DISCLAIMER: I do not own PJO, HoO, Star Wars, or any other familiar references in this story. All rights belong to their original owners.

Of Royalties and Responsibilities

Chapter Four

"Those cookies are mine, buddy."

"Nooo!" Tyson shrieked playfully through the screen. "Mine!"

Percy shook his head, trying not to snicker. He pretended to be serious for his little brother at the other side of the holopad. "You see how that's blue, buddy? Blue cookies are mine, remember? Mom said so."

The little prince paused, sitting back to look at the blue cookie on his hand. Behind him, handmaidens were shuffling around his playroom, arranging all the toys strewn around the floor.

"Blue," Tyson repeated. He looked like he understood and nodded. "Blue cookies. Percy's."

"Yup."

"Tyson's?"

Percy grinned, basking in his brother's innocence. It's been weeks since he was last home. "Rainbow cookies, buddy." He leaned onto his holopad for effect. Tyson's eyes widened. "All sorts of colors."

The little prince cheered, bringing his blue cookie up in the air. "Colors!"

"What's this about colors, I hear?"

There was some shuffling behind where Tyson was sitting. King Posiedon's face was in view a few seconds later. He looked amused at what he saw.

"Just talking about cookies, dad," Percy said, waving casually at the screen. Tyson proudly showed him his cookie to prove their point.

King Poseidon looked like he was biting back a smile. "Why am I not surprised?" He proceeded to ruffle Tyson's messy brown hair. "It's good to see you, Percy. Tyson, son, is it okay if I talk to your brother in private?"

"What's pri—pray—"

"Dad wants to talk to me alone, buddy," Percy said. He looked at Poseidon with a raised eyebrow. "I'm not sure why, though."

Tyson frowned but nodded anyway. Poseidon kissed the top of his head before setting him back down on the floor. The little boy scurried off until he disappeared from the screen, his handmaidens running after him.

"What brings you to Tyson's playroom, dad?" Percy asked. He didn't like the way his father's mood suddenly shifted to that of worry. It filled him with uncertainty again.

Uncertainty, because it's been a week since the attacks on the planet Tephus and the school boards wouldn't listen to Chiron, even after he explained countless times what the red insignia on one of the aircrafts stood for. Percy even willingly testified and had to explain his whole backstory with Luke.

Uncertainty, because Chiron's Army couldn't do anything due to Chiron's orders. And it wasn't just because of the fear of their exposure, too. The school boards didn't want to do anything especially if it involved any of the students. Their excuse? They "feared" for the students' safety.

And worse, uncertainty, because Percy felt completely useless and always wondered if they were taking the best course of action.

Everyday he saw Ethan Nakamura, the academy's prince from Tephus, progressively sulking down in class and even at lunch time. And Percy couldn't blame him. He wouldn't be able to bear it either had the attacks been for Aspyros.

It filled him with guilt he knew everybody in Chiron's Army was feeling.

And everyday more and more bad news from Tephus came. Every other planet was sending their aids and respective armies, but it seemed like the enemy never stopped.

Like they were completely prepared not to.

Poseidon's voice brought Percy back to the present.

"Your mother mentioned Tyson speaking to you," the King said. "In fact I was just about to call you."

"Why?"

Poseidon did not look good. Another swarm of butterflies settled onto Percy's stomach. "I was in the courtroom when another news from Tephus came. I'm afraid this is the worst one yet. In fact, this is the worst that could possibly happen."

"Dad? I'm starting to get scared here."

The King looked apologetic. He sighed sadly, shaking his head. "I think all kingdoms are starting to get scared, son. I've received news that the King of Tephus has been killed."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop by a hundred degrees.

Posiedon took it upon himself to continue. "The King himself joined his army among the frontlines. I'm afraid there were just too many of those foreign red ships. It was as if they were prepared for this war."

"They are, dad," Percy insisted. "Do you remember—"

"Yes, I do, Percy." The King nodded grimly. "The red scythe on their aircrafts. It's exactly like the one you showed me all those years ago. I didn't think it was coming, but what you and your friends are preparing for… it's already happening, isn't it?"

"I… uh. I didn't want to tell you, because I didn't want to worry you," Percy said. "But I received the scythe again, dad. A week ago. Kronos' Army… they're making themselves known again."

The King was silent. It was Percy's turn to speak. "We don't know if they're just after me or if they know about Chiron's Army in the first place. What we're sure of is that there's someone in the academy we can't trust anymore. They knew where my room was, and we don't know how."

