I'm glad you all enjoyed last chapter. So, a few things before we start. If you don't want to read the sequel, this is the last chapter you should read. So, if you don't want to read the sequel, your journey stops at the end of this chapter. Now, if you do want to read it, you'll all be getting one more chapter. I finished the epilogue and it will be out either Tuesday or Wednesday. After that, I'll be going on my hiatus, so if you need me for anything I suggest messaging me now. Anyways, let's do shout outs.
RestlessHeart182: It's ok. I'll be back soon. It is hard. I need to get a job :(. He does, but tragic Nico is always interesting. It is. Well, it ends for anyone not wanting a sequel this chapter, and next chapter for everyone else.
ClosetedBi: Oh, it does. Well, you just might get that wish. Yes, but happiness doesn't have to come through sex. Nico would probably end up crying during sex if he wasn't ready. Emotional damage.
Acirejacksonmellark57: Thank you! Well, I'm glad you didn't, cause then you wouldn't be able to finish. I'm glad you think so :D. I love long reviews. And no! You have seen my war strategy for blowing up your fic with Percy topping reviews.
DarkLove: Only for a little while. I'd never abandon you guys. Oh, it'll be longer than one week. I won't be back until I have my new fic completely built, and it seems like a lot more work now.
: I know :(. It felt so weird writing this chapter and the next one. It's the first multi-chapter fic I've finished, and it was so strange. I have high hopes for the sequel. Well, I'm glad you understand.
Luckyducky: Yeah, I think a few people figured it out. He did, but that's always a fun part of his character. I shall be back soon!
MadlyMagical: Too much gayness! Ha. I've only taken the basic English courses. I do have psychology training, though. Well, he's pretty awesome I think this chapter.
percyjackson: Sad day. Thank you! I'm glad you feel that way, cause there isn't one :P.
Awesome older sibling: I thought so. I'm sorry? Ha. Hyperness. I hope it shall be too. I'll miss all the love while I'm gone. It is still PJO. I would say pics or it didn't happen, but you know...
Make-it-Now: I'm still in shock at your vote. What did Nico do?
Guest: Are you the guest that I loved in Sola? I feel so confused when I don't have a name to go with. Oh no, I don't get flames. I'm not really sure why, but I'm not complaining. Haha. I haven't read that thing yet. I wasn't sure how I'd like it. Hmm. Should I know this Xed Alpha?
Reining: Yeah, you need to be updating. Thank you. I really feel like I need one. I have too, and that's the big reason for the break. I'm glad you enjoyed it. But I regret to say that may be the last we see of insane Nico. I don't have a plan for any flashbacks to appear in the sequel, and for obvious risks to Nico's health, it won't be coming back. I'm glad you understand.
Happykid44: I'll try ^.^. Haha. I'm sorry. You'll have to see if your message got delivered. I suppose that is a good distraction for everyone. They'll too busy to notice I'm gone.
LizziDaughterofHades: Late night readings ftw. I'm going to try my best. I have a lot of stuff to get situated in my real life before I come back as well.
Veerayne: It's ok :D. I thought it was a fun turn of events. Taking the story from black and white to a grey area.
PinkRenegade: Thank you. Hmm. So, you wanted me to detail Nico getting raped by older men? Well, he didn't get raped, but came close. Anyways, the detail was like it was because Percy was seeing it through Nico's eyes. So, he wouldn't really see what was happening behind Nico. He'd only have Nico's senses. So detail to what was going on is limited. Also, telepathy flashbacks work in flashes. So, Percy probably saw it all in a matter of seconds. Yes. It is technically done this chapter if you don't want to read the sequel. It'll end next chapter if you do want to read the sequel. Um. The sequel will probably take the posting day for whatever is open when I publish it.
TheWebmaster: I'm glad you agree, cause I opted not to go that route. Haha. That probably won't be happening.
RobinsArt: You see all and know all. Well, something else to take into account is their age. While I myself, being around their age group, cuss like a sailor sometimes, it's done in a certain way. Most college kids don't speak like what you're saying. So, while they will use language, it has to be done in just a certain way. The way you are describing sounds more high school to me. Sally just doesn't understand. I think he's got those two things covered.
DawnScarlet: Like I said, I know I can't please everyone, and I'd be killing myself if I tried. Well I'm glad.
DrunkonCookies: Well, we already cleared up who Tom really is. They do, I saw it with my own eyes.
So, I got to thinking about writing something original again. And I think if I were ever to try publishing something, I might go the route of dark fairytales. Something maybe of a blend of Pan's Labyrinth and the Tim Burton's version of Alice and Wonderland. Like the Grimm Brothers. Their stories were originally dark. I blame Disney for corrupting them. Hmm. We'll see. Anyways, I don't have much else to say until the end, so let's get on with it.
Warning: Violence and death!
