Eighteen-year-old Luke Castellan stood in the twilight of the August day, feet firmly planted in the sand on the beach, knees bent slightly. He looked like he could move at the drop of a hat. It was something Percy definitely recognized—a common state for demigods around people they didn't trust. Gone was any friendliness from the blond's face as he stared Percy down. It brought back far too many painful memories and he involuntarily took a step back.

"L-luke?" he tried again, hating how shaky he sounded. This wasn't supposed to happen! If Luke had seen that… did he know Percy's parentage? Was he upset about that? Would he try to kill Percy? Again?! Though Percy would like to see him try when he was literally knee-deep in water. Even if the tide would go out soon.

Still… why was Luke so upset?

Almost as if in answer to his question, Luke spoke. "So, Annabeth was right after all." Percy felt his face go pale. There were far too many very destructive things Annabeth could have told Luke.

"About what?" he asked slowly, taking another step back. His hand brushed the water and he willed it to form a sword. He could freeze it in a moment and fight with that if he had to, even if it likely wouldn't be good enough to stand up to celestial bronze indefinitely.

"You really are a god, aren't you." It wasn't a question.

Percy felt a flicker of hope and reached for it as he shook his head. "No. I'm really not."

"But you were."

Silence. Percy didn't know how to answer that. Telling the truth would bring up so many problems, but if he lied and Luke found out later (which he very well could) it would come across as betrayal. After all, if Percy didn't trust and respect Luke enough to not lie, turn about was fair play. It would shake any trust the boy had in him and Percy couldn't do that. He'd really have to talk to this timeline's Annabeth about keeping secrets, though. He very much regretted only saying and heavily implying he'd like her to keep quiet instead of making her swear not to tell anyone.

His lack of an answer was an answer in and of itself. And they both knew it.

The son of Hermes sneered. Percy winced. If Luke's eyes went gold, he was out of there. Well, both of them would be, because they'd be out at sea. He knew that those eyes wouldn't—shouldn't be gold at this point… but the fear was still there. Irrational as it may be.

"I saw you disappear and appear. Who but a god could do that?"

He could dispute that, at least. "Actually, that was water travel. A form of near-instantaneous travel that gods don't bother with." He may have said that a little too fast.

"The closest thing you can get to teleporting everywhere?" Luke snapped.

Percy opened his mouth to argue, but… again, the other teen wasn't wrong. Before he could figure out what to say, Luke went on.

"Who are you, really?" the blond took an aggressive step forward, arms coming down to his sides… next to the sword hanging there. At least it wasn't a pit scorpion this time.

Percy held up his hands. The sword-shaped water was still there, floating just behind him, though. He had to try and talk Luke down. "I was born Percy Achilles Jackson. I swear it on the Styx." Thunder rumbled. He could sense a storm building behind him too and tried to calm himself down. Luke didn't seem to notice… or didn't care.

"More clever word-traps and loopholes," Luke dismissed. "Just like when you tricked me into talking to Hestia!"

Now wait a minute… "That was completely unintended," Percy denied, taking his own step forward.

"You didn't know she was a goddess?" Luke asked.

The time-traveler winced. "No, I did. I just didn't think she'd intervene. She doesn't usually. And she doesn't spread gossip."

"Everyone on Olympus spreads gossip! All Olympians suck! All of them!" Percy couldn't help but stare in incredulity. How could he say that after Hestia had nearly broken down in front of them? Had he honestly thought that was just a ruse? A mask? A lie?

Was he really too far gone to see reason?

Luke went on. "The entire pantheon only ever promises agony and misery! Injustice! They need to be brought down."

Percy's heart stopped at those words, already sinking in his chest. Luke wasn't thinking rationally… and they were losing him. If they hadn't already lost him.

The stinging shame of failure rose in his chest like a bubble of Phlegethon that wouldn't dissipate. He could just see it; the son of Hermes would run away to Kronos again and end up dying after being used by the Titan like a worthless tool; a meat-suit to act as a medium at best. Percy had to withhold a gasp. Luke didn't realize just how badly he was stomping—with metaphorical spiked boots—all over Percy's domains. And he couldn't explain that either. Not with how Luke would likely reject anything the time-traveler said… not to mention it would reinforce what Luke had accused him of.

But… but that didn't mean he couldn't try. Percy had to get through… had to. For Annabeth, for Thalia, for himself, and… for Luke.

So he lifted his chin defiantly and began his counter argument.

"They need to fall? The Olympians? In favor of whom, exactly?" He asked, annoyed at the power leaking into his voice. Styx! He was trying to hold back. Yes, he wanted Luke to see reason, but he didn't want the boy to agree out of fear. That had been part of the problem that created all of this!

