"600 years and New York hasn't changed a bit. Well except for the architecture but everythings just taller." Silena said out loud.
"Silena, focus we're about to bust out a goddess." Clarisse answered.
"I still think this an extremely dangerous endeavour." Medusa said
"Yeah? Well I'm pretty sure not getting Hestia is more dangerous." Clarisse countered.
"Where did you say Olympus was now?" Silena asked
"On top of the New empire state building. The first one was destroyed in the war with Russia 159 years ago."
"Cool cool cool, and where is that." Clarisse said.
"About 5 blocks from here act natural."
"Act natural she says. Like she isn't wearing a trench coat in the summer." Silena said.
"Why are you wearing a trench." Clarisse asked
"We are on a secret mission and it was the only disguise I had."
"Oof." Silena said
"Oof? What do you mean oof." Medusa said
"Well I'm the daughter of Erebus and one of my powers is turning invisible soooo the disguise isn't necessary." Silena said
"I hate you,'' Medusa answered. The three women made their way to the New Empire state building. A larger, more grandiose version of the original. While Medusa hated it and Clarisse was indifferent, Silena marveled at the color palettes and aesthetic the lobby had achieved. The women came to the front desk and Silena smiled and then snapped. The front desk attendants eyes glossed over as Medusa spoke.
"900th floor please."
"Yes of course." The attendant answered as he gave medusa a silver drachma.
"Thank you." Silena said with a smile as the three approached the elevator. Once inside medusa inserted the drachma into the coin shaped jole next to the button panel. Clariss was surprised when a new button appeared with the omega symbol on it. Silena pushed it gingerly and instantly the car began to ascend.
"You wanna do the thing?" Clarisse asked
"Oh, yeah." Silena said as she lifted her hands. Darkness began to emit from the ground and cover all three women before slowly melting away. "Boom now we're invisible."
"But I can still see you." Medusa
"Yeah since the same shadows covered us we can see one another"
"Excellent. So what's the plan?" Medusa asked.
"Fast and stealthy, this is a rescue and extraction max time 10 minutes." Clarisse answered
"So we aren't killing any Gods." Silena asked.
"I thought you were going to keep me from destroying the mountain?" Clarise said as she side eyed the daughter of Erebus.
"Well yes but if we inevitably run into my mother and she insists upon stopping her its; out of our hands."
"No, no god dies today unles they get in our way." Clarisse answered
"Fine." Silena said as she kicked the ground
"Operation Hearth Extraction starts now." Clarisse said in a serious tone. Silena stifled a laugh.
"I didn't know we named operations now."
"You don't like Hearth extraction?"
"Just seems a bit wordy, how about Operation Stolen Hearth."
"We aren't stealing her, she called us to come get her."
"Well it's catchier you gotta admit that." Silena said with a grin. Clarisee rolled her eyes as the elevator began to slow.
"I hope Percy's having a better time."
Percy was not having a better time.
"Nico, what the hell are you doing here."
"Uh, banished the same as Thalia. In fact, I was kinda here first."
" Nico what on earth did you do to get banished to Ogygia." Percy asked, genuinely concerned. Nico's ears turned a dark shade of red before he turned around not meeting Percy's gaze. "Thalia are you going to tell me?" Percy asked. Thalia pursed her lips and looked away innocently.
"Percy isn't that what you do when you're avoiding trouble with Clarisse?" Sarah asked this was met with an immediate pluck to the forehead.
"So neither of you are going to talk huh? Fine." Percy reached out and grabbed Nicos forehead concentrating hard. Instantly Percy could see it all like a movie. The day he was banished, Hades strode to the Underworld when Nico was still recovering to deliver the news.
"Well it finally happened." The Lord of the Dead told Nico.
"What happened dad?"
"The son of Poseidon has finally been dealt with."
"Excuse me?"
"Perseus Jackson has been banished to the pits of Tartarus." Hades answered. Darkness began to gather at Nico's feet. If Hades noticed he made no mention of it.
"Why."
