Finally posting day for Choke. Why is that a good thing? Well, I have a few things I wanted to talk about. I'm a little curious if I'm doing something wrong in my story all of a sudden. The reviews have been on this steady decrease. Not really that big of a deal, and definitely not enough of an issue for me to beg for reviews, I was just curious if I was doing something displeasing all of a sudden. Always feel free to let me know of any issues you have. The next topic is that I just finished writing chapter 18. Why is that important? The end is now officially in sight. I literally have about two or three more chapters before the end. There will be next chapter, the big battle, and depending on how long the battle chapter takes, a winding down chapter. After that I will post the epilogue. Now, the epilogue will consist of the series of events leading up to the sequel.
My next topic, do you guys want a smut scene? We've gone this entire story without one, if you've noticed. So, I want you guys to think on it. Truly think on it. Given the nature of how things are going, should there be one? Now, you can vote until chapter 18 or 19. I'll let you know next week when I have 19 finished. Now, I'm keeping it open that long because there is a significant event to know in next chapter, that really plays into the story. Now, I'm going to be talking it over with Bragi as well, but I wanted input. Now, to those of you that read and may not review usually, I'd really like participation. Not to get extra reviews, but to know what you guys want. If there a lot of people that just don't want the smut, I won't have it. I'll probably write out the chapter and make two different versions of the scene it would be in. So, just let me know on that. Now, let's move to shout outs.
Bitemeeverywhere: That's an awesome name. No, Nico will never die. He's my favorite character in the books, I could never do such a thing. I mean, I did fake his death in one of my stories, but I'd never actually kill him. Well, I'm glad you are enjoying it!
Reining: Haha. I'm sorry I'm torturing you so much in that story! I can't help it, though. I am just fixing future issues. Speaking of insane Nico, I'm sure you'll enjoy next chapter. That is my motivational chapter for writing. Yes, sequel, let us all jump for joy. Exactly. Superman can go die in a fire. Also, whenever I possess a cup, I may do a Bane voice now. I found it does wonders for recreating it. Oh, I'm sure you will enjoy. But now he can be more healthy, and have a healthy relationship with someone not trying to destroy the world.
Veerayne: Pump you up! I'm sorry :(. I was happy to finally bring him in. It was about time. Oh, Nico has reasons for these things. Yes, you finally updated! I thought you got lost in the cave.
iPineapplePants: Oh, well thank you! You know, I get annoyed with that too, so maybe that helps. Maybe that's a reason I started. No, I just ruin Bragi's will to live by writing this story.
Luckyducky: Thank you! It kills me slowly to write the fighting, more in AToLaT than this, but still. Bragi whips me into learning more about combat with superpowers, and stuff. That's something I usually don't divulge. I am forced sometimes into watching some anime or reading a manga, so that I can learn more on what I'm writing. I had to watch this one anime for CoL called Jormungand, and I really fell in love with it. It helped me write the underworld that you see in CoL. I'm sure Nico will be fine. I'm just gonna go ahead and hand you another star, but don't tell anyone what it's for.
percyjackson: Are you really Percy? If so, you are awesome. And I hope you had a good birthday yesterday. Did Nico give you a birthday kiss? Anyways, I'm glad you think it is awesome.
RobinsArt: Can I just address the review for CoL the other day? I can't tell you how much I go back and look at it just to read the first line: Getting real tired of your Percy. I can't help it. I don't know why, but I find it hilarious. Anyways. I would expect nothing less. Now I picture that meme with the girl with the braces. WoW reference! Not emotional harassment, protective mother. There is a character limit? I'm gonna have to talk to the site about this. I already have my opening line. I just need a baseball bat and then I walk into the room and say, getting real tired of your shit bitches.
HeyItAmber: I would never. Don't you trust me? Ruling out everything from AToLaT. Well, that's not very nice. I find you to be the level of fangirl I like, so you're good. Just don't touch into that extreme territory. You'll know when you get there.
TheWebmaster32: I may or may not be a little sadistic myself. That actually is one of my favorite parts. Then to watch the sighs of relief. But yes, to watch the flames of fear flicker in your deep blue eyes...I watch too much danisnotonfire. Apparently I have several stalkers at this point, so now all that is left is for you to form a fan club or a cult. I'll let you go all Hunger Games for who gets to be the head of it.
DarkLove: Thank you! I'm not sure a A.I. can PMS. Sally was just being protective of Percy. Athena was designed to deal with Specials, she's not expected to like them. Well, I mean, she might like them, but it doesn't set well with her with them all being there. I do that a lot, don't I? I'm sorry for the wait, but if I posted extra, the story would be ending sooner. Plus I'm just trying to make sure I don't run out of chapters to be posting. I have nearly no buffer.
