I can't reply to reviews because they're not showing at the moment- which is bugging me but there's nothing I can do! Anyway guys, enjoy!
By the time Percy, Annabeth and Rachel had finished their talk the others were all aboard the Argo II, which had landed fully at least- a fact that Percy was very grateful for, because it at least made getting back onto the Argo II a little bit easier- and it was agony. Complete agony.
Annabeth slid her arms under Percy's back and legs- and Percy had to grit her teeth to stop herself from screaming as she was picked up carefully- and Rachel stayed by her side as they made their way up the gangplank- and Will- ever prepared had already headed below deck and grabbed some of his supplies- so once they were on deck Annabeth set her down gently- and Luke was at Percy's side in an instant.
Luke was dropping to his knees next to her and hugging her tightly as Annabeth and Rachel pulled back to give him space, and Percy hugged him back as Luke muttered.
"Percy Jackson don't you ever dare do anything so stupid again by all the gods you're ridiculous."
"Hey- it worked didn't it?" Percy asked, giving a mock innocent smile.
"Apparently." Luke pulled back, "Now I think I speak for everyone when I saw that we want to know what happened to you guys down there and uh-" his eyes flicked to Bob and Damasen, "How you met a friendly Giant and a Titan."
"Right, I never told you guys about Bob." Percy grinned, tucking her hair behind her ears. "How about you tell us your story first."
"And while we all talk I will get to work here." Will." knelt down next to Percy- and she listened as those who had been on the Argo II told her what had happened while they'd been in Tartarus, and Percy listened, leaning into Luke's side as Will hummed softly, pressing a piece of ambrosia into her hands- and she popped it into her mouth.
As Rachel explained her little mission Percy's gaze shifted to Grover- and she gave a tight smile- she could see the question in his eyes- after all he knew she'd been stuck with Alabaster.
And she wasn't surprised to hear his voice in her mind.
"So. I mean I'm crazy glad you're back but-"
"Dead." Percy gave him a slight smile. "Relax. He's gone-"
"Huh- um, on one hand like, that's good but on the other hand... maybe not." And Percy blinked, a confused look on her face- because Grover was looking somewhat sheepish as Rachel finished explaining, and then Reyna spoke up.
"I was very worry when Rachel told me you were in Tartarus." that was directed at Percy, "It's good to see you again. I'm glad you made it back- and I'm here to help. I've told Rachel I'll take the Parthenos to your camp- but there is one term. I know you don't have him yet but if and when you do next come across Alabaster Torrington-" Ananbeth groaned at the name, "You will give him to us- if it was his magic that fired upon our home I want to ensure we get justice-"
"Hey- we have way more of a reason to hate him than you-" Luke was frowning, "We can deal-"
"And yet he is still around-"
"He's not shown his face for a while-" that was Thalia but Percy cut them off.
"Not possible." and all eyes turned to her.
"What?" Reyna frowned, "Percy- I understand that your.. issues with him are personal but-"
"I'm not saying we wouldn't hand him over if he showed up now-" she stated firmly, "And before anyone else so much as opens their mouths, it would be my choice not any of yours. I'm saying that it won't be happening." and she could see Will, Calypso, Hazel, Nico and Leo exchanging glances- Bob and Damasen were distracted staring at the sky- they were in awe of it, Percy couldn't blame them after so long trapped in the pit.
And the others were staring at her looking confused.
"Why not?" Reyna raised an eyebrow. "From what Rachel has told me he keeps coming after you-"
"Listen." Percy exhaled, "If you want him fine but I am not going back into the pit, finding that stupid cave and dragging
his cold limp corpse back here."
There was a moment of silence- and Percy could understand that, she had been rather blunt and then-
"His body?" Thalia was blinking slowly, "But- the pit-"
"Okay." Percy held up her hands, "We are doing this once, and once only. Whilst in Tartarus I got split up from Nico and Leo, Alabaster showed up, he- you can only survive down there by drinking from the Plegethon, I was too far away from it but he had magical access, so I stuck with him for a while. I did what I had to to survive, I am not ashamed, and when the time came I killed him."
"Percy-" Luke's voice was quiet- "Percy-"
"No. No that is enough." Percy tried to keep her expression straight, "He's dead, it's over."
She could feel everyone's eyes on her, expressions ranging from shock to pity.
And then Annabeth was pushing Luke aside- and Rachel was with her. Both of them crowded close to Percy, Annabeth pressing her lips to the top of Percy's head.
"We're so proud of you." Annabeth murmured the words, "So proud sweetheart."
"You did amazing. You're here, you're alive you're so perfect." Rachel added-and Percy had to admit, that was nice, knowing that they didn't judge her for what she'd done- she'd been kind of terrified of that.
She had to blink back the sudden tears that threatened to fall as they bracketed her, as they cuddled in close.
"Is that why you felt like you could try again?" Annabeth asked, "Because he can't hurt Rachel and I?"
"I-" Percy nodded, "It's part of it." she shifted, resting her head on Annabeth's shoulder. "It's so fucked up I know but as soon as- as soon as it was over it felt like I was free. And I know I'm definitely not okay I'm not even good but-but I'm not scared of him anymore."
"That's wonderful." Rachel's lips brushed against Percy's cheek, "You're amazing."
