Flashback
Gaea was annoying. Percy decided.
While destroying monsters left and right, he felt idle as the climax of the final battle loomed over everyone. He was ahead of Annabeth and the Greek and Roman demigods' front lines. He was creating his own little whirlwind. The sky rained down on them all. Some parts of the forest floor were beyond muddy.
Percy could see the hunters in his peripheral vision, Thalia leading them with her spear and Aegis. She was raining lighting on the monsters infront of her, she had a few dozen hunters behind her showering arrows on the enemies. He sent a silent prayer to Artemis. He advanced further towards Leo, Jason and Piper. The three together on Festus flying around a very agitated but seemingly sleepy primordial goddess.
Jason could feel Percy's aura more as he got closer to them. He was exhausted and knew Piper and Leo were as well. They could use some help getting Gaea away from the ground. He closed his eyes and focused on making the winds go faster around them.
Percy's eyes glowed as he looked up at Jason as he felt the winds pick up.
He took a deep breath and started to concentrate on making a proper whirlwind to finally get to Gaea and his friends.
Present
Percy walked up the steps to the Olympian throne room, he looked up at the huge doors and sighed.
He looked behind him and saw the rest of the seven with Reyna, Nico and Thalia. They were the only ones invited to Olympus, he assumed at least as Hermes only teleported the 10 of them to the bottom floor of the Empire State building.
He waited as he let Jason go ahead, he went to Frank and Hazel as Annabeth was holding a tired and recently crying Piper. Jason and Leo were at the head of the group now and Jason pushed open the doors to the throne room.
Zeus came into sight first, a smug smile of his face.
"Heroes!" He boomed.
Percy didn't let himself roll his eyes.
His eyes drifted towards his father, who sat looking at him with a proud smile that was only slightly veiled. He smiled back at his father who winked at him. He immediately look towards the hearth, Hestia sat alone with a forlorn look. His eyebrows scrunched together as he caught her eyes. She smiled softly at him and pursed her lips.
His eyes were drawn to Artemis. She was giving him a strange look, as if she were deciding whether to throw him off Olympus or thank him for his help. He realized how confusing that was but it felt like the right thing to describe it.
He raised his eyebrows slightly as he shrugged off his interaction with Hestia. Artemis instantly narrowed her eyes at him.
He looked away, last time he was turned into a furry animal it wasn't fun to say the least.
"For playing a major part in helping the gods defeat Gaea and her children once more, all of you deserve a gift. Our generosity is extended to you all. Thalia Grace come forward." Percy had expected that, they do all the work and the Olympians chalk it all to the demigods "helping" them win the second giant war.
"My daughter, you have shown incredible bravery again as you led the hunters to another war." Zeus went on. "There is no denying how essential you have been to winning two great wars and conquering Olympus' enemies."
Percy tuned out. Thalia was great and essential to winning the wars, but he couldn't bring himself to actually listen to Zeus go on and on. He was tired and this wasn't where he wanted to be right now regardless of whatever "gifts" they wanted to give them.
Percy heard Thalia gasp.
"A goddess?" She asked. Now Percy was confused.
"Yes, my daughter. A minor goddess of hunting, lightning and archery." Zeus said with a voice filled with pride. Percy hadn't expected THAT as a gift.
So it went on. Thalia, a minor goddess of hunting, Nico, a minor god of ghosts and Reyna, a minor goddess of war.
Percy wondered what gifts the seven would be offered, he glanced at Annabeth nervously.
Hazel, Frank, Leo also became minor gods. Jewels, Shape-shifting and Fire & Forge respectively.
Percy was proud of them, especially Frank and Hazel. He didn't know Leo all that well but he was proud of him too, without him Gaea wouldn't have been put back to sleep.
"Annabeth Chase, come forward" Athena said with a voice full of gratification.
"You have been a major part of not one but two great prophecies and you deserve the highest reward. We offer you a place by my side for eternity. A minor goddess of architecture, wisdom and battle strategy. Lieutenant of Athena." Athena's eye flashed to Percy, his lips tightened slightly but that was his only reaction.
