Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Story: Guardians of Light and Justice
Chapter 21: Victory
Annabeth's POV
Nico and I ran to Percy as he fell to his knees exhausted. Everyone else was still stunned that Percy was the giant eagle that killed Garuda, Chronos and Erebus. Percy's hands were clenched like he was holding something.
"Percy" I said.
"Annabeth" Percy said, still out of breath from his ordeal. Percy saw Nico, and I knew he wanted to say something to him.
"Nico, here." Percy said as he handed Nico two glowing green balls. Nico and I looked at them with wonder.
"What are those?" I asked.
"Chronos and Erebus" Percy said.
"What?" Nico asked as Athena and Hades knelt down beside us.
"I placed them in these, they're in suspended animation just like when we place them in the shield." Percy said, as he said the word shield he held up his left arm. His bracelet was glowing with power. He took off his bracelet, and handed it to Athena.
"Who?" Athena asked.
"Oceanus" Percy said, that revelation made Athena and Hades gasp in surprise.
"You've done it again Perseus." Athena said as Hades nodded next to her. Percy looked at Hades, and the Lord of the dead smiled at his nephew.
"Thank you for sending Nico to help me." Hades said.
"You're most welcome, and thank you for helping up here." Percy said in response.
"How is Atlantis?" I asked.
"Damaged, but my dad can handle it." Percy said.
"The eagle, how did you do it?" Athena asked. Percy gave her a sly smile.
"My avatar; I had to let go of my anger, hate, and sorrow. I had to embrace what I love most." Percy said as he first looked to Athena, and then he stared into my eyes making me blush. Athena gave him a happy smile, as she stood up, and motioned for Hades to follow her.
"Nico and Annabeth, please help the commander to the infirmary." Athena ordered.
"Yes, my lady." Nico said as he stood up helping Percy to his feet. We both helped Percy walk to the infirmary. Once we reached the old winery, we walked inside, and laid Percy on one of the makeshift beds. I noticed Nico looking at Thalia lying in a bed with her leg extended into the air.
"You can go, I can take care of him." I said, Nico gave me a grateful smile as he walked over to Thalia's bed. I felt someone hold my hand, I turned around to see Percy lying in the bed with his eyes open.
"Did they get together yet?" Percy asked with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Gods, I hope so." I said as I chuckled softly, Percy joined me as we both smiled happily. Percy's face became serious, which made me curious. "What?" Before Percy could answer we heard someone clear their throat from behind us. I turned to see my brother Malcolm standing behind me. He gave Percy and I a happy smile as he walked over to sit on the opposite side of Percy's bed.
"Perce, thank you for saving me." Malcolm said.
"Again" I said, Malcolm just gave me the death glare making me laugh.
"Don't worry, I've made it a habit to save children of Athena. I think your mother put it in my job description." Percy said as he chuckled softly. Malcolm laughed in return.
"I've got to go, and check on the rest of camp." Malcolm said, as he nodded then walked out of the infirmary.
Once Malcolm left, I squeezed Percy's hand tighter. "I'm really glad your ok." I said. Percy sat up in his bed, I could tell he was tired, but I knew better than to tell him to sleep.
"I'm glad you're ok too." He said. We stared into each others eyes for a moment not really wanting to talk. We just wanted to be near one another, but I just had to break the happy silence.
"What are you going to do now?" I asked. Percy eyed me curiously. "Now that the Hand is destroyed, I mean." Percy sighed, but then I saw his face grow serious.
"I don't know, the council and the guardians were created to defeat the Hand, so I'm not sure what we'll do." He said. "I guess you'll go back to Olympus?"
"Yes, I still have a lot to rebuild even after all this time." I said. What about us I thought?
"What about us?" Percy asked softly, if I hadn't been listening closely I would have missed it.
"What about us?" I whispered mockingly. Percy sighed, and then he shook his head.
"You're not making this easy." Percy said.
"This is your last warning seaweed brain, I will never make things easy for you, ever." I said proudly. Percy gave me the crooked smile that I loved. He sat with his legs over the edge of his bed, and I sat on edge of my seat, literally. We both leaned forward, and then our lips met in an incredible kiss. It lasted for over a minute, until we had to break for air. We leaned our foreheads together, and stared into each others eyes.
"I love you wise girl." Percy said, I was shocked that he said it first, but he always surprises me.
"I love you too." I said. The battle was over, and the Hand was defeated. I finally got the happy ending that I wanted. However, the best thing I got was my seaweed brain back, and I was never going to let him go.
