Athena was dreading the news she had to deliver. Bellona had faded. Killed by one of the invading demigods. This was a blow as Zeus had instructed her to ready the campers for war. If they were given the full details of what happened and what could happen and what these invaders were. What if they rebelled and what if the demigods joined Perseus. There were too many uncertain variables to consider. The goddess sighed before flashing to the demigod camp. Camp Olympus was marvelous. Sprawling hills and greco-roman architecture designed by her daughter and herself.
"Demigods!" she shouted
"Lady Athena, what brings you to camp?" Chiron asked as he bowed.
"I bring grave news from Olympus." The demigods poured into the courtyard intent upon listening to her words. Ever since the merging of the Camps the divide of Greek and Roman melted away campers were organized by age group.
"Demigods, a great evil is rising. One of your own, a former demigod named Percy Jackson has risen to wreak havoc on everything we have built. He seeks to annihilate the Gods and their works from this world." The demigods were visibly shaken by news. A single hand rose.
"Lady Athena, My name is Zachary Waters son of Poseidon." Athena was stunned by the resemblance to Perseus. Well, before his ascension to Olympic threat. "With all due respect I know for a fact that I'm ready to fight for Olympus but ,we have fallen soft into a state of complacency during this time of peace. How do we prepare for such a threat?" he asked
"Excellent question, Ares, Hermes and I will take over your training. We will whip all of you into fighting shape and build the greatest divine blooded army this world has ever seen." The war cry uttered by these children was deafening.
Athena walked with Chiron and Lupa into the new Big house with an immediate plan of organization.
" We received a prophecy that Ares and Apollo would lead an army against the demigods." Unbeknownst to Athena the Guardians were in shock. Chiron looked like he was in the middle of a panic attack, Lupa was breathing heavily as if every breath brought less and less air.
"Percy?"
"Little pup?"
Chiron had been through everything everything a mentor could have been through. He'd seen civilizations rise and fall. He'd seen his students die and he had seen them make the wrong choice but they always found a way back. But this, leading an army against Olympus? No, there had to be something he wasn't being told. He looked over to his counterpart Lupa. She could only stare at him. Lupa was never one for fun but Perseus was an exception. A man of outstanding power and an air of Confidence matched only by the Emperors themselves. His strength of character was what made people follow him but all this wrapped in a person of overwhelming humility. He never chased power but when it was thrust upon him he did not shirk his responsibility. And now he was the enemy? Impossible not her pup.
"Guardians!" The sound of the goddesses voice broke the pair from their states of shock.
"I asked you a question. Zeus, Poseidon and Hades want to train their children themselves. You both know the magnitude of the threat we face; we need power that can match him. This cannot leave either of your lips but both Nike and Bellona have already been lost, we must meet the challenge." Lupa was the first to speak up.
"Yes Lady Athena, the big 3 currently have 3 children each at this camp. The strongest among them is the demigod who spoke up, Zachary Waters."
"Excellent. Prepare them for flashtravel tomorrow morning."
"Yes my Lady."
"I understand that Perseus was dear to the both of you. The reality of it is he is an enemy now and must be treated as such." In unison they nodded and Athena flashed out of the camp.
That night Lupa, Chiron and all the Demigods were visited in their dreams. Lupa saw her old home in New Rome completely deserted except for a single man sitting on a log in front of a fire. As she approached the young man lifted his head and galaxy eyes met her own. Frozen Lupa couldn't move as her little pup rose walked towards her and to her surprise hugged her. She could feel a wetness on her neck and when he pulled away she saw it was his tears. Suddenly she could move once more and she saw him beckoning her to sit, she obliged.
"I still can't believe you all just upped and left to merge with Camp Half Blood." Percy
"Perseus explain, Athena says you've come for war, what happened?" Lupa asked
"What do you mean? You were there I was banished to tartarus for something I might do."
"What are you talking about? The Gods told both camps that you died fighting Gaea, a bit after it was decreed that your name must never be spoken. We thought you were in Elysium."
"Swear it."
"I swear on the river Styx that this is the first I've heard about you being banished."
"Well then let me show you." Perseus touched his head to hers as the memories flooded in from the day of the prophecy to the torture of tartarus to his campaigns for Chaos herself.
"We had no idea."
"Those bastards wiped everyone's memory of me, probably not the 7."
"The 7 would know your weakness and act as insurance."
"Interesting okay well what about the 7 where are they?" Lupa simply lowered her head.
"Of the original 7 only Jason and Annabeth remain, the others chose to fade centuries ago."
"Of course those two stayed. Lupa I don't want to fight these kids, I don't want to fight you or Chiron so please remain neutral. I know The Gods would never allow it but you can be safe from them. I can provide a safe passage for you and all the demigods who want it to the palace of Chaos until this is over so they don't have to fight. Please Lupa I'm begging you."
"Perseus many of these Demigods will fight you; they don't know the truth. However I will not."