"I would be honored, mother." She beamed. She glanced at Percy and her smile only became brighter. Percy smiled back. He felt nauseous, the smile was bitter on his lips.
He looked up and a bright light flashed from where Annabeth was standing. He swallowed a lump in his throat. He took a few moments to breathe. Knowing Zeus he would have no issues smiting him for having a panic attack during a council meeting.
Flashback
The storm was in full force. Percy had underestimated how much of a giant Gaea was. She was literally the size of a small skyscraper.
Piper was getting tired, even Percy could tell from down in the ground. It was difficult to ignore her constant charmspeak telling him to rest, lay down and sleep. For the first time he realized how powerful the daughter of Aphrodite could be if she wanted to.
Festus had grabbed Gaea's shoulders and obviously tried to lift her. They had to get her away from the ground to be able to actually damage her in any meaningful way. He felt the winds pick up near his feet, Percy realized what they were doing and increased his whirlwind's strenght by tenfold. Gaea's feet swept off the ground, Percy went up with her. It didn't feel right, this was Zeus' territory, but Zeus be damned it wasn't the time for petty feuds.
He continued slashing at what he could, the storm picked up as they went up. He felt his powers working in tandem with Jason's. His confidence was building. They could actually do this.
Piper was screaming her throat raw, but finally as Gaea started rising into the air did she finally seem to give in to Piper's demands.
"You're incredibly tired, you want to go back to sleeep!" She shouted.
"You cannot put me to sleep demigod. I am the earth itself!" Gaea responded and wildly lashed out with her hand in their general direction. Festus swerved out of the way.
Her eyes were glazed over slightly. Piper was succeeding, slowly winning their battle of wills. The further into the air they went up the sleepier Gaea seemed to become. Slowly but surely she was going to sleep.
Percy noticed that Gaea was moving around a lot less. He stopped slashing at her lower body and concentrated to get closer to Festus.
"Hey! We gotta get rid of her and now!" Percy screamed over the wind and rain in his ears.
Jason grabbed Piper. "I gotta get Piper down, we need to think of something." Leo had his eyebrows together, he looked deep in thought.
"Go! Jason get her down now." Leo ordered, Jason instantly went into action and he and Piper were on their way to the ground.
"Percy you need to go too, I got this!" He shouted over the hurricane. Percy shook his head.
"Leo I have an idea, I know what you're thinking and that's not an option." Leo shook his head as well.
-()-
Jason was slowly going down towards the ground and away from Gaea. He had to let Piper down and he would instantly go back up there. He saw Leo and Percy arguing and then he saw Leo nod and keep yanking Gaea up. Suddenly the wind speed peaked, Jason saw Percy's eyes glowing sea green.
Water started to form a bigger whirlwind. The winds kept picking up and the water swirled under the sleeping Gaea.
Percy amplified his voice and screamed "Leo! GO! NOW!"
Leo and Festus started to blast balls of fire into the hurricane. The fire swirled around Gaea and Percy. Leo wasn't really sure about this plan but had his plan as a backup so he went with it. Also in situations like these it was kind of hard to say no to Percy.
Jason noticed that they were going for it now, he was too low down to do anything of note to help. He noticed Leo backing away as Percy seemed to concentrate more. Gaea was whirled around in the fire storm. Then Jason noticed that the water was smoking, as if it was heating up rather quickly. He made a decision, if he couldn't do anything from the ground he could summon something that could help them in the air. He felt all his power surge and he shot the biggest lightning bolt he had ever summoned hit Gaea square on the chest.
Percy saw the lighting bolt and his ears hurt from the sound of the thunder it was so loud. He heated up all the water as quickly as he could and that's when he started to lose consciousness.
It also happened to be the time that all the combined electrified water and winds of fire exploded into a golden supernova of light.
Not a single demigod or monster dared to even look up for fear of being blinded.
Percy caught glimpses of it as he was blown upwards even more. His consciousness going with him.
Leo landed on the ground and ran towards Jason and Piper, he was looking around for Percy but he was no where to be seen.
Annabeth ran up to them. She panted.
