Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Story: Guardians of Light and Justice
AN: Thank you to Lord Zill because I did get the idea of using Aether from your story about the Paladins of Aether and yes there will be at least a few powers related to light and the sun. The guardians are given a gift from each of the council members, so with Apollo and Aether on the council you can expect at least two light or sun related gifts, but there are many other gifts that the guardians receive. Also, as hinted in the previous chapter Percy has some additional powers, their origins unknown (at least until I reveal them in the story). Also, I had a question about the timeframe of this story, this is set five years after TLO.
Chapter 5: Guardians Revealed
Nico's POV
Percy and I walked back into the hovercraft to setup for the day and night.
"Why are the hunters here?" I asked. She's here I saw her.
"Zeus ordered Artemis to bring them just in case we needed help." Percy said.
"She's here I saw her." I said.
"Whose here?" Percy said. Then he looked at me warily. "Ah, the one you love." I don't know if I love her anymore its been three years since I saw her.
"Its been three years, I don't know if I love her still." I said.
"I only saw one hunter on the beach, holy crap you love Thalia." Percy accused.
"I I ye yes I do." I said defeated. Percy gave me a sly smile and it was the first one I had seen on his face in five years.
"Its OK Nico, she is your cousin and therefore its pretty sick, but in some countries its OK to be in love with your cousin." Percy teased. He teased me like he use to do years ago, maybe this trip to camp is what he needed.
"Funny, Perce since when have you become the comedian, mister serious?" I asked incredulously.
"Maybe I'm a little nostalgic to be back at camp." Percy said.
"So tell me again, why are we staying in the hovercraft when we could be in a soft bed in the big house?" I asked.
"People will find out soon enough who we really are besides we have a spy in our ranks, better to keep things under raps until absolutely necessary." Percy said. We have a spy?
"There is a spy in the guardians?" I asked.
"Yes, with my blow up with Athena I never got to tell you. A minor god is spying for us within the Hand's organization. Our spy informed us that we have a spy in our midst and that the Hand knows of the guardians existence now. Before you ask Zeus has ordered the identity of the minor god spy top secret." Percy said answering my next question.
Percy walked into the large control room of the hovercraft. Several flat screen displays and wall mounted computers surrounded the room. Percy typed furiously across a keyboard and suddenly the automated systems started.
"Good afternoon Commander." The feminine computer voice said.
"Good afternoon GAIL (Guardians Artificial Intelligence Link)." Percy said.
"Link with geosynchronous satellites and other surveillance assets. I want a tight surveillance of the perimeter of camp. Inform me of any unusual occurrences." Percy said.
"Acknowledged Commander." GAIL said.
Percy looked at his special watch that all guardians wore it was a functional watch and communicator, but it was also a unique weapon. Percy walked into the small recreation room on the hovercraft and sat in one of the three recliners. He propped his feet up and closed his eyes. "Nico, get some rest I have a feeling we'll need it." Percy ordered. I sat down in the recliner next to him and followed his lead.
Annabeth's POV
Thalia and I stood at the edge of the beach watching the large black hovercraft curiously.
"I wonder what these guardians are really like. Did you ever hear of them before?" I asked Thalia.
"No, I had no clue they existed, but they must be something if Mr. D respects them enough to not make fun of them." Thalia said.
"Respects them or he's scared of them. Either way its impressive." I said. Thalia nodded in agreement. "Let's get back to camp, do you want to practice some archery, I could use the practice?" Thalia smiled at my statement.
"I'm sure you do, there isn't a need for shooting an arrow when your designing buildings." Thalia quipped.
"Not really unless you're trying to motivate the contractors." I said playfully earning a laugh from my friend. We walked to the archery range, I picked up a bow while Thalia unstrapped her bow from her back. I was rusty, but after a few minutes I was hitting bulls eyes every other shot. Suddenly we heard a loud noise and I could see smoke coming from the forest. I looked to see several trees on fire with tree nymphs running around furiously. The conch horn sounded and the camp came alive with activity as campers ran out with buckets of water. Thalia and I grabbed a bucket and ran to the forest to help with the fires. As we approached the woods a thunderous noise and roar could be heard from the forest, everyone stopped in their tracks. The trees in front of us exploded sending splinters and debris toward us. Thalia and I closed our eyes, when we opened them again we saw a terrible sight. Standing in front of us was a red drakon with large black and leathery wings extending from its back. Its eyes glowed with fire and I recognized this beast as a fire drakon, one of the elemental drakons.
"Everyone get down." I yelled. Everyone dropped to the ground as a plume of fire flew over our heads lighting fires to several cabins. Everyone rolled along the ground to get out of the way of the monster. Out of nowhere I heard the sound of birds wings flapping and at first I thought it was the drakon until two figures swooped out of the sky and hovered in front of the drakon. The two figures looked like the mortal equivalent of angels. The taller of the two figures had large dark brown wings like an eagles. He wore a set of armor that just covered his torso and he had a a glowing sword in his right hand and a shiny shield in his left hand. The other figure had full body armor and a helmet that covered his head. His wings were coal black and looked like the wings of a raven. He carried a glowing sword and the same type of shield. The exposed skin of the two figures seemed to glow in the daylight like they were internally illuminated by the sun. In one word they were beautiful. I noticed Thalia was stunned as well. I couldn't see their faces because of the glow from their skin.
