Look, I'm sorry for the inexcusable delay in updating…I could give you loads of reasons for why it happened, but none of them really matter or make a difference to you all. Just know that I'm going to stand by my word and I will finish the story, even if it takes a little longer than originally thought. And please forgive me on this chapter, it has been written on and off for quite a while now and it shows in the writing. Hopefully the next chapter will be much better.

Zeus

Percy-POV

Percy woke up feeling better than he had in years. He hadn't slept for long, only a few hours, but he did wake up next to Annabeth who was wrapped up in his arms. It was a feeling he could only barely remember, having her close to him, feeling her warm skin and smelling her lemony shampoo.

Percy quietly climbed out of bed and reached for his armor. Hephaestus had done very well with making it, the magical armor had already repaired itself overnight so it looked as if it hadn't even seen battle. Percy willed it to change back into his white shirt, black jacket, pants, and boots. After quickly slipping them on he went over to the bed where Annabeth still laid resting peacefully. Percy carefully moved one of her curly blonde locks behind her ear and he bent down and kissed her forehead.

"It's time to get up, Annabeth." He said quietly.

Annabeth stirred and her eyes fluttered open. At first she seemed confused but then her eyes caught Percy's and she visibly relaxed. When Percy made to stand back up she pulled him back down into a quick kiss. "This is a first you know, you being the one waking me up in the morning. Can't we just lay down for a little while longer? We barely slept any."

Percy chuckled. "I know, but the others are going to be waiting for us soon. We need to get to Olympus. I have to go have a talk with Zeus…and we need to check on your mother." The last part seemed to have a sobering effect on Annabeth. She simply nodded and crawled out of bed quickly getting dressed.

"Go ahead and make sure the others are getting breakfast, I'll meet you all in the mess hall in a few minutes." Annabeth replied as she went for the bathroom.

Percy took a deep breath and walked out of his cabin door and in to the early morning sunlight.

Less than an hour later, Percy, Nico, Thalia, Annabeth, Clarisse, Jason, Piper, Leo, and Will were on their way to New York on the back of some pegasi. Percy was at the head of the formation as they flew through the air. He was trying to play out in his head how things could go with their meeting, but unfortunately most of the outcomes didn't end on friendly terms. Percy was so absorbed in his thoughts, he failed to notice when Annabeth and Jason closed in on him from either side.

"What do you think my father is going to do?" Jason asked.

Percy sighed heavily. "I don't know, Jason. His track record for handling these types of situations is…far from perfect."

Annabeth and Jason both chuckled from Percy's comment, but Percy did notice how they looked around at the clouds nervously.

"What are you going to tell him if he doesn't want to help?" Annabeth asked. Percy could sense the seriousness in her voice, and a look at Jason told him that Jason was just as nervous about what would happen as Percy and Annabeth were.

"In all honesty, I don't know. I'm hoping I won't have to find out." He replied.

"There is a very slim chance that you'll get your wish for that." Jason said.

"Well, maybe if he won't listen to me, he'll listen to you and Thalia. You are both his kids after all, you have to have some respect from him." Percy said hopefully.

"You would think that, wouldn't you?" Jason mumbled under his breath. If it weren't for Percy's elevated hearing, he wouldn't have heard it.

Before their conversation could continue, Clarisse flew near and asked, "What's the plan? We can't fly to Olympus, so where are we landing?"

Percy saw the New York City skyline growing closer by the second. He wasn't for sure how the meeting was going to go over, but it was getting close to time for finding out.

Jason-POV

"We'll land right in front of the Empire State Building." Percy said. Jason was taken aback by this.

"Perce, what about the-?" Jason started.

"The mist will keep the mortals from seeing anything, and I'm not really trying to be subtle, if the gods see us coming then all the better." Percy said. Jason was amazed at how confident Percy sounded, like charging into the throne room of the gods and demanding their help wasn't a big deal at all.

As they neared the Empire State building, Percy had Blackjack do a nosedive towards the ground and everyone else's pegasi followed suit. In a matter of seconds they were all dismounting while getting some weird looks from mortals passing by. Once they were all off the pegasi, the pegasi took off leaving the demigods alone. Jason felt a chill down his back as he looked to the top of the building. He was terrified. He was thinking of all the things that could go wrong when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked to see Percy standing there.