"Where's Per-cy" She spoke out of breath. Most of the monsters turned tail and ran once they saw the demigods take down their goddess. Demigods were just picking them off as they ran.
Jason and Leo made eye contact, without saying anything they asked each other the same question.
"Annabeth..." Jason stepped forward pulling her into a hug. She stepped into it but didn't say anything.
"The explosion... maybe he got blasted away somewhere." Piper said from behind Leo.
"Nico" Annabeth said as she instant detached herself from the group, breaking into a run instantly.
-()-
Percy looked around. He found himself on top of the Empire State building, he looked around confused and saw a figure looking out at the city.
"Where am I?" He said as he took a tentative step towards the lady.
"You know, after trying so hard not to underestimate you, it seems you have exceeded my highest expectations." She turned around, a beautiful woman wearing a swirling brown dress. She had long dark brown hair and beautiful green eyes. Gaea.
"What happened" He said, Percy was holding back his anger because this was most definitely uncharted territory.
"Primordials can't be killed, I never killed Ouranos. Our manifestation can be put to slumber but we can never truly die. I am the Earth itself in a way. Even if I could never wake up, like my husband, I could never truly fade." Gaea said calmly. There was no venom that there was before.
"No one is perfect Perseus, understand that I am not all evil. But I am not good either." She talked to him as if he were a child being chastised. "You won. However, this is not the end of your journey."
"What does that mean? What am I doing here? What IS here?" Percy babbled out. He felt sheepish for some reason, her power was rolling off her.
"My dear... this little dimension was made for us to talk. There is so much for you to know, so much you deserve to know. Even so, I am simply a messenger of my father."
Percy blinked. Gaea's father? Chaos. He had attracted the attention of the most powerful being in the universe? That can't be good.
"I assure you child. My father is not the one you have to fear." Gaea intoned. "I want you to understand Perseus, you will experience difficult times. The Olympians... they won't take kindly to the amount of power you have showed and will show. Zeus won't be happy and the council bow to his will whether they like it or not. He reminds me so much of Kronos."
Percy sighed. "Why are you telling me this? Aren't you pissed off? I just exploded you." He blurted out.
"Percy. Others will visit you and you must listen to what they must say. Make up your own mind, but understand you are much more important than you believe yourself to be." Gaea now looked at him intensely. As if reading his every thought.
She looked around as the stars in the sky twinkled much more. "It seems our time is done and my father wants me back. We will reach out to you. You MUST listen Perseus."
-()-
Percy woke up in shallow water. He was near the Long Island Sound.
Everything was fuzzy, he couldnt even focus on the face that appeared above him. He was lifted slowly by his shoulders and his arm was slung over the short boy.
"Percy? Are you there?" It was Nico. He sounded worried, really worried.
Suddenly everything came back to him. The explosion, how did he survive the fall? Could the water have saved him? It must have. He needed to see what the casualties were. He detached himself from Nico and stumbled, Nico helped him again.
"You're not ok Percy. We gotta get you to a medic." Nico said out of breath. He looked tired. Beyond tired.
"Okay" He replied.
"For a second Perce-" Nico panted. "I felt like you were... gone."
"I'm alright Nico, takes more than the mother-earth to kill me." He joked.
"PERCY!" He heard Annabeth scream. He felt a weight disappear from his chest. She was ok. Well, alive.
"Over here!" Nico shouted back. Annabeth came into view. She sprinted at them, she slowed as she got there and grabbed Percy's other arm and helped Nico.
Present
He wanted to cry. Annabeth had chosen godhood. Did she think he would receive the same offer? Did she not think at all? Her wildest dreams dangled in front of her nose and she couldn't do anything but reach for it.
When he looked back down from the ceiling he saw Jason glowing. All his injuries had disappeared.
"Minor god of winds and Rome." Zeus announced. Jason's chest puffed out, he walked back and stood beside Annabeth who was bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement.
"Piper McLean come forward!" Aphrodite said.