"Well." Reyna's voice was slow, "It's... unfortunate that we won't be able to put him on trial." her voice was careful-she was very aware of how tense and personal the situation was. "But given the circumstances I think that it was reasonable for you to need to deal with him yourself. You had very little choice if you were forced to be alone with him. Given all I've been told about him it was likely your only option if you wished to escape."
"He wouldn't have let me go." Percy said the words quietly- and they were honest enough. "He- I think he would have killed me if I hadn't done it first." as soon as he'd realised she was going to leave the progress she'd have made would have shattered- she only had the upper hand because he'd thought she had decided to stay with him. If he'd thought she was going to leave him? He would never have allowed that to happen.
Then Percy shook her head, closing her eyes tightly, "And- and that's it I don't want to talk anymore. I don't I don't want to talk about him I don't want to talk about what he did to- about what happened when I was with Alabaster."
"Of course." Luke's voice was gentle- and his expression was pained. "Of course Sephie."
"We can talk." Nico spoke up, "You guys wanted to know about Bob and Damasen right?"
"Us?" Bob turned his head, "You will tell the story?"
"Of course big man." Leo grinned. And Thalia laughed.
"I mean, I guess you'll have to tell the others the full story huh?"
"It really is strange seeing you again Bob." Bianca spoke up warmly, smiling at the Titan.
"Yeah." Annabeth paused, "Uh- no offence but you're a Titan right-"
"Yes." Bob nodded, "I am Bob now. But I was Iapetus-" that made Thalia and Bianca's eyes widen and Percy grinned.
"Did we forget to mention that Bob's started to remember?"
"What?" Thalia yelped, "He-but-"
"I was bad." Bob shook his head, "But- I like being Bob. I can be Bob with my memories-"
"Iapetus?" Luke blinked, "Wasn't that one of Kronos' brother?"
"Yes." Bob nodded, "I am."
"We met when-"
"When I stole Hades sword." Ethan had been half tucked behind Grover- and Bob turned his head, eyes widening.
"I remember- you ran away."
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, "In my defence Percy wanted to kill me at the time-"
"Is he a friend now?" Bob directed that at Percy, who nodded.
"Yeah, he is big guy. To cut a really long story short Ethan freed Iapetus from Tartarus, we tried and failed to stop him, I tossed myself and Iapetus into the Lethe and used my powers to protect myself, and Iapetus became Bob, turns out without his memories he was friendly."
"You-" Annabeth blinked rapidly, "Okay then. You never told us-"
"Uncle Hades did make us promise not to but I mean- cats out of the bag now." Percy shrugged.
"I was telling Leo about him while we were in the pit and Bob heard his name- he showed up while we were under attack." Nico explained, "Saved our butts and agreed to help us find Percy."
"Which he did a very good job at." Percy piped up, "I'm telling you I'd have never made it back to Nico and Leo if Bob hadn't come when he did. I was not in very good condition. Her face scrunched up, "Stupid arai with their stupid curses." she grumbled- and she noticed Leo and Nico both grimacing at the memory.
Which was pretty fair honestly, Percy had been incredibly battered at the time.
"Bob took us to Damasen." Leo shot the Giant a grin, and the Giant nodded.
"I was created to oppose Ares." he told them at the curious looks that got him, "Mother and father do not like me-"
"Specially not now." Percy snickered before turning more serious, "But yeah, Damasen healed me right up. And when we got to the Doors of Death and we needed back up he was there."
"You kept your promise." Damasen nodded at Percy, "Though it was a close thing-"
"Yeah, you're telling me." Percy shuddered and Nico and Leo snickered again.
"Only you could have pulled it off Percy-"
"I didn't even actually plan on it." Percy laughed despite herself, "She just- came."
"Uh- am I the only one who has no clue what they're talking about right now?" Ethan asked after a moment, eyeing them wearily.
Nico and Leo both turned to look at Percy, who shrugged, "I may have somehow convinced Lady Nyx to help us get out-"
"Nyx?" Bianca's voice was high pitched, "You- Lady Nyx?! As in-"
"As in Night herself." Percy grinned, "That's the one- we'd have been dead meat without her."
"You-" Annabeth blinked rapidly- and Rachel was gaping at her too before.
"You're telling me that one of the most powerful beings in existence helped bust you out of Tartarus."
"Yeah." Percy nodded, "I mean, if she hadn't then Bob and Damasen wouldn't be here- someone had to hold the button for twelve minutes which Bob offered to do, and Damasen was a bit busy fighting off Tartarus-"
"Tar-" Annabeth let out a choking noise, "When you say fighting off-"
"He took on a physical form because he wanted to kill us." Percy told her, "It was... intense. And then Nyx just showed up all badass and she may be one of my top favorite goddesses now."
"Sounds like you had an interesting time." Thalia gave a wry smile, shaking her head, "I'm guessing there's a lot of stuff you've left out-" and Percy glanced at Leo and Nico again- that was true enough. But- if Percy did decide she wanted to talk about that stuff she sure as Hades didn't want to have it as a big group chat. No way.
"Maybe." Nico conceded, "But- there's some stuff you just- you can't understand unless you've been down there. It's hard."
"Well." Annabeth could clearly see that they were uncomfortable because she shifted slightly, "Since we're mostly caught up- I think maybe it's a good idea to get the Parthenos out- I'm sure you want to see it Reyna."
"Yes." Reyna nodded, "I think that is a very good idea."
