AN: ...RIP Diego Maradona, one of the contestants for the eternal honour and glory of being the GOAT.

Time: Next Day

Much like the previous day, the dark-haired fallen god flashed to the outskirts of the Camp, which was about to be tested.

He looked up at the sky, watching the dark sky pale as the sun rose in the east. The purple misty clouds floated across the sky, making Percy strangely nostalgic, though he couldn't put his finger on it. A few birds were already in the sky, either taking flight or returning to their nests. The sunlight filtered through the slight fog that hung in the forest air, and peeked over the leaves of the tall conifers.

A strong, cold wind battered the god, making his tanned skin sting and slightly flush. Snow, ironically, was curled around his stomach for the warmth, away from the cold. She wriggled, though her movements were not visible through the black metal breastplate that covered the god. His black hair was ruffled in the wind, leaving his pink ears. He raised a gloved hand to rub his nose for the warmth, and then placed it on the hilt of the sword that rested at his waist. He hesitated for a moment, before rubbing the blade, clearing it for the misty whiteness that had appeared on the black metal.

He silently observed the Camp. The Hunters were just stirring, though it was a lot earlier than what they were usually used to. They knew about the coming test under the Titan Council, and were appropriately prepared.

Percy stepped into the Camp, being greeted by a few who were just emerging from their tents. The moist soil and twigs crunched underneath his metal boots. He continued walking, stopping only when he saw Annabeth emerge from a tent.

He greeted the blonde-haired daughter of Apollo with a hug and a good morning kiss on the forehead. She giggled, hugging him back, despite the fact that the exterior of his metal armour was undoubtedly quite cold. Percy stood back, and flashed her a smile, before he turned serious. "Go find Phoebe, and tell her and Atlanta to wake up Zöe and Thalia, and to keep a watch on the two."

He watched her nod and run away, following her blonde hair with his eyes until she was shielded by the silver tents. Resuming his earlier trudge to Leto's tent, he walked on, waving to a few Hunters, and correcting the jacket on a young one.

He approached the black and silver tent, knocking on the post and waiting for Leto to allow him entry.

The reply came after a few moments. "Come in!"

Percy opened the flap of the tent, stooping slightly as he came in. The opaque black fabric of the tent blocked out all light and sound.

He watched the auburn-haired Titaness straighten her dress in front of the mirror, moving to the desk as she combed her hair. Percy separated the mess of notes on her desk from each other, one stack being his own input, and the other written in her elegant writing. He skimmed through a few of them, before picking up the quill that was on her desk. He dipped it in the inkpot, and proceeded to scribble some writings on the paper, trying to cram it all in the margins.

Finally done, the auburn-haired Titaness moved to the desk to see what he was so intently working on. The black-haired Titan was bent down on the desk, trying to cram minuscule writings into one of her papers. A quick glance told her that this was the third paper subjected to the fate.

She sighed.

The sound jolted Percy out of the stupor that he had stepped in. He glanced up at Leto in confusion, before looking down and blushing as he saw what he had done. "Sorry." He apologized in a quiet voice, moving away from the desk.

She put down the paper that she was reading. "Don't. It's some good work." She complimented, before turning to him. "What now?"

Percy looked up at the ceiling for a moment, lost in thought, before turning back to her. "I have it already chalked out. You don't have to do anything." He reassured, before moving towards the exit. "If Camp Othrys could pass the test, then the Hunters of Perseus definitely can."

Leto snorted. "If you hadn't thrashed Iapetus and Kronos, then they wouldn't have passed it."

Percy smiled sheepishly at her, stopping with one foot out of the door. "Fear truly is a great bribe..." He stopped for a moment, deciding what to say next. "Don't worry, the Hunt will pass, and Camp Othrys would also have passed either way."

He ducked out of the tent.

Leto sighed to herself, looking around the room. It still had so many vestiges of Artemis remaining in it. All around the room were scattered her spoils, her trophies, and needless to say, framed pictures.

She moved to her bedside table, picking up a photo and examining it. According to Artemis; it was the same photo that Percy had kept at his bedside table, before he was crucified.

