In which Percy gives an effective speech that even has Athena reconsidering her view point on certain things. And Zeus is not happy though he's not feeling smitey. Yet heheheheh. Also, Annabeth and Piper in this chapoter are just watching Percy with heart eyes because holy shit their girlfriend is powerful and smart and good in all the best ways.
Replies:
Undeath9087: Oh Athena's definitely got a lot she's considering- and she'll have more to think about soon enough. And yeah Poseidon is a worried daddy.
Krypton Writes: Here is your order of next. And while I would love to, I am trying to rebuild a decent back log so I'm not sure about that. Maybe tomorrow depending on how much writing I get done today. It really is very dependant on the situation.
Guest: This is a girl who's faced Apophis, of course she has no sense of danger lol.
NuzhatT: Well she's going to leave an impression on him that's for sure. I might even go so far as saying she'll leave a permanent mark.
DualEquinox: Ah it won't go quite like that but you will get to see Athena being stunned by her daughters girlfriend soon enough.
Guest: At this stage the only ones who know about Chaos Percy are Piper, Annabeth, Bianca, Thalia, Grover, Hades- he's spent a lot of time with her and he's also friendly with Osiris now and has, though he will never admit it, watched the movies and Luke a little since he heard her and Kronos talking. And the Minific will be from Percy's POV but I mean, he will sort of get a Percy Kane Therapy Session. Which really should be a thing lol.
The first point that Zeus wanted to discuss was Luke. The way he looked at the son of Hermes was pure poison. But even Zeus had to concede that Luke did appear to have burned all of his bridges when it came to Kronos.
There was no world in which he could try to re-join the Titans. Even considering it would end in his almost certain death, and Luke wasn't that foolish. So, with the added assurance that Percy would take full responsibility for Luke's future actions Zeus reluctantly agreed to leave Luke's punishment and his future to her.
The relief on his face made Percy confident she'd made the right choice, even if a few of the gods looked less than pleased.
The worst culprits from what she could see were Hera, Ares and Athena. Though none of them spoke out against it.
She did notice Hermes watching Luke with a pained expression, though Luke refused to so much as look in his fathers direction.
There was bound to be a story there. Why there was so much bad blood, why Hermes looked like he was so filled with regrets he could almost burst from them.
Once the matter of Luke was settled Zeus ordered Triton to bring the Ophiotaurus forward.
The tension in the room skyrocketed as all of the gods focused on the Ophiotaurus- Zeus returning to his throne, though Percy noticed that Hades and her father both stayed closer to her. Probably to leap in if there was any need for it. Which gods but she hoped there wouldn't be.
"Father." That came from Athena. "The wise thing to do would be to kill the beast, ensure that none can kill it and burn the entrails."
There were murmurs of agreement from most of the gods, though Poseidon, Hades, Artemis, Apollos and Hermes all seemed to hold back their agreement. A fact which Percy was painfully grateful for because she was grateful for even a small amount of support.
"I agree-"
"But the Ophiotaurus hasn't done anything wrong." Percy spoke up, taking a small step forward. "I understand that there's danger but everything can be dangerous. He's innocent. He came to me because he was scared and wanted protection."
Even as she said that the Ophiotaurus turned in his floating ball of water, trying to nuzzle up to her and getting confused as to why he couldn't- which under less stressful circumstances would be adorable. "He's just a baby."
"That creature could lead to Kronos' victory." Athena spoke up. "You are soft hearted child-"
"Oh come on!" Percy burst out, "Soft hearted? No, no I wouldn't say soft hearted! I'd call it having a heart!"
"You have already bartered for the life of the traitor." Zeus' eyes narrowed, "Do you now try to demand more from us? You claim not to be soft and yet you save a boy who would have killed you? And you ask us to do this?"
"I save those who deserve a chance of saving."
"You said you let the traitor girl Alina live-"
"Yeah that wasn't me being soft hearted." Percy scoffed, "I did that as the pettiest shit I could. Alina hates me. So what better vengeance then having her spend however long is left of her life knowing that I chose to be better than her. No I'm not soft hearted. If something needs doing then I'm willing to do it but I don't waste life needlessly and you shouldn't either-"
"Mind your words girl." Zeus' eyes narrowed, "You are a mortal not a god."
"No. I'm not a god. But I've met gods from both Pantheons, I was once Ra's right hand woman during a great battle. My brother is the Pharaoh of the House of Life. I know that doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing. And right now the easy thing would be to kill the Ophiotaurus. But… if you choose to kill something as innocent as him then what makes you any better than Kronos?"
Zeus bristled, eyes narrowing. "You dare compare me to him-"
"I say it how I see it." Percy shot back. "Listen. You can keep him safe somewhere that Kronos can't reach him-"
"And what of you?" Athena spoke up. "The dreams and your age seem to imply that you are the child of Prophecy. What's to prevent you from coming and killing the Ophiotaurus-"
"You mean aside from my strong moral objections to killing innocent creatures?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
"Your loyalty does not lie with us-"
"Hey!" Annabeth stepped forward, glaring at her mother. "Percy's loyalty is always to whatever she believes is the right cause. The right thing to do. She's the bravest best person I've ever met."
"I can be loyal to both the House of Life and to the Greeks." Percy added. "We're not enemies Lord Zeus. We could be the best of allies—this about how much better things would be all around if we could work together when needed. Think of the big picture. I am not an enemy. I mean gods above but what sort of king would kill an innocent being that hasn't done any harm-"
"Are you questioning my ability to rule?!" Zeus thundered, rising from his throne again, looking for all the world like he wanted to strike her down.
