Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Story: Guardians of Light and Justice
Chapter 2: Revelations
AN: Some people asked if this idea came from the Nights of Chaos story and I guess a little inspiration came from that story, but this will be different from many perspectives. Thank you to everyone for the positive reviews so far.
Nico's POV
I walked from the infirmary on Olympus, it appeared that Connor and Travis would live although their severe burns will take a while to heal according to Apollo. I walked along the narrow street that led from the infirmary to the throne room. I entered the beautiful marble building. As usual when I was out in the open I wore my black trench coat, black fedora hat and dark shades. Other than my jaw line my face was obscured. I pushed open the massive celestial bronze doors that led to the main lobby of the throne room. I stood in the lobby for a moment to make sure that no one was around. I walked over to the statue of Athena and stepped behind it. There on the wall behind the statue was a capital A, which is the Greek symbol for alpha. I placed my hand over the letter and the marble wall opened revealing a two person elevator. I stepped into the elevator and it automatically dropped, it seemed like it would fall forever until it came to an abrupt stop. The door opened and there in front of me was the familiar symbol that I knew all too well, the symbol was a set of scales of justice and over the scales were several beams of light like the heavens had opened and sunlight shone down upon the scales. I walked out of the elevator and took a right. I walked for about thirty yards before I saw a familiar pair of dark blue double doors that also bore the same symbol.
I pushed open the doors and walked in. The room had several desks out in the open and I saw a few people typing away on their computers. My eyes caught on the familiar door at the back of the room. The symbol of the scales of justice and the beams of light were on this door as well, but written below it in ancient Greek was the name commander. I walked to the door and knocked loudly.
"Come in" The familiar voice said. I opened the door and walked in. I saw a large wooden desk with a person sitting at it. Their chair was turned with its back towards me, but I could see the top of the person's head. I smiled as I saw the familiar jet black messy hair that I knew all too well.
"Hey, cousin." I said. The chair turned around revealing the bright sea green eyes and strong jaw of my cousin Percy Jackson. He didn't smile, I hadn't seen him smile for years, but he wore the familiar determined look on his face.
"Lieutenant Di Angelo." Percy said. So thats how he's playing it.
"Good morning sir." I said with a salute. Percy just waved his hand and motioned for me to sit in the chair on the other side of his desk. I sat down and looked up to see Percy reading some kind of report.
"How are they?" Percy asked. I was about to say who and tease him, but this Percy Jackson was not someone that you would want to tease or piss off, believe me I know.
"Connor and Travis both have third degree burns over fifty percent of their bodies. Lord Apollo says that they will recover, but they will be out of commission for a while." I said.
"Has the forensics team completed their search of the scene?" Percy asked.
"Yes sir, Will, I mean Sergeant Solace and his team are analyzing the data, but preliminary information definitely points to this being the work of the Hand. If you don't mind me asking sir, why were the Stolls there?" I said. Percy looked up from his report and stared into my eyes. When we were younger I always thought of Percy's eyes as unintimidating, but over the past few years I couldn't think of anyones eyes more scary sometimes, not my dads, Zeus nor Athena's. Percy's eyes first made you feel uneasy like they were looking into your soul. He always seemed to be able to predict your intentions just by looking at you. It was freaky even for the Prince of the Dead.
"I would say it was on a need to know basis, but I believe you need to know Lieutenant. They had infiltrated a terrorist cell of the Hand. This group was planning a strike on some target within the metropolitan area. The Stolls were trying to figure out the target so we could stop them and arrest all those involved. It seems that the cell found out about them and blew their base to cover their tracks." Percy said.
"So what do we do now?" I asked.
"I want you to work on two lines of investigation; first work with Solace on any forensic findings that seem helpful, and second go to the intelligence section and work with them on surveillance for the metro area. I need to know of any suspicious activity and communications. We will need to be able to read all information from other law enforcement groups, FBI, police and Homeland Security." Percy said.