She kept the small frame back. Things had been so simple back then. They had all been together, at least the gods, little to worry about, and little politics. The Percy that had turned up to rescue her from Delos one day was far different from the Percy she once knew from the twins' visits to the island. Granted she was a bit lonely back then, but living alone on an island was much preferable to the mess she currently found herself in. Again, she did not hate the Hunt, quite, on the contrary, she actively supported their cause, and lauded Percy for helping the maidens in need. She just hated the politics, the manipulation attached. Sometimes, she quite sympathized with Calypso and her decision to stay on Ogygia.

She stepped out to see Percy hugging some of the younger Hunters comfortably. The daughter of Aphrodite currently in his grasp gasped and squirmed in his arms. "Let me go, Percy! Your armour is cold." She gasped, making everyone smile and laugh as Percy pouted.

He let her go as Leto approached. She looked around the Camp, noting that all the tents had been already taken down. She nodded approvingly, snapping her fingers. Her own tent appeared in a small pack in her hand, and she put it away in the folds of her dress.

"Breakfast?" She asked Percy, who smiled, clapping his hands. Immediately a feast appeared around the smouldering campfire, with all sorts of exquisite dishes, vastly different from the usual diet of the strict Hunter regime. "Help yourself," Percy said, grabbing a plate himself, and sitting down next to Thalia and Zöe on a log beside the campfire. "I figured you could do with a good breakfast. Don't stuff yourselves though." He warned, before adding, "The day will be tough."

Halfway through his plate, absentmindedly, Percy checked the golden timepiece that he kept on his person. Flinging his plate upwards, where it immediately disappeared, along with all the rest of the plates, he stood up, earning more than a few shouts of indignation.

"What happened, Percy?!" Thalia screeched from beside him, she had been saving her bacon for last, and now it was all gone.

Percy had a frantic look on her face. "We have only five minutes before the Titan Council arrive!" He waved his hands frantically. "Formation, formation!"

Immediately, all the silver-clad Hunters ran to follow his instructions, helped along by the two Titans.

Maybe just as well, for Percy had been right. A bright light illuminated the clearing, dying down to reveal the entire Titan Council. Percy bowed in greeting, along with the Leto. "Shall we proceed, my Lords and Ladies?"

"Before we do, I must announce that since Atlas is still incapacitated in Apollo's temple, I will be standing proxy for his vote." Kronos declared, earning a few nods. While they were occupied, more than a few Hunters managed to sneakily send Apollo evil glares and crotch-threatening gestures. Percy, Leto and Iapetus seemed to notice, but as all three were on board with Percy, they didn't say anything. Hestia smiled warmly at the Hunters, who returned the gesture, all previous animosity towards Apollo gone as they smiled in unison towards the maiden goddess. His announcement complete, Kronos turned towards Percy. "You may continue, Perseus. I only expect the best from your own regiment." He nodded.

After going through the regular "Attention!" and "Stand at ease!" motions, Percy turned towards the Council. "I have placed trackers on them. Iris, if you would show us their positions." The goddess turned pacifist Titan nodded, displaying a misty screen, showing several silver dots. "As you can see", Percy waved towards the screen, "they are in perfect formation. Now, we shall see the fastest thirty-mile march in history." He turned towards his regiment. "Quick march!" He announced, and all the girls took off at top speed. Several Titans immediately turned towards the screen to see them speeding along, still in formation. Several of them were slack-jawed at the fact that they could maintain formation at such high speed.

Mere ten minutes later, the Hunters stood in the clearing once again. Not one of them had broken sweat, and only two of them breathed heavily. Percy turned to the Council, hoping that his silver tongue did not fail him yet. "High speed and stamina. Now, as you can see, the Hunters camp has been taken down, it is a mobile Camp, which will give us a great advantage for guerrilla tactics. Now, we will demonstrate the speed at which the Hunters can do everything done." He turned towards them. "Five teams of three each off to the forest! Catch enough game and gather plants and herbs to feed all of us. Another two teams, off to fetch water! Rest of you, set up Camp!" He clapped his hands to get them all working, and they scampered off on their set tasks, already having decided on the teams.