"You ready?" Percy asked.

"No…" Jason replied honestly. Percy just chuckled.

"Lets get started then." And Percy with that he went inside the building, everyone else following in. Jason was the last to go in as he waited for Piper. One look at her and he could see fear written all over her face. He grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze as they walked inside.

Percy walked right up to the counter to the desk attendant. "We need to go to Olympus." He said.

The attendant looked up lazily, feigning surprise like he didn't know what Percy was talking about. "Look kid, this is a place for adults and I don't know what-"

"I'm not in the mood to play games. We're going up there. Now we you can either help us and this can go smoothly, or we can just get what we need the hard way." Percy said, his voice sounding deadly. Jason actually saw the attendant grow pale at Percy's response.

Unfortunately, the attendant seemed to grow a back bone at that moment because he stood up and puffed out his chest. "Lord Zeus has said there will be no visitors allowed to Olympus until he decrees. You and your friends can get lost."

Jason could practically feel frustration rolling off Percy. Percy looked around the room and at the group and then he sighed and said, "I'm sorry about this, I know you're just obeying your orders." The he grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt and pulled down, slamming the man's head against the counter before pulling him back up and landing a right hook on the man's jaw. Jason knew it wasn't a hard punch compared to what he knew Percy could do, but by any other standards the blows were brutal, and the attendant slumped to the ground unconscious. The whole ordeal had several mortals looking at them with confusion and worry. Percy ignored it though. He simply reached behind the counter and pulled the key card out from its location before turning back to face the group.

Clarisse outright laughed. "Damn Prissy, I like the new you."

Percy just kind of grimaced in response. Jason felt a little relived by Percy's response though. It was true, Percy was different now, he was far more powerful and far more capable, and he had a mission to complete. But Jason could at least see behind the new abilities and power was still the same old Percy, the one who didn't want to hurt people. It meant Jason still had his friend.

"C'mon Perce, we need to go." Annabeth said as she appeared by his side nodding to the elevators. "We're drawing too much attention."

"You're right." Percy said. "Everyone to the elevator." They all quickly filed into the elevator and Percy put the key card in. As the elevator started up and the song Staying Alive played in the background, Percy looked around at everyone before saying, "I appreciate you all coming with me to do this. I know you're all nervous, I can tell you I am as well. But there is a war coming, a war woret than the last two we've fought. And I for one am sick and tired of the gods standing by and trying to pretend everything is fine. Now, I know I have the support of Hades and Athena, but Athena won't be there to support us. I can comfortably assume my father will back us as well. I need you all to stand with me though, try and reason with your parents, make them understand." Percy then looked specifically at Jason, Thalia, and Clarisse. "Ares hates me and will likely side against us simply for that reason. Zeus…well he's Zeus. Jase, Thals, I need you guys to try and reason with him, help me keep him under control."

Thalia responded, "We've got your back Kelp Head, but I doubt dear old dad is going to listen to us."

"She's right, Percy." Jason said. He hated to admit it, but his father wouldn't care what he or his sister said, it wouldn't change his mind.

"I doubt my father will listen to me either, but I can promise you this Prissy, if it comes to blows, I'll help you beat my dad's ass into submission." Clarisse answered. Jason cracked a smile and saw that pretty much everyone else had done the same.

Percy just smirked, "If that's what it comes to, then I'm glad I've got you, Clarisse."

The rest of the elevator went by in silence. Jason could feel sweat starting to build on his forehead from nervousness. He could also feel Piper's hand getting wet from her own nervous sweat. The only person on the elevator who seemed calm was Percy. Jason was beginning to wonder what exactly Percy had been going through in his time spent training.

After what seemed like forever, the elevator slowed to a stop and with a ding, the doors slid open revealing Olympus. There were several minor gods and goddesses, as well as some cyclopes and satyrs who seemed to be guarding the elevator because they all drew their weapons and pointed them towards Jason and the others. Before Jason could reach for his sword though, Percy stepped out into the open and said, "We're here to see the council. Stand down and this doesn't get ugly."