"And the school? What are they doing about this?"

"The attacks on Tephus were what pushed Chiron to finally consult the rest of the school boards."

"Not them again."

"Exactly!" Percy shook his head in frustration. "They're insisting the academy is safe. They don't want anyone to get involved because they think it'll get us hurt somehow."

Poseidon's lips pursed. "It has come to a point that even students are starting to see much more sense than they are. I'll tell you what, Percy, I am sure they are going to call for all the kingdoms soon to talk about any impending attacks. I promise to discuss Kronos' Army."

"I'll try to get the rest of the team to convince their own parents, dad," Percy said. "Aside from Chiron, you're the only other authorities who believe in what we're saying."

"We haven't heard from Kronos or Tartarus in years," Poseidon explained. "The last time we discussed about Kronos… you know the story. Perseus, please promise me you'll be careful."

The fact that his father was using his full name was enough to let him know how serious he was. "I will be, dad. You guys be careful there, too. What's going to happen to Tephus now? Without a king? Ethan is… he's the prince of Tephus… he's still in school. They're not going to…?"

"No, Ethan is still studying. Too young to be a king." Poseidon frowned. "It is the Queen of Tephus who will be taking the late king's place. By the time Ethan graduates… I'm afraid he'll have to skip his army training to take his mother's place. That, or he'll have to train while he's king."

Percy didn't even know Ethan, but he could feel his heart breaking for the poor prince. He had so much to take in at such a young age.

At the back of his head, he remembered Travis and how devastated he was when his brother died.

Two young princes carrying the weight of suddenly being the next King of their own planets.

"That's… that's… I don't even know what to say," Percy sighed. "And here I was, thinking everything was going too fast. There are people out there whose futures are being thrown at them way faster."

"Let's hope you don't enter a faster pace than the one you're already in," Poseidon said. "On another note, speaking of army training, our own troops is ready to welcome you for yours."

Percy managed to look apologetic. "That's an incredible honor, dad."

"On the contrary, our men have seen you spar. They're all incredibly excited to see you train."

It was a miracle he didn't blush. "I, uh, I do a lot of sparring with the guys here, that's why."

Poseidon gave him a soft smile. "You are a talented swordsman, my son. If there's anything you're afraid of, going against someone in a lightsaber battle shouldn't be one of them. It's you they should be afraid of."

Percy tried not to think of his impending battles with the Kronos' Army.

With Luke, possibly.

"Thank you, dad," Percy said. A different feeling settled onto his chest this time.

Homesickness.

Oh, how he wanted to go home, where he was free from drama and where he was freely brave.

But he had so much to do here.

"I'll talk to you soon, Percy." The King nodded in goodbye. "I will let you know if there's anything I can find out. Update me of any occurrences. Keep your mother from fainting and please be careful."

"Of course, dad," the prince chuckled lightly. "I'll see you soon."

The screen went blank.

Months passed.

And eerily enough, Olympus was suddenly quiet.

After the attacks on Tephus, the red ships retreated and weren't heard from for months. It confused everyone, and no one knew the next course of action. It certainly didn't help that they didn't know where they came from or whom they belonged to.

They didn't, at least. Or they refused to believe.

Everyone thought the Kronos theory was too bizarre. He was locked up in Tartarus; how in the world was he going to produce an army?

It was as if nothing happened. All the armies that were sent to Tephus had retreated back to their respective planets. Help was still being sent for those that lost families and homes, but other than that?

Quiet.

Scary, suspicious quiet.

Chiron's Army was far from that, though.

"You gotta keep up, princess. Faster."

Annabeth made a noise that sounded like a small growl. Beads of sweat were trickling down her face, but she pursed her lips to tell him that she wanted to keep going.

"Fine," she retorted, not liking her boyfriend's taunt at all. "If fast is what you want, then that's just what you're going to get."

Percy smirked. "That's more like it."

From the other side of the room, Annabeth took a deep breath and positioned her blaster in front of her. Percy did the same with his blue blade, settling into sparring position as preparation.

She didn't even give him a signal. He was only getting into position when she started firing off bright balls of heat.

"Whoa," Percy managed to chuckle as he started moving, swaying his sword to deflect his girlfriend's attacks.

The training room was dark save for a sole light at the center ceiling. Percy didn't know where the rest of the members were, but he and Annabeth liked to take advantage of the place when they were alone.

