Hello everyone,

Thank you all for reading my story. Disclaimer: I don't own any excerpts from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan's Curse.

Unlike other authors, I will continue to post even if my review count does not rise. I'm just that nice.

Don't forget, if you have nothing better to do, check out my other story The Argonauts: Quest for the Golden Fleece

With best regards,
SharkAttack719

Περσεύς 18

Wanted List

Normally, flying on a pegasus felt like neutral territory: I was on a descendant of my father's son, though I was also in the sky, my uncle's domain. But the fact there was thunder and lightning swirling around Olympus like Zeus was ready to blast me didn't exactly have me reassured.

We circled over midtown Manhattan, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. I'd been there twice before, once after leaving Gabe (alive...which was a stupid mistake) and once after returning Zeus' lightning bolt. If it was possible, Olympus amazed me even more than those other times.

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here. I caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter things I couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

Our pegasi set us down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before I could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves.

Good luck, boss, said Blackjack.

"Thanks, Blackjack. Nice to know you actually have positive feelings toward me."

If pegasi could grin, I swear he was grinning right now. Don't forget my offer about your cabin being my stable.

I rolled my eyes. "Go get yourself an apple, Blackjack."

On it, boss, he replied. Guido, Porkpie. Let's go find us some apples!

I chuckled as the pegasi flew away, leaving the four of us at the giant silver gates.

Then I turned around, and for a minute, my friends and I regarded the palace, exactly how we did to Westover Hall, which felt like a bazillion years ago.

And then, side by side, we walked into the throne room.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoe the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall, and all of them were staring at us as we entered.

At the hearth, I noticed a smaller seat with a skinny, pale god sitting down. It was Hades. His eyes were trained forward and were unfocused, as if he were having a little daydream. Hestia sat at the bottom of the hearth as an eight-year-old girl. She tended the flames and smiled warmly at us as we entered.

I saw Bianca standing at the side, facing Zeus' throne.

She saw us and a smile broke out on her face.

"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.

"Mooo!"

That's when I noticed Bessie and Grover.

A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble. Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw me, his eyes widened.

"Percy! You're alive!" Then he shook his head. "Of course he's alive. He's Percy freaking Jackson."

"It's nice to see you again, G-man," I called.

Grover looked at Zeus for permission to turn his back on him. The King of the Gods nodded, though he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. His eyes bore directly into Thalia's soul and mind.

Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled.

I looked over to my father's throne, hoping that he wouldn't be too mad about what I did. When he saw me, he gave me a disapproving look before a smile engulfed it. He nodded, as if to say, It's okay.

Grover gave Annabeth and Thalia big hugs. Then he high-fived Luke. After, he grabbed my shoulders. "Percy. Bessie and I made it, thanks to Zoe's help. It was sad to hear that she died. But now they want to undo her work. You have to convince them not to!"

"Not to what?" I asked.

"Heroes," Artemis called.

The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward us, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.

"The Council has been informed of your deeds," Artemis told us. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods, as if they weren't all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.

"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…"

She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?"

She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-striped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautiful woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacock feathers. The Lady Hera. On Zeus's right, my father Poseidon. Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus.

Hermes winked at me.

He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceus mobile phone. Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, so I wasn't sure he was even listening, but he gave me a thumbs-up.

Dionysus looked bored, twirling a grape vine between his fingers. And Ares, well, he sat on his chrome-and-leather throne sharpening a knife.

On the ladies' side of the throne room, a beautiful dark-haired goddess in green robes sat next to Hera on a throne woven of apple-tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, Katie's mother.

Next to her sat a beautiful gray-eyed woman in an elegant white dress. She could only be Annabeth's mother, Athena. Then there was Aphrodite, who looked like all of the prettiest women on Earth combined.

"I gotta say"—Apollo broke the silence—"these kids did okay." He cleared his throat and began to recite: "Heroes win laurels—"

"Um, yes, first class," Hermes interrupted, like he was anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry. "All in favor of not disintegrating them?"