After a moment, Percy continued.

"In favor of the Titans? Of Grandfather?"

It was Luke's turn to look worried, not frustrated, but definitely flustered.

"Do you even know what his plans are?" the time-traveler pushed. "What role you have? Why? He's called 'The Crooked One' for a reason! You think I'm good at tweaking the truth? No. He'll twist things like a pretzel and make you think you walked in a completely straight line until you fall over the edge of whatever path he set up."

Luke was grinding his teeth now. "Who sent you?" he shouted.

Well, if he'd changed the subject like that, maybe he'd listened? Percy almost didn't dare hope.

"No one!" he answered truthfully. The Fates may have known he was coming to camp, but they hadn't sent him.

"Liar!"

"I'm not! I swear it on the Styx!" More thunder.

"Then why are you here!? A spy for the Olympians?" Luke took out his sword, feet at the very edge of the water. Then he reached behind his back and pulled out a throwing knife.

Well, Styx.

"No!" Percy protested. "One of my parents is completely mortal as far as I know. Neither of my parents even wanted me to come!"

"So you are one of Poseidon's then?" Luke asked, voice accusing.

Percy gulped and nodded carefully.

"And you've met him?"

"Only once… in a dream." In this lifetime, at least.

"Son of the Stormbringer," Luke said, voice barely audible over the wind as he looked up at the sky above them… at the storm clouds rolling in. "It was supposed to be clear tonight."

That shook Percy. He followed Luke's gaze, taking in the dark mass overhead. This in reaction to his fear and worry. Why was it that some powers seemed so under-powered and yet others—like this—were just too much?

So he took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. Yes, it was dangerous, but he had to get that storm under control. That was more important. He almost immediately regretted it as something hit him in the arm and he gasped, opening his eyes to see the hilt of Luke's dagger sticking out of his skin. He reached for it, but rhythmic splashing in the water (and the ripples they gave off) had him reaching for the water-sword instead. It froze and he brought it around just in time to catch Luke's blade. Pain exploded in his arm and he hissed. It would have probably been well on its way to healing if he had been able to remove the dagger. He knew he could still win, but that didn't make it pleasant.

Story of his life.

"You have nothing good to say about the one person who can challenge your power," Luke hissed. "The gods' power. Of course you wouldn't! He showed me, though. He showed me you riding in on a storm and destroying everything. In the name of the gods, no doubt." He kept swinging with every word. Percy knew he could stop Luke if he really tried. He was in the water, after all, but… something told him to let Luke keep going. Something that sounded a lot like Annabeth begging him to save her brother.

"I would never purposefully harm this camp!" Percy yelled instead, ducking under a swing and rolling to the side easily. It gave him the distance he needed to pull the dagger out of his arm, thankfully, and had the added effect of dousing him in water. He tossed the weapon aside, hearing it plunk into the ocean as Luke looked confused, then frustrated as Percy's arm began to heal. He swung at the younger boy again.

"You rode in on a storm! You left nothing but destruction in your wake! Tell me that isn't the truth!"

That… hit Percy harder than he would like to admit, and he froze. Because he had been a god of destruction. He had destroyed things he hadn't meant to, simply by getting too angry or upset. He'd seen the aftermath, when he'd calmed down. Ruined houses, torn lands, sunk boats… so many lost at sea, downed in water and storms of his making. He'd seen too many bodies. Adults and children alike. Dead because of him.

The guilt ate at him, even after his father had said it was just a byproduct of having that much power at his fingertips. It happened.

He'd kind of hated his father in that moment, because it felt like a cop-out. He hadn't forgiven Poseidon for that.

Or himself.

Those thoughts passed through his head in a second. It was an old, familiar agony. He was used to pushing it aside to deal with later—had long since learned to focus elsewhere—so he only froze for a moment, but that was all Luke needed.

The older demigod thrust forward and Percy saw the tip of the sword coming. He stepped back, but it wouldn't be enough. He instinctively let himself fall, but it still wouldn't let him avoid damage. So he did the only thing he could, and practically begged the water to let him through.

A moment later and he was behind Luke. The blond stumbled forward, straining to recover his balance after his sword strike met nothing, his head pivoting from side to side as he searched for Percy.

For a moment, the world froze. Percy saw everything in front of him in hyper-realism. Luke Castellan was right there. He… hated to think about it, but he could end Luke's threat right now. He could stop the boy from joining Kronos, killing his fellow demigods, chasing his once-sisters around the globe, becoming a meat-sack for a heartless Titan who only cared about overthrowing Olympus—who would most likely kill humans as a whole if he ever succeeded.

