Disclaimer: I do not own this story (YET!) or these characters (ALSO YET!) but I like to think I do… ;D

And here is the much anticipated Chapter 18 of Betrayed Son of the Sea! If the title is anything to go by, I think you all now what's gonna happen. But is Percy going to return her feelings?

Enjoy and on with the story!

Confessions of the Moon

Previously…

"If he continues to be the way he is, that will not be a problem. But if I find something wrong that I don't find acceptable at all, then I will break things off and go my own way." I said, gaining confidence.

She nodded. "Good. That means that you are a strong woman that knows what she wants and won't take crap from anyone, but you will try to make things work out. That's all I needed to know." She said with a smile.

I gave her a small smile as well. "But just to warn you, if you hurt my cousin like Annabeth did, you will answer to me." She said, eyes flashing, looking very much like our father.

I nodded my head vigorously to which she smirked at.

"Good! But anyway, let's get searching again. Our 24 hours are almost u-" She was cut of a blinding flash of golden light. Hermes appeared out of that light with a panicked and anxious look on his face.

"Artemis! You and Thalia need to get to Olympus NOW!" He said without any formalities.

Normally, I would have snapped at him, but he looked really frantic, which was totally unlike him.

"Why Hermes? We are still searching for Percy." I protested.

He looked at me with a sombre look and his next words sent dread coursing through my body.

"We found him Artemis. And it doesn't look good." Before he even finished talking, I grabbed Thalia and was already gone.

Now…

Third Person POV

On the immortal city of Olympus, everything was peaceful. A gentle breeze was blowing through the city of the gods, the temperature was just right, with the sunning shining down with its warm and joyous sunlight. Many minor gods, goddesses, and nature spirits were bustling about, all in a happy and blissful mood settled upon them. All seemed right in the world.

That is until the two elder sons Kronos, two of the Big Three, Poseidon and Hades, along with the immortal lieutenant of the Underworld, Nico, flashed right in front of Apollo's palace, holding a pale and comatose Percy Jackson. Many passer-byers saw the looks on their faces, being ones of panic and worry, and felt the great emotional turmoil. So great was emotion coming from the sons of Kronos that many of the citizens felt their own anxiety sky rocket and they rushed away from the scene. Probably for the best as the Olympian's weren't in an emotionally stable state right now.

Poseidon, cradling his unconscious son in his arms with no problem at all, raced up the steps of the massive golden temple of Apollo with Hades and Nico right behind him. Once he made it to the door, he summoned up a floating water stretcher and tenderly placed Percy on it. He then began to pound on the door.

"APOLLO! Quick I need you right now! Nephew you better get your immortal ass out here or I with impale you with the business end of my trident!" He bellowed, all the while pounding on the door.

If this weren't such a tense situation they were in, Hades and Nico would be full out laughing at their Brother/Uncle's overzealous threat, as he pounded on the door, leaving fist-sized imprints in the golden metal. But they understood the situation and they had to restrain themselves from blasting the door to pieces in order to get to Apollo quicker.

Finally, an annoyed Apollo answered the door, dressed in blue jeans and a bright yellow shirt saying 'I know I'm hot. I drive the Sun Chariot.'

"What do you want Uncle P? I was in the middle of my duties-HOLY HERA! Is that Percy?! Where did you find him?" Apollo screeched, rushing over to the fallen demigod, growing to his 32-year old form.

They all looked a little taken aback by Apollo's sudden shift in age, but brushed it aside as they focused on more pressing matters.

"No time to explain nephew. We need to get him to one of your hospital rooms for a proper diagnosis. We need to go NOW!" The normally calm and aloof Hades said with a surprising tone of emotion.

Apollo nodded his head once. "Alright. Follow me." He said as he rushed back into his palace.

They all followed him immediately, Poseidon willing the water stretcher to float close to Apollo as the sun god examined him. His hands shone with a bright golden light as the covered Percy's prone form, encasing him in a blanket of golden dome.

"I need you all to tell me in detail what has happened to him. I can't help him if I don't know the circumstances of his condition." Apollo commanded in his doctor voice, so unlike his laidback and joking attitude.

Nico ran alongside Apollo, filling him in as he was the only one that witnessed what truly occurred. "There was an attack on the Underworld by the Giant, Alcyoneus. We were taken by surprise as he stormed through the Underworld with a legion of monsters and other rock and jewel creatures I had never seen before. I contacted Percy and told him I needed help before I engaged the Gigante. I briefly fought off Alcyoneus, but he overpowered me and knocked me out. I awoke in the cavern of The Five Rivers of the Underworld in Percy's arms as he was struggling to fly us out from the Pool of the Rivers where Alcyoneus tried to throw me in, who was holding onto Percy's leg. Percy flashed me out in a flash of flames, but could not teleport himself out and both of them fell into the pool. He…he saved my life…again." Nico explained in a voice choked with emotion, unable to continue.