Awesome older sibling: She is, just a little bit. Yes, Athena will always be awesome. Oh dammit, hmm. I'll just put in a warning for you for Sola. Don't hate me. And I already addressed the father thing with you.
LizziDaughterofHades: I just tend to forget her in a lot of my stories. Those that read A Tale of Love and Thrones can testify to that. I let her disappear for chapters. I don't know why, because I really love her character in the books. I try to be modest. I do have a thing for power, though. I'll try my best.
Make-It-Now: She sucked a bitch? I didn't know she swung that way. She's not a bitch. She's being protective of her son. Yes, it was about time he showed up.
So, I have a few things to point out from the reviews. It wasn't Zeus that was captured. If it were, I don't think Jason would have cared. This is the adopted one. As for Sally. She's not being evil. She just cares about her son. Remember Nico was insane. Nico is still emotionally damaged. What happened to the last boyfriend Nico had? He left a cut across his face. Sally is just being protective. You'll find out more on why she's cautious of this in this chapter. Bragi is extremely happy that I'm nearing the end of this. He hates Choke. It's more about me writing the powers than the story itself. So yes, he and I may have a small celebration. I'm going to be happy because I'm going to be down to writing 3 fics a week for a little while. I just need a break to ease my burden on writing. And as a reminder, the sequel will be coming out sometime after Sola Amor finishes. I'll announce the title in the epilogue so you can all be looking out for it. Anyways, let's just get on with the chapter.
Warning: Dark revelations
Disclaimer: I'm going to draw a pony...that's all...what? Are you expecting something else? You sadistic people.
Chapter 17
Percy watched Kronos carefully, careful not to do anything that would have him hurt Nico. Nico squirmed in Kronos's arms, unable to break the man's hold. Jason and Apollo appeared by Percy's side a few seconds later. Percy held out his arms, telling them not to advance. "What do you want?" Percy asked cautiously.
"Just to talk. Do you think you could humor me in that request?" Kronos replied, a glint in his eye.
Percy nodded his head. He pointed a finger at Kronos. "I want to know what you're up to."
"I just want to change the world, is that so wrong?"
"It is when you are going to enslave everyone."
"Mankind is already a slave, Percy. You need to realize that. What I want will make the world better for them."
"By giving absolute power to corporations?" Percy asked in disbelief.
Kronos frowned, tightening his hold on Nico. "You sound just like Chiron. I was hoping we could be partners, Percy. Think about it, with your power and my ideas, we could rule the world."
"You want me to enslave mankind for you? Willingly?"
Kronos patted the hair on top of Nico's head. "What about this one? You like him don't you? Don't you want a nice life where the two of you can be yourselves? A place where you don't have to hide what you are?"
"We don't want your 'salvation'," Percy growled. Percy raised his hand, ready to snap Kronos's neck, but Kronos lifted Nico off the ground, placing a hand on Nico's neck.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, unless you want your boyfriend here to end up in pieces."
Percy lowered his hand with a growl. "You say all of this while hiding behind someone half your size."
"Insurance, that's all." Kronos smirked again. "I don't want to have to kill, Nico. I would prefer he work for me. I've wanted him for many years now. Just like you, he's one of a kind on this planet right now."
"Go to hell, you bastard!" Nico yelled, kicking Kronos in the leg.
"Sadly, he does not seem to want to forgive me for that little mishap with his parents."
"You murdered them!" Darkness spread across Nico's eyes.
Kronos petted Nico's hair while watching Percy. "Perhaps you could help me persuade him that I'm not the bad guy here?" Kronos asked Percy.
"I'm not going to help you," Percy growled before waving his hand and sending Kronos flying backwards. Percy ran forward and tackled Kronos as he was standing up. Percy slammed his palms against Kronos's chest, sending him flying back into a beam. Kronos stood up, laughing, and brushed himself off.
"Not bad, but are you really stronger than the rest of us? I expected more," Kronos said in amusement. He raised his hands and flicked his index finger across his thumb. Percy only had a second to realize what was happening, raising a forcefield seconds before an explosion went off in front of him. He skidded across the floor, dropping his shield, and running back at Kronos. Kronos caught Percy's hand as Percy tried to punch the man. He squeezed Percy's hand until Percy fell to his knees. "Not good enough."
"How's this?" Nico yelled just before a beam of light came crashing into Kronos. Kronos went flying backwards, until he hit the wall of the building.