-()-
Minor goddess of beauty and charmspeak. She wanted it, she really did. But a small part of her said this wasn't what she truly wanted. She had her father, she had a lot of life yet to live. She wanted time. She wanted to be human for a while.
"Could I turn into a goddess on my 25th birthday?" She asked in a small voice.
"Of course dear. It is a wise decision." Aphrodite said.
Zeus didn't seem pleased but nodded his head regardless.
"Perseus Jackson!" Poseidon boomed so loudly the entire throne room shook slightly. Zeus scowled as he walked up and bowed.
"You have accomplished impossible feats, there is no doubt my son is the greatest demigod that has ever lived." Dionysus scoffed. Poseidon glared and he shrunk in his throne slightly.
Percy looked at the hearth and saw Hestia in her 18 year old form smiling at him. He blushed slightly and smiled back.
Zeus sighed and spoke. "For you nephew. We offer a place on the council. A major god. An Olympian." He thundered.
"I'm very flattered. Lord Zeus." Percy stated "But I would like a wish instead."
Poseidon butted in. "Percy this is the highest honor ever offered to anyone or anything that Olympian council has ever extended." He said while glancing dangerously at Zeus.
"I appreciate the offer, really I do. But I don't think it's the right thing for me." Percy said calmly.
"You may have a wish within reason." Zeus said with a look of intense annoyance, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Hestia and Hades back on the council. I also want you to honor our original agreement after the 2nd titan war. All of the peaceful titans are to be freed, and they should've been a very long time ago." Percy said while looking at Zeus, he avoided direct eye contact.
Thunder boomed outside. Zeus' annoyance again intensified.
Two thrones appeared out of the floor. Hades flashed onto the his throne. He looked at Percy gratefully but didn't say anything, he adjusted into his seat happily.
Hestia grew to her godly height and sat on the other throne.
Suddenly something flashed behind him. He looked back and saw Leo hugging Calypso and Leto looking at the twin archers with love. There were others he didn't recognize.
"If that is all?" Zeus asked dangerously looking around the council members.
"Commence the festivities for the triumph of Olympus!" Zeus boomed before flashing out. Dionysus looked the most excited as he flashed out.
Other than Artemis, Hestia, Apollo and Hades, all the gods and goddesses flashed out as well. Other than Calypso and Leto, the other titans also flashed out with looks of relief.
His 9 friends were chatting among themselves and with Calypso. Percy sighed and looked down. Only to see Hestia and Hades' shoes.
"Young child you have done so much and once again you don't get a reward for yourself." Hestia said sadly.
"You have my deepest respect Perseus." Hades said.
"You deserve something for yourself. A reward for you amazing feats Perseus." Hades touched his forehead. "You know, for a son of my brother, you are surprisingly bearable." He was surrounded in shadows and he felt himself grow more powerful. When he could see again Hades was gone.
Hestia pulled him into a hug and said into his ear. "You have been so brave."
She pulled back and stared into his eyes. He felt himself relax for the first time in so long.
"You will be the Hearth's first champion." She touched his forehead as well. He felt his body burn pleasurably as the blessing took effect. " We will talk again very soon. I will see you at the celebrations" She smiled and kissed his cheek before disappearing. He blushed furiously before turning back to his friends.
He came face to face with a beautiful face. His eyes adjusted and he came face to face with a 17 year old Artemis. The corner of her mouth pulled up into a small smile.
"Thank you Perseus. I am impressed with you." She said softly.
"Of course milady." He said as he bowed his head. When he looked back up she had a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"You know, you've never failed to exceed expectations have you." She said almost to herself.
"That is a high compliment from you Lady Artemis" He said.
"The party..." She uttered. "Will you be attending?" She asked quietly.
"A party by Dionysus... is hard to miss." He smiled softly at her.
"I shall see you there Perseus, don't hesitate to come say hello." She smiled back at him and flashed away with her brother and mother.
He looked at Annabeth sadly. She noticed and turned to him frowning.
He nodded at her and walked up to Nico to talk about his new powers from Hades.
-()-
With that the group of 2 demigods, 8 gods and 1 demititaness started walking towards the centre square of Olympus to attend the celebrations.