"Then me and Poseidon, along with his wife and son, Triton, was able to break through the barrier that blocked the cavern and found my son on the ledge. He filled us in, but we thought Perseus had perished along with the Gigante." Hades said, eyes filled with sadness.

"But then the pool churned and swirled violently and spewed Percy from its waters where he landed on the ledge. He was spasming and screaming in pain and his veins were glowing a harsh red colour, lighting him up like he was on fire from within. Apollo, what is wrong with my son?" Poseidon asked, peering at Percy in anxiety.

To his credit, Apollo never stopped examining Percy, but his eyes did widened comically in shock. "You're telling me that my cousin fell into one of the most deadly and mystical mixtures of power that could make any immortal fade and he survived?!" He yelled out.

They nodded their heads grimly and a troubled look crossed Apollo's face. He quickly wiped away all traces of negative emotion and a determined glint shone in his sky blue eyes. During their little explanation, they finally made it to Apollo's personal hospital room.

Apollo rushed over to a high tech looking hospital bed with a bunch of machinery around it. "Uncle, I need you to lay Percy down on this bed right here. Be gentle so that any jostling doesn't disturb him and make his condition any worse." He instructed.

Poseidon did as he was instructed and willed the water to slowly set Percy into the bed. The hospital bed immediately sprung to life, form fitting Percy into a comfortable position that offered him comfort and access to examination.

Quickly, Apollo snapped his fingers and the machines by the bed flared to life. Many wires shot up and connected all over Percy's body. A 60' inch display screen appeared over the bed and had a bunch of different readouts of his vitals. It showed his heart rate and blood pressure all the way to his brain wave activity, all of them showing above average activity. It also gave a life size sketch of his body, indicating regions of activity and energy spikes.

His body scan showed his entire nervous system was coated in a golden-white energy that continually changed colours. Sometimes it was a rust red that faded to a pale yellow before turning pitch black. Apollo was focused on a particular golden bar that was spiking erratically. If the look of shock and dread on his face was anything to go by, then the news wasn't good.

"Apollo, what is that golden bar that is spiking?" Poseidon asked curiously, not liking the look on his nephew's face.

Apollo broke out of his trance and starred at the sea god. He pointed up to the bar. "That is a creation of my own design. Its job is to measure how much power and energy is in a god's body." He said, before shifting his hands over Percy, casting the golden dome again.

"See, what I have learned after studying different energy spikes in immortals is that each and every immortal, god, and demigod has power inside of them that ranges from a bunch of power to very little. The children of minor gods usually don't have that much power in them, based off of readings I have collected in the past. Children of the Big Three and Olympians have the capacity for a lot of power like Percy and Nico here. And us gods have the ability to hold within us great quantities of power and energy, hence why our true forms are so deadly when unleashed." He explained, sending a tendril of energy into Percy, which lit up the scanners.

Hades, Poseidon, and Nico all jumped at that and glared at the sun god. "Don't do that!" Poseidon hissed, gripping his trident like a lifeline.

"Sorry, but that was a demonstration on how the scanners picked up the godly energy." Apollo replied before continuing.

"Now, Percy here has been exposed to five potent forms of raw energy in the form of the Five Rivers of the Underworld. That amount of energy should have destroyed him and his soul. Yet it didn't. Instead, his body somehow was able to absorb a piece of power from every single river, taking a piece of the essences into him. His body is now trying to adapt to the new addition of power and seeing if it should accept the foreign anomaly…or expunge and eradicate it." He finished in a grim tone.

Poseidon's eyes flared in panic. "What does that mean Apollo? What does that mean?" He said frantically, losing his cool.

Apollo's eyes were stony. "It means that if his body rejects it, then he WILL die and his soul will be destroyed."

As soon as he finished his explanation, Percy's body arched, his wings shooting out if the slits in his back, knocking over a few pieces of equipment. He let out a blood-curdling scream as his veins glowed a lava red colour, shining through his skin.

Apollo jumped forward and sent pulses of golden power into Percy, trying to ease his pain and condition. "Poseidon! Encase him in a dome of water!" He yelled.

"I don't under-" He started.

"Just do it!" Apollo roared, completely disregarding he was yelling at someone far more powerful than him.

Poseidon didn't hesitate as he lifted his hands. Blasts of water erupted from his hands, surrounding Percy in a dome of glowing green and blue water. Coupled with the pulses of golden healing energy from Apollo and the healing properties of the water dome, Percy was slowly relaxing. But he still thrashed around a little bit and the energy just wasn't going down fast enough.

"Hades! Nico!" The mentioned immortals turned and stared wide-eyed at a sweating Apollo. "Hades, I need you to cast your own energy over the dome. Try to keep his soul anchored in his body. Nico, I need you to go and find Hestia. She blessed Percy with her power so she should be able to calm the raging energy inside him! Do it now!"

The mentioned jumped into action. Nico disappeared in a swirl of shadows, desperate to find Hestia. Hades stood by his nephew and raised his hands over the water dome. A glowing black light poured from his hands and went into Percy's body, anchoring his soul.

