Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus. I don't own anything written by Rick Riordan.

Author's Note: Hey, guys! Chapter five is officially up, now. So, I'm going to be writing this in a way that switches back and forth between present day and flashbacks. The flashbacks won't necessarily be in order, either. I just didn't want the story to get stuck in Tartarus forever, so I figured I should try to experiment like this. There aren't any flashbacks in this chapter, but there will be in the next one, so let me know if this style isn't working!

Also, missawesome-demigodish submitted the 100th review and I will be writing a one-shot to her specifications!

The 250th reviewer will also get a one-shot of their liking as long as they are not a guest and they don't request an M rated story.

Jasmine120: Seph is Percy. She's just changed her name to make her time in Tartarus easier to deal with emotionally.

Charlee56: I'm still trying to decide which one I should pair Percy with. It won't be permanent, of course - I love PercyxAres too much for that - but it will last a good while.

kablamaster: Thanks for the warning! I went back immediately after reading your review and changed the author's note.

PiKing314: Refer to Percy anyway you want. In terms of alliances, she may form temporary truces at some points, but nothing longer lasting than that - unless that person/monster is dead by the point when she gets brought back to Olympus.

Various people who have requested that Seph get back together with Ares: Seph's not the forgive-and-forget type of person. She's not just going to fall back into Ares's arms immediately.

Everyone: Thank's for reading and reviewing!

I've started a new story called Golden Drops. Hope you all read it!

Chapter V: The Return

Ten years later in the throne room of Olympus...

A council meeting was in session and the fourteen remaining Olympians were arguing about a quest that had recently been issued at Camp Jupiter.

"It should have gone to Camp Half-Blood!"

"Don't be an idiot. The Greeks wouldn't have been able to succeed."

"The wrong demigods have been chosen!"

"No! It's a good questing team."

"You would say that, of course. Your son's on the quest!"

The gods fell silent and drew their weapons as the room suddenly darkened.

"Who's doing this?!" demanded Zeus.

The shadows in the room warped, coalescing into the figure of a faceless man that appeared to be clothed in stars.

"Lord Chaos," gasped Athena.

Eyes widening, the gods stood from their thrones and bowed to the Creator of their universe.

"Milord, to what do we owe this pleasure?" asked Zeus. "We had thought you had faded."

"I can never truly fade. I simply fell into a deep sleep," scoffed Chaos. "I am the Creator. If I fade, my creations will fade with me." Though it was clear that it was the figure speaking, the deep voice seemed to emanate from everywhere in the room.

"I apologize for our misconception, Lord Chaos." This time it was Hera that spoke.

"May we know why you have come here?" asked Hestia.

"You have all made a grave mistake in banishing Persephone Jackson," came the reply. Chaos's voice was tinged with a deep anger. "I regret having waited so long to inform you of this fact, but I have only just managed to gather enough energy to appear before you all."

"I'm not sure we understand," said Hades. "Percy betrayed us all when she killed those six demigods with no provocation."

"But she did not kill those demigods," stated Chaos calmly.

"She was unable to swear an oath on the Styx that she didn't!" exclaimed Athena. "Not to mention, Chiron bore witness to the horrendous act. We also observed her actions via Iris Message."

"And did you ever wonder who sent that Iris Message?!" asked Chaos. "No, you did not," he continued, answering his own question.

"It didn't matter," protested Zeus. "It's not like an IM can be faked."

Chaos muttered something about foolish gods under his breath. "Regardless, Percy didn't kill them."

"Then shy couldn't she swear on the Styx that she did not commit the act?" countered Athena.

Chaos shook his head thoughtfully. "I chose the wrong words. Percy was possessed. She didn't even know she was killing them – as far as she knew, she was asleep. But since her body did the killing, she couldn't swear on the Styx that she didn't kill them."

The gods looked at each other in confusion.

"That's not possible," Hestia finally said. "Gods cannot be possessed."

"No, there are certain eidolons that can possess a god. They have to have been blessed by one of the Primordials, though. Also, they don't change the eye color of the god. There is no physical characteristic that would help you identify whether or not a god was possessed... Once an eidolon has been blessed by a Primordial, it is their's to command."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"So... we unjustly accused and punished my daughter?" Poseidon asked hoarsely. There were tears in his eyes.

The other gods were in similar states.

"We need to bring her back, now," announced Ares determinedly, pain shining in his eyes. "We can't leave her in Tartarus." It was clear he was only holding himself together for the sake of his lost love.

Chaos nodded. "But before you do, I must warn you. First, the same Primordial that forced the eidolon to frame Persephone is rising. He will be difficult to defeat."

"Is it... Tartarus?" asked Athena, eyes widening in realization.

"It is." Ignoring the mutters that were filling the throne room, he continued, "My second warning is that Persephone will not be the same person you remember. She has changed greatly. Keep in mind that if you are to win the war against Tartarus, you must convince her and her companions to aid you."

"Her companions?" questioned Aphrodite.

"The Titan Iapetus and the Giant Damasen. You will need to bring them back, along with Persephone," explained the Creator.

The gods nodded, albeit in confusion at the idea of Percy being friends with a Titan and a Giant.

"They are not evil and have proven their loyalty to Persephone on many occasions. They have been with her during her time in Tartarus," elaborated Chaos. "You have nothing to fear from them - unless you threaten or hurt Persephone in any way."

"I see," said Zeus, though his eyes were narrowed in suspicion. "We shall do as you have suggested."

