Chapter Sixteen

When Percy became an Olympian, it was a huge affair. He was jittery the entire morning before his ascension, only being calmed by Artemis and Thalia. He wasn't the only one becoming a God though. Thalia was too. She was less nervous about it, having been semi-immortal for a couple of years now. She also wasn't going to be an Olympian, but she was sure to be remembered, Percy sworn that. She wouldn't be like Aphaea, who was literally unknown besides the one island she was worshiped on.

He was dressed in a black robe with a sea green trident on the back. It reminded him of his shroud, the one Camp Half-Blood burned years ago, when he came back from Calypso's island. The only difference was that there were silver highlights on it now. Apparently the thing represented the strongest bonds he had to the council.

Thalia's was a little simpler. Black with a silver crescent moon on the back. That was all. Nothing on it represented Zeus. This was for two reasons. One, her dad was a dick and she didn't want a bond with him, and two, as he was now dead, he wasn't a part of the council. So her only strong bond was to Artemis, as her lover first, and lieutenant second.

They were flashed to Olympus. They started at the entrance, where the elevator connected Olympus to the mortal world.

There was a tradition, one not done since Dionysus was made an Olympian. Before the ascension ceremony, a parade was thrown. Artemis would lead them through the streets of Olympus as its residents cheered for them. It was like a more epic Fiesta Flambeau Parade. Same amount of drunk people though.

Nymphs shouted their names, cheering them on. Satyrs offered them nectar, no doubt spiked, judging by how shitfaced they looked. The muses followed them, playing music to get the crowd pumped up. Minor Gods had confetti cannons and were popping them left and right. Some got into Percy's mouth as he was slack jawed.

Artemis led them along, not letting them dilly dally. She had forgotten how fun this part was. She had a smile on her face the entire time, until a bra flew into Percy's face. Then she scanned the crowd and glared at the nymph responsible.

They finally reached the throne room. The doors swung open as they approached. The three entered.

The throne room had changed. There were no thrones, but instead a table in the middle. A bunch of food sat on the table. It all looked like it would all taste amazing, so good that even a picky toddler would eat it all. Chairs surrounded the table, fifteen of them. One at the head, seven on each side. The other end didn't have a chair. Name cards sat in front of each chair.

Percy was at the head, as the 'main' guest of honor. Thalia and Artemis were on either side of him. They didn't know it, but Apollo had fought for that. One by one, the other Olympians filled the seats. There were two chairs empty, but based on the name cards, it wasn't a surprise when they showed up. Hestia was first. Hades was last.

Everyone was dressed fancily. Either in dresses or tuxes based on each God's preference. Even those who someone wouldn't expect, like Artemis, or Athena, or Ares.

Once everyone was seated, the feast began. Food was passed around, as they ate. The silence didn't last long, as the Gods started to talk to each other. There was no fighting, no arguing. There were jokes, and teasing, but nothing was serious.

Poseidon and Athena talked, no insults included. They talked like civilized people. As did Ares and Hephaestus. Hera chatted to Demeter, and Apollo tried a new creation of Dionysus's. They were like an actual functioning family. It was tough to say if they were like that in private, or if Zeus had been feeding the toxicity.

Either way, Percy enjoyed it. Surprised, but he enjoyed it. For instance, Dionysus was actually pretty cool. Looking less like a cherub and more like a prince, he told jokes. Like the one he told Hades. "Yeah man, the feasts here after a war are amazing. If you're on the surviving side, otherwise they're feasting with you. At least they would be, if you weren't so caught up in paperwork!"

Hades actually laughed at that. He leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine. "Well if Ares would stop the wars, maybe I could handle the influx of souls!"

"C'mon, those are always so much more fun to watch than football! Can you blame me?"

Percy smiled as he watched his future in-laws have a good time. Artemis looked at him and smiled. She reached out and grasped his hand that was on the table. Thalia took another steak and started to cut it.

The feast took forever to wrap up, but when it did, it was time for the ascension. The table vanished as laurel leaves covered the floor. Percy and Thalia were barefoot as they sat in the center. Two chalices full of a special nectar sat in front of them. Their names were engraved on each one.

Artemis remembered this part. She still had her chalice, in her bedroom in her palace. She watched as Thalia went first.

Thalia cupped the chalice. She looked to Percy, who gave her an encouraging nod. She smiled a little and drank the chalice. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she collapsed onto the laurel leaves.

Artemis had told Percy that that would happen, but it still surprised him. He had to keep himself from lunging and holding her. After what felt like an eternity, she woke up. She physically looked no different. The only thing that changed was that she now wore a laurel wreath made of gold, and a necklace with a lightning bolt on it.

No one needed for her to say what her domains were, they already knew. But it was a formality.

"I am Goddess of the Sky, Thunder, and Lightning. Minor Goddess of Archery."

"Sacred animal?" Athena asked.

"Lightning bug."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Percy smirked. Guess who just came up with a new pet name for her.

Next it was his turn. He picked up the chalice and drank it. Next thing he knew, he was in a cozy room. A fireplace was lit. He was lying on a comfy couch. He sat up. Huddled together by the fire was the Fates.

"There is another. That could be a problem." One whispered.

"It will be fine. He will not interfere." Another said.

"So we think. He is beyond our control." The first one said.

"Quiet, he is here." The last one said.

They turned around. "Perseus Jackson. Slayer of Kronos, Slayer of Gaia, Slayer of Tartarus, Host of Klyntar." The middle one said.

"So you're becoming a God." The one on the left said.

"An Olympian, at that." The right one.

"Umm, yeah."

"An Olympian needs domains." They said together. "And you're here to receive them."

Percy sat up straight.

"Perseus, Olympian God of Klyntar, Tides, and Swordsmanship. Minor God of the Ocean."

Percy got off of the couch and bowed.

"Rise, Olympian. Take your place among the Gods. And prosper, for we smile upon you." They said.

Percy found himself back in the throne room of Olympus. The Olympians watched him with interest. He realized they were waiting for him to speak.

He repeated what the Fates had told him. Athena asked him what he wanted as his sacred animal. Percy was silent as he thought. "Narwhals." He said finally.

He looked down to see that he was wearing a necklace, like Thalia. His had Venom's face on it.

"That doesn't look anything like me."

Percy smiled as he heard the voice of his parasite.

"I AM NOT A PARASITE! APOLOGIZE, NOW!"

"Geez, I'm sorry. You aren't a parasite."

The rest of the Gods, besides Artemis and Thalia, looked at him strangely.

"Sorry, Venom's talking to me."

And with that, the festivities began. Music blared as the rest of Olympus was let into the throne room. Wine was given out and everyone started to get drunk.

Percy didn't like all the noise. He walked out and into a garden. The same garden that Artemis found him in all those years ago. It was like three years, but still.

And just like last time, Artemis found him. Unlike last time, Thalia was with her. They sat down next to him. "What are you doing here?" Artemis asked him.

"Not in a partying mood."

"MMhmm."

Percy laughed. He motioned them over. Artemis sat on his lap and Thalia in hers. They wrapped their arms around each other if they could. They are silent, enjoying the moment.

They watched the sun come up, the dawn of the new Olympian Council.

LINE BREAK

Millions of Light years away, on an unnamed planet, a being awoke. He had the face of a corpse, with long white hair. His eyes were red, and his teeth were long. He donned black armor with a red dragon symbol on it. A red sword was held in his hand.

"So, there is another." He said in a deep, calm voice.

END OF VENOM: LETHAL PROTECTOR