A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite.

"Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and me. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—"

"Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."

"Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."

Thalia blushed. She studied the floor. I felt kind of sympathetic towards her. I knew that no one really got to talk with their godly parents. Even though I hadn't seen Poseidon in half a year to a year, I still talked to him much more often than the average demigod with their own parent.

Dionysus gazed down at us wearily. "Well. I supposed the war god is right. Those two are dangerous, a large threat knocking down at our doors."

I scowled. Okay, maybe I did have my doubts about some Olympians...

The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "Even as thick-skulled as Ares is, and how lazy Dionysus is, I agree with them. I am proud of my daughter, but there is a security risk here with the other two."

"Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you—"

Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods…such as Thalia and Percy…are dangerous."

"Right!" Ares said.

"You know she just called you thick-skulled," Hermes informed him. Then he turned to Dionysus. "And she called you lazy."

"I don't deny it," the wine god said.

But Ares was mad. "Hey! Who are you calling thick-skull—"

"Oh, for the love of us, sit down!" Demeter said exasperated. She snapped her fingers and pinned Ares to his throne just as he was about to get up.

"It is not equitable to destroy the demigods because of the power they posses," Artemis argued. "They have done good for Olympus."

"I am not saying I pass judgement, sister," Athena stated calmly. "I merely point out the risks to Olympus. What we do is for the Council to decide."

"Well, I will not have any hero punished today," said Artemis firmly. "Iwill have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."

"Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."

"Don't call me sis! I will reward them."

"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"

A lot of nodding heads.

It took me a second to realize what they were saying. Then my heart turned to lead. "Bessie? You want to destroy Bessie?"

"Mooooooo!" Bessie protested.

My father frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"

"Dad," I said, "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him."

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably. "Percy, the monster's power is considerable. If the Titans were to steal it, or—"

"Or what?" I said. "Do you not trust your own security? Do you feel that you cannot trust the other gods and goddesses on Olympus? Besides, you can never control prophecies. You tried killing me once, remember Zeus? I didn't die. Hades tried killing Thalia once, remember Lord Hades? You failed as well."

"That doesn't mean that the prophecy is—"

"Dad," I said. "Come on. You have to trust me. Lord Zeus. You have to trust me."

Zeus scowled. "Trust a hero? What of the risks? Kronos knows very well that if either of you were to sacrifice the entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain?"

"Yes, you can," I insisted. "Tell me all of the ways that you could stop Kronos from destroying you. Tell me all of the risks you know."

"Killing this beast will eliminate a huge threat," Zeus said.

I pursed my lips. "You know how you could stop Kronos from destroying you, if we're referring to things your way, the Council's way."

"Percy," my father warned, knowing I was going to take it up a notch. But I ignored him.

"If we did things your way, to eliminate the threat of Kronos you would need to murder every single one of your children, including minor gods and goddesses, stop having children, make sure you quarantine Olympus so that only gods and goddesses that you can trust are allowed on, and wait for your impending doom. Do you think Kronos will stop from rising if Bessie is destroyed? I don't think so. Do you think Kronos would wait for the next child of the elder gods to grow up? I don't think so. I'm not trying to piss you off, but it's like you can't even think of the consequences. Killing me won't solve your problem. It'll make it worse. At least I have a chance of killing Kronos before he turns to his true form, even if it is slim."

The Olympian Council stared at me in awed silence.

"He is...right," Artemis said, feeling uncomfortable saying those words. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear.

I turned to look at Thalia. She gave me a sad look, which made me anxious. Was she becoming a Hunter or not?

And then Artemis turned.

"I shall have a new lieutenant or two co-lieutenants," Artemis announced. "If the second will accept it."

"Bianca di Angelo," she said. "Thalia, daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"

More stunned silence filled the room.

Bianca walked over to us and tapped Thalia on the shoulder. "It's alright, Thalia. I can handle being lieutenant on my own. Plus, I can tell you and Percy have a thing for each other. I'm guessing that's what Aphrodite talked to you about back in Arizona?"