Disclaimer: Ponies on fire!
Chapter 19
Percy jogged to a halt inside the building, trying to locate Kronos, but the man was nowhere to be found. He spun around at the sound of glass cracking. He barely had enough time to shield himself as an explosion went off in front of him, sending him flying backwards. He was yanked off the ground by Kronos and tossed into a nearby wall.
Kronos grabbed a fist full of hair from the back of Percy's head and smashed Percy's head into the cracked wall. Percy's vision blurred as his head was repeatedly smashed into the wall. He growled and thrust his palms against the wall, shattering it and flinging him and Kronos backwards.
Percy straddled Kronos and punched to the man's jaw. Percy was about to deliver another blow when Kronos grabbed a wooden beam from the shattered wall and smashed it against Percy's head. Percy fell off with a cry of pain. He climbed back to his feet, clutching the back of his head. He pulled his hand away to see it lightly stained with blood.
Percy's eyes flickered to Kronos, who had a wild look in his eye. "It doesn't have to be this way, Percy," Kronos snarled.
Percy shook his head. "That's where you're wrong. I'll always be here, standing in the way of people like you," Percy shot back. He wiped a hand across his mouth and spit some blood onto the ground.
"What good do you really think you are doing, boy? You're only going to make things worse."
"No, you're what's wrong with this world, and I'm not going to let you make it worse than it already is."
Kronos growled and threw an orange energy ball at Percy. Percy dodged to the side, falling behind a wall as the ball exploded. Percy coughed as the debris settled. Kronos used his distracted state to his advantage, socking him in the jaw. Percy doubled over, glaring up at Kronos. "When are you going to understand the way the world works, Percy?" Kronos said, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you're getting involved in."
"I know enough to know that I shouldn't trust you."
Kronos chuckled. He created another ball in his hand, but Percy thrust his hand out, sending Kronos flying up into the ceiling. Percy stared up at the ceiling for a moment before looking at his hands. He breathed in deep and shut his eyes. Using all of his concentration, Percy slowly lifted himself off the ground. He rose through the hole in the ceiling, only to be grabbed by Kronos and tossed along the floor.
Kronos chuckled as he strolled up to Percy's panting form. "This world needs people like me, Percy. Chiron would never admit it, but he needed me where I was," Kronos said, crouching down in front of Percy.
"No, he doesn't," Percy whispered, reaching out and flinging Kronos across the room with his mind. He held on to Kronos and tossed the man like a rag doll along the wall and the floor, until he hit the far wall of the building.
"You really are amazing, Percy," Kronos praised him, swiping his thumb across his lip. "Have you forgotten the dream I showed you?"
Percy furrowed his eyebrows at Kronos. He stared off to the side, thinking back. "Like the one with Luke, that one was altered. You were just trying to scare me away from Nico."
Kronos tossed his head back in a laugh. "You are so blind, Percy." He tossed another ball at Percy, catching him off guard. Percy sailed through the air, slamming into the wall behind him.
Circe curled a fist up against her, bringing a chunk of pavement up into the air. She flicked her wrist and sent it flying at Jason, who was attempting to charge her. He crouched under the piece of rock and kept running at her. Circe's eyes widened as she grasped out for the nearby light pole. She tossed it at Jason, catching him in the stomach.
Apollo flung his hand out, sending a ball of fire at Circe. It scorched the side of her face. She screeched in pain as she clutched at the burn. Apollo ran over to Jason and helped him get the light pole off him. He extended his hand down and helped Jason up just as a bench hit him in the back.
Jason growled and raised his hand to the air. He brought it crashing down, bringing a bolt of lightning from the sky with it. The blast blew Circe off her feet, flinging her onto the hood of a car. Jason's eyes sparked as he held his hands out, lightning shooting from his palms. Circe screamed and flung herself off of the car as it exploded.
Apollo had climbed back to his feet and whipped his arm, sending a lash of flame whipping at Circe. The flame caught her around the ankle and Apollo jerked his hand back, causing the flame to rip Circe's leg out from under her. Apollo and Jason shared a look as they approached the unmoving woman.
The ground erupted at their feet, blasting them into the air. They landed roughly on the concrete, Jason landing on the discarded bench. "Such a shame to ruin such a pretty face," Circe said gently, reaching down and yanking Apollo up by his hair.
"Fuck off, bitch, he's mine!" Jason yelled, tossing a wooden board from the bench and hitting Circe in the head with it. Circe spun around, growling at Jason. Sparks crackled around Jason's body. He whipped his arm and sending an arc of electricity at her. Circe snapped her fingers in an upwards motion, making the ground rise in front of her to block the blast.
Apollo grunted and formed a fireball in his hand. He threw it at the ground, where it erupted at his and Circe's feet. She released his hair and scrambled backwards, where Jason and Apollo targeted her with fire and electricity. When they stopped, Circe lay on the ground, coughing. Her clothes were scorched and her body was smoking.