This was how they always trained—together. Annabeth loved to work with a blaster than with any other weapon. She'd practice her speed and accuracy while Percy improved his agility by deflecting her every swift attack.

To say that they were good was an understatement.

"Annabeth!" Percy wanted to laugh. With the rate she was going, he barely missed a shot just above his head. He managed to hit it with his sword, the ball of heat narrowly missing her face.

It was her turn to smirk. "I thought you wanted fast, my prince." She set her blaster down finally, allowing the both of them to breathe. "Your wish is my command."

He rolled his eyes, grinning. He extinguished his blade and placed the hilt on his belt.

"Are we done for today?" Annabeth asked, watching him moving closer to where she stood.

"Not quite," he said once he reached her. Slowly, he cupped her face with one of his hands, using the other one to tilt her chin up.

Percy could feel her rolling her eyes, but it was Annabeth who closed the distance, anyway. He didn't even bother to hide his smile as their lips met, the tip of his tongue prying her mouth open.

Annabeth was just about to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer when they heard the throat-clearing.

"Not again, you guys," they heard Leo saying. His laughter echoed against the spacious room. "I mean… no, I totally get you. This place is practically perfect for two teenagers who just want to—"

"Leo!" Annabeth interrupted. They hadn't even bothered pulling away at the hope that they'd get rid of him quickly.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Something you want, buddy?"

Leo shrugged. "We figured you'd be here. Frank's actually the one looking for you, but he said he didn't want to see you guys making out. For some reason they always send me to interrupt you both, maybe because I'm immune to Annabeth's scary face. I mean, no offense, Annie, but…"

Annabeth rolled her eyes for the hundredth time that day. She finally unwrapped her arms around her boyfriend, deciding the mood was long dead.

Percy rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Why is Frank looking for me again?"

From outside the room, Percy could hear the aforementioned. "Is it safe to come in?"

"Yes, Frank!" Annabeth cried. And in a lower voice, "You guys are unbelievable."

Leo looked incredulous. "We're unbelievable?!"

Frank popped his head in before all hell could break loose. "Oh, good. You guys are decent. Percy!" he cried once he saw the prince. "Guess who the senior class just voted Captain for the Blue Team this coming Olympics?"

He hadn't meant to sneak out.

Honest!

It was just that… well, Luke was feeling pretty lonely at the dorms that night. And that was just on top of the horrible day he just had at the academy. They were talking about Pherena during Geography One that day, and he couldn't help feeling homesick and missing his father.

Worse, Connor was nowhere to be seen. He was used to not seeing him, sure, and even though he accepted the fact that his cousin wasn't going to be there for him 24/7, he just felt like today was one of those days where he really needed him.

But he was alone.

No offense to Connor, who he was sure was doing his best to take care of him, but Luke felt nothing else but loneliness since he arrived at the academy.

Perhaps that's what pushed him to exit the dorms after hours.

And it had been so easy, too. He had always eyed the old tower behind the boys' quarters, and now he was trudging up the steps to the very top. He was yet to be caught.

He was met with the cool air once he reached the top of the tower. He was uncertain at first, but he proceeded to explore the area once he saw the view brought about the Pixebes night sky.

He decided to sit by the ledge.

Finally. Peace.

Until—

"Isn't it after hours, my boy?"

Luke nearly fell off the tower at the panic he felt. He grabbed onto the railings for dear life. Suddenly the intruder was laughing.

"Professor," Luke sighed in relief once he saw the man behind him. "You scared me."

"You should be, Your Highness," the man chuckled. "It's past your curfew."

"Oh." Luke gulped. "Yes, sir. I mean, I know that, but—"

"I won't tell," the man assured. "I'm outside the teachers' quarters myself. I suppose I'm also sneaking out like you are."

"Why…" Luke stuttered, unsure of his next words. "Why would you need to, sir?"

The man grinned. "Perhaps, just like you, I'm tired of all the bullshit."

Luke said nothing, but he knew his eyes were widening in surprise. He'd been taught all his life not to say such offending words, especially because he was royalty. Surely even the teachers at the academy were imposing such decorum on them?

But the professor looked like he said nothing wrong. He motioned to where Luke was sitting on the ledge. "Would you mind if I joined you, Your Highness?"

"Uh… not at all, sir, no."

The man proceeded to copy Luke's position, sitting beside him and dangling his legs by the tower exterior.

"So… what brings you here, Luke Castellan? What's your story?"

End of Chapter Four