"Ah, I missed your spunk, Nico."
Nico ran over to Percy and helped him to his feet. "I'm fine," Percy assured him.
"Touching," Kronos said with amusement. "I'm offering you a world where you two would have no troubles, and here you are turning my offer down."
"We'll make our own happiness."
Kronos chuckled. "You still don't get it do you?"
"Get what?" Kronos's eyes flickered to Nico. Percy looked over at the dark haired boy. "What's he talking about?"
"N-Nothing," Nico mumbled. Percy furrowed his brow, but looked back at Kronos.
"You will tell me," Percy commanded. Kronos's face contorted in pain. He clutched his head and fell to his knees.
"Percy, don't," Nico tried, but Percy didn't listen. Percy raised a hand to his face as he pushed into Kronos's head, searching for answers.
In Kronos's mind Percy saw visions for the future. Specials openly displaying their powers, harmony, and equality. "Prejudice cannot exist if their minds are all linked. Linked to your mind. You can have this future, all you have to do is help me." Building a better world for Specials. Percy pushed in deeper, trying to find more.
Kronos sat at a table with Chiron, both men sipped on cups of tea. They sat behind a small brick house in a peaceful looking backyard. Chiron sat his tea down on the table and placed his hands on his lap. "I'm not sure I can help you in this, old friend," spoke Chiron. "What you ask is blind enslavement."
Kronos frowned, setting his tea down as well. He sat back in his chair with a sigh. "Is it any better than what the U.N. has hired you for?" Kronos retorted.
"They want to make the world a better place for everyone, not just those that can afford it."
"Two sides of the same coin, that's all it is."
Chiron sighed. "Our objectives are not the same, Kronos," Chiron reasoned.
"You make them sound holy, but their hands are covered in blood. You follow your orders and don't even question them."
"It is my job. I do what I'm told." Chiron tapped his fingers on the table. "You're going to Texas?" Kronos nodded. "Something caught your attention?"
"You could say that."
"I suppose it's none of my business. I fear the path you are taking, old friend."
"I could say the same to you," Kronos said with a chuckle. "Are we prepared to be enemies?"
Chiron folded his arms over his chest and crossed his legs. "It doesn't have to be this way, you know?"
"I don't agree with U.N.I.T., besides, this new organization can help me achieve my goals."
"At what cost?" Chiron asked.
"Whatever the cost." Kronos rose from his chair. "And don't try and tell me that U.N.I.T. doesn't do the same thing, because I know they do." Chiron offered him a sad smile. Kronos grabbed his hat that sat on the table and placed it on his head. With a tip of his hat, he walked off, leaving Chiron alone.
Percy stumbled backwards. Nico caught him, helping him balance himself back out. Kronos slowly rose back to his feet. Percy let his eyes wander from the ground up to meet Kronos's eyes. A smirk spread across Kronos's face as Percy stared at him. Jason and Apollo stepped closer. A shadow tentacle rose from Nico's back.
"Now this doesn't seem very fair," Kronos stated. "I'm clearly outnumbered."
"What the hell was that?" Percy asked in frustration.
Kronos's smirk grew. "That? That was the truth, dear boy."
"What did he show you, Percy?" Jason asked cautiously.
Percy refused to answer, keeping his gaze locked with Kronos. "Whatever it was, it was probably a lie," Apollo reasoned.
"And what you have told him is the complete truth?" Kronos asked with a raised eyebrow. A ball of electricity formed in Jason's hand. "I suppose it is time I take my leave." An orange ball formed in Kronos's palm. He grinned and tossed it into the air. The ball flickered above them before exploding. The blast sent Percy and the others flying backwards, debris flying through the air. Percy pulled them inside of a telekinetic shield as they flew through the air, protecting them the best he could. The building crumbled, sending smoke and debris all around the area.
Percy groaned as someone shook him. He could barely make out the sound of someone calling out his name. He coughed a few times before opening his eyes. Nico was crouched over him, covered in dirt. He smiled when he noticed Percy was awake. "Are you alright?" Percy coughed out.
"I-I'm fine," Nico replied. Percy sat up and rubbed his hand against his forehead. Nico knocked a brick off of Percy's foot. Percy finally looked around at their surroundings. The building had fallen down, sending its remains down on top of them. He coughed a few more times. His body was covered from head to toe in dirt.
"D-Dad?" Percy turned his head at the sound of Jason's voice. He spotted the blond crouched in front of his father's unmoving body. Apollo stood behind Jason. Apollo bit his lip as he watched Jason, unable to find the right words to say. "Please wake up, dad," Jason whispered, but his father didn't move.
