28th March
A Chill of death ran through Percy's body that morning, as he leaned against Hogwarts exterior walls. A Mug of coffee nestled in his hands. As he stared out across the ground he saw the first signs of spring started to seep through the final snowfall of the year. Taking a sip of his coffee he let out a sigh. Soon the new spring life would be covered in blood. The Final Battle was approaching. Tartarus and his forces were approaching from the south and would arrive through the forbidden forest -according to Thalia they were moving at a pace that suggested tomorrow- but Percy could just tell. It was today.
Next to him the large door that led out to the ground creaked open before hissing shut again, he turned his head to find Annabeth wearing several layers, her stomach now swollen like a a large ballon. Her eyes were tired, with bags three layers deep resting beneath them, her shoulders lumped from carrying such a weight.
Approaching her, he gently put his hands against her bare midriff and lifted her stomach slightly taking the weight off her. A Small smile reached her face "Thanks Perce."
Staring right back into her eyes he could only ask her "What are you doing here? I told you to get back to the States. We're about to enter the fight of our lives and I'm not risking your's or our daughter's lives. Wise girl. Please while you still can!"
Annabeth cupped his face between her hands "Seaweed Brain. We've been in this together since we were 12. It would kill me to leave you halfway across the pond at your biggest fight yet…never mind allow you to miss the birth of our daughter. Now I will be fine. Will is my doctor and Clarisse has agreed to stand guard; Plus we have Madam Pomfrey who's a powerful witch."
A deep sigh escaped Percy's lips as he relented "Fine you can stay wise girl. But get inside now…please, for me." She leaned up to kiss him "Sure thing Seaweed Brain. And may the power of the Olympians protect you.
She left him and he slid down against the wall. He had to survive this battle. He had to defeat Tartarus and Voldemort and keep his Wife and daughter alive.
Draco stared at his hands as they shook. He had never been this terrified before but something told him that today was the day. That today was the time. He noticed it at Breakfast when Nico Di Angelo had shadow-travelled into the great hall and ordered Headmaster Dumbledore to begin the evacuation of every student who was below 5th year and who wasn't a demigod.
Half the school had already managed to evacuate but a feeling in Draco's gut told him that they weren't going to get every student out in time. There were going to be casualties today. Looking forward he watched as Harry and Tracey walked hand in hand towards the the door outside. Both wearing armour made of Stydigan Stell given to them by Nico.
Daphne was wearing an armour made of pure Magic that would repel any magic sent towards her. She would be death eaters' worst nightmare with it on. Katie who was walking next to him had their Staff and Palisman. While they had no typical armour their magic would protect them from lots of things.
Draco on the other hand was wearing Armour forged by the engine of the Sun Charriot. Everything around him was illuminated like it was perfect daylight despite the darkness of the corridors.
They exited the castle to find Percy standing definitely, Riptide dug into the ground as he stared out into the ground. Slowly Draco took the lead and stood just behind the legendary swordsman "It's today isn't it?"
Professor Jackson didn't even bother responding to them verbally, just a small nod of his head.
Letting out a deep sigh Draco twisted his rings and his swords appeared in his hands. On either side of him, his friends did the same. In the distance, at the edges of the Forbidden Forrest near the ruins of Hagrid's hut; the group could just roughly make out the appearance of various eyes staring at him.
An unsettling chill ran through the air as the sky's darkness and shadows formed on the ground. Nico Di Angelo and Thalia grace forming up through the shadows before going to either side of Professor Jackson. Their weapons raised. Thalia asked bluntly "Is it time?"
"It's Time. Harry go and get all that remains. It's time for the final Battle." before plucking Riptide from the Ground and raising it next to his chest. Dark storm clouds started to form over the sky, and flashes of light broke through the darkness as the entire sky rumbled with the power of the gods. Draco could feel the electricity in the air, all the hairs on his body standing up on the edge. The ground beneath them rumbled before the dirt broke apart as the Prince of the Underworld exercised his power, his hands raised out aimed at the ground.
White bones shot up from the ground in their hundreds as an army of skeletons rose to serve their prince.
