laughed since the incident.
Thalia could feel Percy mood shift from one of confusion to one of happiness.
Young Percy looked at Young Thalia and smiled. He then looked around the crowd and fixated right on Thalia. He frowned as he looked at her.
Uh, Thalia lowered her voice. What was that?
What was what?
You just looked right at me! Thalia said.
Huh? No, I was looking at the campers.
No, I mean your dream self. Baby Percy, Thalia corrected.
Oh. Well, I don't remember seeing anything weird during this battle. Maybe I just saw Clarisse, Percy offered.
Thalia then saw Young Percy smile and wave at someone past Thalia. His smile made his eyes crinkle like Poseidon. Young Percy then trained his eyes on Young Thalia. "When you're ready, Pinecone Face!"
Thalia felt a shadow come over her. She kind of hated that nickname- trivializing her death on Half-Blood Hill in such a way was never her favorite. She would never admit it, though.
Young Thalia must have felt the same way. She banged her shield with her sword, denting it.
"Bring it, Seaweed Brain!" Thalia watched Young Thalia yell.
Yikes, Percy said. I called you Pinecone Face in front of everyone? I'm sorry for that.
It wasn't my favorite, Thalia responded. But we were like thirteen. You're probably not a fan of being called Seaweed Brain.
Thalia felt discomfort emanate from Percy's consciousness. If I'm being honest, it's weird when anyone but Annabeth calls me that.
Now, Thalia felt bad. Sorry for that, then.
No worries, Percy said. It was years ago.
Young Percy leveled his sword as Young Thalia charged. Her arm holding the sword extended so it was perpendicular to her body, before trying for a side swipe. Percy batted the swipe away using his sword, then used his shield to bump Young Thalia away. Young Thalia, however, braced her body and met his shield with hers. The sound of the collision almost made Thalia flinch in the dream. She was surprised at how unfazed her younger self was.
Young Thalia didn't move an inch, like Percy tried to push a cinderblock. Percy's torso, however, was shaking from the force.
You need to lift more weights, Thalia commented, watching her and Percy's forms closely.
Whatever, Percy muttered. Thalia felt his consciousness move around the arena towards Young Percy, who was locked in combat between him and Young Thalia.
The crowd whooped, as Young Thalia tried for a sweep of the legs. Young Percy jumped to avoid it, but landed flat-footed. Young Thalia used the momentary advantage to grab his shield arm and crack it.
Thalia winced watching her younger self do that move. As she did, Percy's arm slid out of the shield straps and his protection went clattering to the arena floor.
Sorry, Thalia slurred.
Don't worry about it, Percy said. Thalia sensed some mischief in his voice, like he had secretly given Young Percy some combat tips.
Young Thalia, however, didn't see Young Percy's strike coming from above- a one-handed tomahawk with the flat of his sword. Young Thalia was hit, and went down.
Dude! Thalia exclaimed. Thalia rubbed her head instinctively. She remembered how painful that hit was, like she had gotten hit in the head with a huge frying pain.
Look, Percy said. You cracked my arm. I hit you with a sword. It's only fair.
Thalia couldn't disagree with that.
Young Percy tumbled away from Young Thalia and held up his sword. His arms shook slightly.
Thalia, observing the fight as a third party, noticed that Percy had switched to a left-dominant position- probably because his right arm hurt like Hades now.
Once again, Young Thalia seemed to be on the same page as Thalia herself. Young Thalia ran at him at a wide berth, coming at an angle towards his right side. She tried for a thrust with her sword, but Young Percy quickly switched positions. His right arm was now the dominant.
He had tricked her.
Young Percy, most likely seeing the attack coming from a mile away, used a well-placed downward thrust to knock Young Thalia's sword to the ground.
Thalia remembered feeling embarrassed, and her face being hot after being tricked by Percy, of all people.
Not a bad move, Thalia admitted.
Pretty sure that was just luck. Or on accident, Percy said. I just remember being scared out of my mind.
Young Thalia placed two hands on her shield, and got it up just in time for Young Percy to try and run his sword through her thigh.
His sword met her shield, however, allowing Young Thalia an extra split second to switch her shield to her left hand. She used her right hand to slap the helmet off of Young Percy, prompting a sharp gasp from the crowd.