Apollo crouched down behind Jason and wrapped his arms around him. "Jason, I'm so sorry," Apollo whispered. Jason crumpled into Apollo's arms, letting his head fall to hide the tears that were forming in his eyes. Percy looked back at Nico, who had averted his eyes.
"We should get back soon," Nico whispered so only Percy could hear him. "Kronos and the others are all gone."
"Just give him a minute," Percy instructed, turning his attention back to Jason.
"The police will be out here any minute."
Percy sighed heavily and nodded. He stood up and stumbled over to Jason and Apollo. He kneeled down beside the two blonds, looking down at Jason's father's body. "Jason, I know you're upset right now, but we need to go," Percy said gently.
Jason nodded his head slowly. Apollo wiped some of the tears out of his eyes. "We can't leave him here," Jason whispered.
Percy nodded and looked back at Nico. "Do you think you can manage him too?" Nico stared back at Percy awhile, seemingly debating saying no. He eventually sighed and nodded his head. They all crowded around Mr. Grace's body. Nico's face contorted in concentration, but nothing happened. The sound of sirens could now be heard in the distance.
"Anytime now, Nico," Apollo said anxiously.
"I'm trying, alright?" Nico shot back. Percy glanced up when he saw the first two cop cars pull up to the construction site. Four policemen got out of their cars, talking into their radios. Percy's breathing quickened as the cops slid down into the construction site, heading in their direction. Suddenly, shadows erupted from the ground, encasing them in a cocoon of darkness.
They emerged back at Percy's parents lab. Poseidon and the others looked up at them when they appeared. When they noticed someone on the ground, they all ran over. "What happened?" Poseidon asked, checking the Mr. Grace's pulse.
"Kronos showed up," Percy told him.
"Are you alright?" Sally asked, clutching Percy's shoulders and looking him over.
"I'm fine, mom."
"Is he going to be ok?" Jason asked.
Poseidon frowned and placed Mr. Grace's arm back on the ground. "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do," Poseidon said quietly. Jason looked devastated, letting his head fall again. He raised his hands to cover his face and brought his legs up to his chest. "We'll give you some time," Poseidon told Jason, placing his hand on his shoulder. Apollo stayed behind to comfort Jason as the others walked off to give the blond some time to grieve.
"You said Kronos was there?" Chiron asked.
Percy nodded. He looked up at Chiron. "You never told me you knew him," Percy said harshly.
Chiron's face grew solemn. "That was in the past, and it was not important for you to know."
"What else did you see in his head?" Nico asked.
"Nothing," Percy lied. Poseidon seemed to notice this, giving Percy a look.
"If all of you would excuse us for a moment, Sally and I would like to have a word with Percy alone," Poseidon stated. Everyone stared at Percy as they walked off. Nico ran a hand down Percy's arm, which he grabbed before Nico could walk off and gave it a squeeze. "What really happened?" Poseidon asked once everyone was out of earshot.
"I got a look in Kronos's head. I saw some things that are kind of bothering me," Percy whispered.
"Such as?" asked Sally with a concerned look.
"I'm starting to question if Kronos is really the bad guy in all of this. From what I saw, his ideas didn't look that bad. He envisioned a world of equality."
"At a price, I assume?" Poseidon asked.
"Using me to enslave everyone in the world." Percy paused. "He knew Chiron, they used to be friends."
"This is bothering you?"
"I feel that maybe Chiron could have prevented some things from happening, or something."
"He was probably under orders to not do anything."
"You're rationalizing this?" Percy asked in disbelief.
"I'm saying that sometimes hard choices have to be made, son." Percy rubbed his head. "We already knew about the things that these people did while at U.N.I.T."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I figured you would have acted the same way you are now. I'm looking at this from an unbiased position, you should do the same."
Percy stared at his father in annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest. "I want to know everything."
Poseidon nodded his head. "I agree that you should. Just try and keep an open mind. Your mother and I are keeping our own opinions out of this, you should do the same." Percy nodded his consent. "U.N.I.T. isn't 'good' by definition, but they aren't evil. They are morally grey, and we saw them as the lesser of two evils. All of them, including your new boyfriend, have done things that you might not approve of, but they were just following orders."
"We learned about that in school, dad. They called it the Holocaust," Percy spat back.
"Percy, hard decisions need to be made. We make them, they made them, and eventually, you'll have to make them. We can give you the facts, but the only people who can really tell you what you want to know are those that you now question. Don't judge them if you don't even know what their thoughts on all of this are."