She laughed at the two as they approached her. "What? Are you go-going to kill me now?" She coughed. "You don't have the balls. You couldn't do it last time, and you won't do it now."
Jason's eyes crackled. "Last time, my dad was still alive," he said, crouching down over her. He pressed his thumb, index, middle, and ring finger all together and a small ball of electricity sparked to life. He grabbed Circe's jaw and forced her mouth open. "I hope you rot in hell, bitch." He pressed his fingers to her opened mouth and the electricity flew inside. He stood back up as she started convulsing on the ground. Her insides flashed as the electricity expanded inside of her body. Apollo pursed his lips and averted his eyes, but Jason didn't take his eyes off of her. The electricity finally erupted, ruptured shreds of her skin falling from her body.
Apollo exhaled silently as he looked over at Jason, who was still watching her corpse smolder. "Jason?" Apollo whispered, reaching out to touch Jason's shoulder.
Jason flinched and turned to look at Apollo. "I'm fine," he mumbled, pulling his arm away from Apollo.
"No, you're not. You didn't have to do that. You're not ok, Jason. Don't let this affect you."
"I just want this to be over," Jason whispered.
Grover brought a small canon out of the top of his gauntlet. He fired a concussive energy blast at Ethan, who vanished before it hit. Ethan appeared a few feet away and made a car appear above Grover. Grover raised his hands and caught the car, tossing it at the teleporter. Ethan's face contorted in concentration and the car vanished again.
Annabeth charged Ethan, jumping into the air and starting the jetpack. She flew through the air and tackled the Asian boy. He punched at the helmet, but only managed to injure his hand. She flung him into a light pole, where he fell to the ground. Grover shot another concussive blast, sending Ethan flying. Before Ethan could hit the ground, he ported himself away, appearing on Grover's back. He now had a rock in his hand, which he used to attempt smashing in the back of the suit. Grover shot himself up into the air. He drove himself backwards, but Ethan vanished before they smashed against the ground.
Ethan appeared a few feet away, but Annabeth was ready for him. She was close by, and backhanded him in the chest, knocking him backwards. Ethan wheezed on the ground. Annabeth stalked up to him, bringing out her own mini canon. Ethan leered at her and vanished again. Ethan stumbled when he reappeared, crouching over to catch his breath.
Annabeth shot out a blue metal ball from her other gauntlet. It rolled up to Ethan where it started to glow. It emitted a blue electrical field around Ethan. Ethan cried out in pain as he fell to the ground, curling into himself.
"That'll hold you," Annabeth said with a smirk. "Can't go anywhere without your powers."
"Nice work, Annabeth," Grover congratulated her. They bumped fists with their metal gloves and smirked at Ethan.
Ethan groaned in pain as the electric current flowed through his body. He stretched his hand out towards a car, putting all the energy he could into it. Half of the car vanished, much to Annabeth and Grover's astonishment. The other half of the car landed on top of the metal ball, crushing it. Ethan panted and pulled himself to his feet. He smirked as he wiped a hand across his mouth, smearing the blood that had started to pour from his nose.
"When are you people going to realize that we are better than you?" Ethan asked, licking the blood from his lips. "It's pointless to fight us, we are the future." He raised his hand to teleport another car, but stopped when Annabeth started laughing.
Ethan didn't notice as Annabeth and Grover's canons started transforming into larger ones. Annabeth smirked at Ethan. "No, you're just another asshole like everyone else," she spat venomously. Annabeth and Grover raised their arms and released large blasts at Ethan.
When the smoke cleared, Ethan lay on the ground, gasping for breath. Annabeth and Grover forced themselves to look at his newly mutilated form. He was missing his right arm, a hole had been blown in his side, and the left side of his jaw was destroyed. Chunks of his chest had also been blown away, revealing some of his organs and ribcage to the two.
Ethan opened his mouth to try and talk, but couldn't manage to form any words while he was grasping for breath. His body finally stopped moving and his head fell back against the concrete as his blood spilled out onto the ground around him.
Nico kicked at Luke, but Luke grabbed Nico's leg and flung him into the side of a nearby car. Nico grunted as he hit the ground. Luke grabbed Nico's neck and slammed his head back against the metal. Nico pooled the shadows in his hand, forming his shadow dagger. When Luke attempted to slam his head another time, he thrust the dagger into Luke's leg.
Luke howled in pain, releasing Nico. Nico gasped for breath as he stumbled away from Luke. Luke growled, shooting a death glare at Nico. He stepped towards Nico. A ball of light sparked to life in Nico's hand. He pressed his free hand to the back of his other hand and thrust his hand forward. A beam of light erupted and shot out at Luke, blasting him back against the car.
