Here's the last chapter of Last Olympian. I got my first flame yesterday. I'm just going to say this right now to all the flamers. If you're going to flame a story and don't do it as a guest. At least show a little respect and let the author know who's flaming them. Oh, and if you don't like a story, don't read it. And really, you said you don't like the name. Why the Hades are you complaining about that. And I know there's nice qualities in Hermione, and I include those too. I just find a lot of bad qualities in Hermione as well. I'm glad you gave your opinion and everything, but you could at least be a little respectful. Thank you to percyjacksonfan135, juliebug1022, lunarue.13, QuillMist9674, ZoeyMarieSnape, brelee24, Artemis Lovegood, and Ishiguro Ayumu( so true by the way). To ZoeyMarieSnape, curses will be absorbed by Nina. If they cause injury, they will have no affect. Cruciatus and AK won't work. Anything else will work. Vati's arm is scarred pretty badly and there will be some comments on it. No one from Hogwarts will die. To juliebug1002, yes I did say Luna was a daughter of Apollo in the first chapter. I wanted to see who would catch on. Enjoy!
Chapter Fifty Seven: The War Is Won
It was too late by the time we got down. Our army lay injured all across the ground. Clarisse and Chris were frozen in a block of ice. The centaurs had either all ran away or they were all disintegrated because there weren't any left. Kronos stood in front of his army, scythe in hand. The only thing between him and the entrance to the building was Chiron. Chiron had an arrow notched and pointed directly at Kronos' face. Lavender stumbled over to us, clutching her side which was bleeding heavily.
"Step aside, little son." I had almost forgotten that Chiron was a son of Kronos. It was really weird seeing Luke say that to Chiron.
"I'm afraid not," Chiron said. His voice was calm, but I could hear the anger in it. Lav, Percy, Grover, Thalia, and I were all straining to move, but our feet seemed to be super glued to the pavement. A dracaena became impatient and charged Chiron. His arrow went straight through her skull. She disintegrated on the spot. Chiron reached for another arrow, but his quiver was empty. He dropped his bow and pulled out his sword. The sword was never his favorite weapon.
Kronos chuckled and advanced towards Chiron, whose horse half skittered nervously. "You're a teacher," Kronos sneered. "Not a hero."
"Luke was a hero," Chiron retorted. "A good one, until you corrupted him."
"FOOL! You filled his head with empty promises. You said the gods cared about me!"
"Me," Chiron noted. "You said me."
Kronos seemed rather confused by that comment and in that moment Chiron struck. Unfortunately, Kronos was too quick. He knocked aside the sword and yelled, "BACK!" A blinding, white light knocked Chiron backwards into the side of a building with such a force the wall crumbled on top of him.
"NO!" screamed Annabeth. The freezing spell broke and she ran towards our teacher. The rest of us that could walk followed close behind her. "YOU!" she shouted, turning on Kronos. "To think that I...that I thought-" She drew her knife.
"Annabeth, don't." Percy tried to pull her back as ugly laughter went through the Titan army. Percy grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back. She had tears running down her face.
"I HATE you!" she screeched. I wasn't sure if she was talking to my brother or Kronos.
Kronos gave a dark chuckle. "So much spirit. I can see why Luke wanted to spare you. Unfortunately, that won't be possible." Kronos raised his scythe and Percy pulled out Riptide. Before either could strike, a piercing Arroooooooo! filled the night air.
"Mrs. O'Leary?" Percy asked. The enemy army began to part like something was forcing them too. A small dark figure stood next to my brother's huge familiar.
"Nico?" I asked.
ROWWF! Mrs. O'Leary strode forward, Mrs. O'Leary bounding ahead in front of him. "Got your message," Nico grinned as he stepped up next to me, turning to face the Titan army. "Is it too late to join the party?"
"Son of Hades," Kronos spat at the ground. "Do you love death so much you wish to experience it?"
"Your death, Gramps, would be great for me."
