Warning: Certain ancient Greek names matches words use of foul language but no foul language was intentionally used. Also if you haven't read them yet read 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Early Adventures' 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief' 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters' 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Olympians: The Titan's Curse' and 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Olympians: The Magical Labyrinth' as well as the one shots 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Stolen Chariot' The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Sword of Hades', and The Tales of the Son of Poseidon & the Bronze Dragon' before reading this story as stuff that happened in them will be mentioned. Lastly, any one who wants to do a Demigods and Olympian reads story using 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon' is allowed as long as you inform me about it.
I Sit On My Dad's Throne
"What were you thinking?" Clarisse demanded.
"You wouldn't listen, and your cabin would only follow you," Silena responded.
"So you stole my armor," Clarisse said in disbelief, "You waited until Chris and I went out on patrol; you stole my armor and pretended to be me." She glared at her siblings. "And NONE of you noticed?"
The Ares campers developed a sudden interest in their combat boots.
"Don't blame them," Silena said. "They wanted to believe I was you."
"Silena!" Beckendorf charged forward to his girlfriend. "Wha—what were you thinking?"
"I had to Charlie. I thought I could make things right if I did this much for the camp," Silena said.
"You're the double agent," I said, "You're the spy that been secretly helping us out."
Silena nodded. "Before I liked Charlie, Luke was nice to me. I wanted to help him."
I remembered now. Before the quest for the Master Bolt, but after Luke's quest, Luke would hang out with Silena. I didn't think much of it at the time since I didn't know Luke was plotting against Olympus and Silena stayed in camp.
"Later, I wanted to stop helping him, but he threatened to tell. He promised… he promised I was saving lives. Fewer people would get hurt. But when the war started, I saw that it wasn't true," Silena said.
"Then you send Mrs. O'Leary after us," I said. "During our mission to destroy Princess Andromeda."
Silena nodded. "Before I came here I threw my charm into the Hearth. I didn't want Kronos finding out what I was about to do," Silena explained before turning to Charlie. "I'm sorry Charlie. I didn't want to hurt you or anyone."
At first I didn't now how Beckendorf would take the news. But then he hugged her and muttered it would be alright.
Behind us the battle raged.
"We better get back to the battle," I said.
"I'll help," Bob said getting up only to wince in pain.
"No, Bob, I want you to take time off to let your wounds heal," I told him. "Beckendorf, stay behind and watch over Bob and protect Silena. I'm sure Kronos has figured out by now that she has betrayed him."
Beckendorf nodded.
…
It turns out I didn't have to do much for the remaining battle. Clarisse did it all. She took Bob's spear that was still in good condition and with Chris driving the flying chariot, took down any enemy in her path.
All of our allies started grabbing any weapon from fallen and started assisting the Ares cabin. The monsters retreated toward 35th Street.
Clarisse must have decided to take a page from Achilles' stunts because she drove the drakon's carcass and looped a grappling line through the eye sockets. She lashed her horses and took off, dragging the Drakon behind the chariot like a Chinese New Year Dragon. As she was rode, I realized she was literally glowing. An aura of red fire flickered around her. None of the enemies' attacks hit her while she was glowing.
My eyes widened as I realized it was the blessing of Ares. It was the first time I seen it in person, but I read all about it. It's like the Achilles Curse, except not as powerful, but still effective.
"I AM CLARISSE, DRAKON SLAYER!" she yelled. "I will kill you ALL! Where is Kronos? Bring him out! Is he a coward?"
The enemy didn't reply as they were forced to fall back. Good thing Chris is with her, otherwise I would think Clarisse would take this too far.
Meanwhile, we attended to our wounded, bringing them to the Lobby.
Silena told us that only Argus, Peleus the Dragon, and the nature spirits were the only ones left guarding camp, which means if we are to save the camp before it is attack, we need to end the war.
Silena also told us exactly Kronos' plans, which was basically what we already figured out, take Olympus before Typhon gets here, and then have Typhon take care of the rest. But at least we know how Kronos was planning to do it.
"Kronos will most likely send one more wave before the day is over," Silena said, "By then, if the Olympians haven't stop Typhon, he would be here."
"Which means right now is our last chance," I said as I frowned. I turned to Mrs. O'Leary who was resting after a long battle right outside. "I got an idea. Bianca!"
"Yeah," Bianca said walking up.
"I need you to help your brother confront your dad," I said. "Take Mrs. O'Leary with you."
Bianca nodded and headed off to get Mrs. O'Leary.
"Annabeth, I'm going to need your help," I said.
Annabeth nodded as we headed to the elevator.
On the way to the elevator, we spotted Grover kneeling over a fat wounded satyr.
"Leneus!" I said.
The old satyr looked terrible. His lips were blue. There was a broken spear in his belly, and his furry goat legs were twisted at a painful angle.
He tried to focus on us, but I don't think he saw us.
"Grover?" he murmured.
"I'm here, Leneus," Grover was blinking bac tears, despite all the horrible things Leneus had said about him.
"Did… did we win?"