Behind Draco, he could hear the door creek open as the remaining wizards and Witches arrived. Next to him, Harry came back into view as he said with a pant "That everyone Professor Jackson"
"Thank you, Mr Potter"
Professor Jackson stepped towards the army in the forest and yelled "MONSTERS OF TARTARUS, WIZARDS AND WITCHES OF VOLDEMORT. WE DO NOT HAVE TO FIGHT. TURN BACK AROUND NOW. AND EVERYONE GETS TO LIVE!"
A couple of the front line of death eaters took a step back alongside a few of the monsters that had previously faced the heroes of Olympus but before any of them could flee Tartarus wearing the corpse of Ethan Namakura stepped forward "IF ANY OF YOU DARE FLEE YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF INPLAED ON MY BLADE AND SENT TO THE VOID! NOW ATTACK!"
The first being of the opposing forces charged towards them, it's horns primed to stab any who got in its way. Two battle axes resting on its back. Professor Jackson said "Heroes of Hogwarts, today we end this. For Hogwarts, Olympus and for life itself. Attack! But leave the Minotaur and Tartarus to me!"
Just outside of the Hospital Wing
Annabeth slowly hobbled toward the hospital wing, watching as a few of the older students rushed towards the battlefield. She didn't know for sure but she could feel it in her gut. The battle had begun. The final fight between good and evil was here and she was useless to help.
Just as was about to moan about it a moan of pain shot through her body as she felt her pants get wet…That was her water… she was going into labour. Gasping for air from the shock she managed to yell out "Clarisse! I need help. It's started!" The doors to the hospital wing burst open and Clarisse ran to her. For god's sake Chase, You have terrible timing. Alright, here we go." Clarisse helped her through the large door into the ward which was filled with strollers and the remaining doctors from the medic guild. Clarisse helped her to the back room which had been set aside for her and said "Solace! It's time."
From behind a shelf, Will shot his head around the corner "Now?! Really?!" Right okay. Clarisse you stand-"
"AAAAGGGGGHHHHHH"
Annabeth's body trembled as she felt her entire body pulse, With Will cursing under his breath "Something's affecting you Annabeth. You shouldn't be having such powerful contractions so quickly. Right Clarisse help me get her on the bed then stand-" Before he could finish the sentence again he was interrupted as there were two separate gasps from other parts of the room.
Bianca Di Angelo and Zoé Nightshade had awoken. With Zoé just gasping "It's time." The two jumped from the beds that they had been comatose in since their return. With Zoé summoning her gear to her in a blind of light. "Bianca we can't waste any time. Chaos has given us this chance to stop Tartarus once and for all. Come on!"
Zoé rushed out of the room but Bianca hung back and stared at her fellow demigods, now all grown up. Walking up to Will she placed a hand on his shoulder and said "I don't have much time to talk to you right now Will. But thank you so much for being there for Nico all these years, for Being his light in the darkness. I hope at the end of this we can all talk of some Ambrosia and Nectar. Annbabeth thank you for everything. We never got to meet but you've done so much for Nico and I'm eternally grateful. Now I need to go and help the battle.
Just like that Bianca vanished as she bolted out of the Ward.
Will sighed "Right now can I finish Chaos?! Clarisse go and stand Gua-" There was a brilliant flash of white light and Will let out a "For chaos's sake! What now!"
The White light subsided and standing in front of the three of them stood Luke Castellan, looking like he did before Kronos tainted him. Eyes full of kindness but weariness. Sandy Blond hair and a mischievous smirk. One hand resting on his sheathed sword. He looked around confused until his eyes landed on the trio. "La Rue? Solace? Annie? Oh my god Annie are you okay?" He ran up to her side trying to see what was wrong while tears could only form in her eyes "Luke? How are you here?"
"It doesn't matter, What's happened to you?" She chuckled "Don't worry I'm not in life-threatening danger Luke. Assuming Will does his job properly. But seriously how are you here? You look remarkable for a man who died a decade ago"
With a shake of his head, he said "I just heard a voice in my head when I was in the underworld and then I was here. And you look old. Did you say it's been a decade?" Annabeth nodded and Luke did the calculation in his head "So you're 26 now?" Annabeth nodded "26, Married and about to give Birth. Now Luke. I would love to sit and talk to you but Percy needs your help. He's about to face down Tartarus and he, Thalia, Nico and the army they have need all the help they can get."