Nico returned a second later with a bewildered Hestia in tow. Her confused look turned to one of terror as she laid eyes on her hurting son. She dashed forward and sent out a pulse of orange flame energy, adding it's healing properties into the dome of water.

With all three children of Kronos and son of Zeus pouring their power into Percy, quelling his raging energy, slowly but surely the readings and his vitals turned back to normal. Percy sighed in his comatose state, still encased in the water dome that his father erected around him. All four Olympians slumped to the ground in exhaustion, spent at how much energy they used.

Apollo summoned up some Ambrosia and Nectar, eating it quickly. He felt his energy return enough to where he could function and quickly rushed over to his Aunt and Uncles. Handing the godly food to them, to which they took it gratefully.

Once they were taken care of, Apollo went over and examined the son of Poseidon again, taking in every detail of his condition. He was satisfied with the results, but still slightly troubled.

Hestia stood up and crossed to her son's side. Her eyes filled with flaming tears as she looked upon his still form. She reached out a tentative hand and placed it upon the watery surface.

"Oh my poor child. What happened to you?" She whispered, her other hand covering her mouth.

Poseidon approached her from behind and pulled her into a tight embrace. She spun around and clutched him, slowly weeping at the state of her son.

"It's alright Hestia. Percy is fine. He is fine, right Apollo?" Poseidon said, shooting a look in said god's direction.

Apollo looked up from the machines. "I really don't know Uncle P. Combining the healing properties of our domains seems to have stabilized him, but he remains unresponsive."

"What's wrong with him Apollo? Is my little boy going to be okay?" Hestia asked with the look of a mother who knows her child is in great pain and could do nothing about it.

Apollo gave her the shortened version, her eyes widening with each passing word. As soon as he finished explaining, Hestia nearly collapsed, the information too much for her. Poseidon quickly summoned up a chair and sat her in it, crouching by her side give her support.

"My poor boy. Why must it always be you who puts himself in harm's way?" She said to herself. She looked up at Apollo. "When will he wake up?"

Apollo shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "I don't know. Nothing like this has ever happened before. This is beyond my comprehension in my domain of medicine."

"But he'll wake up, right? He has to wake up!" Nico demanded. He looked really fragile at the moment. He looked exactly like he did when he learned that his sister, Bianca was killed. Now his cousin was in a coma and he might not wake up from it? He couldn't lose Percy too!

Apollo only shook his head. "Only time will tell." He said.

Hades placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder as tears trickled down his cheeks. Hades looked to his brother, understanding passing between them. Poseidon nodded as Hades held onto his son and vanished in a swirl of shadows. Nico needed time to recuperate and Hades needed to check on his wife to see if she was doing better.

Apollo looked grave as he saw his Aunt and Uncle hold onto each other for comfort. He gave a mental shout to Hermes to teleport to his location.

Hermes appeared in a blur and flash of light. His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates when he saw Percy, disbelief and denial in his eyes. Percy was always one of his favourite demigods, thinking of him as one of his own. And the way he gave Luke a second chance to redeem himself and being a big brother to his little girls in the Hunt had earned the Messenger God's eternal respect.

He turned to his older brother for an explanation, mouth opening and closing like a fish's. Apollo gave him a look that Hermes rarely ever saw from his easy-going brother and it was only then that he looked at his age change.

"Hermes, I need you to call a council. Tell them we found Percy and I will inform them of his condition. His parents and me need to stay here just in case he wakes up." He said before pulling him in close to where his mouth was by his ear.

"And tell Artemis what has happened. I think she needs to be here and I know Percy would appreciate it as well." He whispered into his little brother's ear.

Hermes gave him a confused look, but nodded nonetheless. With a final look around the room, he flashed out to go do what was instructed of him.

Apollo sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He walked over to his patient's bedside and looked down at him. He looked so peaceful, so innocent in his slumber. Like the wars, betrayals and constant hardships in his life as a demigod was washed away.

"Please little cousin. We need you to hold on. No matter how much some people say it, we do desperately need you. You changed us all for the better and you have humbled even us." He looked up and saw Poseidon and Hestia hadn't moved from their embrace, both trying to find comfort in one another.

"Be strong cousin. Artemis is coming and once she's here, things are gonna be alright." He said with confidence. Even though he sounded confident and so sure of himself, Apollo prayed to whatever higher power was out there to make sure his cousin pulled through.

Percy POV

I knew that as soon as I plunged into the churning waters of the Five Rivers of the Underworld, I was so screwed. I would like to say that as the waters encircled my body that I accepted my fate, that I had a good run and a fond smile on my lips as I recalled past memories of my life. Chuckle a little at how my impulsive nature finally got the better of me.

That did not happen.

Instead, I began to curse, scream, and shout every known Greek and Latin curse I knew and the Fates for their cruelty. I mean seriouslu! Couldn't I just catch one break in my life? Was that too much too ask. The only consolation I got out of this was that Nico was safe and I got to take the jewel-bedazzled bastard with me.

