A/N: Ok, this is where things start to get into play. A big theme of this story that I'm trying to convey is the relationship between Ares and Percy. It will eventually complicate and layer itself, and eventually the hatred might dissolve. Again, I appreciate the reviews!

Third Person POV

Ares had done it. He had broken, or at least cracked Percy Jackson. And now, all that was left was to solidify their partnership. It didn't take much to do so: talking to Aphrodite about sabotaging Annabeth from getting back into Percy's head was a piece of cake. After all, meddling with love lives for the sake of the worst was all too much fun for the Goddess of Love.

Perseus would slip eventually. Sooner or later, he would succumb to the temptation. At least according to Ares, no man, not even one as humble as the Son of Poseidon, could reject power for too long.

I know I hate the kid, but this is wrong. Ares thought. Of course, you couldn't possibly believe Ares would do all this by himself. The man didn't have the brains or cunning for such a plan. He's used to being controlled, after all. Kronos, his girlfriend, his father…he isn't anymore than just a mere puppet.

I don't care what you think! Says the voice in the God's ear. He is key! He is one of the seven you imbecile! If he gets within SPITTING DISTANCE of the First Legion, it will be your head on a spit.

The voice, of course, is one Ares must obey. She is family, and without her he wouldn't be here in a sense. She started the Titans, which started the Gods, and one of those Gods started him. After all, he does love his grandmother. He couldn't possibly deny her will.

You've broken him. He won't listen to me. He hates me just as much as I hate him.

But maybe he's wrong. Maybe both men—Percy and Ares alike—are just…"misunderstood." Maybe, in spite of everything, they could teach each other something. Ares is tough, and Percy needs to toughen in order to cope with his loss. Percy is calm and caring, and Ares needs to learn serenity and mercy. Perhaps…in at least a few cases…the two men are perfect together. Ares as master and Percy as apprentice; or as teacher and student.

And then he looks at a portrait of his son, Deimos. He loves him like he loves all of his children, but he knows that there has to be an ultimatum. In order to please his grandmother, he must test Jackson. Of course, everyone knows that he is a child of the new prophecy. He is, of course, the greatest of the age.

You're wrong, Ares. There is another.

Another? Equal to Jackson? Ares doubts this. As much as he longs to see Perseus' freshly dead corpse, and as much as he strives to see Percy covered in his own blood at his own hand, he knows that he is perhaps the greatest demigod of the age.

Yes, he is the greatest Greek demigod, Ares. But there are more than just Greek demigods.

There…there is another camp. At least Ares thinks there is. But his mind has been altered by Zeus, along with the other Gods. They cannot know of that place. He's trying to remember as hard as he can…that much is true. But it's difficult to put his finger on it. It's on the tip of his tongue…

But there are more important matters to attend to. How can I convince Perseus to join me as an apprentice? He must prove himself, he thinks to himself. But that damn daughter of Athena is going to get in the way! Maybe she can push him further to me…

Ares tries his hardest to resist. As he mentioned before, this is not his intention. He doesn't want anything to do with the boy in truth. But his grandmother sees otherwise.

Gaea loves to play with her food before she eats it.

The boy is, of course, one of the seven who must plot to ensure her downfall. And why would she want to return to her eons of sleep? Hasn't she rested enough for one lifetime?

No, you haven't. You'll kill people. You'll kill him. And NO ONE kills the kid but me. Ares thinks violently. In spite of everything, it is his obligation to make sure Perseus and his friends survive long enough to defeat Gaea and her army. If not, a Gigantomachy would be in the works and, like the other Gods, Ares feared that a band of campers and minor Gods wouldn't be enough.

Eventually, Percy must face Deimos himself. Ares' only task is ensuring that the boy knows what he's doing. Deimos is more of a psychological fighter, and would rather invoke terror and chaos than face his opponent directly with a sword. After all, with his charm and abilities, who really needs a blade for combat?