And Percy could stop it.

It would be a mercy.

He could prevent so much pain. For Annabeth, and Thalia, and Selina, and Bekendorf, and anyone who ever served under Luke and Kronos…

He could end it all. In honorable combat, even.

And yet…

What would Annabeth think? Could he ever look her in the eye again?

Could he even look himself in the mirror if he did? Could he call himself the god of loyalty?

For a moment, he saw a tapestry, woven beautifully, shifting color with every move it made… but it split, stretching forever onward in either direction. He immediately understood the momentary vision.

He had a choice to make; a choice that would change the world, and only seconds to make it.

He could kill Luke Castellan right here, right now. Or he could let him live. Both had their risks and…

And in the end, the fact that almost any other god would kill Luke was what swayed him. Because Percy refused to be like them.

Also, he couldn't bear the thought of just giving up on him.

So he swung, but turned the blade to the side at the last moment, just as Luke was whirling around. The flat of his ice-blade hit, shattering on impact (he'd really need to work on strengthening that) and sending Luke back several feet to splash into the water, losing his grip on his sword.

Percy reached down and made another sword, freezing it and bringing it to Luke's throat.

For several seconds, they just sat there, not moving as they glared at each other, before the younger spoke.

"I did that on purpose."

Luke didn't seem to doubt it. He just continued to stare up at Percy silently. Rain had begun to fall around them now, and the waves were definitely larger than they should be, but neither paid it any mind. Percy knew he had to focus on the boy in front of him.

"I could have killed you," he reiterated, more bluntly this time.

"Then why didn't you?" Luke asked, sneering, but Percy could see the fear in his eyes. Fear of him.

He hated being feared.

So he did the stupidest thing he could probably do, and let the sword melt back into water. Luke looked shocked.

"Because I came here to save you, Luke Castellan." Well, not entirely, but he had wanted to try.

Luke's mouth opened, then closed with a clop and he blinked, confused. "Say what?"

Percy sighed. He hated that he had to tell Luke of all people first. But… He sent a prayer to Aunt Hestia and his father, practically begging them for help. Thankfully, they answered. He sensed a shield go up around them—one that would deflect most gazes of the gods, if anyone was really watching him just then (besides the Fates, of course), they may be able to see, but they likely wouldn't be able to hear. He would be sacrificing at least one entire plate of food to Aunt Hestia and his Father in the near future.

"Luke. I really was born twelve years ago to my human mother, Sally Jackson. I was born a demigod, just like you. I grew up in New York City with my mother, who married the literal worst human being in existence because only that could cover up my smell, and stop me from being killed by monsters.

"The thing is, I… remember over three hundred years. I don't know exactly how, but I have the memories of a god in my head. My own memories. Because in the future, I—quite by accident, I assure you—ascended. If I could take that back and make sure it never happened again, I would… but the Fates have informed me otherwise. It will happen… again." And if he sounded all too bitter, well, who (besides Zeus, Hera, and Ares) could really blame him?

"Are you saying…" Luke said slowly, skeptically, "that you time-traveled?"

Percy shrugged. "Yes. Pretty sure grandfather dearest had something to do with it." He sighed and crouched down in the water, bringing himself to Luke's height… more or less. At least the other hadn't made a move to attack again. For now, Percy would take it. (And keep his hold on water handy so he could stop Luke from doing anything stupid.)

"That's your claim?" The older boy sounded so incredulous.

Percy shrugged. "We're demigods born to a powerful but unstable pantheon. Monsters exist, magic exists, other realms exist… why not something like this?"

Luke looked about ready to argue, but once again closed his mouth before he could seem to find anything to say. Around them, the rain slowly lightened until only a cool breeze blew by them. He could sense the clouds already clearing away. Percy hated how tired he felt, but could appreciate the effects… at least this time.

It wasn't even entirely a physical tiredness. He still hated it.

It was… complicated.

"What do you mean, saving me?" Luke asked.

Percy didn't look up, even as he kept his senses trained on the other boy. "I… the first time… you joined him. Threw a pit scorpion at me and left camp next year. That was my first year here. It started a war. Demigods against demigods. Almost half the camp followed you. And then we clashed and tried to kill each other again and again. So many of us died."

That still hurt. Would always hurt, he suspected. Bianca, Zoe, Castor, Lee, Beckendorf, Selina, Michael, Ethan… Luke. And those were just the names off the top of his head. There had been so many others…

"And you," he finally looked up and met Luke's eyes, even if he couldn't read the expression on the other's face (horror? Skepticism? Sickness? Frustration? Confusion? Some unholy combination?), he didn't allow himself to look away. "You first died falling off of a cliff. But he saved you… so he could take over your body." Percy shuddered, remembering gold irises, so full of hate. Luke's face paled. Percy could see that much, even in the ever dimming light.

