Hey everyone! Mac here for another chapter for the ever-growing story the natural laws of attraction. First off, huge thanks for all the positive reviews that you guys gave me. It really made my face light up with how positive it was. Secondly, I plan on making this story somewhat of a trilogy but that is all still up in my mind for the moment. We are in this for the long haul guys and hopefully you will all stick with me through the end. I'm sorry for leaving you all on such a cliff-hanger but I was certain you guys wanted a new chapter and that was the best time to end it so I didn't go overboard. This whole chapter will unveil a mastermind plan brewed longer than everyone realizes. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Quick disclaimer: all rights and royalties belong to Mr. Rick Riordan because without him, none of this would be possible. He owns Percy, not me.
Chapter 4: Wit VS the Olympians
Zeus P.O.V
"Olympians, we gather here today to judge the actions of Pallas Athena, Daughter of myself and Metis. Rise Athena before the council," I spoke much like a mortal judge would speak to the jury, defendant, and crowd. Only here, the jury was the council itself. Athena stood and sneered at the lot of us and something just seemed off in the room. Hestia's fire wasn't emitting the same warmth and comfort that it normally did and the whole room seemed to have a foreboding dark feeling to it.
It was then that I noticed that the whole council wasn't assembled but the silver throne of my other daughter was empty. Where could she be on a day like this? Poseidon also looked agitated and it made me wonder what the hell kind of coincidence could be at play? As I was thinking that, the doors opened and I saw Artemis walk through however, she was not alone.
"Daughter, who do you bring to the trial of an Olympian? You know that any formal trial we have is the council and only the council present?" I asked calmly whereas before I met Percy, I would not have hesitated to throw my bolt as hard and fast as possible.
"Father, he is someone who I'm sure that you would allow at this meeting," Artemis responded calmly and almost smugly. I have a feeling who and my thoughts were confirmed when Percy stepped out from behind her and I saw the look of loathing and extreme hatred on Athena's face when he looked her in the eyes.
"Ah Percy. Why don't you take a seat by your father's throne?" I said while clicking my fingers making a small throne like seat appear in front of Poseidon's throne but then the strangest thing happened: the throne shrunk back down into the ground and reappeared in front of Artemis' throne. The entire throne room looked puzzled and Athena, if possible, looked even angrier than before.
"Father, release me right now before that stupid sea spawn does anything to hurt my sister!" Athena screamed and pulled at her chains.
"That's enough of that Athena!" I roared and my vision went yellow with voltage; enough voltage to fry a minor god and knock an Olympian out for many days. It started to recced when Hera laid her hand on mine and told me to calm down. I calmed back down and proceeded with the rest of the trial; and continue it did.
The trial must have lasted for hours going over all the things that Athena was involved in both good and bad. It was however when the trial was heading back into history towards the start of our age of dominance that we collectively noticed something off. Things like the start of the Trojan War, the labours (I'm Canadian. Deal with my form of grammar) of Heracles, and the curse of Arachne really stood out however the one memory that really stood out was something that was actually hazy for the most of us but somehow clear for the mortals. This one particular instance was the contest for Athens. I summoned Dionysus over to help extract the memories from Athena and extracted exactly what was depicted by the mortal's view. Athena suggesting a contest and Poseidon being lenient about giving her the city.
"Father, there is something wrong here," Dionysius said with a hint of confusion in his tone.
"What is wrong my son?" I replied clearly unknowing what could be wrong seeing as that was how it happened.
"These memories, they are fake," he announced and I swear you could hear a pin drop in the room it was that quiet. That was until we noticed Athena going from her angry look to her pissed off look.
"Those memories are exactly how it went you stupid drunk. Now release me as I have much more important things to do," Athena demanded and looked murderously over at Percy.
"Whatever caused this override on the memories of not only Athena also affected us and the mortals. Only thing is that the power that caused these changes didn't completely eradicate and change our minds. Our memories only got mixed up and hazy. That's why none of us can really recall the event apart from Athena," he said in a wise manner but with some awe behind it, "I want to meet whoever this power is so we can get to the root of this issue."
It was at that moment that I noticed Athena blanched noticeably and started to remain as quiet as could be. Clearly there was something afoot that she did not want found out. It was time that I did something I should have done many eons ago; when Dionysus was first born.