Ares smiles on the outside, but slowly dies on the inside. Gaea would pay for her actions. No one toys with the God of War and gets away with it. It would be difficult, but Ares would have to work around the obstacles in order to prepare Percy for the worst.

He isn't alone.

And he knows this well. Slowly, his memory would return and he would remember the camp. And then, perhaps, he would find a "partner" for Percy to spar with…and eventually, if everything goes according to plan, his ally against Gaea. After all, everyone needs help sometimes. Even the great Perseus Jackson.

Poseidon's Cabin

If you had just been dumped by the woman you loved, you'd probably be as angered as Percy. Although, being you, you probably wouldn't be churning the water in your saltwater spring like a raging tsunami…with nothing more or less than your mind. But that happens to be the beauty of being a child of Poseidon.

All Percy could think about was trashing his room like a drugged rock star in a hotel. And the numerous visitors asking what he did wrong didn't help either. Oh, now it was his fault. Not only did people blame him for why Annabeth was so depressed, but most—especially females—assumed he moved on rather quickly. He lost count of how many girls asked him out after the 10th daughter of Aphrodite…and one guy, which was a memory he didn't care to revisit.

All Percy really cared about was release. He didn't want to hurt anymore. It had been days, and he still hurt. I'm the savior of Olympus! He thought. I can't let some girl distract me!

But he couldn't help it. He needed something to get his mind off of things, but all camp reminded him of was her. Sword-fighting, eating, Counselor meetings…he saw her face everywhere, even when it wasn't there physically. So he stayed there, like a good little boy, lying in his cabin, thinking of all the things he wanted to do with Annabeth. Go to school with her, marry her, even have children with the woman…the thought of a little boy running around with black hair and gray eyes, doing math problems at the kitchen table and drinking 10 glasses of water made him chuckle a little to himself.

"I could make the pain go away," said a deep voice, belonging to a large figure that somehow found his way into Percy's cabin. If Percy was any more detached, he could've sworn it was another fan girl…

But then he thought realistically. The largest girl in camp, Clarisse, would never give him the time of day. It had to have been a man. His presence seemed…violent and warlike. He smelled of sweat and anger (if that emotion had a smell). His build was familiar, as was his voice…and then it hit him. All the characteristics lead to one possible outcome.

Ares.

"What the hell do you want?" Percy snarled in pure anger. "I'm not in the mood for your crap."

"Ooh, Mr. Feisty. Truth is I don't care about your mood. Listen, and it might just change."

Percy did as he was told, reluctantly, and sat up to look at the Deity. Strange, for a God, the son of Poseidon showed little to no respect. He simply said nothing, and positioned himself to align with Ares' gaze.

"I hear you're a little heartbroken," Ares said, with false sympathy. "I can help with that. I have something for you…Something to…get your mind off of things."

"I would NEVER help you with anything, you prick!" Percy growled.

"KNOW YOUR PLACE, PUNK. I don't take to disrespect very kindly. In fact, you're looking for a smack in the mouth."

That must be what he says to his girlfriends. Percy thought. Promiscuous, wife-beating douchebag.

"I can hear you, idiot."

Percy looked down, slightly embarrassed. He wasn't afraid to be disintegrated though. Not by Ares. At least if he was, he would be released from his misery.

"I want to help you, Jackson. I promised you two things. You will lose everything—you lost your girlfriend, and you'll most likely lose your friends and family. But…you will be powerful enough to do what's right, and what must be done."

Percy looked up to Ares, intrigued. "And what is it that must be done?"

"We have a new enemy. Someone that you may or may not know. But you're one of those seven that that the redhead mentioned in her new prophecy."

"'The Seven Greatest.' Lovely. What is it that you want from me?"

Ares chuckled. He knew that whatever he was saying was somehow working. Percy was growing closer and closer, slowly but surely giving in…

"I want you to trust me. I can teach you the things Fish-Head can't. I can teach you endurance, power, and tactic, though anger. It's a selective emotion you know. It doesn't blind you. It only makes you…stronger."

