In which Polybotes gets what's coming to him and Jason finds his path.
Replies:
Undeath9087: Yep, unlike in canon she does not hesitate.
Jubby1905: Yeah, Percy is definitely badass, and there is a certain darkness in her.
Laurenthefan: Thank you.
Guest: I know right? like, Polybotes is technically better with the poison, but he was surprised so Percy had the advantage in this case.

Percy wasn't sure how long it took Jason to talk Kym into helping them. She was very distracted, she forced more of the poison down Polybotes throat, as long as she could keep him from pulling himself together she had a minor advantage.

She needed to make the most of it considering the fact that she didn't know how long it would last.

Besides, if she was being totally honest there was definitely something satisfying about making Polybotes suffer like he'd intended on making her suffer. Maybe Percy was being a bit sadistic but she no longer cared. After all, he'd been trying to make her suffer, trying to kill her and Jason. He deserved every single second of agony she decided to inflict on him.

Admittedly there were a few moments of Jason and Kym's conversation that she overheard that distracted her somewhat- which wasn't good, but she had to admit that hearing Jason saying the words, "I'll even throw in a Kymopoleia action figure made her do a double take- which probably wasn't good for her because it gave Polybotes just a moment to focus without her raining down attacks on him- and his neck was a mess of golden ichor from the dozens and dozens of stab wounds she'd inflicted on him.

And that moment was all he needed- and she had been starting to tire- it was surprising how much energy non stop stabbing like that took, let alone controlling the poison to force its way down his throat every time she got the chance- he'd barely been able to focus on using his control over it to get it out of his throat, let alone do anything else.

But as soon as her attacks stopped he shook himself violently, dislodging Percy from his back, which in Percy's opinion was totally rude.

Then he had his trident in his hand and he was spinning, thrusting it at her- and Percy didn't have the time to get away entirely, though she managed to twist to the side slightly so that only two of the prongs pierced her, and they only pierced her shoulder.

Still, she cried out in pain- and then she could see Jason, stabbing his javelin into the giants back and Kym liftedn her bronze disc from its pedestal. Say goodbye, Polybotes."

She spun the disc at the giant's neck. Turned out, the rim was sharp.

Percy blinked as Polybotes head toppled off his shoulders-and then he was disintegrating into dust and Jason was suddenly gripping the giants trident and he yanked it backwards.

She cried out in pain- because holy shit but that hurt. Then she let herself breath, dropping down to her knees slowly as Jason caught her uninjured shoulder to steady her- and the water began its work of helping her heal up- except it wasn't working as well as it probably should be. Then again she was exhausted, she'd just a lot of power against Polybotes, it made sense that even her healing abilities were weaker than normal because of that.

"Are you okay? Gods Percy you scared the crap out of me."

"Sorry." Percy grimaced, "Didn't mean to- I got distracted-" she paused, "Did you- did I actually hear you promise Kym and action figure or something?"

And Jason's face went red at that as Kym loomed over then, "Indeed he did. And I expect him to deliver."

"I will." Jason nodded, "When we with this war, I'm going to make sure all the gods get recognized." he straightened up slightly, "Luke started to process last summer with his requests to honor Percy. He made the Olympians promise to pay you guys more attention."

Kym sniffed, "We know what an Olympian promise is worth."

"You are not wrong." Percy snorted, "I would force them to promise to leave me alone after all this if I thought it'd do any good. But alas I know better than that."

"And I'm going to finish the job." Jason informed them, and Percy realised that he looked more certain about that than he had done about anything before this. "I'm going to make sure that none of the gods are forgotten at either camp. Maybe they'll get temples or cabins. Or at least shrines-"

"Or collectible trading cards," Kym suggested.

"Sure." Jason smiled. "I'll go back and forth between the camps until the job is done."

Percy whistled. "You're talking about dozens of gods."

"Hundreds," Kym corrected.

"Well, then," Jason said, "it might take a while. But you'll be first on the list, Kymopoleia … the storm goddess who beheaded a giant and saved our quest."

Kym stroked her jellyfish hair. "That will do nicely." She regarded Percy. "Though I am still sorry I won't see you die."

"You have no idea how many times I've heard that." Percy gave a wry smile, "But I have to disappoint you sister. I'm too stubborn to die. Now uh- about our ship."

"Still in one piece. Not in very good shape but you should be able to make it to Delos.

"Thank you." Jason gave a small smile. "Really."

"We should be going." Percy was pretty sure she needed a trip to see Will when they got back to the Argo II. And wouldn't that be fun, she was sure she'd get told off for being dumb and getting hurt again.

As she said that Kym turned over the disc, revealing straps on the bottom side like a shield. She slipped it over her shoulders, Captain America style. "I will be watching your progress. Polybotes was not boasting when he warned that your blood would awaken the Earth Mother. The giants are very confident of this."

"I know." Percy sighed heavily, "It's Gaea. I think she sees it as some insane form of justice. Her daughter in law dying to bring her back to life or whatever. Like Kronos didn't deserve what he got. He made my life a living nightmare, it was the least he deserved." she pulled a face. "I don't plan on bleeding though."