Six Months Later - Mount Olympus
Percy's POV
Zeus decided that the guardians needed to stay around, and that we would act as the police force of the gods, well maybe more like the FBI of the gods. Thalia and Nico were now together, Artemis let Thalia go easily, saying something about always knowing that her and Nico would get together eventually. Thalia was now a member of the guardians, I was happy for her, even more so that I get to boss her around, hey a perk of the job. Annabeth was still the immortal architect of Olympus, and we were now living together, happily I might add.
I was flying to a special place near Montauk that I use to go with my mom when I was little. I would come here to think about my mom, and I talked to her sometimes. I know its weird, but I just felt that her spirit was here sometimes. I landed on the beach, and retracted my wings. I made sure that no one saw me. I looked up the beach to see the old cabin that we use to go to when I was little. A warm feeling came over me as I remembered all the good times I had here. I sat down in the sand; I wanted to hold onto that good feeling, but then I remembered why I was here.
"Mom, I hope you can here me, we finally stopped the Hand. I promised that I would get justice for you and Paul, and I think we have. I know you want me to be happy, and these last few months with Annabeth have been the happiest of my life. I want to marry her mom, but I needed to tell you before I asked her. I already spoke to dad, and to Athena, they are so happy for us.
"I'm so happy for you son." Someone said, a voice that I would recognize anywhere. I turned to see the ghostly form of my mother.
"Mom" I said. She gave me a happy smile.
"You're uncle Hades allowed me to see you this once." My mom said.
"How are you?" I asked.
"Death is not bad, Paul and I both reached Elysium thanks to Poseidon, and well your little sister is with us.
"Sister" I said.
"Yes, I named her Bianca after Nico's sister. She is so beautiful Percy, she is happy with us, and she knows all about her immortal big brother." My mom said.
"I miss you mom, I love you so much." I said as tears streamed down my face.
"I love you too, my boy. You have made me so proud. You have done a great deal of good in the world. Thank you for honoring our memory. I have to go, but I want you to know that you and Annabeth have our blessing and love, always. I love you son." My mom said as she began to fade away.
"I love you too, mom." I said before she faded away completely. The last I saw of her was her smile, and I would never forget that. I wiped away my tears, and then I looked toward the sea giving thanks to my dad and my uncle. I heard someone walk behind me, and I knew exactly who it was. I turned to see Annabeth standing behind me, her princess curls blowing in the sea breeze.
"Hey, wise girl." I said. She smiled before she gave me a big hug. When we separated she leaned forward, and gave me a passionate kiss. "I missed you too"
"I love you seaweed brain." She said, I had to smile at that. We walked along the beach for several minutes until she stopped to look out over the sea. When she turned around I was on one knee, looking up at her beautiful face. "Percy ..." She said, but I put a hand up to stop her.
"I have something to say." I said, she stopped to let me finish. "We have been through so much together, and I can't help, but love you more each day. The first time I saw you all I could think about were your princess curls, then I saw your eyes. Those grey eyes that always make me feel lost. You saved my life so many times that I've lost count, and I thank you for that. You're the smartest, funniest, and most beautiful woman I know, and I couldn't imagine my life without you. Annabeth Minerva Chase will you do me the great honor of marrying me?" Annabeth looked down at me with tears leaking from her eyes. I wanted to hug her, to make the tears go away, but I knew these were happy tears.
"Yes, of course I'll marry you seaweed brain." She said as she jumped into my arms knocking me to the ground. She laid on top of me for a moment as we just stared into each others eyes. I cleared my throat, and then I gave her a sheepish grin.
"Do you want to see the ring?" I asked. She nodded, and then I started to laugh. "Well, I'll need to get up as its in my back pocket" Annabeth jumped off of me immediately. I stood up beside her, and took the ring out of my pocket. I opened the velvet box to reveal a beautiful diamond solitaire ring. The diamond was almost two karats in size, and it sat in a beautiful platinum band. Annabeth gasped at the sight of it. I slipped it on her finger, and she gave me the biggest hug in return.
"It's so beautiful." She said.
"Not as beautiful as you." I said, I know it was cheesy.
"You're pretty cheesy there, seaweed brain." She quipped.
"Only around you, and besides, I'm your seaweed brain remember." I joked. She laughed, and then she looked me in the eyes.
"Forever and always." She said.
"Forever sounds good." I said as I leaned forward, and kissed her. This was officially the best day of my life, so far.
AN: This is the end of the story, I know a fluffy ending, but I'm a sucker for happy endings. Thank you to everyone who reviewed this story, I appreciate all your comments.