"I'm immortal, you foo! I have escaped Tartarus. You have no business here, and no chance to live."
Nico drew his three foot, stygian iron sword. "I don't agree." The ground rumbled and cracks appeared in the road. Thousands of deceased beings crawled out of the ground.
"HOLD YOUR GROUND!"Kronos ordered his army. "The dead are no match for us." The sky turned dark and cold and the shadows thickened. A chariot emerged from around the corner. Hades himself was driving it. Ladies Demeter and Persephone were behind him.
Hades smiled coldly. "Hello, Father. You're looking...young."
"Hades," Kronos growled. "I hope you and the ladies have come to pledge your allegiance."
"I'm afraid not, Father," Demeter growled.
"My son here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies," Hades sighed. "As much as I dislike my brother, it would not do for Olympus to fall. I would miss bickering with Poseidon. And if there's one thing we agree on-it is that you were a TERRIBLE father."
"True," muttered Demeter. "No appreciation of agriculture."
"Mother!" Persephone groaned.
Hades drew his sword. "Now fight me! For today the House of Hades will be called the saviors of Olympus."
"I don't have time for this," Kronos snarled. Kronos struck the ground with his scythe. A huge force field separated Kronos, his vanguard, Lav, Thalia, Annabeth, Percy, Grover, and me from the rest of the two armies. Outside the barrier, Manhattan roared back to life. Cars started up and mortals began to wake up. Paul and my mom ran around the corner from where we had hidden there car. Hades tried to attack the barrier, but he wasn't able to get through. He ordered the army of dead warriors to attack.
Demeter waved her hand and about twenty giants turned to wheat. Persephone changed all 200 of the dracaenas' spears to sunflowers. NIco hacked and slashed his way through the monsters. Kronos ordered the monsters on the inside of the force field to deal with us while he and Ethan Nakamura went up to Olympus. We made quick work of the hyperborean giants.
I looked over to see Paul pick up a sword from a fallen warrior and stab a dracaena with it. "Paul?" Percy asked.
"Hope that was a monster," he grinned at us. "I was a Shakespearian actor in college! Picked up a little swordplay!" Mom pulled something that looked suspiciously like an umbrella out of a cop car. She pulled something on it and shot a hyperborean giant backwards into Nico's sword. It was not an umbrella, it was a shot gun. "Nice one," Paul said.
"When did you learn to fight with a shotgun!" I demanded.
"About two seconds ago, Nina. We'll be fine. Go!"
Percy looked over at the pile of rubble that was on top of Chiron. "Mrs. O'Leary, please, Chiron's under there. If anyone can dig him out, you can. FIn him! Help him!" Mrs. O'Leary barked and started of us that were inside the force field raced for the elevators.
We ran through the streets of Olympus. Fires were burning and statues had crumbled. We raced to the throne room. At the doors to the throne room, a statue of Hera fell towards Annabeth. Thalia pushed her out of the way. When the dust cleared, we found Thalia still alive with both legs stuck under the statue. "Don't just stand there," she groaned. "I'll be fine! Go!" None of us wanted to leave her, but we needed to stop Kronos. We ran after him, following his path of destruction.
When we got to the throne room, Kronos was swinging his scythe around and Ethan was standing far out of its reach. The Ophiotaurus was not making a sound and had shrunk back into its corner. Ethan noticed us first. "My lord," he warned.
Kronos turned at smirked at my brother and me. "Which one wants to go first?" I unsheathed Mov and stepped forward. Percy tried to stop me, but I shoved him back. Kronos changed his scythe back into a sword, Backbiter. Ethan engaged my brother in combat. I was forced to jump onto Hephaestus' throne which started whirring. That can't be good. I jumped over Kronos' head as electricity started arcing off the throne. One hit the Titan lord in the face and he crumpled to his knees.