Kym's smile was even creepier than usual. "I am not an Oracle. But I heard what the seer Phineas told you in the city of Portland. You will face a sacrifice that you may not be able to make, and it will cost you the world. You have yet to face your fatal flaw, my sister. Look around. All works of gods and men eventually turn to ruins. Would it not be easier to flee into the depths with those girlfriends of yours?"

"No." Percy said simply, "I mean I get why you'd think that but- my friends and family need me. Not just Annabeth and Rache as much as I love them. And I know what my fatal flaw is. My loyalty. I don't see how that'll cost me the world though, If anything it's what helped me save it last time."

"You shall see." Kym turned up her palms "You would be better fleeing. But you cannot leave others to fight. Not for the glory of being the hero but to protect those you love. But what if it cannot be you."

"What does that-" but Kym ploughed on, clearly uninterested in answering Percy's question.

"I will retreat into the depths and watch this battle unfold. You should know that the forces of the ocean are also at war. Your friend Hazel Levesque made quite an impression on the merpeople and on their mentors, Aphros and Bythos."

"The fish pony dudes," Percy muttered. "They didn't want to meet me."

"Even now they are waging war for your sake," Kym said, "trying to keep Gaia's allies away from Long Island. Whether or not they will survive … that remains to be seen. As for you, Jason Grace, your path will be no easier than your friend's. You will be tricked. You will face unbearable sorrow."

Percy felt Jason tense. "Kym, You said you're not an Oracle? They should give you the job. You're definitely depressing enough."

The goddess let loose her dolphin laugh. "You amuse me, son of Jupiter. I hope you live to defeat Gaia."

"Thanks,' he said. 'Any pointers on defeating a goddess who can't be defeated?"

Kymopoleia tilted her head. "Oh, but you know the answer. You are a child of the sky, with storms in your blood. A primordial god has been defeated once before. You know of whom I speak."

"Ouranos." Jason breathed, "The first god of the sky- but that means-" Percy frowned in confusion, but Jason didn't get the chance to finish because Kym interrupted.

"Yes." and she looked almost sympathetic- and Percy wanted to laugh. Her sister liked Jason. "Let us hope it does not come to that. If Gaia does wake … well, your task will not be easy. But, if you win, remember your promise, Pontifex."

Jason blinked, a startled look on his face, "But I'm not a priest."

"No?" Kym's white eyes gleamed. "By the way, your ventus servant says he wishes to be freed. Since he has helped you, he hopes you will let him go when you reach the surface. He promises he will not bother you a third time."

"A third time?"

Kym paused, as if listening. "He says he joined the storm above to take revenge on you, but had he known how strong you've become since the Grand Canyon he never would've approached your ship."

"The Grand Canyon… Dylan? Are you kidding me? I'm breathing Dylan?"

"Yes," Kym said. "That seems to be his name."

Jason shuddered. Clearly Dylan was not a friend. "I'll let him go as soon as I reach the surface. No worries."

"Farewell, then," said the goddess. "And may the Fates smile upon you … assuming the Fates survive."

Then she was gone. And Percy blinked after her before letting out a shaky sigh.

"I know we need to get up there but can we sit down for a second. My shoulder hurts and I'm too tired to heal it."

"Of course." Jason's brows furrowed with concern. "How are you feeling? I mean-" he hesitated, "You- the way you dealt with Polybotes- it was brutal."

Percy stiffened slightly at that- and she turned her gaze away from Jason quickly. "It's not like he wouldn't have done the same to me-"

"Hey-" Jason laid a hand on her shoulder, "I wasn't judging Percy. What you did was amazing. You gave me the time I needed to convince Kym to help us. I'm not judging you at all. I just- I wanted to make sure you felt okay after that."

"I'm fine." Percy slowly let the tension in her shoulders ease. "What was that you were about to say, about Ouranos. He was Kronos' father right? Guess that makes him my father in law-"

"Oh gods don't say that." Jason laughed despite himself. "Yeah. he was the sky god. The Titans defeated him by calling him down to the earth. They got him away from his home territory, ambushed him, held him down and cut him up."

"Right. I remember. Gaea gave Kronos the Scythe to do it with. But how does that help us with Gaea."

"I-" Jason hesitated, "I'm not sure." he said- and something about his expression made Percy think he was lying, but she decided against pushing it. "Let's just go to Delos first. Apollo and Artemis might have some advice."

"Okay." Percy said slowly, "One more question. Why did she call you a Pontiac?"

"Pontifex." Jason was laughing. "It means priest."

"Oh." Percy blinked, "Sound kind of like some sports car." she snickered, "What does a Pontifex to then?"

"The Romans used to have a Pontifex Maximus, who oversaw all the proper sacrifices and whatnot, to make sure none of the gods got mad. Which I offered to do … I guess it does sound like a pontifex's job."

"So you meant it?" Percy asked. "You're really going to try building shrines for all the minor gods?"

"Yeah. I never really thought about it before, but I like the idea of going back and forth between the two camps – assuming, you know, we make it through next week and the two camps still exist."

"You're gonna do a good job." Percy told him. "Seriously dude. I can see it." she tilted her head, "I know what it feels, feeling lost and not sure what you're supposed to do. With people pushing all around. And I know that look you got then. When you made that offer. You found your path. Now you just gotta live it."