And Percy was kind of moved to see that her father, Hades, Artemis and Apollo all tensed, as if preparing to move in front of her.
Not that Percy needed their protection.
"Right now? Yes. I have seen multiple rulers. And do you want to know what the good ones have in common? They show empathy towards their subjects." Percy stepped forward, well aware of the shocked looks she was getting. "If you treat people like shit you know what they're gonna do? They rebel. Look at history Lord Zeus. Ouranos was cruel, so Kronos overthrew him. Kronos turned cruel so you overthrew him. And no- no I am not saying that you're as bad as Kronos. If you were I sure as fuck wouldn't be here. But you aren't perfect either. No one is not even the gods-" she ignored the stunned furious look on Zeus' face.
"And it's not just your Pantheon either. Ra wasn't perfect- he was paranoid and he paid a price for that paranoia. And neither was Horus. But do you know why people are so content with Horus as their ruler now? Because he was willing to learn. To accept that he wasn't all knowing and perfect. And he learned that from my brother. From a Magician, not another god. I know that ruling is probably really difficult and you can never make everyone happy but the way you're doing things now? It will end in tears one way or another. Because even if we stop Kronos' rise and take him down do you know what will happen next-"
"You-"
"It'll happen again. And again and again because history repeats itself if we don't learn the lessons it's trying to teach us!" Percy almost yelled the words. "Perfection is impossible but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be striving to get as close as possible. But you can only do that by caring. By treating people with basic respect. You're the god of justice? Then tell me where's the justice for the Ophiotaurus if you kill him? Or for literally everyone. You have to try Lord Zeus. That's all I want from you. Some sign that you can be better. That you're learning the lessons that history wants to teach."
Zeus was gaping at her as if he'd been struck. And several of the other gods looked just as stunned. Even Athena's expression had turned to appraising rather than suspicious.
Percy had to resist the urge to look around, to try and see how her father and uncle Hades were reacting to her words. As tempting as it was she knew she had to stay as strong as she could, to at least try and get Zeus' respect. It would be a lot easier going forward.
If he pissed her off she'd go for the petty insults. That was a comforting thought.
"Brother-" Poseidon broke the silence, his voice soft, as reasonable as it possibly could be. "My daughter has a point. What would it cost to spare one creature? Yes there is a risk but all choices have their own risks do they not. My daughter has hardly been unreasonable."
"I will not have you take it under the sea-" Zeus started but Hades was stepping forward then.
"Poseidon doesn't need to brother. Perhaps an aquarium here. We cannot afford to be at odds. Father has returned and though weakened he is still a threat and his strength will grow. Young Persephone has brought us time to prepare. We cannot fight."
"I'm willing to do that." Poseidon spoke up. "I'm sure Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe and I do not for one moment believe my daughter will betray us-"
"The daughter you do not know-"
"You're right." Poseidon's expression was pained, "I do not know my daughter. But from what I've seen of her so far she has grown into a far better young woman than even I could have hoped for and I am willing to give her my confidence. I vouch for her, on my own honor."
"So be it." Zeus pursed his lips. "All in favor of keeping the Ophiotaurus alive?"
Percy swallowed hard, eyes flicking around as hands were raised.
She had trusted that Artemis, Apollo, Hades and her father would be on her side, but she hadn't expected Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Demeter, Hermes and Athena to also raise their hands.
Once it was clear no more hands were being raised Zeus gave a small nod. "We have a majority. So be it the Ophiotaurus shall live. Since it seems that there is nothing else to discuss I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebrations begin."
And just like that the serious discussions were over and things switched to party mode.
It was almost dizzying. The Nine Muses put on music- which seemed to be different to each person, to their personal tastes and the gods started milling around.
Percy was almost dazed from how fast everything had switched, but she managed to shake it off quickly enough, slipping over to Chiron before anyone else could corner him, grinning.
"What are you doing here Chiron."
"I came in hopes of getting Lord Zeus to listen to reason. Not that I got much of a chance to speak before your rather dramatic arrival." The Centaur looked faintly amused, "I had a feeling that there was something special about you Miss Kane."
"You mean other than the fact that I'm the Princess of the House of Life."
"Yes, exactly." He chuckled.
"Did you leave camp unattended?"
"No, no of course not." Chiron looked faintly amused. "After you children left I offered your mother a drink before she left. We had quite the talk and she offered to come to Camp for the Solstice and watch over the children if I wished to try and reason with the gods. I took her up on her offer. I have the utmost faith in her ability-"
"Yeah mom's pretty capable." Percy gave a small smile, "I notice you brought the backpack."
"Yes. I hoped you'd all make it here." He held it out to her and Percy took it- right as Piper and Annabeth practically materialised at her sides, both of them sliding arms around her waist.
"You were amazing Sea Star." Piper declared.
"You really were." Annabeth let out a dreamy sigh. "That speech you gave was so moving."
"It was." Chiron agreed. "You're an impressive young woman I must say. Will you be willing to attend Camp?"
"Not fulltime or even the full summer." Percy's voice was firm, "But I mean, I don't see why I wouldn't be willing to visit regularly. Especially since I need to get to know everyone if we'll be working together in this war."
"Well, you've already earned your place amongst them." Chiron remarked, lips twitching. "I get the feeling that the other campers will be more than happy for you to spend as much time with us as you'd like."
"Yes." The voice came from behind them, "I think it would be for the best if the girl on whom's shoulders Olympus rests spend some time with the Camp to form ties with her own kind." And Percy turned, her gaze focusing on Athena, even as she felt Annabeth and Piper stiffening beside her. "Now, may I speak to Miss Kane. Alone?"