Annabeth ran forward. "Luke, listen!" she pleaded. Kronos flicked his hand and she flew back into her mother's throne. I tried to charge Kronos, but he flicked his hand again and I flew back against Apollo's throne. Kronos ordered Ethan to kill my brother. Ethan seemed confused. He looked at his sword then at my brother. Ethan charged...at Kronos. Ethan swung his sword down at Kronos' neck, but the blade shattered. He fell back. A piece of his own blade had struck his stomach.
"Treason," Kronos snarled as he stood up. Kronos stomped his foot and the floor around Ethan crumbled. He fell to earth. He died a hero. Kronos and Percy began to fight. Percy was backed up against Dad's throne. Kronos slowed down time.
He showed us an image of Typhon stepping into the Hudson River. He barely sunk to mid calf. It has to happen now. Please, let it happen now. As if a miracle were occurring, a conch horn blew. The Hudson erupted with forty-foot waves. A new chariot came out of the water. My dad rode in it, glowing with a blue aura of power. "NOW MY BRETHREN! STRIKE FOR OLYMPUS!"
A legion of cyclopes rode out of the water on sharks, sea serpents, and hippocampi. Leading them was Tyson on Rainbow. Briareus, the hundred handed one, was riding on a sea serpent next to him. The cyclopes threw chains around Typhon and started dragging him down. The other gods fought with renewed vigor. Ares stabbed him in the nose. Artemis shot him in the eye. Apollo shot a volley of flaming arrows that set the monsters loincloth on fire. Zeus was pounding him with lightning. Typhon sunk and Dad opened an endless waterslide down to Tartarus. The giant disappeared. "They're on their way," Percy smirked. "You've lost." Kronos roared and charged Percy. Kronos disarmed Percy quickly.
"STOP!" Annabeth came out of nowhere. She somehow found the strength to jump in. Lav stood ready to jump in when necessary. "LUke," Annabeth tried to reason, "I understand now. You have to trust me."
"Luke Castellan is dead!" Kronos roared. "His body will burn away as I assume my true form. Lavender tried to help, but we were all frozen in our spots.
"Your mother, she saw your fate."
"Service to Kronos! This is my fate!"
"No!" Annabeth's eyes were tearing up and I couldn't help but feel bad for her. She was fighting her first friend. "That's not the end, Luke. The prophecy: she saw what you would do. It applies to you!"
"I will crush you, child!"
"You won't" Annabeth argued. Why won't she just get out of there? "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now!" I gasped, the vision Hestia had shown Percy and me. Luke promised never to hurt Annabeth.
"LIES!" shrieked Kronos as he slammed Annabeth backwards. With his free hand, he smacked her across the face, sliding her back even farther.
"Family, Luke! You promised."
Kronos stared at the knife in Annabeth's hand. "Promise," he muttered. He gasped like he couldn't get air. "Annabeth..." It wasn't Kronos' voice, it was Luke's. Luke fell to his knees in front of Annabeth. "You're bleeding..."
"My knife." Annabeth tried to raise her dagger, but it clattered out of her hand. Percy, please..."
I found I could move again. Lavender rushed over and helped me up. She kept one hand over the wound on her side. Luke went a little closer to Annabeth. "Don't touch her," Percy snarled as he picked up the knife and knocked Backbiter from Luke's grasp.
Kronos broke through again. "Jackson..." he snarled. His whole body began to glow gold. He was assuming his true form. He gasped and became Luke again.
"He's changing. Help. He's...he's almost ready. He won't need my body anymore. Please-"
NO!" Kronos bellowed.
"The knife, Percy," Annabeth said. "Hero...cursed blade..."
"Please, Percy..." Luke gasped. "You can't..can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can...can keep him controlled. Please. No time." Percy seemed to struggle for a second before passing the blade to Luke. A hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap. I had thought that line was about Percy or me, but it wasn't. It was about Luke.
Luke unstrapped his armor under his left arm. He stabbed himself in a very hard to hit place. It wasn't deep, but he howled. Luke's entire body glowed golden. It felt like a nuclear explosion went off. My skin began to blister and my lips cracked. When the light faded, Luke lay sprawled at the edge of the hearth. "Good...blade," he croaked. His eyes were blue again. Grover helped Annabeth over to his side. Luke looked at her. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew..."