"Good," said Chaos. "I must take my leave now. I wouldn't have interfered, but for the fact that Tartarus is my son and he is expressly going against my wishes by trying to take over the Earth."

"Thank you, Lord Chaos," said Zeus sincerely.

A moment later, the darkness that had enveloped the throne room cleared, taking Chaos's form with it.

"Hermes," ordered the king, "get Hecate."

Bowing, the messenger god flashed out, leaving a room full of worried and disgruntled Olympians trying to sort through the guilt they felt over having unjustly banished one of their own to Tartarus.

A few minutes later, Hermes flashed back in with Hecate. The latter was clothed in her usual graceful purple, black and gold robes.

"What may I do for you?" asked the goddess of magic as Hermes took his seat.

"Retrieve Percy, the Titan Iapetus and the Giant Damasen from Tartarus," commanded Zeus. "As soon as your task is complete, you may leave."

Hecate looked surprised, but nodded. "As you wish, milord." Taking a deep breath, she held her hands out in front of her and began chanting in Ancient Greek in a deep voice infused with power.

The moment the last syllable left her lips, the air in the center of the throne room shimmered with a gold light.

"They will appear in a moment," said Hecate, lowering her hands. She bowed. "I'll take my leave." The elegant goddess flashed out without another word.

The Olympians watched as the shimmering light suddenly flashed brightly and then cleared to reveal three figures. They immediately darted around each other to stand back-to-back, while simultaneously taking in their surroundings.

The gods couldn't help but be impressed by their lightning-fast reflexes.

"We mean you no harm," announced Zeus.

Poseidon didn't even roll his eyes at his brother's arrogant tone, too caught up in the mingling excitement and guilt he was feeling at the prospect of seeing his daughter again.

The three arrivals from Tartarus had clearly realized where they were. The two males had straightened and sheathed their weapons, but the figure with the feminine build remained in a defensive position, dual swords drawn. "Why should we believe you?" she spat, voice far colder and deeper than Poseidon remembered it.

The sea god was overwhelmed by grief as he recognized that his actions had turned his daughter into the bitter, untrusting creature that stood before him now.

The silver-haired man - Iapetus, Poseidon recalled from the first Titanomachy - whispered something in her ear that caused her to tense, but then nod in acquiescence and straighten from her crouch, though she maintained a grip on her weapons.

Poseidon took a moment to survey them. All three were wearing drakon-hide cloaks that covered the rest of their clothing. Only Percy was wearing her hood over her head. Poseidon wished she would remove it so that he could look into her eyes again after ten years.

"Why have you summoned us here?" asked Percy.

"We found out that we wrongly accused you of killing those demigods," explained Zeus.

Percy finally sheathed her weapons at the answer. "I see. And my companions? Why did you bring them here?

"Chaos told us that we would need their help in an upcoming battle against Tartarus," explained Athena.

The woman laughed bitterly, startling Poseidon. "You just brought us here so you could use us!"

"No!" disagreed Zeus vehemently before the sea god could. "We don't cae whether you agree to help us or not. You are our family and we wronged you. We simply wish to make amends." He paused a moment, then whispered, "Please, Percy."

Seph's eyes widened as she heard Zeus - arrogant Zeus - plead with her. She was glad she had her covering her face. She didn't want to reveal her surprise. Uncertain as to whether or not she should believe her uncle, she turned to Damasen for guidance.

Damasen had proven himself a god judge of character over the years and she already knew that Iapetus would suggest she give the Olympians a second chance.

The Giant gave her the slightest nod of his head, showing that he thought Zeus was sincere in his request.

Turning back to the gods, Seph took a deep breath, steeling herself against her instincts which were screaming at her to escape from Olympus. "I will give you one more chance. Do not waste it."

"Thank you, Percy. We-" Zeus began.

Seph cut him off. "Percy is dead. It's Persephone, now - although my friends call me Seph. And don't make the mistake of presuming us to be friends simply because I've given you a second chance." The woman took a sadistic pleasure in the winces and flinches of the Olypmians.

Zeus had a somewhat worried expression pasted on his face, surprising Seph, but nodded in acceptance of her words. "Persephone, will you accept godhood and reclaim your seat on the council?"

Seph twisted her lips pensively. Taking up a position of power would certainly keep her safer. "If you make Iapetus and Damasen honorary members." She wasn't stupid enough to think they could become true Olympians - they weren't gods, after all - but at least this would give them some semblance of safety.

Zeus frowned and looked around at the other Olympians. Seph didn't have to look at the gods to know that they were giving their silent opinion about her condition.

Finally, the king nodded. "We accept your conditions. Step up to Poseidon and he shall restore your godhood."

Seph's nostrils flared in distaste, but she nodded. She walked towards her father and pursed her lips as he placed a hand on her head. A moment later, a bright light surrounded her and she felt stronger than ever - even more so than her she had felt during her last stint as a goddess.

Another bright flash lit up the throne room and the Fates appeared. "Persephone Jackson, as of this moment, you are once again the major goddess of heroes, the tides and swordsmanship. You shall also reclaim your place as the fifteenth Olympian," they said in unison. "Additionally, you will be known as the major goddess of betrayal and loyalty, for you have long since learned the lesson of giving your loyalty to only those who have proven that they will never betray you."

A/N: So what did you guys think? Give me your honest opinion: Do you think that the first half of it was written too formally? Also, would you rather I pair Seph with Iapetus or Damasen for the beginning of this story?

Please review and read my new story: Golden Droplets.