"Son, there is something I wanted to give to you but I saw you as a lazy god who just wanted to spend his whole immortal life drinking and causing mayhem," I started but was interrupted by said god.
"No father you do not need to give me anything. I believe it is time I turned a new leaf much like my family," he said and it made me wonder something.
"How long have you been sober?" I asked and with what he said next verified that he had truly changed and become someone that would be able to look up to. A little unknown secret to only myself and Dionysus (and maybe Chiron but he's irrelevant at the moment) that I was guilt ridden with the punishment that I gave my son so every night after the campers went to sleep, he was allowed 1 glass of mortal strength wine of his choosing.
"I have not tasted alcohol since the titan war," he said to me and in an instant the whole throne room applauded him seeing as it was since he was crowned god that he had been an alcoholic, "I wanted to change not only for myself, but also for my children."
"Very well, I Zeus, son of Kronos and Rhea, King of Olympus and god of the sky and lightning, do bestow upon you the true powers you should have inherited when you were crowned. Take with you the power to unravel the tightest webs of deceit and see through what once was rewritten." I announced and removed a small purple ball from my pocket containing that power I had removed from the list when he was crowned.
As the power leaked from the orb and filled him, change was already evident. No longer was the short dumpy god from before but what stood in his place now was a mid-height man who appeared to be in his late 30's to early 40's and built like a chef; still slightly plump around the stomach but had the stature that a chef would stand at. When the power was fully absorbed, he fell to one knee and summoned a piece of ambrosia. He then stood up and did something I never thought I would see one of my children do again in my lifetime. He walked up to me and pulled me out of my throne and with that pulled me into a hug. When he removed himself from me, there were tears misting his eyes.
"Thank you father for what you have done. I realize now why you did what you did and I appreciate you for that. I was not ready for that and needed to mature."
"Don't thank me yet. There is still some unfinished business to attend to," as I pointed to Athena who was now whiter than the tux I got married in. He nodded in understanding and went over to Athena.
"Father, I still cannot see her mind. It is too heavily woven to see clearly through it," he said disappointed that his new powers had failed him.
"It is not your fault son. Before, you could hardly see that there was the lies and saw only what was made out of it but now you can nearly see through it. Hera, Hestia, can you two assist him with the power once more like you did yesterday with young Percy?" I said with some pride in my voice as I explained what was going on.
"Of course we will help," said Hestia, "after all, I want to see what really happened all those years ago."
Hera nodded in agreement and went with her sister over to Dionysus to help. Once more they each laid a hand on a shoulder and the memory came through and was projected above Athena like a movie.
Flashback (3500 years ago)
"This is getting nowhere," I complained to Hera, "why can't either of them just give up? They have been at this for over a year."
"You know exactly why," Hera responded holding my hand while my other hand rubbed my temples, "they both have the blood of the most powerful titan flowing through their veins. Its a wonder you and Poseidon don't fight more than you do."
"You do realize that it was because of war that he and I don't fight as much. We both lost much in that war as did you all. However, Athena was not of direct contact to this event therefore she does not feel the same way that we do," I tried to reason, "but why does she have to be so stubborn? This is getting out of hand and Poseidon should just stand back or else I will have to fight him on behalf of my family."
Hera sighed and enveloped my hand in her own and looked me in the eye, "sweetheart, you do realize that the people will chose Poseidon. He is believed to be much more powerful than any of our children, or your children dare I say, could ever be."
I groaned and thought that this would get worse before it got better.
Athena P.O.V
'Stupid barnacle beard. Why could he not accept that the people of ATHENS, who named the city after me, should become the patron of the city? I can't believe the nerve he has to want to be the patron of this city!' I thought angrily to no one but all of a sudden, a chill blew through the room.
"Come out Poseidon! I know you are there! Show your face you coward!" I said aloud hoping to draw him out and demand that he let me win. I'm the daughter of Zeus and Metis; goddess of wisdom and war, yet he expects me to stand down and do nothing.
An ominous chuckle was emitted from the darkest corner of the room. I hesitantly walked over to investigate when a force hit me so strong that I was pushed back to the other end of the room. I was in a heap when I saw that the shadow had engulfed the whole room and a figure began to morph out of I saw next was something I would never imagine.