"Um… yes," he lied. "Thannks to you, Leneus. We rove the enemy away."
"Told you," the old satyr mumbled. "True leader. True…"
He closed his eyes for the last time.
Grover gulped. He put his hands on Leneus' forehead and spoke an ancient blessing. The old satyr's body melted until all that was left was a tiny sapling in a pile of fresh soil.
"A laurel," Grover said in awe. "Oh, that lucky old goat." He gathered up the sapling in his hands. "I… I should plant him. In Olympus, in the gardens."
"We're going that way," I said. "Come on."
Easy listening music played as the elevator rose.
"Percy, I'm starting to doubt we can save Luke," Annabeth said. "He used Silena, used her emotions."
"Don't give up hope yet," I told her.
I didn't tell her that I planned to ask Rachel something that came to my mind as well as consult with Hestia.
The door dinged and we stepped onto the aerial walkway.
I hate to say it, but Mount Olympus seemed depressing right now. No fires lit the braziers. The windows were dark. The streets were deserted and the doors were barred. The only movement was in the parks where Michael Yew and his siblings put together a field hospital.
As Grover planted the Laurel sapling, Annabeth and I went around trying to cheer up the wounded. I passed a satyr with a broken leg, a demigod who was bandaged from head to toe, and a body covered in the golden burial shroud of Apollo Cabin.
"Don't worry guys. Silena brought Clarisse and the Ares Cabin, and we just send Bianca off to get back up," I told everyone.
Some muttered, "About time." I didn't have the heart to tell them Silena was the spy, and I think it was best not to bring it up.
I found the Dionysus twins: Pollux and Castor propped up against a tree. Pollux had a broken arm ad Castor had a broken leg from the recent battle, but otherwise thy were okay.
"We can still fight," Castor said.
"Yeah!" Pollux agreed.
"No, you two," I said, "You've two done enough. I want you to stay here and help with the wounded. And stay safe from the battle."
"But—"
"That's an order straight from your father," I told them.
Both looked embarrassed but nodded. Even they know better than to argue with their father.
Annabeth, Grover, and I kept walking toward the palace. If we don't stop Kronos, that's where he would go.
The bronze doors creaked open. Our footsteps echoed on the marble floor. The constellations twinkled coldly I the ceiling of the great hall. The hearth was down to a dull red glow. Hestia, in the form of a little girl in brown robes, hunched at its edge, shivering. Tauro swam sadly in his sphere of water. He let out a half-hearted moo when he saw me.
In the firelight, the thrones cast evil-looking shadows, like grasping hands.
Standing at the foot of Zeus' throne, looking at the stars, was Rachel Elizabeth. She was holding Pandora's Pithos.
"Rachel?" I said. "Um, what are you doing with that?"
She focus on me as if she were coming out of a dream. "I found it. It's Pandora's jar, isn't it?"
"Technically the Greek term is Pithos," I said.
Rachel shrugged. "I can see Hope inside it," Rachel ran her hands over the ceramic designs. "So fragile."
"Rachel," I warned. It seemed to bring her back to reality. She held out the jar, and took it. At first it felt cold as ice but in my presence, Hope seemed to have fluttered inside, as if waking up.
"Annabeth, Grover, why don't you go scout for any extra Greek Fire," I said, "and come back in a few minutes."
Annabeth nodded reluctantly and dragged Grover with her.
Over by the fire, Hestia was huddled in her robes, rocking back and forth.
"Come on," I told Rachel. "I want you to meet someone."
We sat next to the goddess.
"Lady Hestia," I said.
"Hello, Percy Jackson," the goddess murmured. "Getting colder. Harder to keep the fire going."
"I know, the Titans are near," I said, "But that's why I'm here. I have a plan, but before I do I need to consult with you and Rachel."
Hestia nodded as if expecting it. The she focused on Rachel. "Hello, my dear. You've come to our hearth at last."
Rachel blinked. "You've been expecting me?"
Hestia held out her hands, and the coals glow. I saw images in the fire: Thalia Luke Annabeth Nine years ago hanging out in our hide out, my mother, Paul and I eating Thanksgiving dinner at the kitchen table; my friends and me around the camp fire at Camp Half-Blood, singing songs and roasting marshmallows; Tyson with us last year, Rachel and me driving along the beach in Paul's Prius.
I didn't know if Rachel saw the same images, but the tension went out of her shoulders. The warmth of the fire seemed to spread across her.
"To claim your place at the hearth," Hestia told her, "you must let go of your distractions. It is the only way you will survive."
Rachel nodded. "I… I understand."
I gulped as a thought occurred to me. They were talking about Rachel taking the position of Oracle. An Oracle must be maiden, free from love. I was a distraction.
"Listen Rachel, the process of becoming an oracle, it could be dangerous," I said. "Hades—he has a curse on the last Oracle. And there's no telling if he would break it once we win this war… but"—I took a deep breath—"I'll support whatever decision you take."
Rachel took a deep shaky breath. "Thanks, Percy."