Percy turned towards the Titan Council. "I expect you all will stay for lunch?" He asked politely.

It was a wonder how many wonders offering them lunch could do.

Time: Next Day

Percy appeared directly in Oceanus' palace this time. He did not feel like wasting any more time. This was already going to be difficult, and Calypso wanted him home early back that day.

Percy had the sense not to ask why.

He hurried along the long hallways, his movements not obstructed by the great water pressure at these depths. The mermen who guarded the doors parted to allow him access, bowing to their heads at the son of the sea.

Percy stopped a moment, taking in their garb with a critical eye.

The mermen had a greenish-grey hue to their skin, and it looked quite slippery and slimy, though, in reality, it was pretty dry and rough. Their gills, six little slits at the side of their necks gaped and closed as they breathed. Both of them had brown hair which floated around underwater. They were clad in steel grey Atlantean Steel armour, a slight blue tint to the metal. A chainmail screen protected their fins, which waved about slowly as they floated in the same place. They were clean shaved, save for a little goatee of green moss-like beard in the right one's chin.

Percy pointed at it with his gloved hand. "Have it shaved tomorrow. For today, your shift is over, send another one in, and check that his appearance is impeccable." He turned to the other, ignoring the apology that the first sent, before he swam away. Silently, he nodded to the other; before resuming his march to the throne room.

He passed by the windows, looking out at the growing city of Atlantis. He had kept Poseidon's earlier policy, having an Acropolis at one side, and a residential area at the other. The Acropolis mostly consisted of skyscrapers and the important buildings like the barracks, throne room, king's private suite, and all the various offices and buildings. The residential area, however, had all the amenities, like restaurants and hospitals. State-funded houses had been built for everyone, no shacks remained. Lit lamps floated around at a slightly higher elevation, providing light to the whole city.

It was modelled after Othrys in a way, except that it was obviously underwater, rendering it an obviously more beautiful aspect. The trees were perpetually waving around, and were much more graceful underwater plants. And the wildlife was not restrained, like the birds, dogs, squirrels, nymphs, satyrs and dryads were on Othrys, here, there were fish of all kinds here. From small, colourful tropical fish, the list extended to sharks, rays and eels.

It was beautiful.

Forcefully shaking himself out of his reverie, Percy pushed open the large bronze doors to the throne room, walking up a lush red carpet to the throne where Oceanus lounged.

Lounged would be a wrong word.

The black-haired Titan leaned forward on his throne, his head clasped in his hands, as he stared downwards.

He looked up at Percy's footsteps. Snow, who could withstand such high pressures, and could breathe underwater, perks of being Percy's pet, was curled around the fallen god's shoulders as usual. She hissed in greeting.

"Perseus, I assume everything's well." Oceanus couldn't help but let a tendril of worry creep into his voice, albeit small. However, nothing was too small for Percy not to notice.

He nodded. "I have done everything to the best of my abilities." He stopped, looking out of the throne room, down the corridor, where several armed merpeople entered, arranging themselves into formation, and guarding the corridor. A few more passed through, arranging themselves along the courtroom. "See?" Percy turned towards the other Titan. "Don't worry, everything will be alright. The members of court should be here soon, and the Titan Council in another thirty minutes." He consulted his golden timepiece, before putting it back.

Hardly had the words left his mouth, when several more merpeople entered the room, this time of both genders. They were led by a tall, proud and haughty merman, Sharkfin, the General of the Atlantean armies. He carried a customary trident on his back, though his main weapon was a Greek longsword. He was followed by several smaller people, some male and some female. However, they were dressed in regular chitons, instead of war gear, and carried several scrolls, and tomes, carrying with them a respectful scholarly air. They assumed their seats in the plush smaller thrones set in the sides of the room, leaving several more comfortable, larger and softer thrones empty by Oceanus' side. Sharkfin took his place by Oceanus' right, while a small looking wizened merman, Wisescales, took his place at Oceanus' left. He was the 'prime minister' to the king.