"Shhh." Annabeth's voice was trembling. Lav buried her face in Percy's chest. Grover held my hand. "You were a hero at the end, Luke. You'll go to Elysium." He smiled weakly at her and held up his hand. Annabeth touched his fingertips.
"Did you..." Luke coughed harshly. "Did you love me?"
Annabeth nodded as the tears began to pour again. "We can get ambrosia-" Grover tried.
"Grover," Luke gulped. "You're the bravest satyr I knew. But no. There's no healing..."
Luke turned to look at Percy and me. "Ethan. Me. All the unclaimed. Don't let it...Don't let it happen again." We nodded sadly. Luke smiled and closed his eyes. He didn't move again and Annabeth broke down.
The Olympians ran into the room, prepared for a battle. I looked directly at Hermes. He was looking at Luke in shock. "We need a shroud. A shroud for the son of Hermes."
The three fates themselves came to collect Luke's body. Hermes kissed Luke's forehead before allowing them to take his body out of the throne room. Percy held Annabeth as she sobbed. Athena didn't even try to come and comfort her daughter. Apollo rushed over to heal Annabeth and then Lavender. He then, rushed over to me and started checking me over. I kept calling his name to tell him that I wasn't hurt because of the Curse, but he kept shushing me. When he was satisfied, he pulled me into a tight hug. Percy remembered our mom's request and asked Zeus to light Olympus up purple. Zeus didn't even blink an eye at the strange request. The mortals can just wonder about what it meant, mom needed to know we were safe.
The gods began to repair the throne room. It went pretty fast with 12 all powerful beings. The rest of us went around healing injured demigods. Tyson and Briareus saved Thalia from the sallen statue. She was on crutches, but was okay otherwise. Travis and Connor told us our parents were fine before Hermes swept them away. Katie Gardner informed me that she had seen Rachel run out of the Empire State Building completely unharmed and that Chiron was being brought to camp by Mrs. O'Leary. Hades, Nico, Demeter, and Persephone entered soon after. Hades and nico were surprised by the warm welcome they received.
When Clarisse and Chris walked in, Ares clapped his daughter on the back and told her she had made him proud. Wow, he can be fatherly, who knew? Mr. D. thanked Percy for keeping his son alive, something else that shocked me. He informed us he now only had 50 years left at camp instead of 100. When the army of Poseidon marched into the throne room, Tyson pulled Percy and me into a tight hug. I could hardly breath, but it was nice to know he cares. Poseidon followed close behind his army and pulled my twin and me into an even tighter hug then Tysoon had. The Olympians gathered together for a council. Even Hades was sitting on a guest throne.
Nico sat at Hades' feet. The Stoll brothers and Chris were at their father's feet. Katie sat at Demeter's feet and Thalia went over to Artemis'. Pollux stood at Dionysus' feet and WIll was at Apollo's. Beckendorf sat in front of his father and Silena, Lav, and, Vati, whose entire right arm was wrapped in bandages, sat at their mother's. Clarisse rested at Ares' feet. Annabeth went over in front of her mother. Percy followed Dad and sat in front of his throne. I sat down between Dad's and Apollo's.
Zeus started the meeting by talking about the bravery of the gods. "As for my brothers, we are thankful-" Zeus cleared his throat. It must be painful for him to say this. I looked up at Apollo and he was biting his bottom lip, trying not to laugh at his father. "Erm, we are thankful for the aid of Hades." My uncle smirked at his youngest brother. Hades squeezed Nico's shoulders and smiled down at him. Nico looked happier than i had ever seen him.
Zeus looked like the next line pained him even more. "And of course, we must...um...thank Poseidon."
"I'm sorry, brother," my dad smirked. "What was that." Apollo bit his fist to hide his laughter at Zeus' face. I bit my lip so hard that if I hadn't taken the Curse of Achilles, it would be bleeding.