"Yes, sir I'll get on it." I said. Percy nodded and was about to go back to his report.
"Sir, can I talk to you outside of our usual professional discourse." I said, I know big words.
"Sure, Nico what's up?" Percy said a little more friendly this time and I do mean little.
"Are you getting enough sleep you look exhausted?" I asked.
"I'm fine, I just have a bad feeling that the Hand has something special planned for the area. We need to know what it is and stop it." Percy said, always going back to work.
"Perce, do you ever go out and have fun?" I said, I knew it was a rhetorical question because I knew he never went out.
"You know I don't have the time for a social life." Percy said matter-of-factly.
"What happened to the fun loving cousin that I had?" I asked sadly. Percy just stared at me with a frown on his face as if he was remembering all the horrible things that had happened to him.
"Nico you know what happened." Percy said. He's right I did, but there has to be something else.
"I know, but I have a sneaky suspicion that there is more." I said. Percy sighed loudly and ran his hand through his hair.
"If you must know you can always ask Athena or Apollo." Percy said.
"Come on they won't tell me." I said.
"They will if you tell them that I said it was OK." Percy said. I was about to protest again. "Your dismissed Lieutenant, get to work." I saluted then walked out the door to his office. My curiosity was peaked. I made my way out of the offices and walked back toward the elevator. Then I saw the light on in the council room on the other side of the elevator. I walked to the door and knocked softly.
"Come in Nico." A woman's voice said that I recognized instantly as Lady Athena's. I walked inside to the room, the walls were made of white marble as well as the floor. The ceiling was white and room was awash in light. It took me a few seconds to get use to the light level. Athena was seated at the large round granite table that was in the middle of the room. This is where the Council of Light and Justice held their meetings.
"Hello Lady Athena." I said. Athena looked up from the papers she was reading and gave me a look that was very reminiscent of the one Percy gave me earlier
"What can I do for you Lieutenant Di Angelo?" Athena said as she studied me curiously.
"I asked Percy and he told me to ask you." I blurted out.
"Ask me about what?" Athena said with a slight glint of amusement in her eyes.
"I asked him why he changed so much and he said that I already knew. Then I said that I had the feeling he didn't tell me everything. Then he said I could always talk to you about it." I said. One of Athena's eyebrows raised in an inquisitive way.
"He did?" Athena asked, I could tell she was trying to read if I was telling the truth.
"Yes my lady." I said.
"Alright I will tell you. I suppose you know that the evening of the defeat of Kronos, Percy was seated by the bonfire and Chiron informed him about the murder of his mother and future step father." Athena said.
"Yes, I've heard that part." I said.
"Did you know that Percy rode Blackjack to his mother's house? He found the bodies as our clean up crews investigated." Athena said.
"I knew that as well." I said.
"Well, did you know that Percy found the two demigod followers of Kronos who were responsible for their deaths?" Athena asked.
"No I didn't." I said. I never knew that.
"Then let me tell you an important story then." Athena said.
Flashback - The Night Percy's Parent Died - Mount Olympus
Athena's POV
I was in an Olympian council meeting. We were all discussing the deaths of Sally Jackson and Paul Blofis.
"Athena explain the situation." Zeus ordered.
"Yes father, it appears that several demigods, remaining titans, and minor gods have bound together to create a terrorist organization called the Hand of Kronos. They're first act was to kill the mortal parents of the hero of Olympus." Athena said.
"Brother, we have to counter this evil, Oceanus has retreated for the time being, but I know he must be in league with this group." Poseidon said. For one of the few times I agreed with the old sea dog.
"I hate to say it, but old barnacle beard here is right." I said, earning the death glare from Poseidon as well as a slight smirk.
"Do you have any ideas how to counter this group?" Zeus asked.
"I think so, we will need to create a counter terrorist group. It should include gods, immortals and demigods." I said.