Hestia smiled at me approvingly. "Now, you said you need to consult to us about something?"
At that point Annabeth and Grover came into the throne room.
"A Choice, a sacrifice, and betrayal," I remembered Hal said. Then I remembered Rachel telling me I wasn't the hero of prophecy. The Jar seemed to grow warmer, as did the hearth.
"No, I got what I need, thanks, Lady Hestia," I said as I turned to the thrones. However I stopped half way thinking of something else. "Actually, Lady Hestia, will you do me the honor taking this as my offering?" I held out the Pithos.
The goddess tilted her head. "I am the least of the gods. Why would you trust me with this?"
"Because even though you gave up your throne to Dionysus, you're still an Olympian, just like Hades," I said while sending a prayer to Hades so he can listen. "We trust on your hearth to give us hope, just as we trust Hades to secure the laws of death in the Underworld."
The goddess smiled. She took the jar in her hands and it began to glow.
"That's right, Percy Jackson," she said. "May the gods bless you."
I nodded as I marched toward my father's throne while praying to Hades, "I hope you heard that, uncle."
I marched toward my father's throne with Annabeth and Grover following. I guess after they heard my speech, they wanted to see what else I'm planning."
The seat of Poseidon stood just to the right of Zeus', but it wasn't nearly as grand. The molded black leather seat was attached to a swivel pedestal, with a couple iron rings on the side for fastening a fishing pole (or a trident). Basically it looked like a chair o a deep-sea boat, that you would sit in if you wanted to hunt shark or marlin or sea monsters.
Gods in their natural state are about twenty feet tall, so I could just reach the edge of the seat if I stretched my arms.
"Help me up," I told Annabeth and Grover.
"Are you crazy?" Annabeth asked.
"Percy," Grover said, "the gods really don't appreciate people sitting in their thrones. I mean like turn-you-into-a-pile-of-ashes don't appreciate it."
"I need to get my dad's attention," I said. "It's the only way."
They exchange uneasy looks.
"Well, Annabeth said, "this'll get his attention."
They linked their arms to make a step, then boosted me onto the throne. I felt like a baby with my feet so high off the ground. I looked around at the other gloomy, empty thrones, and I could imagine what it would be like sitting on the Olympian Council—so much power but so much arguing, always eleven and once a year twelve other gods trying to get their way. It would be easy to get paranoid, to look out only for my interest, especially if I were Poseidon. Sitting in his throne, I felt like I had the entire sea at my command—vast cubic miles of ocean churning with power and mystery. Why should my dad listen to anyone? Why shouldn't he be the greatest of the twelve?
I shook my head of the thoughts out of my head. Concentrate.
The throne rumbled. A wave of gale-force anger slammed into my mind:
WHO DARES—
The voice stopped abruptly. The anger retreated, which was a good thing, because just those two words had almost blasted my mind to shreds.
Percy. My father's voice was still angry but more controlled, What—exactly—are you doing on my throne?
"I'm sorry, dad," I said. "I needed to get your attention."
This was a very dangerous thing to do. Even for you. If I hadn't looked before I blasted, you would now be a puddle of seawater.
"I'm sorry," I said again. "Listen, things are rough up here."
I told him what was happening. Then I told him my plan.
His voice was silent for a long time.
Percy, what you ask is impossible. My palace—
"Dad, Kronos sent an army against you on purpose. He wants to divide you from the other gods because he knows you could tip the scales."
Be that as it may, he attacks my home.
"Dad, please. Olympus is just as your home as the palace," I said. "Besides chances are, once Kronos is done up here, he'll send the rest of his forces to Oceanus to finish you off before going after Hades. Either way, your palace will be destroyed but at least with my plan, you will survive to see it rebuilt."
Dad was silent for a while as I could hear the underwater battle raging on.
You really should stop hanging out with that daughter of Athena. She's rubbed off on you way too much.
I held back a laugh at my dad's statement. It basically meant I have over think things while throwing in my friendship with Annabeth, but I haven't heard him say for four years.
"Does that mean you'll do it?" I asked.
Yes, it shall be as you say. But my son, pray this works.
"Sure will. By the way, how's Tyson?" I asked.
The question seemed to take my dad by surprise. He's fine. Doing much better than I expected. Though "peanut butter" is a strange battle cry.
"So I was right about him being a good fighter," I said.
Don't push it, Percy. Amphitrite—incoming!
The sound of a large explosion shattered our connection.
I slipped down from the throne.
Grover studied me nervously. "Are you okay? You turned pale and… you started smoking."
I looked at my arms and saw Grover was right. Steam was curling off my shirtsleeves. The hair on my arms was singed.
"I guess sitting on my dad's throne just to talk is like a demigod eating too much ambrosia and nectar," I said.
"I hope the conversation was worth it then," Annabeth said.
"We'll soon find out," I said.
Moo, said the Tauro in his sphere of water.
Just then the doors of the throne room swung open. Thalia marched in. Her bow was snapped in half and her quiver was empty.
"You've got to get down there," she told us. "The enemy is advancing. And Kronos is leading them."