Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus. I don't own anything written by Rick Riordan.

Author's Note: This is my fourth fan fiction! I can't believe I've written so much on this site already! Anyways, this is the second story in this arc. The Sea's Recovery is the first one. Fire to the Rain is also written in this setting, but it just fills in some holes in The Sea's Recovery. You don't have to read the other two stories to get this, but I suggest you do. One thing to keep in mind - The Sea's Recovery was focused on Percy's emotional recovery. This story will have a lot more action and will be more fast-paced since I already have a vague idea of where I want to take it. Please enjoy.

Chapter I: An Accusation

Percy POV

"Hey," said Ares, pulling Percy down onto the ground next to him as she walked up to him. He gave her a quick peck on the lips, before wrapping an arm around her.

"Hi," replied Percy, smiling up at her boyfriend of three years. "Did you finally figure out who to make the winner of World War III?"

"Yeah."

"Who is it?" she asked curiously. Ares had been complaining endlessly about how impossible the decision would be to make, and now that he had, Percy wanted to know which side he had picked.

The war god flicked her nose. "You'll have to wait to find out like everyone else," he teased.

"Please?" The goddess looked up at him, eyes wide and innocent.

"Don't give me that look!" Ares protested, knowing he'd eventually give in. When Percy persisted, he quickly changed the subject, "How was your day?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, but accepted the new topic of conversation. "It was okay. Camp Half-Blood had a new demigod that I needed to meet and Camp Jupiter's new praetor wanted some advice - which I couldn't really give since I was only praetor for a day. I told the poor kid to ask Reyna, but he's terrified of her - imagine that! He's more scared of his partner praetor than a goddess." She shook her head, laughing. "Anyways, both camps are doing quite well - I think they're almost ready to begin the exchange program. There were a few kids from Camp Jupiter that had already made requests to spend the summer at Camp Half-Blood! Other than that, I managed to sneak in a short nap in the Poseidon Cabin."

Ares hummed. "I wish my day was as fun as yours, but I just get to sit at a desk and decide who should win which war." His mouth twisted into a frown.

"Well," said Percy, grinning and reaching up to give the war god a kiss, "we could always spar - unless, of course, you're afraid I'll beat you."

Ares immediately got up. "You couldn't even scratch me! Come on!" He pulled Percy up and flashed them to the arena.

Percy laughed at his enthusiasm and drew Riptide along with a dagger she'd taken to carrying. "Ready?"

Ares nodded as he drew a katana.

"You're going Japanese?" asked the goddess in surprise. Ares generally preferred a broadsword.

Ares growled. "Do you have any idea how many Japanese war reports I read today? All I can think about is Japan, so yes, I'm 'going Japanese' as you put it."

Percy just grinned before leaping at him, slashing with her sword.

Taken off guard, Ares barely managed to jump out of the way. "You're aggressive today," he commented as they fought.

"Or you're just particularly weak today," teased the goddess, nicking his arm.

"I'll show you weak." Ares growled playfully and tossed his sword to the side before grabbing Percy around the waist and tackling her.

Riptide clattered out of her hand and onto the ground. Percy flung her arms around Ares's neck to try to keep from falling, but his momentum pushed them both down.

Ares moved one hand to the back of his girlfriend's head to protect it and the other, he threw out to cushion their impact.

Percy's body hit the ground with a small jolt before her head was gently lowered, while Ares remained hovering over her.

He leaned down to give her a quick kiss before whispering, "Weak, am I?"

Percy just smiled and leaned up to kiss him hard, before taking advantage of his distracted state to flip them around so that she had him pinned under her. "Yes, you are." She touched her lips to the tip of his nose.

Ares scowled for a moment, fiery eyes flaring, before a grin lit up his face. He gripped her waist gently.

"Oh gods, don't you dare, Ares!" exclaimed Percy, trying to get up, only to be stopped as the war god proceeded to tickle her.

Their mingling laughter rang through the air for a few minutes until Ares finally let up. They lay side by side for a moment, catching their breath.

Finally, Ares leaned over and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Percy whispered against his lips, before pressing their mouths together again.

There was a sudden flash of light and the two separated to sit up.

"Hermes?" asked the war god, confused.

"Father's called a meeting," explained the messenger. "It starts in five minutes." As an after thought, he added, "You might want to bring some weapons - it could get messy. Father looked particularly upset." Without another word, he flashed away.

Percy and Ares glanced at each other, confused. As far as they knew, nothing pressing was occurring at the moment, so Zeus had no reason to be upset. Nevertheless, they got up and gathered their weapons from where they kept them in the arena.

Percy returned Riptide to pen form and shoved it into her pocket and sheathed her dagger. She also grabbed her shield - the one Tyson had made for her all those years ago. Then checking her leather jacket to make sure there were no tears that could reveal her scars to her family, she turned to face Ares.

The war god had a sword at his hip and his shield on his back. A short spear was also strapped onto his back under his shield.

"Do you think this will be a war council?" asked Percy, taking her boyfriend's outstretched hand and stepping closer to him.

He shrugged. "It could be. But I don't know who we'd be fighting..."

"Well, we'll find out," stated Percy. "No point worrying needlessly."

A small smile touched Ares's lips. He touched their foreheads together and they closed their eyes before flashing into the council chambers together. The two separated after a small kiss and sat on their thrones opposite each other, talking until the rest of the gods arrived.

Zeus was the last to arrive despite being the one to call for the impromptu meeting. "Heracles," he said immediately.

Acting upon the unknown signal, the tall muscled figure at his side leapt forward and dragged Percy from her throne, roughly throwing her to the floor at his father's feet.

As the goddess cried out from surprise and pain, the rest of the council made to aid her or attack Heracles.

"Stop!" ordered Zeus, halting his brethren in their tracks.

They looked up at their king questioningly, although it was obvious that some - Ares and Poseidon, in particular - were still itching to be at Percy's side as she slowly picked herself off the ground.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked angrily, glaring at the thunder god.

"You have committed treason and are to be punished accordingly," replied Zeus tonelessly.

"I have done no such thing!" exclaimed Percy.

"Don't deny it! I have evidence that makes it clear!" Zeus glanced around at the other gods that were frozen in shock. "Take a seat and I shall present the evidence I have been given."

Wordlessly, the other gods obeyed their king. Ares glanced at Percy worriedly, but once she shook her head - she wanted to see what this evidence was, after all - made no protest.

"Iris," called Zeus, "please show them the message that was sent to me."

The goddess of rainbows emerged from the shadows and a thin fog gathered behind Zeus's throne.

A/N: Constructive criticism is appreciated since I don't have a beta. Although if someone would like to beta for me, please PM me or send a review and I can find out whether you would suit my writing style or not. Also, please vote on my poll as I will need a fall back story while writing this. I didn't have one for The Sea's Recovery, and I regretted it.

What did you guys think of this chapter? I'm trying to stay away from emotional troubles. Obviously there will be some - internal conflicts and all - but most of the story will have external conflicts.

Also, do you guys want me to reply to reviews? I'm not sure if that's something you would want or not, so let me know!