Luke's eyes widened "Tartarus?!... It's time to make up for the death and destruction I caused. La Rue, keep Annie safe. It's time for the best sword fighter of the 21st century to get involved." Before storming towards the door. Will groaned "Oh come on, he got to tell you to hold the line?! Ah well. Anyway, do you think he knows that Percy overtook him as best swordfighter a decade ago?" Annabeth chuckled through the pain "Absolutely not."
Hogwarts Grounds
Percy charged forward, Riptide resting in his right arm as he charged towards the Minotaur, ready for some revenge after Hogsmeade.
Before he could reach the overgrown Bull he was met first by another monster, a Hellhound That burst out from the shadows, but he had already swung his sword, Riptide cutting through the monster like butter, not even gold dust remaining due to its powered-up form. To his right Nico was fighting like an Olympian, not giving any of the monsters or Death Eater's time to react as he sliced through them, the darkness from the growing thunderstorm allowing the son of Hades to move like a deadly assassin. His eyes Onyx black from how focused he was.
The Cyclops next to Nico tried to batter him into the ground with his massive club but Nico raised his shield created by Tyson for his wedding day and parrayed the attack using the ground beneath his feet for support, knocking the one-eyed monster off its feet, crushing a lesser Banshee before he jabbed the monster through the eye with a single sharp thrust turning the monster to gold dust.
To his right Thalia was using the thunderstorm she had created to her advantage blocking out the sun entirely, the wind picking up and rain starting to pour down from Olympus, Loud booms of Thunder could be heard from within the dark clouds and Lightning bolts started to strike down, crashing into the army in front of them, using the electricity from the thunderstorm her knife was electrified and was glowing brightly before vanishing quickly as she stabbed it into the head of an Acromantula.
All around him, he could see flashes of red and green light being thrown back and forwards by the witches and wizards involved in the battle as well as the silver arrows of the hunters including one arrow that went through the head of a Harpie that he had been blocking with his shield.
Lifting his Sword up, the metal blade acted like a Magnet for the lightning and a bolt of lightning crashed down onto Akumolous, Turning to face his enemies, he licked his lips before shirking, "I gave you a chance to flee" Lightning ran through his blade and he slashed through them even easier than before so that he could reach the bull-man and then Tartarus
It was only a couple of seconds later until the remaining monsters parted and he heard Minotaur growl "So The Titan Killer has a glowing sword now, It won't save you. You have no idea how I've longed to finally kill you" Percy glared at the Minotaur "So you're here to finally finish this, are you? So be it." He readied Riptide and watched as the Minotaur pulled his twin Axes off his back ready to come down on him. The beast wasted no time and arrived at him, he swung one of the mighty axes down forcing Percy to block with his shield, The clang echoed across the battlefield, Percy's feet being dug into the ground but unlike before when the attack almost shattered, the upgraded shied held as the Axe got trapped. The Minotaur tried to bring the other xe down on him but Percy didn't give him the chase and slashed across the beast's other hand, severing it from its body. The sound of the Axe hitting the ground didn't echo across the battlefield showing how far the beast had fallen in seconds.
Percy didn't waste any time and approached the screaming Minotaur and said "It's over." Before slashing at the Bull's Left leg which vanished in a glow of Chaos's light. The Bull-man fell to his one remaining knee and before it even had time to speak, Percy sliced his sword sidewards and severed the monster's head from its body. The entire body vanishes into the void. After 14 years their battle was finally over, forever
Harry held onto his wand tightly as a beam of light connected his and Voldemort's wands. The man who had killed his parents and hurt so many people was right in front of him and he wasn't giving the monster a chance to hurt anyone else. He had already taken one too many lives in this battle.
Two Minutes prior.