Geez, Percy said. What did I ever do to you?
I don't know, actually, Thalia said. I remember being really upset.
Young Percy backed up and shuddered, like he was attempting to center himself after spinning around in a chair too many times. His hair was matted down with sweat, and his face had some dirt on it. His eyes, however, remained calm and level-headed. They gleamed, like he was truly enjoying having this experience with a friend.
Were you enjoying this? Thalia asked.
Uh, I don't remember. I think I respected the slap.
Thalia nodded. Everyone should respect the slap.
Thalia, with a start, realized that Young Thalia was not attacking. She was just looking at Young Percy's eyes. Thalia got a little closer to her younger self, only to see that Young Thalia had gotten lost in Young Percy's eyes for a moment.
Young Percy had used his eyes as a weapon, whether he meant to or not. Young Thalia had gazed into in his eyes a moment too long, allowing Young Percy to charge her.
She didn't notice him until he was too close- he used his free hand to push her shield out of the way, and clanged her helmet with the flat of his blade. Young Thalia was disoriented, and Young Percy used the opportunity to disarm her with a swipe of her arms.
Payback, Percy commented.
Weak, Thalia dismissed.
Young Thalia was now empty-handed, facing the armed and angerous Young Percy. The crowd was silent as Young Thalia approached, holding her fists up like a boxer.
"Thalia," Chiron chastised. "Please use your weapons."
Yeah, Percy added on. Use your weapons.
You didn't give me much a choice, Thalia said.
Your sword and shield are right there! Percy protested.
I remember what you did wrong, Thalia said.
What? Percy asked.
You embarrassed me, Thalia explained. I had to show you who's boss.
Young Thalia ignored the centaur and charged Young Percy. He didn't know how to respond, so he began to back up. Young Thalia then launched herself at Young Percy in an NFL-style tackle, seemingly trusting that he wouldn't take the opportunity to slice her head off.
Thankfully, Young Percy didn't react. He simply allowed himself to be hit by the horizontal daughter of Zeus. Young Percy went to the ground, and Young Thalia quickly straddled him. She then began wailing on him, aiming for those green eyes that momentarily threw her off her game.
"Thalia!" Chiron yelled, trotting nervously. "Use weapons please! Remember your form!"
To Thalia's surprise, Young Percy took the punches without retaliation. The crowd began to cry out. Some were screaming for her to stop, while others were egging her on. Clarisse La Rue, appropriately, was part of the latter group.
Finally, Young Percy caught Thalia's hands, and brought her in to give her a strong head butt. Young Thalia's face snapped back, and her face fell on his chest. He then pushed her off, tossed away his sword, and grabbed a shield. His nose was bleeding, but he seemed more focused on trying to make sure he didn't sustain any other injuries.
"How about we call it a tie?" he panted. He flinched and held up the shield like he expected her to toss a sword at him for suggesting such a thing.
"There's no such things as ties out there," Young Thalia grumbled as she stood to her feet. "Monsters truly don't care."
You're right about that, Percy said.
Young Thalia sprinted to him and tried for a drop kick. Young Percy put his shield up and blocked the attack. He then took the shield and hit her core with the brunt of the shield. Young Thalia doubled over, suddenly short of breath. Young Percy then raised his shield like a pillow, ready to bring it down on Young Thalia's head.
His mistake: he hesitated.
Young Thalia then leapt up and kicked Young Percy in the chest while his arms were outstretched. Young Percy dropped and rolled away from her, putting up his shield just in time to meet Young Thalia's roundhouse punch. As she made contact with the shield, a wave of light blue electromagnetic energy erupted outwards from the collision.
Young Percy flew backwards, hitting one of the straw men and knocking it down. Sparks wove in and out of his clothes and arms for a few seconds before crackling out of existence. Young Percy's body shivered for a second, and then fell deathly still.
The crowd fell to a hush. Annabeth, dressed in an orange Camp Half-Blood shirt and blue jeans, hopped into the arena and knelt by Young Percy.
Annabeth, Percy said. His voice sounded in awe, like he wasn't expecting to see her so soon. Thalia understood, as she felt the same way.