I decided to keep my eyes open when I hit the water. Something about wanting to see how I would die just brought out the Athena in me. Looking around, I could help but behold the beauty that was the Pool of the Rivers. The basin of the pool was about 100 feet deep, perfectly circular, no imperfections in the smooth surface that held these deadly waters. But that wasn't the amazing part; it was the waters themselves. Flashes of colours danced in my vision that each represented a river. A black current of water flowed around me before shooting off and mingling with another current that looked like liquid fire, dancing with blazing gold, orange, and yellow tones.

I saw other currents, pale white, rust red, and dull grey colours twisting in complex shapes, some of them helixes, other corkscrewing like the world's crazy skateboarder. All in all it looked similar to the Ocean currents. They were just more vibrant in colour with power pulsing from each individual water particle.

I looked over to see a thrashing Alcyoneus right beside me, a look of pure terror and agony etched on his face. I watching in sick fascination as his body slowly began to dissolve in the water. First, the metal that was his skin turned a blackened colour and sizzled where the water contacted him. Cracks formed on the blacked metal and oil began to seep from the multiple wounds he was sustaining. Tears of pain and anguish trailed down his cheeks as his mouth was opened in a silent scream, but that just gave an opening for the water to rush in.

Bit by bit, his limbs fell off and another portion of his body dissolved. Once his body was gone, I saw something that would haunt me forever; I saw the burning of his soul. His essence was attacked from all sides by the currents, consuming his soul in unending fire. I don't feel sorry for the guy at all, but that was probably the worst way to go. Looks like his immortality didn't really hold up here.

I knew Alcyoneus was dead. His essence and soul was wiped out from existence, purged in the waters of the Styx, Acheron, Lethe, Phlegethon, and Cocytus. And now the currents turned their attention to me. And then I began to burn.

Pain like nothing I had ever felt before suddenly engulfed me. All the pain I had ever felt in my life hit me full force; every scratch, every wound, the pain from holding the sky and taking a dip in the Styx. All of that rolled into one, intensified, and set my pain receptors on fire.

Not only the physical pain, but also all the mental pain and agony I had ever felt. All the insults I had been called, stupid, idiot, moron, loser was brought to the forefront of my mind. The feelings of loneliness and hopelessness I felt growing up, memories I had buried and repressed were brought out. Worst of all, all the betrayals at Camp Half-Blood began to replay in my mind, making me want to sob in a crumbling mess.

Fight it. This is just the effect of the Rivers! A small part of my mind yelled at me. But that voice was nearly drowned out by all the pain I was feeling. I could feel myself start to dissolve in the waters.

NO! The little voice screamed. You did not come this far to simply die in some river! Think of your family, your friends and cousins…THINK ABOUT THE HUNT!

That snapped me out of my trance of pain. I latched onto that little voice in my head; it's encouragements growing stronger. The pain began to subside and the burning in my limbs stopped completely. Suddenly, all the water rushed away from me and left me in a air bubble, right in the middle of the waters.

"Uhhh…I didn't create this bubble." I said in confusion.

The water shook as a giggle rippled through the liquid, as if the rivers found my comment amusing.

"You didn't. We did." An ancient voice said. I whipped around to try and find the location of the voice.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" I yelled out.

"Look in front of you young hero." Another voice said.

All at once, the currents began to swirl together, faster and faster. Five little cocoons of water, each a different colour, appeared in front of me. Once was made of black water, the other made of a pale white; the third was a rust red colour like dried blood, the fourth was a dull grey, and the fifth was a blinding golden yellow with hues of reds, oranges, and whites dancing like flames. The cocoons dispersed, leaving behind five of the most beautiful and bizarre looking people I had ever seen.

The first was a beautiful lady with nymph like features. She had pale, porcelain like skin and black, ink-like hair. She stood at a graceful 5'10' and had a curvaceous figure. Her face was one of beauty; her high cheekbones tinged a light pink, with a straight nose and full red lips. But her eyes were what caught my attention. They were a complete dark black, swirling with power. But in those eyes I saw hope and mortality of all the people that have crossed her waters. When she saw me, her lips turned up in a warm smile. This was Lady Styx, nymph keeper of Binding Oaths and Morality, consort of Phlegethon.

The man beside her that had an arm around her waist was a tall 6'6. His body was bursting with muscles, not like a bodybuilder's, more like a warrior that constantly trained. Oh and did I forget to mention that his skin was coated in fire? All colours of fire swirled around his body, his skin a glowing liquid gold. His hair was long and flickered like crackling flames in a bonfire. His eyes were twin pits of fire, showing they could be either burning agony or your salivation. This was Lord Phlegethon, the River of Fire that could harm and heal, Consort to Lady Styx.