Percy bowed his head. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Poseidon sighed. "When it comes down to it, U.N.I.T. and the Consortium are basically the same. The only thing that makes them different is the amount of people they want to 'help'. Both of them want to change the world, but the Consortium is very exclusive to who it wishes to help. While Kronos may not be the stereotypical bad guy, it doesn't change that his tactics are wrong."
"It's just not how I pictured it when I found all of this out."
Poseidon chuckled lightly. "No, I imagine not. Things aren't always black and white, Percy. Talk to them, you might find out that they aren't like the organization they work for."
"I was getting the feeling you didn't like them, why the change of heart?"
"No change of heart, I'm just telling you the facts without our personal opinion."
"But you're saying what they might have done doesn't make them bad?"
Poseidon nodded. "As bad as it sounds, they were probably just following orders. Perhaps they could have questioned them, but that is in the past. They are no longer with U.N.I.T., now are they?"
Percy stepped inside Nico's room, hitting the newly constructed button to darken the door without a sound. Nico looked up at him in concern, a frown forming on his lips. Percy just stood in front of the door in silence, unable to look at Nico. "Percy?" Nico asked quietly, looking at Percy with sad eyes.
"I need to know the truth, Nico," Percy said calmly.
"About what?"
"U.N.I.T., what you've done while there, and anything else I may not know."
Nico looked at Percy with a mix of shock and hurt. He fidgeted on his bed, opening his mouth a few times, but unable to find any words. "Wh-Why do you ask?"
"I just got to thinking about what Kronos said back there, and I...lied. I saw more while I was in his head. I just want to know the truth."
Nico pulled his legs up on the bed, resting his elbow on them. He placed his forehead into the palm of his hand and dug his fingers into his hair. "I was a federal agent, Percy. That stuff is classified."
"I don't care," Percy said in hushed voice, a mix of gentleness and frustration in his voice. "Tell me."
"Are you going to force me?"
Percy frowned. "No. I don't want to use my power on you. I'm just asking for you to tell me. You told me no more secrets."
Nico's eyes flickered to Percy. "This is different. I had orders."
"What orders?" asked Percy.
"Orders to keep things classified, for starters."
"I don't care, Nico. You're not in that U.N.I.T. anymore. You're supposed to be helping us. My parents can show me all the files, but I want to hear it from you."
Nico bit his lip, narrowing his eyes at Percy. He finally let out a breath and let his head drop. "What do you want to know?"
"What all have you done? There was something unspoken between you and Kronos back there, I want to know what it was."
Nico took a deep breath before speaking. "You have to understand, Percy, the things I did had to be done. If it wasn't me, it would have been someone else. I was just following orders, but it didn't mean I liked them." He placed his fist over his mouth for a moment, trying to find the right words to continue. "I killed people, people that may not have done anything, but were just leverage to crack someone they were close to. I've had to steal things. Plans, weapons, chemicals, viruses, you name it, I've probable stolen it. When you're the best, you get asked to do a lot. It never got easier."
"What didn't?"
"The killing," Nico whispered. His eyes flickered to Percy momentarily before looking straight ahead. "Killing the people from the Consortium was one thing, but the innocent blood, that was something else. It stays with you, haunting your dreams." Tears started to form in Nico's eyes as he kept talking. "The muffled screams of children, children that were just being used to get the cooperation of one of their parents. They didn't do anything, but it was an order. You see, making the decisions on the path to the betterment of the world isn't always easy. Hard choices are made, people get hurt, lives are destroyed."
Percy chewed on his lip, sitting down next to Nico on the bed. "Why? Why did you do it? Why didn't you say no?"
"I was just following orders given to Chiron. I trusted him with my life, I still do. If he was going along with it, why shouldn't I? We were told it would lead to a better life for everyone, not just us, but everyone in the world. The difference between us and the Consortium was just that we weren't going to blindly enslave people."
"Just force it."
Nico bit his lip and nodded his head. "I'm not going to ask for forgiveness for what I've done in the past, I don't deserve any. I have my own punishment for what I've done: I have to live with myself every single day. Looking back on it, it looks bad, I get that, but back then it sounded very appealing. The U.N. said that people like Kronos would be dealt with, and things like what he did to my family would never happen again. A better world for everyone, and it would be a place where I didn't have to be afraid of what I was."
"I just want to know that I can trust you," Percy whispered, resting his head on top of Nico's.