She didn't expect this memory to have Annabeth in it.
Annabeth tried to check his pulse, but got shocked like she was wearing a fuzzy sweater. She frowned and investigated him, searching for the best place to check him.
"Ow…" Young Percy said.
Annabeth exhaled, and whispered something to him. She then helped him up.
Young Thalia blinked. Her bloodlust ebbed away and she dropped her sword. "Oh, no. I'm…I'm sorry, Percy."
Annabeth gave Young Thalia a deluxe glare, but Young Percy waved it off.
"Don't worry about it," Young Percy wheezed, stumbling towards the corner of the arena. "You win."
Thalia almost didn't want to watch what came next, because she knew what would happen. She couldn't tear her eyes away, though, like a car crash.
"Freak!" someone called out from the crowd.
The crowd began to stir and get warmed up, shouting at her about several things.
"Why would you do that?"
"Chiron said no powers!"
"She can't control it?"
"Freak!"
Thalia watched her younger self exit the arena and walk towards the Sound with her head hung. Thalia remembered wanting to give them all a group middle finger, but choosing not to so she didn't confirm any of the stereotypes they already levied against her. Instead, she just left the area
Jesus, Thalia, I'm sorry, Percy said.
You're sorry? I was the one who couldn't control my powers here, Thalia said softly.
Well, to this day, I can't control my powers. So don't worry about it. I survived, didn't I?
Thalia watched the Camp crowd disperse. Chiron looked off towards the Sound, like he was considering going after her. However, he seemed to decide that Thalia needed space. Consequently, he began to follow Annabeth and Young Percy to the infirmary.
What happened after this? Percy asked.
You recovered and came to check on me, Thalia said.
I did?
Yeah. And you told me Annabeth was pissed, so I should probably get her a new shampoo or something as a peace offering.
Percy laughed. Sounds like me, at least. Looks like you were right.
The dream shifted once more to not a memory, but a possible future.
Now, she was in her body, in somewhere that looked like the Olympian throne room. Huge columns held up the domed ceiling, holding up the shifting constellations of stars. All the thrones were destroyed, as well as the infrastructure of the throne room. The throne room, however, didn't glow with golden light. Instead, the throne room was dark. The colors looked faded. The fire that usually burned in the central hearth pit was nowhere to be found. In its stead was a cold current of air.
Thalia turned to see that all the godly thrones were destroyed, reduced to rubble. Wisps of energy floated out of the destruction. She looked down to see the mutilated bodies of the gods. The sight was gruesome- some gods had their heads ripped off, while others had several holes in their chests. At the ends of their wounds were colorful sparks of energy, slowly burning through their forms.
The room was deathly silent. Thalia caught the scent of stale ichor in the room. To say Thalia felt powerful was an understatement. Thalia felt more power than she had ever felt or even seen in her life. Rainbow flames covered her like a field of energy.
"Thalia Grace."
Thalia turned to see Hades in the room, staring at the remnants of his throne. He wore a fluid black robe, adorned with the faces of the newly deceased.
Thalia wasn't fazed by the use of her last name. Instead, she held her hand out.
"You haven't done anything to slight me, Hades. Make the right choice and give it to me."
"What are you talking about?" Hades bluffed, opening his hands like he was trying to make a pitch to her.
Thalia opened her hand and willed her spear into existence. With a thought, she had her spear at Hades' throat. "Look at your family. Look where they are now that they have defied me. Do you want this to be you?"
Hades scoffed, as best as he could with a point at his neck. "You're threatening the god of the Underworld with death?"
"Not death," Thalia said. She felt strange, like she was deadened. She felt no more emotion, just drive. "Pure eradication, and sweeping your ashes to Tartarus."
Hades looked to the gods on the ground. His expression turned cold. He usually looked out of place in the Olympian throne room, like one student being photographed in black-and-white while the rest of the students in the picture were in color. However, in the washed out Olympian throne room, he looked right at home.
"Giving you the sword would mean that you would be able to master death," Hades explained. "As someone that wasn't meant to ever have such authority, such possession would destabilize the domain of death. Gods from other pantheons would come after you. Heroes would be sent to stop you. It would be chaos."