Luke stumbled out of the wreckage a few moments later, pulling a piece of glass from his arm. "You're really starting to fucking annoy me, baby," Luke panted.
"I'm not yours anymore!" Nico yelled. A large shadow hand rose from the ground and grabbed Luke by the chest. It thrust Luke up into the air before yanking him back into the pavement. The shadow hand disappeared back into the ground as Luke picked himself back up.
Luke licked his cut lip. "You'll always be mine, Nico." Luke walked up to Nico and brushed a hand against the side of his face.
"Not anymore." Nico kicked Luke in the side of his ribs. Luke's face contorted in slight pain as he stumbled to the side.
Luke chuckled to himself. "When are you going to learn that it'll take more than that to beat me?" He lunged at Nico and pinned him to the ground. He yanked on Nico's hair, forcing his head to the side, exposing his neck. "Don't fight it Nico. You can't beat me without that dark part of your powers."
Luke leaned in and bit Nico's neck. Nico squirmed under him, trying in vain to push Luke off of him. "I'm not yours to touch!" Nico yelled. A shadow slid out from his back and impaled Luke through the shoulder. It pushed Luke off of Nico and pinned him to the ground. Nico retracted the shadow and stood up. Luke gaped at him from his spot on the ground. "I don't need berserker rage to beat you."
Luke clutched his shoulder as he stood back up. A smirk spread across his face. "I'm going to enjoy this." He rushed forward and picked Nico up. He threw the smaller boy through the air. Nico bounced across the ground, until he finally came to a stop. Nico tried to pick himself up, but stumbled. Blood dripped down his forehead and the side of his arm.
"I should have killed you back on the rooftop," Nico growled.
Luke smirked, shaking his head. "But you couldn't, and you never will be able to. Do you know why?" Nico only continued to glare at him. "You couldn't do it because you cared about me too much."
"Cared being the key word in that statement," Nico panted. "Unfortunately for you, you no longer have that as protection."
"You wouldn't," Luke snarled.
"You died to me back on the roof when I gave you back your necklace. The Luke I cared about is long gone."
Luke stared coldly at Nico. "We could have been so happy together, if you would have just given Kronos a chance."
Nico's eyes darted off to the side for a few moments before returning to Luke. He shook his head. "You're wrong. I belong with Percy, and I don't need you anymore."
Luke's nostrils flared as he rushed Nico. Nico vanished, appearing behind Luke as he continued to run. Nico pressed his hands together as he held his palms forward. A large beam of white light shot out from his hands and blasted Luke. When the light faded, casting the area back into darkness, Luke lay coughing on the ground. His clothes were tattered and he had a few cuts on his body, but otherwise looked unharmed. Nico walked up to him in silence, emotionlessly staring down at him.
Luke started to chuckle, but ended up throwing himself into a coughing fit. "I guess I underestimated you," he mumbled, collapsing back onto the ground. He smirked up at Nico. "You don't realize what you're doing, do you?"
Nico glared at him. "I know perfectly well what I'm doing. I'm stopping you from ruining the world more than it already is."
Luke shook his head, his smirk still in place. "You've only managed to doom yourself, or should I say, to help Percy doom us all," he whispered.
Nico's eyes covered in shadows and he growled at Luke. "Percy is saving us all. He's going to kill Kronos, and you will all fail."
Luke started laughing, but began wheezing for breath. "You're a fool. Why don't you just take us somewhere quiet and get me fixed up? We both know you aren't going to have the balls to finish me off. I don't care if you say that you don't care for me, I know you still have feelings for me. You miss me."
Nico's face remained cold as he listened to Luke talk. He then started nodding silently. A smile spread across Luke's lips. Luke's eyes widened as a shadow tentacle rose from the ground and impaled him. "I'm missing you already."
The roof exploded, and Percy's body sailed up into the air. He landed on top of the building, rolling over in pain. His eyes dilated and the roof cracked. Kronos yelled as his body was flung through the hole in the roof and was thrown across the ground. Kronos panted and stumbled his way back to his feet. He dusted himself off and faced Percy. Percy staggered as he took a step forward.
"Why do you keep fighting, Percy? This is pointless. It doesn't have to be this way," Kronos tried reasoning.
Percy wiped his forehead, his breathing now turned heavy. "There is no other way. You want to enslave the human race, and I can't let you do that," Percy panted.
"So, you'd kill yourself to stop me?"
"If that's what it takes."
"Foolish, boy."
Percy glared at Kronos and thrust his hand out, grabbing Kronos with his mind. He jerked his hand back and pulled Kronos forward. As Kronos flew at him, Percy caught Kronos in the face with a punch. Kronos dropped to the ground. Percy rubbed at his hand, shaking off the pain.