"A sound solution, I would feel better if this group was led by a council of gods, ones with unique interest in this area." Zeus said.
"I agree father." I said.
"Brother, when you say unique interests what do you mean?" Poseidon asked.
"This group must be made up of those that can counter this growing darkness. They should be those gods with unique knowledge of the light, of strategy and most importantly justice." Zeus said. Poseidon smiled and nodded in agreement. Therefore as King of the gods I proclaim the creation of the Council of Light and Justice. This groups sole purpose is to counter the actions of the Hand of Kronos. The council will consist of twelve gods and/or immortals. Athena and Apollo, I want both of you to serve on this council."
"Yes father." I said.
"Yes, dad" Apollo said.
"Good thats two now for the rest. Aether the primordial god of light and the upper atmosphere has asked me for a post and I think this council will do just fine. Also, I assign; Arete goddess of virtue, Dikaiosyne god of righteousness, Dike goddess of fair judgements, Nomos god of law, Pistis goddess of trust, Praxidike goddess of exacting justice, Nike goddess of victory, and Astraea the virgin goddess of justice to the council as well." Zeus said. We all looked at my father with surprise and hope for the future. Suddenly, the door to the throne room burst open and a young man ran into the throne room, he was covered in blood from head to toe. At first we didn't know who he was, but then all of our eyes widened with shock, it was Percy Jackson.
"Perseus?" Zeus asked. Percy ran into the throne and dropped to his knees, he looked exhausted and we could all tell that he had been sobbing. Poseidon looked at his son with an uneasy glare.
"Son what have you done?" Poseidon asked. We all just stared at the young savior of Olympus for an answer.
"I found the murderers." Percy said, his voice hollow and without feeling.
"Where are they?" Zeus demanded. Percy just stared at his uncle and even I could see the remorse in his eyes.
"They're dead, I killed them." Percy said plainly.
"Is that your reason for the visit?" Zeus asked.
"At first sir, but I'm sorry I couldn't help, but over hear the creation of this new council. I have an idea that I would like to share, may I?" Percy said calmly, he wasn't nervous or scared. I had never seen the boy so calm, it was like he knew what was to come.
"Go ahead." Zeus said impatiently, I could tell that my father sensed that something was wrong with the boy.
"If the Hand has demigods as well as immortals, you will need a force to deal with them. As you all know the ancient laws forbid the gods from directly dealing with mortals or demigods. The only immortal beings who can are the hunters. I propose that along with this new council that an immortal force of, let's call them guardians, be established as well. They would be the link to the council and would be able to deal with monsters, immortals, mortals and demigods." Percy said. I looked at him and smiled.
"Father, the idea holds great merit, I commend my rivals son. Percy that is an excellent idea. I suppose you volunteer to be the first guardian?" I asked. Percy stared at me with his green eyes and for once I felt uneasy looking into someones eyes.
"No my lady, I'm not worthy to join such a group." Percy said. All of us on the Olympian Council were completely thrown for a loop with his statement.
"If the hero of Olympus isn't worthy then who is?" Zeus asked.
"Uncle, I don't deserve to be the hero of Olympus either." Percy said.
"Son, what has happened to you. I know your grieving for your mother and her man, but that isn't an excuse for this." Poseidon said.
"Father they were not the only two that those bastards killed. My mom was pregnant with my half sister." Percy said. All the gods were shocked. Poseidon looked like someone had punched him in the stomach, I would have thought it amusing, if not for the circumstances."
"Perseus we are all sorry to hear that, but why do you say that you're not worthy?" I asked. Percy looked into my eyes again and then he looked back toward my father.
"Uncle I know you can pull out the memories from my mind and show them, it will be easier that way." Percy said. My father stared at him with confusion.
