21. THE GODS SEEM TO LIKE ME

Clearly, normal humans aint that smart.

The news made some story about a crazy kidnapper shooting a police car, causing the explosion, and as usual the Normies ate it up.

Said kidnapper ( Ares if you hadn't figured out by now ) was the same guy who kidnapped me and two other kids in New York and took us on a cross country 'odyssey of terror' (What does that even mean?)

Poor little Percy Jackson was innocent apparently. He caused a commotion on the bus trying to escape, and a concerned waiter took a photo, etc. etc.

While the reporters said this in front of the camera, all we had to do was nod and act tired and tearful.

"I just want" I said after a flash of inspiration "to see my loser- sorry loving stepdad again. And I' sure he'll be so happy he'll give everyone in this city with a free TV from his appliance store. " And people got so emotional they managed to scrounge up enough money to get us on a plane to New York.

Going on a plane was clearly not smart, but I was pretty sure that Zeus wouldn't zap and/or squash us with wind powers since we had his fancy glowstick.

We split up at a taxi stand near the airport. I told Annabeth and Grover to go back to camp and tell Chiron about everything. They protested, but had to agree once I mentioned the importance of Luke's betrayal before hopping into a taxi myself.

Half an hour later, I was walking into the lobby of the Empire State Building.

I went up to the guard at the front desk and said "Floor 600"

"No such floor kiddo"

"I need to speak with Zeus"

He gave me a vacant smile, but once he saw I was serious he said "You don't have an appointment kid. Lord Zeus doesn't see anyone unannounced"

"I have the bolt"

He went pale.

"It's in the bag, wanna see?"

"No! No!" he scrambled out of his seat, got a key card and gave it to me. "Insert it into the security slot, and make sure it's just you."

I did as instructed ,and pressed the button which said 600 and waited.

Waited for a long time, listening to 'Raindrops keep falling on my head'

Finally, the doors slid opened and I walked out.

I stood on a narrow stone walkway in the middle of the air. Below was Manhattan, and the view was like that of a plane. In front of me, white marble steps wound up the spine of a cloud, into the sky.

I walked in a daze, passing by wood nymphs and hawkers selling ambrosia-on-a-stick. Nobody seemed worried about the war, honestly they looked like they were gonna bring out the barbeque stand.

What actually caught my attention though, was the smell of ramen.

I've had Ramen ( well, weird noodles in a broth) before of course, but the smell of genuine Ramen, the sort I used to get from Ichiraku's? It'd been 12 years since I'd had that.

I somehow managed to regain enough control of myself to walk past it, can't enjoy Ramen if I'm dead can I?

I climbed the main road, toward the huge palace at the peak, which reminded me of Hades's palace.

Steps led to courtyard. Past that was the throne room.

I say room, but it was big enough to call the Ten-Tails a toddler.

12 thrones in a U shape ( like camp half-blood), And a central heart pit.

I froze for second when I saw Hestia in the flames for a second, but shrugged it off.

'Makes sense, that's literally her whole deal'

There were only 2 gods sitting on their respective thrones ( if you guessed my dad and Zeus, you win a cookie!) sitting silent and waiting for me to approach.

They were in 'Intimidating giant form', like Hades had been.

I stopped in view of both of them and did a polite bow.

Zues spoke " Is that how you greet your superiors boy?"

"Uh sir" I said with a helpless smile "I literally got into this whole demigod business this month so I just did what would've been appropriate in my world."

Zeus snorted while Poseidon nodded "That does make sense, however, make sure to kneel next time"

I just saluted with two fingers.

"Anyway" Zeus said " I believe you have quite a story to tell, starting from what your soul is doing in this world"

And so, I spoke: I didn't mention Chaos, just said that I died in my world and woke up as a baby here, but otherwise everything else was more or less the same.

Once I was done, Zeus opened his palm. The bolt flew into his hand, and went from metal cylinder to a 20-foot javelin of energy.

"I sense the boy tells the truth" he muttered "And there WAS a flare of his power, but to think that Ares would do this…"

"He is proud and impulsive" Poseidon said "It runs in the family"

"He didn't act alone" I said " someone, me and my friends think Kro- the king titan, came up with the idea" I explained the dreams, leaving out Luke.

Poseidon and Zeus looked at each other. They had a quick, intense discussion in Ancient Greek, Poseidon made some kind of suggestion, but Zeus cut him off. Poseidon tried to argue. Zeus held up his hand angrily. "We will speak of this no more," Zeus said. "I must go personally to purify this thunderbolt in the waters of Lemnos, to remove the human taint from its metal."