The daughter of Zeus nodded.

"It's alright." Then she turned to me. "And Percy. I need to talk to you after this. It's about my godly parent."

Bianca turned and smiled at Artemis. She walked up to the goddess and bowed in front of her. She said firmly, "I will become the lieutenant of the Hunters, my lady."

Thalia grabbed my hand, which I was a little surprised by. "I'm sorry, Lady Artemis. But I don't think that the Hunt is the right fit for me. I am grateful for your offer, though. Thank you, Lady Artemis."

Artemis looked at me and Thalia with a look of understanding, seemingly allowing Thalia to just give up a spot in the Hunt without being mad in any way. I gave Artemis a look of thanks and bowed my head at the goddess.

After giving us the look of understanding, she swiped her hand over Bianca's head, which suddenly glowed silver. I could see Bianca's silvery aura grow bigger, and as the glowing silver light faded, a crown appeared on her head, a circlet, just like Zoe's.

"I present you the Council, the new lieutenant of my Hunters."

Bianca's smile grew wider and she bowed again to the goddess. Then she looked for permission to turn her back. When Zeus and Artemis nodded, she came back over to me and hugged me.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

"Thank you, Percy," she said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Thank you for forgiving me even after my selfish decision to leave Nico. I will try to come back to camp with you guys to tell him I am leaving, but I promise to visit often. I'm glad you don't hold the grudge."

I patted Bianca on the back hesitantly. "It's no problem, Bianca. I understand your reasons...though you can never give up on family, no matter what."

"I promise to visit as often as I can."

"I'm sure you will be able to, as long as your timetable is flexible."

She shrugged and looked over at Artemis. "It depends on my lady's wishes. Speaking of which..." She turned to Zeus. "Lord Zeus? May I excuse Percy and myself for a couple of minutes. I need to speak to him about something."

Zeus looked at Artemis who nodded. "Go ahead," he grumbled.

Bianca beckoned me to follow her out of the throne room until we were in the hallway just outside. The new lieutenant of the Hunters was pale-faced. "Percy, I think I've figured out my godly parent."

"Who is it?"

She looked around, making sure no one could hear her. "Ever since I arrived, he's been giving me a happy look. At first, it creeped me out...until I thought of the possibility that I'm his daughter, and Nico his son."

"Okay, so I know your godly parent is a male," I said. "Go on."

"Percy, remember the skeleton in Cloudcroft, how I could kill it when it erupted into flames?" she reflected. "What god has power over skeletons to do his bidding?"

I frowned, thinking of who it could possibly be. Then my world tumbled. "Hades. You're a daughter of Hades."

"I have to be," she said. "Why else would he look at me like that?"

"But the oath and—"

"I was born before the oath, remember?" Bianca reminded me. "I think I can vaguely remember what happened. I was born in the thirties until World War II occurred. My mother...she was an Italian-American. I don't remember much after that. Then I assume I was put in the Lotus Hotel and Casino, and then seventy years passed. I was born before Hades was defeated by Poseidon and Zeus."

I gulped. "But you're still a dangerous asset. If the Titans get their hands on Nico, they are free to kill me and Thalia off. This is bad, bad, bad."

"I need your help, Percy," she begged. "Break it to the gods without angering them. I can't let them execute Nico. It would be like a knife in my back. I was the one who betrayed him and I would be the one to get our parentage publicized."

"I'll do what I can, Bianca. I can't guarantee anything."

The daughter of Hades nodded and ushered us back into the throne room where they were arguing about destroying the Ophiotaurus.

"You can't destroy it," Thalia pleaded with her father. "The Ophiotaurus is just a little animal."

"Its entrails hold great power, Thalia," Zeus said. "We must take action."

"But killing it is not the right action," she argued.

"Leaving the girl and boy alive is dangerous, father," Dionysus spoke up. "They disagree to everything we say, and there is great temptation in great power."