In response, Thalia's field of fiery energy increased in intensity like someone threw oil into an inferno. She took her spear away from Hades and backed up until she was about ten feet away. She then twirled her spear. "I guess I'll have to find other ways to convince you. I'm sure Nico and Hazel have some ideas."
Hades stood. "You…wretch. You dare threaten me? An impetuous, short-sighted, impulsive little girl suddenly gets a little power and thinks she can do anything."
Thalia thought for a second. "Maybe Persephone."
Hades glowered. "Don't you ever mention her name."
"Then give me the sword."
Thalia then sensed a presence behind her. Thalia turned to grab Hades' hand with relative ease, stopping his magical Stygian iron sword from penetrating her. The sword was dangerously close to her form. As the sword breached her energy field, it began to glow white and orange, like it was being actively melted in Hephaestus' forges.
Thalia saw the mirage of Hades that was originally talking to her melt away into shadows. It was an illusion. The Hades in front of her wore full armor, including his Helm of Darkness. The Helm seemed to try to attack Thalia's mind, searching the crevices of her mind for any fears she may have. However, Thalia was immune to such effects. Thalia reached out and took off Hades' helm, throwing it in the empty, cold hearth pit.
Thalia turned her attention back to Hades, who gritted his teeth. He tried to push the sword into her, but he was no match for Thalia's strength.
Thalia funneled a fraction of her energy into Hades' hand, resulting in him yelling out. Thalia continued to channel her power into Hades, which seemed to be too much for him. He melted into shadows in her hands, and re-formed a few feet away from her. He shot out his hand, shooting a blast of pure black energy at her.
Thalia matched his action and shot a blast of rainbow energy best described as the love child between electricity, fire, and plasma. The two blasts met each other with a crackle. Thalia saw Hades begin to strain, as he poured more into his blast. He gained little ground, though- Thalia watched her blast inch towards him.
Thalia felt her eyes well up with energy, and shot another stream of energy from them. Her blast hit Hades right in face, distracting him for an instant. The instant was all she needed, as Thalia's energy began to overtake Hades. He began to disintegrate.
The sword dropped.
Thalia stopped and watched Hades fall to the ground. He was partially melted/disintegrated. He attempted to cover his injuries, but couldn't stop the ichor from flowing out. Hades attempted to pick up his sword, but Thalia moved with pure purpose. A set of multi-colored afterimages followed her as she moved faster than Hades himself.
She reached the sword before him and picked it off the ground. As she held it, she felt a current of cold streak into her forearms. She turned it over in her hands to reveal an empty indent shaped like a long key.
Thalia pointed it at Hades.
"This sword isn't complete."
Hades shook his head. "You noticed. I wouldn't bring the complete sword to you willingly. Not complete, at least."
"The key is missing. Where is it?"
Hades fell silent.
"Look, the choice is yours," Thalia said. "I don't have anything personal against you. I know you've been done wrong by the gods as I have. You can die, or you can live."
"You're giving me a choice? Even when I tried to kill you?" Hades narrowed his eyes, visually searching Thalia's person as if he was checking for any sign of deception.
Thalia shrugged. "Why not?"
Hades nodded, processing the new information. "I choose to live, Thalia Grace. I have children to look after."
Thalia nodded. She had to respect his desire to be a father, which was more than she could say for Zeus. "And the key?"
"Buried. In Persephone's garden, by the garden of green flowers. Don't touch my family, Grace. Or you will know a fate worse than death."
Thalia nodded in understanding, strode past Hades, and headed out the room.
The dream went black. However, Thalia could still feel something there in her mind with her. wondered if Percy could see all of that.
Thalia, Percy whispered. His voice sounded low and broken, like he had just woken up to some horrible news. What did you do?
Thalia could almost envision Percy's form, sleeping in a sleeping bag in what looked like a kitchen or dining area. There were several other forms by him, heaving and falling steadily in sleep. She wondered if they were still in the Argo III, or if they were somewhere else.
I…I didn't do anything, Thalia said.
But…you're going to, aren't you? Percy's voice turned judgmental, nasty, and disapproving.
Thalia fell silent like Hades. Percy couldn't understand, would never understand. He'd never make the touch choice for the greater good.
