Percy laughed as Ariadne's eyes widened when Jackjack and Annie tackled her to the ground. The two kids clutched onto her tightly. Her eyes softened as she hugged them back, pressing gentle kisses to their foreheads.
She had bandages wrapped around her chest tightly, and there was a healthy glow he hadn't seen in years. [Since it drained out of her so long ago. She shined with the power of the sun flowing through her.]
Ariadne smiled wryly as she looked at Jackjack, "Fighting gods at twelve. Just what are we going to do with you?" She looked at Percy, amusement dancing throughout her features before cutting her eyes to Ares. He and the aforementioned god chuckled. The Ares that he once knew and the one that he has come to know are so entirely different. [Ariadne hadn't been surprised. The god reflected his domain and war was never peaceful. This Ares was mindful of his actions because he never wanted his kids to be afraid of him.]
"How are you okay," Annie questioned. Ariadne shrugged; she had beat bigger odds. This was normal for her but– Percy turned to look at the kids, "While you all were beating up Cupid, Zephryus quickly learned that a heartless Ariadne was not someone you wanted to meet. He brought her to the same wind cage that he was keeping me locked in only for her to free me and beat him up."
It was quite the sight to see. The wind god had struck her through the chest and ripped out a part of her. But none of them had been prepared for Apollon's aura hidden within the lyre on her chest to act as an emergency healing power. Once she was able to breathe better, she had wrapped her arms around the wind god and threw them down towards the sea. Her water whips had reached out for the cage, yanking it down quite harshly onto the god's head.
Percy hadn't known what was going on as he watched his sister furiously attack the god, pushing him deeper and deeper into the sea, and trying to drown him with his own divinity. Aphrodite had to abruptly leave Olympus to venture to the sea as Palphian to haul her back up to the mountain.
He had grabbed onto Zephyrus to lock him into Demeter's little dungeon room while Ariadne growled and fought against everyone in her way. Asclepius had patients on top of patients as the infirmary filled to the brim.
It had taken Amphitrite to come up from the sea and her usual no-nonsense tone to get Ariadne to merely calm down. She had still wanted to fight, but she was cowed in front of their stepmother. It had then given the rest of them to understand what was going on when Aphrodite questioned why she couldn't feel Ariadne anymore.
The worry had only exploded when Apollon and Hermes had finally made excuses to leave the rest of the council and their duties. The two gods had rushed to the infirmary, demanding the same thing. Finding out that her feelings had been ripped from her by Zephryus definitely caused a heat stroke somewhere across the world as Apollon raged.
Once word reached them that Jackjack was fighting Eros and that he won, it was easy to connect the dots. Aphrodite had raked Eros over the coals and then sent him on to train with his father because it was embarrassing that a demigod got the best of you when you can turn invisible. They had all silently watched as Apollon pushed her feelings back in, locking them into place by pouring his essence into her. Her eyes had glowed gold and she smiled dopily as she sank into this embrace.
The two had spent an unnerving amount of time staring into each other's eyes as Hermes smiled smugly around as he hovered around them. When the kids' plane sat them down in New York, they had all been ready to welcome them. Even now the Kronides were slightly at peace as their statues ventured back home.
[Percy wondered if they should them move back to Greece, but then thought that Castellan would be a better place.The Grove itself would be the perfect spot to keep them out of enemy hands.]
Ariadne said nothing as she winked at the kids, grabbing Percy's hand as they walked towards the pedestals as the Olympians began to place them back. The twins' knees almost buckled from under them when their father's statue was placed.
They hadn't realized how quiet the sea hummed in the back of their souls until that very moment. It was as if the ocean had just smiled pleasantly, arms opened with a smile: "Come home, my children."
Flashes appeared in front of them as the kronides appeared, happy and whole. The twins stared at their father who looked back at them with a proud nod. He turned towards Jackjack, walking towards him slowly. He rested his hand on the younger's shoulder, sparing a look at Annie and Grover in appreciation. "Percy, you have me proud, my son. I want you to never forget that you are the son of the sea god."
They reconvene back into the throne room after sending the children home to Castellan. Ariadne had been pulled into Apollon's embrace; perched casually on his lap as he sat in his throne. Percy settles beside Annabeth, sticking as close to his father as possible.
They listen absently as the other olympians give a small recap of everything that has happened in their absence. They listen as Ariadne brings up Eros' words about Athena setting them up for war. The gods had tensed around them before waving their concerns away. He doesn't have to look at his sister to know that it irritated her, mainly because he felt the same way.