One of the minor gods replied, "Lord Zeus has declared-"

"I don't really give a damn what Zeus said, get out of our way or get put down…your choice." Percy interrupted. Percy's clothes then morphed into his full suit of armor and Riptide grew to its full size in Percy's hand. Jason took the cue to step out and pull his own sword out and was pleased to see the rest of the group follow suit. Jason could see fear in the eyes of the guards, and most began to back off. One god didn't though.

"For Olympus!" he cried as he brought his celestial bronze spear up and charged the group. Percy merely met the god mid charge and caught the spear shaft between Riptide and his shield. Seemingly without struggle, Percy snapped the spear in half before kicking the god hard in the stomach.

"We're not the enemies here." Percy said as he looked down at the god.

Jason stepped up directly beside Percy and said, "As a matter of fact, you should recognize all of us here, we're the ones who have saved Olympus twice now."

"We've battled titans and giants and hordes of monsters in the name of Olympus." Annabeth added.

"Now you're standing in the way of us getting the help we need to save Olympus again…don't think we won't do what we feel is necessary to see the counsel." Piper finished, charm speaking the last bit for added effect, though judging from the crowds faces, they needed no further convincing. Without saying a word, they all scrambled away from Percy and the rest of the group.

"What are the odds it'll be that easy when we make it to the council?" Jason asked jokingly.

Percy gave him a halfhearted smile, "Not likely." Percy began walking towards the throne room and everyone else filed behind him in pairs. Jason and Thalia were directly behind Percy himself. As they got to the entrance of the throne room, a young girl stood in front of the door.

Percy stopped in front of the girl and bowed, "Lady Hestia."

"Percy Jackson…so its true, Rhea had hidden you away." The goddess said.

"Lady Hestia, shouldn't you be in the throne room for the council right now?" Annabeth asked from behind Jason.

As Annabeth pointed it out, Percy seemed taken aback by the fact as well. "Yeah, ever since the last titan war, you were supposed to be a member of the council again." Percy added.

Hestia sighed before she said, "Yes, my dear heroes, I should be. But Lord Zeus has decreed that I'm nonessential at the moment so I would be put to better use by guarding the door."

Jason may have still been behind Percy and couldn't see his face, but he could feel anger radiating from him. "Nonessential? That's not only false, but that goes against the promise he made me! You are a member of the Olympic council at all times!" Percy yelled.

Hestia looked at Percy with sad eyes, "Young hero, you know the Olympians are not always beings of their word. Zeus is distracted trying to figure out if the council should act on the rumor of-"

"Its not a rumor, Lady Hestia!" Jason piped up. "We were attacked-Lady Athena is basically immobilized due to the attack!"

Hestia responded, "Yes, Jason Grace. I know of the attack and the seriousness of the situation, but Lord Zeus has the final say on the matters at hand so-"

"No." Percy interrupted with a steely calm voice. "This is no longer up to Zeus. The Olympic council will act with us, with or without Zeus' blessing." Percy stepped forward towards the door, with Hestia stepping out of the way. Percy pushed against the door only to find it locked. Then he placed stepped back and Jason could feel energy gathering around him. Jason began to do the same, and he could feel Thalia charging up as well. The three of them let lose three bolts of lightning that simultaneously crashed into the throne room door, blowing it off its hinges with a deafening roar. All the Olympians stared in shock at the group as Percy led them all inside.

Zeus immediately stood up from his throne, "WHO DARES INTERRU-"

"Percy Jackson," Percy interrupted, "Along with the heroes of Olympus!"

Percy-POV

The shocked looks on the Olympians faces would have been comical to Percy on a normal day, but he was beyond pissed off with Zeus at the moment and had little room for humor. "Percy, son? Is that really you?" Poseidon said, as he stood from his own throne.

Percy looked at his father and smiled, "Yeah, it is."