Thalia. This is…I don't even know. What even was that? How did you even do that?
Thalia couldn't stop the image of the Ophiotaurus flashing through her head.
Thalia…no, Percy pleaded. Bess-, er, -the Ophiotaurus?!
You know where this leads, Percy, Thalia said. To us being able to hold Annabeth in our arms once more.
You're going to level Olympus to bring Annabeth back? That's insane.
It's not insane. Isn't that what you'd do to save a friend, even it meant destroying something?
I mean, you even killed Artemis in that vision. She was your mentor. She even helped us save Annabeth from Atlas.
She's not my mentor anymore, Thalia said.
Well, what about your friends? Percy asked. Thalia could hear the desperation creeping in his voice, like he was throwing everything he had at the wall to see what, if anything, stuck. What if Reyna tried to stop you?
Then I'd suppress her. Wouldn't you, if you were on the road to something so important?
Thalia. You're hurting friends and family. You've become what you tried to stop.
Stop it, Thalia warned.
Look at what the Titans did! Percy exclaimed. Visions of Kronos in Luke's screaming body flashed through Thalia's head. They were willing to do horrible things to bring the world back into the order that they thought was best. That's exactly what you're doing.
That's nothing like what this is. Thalia knew the base of what she was doing was a good thing. She knew that this quest was not so she could gain power- rather, it was to save a soul that met a wrongful death.
And what is this? What is this image we just saw, of a destroyed Olympus and murdered gods? Is this all for Annabeth? Or is there more to this?
It's my fate. My destiny. Thalia could almost hear Dr. Thorn's cool voice washing over her once more, saying that reaching the Ophiotaurus was her destiny.
What? Are you even hearing yourself? You're wrong, Thalia.
Sometimes, you must become them to stop them, Percy. Sometimes, you have no choice. The good guys don't always win.
Percy didn't say anything for a long time. Thalia almost thought that he was gone, until she felt some stirring in his consciousness.
Thalia. I know what you lost, Percy said.
You know NOTHING of what I've lost, Thalia interrupted. Her voice reflected the pain she was feeling, and the anger that was building. No one does!
Percy was quiet for a bit. We all have ghosts, Thals. A lot of us have lost a lot, you more than most. Life gave you a bad hand- a pretty horrible one, actually- but that doesn't mean that you should give up like this. If you do, then life wins.
Thalia didn't answer. Her mind pictured her and Jason playing around together, with the scent of cinnamon rolls in the air. She wondered if Percy could see that image, the image of a family that had somehow, for a second, found happiness.
There's always a choice, Thalia, Percy said. His voice was no longer sharp or judgmental. Now, it was soft and delicate, like a cool sea breeze. It was kind of scary how quickly he could shift, like the tides. You can either give in and let it consume you, or you can rise above it. And you don't seem like the kind of person that would just lay down and give in.
He was doing his best to change her mind, and his best was pretty good.
Maybe, Percy started once more. Maybe this was the reason why we saw this. Maybe it's because you haven't made the choice yet.
I've already decided this, Percy. You can't stop me.
You said you'd suppress a friend who tried to stop you. What if I tried to stop you?
Thalia hesitated. I care for you. I really do. But if you get in my way…
Percy was silent for a beat. What will you do?
I don't know, Thalia admitted.
Please don't do this, Thalia, Percy pleaded.
Please don't try and stop me, Percy, Thalia said.
With that, Thalia woke up in the mattress. Her movement made the mattress squeak loudly. Her body was covered with sweat, and stained the dark sheets she was laying on. Thalia rubbed her face for a few seconds before the door knocked.
"What?" Thalia said.
Her door opened, to reveal the Pandos. "Empress, our turbines and engines were strong enough to carry us from the Atlantic, all the way to the Hudson River. We are in the newest Jersey, I believe."
Thalia jolted into an upright position. She couldn't believe they were that close. "What the-"
Thalia turned and opened the window in her room. They were on a smaller body of water, and in the distance, shining in the afternoon sun, was the Empire State Building.
"Olympus is near, my lady."
Thalia watched the Empire State Building get closer. She prayed that Percy was far away, because the end of all this was near.