Annabeth squeezed his hand, bringing him back to reality as she brought up one of the more pressing facts: "The prophecy still isn't completed." The people of Castellan nodded their heads as Luey stared with wide eyes.
Percy smiled sheepishly at the boy, "The prophecy wasn't completed until the end of summer for me. 'You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend'. For me, that was Luke. For Jackjack? We don't know."
Zeus looked at Luey before turning his gaze onto Castellan, "Could it be one of the children?" They all forced themselves not to tense. It made sense of course. No one had suspected Luke or Silena until it was too late.
"Depends on what the prophecy sees as friends," Ariadne shrugged casually. "They were raised as siblings."
Percy snorted because Trav and Jackjack and Grace and Luey and Annie and Drew most certainly didn't look at each other as siblings.
"What reason would they have to betray Jackjack" she continued. "We gave them everything, even the chance to see the world so that they wouldn't run away and feel cooped up. They would have no reason at all to betray him."
"Feelings aren't linear, darling," Aphrodite stated from her seat. Her eyes were focused on Ariadne, "Sometimes no reason at all is reason enough."
Ariadne paused before nodding her head. Percy smiled to himself. It's always nice to see his sister being doted on. He couldn't believe he was so blind that he didn't realize it in the first timeline. Annabeth sat up in her seat, "Even outside of Castellan, there are the friends he made at camp. Mya, Jasmine, Persia, Chelsea, Archie, Johnny, Andromeda, Alabaster, Meia, Cameron, Salem…"
Percy grimaced, "And that's not even half of them. He definitely has a better social life than I did."
"What are we," Travis complained. "Chopped liver?"
"You know that's not what I meant. It's just that most people wanted to be my friend because of who my dad is and they were afraid of my powers."
Ariadne snorted as Clarisse out right laughed, "You know that's a lie, Prissy. If anything, they were more scared of Ariadne who threatened to sink the entire camp under the sea if they even thought about just using you because of who your dad was or because of your powers."
Connor and Chris nodded their heads, "Yeah. It's surprising that there were even spies left after that one child of Athena had tried to slip you a poison donut and she actively tried to kill her in front of everyone."
"I don't remember that," Percy stated. Ariadne shrugged, "It was around the time Annabeth went cliff diving."
Annabeth scowled playfully at the other, "I didn't do it willingly." Ariadne raised a brow, "You threw yourself and a wild beast off a cliff when Lady Artemis was right there. She doesn't miss at all."
"I didn't see you offering an alternative."
"I didn't like you at the time. I didn't like any of you. Percy was my only reason for being there. The rest of you could have fallen off that cliff and I wouldn't have blinked."
Connor tapped his fingers against his thigh, "It still feels strange to have witnessed you opening up to the rest of camp. Like you liked them and got along with them, but you still had this big wall between you and them. If it weren't Percy, Silena, Drew, or Clarisse… you barely cared."
"I cared about the younger kids."
Will nodded in agreement, "Yeah, even when she and Cabin 7 had the rivalry going on. She always made sure to check in with anyone younger than her. She made me her primary doctor for a person that couldn't get sick or injured."
"You were so mean," Hermes teased Ariadne. She laughed lightly, "No. I was just… I was very bitter and I took it out on the people around me."
"Are you bitter now," Demeter questioned. Ariadne blinked before smiling softly at their aunt. "No, I am very happy right now." Her hand was clasped in Apollon's who raised it to press a kiss against hers. She blushed prettily before turning back to their king. "We have gotten off topic though. Apologies, Uncle-King."
Zeus waved it off in amusement, looking around at the rest of them. "It matters not. We have much to do to prepare. The Moirai and Ananke have gone silent and we can only rely on Phoebus' sight and the oracles."
Their father opened his mouth to say something before he let out a hiss of pain. Percy felt a burning sensation seizing his body as Ariadne's eyes fluttered close. She would've fallen off the throne if it weren't for Apollon's grip on her.
"Percy, what's wrong," Annabeth frets as she checks him over for any wounds. He feels that soothing power from Apollon's power trickling over the bond between him and Ariadne once more. [He didn't realize how much he missed it until now.] He catches her hand as she keeps checking his pulse. Will was right beside him with his stethoscope pressed to his chest.