"It was the only way he could get out of Tartarus—a sort of stop-gap measure to pull himself together. Literally. You led an army against Mount Olympus. And… I'm not gonna lie, you almost succeeded. But… you stopped him yourself. You realized, at some point, what he really wanted—the end of the human race with the gods. So you took a dagger and stabbed yourself instead of letting Kro—the king of the Titans win.

"Aunt Hestia told us about the mortals he made, remember? They weren't humans but… a similar race. They were made to serve him. Maybe not initially, but eventually, that was their role. And he called it the 'golden age of mortals'. He killed them off too. No one but him really knows why or how. I don't think many care." His fists clenched as he hugged his knees. He was still keeping his senses on Luke, and if he made so much as a wrong move, he would find himself washed out to sea with the tide. It was just beginning to go out anyway.

"Ath… The Goddess of Wisdom and Titan of Fire created humans later, on behalf of the King of the Gods, after what the Crooked One did.

"I don't think he would just let the world go on as it is if he took over. According to our myths, we were made by a combination of the gods and titans. Grandfather wants to remake it into what it was before his children overthrew him." He let out a long breath and looked up at Luke again. "Do you honestly think that would be the best? That it would be worth taking Olympus down to take the rest of the world with it?"

Luke swallowed and shook his head. "You could be lying."

Percy sighed. "I swear on the River Styx that, according to my knowledge, everything I've spoken is true."

More thunder. Yay.

He was drawing way too much attention to himself like this. That shield could only do so much. He'd likely be claimed very soon, just so his father could give him some protection. But if Percy wanted to save Luke… And he did. For so many reasons.

Luke, who was leaning forward, shivering as he put his head in his hands. "What… what even is my life?"

Percy snorted. "If it's any consolation, I've asked myself the same thing so many times I lost count centuries ago."

Luke groaned. Then he ran a hand through his wet hair and looked up at Percy, blue eyes piercing. "What happened to Annabeth?"

Yeah, this wouldn't be pleasant. "You… I suppose you had to leave without her the first time and she refused to join you after that. She was there when you—" he coughed— "died. Both times."

Another groan. "Di Immortales."

Percy wanted to reach out and pat the older boy on his shoulder. He didn't, though.

"Luke," he said instead, voice quiet, "you were—are my friend and mentor, and I'm not the only one. Everyone in the Hermes cabin, no matter whose child they are, looks up to you. As for Annabeth, you're her friend and older brother in every way that matters. When I found myself back in time, the one thing I really wanted to do was try to help you. And… that's why I couldn't kill you. At this point, if you choose to leave, I will let you go. Just… know the next time we meet, we will be enemies. And I will make sure you do not cause that much pain again."

They fell into relative silence.

Then, finally, Luke spoke. "You're the reason all the prophecies reset."

"You know about that?"

"All the cabin counselors were told recently," he muttered. "Chiron told us not to say anything until we knew more. That it might make some kids panic, and panic usually means injuries of some kind."

Percy managed a wan smile at that, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, that was me. Not that I did it on purpose though."

Luke actually flopped back in the water. It was shallow enough that it didn't wash completely over his head when the next wave came in.

"I don't even know what to do anymore," he muttered. "I hate this. I hate the system. I hate the gods. I hate it all."

Percy nodded. "Believe it or not, I agree with you."

Surprised, Luke lifted his head to stare at Percy again. He shrugged. "You're not wrong that most gods are selfish, cruel beings with no perspective and little empathy for mortals. Exceptions being Aunt Hestia," he nodded, knowing the goddess would understand that was for her, "And a couple of other more minor gods. Sorry, Dad, but as much as I love you, it's true," he nodded out to sea. A particularly large wave came rushing in, but Percy had little problem holding it back, feeling the smile on his face grow just a little. He really was glad his dad had mellowed out and not decided to smite him for something like that.

Then he turned back to Luke, his smile fading into seriousness. "Like I said, you're not wrong. Something has to change. But joining forces with someone worse…" He shook his head.

Luke snorted and flopped his head back into the sand underneath him again. "Then what do we do?"

"Well," Percy chose to sit cross legged, unable to stop himself from hoping he'd gotten through to the other boy, "after we won the first war, I got a wish. I used it to make the gods take care of their children—at least claim them after their thirteenth birthday or after they got to camp. It… wasn't much, but it was something. And I hate the fact that I had to use my wish to make them do the bare minimum but…"

Luke lifted his head up again. "You… really did that?"