Suddenly the drakon charged forward the two angels or whatever parted to get out of the way. The monster charged straight for me, but before it could strike someone pushed me out of the way. I looked up to see Thalia in the clutches of the drakon's clawed foot. I looked up toward the angels and I heard the taller one point toward the drakon and yell, "go." The other angel flew after the drakon at incredible speed. The drakon soared into the air and before the angel could get to it the drakon dropped Thalia from several thousand feet in the air. I could see her fall screaming the entire way until the angel caught her in midair. He carried her bridal style and landed just a few feet in front of me. His face was partially obscured by his helmet and the light from his skin was almost blinding. He placed Thalia on the ground and she just stared at him in wonder. If I could see his face I would almost guess he was smiling. He flew back into the air at incredible speed.
I suddenly felt moisture falling from the sky and I looked up into the air to see an amazing sight. The taller angel held a massive amount of water suspended over his head. He allowed the water to fall down to the ground as a hard and steady rain until the fires were extinguished. Once the water was used up the angel flew back into the air to join his comrade. They both extended their swords and beams of light shot from the swords striking the drakon in the back. The drakon roared in pain and I could tell that the weapons had opened severe wounds within the hide of the monster. The drakon turned and charged the two angels. The taller angel pushed the other out of the way and took the full strike from the drakon. The monster brought down one massive clawed foot and struck the angel straight across the face. I turned away expecting blood and gore, instead I looked back and it appeared that the angel was completely unharmed while the drakon had broken a claw clean in two. The drakon roared in pain and charged the angel, who flew away leading the monster away from camp.
I helped Thalia to her feet. "Are you OK Thals?" I asked worriedly.
Thalia just stared at me with a surprised and awestruck look. "That was amazing." She said.
"Remember your oath hunter." I teased. Thalia's face cleared and she gave me a dirty look.
"I remember, let's go to the beach the drakon chased the other angel or whatever there." Thalia said. Thalia and I ran to the beach passed the big house. We saw Chiron and Mr. D exit the house and rush to the beach to join us. The tall angel flew incredibly fast with the drakon right on his tail. He swooped down until he was only a foot or two from the surface of the ocean. The drakon continued to follow closely until a large hand exploded out of the water and grabbed the drakon out of the air. The hand immediately pulled the drakon underwater and the angel dove into the water after the monster. We all waited for a few minutes to see what would happen. Suddenly a large explosion rocked the ocean surface sending water and steam into the air. The angel exploded out of the water and flew back into the air, he was quickly joined by the other angel. They both flew back toward the beach and landed only thirty yards from us.
"Are those angels?" I asked, not really comprehending the two figures in front of me. Mr. D began to laugh furiously.
"I hope you will fill us in on the joke." Chiron said.
"They're not angels, these are the Guardians of Light and Justice." Mr. D said. We were all speechless. No wonder they kept undercover. They were beautiful and their appearance would certainly distract anyone who saw them.
"Mr. D thank you for introducing us, well at least our collective identity." The tall guardian said. His voice is so familiar.
"Your collective identity as guardians, but who are you individually?" Chiron asked.
"I'm surprised that you haven't pieced it together. My voice is familiar isn't it?" The tall guardian said. We all nodded in agreement. "I control water." My heart sped up at that revelation. "My sword does this." He placed a pen cap on his sword and it immediately turned into a pen.
"Percy" I said. Thalia and Chiron both looked at our old friend in disbelief.
"Good you do remember me, I suppose this will help." Percy said as the light from his skin faded until he stood before us. His wings had disappeared the glow of his armor decreased and I could see his face. He still had his messy black hair and his green eyes glowed beautifully in the sunlight. "Now my friend do the same." Percy motioned towards the guardian that stood next to him.
The light around the other guardian's skin and armor disappeared. At first with his helmet on all I could see was his face and it did look familiar. His dark black eyes seemed very familiar. He took off his helmet and I saw his dark black hair that was neatly trimmed.
"Nico" Thalia said from beside me. My mouth dropped in wonder. My old friend that I always thought of as a little brother stood in front of me. Our two missing friends now stood in front of us. I didn't know how to feel, I felt pain, anger, relief, hope and happiness. All I could do was stare and I think Thalia was in the same position.
"Where have you been?" Chiron asked. Percy just smiled at his old mentor.
"We will get to that in a few moments. First, you need to post several guards by Thalia's tree to protect the fleece." Percy said.
"Why?" Chiron asked.
"Isn't it obvious, that drakon was summoned from inside the camp. You have a traitor within your midst." Percy declared.
AN: More action to come, stay tuned.