"Oh sky spawn. How you believe that you are greater than me," the powerful voice said and I felt the urge to kneel, even though I never bow to anyone. It was then that I began to have an inkling of who was visiting me.
"Lord Erebus, I'm greatly sorry for my brash actions. What purpose brings you here?" I tried to be as sincere as could be seeing as he dwarfed me in terms of sheer power. I looked into the shadow and the figure of a tall, sinister looking man walked through.
"Ah so no pleasantries and just down to business huh. No 'how are you Erebus' or 'none of us have heard from you in a while. Are you ok?' but I guess that this might just get over faster with me telling you what I want from you." he said and I almost felt embarrassed that I hadn't been more cordial but the fact that I was blasted back made me keep my resolve.
"Pardon me Lord Erebus but I thought that you being an all powerful primordial would grant you the powers to do whatever you wanted. However, you have my ear for the moment being. What brings you here?"
"Well I was visiting my sister Ananke, and she was saying how the blood of Poseidon's line shall cross yours and mean a whole lot of good for Olympus," he said and I cringed. What ever would I do with that barnacle beard that would make me suffer like that? He smiled and kept speaking, "I figured that would be your expression. However, I plan to wage a war that will be like no other. A war that will change the whole world and no one that I deem worthy enough shall perish... Starting with Poseidon's line and then the rest of the Olympians."
"What makes you think I would want you to destroy the only family I have?"
"Well for starters, your children will always be shunned because of who they are and what good have any of them ever done for you?" He said very convincingly and truth be told, I believed what he said too. My family was full of arrogant and pompous people and I wish no more than anyone to eradicate them for the stigma that lies around them. All powerful gods... I'm the only really powerful one out of them all.
"And what does your plans for destruction mean to me?" I tried to say with some anger in my voice but I couldn't hold back the happy feeling knowing that my family would get what they deserve but I wanted to know how I was included in all of this.
"For you, I offer the position to help annihilate them for good, starting with Poseidon and then you and I will take over the world," he said slyly and without hesitation, I jumped at the chance.
"I'm in. Anything that can get rid of all those weaklings. I only have one condition though," I said trying to barter something out of this deal.
"Oh and what would that be?" he asked sounding slightly annoyed and I thought I better not ask much for he might completely destroy me for being greedy.
"For starters, my children shall join us. They have been as shunned as Hades for the way that they were conceived," I said thinking that it would be alright.
"Yes, it would be beneficial to have more of your lineage with us. More brain power to make sure that we can win. And what was that other part?" he asked. He sounded relieved with my first request seeing as it would just add to our power but also that it would ensue that my children forever had a specific reason to hate his spawn.
I was a bit more hesitant about asking him what was on my mind but I said it anyways: "I would like to rule beside you and be the female ruler of this new world you plan on shaping."
"What a bold thing to ask of sky spawn," he said sounding angry but I held my own knowing that if I were to show weakness, I would be scorned and most likely obliterated so that I would not share what was spoken of today however it was quickly replaced with a chuckle so I wasn't sure if he would be giving into my demand or would wipe me off the earth. "I wanted to choose someone that I knew for longer but I have a proposition for you. Simply show me your dedication to my cause by being the most supportive force on driving apart Olympus from within and you will be the queen of the new world."
"If I'm the queen, does that make you the king?" I responded my cheeks going slightly pink at the implication of us being a couple. Sure I wanted to be a ruler but to be his wife was a whole different can of worms.
He let out a laugh. "You realize that I won't ask of you anything like marriage unless you ask. Remember, I'm still a married man," he said with a sly grin. "As long as you do as I ask, whenever I ask, you can be the queen."
"Shall we swear this on the Styx?" I asked making sure he was being serious in this matter.
"Deal," he said and shook my hand at the same time. From that moment forth, I knew the duties I must do. I will become the ruler of them all. I will bring that sea spawn to his knees begging for my mercy. And best of all, I will have what I always wanted... My happiness.
Ananke P.O.V
(Far away place, same time, not in the memories)
"Oh pity my daughters that he had to go and mess up the future," I sigh to the fates whom I was visiting at the time, "why must my brother do something so stupid as to plan a war against Olympus with the most cunning goddess there is?"