"I wouldn't betray you, Percy. I did what I did, and there's no taking it back. It doesn't mean I enjoyed it, nor does it mean I approved of it. I want to help make the world a better place, that's why I got involved with them in the first place. I didn't know back then what I know now." Percy wrapped an arm around Nico and pulled the smaller boy to him, pulling Nico's legs up into his lap. "You probably hate me," Nico whispered.
"I don't hate you, Nico." Percy placed a kiss to Nico's forehead. "I'm trying to understand, I really am. I'm not going to hold you accountable for all of this. If anyone is to blame it's U.N.I.T." Nico rubbed at his eyes, offering Percy a small smile when the green eyed boy took his other hand into his own. "Just know you don't have to do that anymore."
Nico nodded. "I know, and I'm sort of relieved to be out of U.N.I.T."
Percy placed a hand behind Nico's neck and pulled Nico into a kiss. Nico clutched at Percy's shirt, trying to pull him closer. Percy kept it innocent, not thinking it a moment to try to turn heated. Eventually he drew back, looking into Nico's eyes. "I'm going to go talk to Chiron, ok?" Percy asked. Nico nodded. "Don't worry, we're fine." Nico gave Percy a weak smile. Percy leaned in and pecked Nico on the lips one more time before getting off the bed and leaving Nico's room.
Percy sighed and ran a hand through his hair as the door shut behind him. Today had really been a wakeup call for him. His parents were right. Things were not simply black and white. Percy walked down to Chiron's room. The door slid open and Percy stepped inside, once again pressing the button to darken the door.
"I need to talk to you, Chiron," Percy informed the man, who was sat on his bed, reading a book.
Chiron glanced up at Percy, taking in his serious expression. He let out a sigh and closed his book. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and stood up. "I take it this is about what happened with Kronos?" Chiron asked. Percy nodded. "What is it you wish to know?"
"I just want to know the truth. You knew Kronos, you could have stopped him back then, why didn't you?"
Chiron's face became solemn. "We were friends once, but I'm sure you already knew that. We studied at college together. He wasn't always like this. I am ashamed to say that I didn't notice how far he had fallen until it was too late."
Percy stared off to the side, contemplating his next words. "It's funny how fate can be cruel." Chiron tilted his head in confusion. "Kronos was on his way to murder Nico's parents, if you had acted, Nico wouldn't have ended up orphaned, and Luke wouldn't have become corrupted."
"And you probably would have never met Nico," Chiron reminded him. "We can never know the consequences of our actions, Percy, remember that." Chiron sighed. "What else did he show you?"
"The world he wanted to achieve. He wanted me to help him enslave everyone."
Chiron nodded. "That is why you were so important, Percy. I didn't understand what Kronos wanted you for, not until we learned of your telepathy. Then everything just fell into place."
"Why didn't you tell me when you figured it out?"
"Well, if you recall, we were busy constantly."
"I already talked to Nico, he told me what U.N.I.T. made him do." Chiron didn't say anything. "I wanted to know how you could follow orders like that, how could you put that on Nico and the others?"
Chiron frowned. "You think I liked having to give them orders like that? I looked at all of them like my own children."
"Then why?" Percy asked.
Chiron pursed his lips, almost hesitant to answer. "The long term goal was a better world for everyone. I'm sure Nico told you that hard decisions had to be made, but that never meant I approved of them. How do you think I felt, knowing that I was probably making Nico's growing mental condition worse? It isn't easy knowing that you've stained innocent young people's hands with blood. I will not try and claim that anyone's hands at U.N.I.T. were clean. My own hands have seen their fair share of blood. Bettering the world is not an easy task. You had to accept a morally grey conscious if you wanted to keep your mind intact."
"Why not just walk away?" Percy whispered.
"I had hoped that things would change, that maybe we wouldn't have to have innocent blood spilled to reach our goals. Perhaps I had hoped that we could become independent from the U.N. You go into a job like that with such good intentions about saving the world, but somewhere along the way, you start to wonder if there is a world out there worth saving. Is there hope for a better tomorrow? I've kept myself awake many a night, trying to answer that question."
"You ready to go?" Grover asked Percy. It was getting late, and Percy, Annabeth, and Grover usually left the lab to go back to their apartment at night.
Percy looked over at his father, who was monitoring Athena and Leo as they worked on the battle suits. "I'll catch up to you guys," Percy told them. Annabeth looked like she was about to protest, but Grover stopped her, tugging on her arm until they got in the elevator. Percy strolled over to his father, coming up beside the taller man.
"The suits are coming along nicely," Poseidon told him. Percy nodded. "Everything alright?"