Kronos snapped his fingers and a miniature explosion went off in front of Percy. Percy stumbled back, rubbing at his eyes. Kronos was on him before he could regain his bearings. Kronos wrapped his hands around Percy's neck, slamming his head against the rocky ground of the roof. Percy raised his legs and vaulted Kronos off of him. He held his fist out and slammed his palm down towards the ground. Kronos, who was attempting to get back to his feet, was slammed back down onto the ground.
Percy ripped a plastic pipe from the roof and brought it to his hand. He marched up to Kronos and swung it at Kronos's head. Kronos sputtered and fell onto his side, spitting up some blood. "Are you going to kill me, Percy?" he wheezed.
"You leave me little choice," Percy replied.
Kronos growled and flung an orange orb at Percy. Percy raised his palm and erected a barrier around himself, the explosion harmlessly going off in front of him. He leaned down and grabbed Kronos by his collar, yanking the man up. He thrust him against the stone wall of the building. "Then just get it over with, boy," rasped Kronos. Percy panted as he glared hatefully at Kronos. His pupils dilated and he forced himself into Kronos's mind.
Kronos pushed through the door, a folder under his arm. A younger Ethan sat in a chair at a long table. Kronos sat down at the head of the table, next to Ethan. He pulled the file out from under his arm and opened it up on the table. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Ethan. The boy was clutching his left eye, which had a dark cloth on it.
Kronos's jaw tightened. "Did one of your parents do that to you?" Kronos asked, pointing at Ethan's eye.
Ethan nodded. "My mom, she called me a f-freak and tried t-to kill me," Ethan stuttered.
Kronos rubbed at his chin and looked down at the file. "Ethan Nakamura. Power to teleport yourself and others, interesting. You seem like a talented young man, Ethan." Kronos offered him a warm smile and reached out to pat Ethan's shoulder. "You don't have to worry about your mother anymore, she can't hurt you here."
Ethan nodded, his hands trembling. "T-Thank you, sir."
"I'd like for you to meet one of my other boys." Kronos pressed a button on an intercom in front of him and spoke again. "Can you send in Luke, please?" A few seconds later, a younger looking Luke walked through the door. "Ethan, I'd like for you to meet Luke. He's like you, and I think you two will be very good friends." Kronos offered Ethan a warm smile. He looked up at Luke. "Get him seen after. Take him to his room and make him feel at home."
Luke gave a sad smile and helped Ethan out of his chair. He led the boy out of the room. The intercom buzzed a few moments later. "Sir, another one just arrived. Would you like for me to send her in?" the voice asked.
Kronos pressed the button to talk. "Yes, please do. Thank you," he said gently.
A younger Circe was led into the room and was seated next to Kronos. Her escort handed Kronos a folder and left the room. Kronos gave her a smile and patted her hand. He opened the file and looked it over. "Circe Wilburn," Kronos read over the file. He paused and made an impressed expression. "You have the power of magic?" He leaned back in his chair.
"Yes," Circe whispered.
"Tell me, what happened?"
"I was run out of my town. They wanted to burn me for being a witch."
Kronos's eyebrows rose. "In this day and age? When will people really change?" He let out a long sigh. "You're from the south?" Circe nodded. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." He took her hand in his and patted it with his other hand. "I can assure you that you will not be treated in such a manner in this organization."
Kronos now appeared to be much younger, about the same age as Percy. He sat at a diner with a menu in his hand. He looked up as the door dinged. A younger Chiron and a young woman walked into the diner. They walked up to Kronos and Chiron gestured at the woman next to him. "Kronos, I'd like you to meet Rhea. Rhea, this is the friend I was telling you about," Chiron introduced the two of them.
Chiron sat down across from Kronos, while Rhea smiled and sat down next to Kronos. Kronos turned his head and smiled awkwardly at the young woman. He cleared his throat. "So, how did you two meet?" Kronos asked.
"Oh, well, we are in the same class together, and I missed class last week and needed to borrow some notes, so I went to Chiron," Rhea explained.
"We got partnered in lab this week, as well," Chiron continued.
Kronos nodded. "Well, hopefully you have better luck at reading Chiron's handwriting than I do," Kronos joked.
Chiron and Kronos caught each other's eyes. "If you two will excuse me, I need to go use the restroom," Chiron announced. He got up and headed towards the bathroom, leaving the two alone.
Kronos fidgeted nervously in his seat, while Rhea giggled at him. "You're very shy," she observed.
"Only around pretty girls," Kronos said with a smile.
Rhea smiled at him. "You think I'm pretty?" Kronos nodded. "Well, I think you are quite handsome."
Kronos chuckled and cleared his throat. "If-If it wouldn't be too much to ask, would you like to go see a movie this Friday night?" he asked nervously.
Her smile widened. "I'd love to."