The next person was a woman. She wasn't as impressive as Styx or Phlegethon, but had an aura of danger to her that should not be underestimated. She was 5'8' and she too was pretty with nymph like features along with slightly pale skin. But her form seemed to shift and shimmer like a mirage, like it couldn't remember what it looked like. Just looking at her made me feel sleepy and made my mind seem foggy, making it difficult to remember some things in my life. Her eyes were a pale yellow that looked a little dazed and confused, almost as if she was trying to recall whom she was. This was Lady Lethe, River of Forgetfulness and Oblivion.

Next was another woman who made me feel sad and sorrowful just looking at her. She was a height of 5'8', her skin being a pale grey. She was beautiful, but that beauty was marred by the look of depression and gut-wrenching sorrow on her face. Her eyes were pale grey and were red and blood-shot, tears running down her cheeks. Her lips quivered as if she was going to burst out into sobs at any second. She looked so sad I just wanted to run up and hug her, to take away her sorrow and soother her. This was Lady Cocytus, River of Sorrow and Lamentation.

The final woman was by far the scariest in appearance. She was the same height as Lady Styx and had all the same features as her. But it was her expression that scared the every loving willies out of me. Her eyes were a rust red colour, looking very much like dried blood after a battle. She had a cold sneer on her face and a look of bloodlust in her eyes. She looked like one that relished in the pain of others and would set the world on fire just to watch it burn. This was Lady Acheron, The River of Pain and Anguish.

Looking at them I voiced the one thought that was circling in my head.

"I'm utterly doomed aren't I?" I said.

Styx threw back her head and began to laugh uproariously. I was a beautiful laugh, melodious and full of life. The other's quickly followed, chuckled racking their frames.

Phlegethon looked at me in amusement. "Extremely blunt aren't you, young one?"

I raised my eyebrows at this. "So…you all don't want to kill me?" I asked tentatively.

Styx let a soft smile cross her lips. "Far from it, Perseus."

She untangled herself from Phlegethon and floated towards me slowly. She was floating a cant foot in front of me, making me really uncomfortable with her proximity into my personal space. What did she want? What was she going to do?

Without warning, a huge smile broke out across her face as she threw herself forwards and wrapped me in a bone-crushing hug. My mouth dropped open and I froze completely as my mind tried to comprehend what was happening.

I felt my shoulder get damp with wetness. I started when I realized that they were TEARS! Not only was Lady Styx, a being that had the power to not only kill me, but destroy my soul, hugging me, but she was crying into my shoulder!

She pulled back and wiped at her eyes, a grateful smile upon her lips. "Thank you so much Perseus. Thank you for saving me." She said

I said something really smart along the lines of. "Uhhhhhh….what?"

She shook her head fondly and closed my mouth with her hand. "Sister, are you sure that none of your waters touched young Perseus here?" Styx said, looking at Lethe.

Lethe snapped out of her stupor. "Pretty sure. Though there was that one time…"She trailed off as her eyes went unfocused again. They all sighed in unison as if this was a common thing.

"Whoa whoa, hang on a second!" I said, raising my hands up. "What did I do? Why did you hug me? And how am I not a heaping pile of dissolved flesh right now like Alcyoneus?"

They all scowled at the Bane of Hades' name. Acheron had a wicked smile on her face. "So much pain he was in as he died. The anguish, the agony. So delicious." She cackled to herself madly, rubbing her hand together like a cartoon villain's. I scooted away from her uneasily.

Styx turned her gaze back to me, her eyes boring into mine. "To answer your question, Son of the Sea, recall your last visit to the Underworld. What did you do when you were down here last time?" She inquired like a school teacher would.

I thought back to that time and recounted the events that took place. "I was visiting Hades and hung out with Nico. We were off on one of Nico's assignments and we walked by your river. And when I saw all the hopeless memento's in it I…" I trailed off, as my eyes grew wide in realization.

Styx nodded her. "Yes. You instilled the power of Hope into my waters and cleansed my river of all the lost hopes and broken dreams that have accumulated in it for the past two thousand years. In doing so you healed me and fixed my own morality and for that you have my sincerest thanks. Even if you did lose the Achilles Curse." She said playfully, causing me to blush.

I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. "Yeeaahh…sorry about that." I mumbled.

Styx just giggled, gave me one last hug and walked back over to Phlegethon.

I clapped my hands together. "So, my Lord and Ladies, could you please tell me how I'm not dead right now?" I asked.

They all exchanged glances with each other before Phlegethon answered. "Well, in all the time we have been around, not once has a single hero been in contact with all five of our rivers and survived. When you were in Tartarus, you and the daughter of Athena drank from my waters to heal yourselves from the poisonous atmosphere." He explained.

Cocytus picked up, tears still falling from her eyes. "Y-you came in contact w-with me when you t-two fell into m-my w-waters in Tartarus." She sniffled.

"You bathed in my waters and received the Curse of Achilles, your Mortal Point, and infused my waters with Hope." Styx explained.

Lethe still looked zoned out until Acheron elbowed her in the ribs, getting her attention. "You fell into my waters and washed away the memories of that Titan without being affected yourself. I wonder what happened to him?" She mused before zoning out again.