"Just thinking about things," Percy replied. He watched Athena correct Leo on his suit, apparently Leo was trying to make his own modifications, but it was not flying with the A.I. "Just how everything seems be part of this seemingly connected series of events."
"What do you mean?" Poseidon finally tore his eyes away from the suits to look at Percy.
Percy shook his head. "Nothing. It's probably nothing, don't worry about it. I'm just starting to worry about what the future holds."
"I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Perhaps it can be our first step towards a real peaceful world."
"Maybe. Can you do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"If we can pull this off, I'd like you and Chiron to try and get along, maybe try having this organization make true peace, make real changes."
Poseidon stroked his beard for a moment. "I'll think about it. I'll talk to him about it after this is all over. I'm sure there will be a lot of things to work out between all of us."
"You still don't trust them, do you?" Percy asked, lowering his voice so Leo didn't hear him.
"It's hard not to, son."
"Is it because they're Specials, because I'm one too, if you haven't forgotten."
"I don't think I could forget a detail like that. It's not what they are, it's what they've done."
"Now you sound like you have a different opinion of them."
"I was just giving you the facts earlier. You need their help, Percy, and I didn't want you to turn away any help they could offer."
"So what, are you going to send them away after this is all over? Hold them here for testing? Terminate them?" Percy asked a little harshly.
"If you're asking if I'm going to hurt Nico, the answer is no. I'm not going to be a super protective parent and tell you who you can and can't be with. I don't see any harm in him anymore now that he's taken the antigen."
"The rest of them?"
"They'll be free to go live their lives after this is all over."
"I'd really appreciate it if you talked to Chiron about what I said."
Poseidon sighed. "Very well."
Percy smiled up at his father. "Thanks. I'm gonna check on Jason and say goodnight to Nico before I go." Poseidon nodded. Percy walked off, heading for Jason's room. The door opened and Percy stepped inside. Jason laid on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Jason?"
Jason sighed, not taking his eyes off of the ceiling. "Please don't ask me how I'm doing, or any combination of that," the blond replied quietly.
"I know you're hurting, I just wanted to check on you."
"I'll be fine."
"Where's Apollo?" Percy asked, taking notice of the other blond's absence.
"I told him I wanted to be alone for a little while. I think he's up on the roof with Nico."
Percy nodded, even though Jason couldn't see it. "Do you want to talk about it?" Percy rubbed the back of his neck.
"Not right now, maybe in the morning. It just sucks, you know? I never even told him I was leaving that night, I just ran away, only leaving a letter behind. I just feel like a shitty son. What kind of son does that to his father? I just keep thinking about how much he must have been worried, how hurt he must have been. Two years of worrying about me, and all I could give him was the occasional phone call. Why did they have to drag him into this? If it hadn't been for me, he could have still been alive."
"You shouldn't blame yourself for this, Jason. I can promise you that they'll pay for this."
Jason wiped at his face. He finally sat up and looked at Percy. "Thanks, Percy. You know, after this is all over, I hope we can still be friends."
Percy nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."
Jason gave him a sad smile. "I'll see you in the morning. If you're going up to the roof, would you mind sending Apollo down?"
Percy smiled. "Sure, I'll go get him," he said gently. He walked back out of the room and headed for the elevator. Once inside, he hit the button to the top floor. He fell back against the elevator wall with a long sigh. Today had left him both physically and emotionally drained. He just wanted this all to be over as soon as possible. The elevator came to a stop, opening its doors for Percy. Percy walked out and turned to his left. He opened a door and headed up the stairs.
Once at the top, Percy opened a door, revealing the night sky. Percy spotted Apollo and Nico sitting on the edge of the building. Percy made his way over to the two, who were caught up in their own conversation. "You should tell him," Apollo said, looking up at the night sky.
"I'm scared," Nico whispered so quietly that Percy almost missed it. Nico had his head turned, watching the city below them.
"It's not like he's going to look at you different, but he deserves to know. What are you going to say the next time he tries something?"
"I'll cross that bridge when we get there." Percy cleared his throat and the two looked at him. Nico's eyes widened at the sight of him. "P-Percy, how much of that did you hear?"
"Just a little bit," Percy said, watching Nico carefully. He glanced over at Apollo. "Jason wants you." Apollo nodded and jumped off the ledge. He patted Nico's knee and walked past Percy. When Percy heard the door shut, he spoke again. "What was that about?"
"I really don't want to talk about it," Nico mumbled.
Percy tilted his head, trying to catch Nico's eyes. "I thought we agreed no more secrets?"