Percy thought for a moment. Whatever Ares was planning seemed rather important. But he wasn't sure if he could trust a man who hated him…a man who wanted him dead. Then he thought of Annabeth. He could do this, and then forget about her. In the heat of battle, and in the heat of quests, he could focus on something else entirely. And besides, Percy had longed to feel like a hero again. It was a good feeling…people loving you, screaming your name, looking up to you for inspiration…

"So…you want me to be…your apprentice?"

"Now you're talking my language. I will give you tasks. Some will be hard, and some will be moderate. But none of them will be easy. But I figured you'd be up to the challenge. And, just to make sure there's something in it for you, I'll get her back."

"A-Annabeth?"

"Yep. It doesn't hurt to be the boyfriend of the Goddess of Love."

Now Percy was tempted. He could be the hero, and get the woman he loved back. Seemed like a small price to pay for happiness. After all, it wouldn't be anything bad he was doing. It would be beneficial to the Camp and the Gods…

…But what would he be giving up? His friends, family, and respect? He didn't want things to end tragically for him like the other heroes. He didn't want to betray his loved ones like Hercules did to Zoë. He wanted to be different.

But maybe he didn't have to betray anyone. Ares didn't ask him that. He asked him to complete tasks, in order to defeat a "new enemy." None of It seemed bad at all.

"I do this for you…and Annabeth comes back to me?"

"You have…my word."

The words almost slipped out of his mouth like he was regurgitating. He wanted badly to say yes, but something was holding him back. He barely liked this man, let alone would he ever work for him. And then, once again, he thought of beautiful Annabeth. Her blond hair, gray eyes, independent nature…she was everything to him. He'd do anything for her…even this.

"I will…do whatever you ask."

Ares almost happy-danced out of the cabin and back. His plan was working, not Gaea's. Percy trusted him, not Gaea. Maybe, just maybe, he could save Percy while he still had the chance…

"Excellent. Now, know this. In order to complete these tasks, you must go behind other God's backs as well. Starting with Aphrodite. Take your sword and don't be afraid to use force if need be. You will steal her Elixir from her room on Olympus."

"Will she know? It isn't wise to steal from your girlfriend, Ares."

"She CANNOT find out, under any circumstances!" Ares barked. "If she does, the worst could happen. Or the best."

"The best?" Percy inquired.

"My guess is, she will punish you, kill you, or seduce you."

"Seduce me?"

"Yes. And for your information, that is the worst."

Percy thought for a second. He always prized himself on his ability to show no emotion for the Goddess of Love. How could she possibly seduce him?

"Go now. First thing in the morning, you report to Chiron and notify him. You are now the official Agent of Olympus. All that you do is crucial. Sever all ties to the people you once new, and do not be afraid to make new friends."

"And what of Annabeth?"

"She is nothing to you as of now. Hell, you'll end up needing to seduce a LOT of women during these tasks. She can't hold you back anymore."

Percy gripped Riptide in his pocket. First he was the savior of Olympus, and now he was the official Agent of Olympus.

"It will be done, Ares."

Percy walked off outside to start his packing, brushing past a quite satisfied God of War.

"Percy?" Ares stopped him.

The son of Poseidon turned to face his "master", with a look of questioning on his face. "Yes, Ares?"

"This is not an easy task. Breaking into Olympus is only half of it. Stealing from the Goddess of Love is extremely difficult. If you are caught, it could sabotage this entire operation. No one knows that you serve me. Understand?"

Percy nodded, and headed for the door as Ares vanished. The task seemed rather simple. Find an entrance to Olympus, find your way to Aphrodite's room, and take her Elixir. How hard could that be? But unfortunately, Percy was an expert bullshitter.

No one can B.S. a bullshitter.

A/N: That was the beginning of Percy's adventure. Unfortunately, for Percy, stealing form Aphrodite is harder than he imagined. Slowly, things will get harder for him, while his and Ares' relationship begins to layer. The next chapter will be up soon!

Thanks! – Chris