Acheron sneered and glared at me. "And when you and that Wisdom brat traveled the House of Night, you jumped over my waters and was able to endure the Pain." She said gruffly.

"What we are saying, Perseus, and that you came in contact with all of us in one way or another." Phlegethon continued. "Contact with a single one of our rivers is rare enough. But contact with all five and still surviving? That led us to wanting to keep an eye out for you if you came in contact with us once more, like you just did."

I was stunned by the information. "So what you're saying is because I was affected by all of our rivers, that led me to being marked by your energies, which gained your attention towards me. Did I get that right?" I asked.

Styx smiled. "Very astute, Perseus." She praised.

I groaned. "Could you all please stop calling me Perseus? My name is Percy and I would prefer it if you called me that." I said in exasperation.

They all looked a little shocked at that before Phlegethon burst out laughing. His laugh was deep and rich, like a warm fire in the fireplace. "Such a fiery spirit you have young one! So full of passion and unpredictability like a burning fire. I like you Percy." Phlegethon said approving.

I blushed. Styx then stepped forward again, a serious expression on her face. "Percy, what I'm about to say may come as a shock to you. Since you fell into the Pool of our Five Rivers, the energies tried to eradicate your soul and spirit, but it couldn't. Instead, your body absorbed a sliver of each of our river's essence because of your previous contact with us. But the process was incomplete. So in order to make sure that there are no adverse side effects, we all," She gestured to the rest, "Wish to give you our blessing." She finished.

Take two of the gapping guppy. Critical system failure to cerebral processing functions, shutdown imminent. Start up reboot process. Rebooting in 3…2…1.

My brain came back on line. My mouth opened and closed as I tried to form comprehendible words. "So you're saying that you five, the spirits of the Five Rivers of the Underworld, want to bless me?" I stuttered out. They all nodded.

"Why?" I asked, utterly confused and why someone as powerful as them would want to bless me.

They actually looked confused at my question. "Why wouldn't we want to? You are the greatest hero that has ever lived. When you were in my waters, I could sense that you had the biggest sense of mortality and morality than any other person out there." Styx said without hesitation.

"The fire within your soul burns brightly, your drive to help others, as well as your loyalty is without question." Phlegethon added.

"Y-You suffered so much sorrow and heartbreak in y-your short life as a hero, yet n-never let it stop you f-from doing w-what's right." Cocytus whispered.

"You have a strong mind and a good heart. You have a good head on your shoulders." Lethe said, before returning once more to la-la land.

Acheron scoffed. "I just sensed that you've been through a lot of pain in your life and I'm all about pain. You'll be sure to suffer more in the future so I really don't care." She said bluntly. The others shot her a glare but she just shrugged it off.

"O-Okay." I said, inching even farther from the River of Pain. I turned to look at all of them. "Do you truly think I'm worthy of such of gift?" I asked unsurely.

Styx smiled. "Without a doubt."

I took a deep breath. "My Lord and Ladies, I gratefully accept." They all had big smiles on their faces at my answer.

"Okay Percy, prepare yourself to receive our power. I must warn you that this will be unpleasant and it will hurt. Your body will need time to adjust to this surge of power into your body so you will be comatose of a few hours, maybe a day or two." Styx said, causing me to pale slightly.

"Are you ready?" She asked. I steeled myself and nodded my head once.

They began to chant in an ancient tongue that I did not understand. Their voices rose and feel in pitch and crescendo, power leaking into their words. They each began to glow a different color aura as their currents began to swirl around them in miniature cyclones. Styx glowed a midnight black color, her hair whipping in unseen wind. Phlegethon glowed a blazing golden fire with hues of red, orange, white and yellow streaked throughout it. Lethe glowed a pale white color, like the sheet of a blank piece of paper. Cocytus glowed a dull gray color, sadness and sorrow pouring out of her. And Acheron glowed a harsh rust red color, looking like dried blood of all victims of pain.

They all raised their right hands at me, the glow concentrating into their open palm. As soon as their chant ended, five multicolored blasts of power struck me in the chest, wrapping around me like a cocoon and sinking into my skin. I felt the overwhelming physical and mental pain from before ignite all over my body once more. I screamed in pain as their power flooded my body, setting my blood on fire.

As the pain passed, I felt overwhelming exhaustion overcome me. My eyes began to close as I felt myself rising to the top at a quick pace. Before I blacked out and burst out of the water, I heard one final message from Lady Styx.

"Be safe young hero. Prepare yourself for many trials in the near future. Be strong Champions of the Five Rivers of the Underworld." And then I blacked out.

Artemis POV

As soon as we heard the news from Hermes about Percy, Thalia and I reappeared in a flash of silver light right outside my brother's palace. A million thoughts were running through my head as I tried to decipher the meaning of Hermes's message. Where was Percy? Was he hurt? How badly? Was he dead ?My chest felt constricted and I began to hyperventilate at the thought of Percy dead. My feelings for him were now so strong and they grew to be like that in such a short time. How did this man manage to worm his way into my heart without even trying?