He bats their hands away as he sits up in his seat, "It's not me. It's like a fading ache. Something that I only got when Ari got injured." His sister blinked slowly as she turned to look at him before shaking her head, "No. It's the same feeling for me."
Then if it wasn't her?
They turned to their father whose gaze was not on Olympus. "Percy has been attacked."
"What?!"
Those of Castellan reeled back in shock because Jackjack went back to the kingdom… went back home. They all stumbled out of their seats, not waiting for their uncle to dismiss the council before storming down the mountain. A few whistles got the pegasi on Olympus to come to their aid while Nico sank into the shadows.
It was a mess by the time they got there. Silena's Eatery was destroyed once again and Nico had skeletons pulling the rubble away. The demigods that stayed with them were doing their best to hold the castle and push back the opposition from the gate between the camp.. Leo and Drew were riding a top of hellhound; throwing flaming knives while she charmspoke the enemies.
Jackjack was being tended to by some nymphs, Grover, and Glessons as Annie and the Stolls protected them.
Their parents were even doing a good job with the few defensive mechanisms they taught them as they raised the shield and deployed cannons. He could see his mom–Sally leading a herd into the underground bunkers. Nico was already in the thick of it, fighting for control of the ghosts. He was rightfully offended when he saw Helen and Hector being tossed around like puppets.
Silena and Beckendorf were fighting against Luke's ghost who was giving them a run for their money while not leaving Nico's vicinity. [Smart idea, really.]
Annabeth flips from her pegasus landing on a cyclops before taking the monster's club and well… clubbing it upside the head. [He felt like the world's worst brother. He was definitely going out to save Tyson after whatever this is.]
Connor jumps down to join his boyfriend as Krokus defends his storefront. Seems like whomever was attacking their home recognized the magical merchandise that Starfish offered. Katie and Will went after those infesting the grain fields. The two of them were taking major offense to their carefully cared for crops. [Some of those fruits and vegetables in the fields were from the olden days and after years of crossbreeding have gone extinct.]
Travis and Clarisse hold off the gate and from what little Percy can hear, it seems to be fighting on both sides. He could hear pleads for people to stop.
It sounded familiar.
[The sound of glass crack echoed, not in his ears but his heart as the rose-tinted glasses came off and harsh reality settled into their bones. It was the sound of families breaking as the sin within their souls made them dance to another tune.]
Thalia had climbed to the top of Artemis' temple and was using the golden bow atop of it to shoot down enemies. Lightning was attached to each shot. Those that were lucky enough to dodge didn't get to celebrate their victory for too long. Chris was right behind them, knocking them just for Thalia to double back with another arrow and keep them down.
Ariadne was making her way to the castle with a single minded determination as the hell hound threw her kids off before it was vanquished. Rachel was hurrying after her as his twin radiated death much stronger than the son of the underworld. [It also made them a bigger target as so many people focused attacks on trying to take her down. Luey darted between the enemies though. His own pair of flying shoes kept him twirling through the air as he overturned armor straps, plucked arrows out the air, and threw buckets over people's heads.
And well Percy…he headed for the river as the naiads fought as best as they could. He thought they were only good at weaving baskets until he saw one of them aim at a cyclops and the monster was swallowed by it. There was also one naiad that Clarisse and Ariadne both were very fond of. Her basket was filled with olive sea snakes [and after speaking with their respective mates and pushing the kids off to camp, Percy had a traumatizing experience of walking in on his sister with her legs wrapped around the naiads' head as Clarisse shoved her tongue down her throat.]
[She had given Ariadne a courting gift of a hydrophis belcheri aka a belcher's sea snake. She named the little thing Jörmungandr before turning down the courtship. And if he noticed her feeding the little dude nectar and ambrosia in an attempt to make it grow as big as the famed serpent, their father said nothing.]
He's surprised yet not when he comes face to face with Persia as she stands inside of the river.
["She must be the closest fate could get."
"Or the farthest they could create."]
She smiles cruelly at him and all he can see is his sister's face.
[I probably would have let the world burn if I hadn't had you in my life.]
"Uncle," she stated plainly. The prophecy line sang throughout in his head. [You will be betrayed by the one that calls you friend.]
"Why are you doing, Persia," he questioned as the two began to fight over control of the river. Persia tilted her head to the side, "Have you ever stood in someone else's shadow? Forced to conform yourself into a little box because no one could see you for who you are because I have. For years, I've heard the whispers around the castle. How I resemble the lost princess. How shocking that the sea named me Ariadne when the ocean's offspring already bore that name. How my mother didn't care for my pleads as she renamed me for her convenience and yet still held me to a standard of someone that I didn't even know."