"Alright, focus on the memory and I can project it into the minds of all the gods here." Zeus said. My father's eyes glowed and then Percy's eyes glowed, suddenly we were all seeing Percy's memories. The memory started with Percy finding the two young men, they looked like they were in their mid teens, no older than Percy himself. Percy fought them and easily defeated them in combat. The two boys seemed to think that Percy would take them to us for punishment, but instead he did the unthinkable. The memory was clouded with anger, hatred and despair. The memory came to us in flashes, Percy flailed them alive until neither had any skin on their bodies. They were still alive screaming in agony before Percy finally ended the torture and killed them. The memories seemed to come into focus and our last image was Percy kneeling in the park at night covered in blood. His mind finally cleared of the anger and hate, he realized what happened. The last sound of the memory was the terrible sound of waling and sobbing. As Percy cried over the terrible act he'd committed.
"Now you see why I'm unworthy." Percy said. None of us could speak, but finally Poseidon did.
"Son, what you did was terrible, but they did the same to your mortal family." Poseidon said.
"I know what they did, but that did not give me the right to do the same to them. I could have just killed them and that would have been bad enough. No I had to torture them, I had to make them suffer, they would suffer enough in Tartarus, but I gave them a living hell instead." Percy said. He stood and was ready to walk out of the throne room.
"Perseus, where are you going?" Zeus said.
"Somewhere far away from here. Some place where I can make amends and start anew. If that's possible." Percy said as he walked out the door.
"Son wait." Poseidon yelled, but the door had already closed.
End of Flashback -
Present Day - Headquarters of the Guardians of the Light and Justice
Nico's POV
I was stunned, I could tell by the look on Athena's face that she felt pain reliving that memory.
"I never knew." I said softly.
"Only Percy and we Olympians know, well now you." Athena said.
"When did he come back, clearly he joined the Guardians?" I asked.
"Percy traveled the world for a year, learning how to control his emotions, his anger in particular. He helped the poor and tried to lead a pious life. At the end of the year Apollo and Aether found him in a temple in Nepal. His head was shaved and he led the life of a monk. He trained his mind and his body. Apollo and Aether finally persuaded him to return and to take his rightful place as the first Guardian. He refused at first, but my little brother can be persuasive, especially when he has Aether by his side. They brought Percy back and he began his training as a Guardian and a few months later he brought you on board as well." Athena said.
"I wondered why his hair was so short back then." I said. I looked at Athena for a moment. "I always wondered this since I've been here, but why are you so nice to Percy?" Athena looked at me a little shocked that I would even ask that question, but I think she was more taken aback though.
"When Percy left Poseidon and I agreed to cease our rivalry for the good of Olympus. Since we are on better terms, I guess that extends to Perseus as well." Athena said.
I looked into her eyes and she looked a little flustered. "You've grown fond of him haven't you?" I said with a smile.
"I may have judged him too harshly, he has proven to be an excellent commander of the guardians. He isn't stupid he can be quite intelligent when he applies himself. I guess I underestimated him as a young man and as a hero." Athena said. I was shocked, its not everyday that the goddess of wisdom admits that she's wrong.
"I understand, I just wish sometimes that he was happier. I've never told him this, but I look up to him as a brother and well I miss the old Percy sometimes." I said sadly. Athena looked at me softly, which never happened before. She stood up and walked toward me and put her hand on my shoulder.
"You have done well too and Percy is lucky to have you as a friend or as a brother." Athena said. I smiled at her and nodded in acceptance.
"Thank you" I said. Then her tone changed and she was back to her serious self.
"So how are the sons of Hermes?" Athena asked.
"They'll be fine, but they're going to be laid up for a while. Percy wants me to investigate forensics and intelligence, hopefully we can find what the Hand is up to." I said.
"Good luck guardian." Athena said. I turned to walk out the door. "Nico" I turned to look at Athena again. "This conversation never happened, got it?" I visibly gulped at the harsh tone in her voice.
"Yes my lady." I said as I walked out of the council chamber. I have to remind myself never to piss that woman off, I thought.
AN: I know a long chapter, I hope it made up for the short first chapter.