"HOW DARE YOU!?" Zeus bellowed, interrupting Percy from his reunion with his father. "You turn your back on Olympus, fake death so you can hide away, and then you think you can just walk into my city? Who do you think you-"

"I am Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon, champion of Rhea, two time savior of Olympus, slayer of Kronos, and the acting General of Olympus." Percy said in a loud thunderous tone, silencing Zeus in the middle of his rant. "The real question, who do you think you are Zeus?" Percy asked. He felt his friends shift uncomfortably behind him and he even saw several of the deities steal nervous glances at Zeus. The "king of the gods" himself seemed too shocked to reply…at least at first.

"I should kill you where you stand you arrogant child! I am the King of Olympus, I am ruler of-"

"You can't call yourself any of those things, dad." Thalia piped up, putting as much sarcasm as she could on the last word.

If Zeus had seemed mad before, now he simply looked like he was enraged. "What did you just say! YOU TURNED MY OWN DAUGHTER AGAINST ME! YOU WILL SUFFER PERCY JACKSON." And with that Zeus pulled his master bolt out and launched it at Percy and his friends.

Percy was already prepared for an attack though. He used a gust of wind and the ground to throw his friends away from him as he simultaneously pulled Riptide and his shield up to catch the master bolt. Then the chamber rocked as ceilings and walls crumbled from the explosion.

Annabeth-POV

Annabeth hadn't even had time to move as she watched Zeus draw his master bolt and launch it at them. She had barely been able to register the fact that she and the others were thrown away from Percy before the bolt hit.

But she didn't miss the explosion. It had been blinding and deafening. Her ears were still ringing and as she slowly pushed herself off the ground to look around, she felt her stomach drop. The entire front side of the council chamber was gone, the walls were simply piles of rubble. Most of the Olympians, including Zeus had been knocked down by the blast. Annabeth also noticed the other demigods trying to get back up…but she didn't see Percy. She felt panic wash over her. The Zeus's master bolt was enough to hurt even Typhoon, and he had used it on Percy! Had Zeus just taken her boyfriend away from her again, had he just taken their only hope away for good.

From beside her, Annabeth heard Clarisse say, "Di immortals. How?" And that's when Annabeth saw him. The blast had knocked him far back, blowing him all the way into the council chamber's court yard. His legs were shaky and his armor was scorched, but Percy was getting back on his feet.

"Impossible!" She heard Zeus snarl from behind her.

She could hear Percy laugh, and in that moment she realized Percy was far more powerful than she had even originally thought. She couldn't even imagine how he was able to stand after that, let alone laugh.

"Well Zeus, seems you made your position on the matter at hand very clear. You leave us little choice but to suggest to the council your removal as king of the gods, at least for the time being." Percy said.

Zeus still seemed shocked that Percy was standing and he didn't even seem to register what Percy was saying until Hestia spoke up from beside Annabeth. "Perseus is right, father. You are no longer fit to rule as king at this time. I suggest the council vote for removal." She said as she helped Annabeth onto her feet.

"Hestia, you dare turn against me. YOU HAVE NO-"

"She has every right, brother." Hades interrupted. "You made her a part of the Olympic council with your promise on the River Styx to Percy when we won the second titan war. And I second Hestia's motion. You have proven yourself incapable of leading, Zeus. I vote for your removal and I officially declare my support for the General of Olympus."

Annabeth could see rage filling Zeus's face. He was about to say something to Hades when Poseidon spoke up as well. "I stand by my son, Zeus. And I agree with Hestia and Hades, I vote to remove you as king." Then Poseidon turned directly to Percy. "You have my full support son."

The other Olympians seemed to be unsure of what to think of the matter at hand, most of them were anxiously watching the situation as it unfolded. Annabeth thought it was time she voiced some reason to everyone as well. "Zeus, the demigods of Camp Half-blood, Camp Jupiter, the Hunters of Artemis, and the Amazons have all already declared their support to Percy. We stand by him and his actions."

"And we stand ready to do whatever we deem necessary to keep everyone safe, regardless of who gets in the way!" Clarisse added, and Annabeth noticed she had directed it straight at her own father.

Zeus looked around what was left of the chamber room at each and every one of the Olympians there. "You all just sit their idle as a mere mortal comes and declares law over us. You stand idle as he tries to remove me from power. What do you all have to say about this? Who else plans to turn against Olympus.