"As much of a sot, Dionysus is, he is correct, father," Athena said. "If we must battle Kronos, we will. There is no point in risking the downfall of Olympus. The boy holds great resentment to the Olympian gods. Your daughter is less of a risk, but should the card of power fall into her hands..."

"No!" my father said, standing up. "I will not let a sea creature like this be killed without mercy, even if it does hold the power to destroy us. My boy will not turn against Olympus, should you not persuade him to. Have you not thought how your degrading comments may lead him to believe we are not good? Kill the boy because he is a risk. My son is right. Think about the consequences of your actions before you say them."

Athena's face reddened. Although the things my father had said were true, I didn't exactly want half the Council to blame Athena if I betray the gods. "It's not all Athena, dad. It's almost everybody for what some did, and what some didn't do. Zeus killed my mother. Of course I'm going to be angry. Hades doesn't like me because I'm the product of a broken law. What a stupid reason! Dionysus hates me because I'm a 'hero' and all heroes break the hearts of their first loves. The idiot can't even recite the alphabet. You weren't there for half of my life. Even though I forgive you, it is something that still hurts at the end of the day. Trust me, I know that over half the Council wants to kill me right now, but I swear that I will stand by Olympus until its final days. Even though I know not all of you are good, you are definitely better than the Titans. It's not all Athena. Trust me, she knows what she's talking about. She's just taking it too far."

The goddess of wisdom gave me a calculative look while the rest of the Council nodded at my words, though Dionysus gave me a murderous look and Hades gave me a blank, expectant stare.

"I'm sorry, son, but I vouch for you," the sea god announced. I vouch for the safety of the Ophiotaurus and my son. I vouch on behalf of Zeus for his own daughter. They will not turn against Olympus as long as they stay together with their group of friends. Together, as that group of four, I believe that they will become an elite force in the Titan War."

He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it: a twenty foot long bronze shaft with three spear tips that shimmered with blue, watery light.

"You will not take the Ophiotaurus under the sea!" Zeus stood up enraged. "I will not have that kind of bargaining chip under your possession."

Poseidon gave Zeus a sour look. "Fine, brother. We shall keep the beast up here on Olympus. I will make sure that Hephaestus and I make an aquarium. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers."

Zeus thought about this. "All in favor?"

Poseidon put his hand up. Then Zeus, then Hera. Next was Hephaestus and then Aphrodite, who giggled at her husband. Ares, who looked pissed, raised his hand next, looking at me expectantly as if saying, Start the war, buddy, or I'll rip you to shreds. Demeter put her hand up next followed by Hermes and Apollo. Artemis nodded and raised her hand.

I thought that Athena would definitely abstain, but the thoughtful look of her face gave me the feeling that she knew this was the safest plan that everyone could agree on. Something told me she knew Kronos wouldn't stop rising even after my death, if the gods had killed me on the spot.

She raised her hand tentatively.

Dionysus was the only to abstain in the end.

"We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes… I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"

There are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties. If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian.

The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, and I realized the music was whatever you wanted it to be: the gods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, and it was all the same sound track. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.

Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walked with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time.

Nectar and ambrosia overflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowded the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!"

Gods kept coming over to congratulate me. Thankfully, they had reduced themselves to human size, so they didn't accidentally trample partygoers under their feet. Hermes started chatting with me before Luke came over and the god pulled his son aside to check to make sure that he was alright.

Luke mouthed, Help!

You're on your own, I mouthed back and walked away from an infuriated Luke.

Apollo told me I could drive his sun chariot any time, and if I ever wanted archery lessons—

"Thanks," I told him. "But seriously, I'm no good at archery."

"Ah, nonsense," he said. "Target practice from the chariot as we fly over the U.S.? Best fun there is!"

I made some excuses and wove through the crowds that were dancing in the palace courtyards. I tried looking for Bianca, who had somehow disappeared in the midst of the party chaos, when a man's voice spoke from behind me.

"You won't let me down, I hope."

I turned and found Poseidon smiling at me.

"Dad…hi."

"Hello, Percy. You've done well."