Percy sat on the throne reserved for himself. A Cyclops entered the room, Percy remembered him as Tyson, General of the Cyclops regiment of the Atlantean armies. He carried a club strapped to his back, and wore minimal armour. He kneeled in front of Oceanus, and then in front of Perseus. He straightened, before opening a scroll and reading, his single brown eye zooming left and right with incredible speed.

"The armies are prepared for a march, the race tracks around Atlantis have been prepared, the forges are working full capacity, the Kraken has been disciplined and restrained. All the Civilians have been informed, Owlbrain here," he gestured to a mermaid to the side, "will give our much-esteemed guests a tour of the superb architecture of Atlantis, before they can judge the functioning of Atlantis for themselves." He spoke in a formal voice, before bowing again, and standing at Percy's side.

The preparations were not done yet. Almost as if on cue, another swarm of attendees entered. However, these were not merpeople, nor Titan.

Led by a bull shark garbed in golden chainmail, the heads of the animal regiments of the Atlantean armies entered the room. All in all, it consisted of aforementioned bull shark, who took his place at Percy's other side, a tiger shark, hammerhead, mako, and several rays, swordfish, and a giant octopus. They dispersed themselves between the smaller thrones occupied by the merpeople, floating at a bit higher elevation, so that they would not have to lie on the ground at their feet. They had quite a high sense of self-worth, truly.

Percy checked his golden timepiece again, clicking a small button at its side, and twisting another obscure knob. Snow had slithered along his arm and shoulder, and was engaged in a low hissed conversation with the bull shark at his side.

Despite looking so easy going, he was quite a mastermind, and had a knack for knowing even the most minute and obscure stuff, and manipulation and cunning. It always made Oceanus tread lightly around him, his mere presence enough to make the Titan uncomfortable. He did not know why no one else noticed, but Percy had everyone playing at his fingertips, lying, and blackmailing with secrets. It's not like anyone could do anything about it. He knew everyone's maximum power limit, and no one knew his.

Percy nodded towards him, and Oceanus stood up, spreading his arms in greeting. "I allow you entry to Atlantis, and temporary ability to breathe underwater." The Titan spoke. Immediately, with a bright flash of light, the Titan Council appeared in the middle of the Throne Room, making everyone bow.

Apollo smirked at him, and made his way over to Percy's side, unfazed by the bull shark. "Quite like old times, heh?" He elbowed the Titan childishly. Percy's cold, the Commander, facade did not drop as he regarded everyone with calculating, emotionless eyes, but he allowed his blonde-haired friend a small smile out of the corner of his lips.

Apollo rolled his eyes at the others, who was gawking at everything.

Once everyone had settled down in their assigned thrones, Percy stood up, and walked to the middle of the room. "Welcome, merpeople, Titans, and animals." He stopped for a moment. "If the Titan Council so allows, we will first entertain them with food and drink, songs, stories, and poems written by the best minds of Atlantis." He nodded towards the merpeople sitting in the smaller thrones. "We will exchange words of science, and once everyone is thoroughly satisfied, we will proceed to the military and the City itself. At this point, I must invite you to join me and Oceanus for lunch at the Great Reef Hotel." He finished with a flourish of his hand and a bow, making several of the Titans smile and nod approvingly at him.

Only Wisescales caught his flattery, honeyed, insincere words and silver tongue.

Percy resumed his throne as several beautiful naiads took his spot in the middle of the room. Soft, yet beautiful and melodious music started playing from the walls, and they started dancing, captivating several. Another troop of beautiful naiads entered the room, with laden platters of food and drink for everybody present, animals included. Percy hid Snow underneath his cloak as she slowly swallowed a frog, having learnt the hard way that people tended to be unreasonably disgusted if he fed her in public.

He caught Oceanus' eye, and smiled at his overjoyed expression that Atlantis had been a success.

Satisfied, he turned towards Apollo, engaging the latter in idle conversation.

AN: Sorry, I took two days to update, because I had to take some time to brainstorm stuff to write. Anyway, enjoy!Keep calm and CR7!! Keep calm and LM10!! (Messi)