Kronos appeared to be a few years older. He sat beside a bed with a children's book in his hands. In the bed was a small boy with black hair and green eyes. The boy listened with wide eyes as his father read to him about a knight that slayed a dragon to save a beautiful princess. When the story got to a jumpy part, the child jumped and the lights in the room flashed. Kronos sent him a playfully scolding look out of the corner of his eye.
The child giggled and rolled around in his bed. Kronos kept reading, the child settling down once again to listen to the story. When Kronos finished, he sat the book down on a nearby bookshelf and tucked his now sleeping son into bed. He placed a kiss on the child's forehead and turned off the nearby lamp.
He looked up to find Rhea smiling at him in the doorway. "Well, aren't my two men adorable?" she joked.
Kronos smiled and shook his head. "They grow up fast, don't they?" he said, kissing his wife.
"They really do." She pursed her lips and walked ahead of him towards the living room. She sat down on the couch and looked at him with concern. "They called again while you were out today."
Kronos's gaze hardened. "What did you say?" he asked.
"I told them that you didn't want to be part of this 'U.N.I.T.' thing that they are working on."
"And?"
"They weren't happy. They see you as a threat."
Kronos sighed. "Just because I don't want to join them, and it's not like I'm going around blowing people up. I just want to live my life with my family," he stated hotly.
"I know, dear, I'm just worried that-" Rhea was cut off by an explosion.
Kronos coughed as he pushed a piece of the wreckage of his home off of him. "Rhea?" he shouted. "Rhea? Jake?" He frantically started digging through the rubble. He finally found Rhea's arm poking out from the debris. He panicked and flung the debris off of her, finding her limp body underneath. He started shaking as he pulled her lifeless body up against his.
He turned his head as more panic washed over him. His son. He gently laid Rhea's body down and fumbled towards the spot where Jake's room had been. He threw more debris as he dug for his son. He finally uncovered the bed, finding Jake's bloody corpse lying on the floor next to it. Kronos's body shook as he wept over his son, gently running his fingers through Jake's blood soaked hair.
Percy pushed himself into Kronos's consciousness, gritting his teeth. "Do you understand now, Percy? This world is a disease, it is evil, and it needs to be purged."
Percy shook his head, trying to brush the thoughts away. He searched further, trying to find answers. Inside he found regret. Images of a building on fire. Burned bodies strewn across the ground. Mercenaries. Kronos standing outside. "If only we had gotten there sooner, perhaps the villagers could have been saved."
"My family. Dead. My best friend joined them."
"Change is coming, Percy. Will you be ready for it?"
"Every action has a consequence. Will you be able to handle yours?"
"You've only made it worse, stupid boy."
"I wanted a perfect world. A perfect world where people no longer suffered. Can you bring the world to this prosperity, Percy? Can you do what needs to be done? Will you be ready? Can you protect those dearest to you? They'll take everything from you, Percy. Everything. You need me. The world needs me, more than any of you know."
Percy's eyes snapped open, blazing with fury. "You're wrong!" he shouted, thrusting Kronos against the wall behind him. He watched as Kronos started laughing madly.
"You know nothing, Percy Jackson!"
Percy clenched his teeth and his fists. His pupils dilated, covering his eyes in black. Percy's body calmed down, which unnerved Kronos, causing the man to stop laughing. Percy just stood there and watched Kronos a moment, Kronos's only movement being the rise and fall of his chest. "Who told you to breathe?" Percy asked.
Kronos's eyes widened as he clutched his throat. He fell to his knees, trying to pound against his chest. He tried in vain to get breath into his lungs as Percy just stared down at him. Kronos's face started to turn blue and he fell over on his side.
The darkness in Percy's eyes retracted back into his pupils as his vision started to blur. He clutched his head as the world around him started to spin. He heard yelling from behind him, but couldn't get himself to turn around. Blood started to fall from his nose. Percy could hear Kronos's heartbeat start to fade, his vision shaking with each slowing thump.
Percy collapsed onto the ground next to Kronos. He looked up as Nico appeared over him, his voice sounding distant. Nico grabbed Percy's hands frantically. He mouthed the word 'stop'. Nico panicked and leaned in closer to Percy. "Percy! Percy, you have to stop or you'll die!" Nico yelled, but it came out muffled to Percy.
Percy shattered the link and gasped for breath. Nico breathed a sigh of relief. "Wh-What happened?" Percy barely managed to get out.
"You're an idiot, that's what," Nico said, looking near to tears. "Percy, you could have killed yourself if you stayed in his head while he died."
Percy turned his head to look at Kronos, who had stopped moving. Dead. He was dead. Percy had killed him. Percy tried to catch his breath as he rested his head in Nico's lap. "Everyone else?" Percy rasped out.
"Everyone's fine." Nico let out a long breath as he ran a hand through Percy's sweat soaked hair. "Dammit, Percy, don't scare me like that again."