"Thanks. I won't let you down."

He nodded, though he seemed to have his doubts.

"I trust you, Percy," he said. "I trust you with every godly fiber in my bodies, but you must know that Ethan Nakamura once promised to the gods that he would never let us down, never betray us. He was only eight, but I remember that clearly when he first set out on his quest to Mississippi. Just bear that in mind, Percy. Even the bravest can fall."

"But he's not dead," I said. "Not yet."

Poseidon sighed. "That, you are correct on, my son. I have seen it. His boat sails from San Francisco with the remains of Kronos even now. He will retreat and regroup before assaulting you again. I will do my best to destroy his boat with storms, but he is making alliances with my enemies, the older spirits of the ocean. They will fight to protect him."

"But how can he be alive?" I said. "That fall should've killed him."

Poseidon looked troubled. "I don't know, Percy, but beware of him. He is more dangerous than ever. And the golden coffin is still with him, still growing in strength."

"Dad. I have something to confess to you."

"And what is that?"

"You remember Nico and Bianca di Angelo, right?"

"Yes, the two new children whom you rescued from Maine," Poseidon nodded.

"When I told you about them a long time ago in Las Vegas, your face darkened, as if you already knew about them," I investigated. "You recognize them, don't you."

My father sighed wearily. "Percy. Sometimes living in the past is not the best way to—"

"They were children of Hades during World War II, weren't they?" I said. "I remembered another event from my young childhood when I met Hades. He confessed that he put my mother in Elysium because she was a good person and because he knew what it felt like to lose a lover. Bianca and Nico...their mother was killed by Zeus, wasn't she?"

"Yes," Poseidon admitted. "I recognized those names. I have a knack for remembering things my brothers do not. They are, in fact, from Washington D.C., but of Italian descent."

He looked like he was about to say more, but just then, Bessie started mooing from across the courtyard. Some demigods were playing with his water sphere, joyously pushing it back and forth over the top of the crowd.

"I'd better take care of that," Poseidon grumbled. "We can't have the Ophiotaurus tossed around like a beach ball. Be good, my son. We may not speak again for some time."

And just like that he was gone.

I was about to keep searching the crowd when another voice spoke. "Your father takes a great risk, you know."

I found myself face-to-face with a gray-eyed woman who looked so much like Annabeth I almost called her that.

"Athena." I tried not to sound boastful after outsmarting her in front of the Council.

"You remind me much of Theseus and Odysseus," she analyzed. "Both combined in a way. You use that little bit of intelligence you have to favor yourself in a somewhat deceitful way. You threaten us that you would join Kronos if we demolish your pride before you hit us with a 'low blow,' disgracing some of us. That is, before you rebuild your connection with Olympus by swearing to stand by Olympus forever."

I shrugged. "I guess it comes from being on the streets a lot. You have to threaten, lie and trick your way into receiving things. But you have to do it intelligently, like Theseus. By the way, didn't you fall in love with him?"

Athena's face went pink for a second before returning to their normal shade. "I stand by my words, son of Poseidon. You are a risk to Olympus. In many ways, you are useful. But if Kronos can get his hands on you and trick you..."

"I swear, Lady Athena," I said. "I will do everything in my power to stay loyal to Olympus."

"I concede the point. You may perhaps be useful. And yet…your fatal flaw may destroy us as well as yourself."

I grimaced, knowing I had done stupid things because of my fatal flaw. I'd gone into Talos knowing I would have died, and probably screwed over Olympus because Thalia would have probably died after grieving after me (Yeah, I'm that cocky. Just kidding.).

Athena almost looked sorry for me. "Personal loyalty may not seem like a terrible fatal flaw, but—"

"The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation," I finished grinning. "I know, Lady Athena. But don't forget that it has been affected by years of being on the streets. I know when things are bad."

"We will see what you turn into, Percy Jackson," Athena said. "You better hope you grow more into a Theseus, otherwise you will have destroyed us already. Should you waver in your loyalties..."