Harry ducked under a sword as he watched Draco decapitate some weird bat-like monster wielding a large 7ft sword. He reached around Daphne's back and fired a Stupefy onto a death eater trying to sneak up on her. To his left, his girlfriend was being a monster slayer elegantly dicing monsters and Death eaters a like up into chunks as gracefully as a swan. He loved her so much.
Draco and his partner were slicing up death eaters while Ginny was duelling Voldemort's new second in command Joe Rownan, a pureblood who had been disgraced for war crimes during the second wizarding war.
Ron was fighting a death eater off as he protected Hannah Aboot who had fallen over a monster limb and twisted her ankle. Harry slowly reached him and said "Ron, You need to get Hannah out of here! She's going to get killed otherwise. She will be on the top of Voldemort's kill list!"
Ron nodded and Harry took over the fight for him sending a Wingardium Levisoa towards the death eater and forcing him high into the air before dropping him to several broken bones. Hermione reached them and Harry managed to hear through the clanging of metal in the air "I'll help you get her out of here Ron!" The two picked Hannah up and led her away from the battle.
As they started getting away Harry's heart slowed as Voldemort stood smugly in front of him. Professor Sprout was trapped underneath his foot as the dark lord had an evil grin on his face, staring right at Harry "You're moving Potter. Will the Boy-Who-Lived save his teacher or let her die trying to save his friends." Thankfully his friends arrived by his side and he whispered to Tracey "Go around back." She knew what to do. Draco aimed his sword at Voldemort "Let her go, Riddle!" Riddle chuckled and bent down slightly pressing his wand to their professor's cheek "Or what Blood Traitor?" Harry used this distraction to cast his most powerful spell yet, a Silent Bombarda Maxima. His hatred for Voldemort and his desire to protect those that he loved combined into one attack. The blast struck the pale bastard and he went flying backwards, before apparating behind them "Impressive, But not enough Potter and now for your Insolence I shall kill your friends starting with the Mudblood and the Blood Traitor!"
Harry's eyes widened as he realised what was about to start, his voice started to scream "Ron! Hermione!-" But it was too late as Voldemort cast his loudest "Adavra kedavra" That he had ever let out. The green Bolt shooting towards Ron. Harry nor any of his demigod friends could reach him in time. But one person did. Ginny Weasley. She collided with Ron sending him flying towards the ground. The Green Bolt collided with her chest and she crumpled to the ground. Harry let out a scream of rage, fury and despair as he watched the girl he had started seeing as a sister fall to the ground dead.
As Voldemort started to laugh Harry let out a Bombardment after bombardment of spells. Each spell collided with Voldemort knocking him back as he was caught off guard. Harry kept going as he slowly approached the bastard who had taken so much. Harry could barely hear the wails of Ron as he begged for Ginny to wake up; his own rage being the only thing he could hear "YOU BASTARD, YOU WILL BLOODY PAY FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM ME AND EVERYONE ELSE. TODAY I WILL KILL YOU!" His Rant gave the dark lord the chance to catch himself and the two entered a beam struggle.
Fury still ran through Harry's body but he focused himself on the battle ahead, one slip-up would end up with him dying and he refused to die today especially while this monster still breathed but he would only have to survive for another few seconds anyway.
And that's when it happened, A small tip of Gold started to push its way through Voldemort's body, the dark lord dropping his wand in shock, his mouth twisting in agony as Tracey Davies appeared from under Harry's cloak of Invisibility, Pushing her blade through the dark lord. Harry approached Voldemort as the dark lord started to fall to the ground "I said I would kill you, but I will have to settle for my amazing Girlfriend doing the job. You can't hurt anybody else, Tom. You're reign of terror ends today. Goodbye." Before kicking the dark lord's head with all the force he could muster, snapping the man's neck before Tracey brought the swords upwards and split Riddle in half. Harry rushed off towards Ron who was cradling Ginny in his arms as Hermione fended monsters off. The entire group gathering together around the grieving redhead.
Just as Harry was about to say something, there was a break in the clouds sending sunlight temporarily down onto the battlefield before a Massive flying Ship started hurtling towards the ground, firing cannons at the remaining forces in the forbidden forest. Tracey let out a sigh of relief as they heard a loud laugh from the boat and she said "Reinforcements have arrived."