"We must thank Poseidon. Without whom...it would've been difficult-"
"Difficult?" Dad asked innocently.
"Impossible," Zeus growled. "Impossible to defeat Typhon." The rest of the gods murmured their agreement and Dad sat back in his throne, smirking at Zeus.
"Which leaves us," continued the sky king, "only the matter of thanking our young demigod children, who defended Olympus so well-even if there are a few dents in my throne." I'm not sure if he just made a really bad joke or he was angry about that. Zeus called Thalia up and told her he would assist in refilling the Hunter's ranks.
"You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I'm sure." She glared pointedly at Hades.
"All who perished fighting for the gods will be rushed to Elysium," he assured the gods. "I shall take them there myself." The rest of the gods were comforted by the fact that all their kids would go to Elysium. Thalia bowed to all the gods, including Hades and Hestia, and went back to stand by Artemis' side.
"Tyson, son of Poseidon," Zeus called. Tyson moved forward from his position with the other cyclopes. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the army of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new...um...what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"
"Stick!" Tyson said, showing our uncle his broken club.
"Very well. We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."
The cyclopes cheered for him as he rejoined them. "Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called. Grover walked into the center of the thrones nervously. "Oh, stop chewing on your shirt. Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the COuncil of Cloven Elders." Grover collapsed on the spt and Dionysus ordered some naiads to take care of him. I figured he'd be okay.
"Annabeth Chase," called Athena, "my own daughter." Annabeth stood and walked into the center of the room. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is...well, trashed. The Titan lord did a lot of damage. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it exactly how it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements."
Annabeth was completely stunned. "My...my lady? You mean I can design whatever I want?"
"As your heart desires. Make us a city for the ages. Rise, my daughter, Architect of Olympus."
"PERSEUS AND CHRISTINA JACKSON!" our dad announced. We walked into the center of the room. "Great heroes must be rewarded. Is there anyone here denying that my twins are deserving?" Not a single god protested. I wonder what's going on."
"The council agrees," said Zeus. "Percy and Christina Jackson, you shall each have one gift from the gods."
"Any gift?" Percy asked.
"I know what you two will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in centuries, but, Perseus and Christina Jackson-if you wish it-you shall be made gods. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant, Perseus, and you as Apollos, Christina."
"Um...a god?" Percy asked.
"Apparently dimwitted gods, but yes. I will have to put up with you forever."
"Hmm," mused Ares. "Then I will have all eternity to smash them to a pulp and they'll just keep coming back."
I glanced back. Lav and Vati's faces were pale and they wouldn't meet my eyes. I looked up at Apollo. His eyes told me he would support me no matter what. I looked at my brother. He looked indecisive. "No," I said finally. The council was silent.
"No?" Zeus asked. "You are...turning down our generous gift?"
"I'm honored and everything. Don't get me wrong. It's just...I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak before I even got to my 5th year of Hogwarts. I do want a gift though. Do you swear on the Styx to grant my wish?"
"If it is within our power, I do swear on the Styx."
"I assure you, it is. It's not even difficult. From now on, I want you to properly recognize all your children. All the children...of all the gods."
"Nina, what do you mean?" my dad asked.
"Kronos wouldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents. They felt angry, resentful, and unlove, and they had a good reason."
"You dare accuse-" Zeus started.
"No more undetermined kids. I want you guys to claim all your kids-all your demigod kids-by the time they turn 13. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
Percy stepped up. "I do not wish to be immortal either. The minor gods, Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. They're children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Lord Hades' children should have a place at camp as well. Nico has proven that."
"Oh, and no more pact of the Big Three," I cut in. "That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. Oh, and Lord Zeus, stop getting cranky when children of Poseidon and Hades are in your domain. They allow your kids in their domains so get over it." Zeus glared at me but nodded.
Percy rolled his eyes at me. "Is that all?" asked Zeus.
"We hold you to your oath," Percy and I said together.