"This is different, it's personal." Nico looked up to catch Percy's frown. Nico's own face fell into sadness. "I promise it has nothing to do with you, it's just something I have to deal with."
Percy walked over and climbed onto the ledge next to Nico. "What if I can help?"
"You have enough to worry about right now," Nico said, staring down at the ground. "It's not like I'm never going to tell you, I'm just saying not now." Nico yawned and jumped off of the ledge.
Percy sighed and climbed off as well. He pulled Nico into a hug, wrapping his arms around Nico's waist. "Just know I'm here for you whenever you want to talk."
"I know, thank you." Nico's hands gripped Percy's shirt. Percy placed a kiss on top of Nico's head.
"Well, I guess I need to get going. I just wanted to tell you goodnight." He leaned down and pecked Nico on the lips. He went to leave, but Nico took hold of his wrist. Percy turned his head, looking at Nico in confusion.
"Could you stay with me tonight?" Nico asked sheepishly. Percy smiled and nodded, pulling Nico into another hug. Percy slid his hand into Nico's and led them both back into the building. Nico leaned back against Percy in the elevator, while Percy wrapped his arms around Nico. Percy was fully aware of several sets of eyes on them as they made their way back to Nico's room, but none of them said anything. When the door shut to Nico's room, Percy hit the button to darken Nico's door to give them privacy.
Percy stepped up to Nico as the boy was busy tugging his shirt over his head. He took the shirt into his own hands and pulled it over Nico's head, planting a kiss on his lips when the fabric fell to the floor. Nico's hand found its way up to Percy's face during the kiss. Percy pulled back and yanked his own shirt over his head. He leaned back in for another kiss, but Nico held him back.
"I didn't mean it in a sexual way," Nico explained. "I just-I just wanted some company. This place still makes me a little nervous."
"Oh," Percy replied, trying not to look disappointed. He quickly smiled at Nico to reassure him that it was alright. "No, it's fine."
"Really?" Nico asked as he climbed onto his bed.
"Really. Is it alright if I take these off, though?" Percy asked, gesturing to his pants.
Nico smiled and nodded. "I was planning on doing the same."
Percy smiled back and exhaled. He unbuttoned his pants and let them drop to the floor. He stepped out of them and pulled off his socks. He looked up to see Nico looking him over. "Are you sure that's all you wanted?" Nico's face immediately turned red and he averted his eyes, slipping his own pants off. Percy licked his lips as Nico's pale flesh was exposed to him. Percy climbed onto the bed, leaning into Nico. "You can look, you know? We are dating now."
Nico looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "We are?"
"Well, yea," Percy replied, rubbing the back of his head. "At least I had hoped that's what we were."
Nico smiled. "No, that's fine. I just didn't know for sure. You never asked."
"Oh, I had just assumed. Well, I mean, would you like to go out with me?"
"Well, I think it's a little late for that now, Percy."
Percy chuckled. "I guess you're right. Maybe we should just go to bed."
Nico leaned in and pecked Percy on the lips. "Maybe." Percy flipped his index finger downwards, flipping the light switch in the room, and casting the room into darkness. Nico curled into Percy with his back facing Percy's chest. Percy wrapped his arm around Nico's waist, taking Nico's hand into his own.
So, how was the chapter? Dark? Wasn't what you were expecting? Chiron and the others had to do some dark shit. But people like this usually work in a morally grey area. It doesn't make them bad people, but they sometimes do bad things. As you can see, they have to live with themselves afterwards, and it burdens them. How about Kronos? You now know why he wants Percy. And you saw a little into his life. Is the world he speaks of so bad? A perfect world where everyone gets along. But everyone is forced into it. Percy would control everyone. And Chiron knew Kronos before all of this started.
But I really want to know your thoughts on the scene with Nico and Chiron. The stuff Percy learned about them. It kind of broke my heart just writing the part with Nico. A lot of bad things can happen when someone is just following orders. Poor Jason. I felt sad for him too. But he has a sexy boyfriend there to comfort him. I'm sure you all loved the bit with Percy and Nico at the end, though. Anyways, next week is just a build up. The final battle is soon at hand. What to expect next chapter? Well, surprisingly enough, there isn't much to say. I managed to write a lot on a few things. The secret that Nico has is one of those things, and it will be revealed. That flashback I talked about a few chapters ago, I'll dedicate it to Reining. Trouble in paradise? The battle suits. More Percy/Nico times. And it all ends on a really big note. So join me next time. Oh, and do I write too long of A/Ns? Should I shorten them? I just ramble a lot and I can't help it sometimes. But anyways, I'll see you next time.