She fixed me with her cold gray stare, and I realized what a terrible enemy Athena would make, ten times worse than Ares or Dionysus or maybe even my father. Athena would never give up. She would never do something rash or stupid just because she hated you, and if she made a plan to destroy you, it would not fail.

"Excuse me, niece," a cold voice said to my right. "I understand you wish to kill young Perseus Jackson, but I would prefer if he stays alive. It would be the better for all of us, as you know he is the most capable of the children of the Big Three."

I turned and surprisingly saw Hades.

"Children?" Athena gazed into Hades' eyes. "You act as if there are more than Percy and Thalia."

"You remember how Zeus murdered her, don't you?" Hades growled. "You were his tactical advisor during the war. Bianca and Nico survived because of me, but Maria died."

Her eyes widened, as if the memory had just registered. "There are more children of the Big Three?! We need to act upon this at once, Hades. You realize that your son is only ten years old. He does not know what to do if Kronos gets to him and—"

"That is why Percy Jackson must be kept alive," Hades interrupted. "He will help my son. Only he can, because despite having our arguments, I know he can be trusted with keeping family safe."

Athena glared at the god of the Underworld. "So be it. Should your children betray the gods, I shall say none to help you."

"Whatever," he grumbled. "Now leave, niece."

She turned angrily and strode through the crowds, which parted before her as if she were carrying Aegis.

"Lord Hades, I—"

"Be quiet, Percy," ordered Hades. "Let the word be spread, my children are back. I look to you to help Nico get through life at camp. Bianca was always the smarter and more ingenious one. Teach Nico how to fight with a sword. I will bring him down to the Underworld to teach him his demigod powers. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. But I have one question. Why did you take them out of the Lotus Hotel and Casino?"

Hades gave me a bitter look. "That is not for you to find out, Jackson. The only thing you should know is that my child will be shunned at camp. Lead him out, Percy. Make sure you hand the ass of whoever makes fun of Nico, or I'll do it myself. For once, I want some respect."

I swallowed. "Where is Nico going to stay? There is no Hades cabin."

"Presumably in the Hermes cabin," Hades sulked. "Unless a cabin for my son is built at Camp Half-Blood..."

I frowned. That wouldn't be fair. Nico would probably be bugged by the Hermes kids because of his parentage. It would be the exact opposite of what Hades was asking of me. No other cabin would take him in, and I'm pretty sure Hera wouldn't want the son of Hades sleeping in her cabin. Thalia probably wouldn't want to sleep with Nico in her cabin. The only real possibility was...

"I'll take him into my cabin, Uncle Hades," I offered. "As long as my father is okay with it, we can do that until a cabin can be built."

Hades sighed. "Now I have to find your father. Thank you, son of Poseidon."

"Actually, I'm completely fine with it," my father said, appearing out of the crowd. "As long as you don't plan to strangle my son with your son, we should be on equal terms, brother."

Hades regarded Poseidon with a wary look. "You have never aided me before. What changes your heart?"

"You are right," my father admitted. "You do deserve more respect. I mean, at least with fish and sea creatures you can chat about positive things. Down in the Underworld, all you have is Persephone...and that's for half of the year."

A figure burst through the crowd. "Percy!" Thalia skidded to a halt when she saw Hades and Poseidon.

"Um, Lord Poseidon. Lord Hades." She bowed awkwardly, giving Hades a wary look.

"Do not worry, daughter of Zeus," smiled Hades, though it looked malicious on his face. "As long as my children are in play, you cannot be harmed. Do as my brother would do: relax."

"I do love relaxing," admitted my father. "I'm sure you two wouldn't be interested in the conversation Hades and are having, so I guess you two can go off and dance together. Just make sure you two stay in sight of people. I do not want to be a grandfather yet."

"Aw, dad," I whined, as Thalia reddened.

My father chuckled. "Go have fun...but not too much."

Quickly, I grabbed Thalia's hand and pulled us through the crowd until we reached a nice quiet spot not too far from the party.

"Thalia," I said. "I need to tell you something. Bianca and Nico are children of Hades."