"We're not turning against Olympus, father." Artemis said as she shared a look with Thalia. Annabeth saw Thalia nod slightly and Artemis seemed to make up her mind. "Percy Jackson has always been a noble warrior who puts everyone else before himself. My hunters have already declared their support for him, and I believe their actions to be wise. My vote is with Percy becoming the official general and for you to step down, father."

Annabeth smiled, already they had Hades, Poseidon, Artemis, and Hestia supporting them. It looked like Zeus might not have any option but to stand down or face the wrath of all the other Olympians.

"Lady Athena would stand with me as well if she were able to be here." Percy said. "She already made her position clear when she helped train me and presented me with the armor in the Underworld."

"To hell with it, I support the boy as well, father." Hephaestus said, catching Annabeth by surprise. She hadn't expected him to speak up so soon. "Ol Hades and Athena might have not given me any idea as to who needed the armor, but I would've recognized Riptide the moment I saw it. I knew who the sword belonged to, and it wasn't too hard to figure the matching armor was going to him as well. I willingly made it, and I willingly support his notion."

"That makes six votes, Zeus." Percy said. "At this point I implore you to think before you act. You can't win this, stand down and help us win this war, or you will spend the entire duration locked up and out of our way."

Annabeth could see Zeus' face setting in a scowl. "If you think for one moment that I, Zeus King of the gods, will bow before a mortal like you, Percy Jackson, then you are poorly mistaken."

"Listen carefully, punk. You make one move on my father and I swear I will end you." Ares added. None of the other Olympians who hadn't declared support for Percy already seemed to move.

"Dad, please think about what you're doing. We could use you in this war, you could make such a difference! Don't follow Zeus." Clarisse said.

Ares simply looked at her and shook his head in disgust. "You turn your back on Olympus, on me, and on your king, then you are no daughter of mine!"

Annabeth looked at Clarisse to see how she was taking the comment, but she only saw grim determination. "I figured as much. Sorry it's got to be this way." Then Clarisse turned to Percy and said, "You take Zeus, the rest of us will handle my dad."

Percy merely nodded. Annabeth pulled her knife out and moved to stand beside Clarisse. She could see the others taking up their arms as well. Ares simply looked at Zeus, who in turn gave him a nod. Then Ares jumped at the group, shrinking down to the size of a normal human and attacking.

The god of war was quick, he lunged for Clarisse first, but she caught the attack with her spear and shield. Annabeth used the moment to go for Ares, but he was far too experienced to be caught off guard so easily. He jumped into the air and nearly kicked Annabeth, but he did manage to make her stumble back. Then he crashed his shield into Clarisse, causing her to lose her balance and hit the ground. He was over her in a heartbeat and for a moment Annabeth thought he was going to kill Clarisse, but two lightning bolts and a fireball crashed into his back, sending him sailing through the air away from Clarisse and Annabeth.

"Damn, that didn't even phase him." Jason said as he and the others ran up to join Annabeth and Clarisse. Annabeth looked over to see Ares climbing back on his feet, looking completely unscathed, but if he wasn't mad before, he looked pissed now. She also looked back to see Percy engaged in a heated battle with Zeus himself. They were on their own for the moment, no Percy to help them just yet.

"I'm going to pulverize all of you!" He shouted as he began to sprint towards them.

Annabeth sized up the situation. She knew Ares had a one major flaw when it came to fighting, he let anger get the best of him. There were also eight of them fighting Ares, which gave them an edge. As he drew near, Annabeth decided to do the least logical move she could think of, she hurled her dagger at him. The move caught him off guard. Ares was forced to lift his sword to deflect the blade of the knife, but the moment his sword was two arrows hit him in the stomach, stopping him in his tracks.