"A prophecy was issued Nico. Percy Jackson is destined to destroy Olympus. Rip it from its roots and set fire to it."
"How did you vote, Father."
"I voted for banishment."
"YOU DID WHAT!?" Nico yelled
"I DID WHAT WAS BEST NICO." Hades yelled back.
"How could you." Nico whispered
"How could I? How dare you? You have been alive for all 16 years. How could you possibly fathom 5000 years with a family and then when you're told, clear as day that an individual can come and threaten that you would do nothing because of personal attachment? To an individual who would never accept immortality? What you have to understand is that Poseidon has had children before and long after Jackson is dead he will have children again. You never stop to consider the fact that you are still all mortal; you are nothing but blips in the endless continuum of life and death. The average lifespan for a hero who isn't killed within the first 10 years of life is around 80 years old so we must sacrifice almost 5 millennia of our rule, of our family because of the life of a single mortal. Nico you cannot be that blind! You must understand that personal feelings aside, what is for the good of all of us comes before the good of a singular soldier no matter how valuable he has been. Everything that the gods have built, everything that we struggled for everything that we fought for was under the umbrella of what Jackson would destroy according to the prophecy. And because my mortal son is friends with this potential threat I am suppose to now vote against the best interest of myself and my family who long after Jackson is gone will have to deal with the repercussions of his actions. Do you think that this is the first time a hero has died to keep Olympus safe. Do you think this is the first time a prophecy has doomed an otherwise noble individual. What happens now what happens in this moment will be history in the next millennia of a rule. Jackson was of no consequence the destruction that he could have wrought was and as King of the Underworld my realm comes first." Hades finished. Nico let his father ramble on in peace until he left in a huff mumbling about the status quo. Percy watched as Nico snuck out of the palace and towards the mouth of Tartarus. Lifting his hands the Son of Hades begin to concentrate and slowly 200 ghosts Came into being in front of him all wearing the garb and carrying the weapons of Spartans.
" My friend was imprisoned wrongly, if you truly are Spartans you will follow me until the bowels of Tartarus to retrieve him." A booming war cry went up within the midst of the Spartans. Just as he was about to cross over into the pit Nico was yanked from behind by a powerful hand.
" And just what do you think you are doing?" Hades boomed.
If your hands are tied with condemning Percy then my hands are tied with freeing him." Anger seethed within the eyes of Hades.
"Do you have a death wish? Zeus would kill anyone even attempting to bust that child of Poseidon out. What do you wish to descend into Tartarus again?" Hades asked. Nico would not meet his father's eyes. "You must be punished. I will not allow you to bring war upon my head from Poseidon and Zeus just because you feel the unrelenting obligation to be a hero." Percy watched as Hades shadow traveled to the very island they were on. " This will be your prison until you learn to behave a bit more amicably." He said before shadow traveling away. Pdrcy watched as Nico tried all manner of escape from shadow traveling which didn't even activate to trying to make a raft that led absolutely nowhere. Eventually Percy got to watch as Nico sat down and looked towards the ocean a single tear falling in not the sand. Percy removed his hands from Nico's head and looked at him in awe.
" You tried to save me, you summoned 200 at the greatest Warriors of all time and tried to run into Tartarus after me. You complete idiot." Percy said as he grabbed Nicole one more time and pulled him into a tight embrace, tears forming at the edge of his eyes. "How can I ever repay you?"
"Get me off this Island so I can take my father down."
"Of course but you're not strong enough not yet."
"Excuse me."
"He said you're not strong enough death breath." Thalia snickered
"Neither are you. Don't get cocky." Zoe added. Thalia turned and looked at her friend in disbelief. I'm Thalia Grace, a child of the big 3, I'm more than strong enough."
"Would you like to test that theory?" Percy asked with his eyebrow raised.
"Percy the raw power I feel on you is more than enough to crush us. We get it, you're strong." Nico said.
" I know, but I wasn't talking about me." Percy said as he motioned to his kids. Thalia looked at Percy like he'd grown a second head.