"They are correct," sighed Athena, "as much as I loathe to admit it. We have been unwise to ignore our children. I move that we accept the twins' plan."
"All in favor?" asked Hermes. All the gods raised their hands.
I stared out over the wreck that was Manhattan, leaning against the railing. Someone came up behind me and wrapped their arms around my waist. "Hey, Sparkles."
"Hey, 'Pollo," I sighed. I rested my head against his chest. " I suppose you're here to ask me why I turned down immortality?"
"A god isn't allowed to come see the most beautiful girl in the world?" he asked.
I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, you're right. That is what I wanted to ask you," he admitted.
"I don't really know," I sighed. "It just felt like the right thing to do. You're not mad at me, are you?"
"Nah, I'm proud of you actually. Not many would turn down immortality."
"I would miss Lav and Vati too much. Besides, you can always visit me on Earth. They won't be able to visit me on Olympus."
"You have a point. Happy birthday by the way."
"Huh?"
"It's August 18th. Unless I am mistaken, that would be your birthday."
"Oh yeah, I guess I forgot what with the war and everything."
Apollo sighed dramatically. "What kind of world do we live in where people forget when it's their birthday."
"Drama Queen," I murmured.
"Drama King," he corrected. I rolled my eyes.
After about an hour of chatting, Apollo brought me to camp. "By the way," he whispered in my ear, "you have a 5 year old future step daughter in London. Her name is Freya, Freya Roberts. She's my only other kid that hasn't made it to camp. She's also my youngest."
"She better be your youngest. Any younger than 5 would've been born after you found out I was the daughter of Poseidon. I'm pretty sure that would've been considered cheating on me." Chiron, Annabeth, Grover, Percy, Nico, and Rachel were all staring at me. Wait, what is Rachel doing here?
"Oh," Apollo said. I noticed Rachel's eyes were glowing green. "Rachel Elizabeth Dare," he said. "You have been blessed with the gift of prophecy. But it is also a curse. Are you sure you want this?"
"It is my destiny," Rachel nodded.
"Do you accept the risks?"
"I do."
"Then proceed."
Rachel started chanting and the mummy oracle appeared in front of her. Green mist came out of it and entered Rachel. The mummy disintegrated and Rachel curled up in the fetal position on the floor. "What's going on?" I asked.
"This is the most delicate part," Apollo informed us. "Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't."
"And if it doesn't?" Annabeth asked.
"Five syllables," Apollo said, counting them out on his fingers. "That would be real bad." Rachel sat up and Nico helped her stand up. "Ladies and gentlemen," Apollo grinned. "May I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi. Oh, look it's starting." Rachel collapsed and Nico and Percy caught her. Her eyes were glowing green when she looked up.
"Eight half-bloods shall answer the call.
To storm or fire, the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death."
Rachel returned to normal. "That would be the next Great Prophecy," Apollo groaned.
"That doesn't sound good," I sighed. He shook his head.
"I best get back and tell the other gods. Good bye." He kissed me and disappeared in a flash of golden light.
During dinner, everybody came up to thank us. Nico sat at the head table and Dionysus was sitting with Pollux, who seemed to enjoy talking to his dad. When Lav and Vati saw me, they threw themselves at me. I laughed and hugged them back. I told them about the next Great Prophecy and my future step-daughter as Apollo put it. They told me that Remus was coming to pick me up tomorrow to take me to London.
After dinner, Percy and I had a mini birthday party with Lav, Vati, Grover, Juniper, Annabeth, and Rachel. Lavender picked up some Gryffindor courage and marched up to my brother. She pulled his head down and started kissing him. It took him a minute, but he began to kiss her back. A bunch of people came out of the shadows. "It looks like the love birds need to cool off," grinned Clarisse. She and the rest of the camp picked up Percy and Lav and we all carried them down to the canoe lake. We let them stay close enough to hold hands. When we dumped them in the water, I felt a disturbance in the water. Percy had made an air bubble around them. Who knew when they were going to come back up.