The look of shock on Ares face as he looked down at the arrows and golden ichor oozing from him made Annabeth smile. He had underestimated them, and now they would make him pay. "Don't let up, pin him down!" Annabeth shouted as she ran for her knife. Two more bolts of lightning hit Ares in his chest sending him stumbling back some more. Annabeth was the first to reach him. As he reached out to stab her with his sword, she dropped to the ground and slid, slashing at both the god's legs. After she was past him she turned back around to see the rest of the group follow suit. Leo had been the next closest, and Ares was still going for Annabeth so he failed to notice when Leo's hammer coming in. Leo hit him twice, once in the back of the head and once in the face before he let loose a fireball into the gods chest. Will and Thalia both were firing arrow after arrow into the god of war, stopping only when one of their friends would get close enough to attack. Finally, Clarisse seemed to sense that it was time to end it because Annabeth saw her charge forward and drive her spear into a weak point in Ares armor. She didn't stop there though, she snapped the spear in half, releasing all the pent up magical energy inside of it straight into Ares.

Annabeth had to grimace as Ares fell to the ground twitching, electricity still visibly arcing from his body. She allowed herself a smile, they had taken down the god of war without even taking any significant injuries. Then she remembered they weren't the only ones fighting in the throne room. How was Percy doing?

Percy-POV

The moment the fight started Percy knew he was in for a tough time. Despite how he had played it off, taking the master bolt hadn't been easy to brush off. The blast had hurt, his muscles ached and he was still a little disoriented. He also knew that Zeus was a very worthy opponent, especially having his Jupiter essence combined with his original Greek form. Not only that, but Percy knew that the god of lightning was severely pissed. Percy was glad Clarisse and the others had moved to engage Ares, he figured with all of them they could take the god of war without too much of an issue. He didn't want them in the fight with Zeus because it was only a matter of time before the master bolt was charged again. Percy had barely managed to tank the hit, and he knew none of the others would manage to do the same.

With that in mind, Percy charged. Zeus gave a wicked smile and Percy felt the energy in the air. He allowed himself a small smile as well, Zeus was already under estimating him, he failed to realize Percy was very familiar with lightning these days and could sense it coming. Five bolts of lightning came down on Percy. He caught two of the bolts on his sword deflecting them, one of them he caught with his shield, and with a burst of speed from the wind and earth he was able to get away from the other two. Zeus realized Percy wasn't going to be stopped just in time though, as he quickly had his armor and weapon appear as he shrunk down to human size.

Their swords met in air and Percy felt the ground quake from the force. Percy had fought Hades, Athena, and Rhea all at once, but even he had stated it was different, they hadn't been trying to kill him. He had also fought two war titans in Central park when he came to rescue his friends, but they were only shades of themselves, not at their full power. Zeus on the other hand, was at his maximum potential and he very much wanted Percy dead and it showed in the way he attacked.

Strike after strike came at Percy, and he was only able to defend for the time being. Zeus held the higher ground and was in much better condition than Percy, who just last night had fought in two raging battles. But this is what Percy had been training for. He caught Zeus's blows time and time again, and when Zeus started summoning lightning strikes against him he was still able to intercept, block, or dodge them without having to take his eyes off Zeus. Percy was patient and calculating, he waited for Zeus to slip up and leave himself open. The moment finally came when Zeus went to draw his Master Bolt back again.

Percy had the ground and wind springboard him with as much force as he could muster. His shield crashed into Zeus's chest and Riptide simultaneously cleaved through the gods arm. Zeus howled in pain, but before he could even recover Percy went on his own onslaught. He collapsed his shield and hit the ground, having the stone and rock form a gauntlet around his hand. Then used it to throw a hook into Zeus's nose, and the crunch of the bone giving away was enough to tell Percy it had hit its mark. But as Percy's fist continued on past the god, he used his momentum to do a full 360 and brought Riptide through Zeus's chest. Then using both hands, Percy went on a slashing spree as he continued to hit Zeus as hard and as fast as he could manage. Zeus's chest simply looked like it was made of gold from all the ichor that pouring out of him. With one final thrust, Percy drove Riptide through Zeus's stomach causing the god to drop his sword and master bolt.

At this point, Percy knew the fight was over, but he wanted to show Zeus that his time of reigning was truly at an end. So Percy picked up the Master Bolt and aimed it at the former king of the gods. "Zeus, as the acting general of Olympus I hereby remove you from your duties for the duration of the war. Once this is all over, the council will take a vote to see what they think should be done with you."

And with that Percy blasted Zeus with his own master bolt, sending the god flying through the other side of the council chamber and in to the courtyard.