"Them? No offense guys but you're what 16? And a Demeter, Hephaestus and Aphrodite. I'm pretty sure I can take you myself." Thalia said. Sarah, Wale and Abi looked at one another and smiled. Putting up one fist each, the three began to play rock paper scissors.
"Two rocks beat one scissors, sorry Abi." Sarah said with a smile.
"Yessir legendary Demigod beatdown time." Wale said, pumping his fist in the air. Abi rolled her eyes but smiled at her siblings. As Sarah and Wale rose Abi whispered something in Percy's ear. Percy smiled and snapped his fingers as popcorn appeared in front of them.
"Zoe would you mind being the referee?" Percy asked
"Of course." Zoe said as she rose to stand between the pairs. "This match is a two on two battle, all weapons, magic and techniques are allowed." As Zoe spoke Sarah and Wale twisted their rings, gifts from Percy to better hide their weapons, Sarah's spear sprung to life as Wale's sword appeared in his hand. " The match will end when both members of one team can no longer continue." Nico drew his stygian iron sword and Thalia's spear sprung to life. "Maiming is encouraged, fight with the highest limits of your power." Zoe finished as she jumped backed and snapped with the force of a sonic boom. "BEGIN!" Wale and Sarah sped forward and were upon Thalia and Nico in the blink of an eye, they barely had time to raise their weapons before they were sent flying back.
"Divide and conquer?" Wale asked
"You take the Ghost King, I'll take the Lightning Princess." Sarah said
"Perfect." Wale said as he sped toward Nico.
When Nico recovered from being blasted 20 feet he was a bit surprised. Usually Aphrodite kids didn't hit that hard. Maybe he was just out of practice. Welp nothing a good old fashion brawl couldn't fix. Nico looked up and saw Wale looking at him with his head tilted in a manner he recognized somewhere else.
"You ready?" Wale asked
"Yeah." Nico answered. The two warriors rushed towards one another meeting in a clash that sent shockwaves through Nico's arms. Nico turned and brought his blade down on Wale who sidestepped easily and moved sharply to the left bringing his sword up towards Nico's face. Just in the nick of time Nico managed to evade the blow and return with a strike of his own that Wale swatted away as he advanced forward. Jumping into the air almost 10 feet Wale brought his blade down with all his might as Nico raised his blade to defend pushing his feet into the sand. Nico was starting to get frustrated this kid was not letting up at all. Wale noticed the Ghost King was slipping and decided to blitz him. Strike, stab, slash, jump, block and dodge Wale was on autopilot becoming a sentient collection of all the training his father and mother beat into him. Nico was being pushed back slowly and methodically. It was like fighting 5 swords that had no bodies. Eventually Wale landed the first cut, then the second, then the third. Small cuts peppered the son Hades and then Nico made a mistake, one that was forgivable with the sand flying everywhere. He closed his eyes. When he opened them once again he saw Wale with his fist cocked back. A thunderous punch sent Nico flying. Wale landed and called out to Zoe.
"Uh I think he's out, can I get a 10 count?" Wale asked
"Nico can you continue?" Zoe asked. Nico began to rise as he spit blood. Eyes blazing blazing back as he yelled. A pool of darkness opened behind the King of Ghosts and out of it poured 200 skeletal warriors.
"I'll take that as a yes. Resume the battle." Zoe said. Wale could only smile. This was great. The young man closed his eyes and when he opened them his irises glowed pink. A wave of power rolled off Wale hitting Nico full on in the chest.
"I hope Sarah's having as much fun." Wale said.
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After watching her brother chase down a legendary demigod, Sarah couldn't help but want to do things a bit differently. Waiting for the former leader of the hunters to regain her senses before she walked in front of her.
"Let me know when you're ready Aunt Thalia." Sarah said
"No need to feel sorry for me." Thalia answered with a smile.