He rose and looked at me, and there was a small smirk on his face "You're already being a hero here, Eh boy? You may enjoy Olympus for a bit, but if you are still here by midnight, you will taste this bolt"

Then he was gone in a blinding flash of lightning.

"Your uncle" Dad sighed "Has always had a flair for dramatic exits. He would've done well as the god of theatre."

"No kidding" I snickered.

His lips twitched, and he looked at me " You must go, child. But first, know that your mother has returned."

I nodded " Wanna see her again?" I asked.

"She is a queen among women, but…" He shook his head sadly "When you reach home, Percy, you must make a choice. You will find a package waiting in your room."

"A package ?"

"You will understand when you see it. No one can choose your path, Percy. You must decide"

I just nodded, before turning to leave.

"Perseus" he called.

I turned.

There was pride in his eyes "You did well my boy. I want you to know that reincarnated or not, you are my son. A true son of the Sea god. Still…..I am sorry you were born, child. I have brought you a hero's fate, and a hero's fate is never happy"

I felt happy when he started, hurt when he reached the middle, but when he reached the end I gave him an understanding smile.

"I won't say you're wrong but, I'll prove your wrong, Father."

Rather than get offended, he smiled at me "I will look forward to that, Percy."

After a quick meal of ramen ( eating it on Olympus proves that it is the food of the gods, so Ha!) I went back down, caught a taxi and was now standing in front of my smiling mother outside her apartment.

"Percy! Oh thank goodness. Oh, my baby"

She crushed the air outta me. We stood in the hallway as she cried and ran her hands through my hair.

I was crying too. I'd been putting up a tough front the whole time, but damn I missed her.

She said that she just appeared at the apartment that morning, scaring the heck outta Gabe. Last thing she remembered was the minotaur, and was in denial when Gabe told her about the whole wanted criminal part. She'd been freaking out, but Gabe forced her to go into work, saying she had to make up the salary of the days she wasn't there.

"Wait here" I told her "once I'm done with him he'll definitely feel worked"

"Percy No! He's already upset because of something about free appliances. Please don't make him angrier"

"Fine"

In the month I'd been gone, the apartment had been Gabe-ified. There was garbage all over the floor, the sofa had more beer than cushion, and the lamps had either socks or underwear on them ( they were so dirty I couldn't tell the difference).

Gabe and the three Gaberoonies were playing poker at the table.

When Gabe saw me, his cigar dropped out of his mouth. "You got nerve coming here you punk. I thought the police-"

"He's not a fugitive after all" My mom interrupted " Isn't that wonderful Gabe?"

He looked back and forth between us.

"Bad enough I had to give back your life insurance money, Sally," he growled. "Get me the phone. I'll call the cops."

"Gabe, no!"

He raised his eyebrows. "Did you just say 'no'? You think I'm gonna put up with this punk again? I can still press charges against him for ruining my Camaro."

"But—"

He raised his hand, and my mother flinched.

Oh.

OH

This escaped zoo creature had been hitting mom, how much or for how long didn't matter.

Within a second, he was on the ground, my right foot on his (non-existent) neck.

"I just got my name cleared" I hissed, in a way that only he (and maybe mom) could hear "I'd hate to be on the run again because of murder allegations"

He looked straight at my eyes, and he could tell that I wasn't giving empty threats.

"I will say this once" I said as I absent-mindedly flipped one of his poker buddies who tried to punch me over the table " I will not kick you out. But you will never touch my mother. You will not demand things of her. Anytime you refer to either of us you will be respectful. You will repay her all the money you owe her."

He nodded feverishly.

"Good" I said with a smile "Enjoy your game"

I dragged my stunned mom into my room, which was obviously filled with a bunch of Gabe things.

"Mom" I said softly "I want you to understand, what I did out there wasn't part of the whole saving you act"

Her eyes snapped up to mine, partially in shock.

"Only YOU can save yourself over here mom" I said, gesturing to the box which I had sent to Olympus on the bed "One look in that box, and you'll be free. Forever."

"No Percy, I couldn't"

"Your choice" I shrugged "He'll eventually go back to Walrus mode, and you're not defenceless, not anymore atleast. I just want to be sure of that."

She looked pale, but nodded. "Where will you go now?"

"Camp, for now."

She kissed my forehead. "You'll be a hero, Percy. You'll be the greatest of all."

I took one last look around my bedroom. I'd never see it again. Then I walked with my mother to the front door.