"Wait, what?!"

"Yeah, I know. Crazy, right?"

"But that means—"

"We're going to train Nico and bring him close to us, the Big Three trio. Remember what Hestia said, we need to stick close together if we want to survive what will come next. Bianca will be going off with the Hunt, but Nico will be staying with us."

"That sounds dangerous, Percy. If Kronos gets his hands on Nico—"

"He won't," I insisted. "I don't care what I have to do, even if I have to tie Nico on a leash. Kronos is not getting our little cousin. But Thalia, I need you to trust me on something."

"What is it?"

"I am not going to be hanging around with you, Annabeth and Luke too much anymore," I said. "I've learned of something that I need to do more research about. It's confidential and I swore an oath to the River Styx about not talking about it."

Thunder rumbled in the sky proving my point.

"I'll be around for a little bit, but I won't be going back to school. There's a project I need to work on."

Thalia furrowed her eyebrows. She looked straight into my eyes, trying to see if I was faithful to her or not. Then her eyes softened.

"Well, if we're not going to be hanging around much," she said. "Why don't we dance?" She offered her hand.

I smiled and took her hand. "It is my pleasure, Ms. Grace."

Thalia growled. "Don't call me by that name."

"I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known," I sang. I still hadn't learned to dance, so I was pretty bad at it, but I made an attempt. We danced on that hill for at least two minutes before the music blaring in the background of the party suddenly changed.

It used to be hip-hop, but slowly, it had turned to something classical, like a slow-dance song. Thalia seemed to notice that difference, too.

We stopped dancing and stared at each other.

"Did you hear that change?" we asked at the same time.

"Yeah, you did too?"

"Okay, we gotta stop saying things at the same time."

"Uggh!"

"You know what?" Thalia said. "Okay, finally we stop saying things at the same time. Getting back to my point, you know what?"

"What?"

"This past week has been horrifying."

"It sure has."

"But the main thing from me...when I was talking to Aphrodite in the desert, I—she said I had a choice," Thalia explained. "I had a choice of true love or joining the Hunters."

"True love?"

"Yeah, weird, right?"

"Not really...but at fourteen true love is a little creepy."

"Actually, I'm still thirteen."

"Same thing."

"Anyways, I was just thinking... When you got pissed a week ago and you hurt my feelings, I thought that you actually hated me, and I kind of felt angry and depressed at the same time. Then you come along the next couple of days being all kind and sweet and nice. I tried to stay mad at you, to give you a little sense of payback, but you really made me conflicted. When I asked you whether I should join the Hunt or not, that was one of the major decisions that I felt I had to make. To be honest, I was disappointed you didn't claim me for yourself. I was actually going to join the Hunt until you got yourself 'killed' again. I thought I'd lost you again, but miraculously, you survived, thanks to Coeus. I think Artemis is talking to Zeus about him right now. Anyways, you made me realize that I don't just like you. I know it sounds weird but—"

I pulled Thalia close to me, just like I did the year before when chariot racing. But this time, I was anticipating my heartbeat to increase. Thalia's breath hitched again, just like last time. Then I leaned down and kissed her, just a simple, regular kiss.

There was no accident this time, no pubic emotions affecting us. There wasn't one trying to prove to the other that they didn't like the other this time. It was plain and simple, just the way it should have been.

After what seemed like forever, we broke apart, out of breath.

"You interrupted me," Thalia said.

"I know."

She slapped me. "That's your punishment." But then she kissed me again. "Curse you for making me fall for you."

"Wake me up, when September ends!" I sang.

And laughing, we spent the rest of the solstice dancing and kissing, enjoying some peace...at least temporarily.

Hey everyone,

Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks to those who've put this on their favorites, followed and reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own any excerpts taken from Rick Riordan's book Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan's Curse.

I also apologize for any grammatical errors in the chapter above.

Don't forget, if you have nothing better to do, check out my other story The Argonauts: Quest for the Golden Fleece

With best regards,
SharkAttack719