"Okay." Sarah said with a shrug as she suddenly appeared in front of Thalia instantly stabbing at her stomach. It took every reflex Thalia had to knock away her opponent's weapon and return with a stab of her own. To her dismay the attack was blocked with what appeared to be little effort on the part of the girl in front of her. Sarah spun aiming for Thalia's head but was blocked by the daughter of Zeus. Thalia hated to admit it but that last block had made her arms cry out in protest nevertheless she could just give up now. Powering forward Thalia couldn't be bogged down in distractions like pain. Charging Sarah, Thalia kept low then stabbed up at her niece, Sarah not missing the chance, used her spear to block and lock Thalia's weapon in place. Then using her own bodyweight as a lever forced the back of Thalia's spear into the owner's head. Not letting up, Sarah chased down the daughter of Zeus and jumped high into the air getting ready to stab downward. Right before she met her target, Sarah's spear hit something. When she looked pure instinct took over and she backed up.
"Aegis. The legendary shield." Sarah whispered. Thalia let out a labored breath and readjusted Aegis on her arm. Usually she had about 2 minutes before an enemy got over the initial shock of Aegis. This time it felt like 10 seconds as she was met with a foot in the chest sending her careening back.
"I knew I couldn't control instinct in front of that thing but I can control how long it takes to get over it. At the end of the day it's just a metal frisbee." Sarah announced. Thalia got up lighting zapping from her person. Sarah knew what would happen next. When Ethan debriefed Percy he mentioned that Thalia's brother had done something similar. She knew that she could expect a stronger and faster opponent. So she wouldn't give her the chance to get on the offensive. Sarah jumped in the air and threw her spear, predictably the spear bounced off the shield, unpredictably it bounced towards Sarah and she kicked it towards Thalia with enough force to push her back. Before Thalia could recover, Sarah was behind her and as soon as she turned around she was met with a fist to the stomach that sent her flying back.
"So much for a legendary Demigod." Sarah said as she leaned against her spear. Suddenly a bolt of lightning came racing at her. Sarah barely had enough time to reflect the attack upward, but when she looked in the general direction where it came from she saw Thalia cloaked in lightning looking like a war goddess. The immortal part of her that Percy had fed was salivating at the idea of a good fight, she almost squealed internally. Without missing a beat Sarah's spear began to smoke until it ignited with blue flame, in her eyes were infernos.
"Okay. Round 2." Sarah said.
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The spirit of Kronos clung tightly to his son as he flashed from the mouth of Tartarus. When he saw the ground again he saw his goal, his new body.
"Zeus. What does the King of Olympus want with me in my prison?"
"Atlas. It wasn't my decision to come here. Someone you're familiar with insisted upon it and now I see why." Zeus said.
"Who holds enough influence to guide your gigantic ego." Atlas asked
"That would be me Atlas." Kronos said shimmering into existence. Golden and transparent with no real features apart from his voice. It still held a millennium's worth of cruelty and greed.
"My lord?" Atlas asked
"My lord?" Kronos mocked.
"You will be my new host, consider it an honor."
"Wait. What? No! I refuse. Let me serve you! Why is this Olympian here? Have you-" Before Atlas could finish Zeus opened the titans throat with the swipe of a knife. The spirit of Kronos flew into the wound as it began to close. The eyes of Atlas began to shift from obsidian to gold. Two different voices began fighting for supremacy within the titan. Finally after several moments an evil grin played on the lips of Atlas and when he finally opened his eyes golden irises and pupils were visible.
Whew I'm so proud of this one guys, This is actually my longest on yet. I actually want to discuss it a bit. So Medusa, Silena and Clarisse are finally on Olympus. In this chapter we find out why the hell Nico is on Ogygia and I hope you liked it. I think it's realistic and within character for him. Thalia looking down on non big three kids is also within character. I mean yeah she hates him but she still gets it from Zeus. The 2 on 2 fight had to happen because I wanted to demonstrate the gap between the best back then and the best right now. As alway please read and review, ask some questions and in celebration of my longest chapter I want to test something out. Leave a review and comment with which Olympian dies next except the big 3. The most mentions is who dies next on my honor. Later,
Peacoat.