She waved her arms sharply through the air and he was surprised to see his sister's water whip move attack him. "Persia–"
"HER NAME IS ARIADNE!"
Percy reacted instinctively, dodging the ice senbons that had been aimed at his back to see Andromeda staring at him furiously. It was like looking at the world's deadliest Grady daughters as they stood on either side of him. "Andromeda–"
The girl smirked darkly, "No. My name is Libera."
He was a little confused on the significance, but he knew that it was important. He kept them both in his line of sight as the prophecy clawed at his ears: [You will be betrayed by the one that calls you friend.]
"Tell me, uncle. Have you ever been second best?"
He senses her before he hears her: "He hasn't, but I have." Which is a lie. Percy definitely has had some moments where he felt second, but it clearly was never to the extent these three have faced. "Percy, go protect my kids. I'll handle Thing 1 and Thing 2."
The girls look affronted and Ariadne doesn't even give none of them a chance to protest. Despite her staying away from much fighting in the passing years, she hadn't let herself go too much. Medusa and Zephyrus may have been her more challenging fights than the light sparring she had been doing [though her and Clarisse spars could not be called 'light'. After Leo and Drew cried after one of them, they learned to not spar where the kids could see them destroying each other.]
He could hear the two yelp as he made his way back towards the castle. He slowed to a stop when he noticed the one person not fighting. He could see the cloudy smoke of mist streaming from his hands as he aimed one at the castle and another at the gateway.
The boy turned to look at him, and the prophecy line screamed in his head. [You will be betrayed by the one that calls you friend.]
"Alabaster."
"Lord Percy."
He stood almost in shock. He taught this boy personally. He had sucked majorly with a sword, but he took him under his wing just like—just like Luke had done for him.
[You will be betrayed by the one that calls you friend.]
Was the prophecy for him or for Jackjack?
He had offered advice about not feeling like he had belonged at Camp Half-Blood. He had given him a wave whistle. It was— "A gift from dad that I don't really use much these days." Ariadne had been the one to tell him that: "Even if you were lost, if you call upon this charm, the sea will be there to lead you home."
And yet, he stood before him, smiling as he attempted to destroy his home… "You will be betrayed by the one that calls you friend."
"Why… why are you doing this?"
Alabaster barked out a laugh of incredibility, "Did you truly think that the demi-titans would fight for your cause? You mockery of being family. Look at how they treated us. As if we were gum at the bottom of their shoes. As if we were scum. They treated us as if we were a mere disease. Forced us to hate a part of ourselves for reasons out of our control." He waved his hand and Percy ducked under the wave of vultures that flew at him. "But I will not! I am the son of magic! I am Alabaster, child of Hekate and you will rue the day you scorned my mother, child of sea."
"We're all family, Alabaster," he argued. "If camp wasn't the place for you, then you can live here. You and anyone else."
"And what raise us as child soldiers to kill and slaughter our own family? What kind of family was that?"
"You're working alongside my grandfather, right? You think he would be a better leader?" Maybe Percy and Ariadne like throwing names around like darts but they weren't going to risk calling Kronos' name nowadays. Who knows if he could sense the old curse he had placed on them?
"Kronos," Alabaster hissed. [So much for that plan.] "Say his name. The rightful king. Of course, it was better to hand the reins back over to Kronos. Let him raze the world to the ground and renew it back to the Golden Age. It was better to give it back to someone that didn't hide behind false claims of love."
"And how could claim the gods' affection to be false? Weren't you just sprouting about not feeling loved at all?"
Okay. He deserved that tree branch to the face.
"Please, if it were love then we would have been slaves to the gods' so-called mercy being kept under lock and key."
"What are you talking about?"
"The barrier around the camp!"
"That was to keep monsters and evil out!"
"Well that's too bad," he spat. "It kept all the true monsters within. Humans are the worst sorts of monsters after all. How could you believe that they were happy there? It was as if they were all clones of Atlas, holding the world that Olympians fashioned the world to be on their backs. Being thrown scraps like they were mere animals."
"Please, Alabaster. Give me a chance to prove you wrong. Trust me."
He felt her before he could see her as Alabaster stared him down. Persia and Andromeda appeared at his sides in bursts of greek fire. The boy looked in the eye, "It's too late for trust now."
And then they disappeared