My sister and i rushed towards the door and I sent of blast of godly energy at it, reducing it to splinters. I'll apologize latter and it was too golden for my taste.

We rushed through the halls and I have to say that I was impressed by the décor or Apollo's palace. Sure there was a lot of gold everywhere, but it was tastefully decorated. I expected it to be covered in nothing but bars, booze, and strippers, but it was nothing like that. Instead he had some pieces of furniture displayed throughout the palace, a large television on the wall with a few statues of him here and there. Conceited yes, but I would be lying if I didn't have a few statues in my own palace as well.

But the thing that surprised me the most were the pictures. They were everywhere! At first, I thought that they were pictures of him, but as we rushed past, I saw that each and every one of them was a picture of his demigod children and their mothers. He had hundreds of pictures that spanned throughout all the ages that we had been alive. And each and every one of them was hung in such a way that it showed that he hung them with care.

Not only were there pictures of his kids, but also pictures of the Olympians. There was a picture of him and Hermes, at some beach smiling goofily for the camera. There was a picture of father and him when he was just a boy, his blue eyes full of innocence and awe. I smiled when I saw of picture of him kissing mother on the cheek as she smiled at the camera. But the one that really caught my attention was the picture of us.

It was back before we came to Olympus, when him and I were still living on the island with mother. We were both in our six year old form, with him smiling widely as he had me wrapped up in a hug, with me laughing loudly and shouting at him to put me down. That picture triggered the memory from thousands of years ago to bubble up into my panic stricken brain. Were we really that close back then? Where did the time go? I asked myself.

I never knew that Apollo cared for his children like this. I thought that he would just go from woman to woman, screwing them and then leaving them with a newborn baby. But from all the pictures it indicates that there is a caring side of my brother that I have never seen before. Or maybe have been blinded too.

I pushed those thoughts away as I recalled why we were here in the first place. I followed the little bond my guardian and I had until we finally reached the room that I knew instinctively was the room Percy was in.

Without a second thought, I pushed through the doors and my breath hitched in my throat as a gasp escaped my lips. Thalia let out a small cry as she saw her cousin laying comatose in the hospital bed. Unshed tears began to fill my eyes as I beheld the injured son of Poseidon.

He was laid out in a hospital bed, the mattress cradling him in comfort. His wings were splayed out to the side, being held up by harness from the ceiling. He was covered in a thin layer of sweat and was shivering, his skin being incredibly pale. And the wires, oh gods there were so many wires connected to him.

What happened to my Percy? I thought to myself.

As I drank Percy in with my eyes, the rest of the room came into focus, other people making their presence known. I saw Apollo in his 32-year old form by Percy's bedside, looking over the instruments with such seriousness and clarity. Hestia and Poseidon were sitting in two chairs by his bedside; Poseidon clutching his son's hand as Hestia ran her hand through his untamed locks in motherly concern.

Thalia rushed to Percy's side with no hesitation, oblivious of the stares that she was getting from the three gods in the room. She crouched down by his side and clutched his other hand in hers, like it was a lifeline.

"Kelp Head? Can you hear me? Please, can you do something to show you can hear me?" Thalia pleaded. Percy was unresponsive as Thalia began to tear up.

"I'm so sorry Percy. For everything. I should have known how cruel the Hunt was being to you, but I did nothing to stop it. I was the Lieutenant, but I didn't control them and as a result, you were forced away and now you're hurt. Please be okay Percy. You can't leave me again. Not like everyone else." She said, tears streaming down her face. She didn't look like the usual tough daughter of Zeus, but a frightened girl that was hoping against hope that her cousin, her brother in all but blood, would pull through.

I stalked up to Apollo and grabbed him by his doctor's coat, lifting him up in the air. My silver eyes flashed as he flinched and paled at the threat in my eyes.

"What happened?" I growled out.

"Artemis, release him! He did nothing but help my son and you will not threaten him after all he has done." Poseidon stated, his cold gaze boring into my own.

Reluctantly, I let go of my brother. I mumbled a quick apology and looked at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.

Apollo sighed and ran his hand over his face. "It's not good Artemis. He was in a recent battle in the Underworld. He fought Alcyoneus, but as a result he was pulled into…" He trailed off, his eyes focused on the ground.

"Fell into what?" I asked apprehensively.

"The Five Rivers of the Underworld." He whispered as I stumbled back in shock, feeling like a freight train hit me.

"No." I breathed out, barely audible. I felt despair overwhelm me, nausea rolling in my stomach. I felt like my lunch was about to make reappearance to the world as I digested that news.

"How is he even alive?" I demanded, but it came out choked.

Apollo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know Artemis. His vital are stable, but his power levels have spiked exponentially. His soul and spirit, along with his body are trying to become accustom to the raw energy that he was introduced to. I honestly don't know if he will ever wake up." He said mournfully.