Percy smiled weakly up at Nico, letting his eyes drift close. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Percy scrunched his eyes together, being brought out of a well-deserved sleep by the sound of the TV in the lab. He groaned and buried his head further into the crook of Nico's neck. He wrapped his arm tighter around Nico's waist and pulled him back against himself, Nico rubbing their intertwined legs together in response.
The door to Nico's room opened and Percy looked up to see Grover in the doorway. "Percy, get up, you got to come see the news!" Grover exclaimed with a bright smile.
Percy glared at him and waved for him to go away. "Sleep, Grover, I just want to sleep," Percy whined. He yawned and rolled onto his back. Grover sighed and left the room.
Nico rolled over and laid his head on Percy's shoulder. "Don't you want to know what the news is about?" Nico asked.
Percy yawned again. "Not particularly. I'm still exhausted," he replied. Nico hummed to himself and trailed his fingers across Percy's bare torso. Percy smiled. "What are you thinking about?"
Nico drew a circle in the center of Percy's chest. "Just thinking. I don't think everything has sunk in yet."
Percy nodded. "I know what you mean. What are you going to do now?"
Nico sighed. "I don't know. I never really planned for this day," he mumbled.
Percy smiled and placed a kiss on Nico's forehead. "I was hoping you might come and live with me at my apartment, and maybe start college."
Nico closed his eyes and let a smile spread across his lips. "I'll think about it. Moving in together makes me a little nervous, but considering I don't really have anywhere else to live, I guess I don't have much choice."
"As someone once told me, you'll always have a choice."
Nico rolled his eyes. "Stop quoting me," he grumbled.
The door opened again Poseidon poked his head inside. Percy groaned. "Get up, both of you. You need to come see the news," he ordered.
"Yeah, okay," Percy replied, sitting up in bed. Poseidon withdrew his head from the room. Percy stretched and looked back down at Nico. He crawled on top of the smaller boy and locked their lips together. "I could get used to this."
Nico smiled and crawled out from underneath Percy. The two of them threw some clothes on, having only slept in their underwear, and exited Nico's room. Everyone had gathered around the large monitor in the lab, watching the news.
"Police are still baffled about what went on here last night," the news reporter said. "It appears as if an attack of some sort occurred here, but what baffles our officers is that no one appeared to be here when they arrived. Witnesses reportedly claim that they tried contacting the authorities while this strange event was occurring, but the officer on the phone said it was nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, police in the surrounding area report to have received orders to relocate their patrol. Will we ever have an answer to the strange occurrence here last night? Hopefully someone will be able to deliver us some answers."
Athena froze the TV. "Look," she said, enlarging a portion of the screen.
Percy's eyes narrowed as he recognized the man in the background. "Zeus," he growled. He didn't look happy as he surveyed the scene. "What's he doing there?"
"He probably got called to check the scene out. He's not happy because someone did his job for him," Chiron explained, a frown on his face.
Poseidon turned the monitor off. "Percy, Chiron and I would like to have a word with you," Poseidon stated. The others all looked at Percy as they walked off. Percy let out a long breath as he waited for one of the two men in front of him to say something.
"Yes?" Percy asked.
"Firstly, I want to say that I'm proud of you, son. What you did last night was extraordinary."
Percy smiled at his father. Chiron cleared his throat. "It truly was, Percy. You were the one we were looking for. I can say without a doubt that you are the strongest of the Omegas," Chiron praised him.
"But, that also means you could be in the most danger. While Chiron and the others did slip the Omega file out of Zeus's hands, he will still know you are on that list," Poseidon continued.
"I did take the precaution of having the others remove as much as they could about Percy from U.N.I.T.'s files.
Percy smirked. "Just like our first semester of college, Chiron. We would have gotten in so much trouble if we had gotten caught," Percy said with a chuckle. Poseidon and Chiron stared at him in shock and confusion. Chiron had his mouth hanging slightly open, a look of mild horror written on his face. "What?"
Chiron's eyebrows furrowed. "Percy, where did you get that information?"
Percy's face contorted into confusion. The memory was there, but there was something wrong about it. He couldn't remember anything from before or after it, just one flash of memory. He and Chiron couldn't have gone to college together, though. Percy scratched his head as he continued to think.
"I think you should let your mother and I have a look at you later, Percy," Poseidon said with a voice of finality.
Percy's heartbeat quickened. "What's happening to me?" Percy whispered, his voice sounding panicked.
"Percy, I think you've retained memories from Kronos. We can only hope that that is all that was seared into your mind," Chiron explained, placing a hand on Percy's shoulder.
Percy ran a hand across his face, panic still evident in his eyes. "Am I going to be alright?"
"We're going to try and sort it out," Poseidon assured him. "We just need time to examine you. For now, try to enjoy yourself. You accomplished what you were supposed to do, now try and enjoy your life. It's finally over, Percy."