"Thank you Lupa. I'll try to convince them. At noon tomorrow a portal will open in the main courtyard of the camp just jump through it." Rising perseus hugged his friend one last time and disappeared as her vision turned to black.
After a tearful dream reality reunion with Chiron the same offer was extended and to his delight Chiron accepted as well after seeing the truth. His next move would stretch his power thin but since it was the same message it should be okay. Percy appeared in every demigod's dream that night.
"You're probably wondering who this handsome, debonair, starry eyed, gun toting gentleman in front of you is. Now before you question my motive let me say I swear on the River Styx that everything I'm about to say is the truth. Okay now that we are on the same page let's talk. Well, not talk really more like I'll talk, give you an option and we move from there. I'm Percy Jackson, yes that one please contain your blood lust." Conjuring seats, Percy lit the sky as the story of his life began to play. Conjuring up some blue popcorn and coke offered it. There were certain parts that made Percy smile and others that made him go rigid. When it ended Percy dusted himself off and smiled.
"Yeah that's about it to be honest, I just want the Gods…...this might come as a shock but, I'm not some heartless beast. First I served the gods, then I got shipped off to tartarus again but this time the time dilation is worse every day up here was 10 down there so boom 100 years on earth 1000 years down there all the while being tortured by beings I defeated for the Gods in the first place. I then get rescued by Chaos and well you saw the rest. After my time with Chaos I learned that just because we grow up under something doesn't mean we have to like it. The Gods didn't, why should we? The gods don't listen to reason, they never change for the better, 4000 years and not a movement in the right direction. I swore it wouldn't continue. I'm coming for them. Nike attacked my friends and died. Bellona brought 200 automatons to my base and died. Imagine if that was you! Do you see a pattern developing? The Gods will literally throw all of you at me to fall and let's lie and say one of you manages to get close." Percy brought out both guns and put them together. Darkness and blue fire that seemed to suck all warmth out of the air pulsed from his arms and into the guns until he pulled the trigger. Black fire shot from the pistols and when the blast made contact with the mountain behind the demigod seemed to evaporate.
"That is what I can do while invading the minds of 1040 demigods. I don't want you all to suffer because of me. So listen...at noon a portal will open that can take all of you to somewhere you won't be hurt by me or threatened by the Gods. If any of you decide to stay…..I will fight. If any of you defend the Gods I will blast through you. Anyway think about it." As the vision of the demigods blurred Percy began to walk away.
"Don't make my mistake…..don't fight for gods who wouldn't fight for you." Every demigod fell into deep sleep while watching Percy walk away.
The next morning a giant portal appeared in the middle of the courtyard. Out of the 1040 demigods present at camp 240 demigods leapt through including both Guardians.
Demigods started pouring into the base as Percy watched with arms crossed. The children he was seeing couldn't have been older than 13.
"Someone looks satisfied." Clarisse said
"They're just kids Princess, I'm glad I extended the offer. 240 souls that aren't sent to the underworld for no reason." He answered
"I'm proud of you babe. You really have come into your own."
"Thank you Thank you yes i'm amazing."
"You two really refuse to get a room huh." Luke said as he walked up.
"Leave us alone." They answered in unison.
Chiron and Lupa entered the base last as Percy and Lupa embraced, Luke and Clarisse embraced in a tear filled reunion.
"Percy, what are your plans for us. I don't suppose this base has room for all these children." Chiron asked.
"I'll be sending you all to my mother Chaos home world but there is a proposition I want to make. Please have them exit into the courtyard " Percy said smiling
"Of course."
"Percy are you sure?" Clarisse asked
"Yeah Luke and I went through the logistics and we have a number we can manage." Luke simply nodded.
After the final demigod entered the courtyard Percy spread his wings and climbed into the sky and yelled.
"DEMIGODS." The courtyard stood at attention with all eyes on the dark angel above.
"The plan is simple, i'll be sending all of you to my mother's home world but before that I have a proposition for all of you." The demigods looked confused.
"Power in the hands of the incompetant can only lead to ruin. Some of you have a grudge, some of you want to fight against the reason your lives were so hard before you made it to camp. I have seen what allowing that pain to fester can do." Luke blushed and looked away.
"I can offer you that opportunity…...For those who elect to do so you will be trained by myself, Clarisse and Luke." The warriors waved with giant smiles.
"Lupa and Chiron have also agreed to stay and train those who elect to stay so you aren't completely thrust in the dark. So? Anyone up for it?"
Before Percy could finish there was shuffling within the ranks. 30 demigods came forward. Percy's huge smile turned into a laugh. As his wings lit with blue fire he descended like a meteor.
"I will make you the strongest fighting force the olympians have ever seen." A little while later ss the demigods who didn't want to fight made their way through the gate Perseus opened for them, Perseus turned to those who stayed with a devious smile
"Shall we begin?"