Thalia was now sobbing while Hestia and Poseidon had a few tears trailing down their faces. Apollo looked at them sorrowfully before addressing them.

"I need to tell the council of what has occurred. They need to know of Percy's condition, seeing as he now has the favor of most of the gods on the council." He said before he flashed out.

Poseidon stood up. "I need to tell Triton and Amphitrite of his condition as well. They need to know as I know they are worrying right now." He explained.

Hestia stood up and crossed over to a crying Thalia. "Come on dear. Let us go to the Hearth. You seem that you are in need of some hope at the moment." Hestia told her as she gently took her out of the room.

Poseidon locked his eyes on me, walking up to me. He stood in front of me, towering over me at his intimidating 6'5' height. Power rolled off him in waves as he regarded me coolly.

After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Niece, could you stay with Percy while we are away. I am not comfortable with him being left alone in this condition."

My eyes widened as my heart secretly jumped at the opportunity to be alone with Percy. I opened my mouth to respond before being cut off.

"Let me make one thing clear, niece. I am only asking this because I do not want him alone. I am still very angry with you and your hunters for what they did to him. As soon as he awakens, and he will, yours and their fate is up to him. Am I clear?" His stormy green eyes bore into me, authority lacing his tone.

I could only nod my head in reply. I would never say this, but Poseidon intimidated the Hades out of me and I was very afraid of what he would do. He was not a god you want on your bad side and, unfortunately, I am currently a resident of said side.

He seemed satisfied with that answer and flashed out in a fine sea mist. I turned to the unconscious Percy and sat in the chair beside his bed. As I gazed upon his face, my heart felt heavy recalling all the things that had happened to him. He was supposed to be healing under my watch and yet he was ridiculed, mocked, pranked, and injured to the point of torture. But he took it all in silence and I never even noticed it. Some friend I was.

On impulse, I tentatively reached out and grasped his large hand in my small one. I blushed a little as I felt his rough calloused hand against my soft, smooth skin. I don't know why I have the urge to hold his hand, but now that I am it feels…right. It feels natural to hold it and I have to say that I'm enjoying it.

I then reached out my other hand and brushed his hair from his face, my eyes drinking him in.

"Percy. I know you probably can't hear me, but I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what my hunters did to you and I am so sorry for not noticing sooner. I was supposed to be your friend, yet I never even saw how much pain you were in." I said, tears running down my face. I wiped at them with the back of my hand, trying to clear my vision.

I began to rub my thumb in little circles on the back of his hand. "Did you know that you were my first male friend? I know that the myth says that I had an interest in Orion, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I only appreciated his Hunting Skills, but I could never confide in him like I could with you. You just bring out this side of me that I never really knew that I had. I feel like I could trust you with my life and I know you would always be there for me."

The dam could no longer hold back my feelings as the mask cracked and it all rushed out. "You are so different from any other man I have met Percy. You are kind, caring, brave, and true. You have achieved so much yet you never claim glory for it. Your selflessness and loyalty are without fault and I know that you would be forever loyal to me and never cheat on me."

I felt flustered, but at the moment I didn't care. "I-I have feelings for you Percy. I don't know what it is, but ever since I first met you, you grabbed my attention. And when you became Guardian of the Hunt, those feelings I had for you only grew and grew. You make me feel things that I have never felt before in my life. I feel happy when you smile at me, sad when you are hurt, and lonely when you are gone."

I leaned in closer and closer to his face as I talked until I was only an inch from his lips. "I-I guess what I'm trying to say is that…I-I love you Percy Jackson. I love you." I said with absolute conviction

Closing the short distance between us, I leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

A spark hit the gap between our lips; I was enjoying the feeling of his soft lips on mine when it hit me. An explosion of power broke between us, and Percy was there, standing up. I was so overjoyed I nearly cried, "Percy you're awake! I can't believe it". He drifted down to the bed and sat there, staring at his hands and juggling water and fireballs.

"Artemis" he began, before extinguishing the flames and water, he stared at me with his eyes, the green and red cutting through my shock. "I'm sorry, I need time" he said, "I like you, but I don't know what it means, and I'm still cautious after Annabeth. I'm sorry but I need time" he then continued. I stood there in shocked silence, my heart not broken, but aching for his sweet touch. "I…. I understand Percy. When you've decided what you want, I'll be here for you. But I won't wait longer, make your decision my hero… but rest first."

He sat there, his deep eyes and dark hair contrasting with his pale skin. Every motion of his body and look of his eyes screamed apology to me, and try and I could; I could no blame him for it. The daughter of Athena really ripped a lot of his romantic soul out. He lay down there on the bed and I stood up to leave, just before I left I heard the slight whisper and sobs of a confused and regretful man. It might have been my imagination, but there was a sentence hanging in the air.

"I'm sorry, I'm trying but… I just… I just can't now"

Again, sorry if you ship Pertimis but I have a plan.