"Well mother," Clotho says, "I have an idea that could really put a twist in the toga."
"Pray tell daughter because from the way that those plans were just laid out could spell the doom of everything and everyone."
"This is going to be something big, something that will make sure that what Erebus believes to be the future real but in actuality, have the turn that really makes him and the wisdom force lose it all," Lachesis said making me think that there must have been some kind of knowing between the three.
"The titans will be released once more," Atropos said dramatically, "and shortly following their demise, Gaia will attempt to rise with the aid of her children, the giants."
"And how are both of these forces going to be defeated so easily?" I asked knowing that they had an answer but I interrupted.
"A child of destiny will be born. The harbinger of destruction and the salvation of the world we all know shall be born to Lord Poseidon and a mortal of the Americas," said Clotho.
"He shall face many hardships in the life he will live and experience much horror that the titans and Gaia will throw at him," said Lachesis.
"And finally he will defy all odds once more and be the driving force that purges the world into the final era. The era of Peace," said Atropos.
"It sounds like you three have it all planned out. How and when were you planning to do all of this?" I asked sounding rather proud that my daughters could be such genius'. They beamed with pride at my words until Lachesis closed her eyes and thought.
"This will be millennium from now. The parameters must be precisely aligned the ways must be completely set into effect at the right moment. The Olympians must become arrogant and egotistical with the power straight to their heads and tensions high. Athena must become the mole that she is and make good on her words to Erebus. Only then will the child of prophecy be born and the world forever united." she said with such clarity that I would find it hard to believe that it could all be true.
"By the way you make of this, the undertaking of altering the tapestry of fate will take decades, if not centuries of solidarity working at the loom," I said making sure they were willing to go through with this.
"It must be done or else the world will fall," Atropos said with finality in her voice. I sighed and allowed myself only one question.
"What will be the name of this child?" My daughters turned to each other, nodded, then turned to face me.
"His name," Clotho said with suspense, "will be Perseus Jackson."
Zeus' P.O.V
As the memories went on, after we knew this piece of information, we worked our way back to modern times. It was only then that we noticed the strange things that happened whenever Athena got involved. Like the contest in Athens and the events that transpired after Arachnie. Things became dark for Athena after that point and none of us, her family, took notice.
"Dionysus, I believe this to be enough for now. You may stop now," I said and he released his hands from Athena. What surprised me was the didn't collapse or immediately summon ambrosia. He just returned to his seat. Obviously the power I granted him allowed him longer use of his telekinesis powers.
"Olympians, based off what you have seen, what is the verdict you give to the accused?" I said making sure that everyone was paying attention. Poor Percy looked like he was indifferent to this all because of all the drama that he has experienced throughout the years, "If you believe Athena to be guilty, raise your right hand. If you believe Athena to be not guilty, raise your left hand."
In a matter of seconds, a unanimous vote was declared that Athena was guilty of all crimes and furthermore guilty of treason of conspiring against Olympus.
"Pallas Athena, it is with no regret that I sentence you to the pit for eternity. May you never see the light..." I never got to finish my sentence as the room grew cold and all the flames extinguished. Athena just stood there in her chains with a smirk on her face.
Right in the center of the throne room beside Athena, a man formed out of the shadows and based off the memories I saw, I knew who this was.
"Sorry I missed the trial Olympians," Erebus said, "but I cannot allow you to take her to Tartarus. She is on my team." With saying that, he used his powers to snap the chains designed to hold the strongest of Olympian and took hold of Athena.
With a smirk plastered to her face, she said the words that I would never be able to forget, no matter how much lethe water I ingested: "Until next time father. Then we will see who is going to die."
And there's the chapter! Sorry it took so dreadfully long. That was excruciating trying to write the whole backstory with Athena and Erebus. I promise that soon the Pertemis will start and this is not just an average Erebus waging war on Olympus story. My schedule is getting rather crammed at the moment so I will try to write when I can but I cannot guarantee a couple of weeks. I write quality, not quantity. Don't forget to favorite, follow, and maybe even submit a review. They always help me to write faster. Until the next chapter, Mac out.