Percy nodded, but was still in a state of slight shock. He walked off towards the elevator. He boarded it and headed up to the roof. He walked outside and sat down on the ledge of the building, looking down at the city below him. If it was really over, why did something feel wrong? Percy couldn't shake this feeling of uneasiness. He couldn't explain it. It was just like something didn't add up.
The things that Kronos had said to him last night were still weighing down on him. The memories were still there, freshly seared into his mind. With all of it there, he just felt like there was more to this than they were seeing. Things locked together in the course of history, like a large domino effect. A course of events, all leading up to this one point in time, but he wasn't even sure it was this exact moment that everything was leading to.
It was supposed to lead to the end, but to Percy, it didn't feel like an end. It felt more like a beginning. If it wasn't for all the things Kronos had said, Percy might look at it differently, but he couldn't now. Everything, even before Percy had gotten involved, fit together so well.
It had all started because of the death of Kronos's family. His son, Jake, still haunted Percy. He looked similar to Percy. Had that been why Kronos had taken such an interest in him? Wanting to bring back the ghost of his son through Percy? Kronos was broken after that, hating the world. Next was Kronos's visit with Chiron. Chiron could have stopped it, but fate did not agree. Kronos then left to go to Texas, looking for Nico. He had killed Nico's family, possibly the cause of Nico's damaged psyche. When Nico wouldn't join Kronos, Kronos went to Luke. He manipulated the boy and got him to join the Consortium. He drove the two against each other, wanting Nico's fury. He saw Nico as a tool, a tool in the journey to changing the world.
Rachel then had her vision about the event that transpired last night. An event to change the world. The rise and fall of the two opposing organizations. After that, everyone began their search for Percy, without any luck, until Percy decided to stop taking his medication. Finally, Nico saved Percy. He saved Percy so that Percy could fulfill what he was supposed to do in Rachel's dream. It all played out, like a game of chess. Piece by piece fell into place, causing the next piece to fall, until the dream happened. The moment Percy killed Kronos. Why didn't it seem like it was over then?
The nightmare. Something about it was bothering Percy. Kronos had brought it up before he had died, but why was it important? It was just a tactic to scare Percy away from U.N.I.T., wasn't it? Another event hat Percy was supposed to have caused, if he went with Nico, which he did. Had he saved the world? Perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps Kronos was just trying to make Percy falter.
Percy rubbed at his forehead and nodded to himself. He jumped off the ledge and headed back to the door to the building, finding Nico there waiting for him. "Are you alright?" Nico asked.
Percy nodded and wrapped his arms around Nico's waist. "I'm fine, just thinking about everything," Percy assured him. "I think I just need some more rest."
"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to get plenty of that now. It's all over and we can move on with our lives."
Percy smiled and leaned down to kiss Nico. He smiled as he pulled back. "Yeah, you're right," he said, leading Nico back into the lab. The world was safe for now, and that's all that mattered.
So, I'm not really going to do a run through of the chapter like I usually do. Bragi is going to come in a second and bid farewell to anyone not wanting to read the sequel. So, if you don't want to read the sequel, I want to remind you that this is the end for you. Don't read the next chapter if you want it to end here. I gave you a happy ending that can please you, but next chapter will end on the note of a sequel. So, if this is the end for you, I hope you enjoyed the story. I'm sad to see the story end. It's been fun. But if you are going to read next chapter, I'll have you for one more chapter. Now, let's talk with Bragi.
SoH: So, this is the end for some people, I guess. I'm not really sure. It's been a fun journey, though. What do you think?
Bragi: Meh.
SoH: So talkative. Three months ago we started, and we are finally finished. I know you are so happy since you hate this fic.
Bragi: I don't hate the fic, I simply didn't enjoy it as much as you did.
SoH: Actually, this fic might have been a large part of my stress, that or AToLaT. But you said you liked this chapter. Percy was badass. Nico was badass. Everyone was badass. And it ends on a happy note for anyone not wanting to read the sequel. Everyone is happy.
Bragi: Well, I suppose happy endings can be a good thing. I just find them boring, hence, why I'm more enthused about the sequel than this fic.
SoH: That's just because I made the epilogue awesome and build suspense to the sequel. But is there anything you would like to say to any of the readers not returning?
Bragi: I hope you all enjoyed the many balance issues, which were the result of innumerable hours of nagging and critiques that were answered with yet more innumerable hours of whining and complaining.
SoH: ...You would find some way to take a swing at me. And is there anything you would like to say to those who will be joining us next chapter?
Bragi: I am sure you will all enjoy this next chapter far more than you think, despite any and all unmentionable events which may, it is hoped, jerk tears and elicit pallor stricken reactions.
Well, there you go. Well, if you are done reading, it's been fun and I'll see you in another fic hopefully. If you're going to read the epilogue, I'll see you in chapter 20. Until next time.