Percy nodded. "Yeah. And I also made sure every god got a cabin, so that helped. And I'll do it again, if I have to. I'm pretty sure that K… the Titan King will rise again, no matter what. But… I want to save as many demigods—no, as many people—as possible. And I'm pretty sure that all starts with you."

The other boy was silent for several seconds before he sat up. "Why me? I'm just a son of…" he made a face. "A son of my father. I can steal and fight and that's just about it. Pretty average for a demigod."

The time-traveler snorted. "You underestimate yourself. You're charismatic and welcoming. You make an already tough time for the kids that come to camp better—easier to manage. And you almost make it look effortless. I wouldn't be surprised if half the kids in this camp have a crush on you."

Luke blinked. Multiple times. Then he rubbed the back of his head. "You think?"

Percy laughed. "See, like that! You just seem to know what to say to deescalate a situation… if you want to deescalate it."

Slowly, Luke's hand lowered. "I… don't feel like that's anything special."

"It is," Percy assured with a shrug. "And, personally, I'd much rather fight next to you than against you." He decided to take a chance and held out his hand.

For several seconds, Luke stared at it, then looked up at the smaller demigod.

"I… I don't…. This is too much to process." He shook his head and looked away.

Disappointed, but trying not to show it, Percy lowered his hand. "Yeah, I get it."

The storm had almost completely vanished at that point, just leaving the two in the near-dark of evening.

"Think about it, will you?" Percy finally asked, standing up and stretching, hoping that sounded more nonchalant than he felt.

"Yeah. I will." Well, that was something. More than Percy had expected, really.

The time-traveler met Luke's gaze. "And… try not to listen to someone called 'The Crooked One'… Please?"

Luke didn't say anything in response. Instead he stood as well, reaching down to grab his sword and grimacing at its wet, sandy state.

"Oh, I can…" Percy said, waving his hand and drying them both off.

The troubled expression returned to Luke's face, but he also nodded. "Yeah… thanks."

Percy opened his mouth to say something, but shouts in the distance cut him off.

"Percy! Luke! Come on, guys! Where are you?"

"That sounds like Conner," Percy said.

Luke sighed. "I was supposed to come and get you for dinner. That was a while ago."

Percy chuckled awkwardly. "I guess that happens when you have an existential crisis."

The older boy snorted. "What's our story then?"

That… was probably more than Percy could have hoped for, too. "I… got swept out to sea and you rescued me?"

"During High Tide? And they're going to find out eventually…" Luke paused. "Why haven't you been claimed yet?"

"I asked Dad not to. Didn't want old Thunder Uncle's attention."

"Fair," Luke muttered. Then he shook his head. "I think we should tell them the truth. You just lost track of time, and then I found you and we talked. That's what happened, wasn't it?"

"Minus the swords and the storm… and the dagger," Percy muttered. Then rolled his eyes as he commanded the water to bring the dagger to him. Holding out his hand, the knife fell into it. Luke just stared.

"Percy! Percy Jackson!" the voices were getting closer.

Percy offered Luke the dagger.

"You're seriously giving that back to me?"

"No harm, no foul," he shrugged.

"I did harm you."

"When I was in water. After confirming my parentage." He raised one eyebrow. "I ask this sincerely: Are you suicidal?"

Luke huffed, but didn't say anything as he hurried up the beach. Percy shook his head, making a mental note to keep an eye on that, and followed. Then something occurred to him and he reached out to grab Luke's arm.

"Luke, you can't tell anyone what I've told you. Even if Grandfather knows about me, he doesn't know everything. Right now, Aunt Hestia knows, The Fates know, my father knows, my mother knows, and you know. It can't go beyond that. Not if we can help it. Lives depend on it."

The older boy froze and his expression melted into something complex again. "But didn't you say I joined the other side? That I led it?"

Percy looked down and nodded.

"Then why… why did you tell me?"

A deep breath. "Because I'm willing to take that chance. If that's what I have to do to give you perspective, then that's what I have to do." He shook his head as he looked up at his mentor. "I don't want to watch you die like that again. I definitely don't want to put Annabeth through that again. She already has enough abandonment issues."

"I—" Luke started.

"There you two are!" Connor yelped as he came around a rock and saw them standing there in the fading light. "Didn't you hear us calling?"

Percy and Luke exchanged one last look before Luke's embarrassed smile spread across his face and he rubbed the back of his head.

"Sorry. We were talking. Private stuff, you know."

Percy didn't have to force himself to look a little shaky. They'd reached a ceasefire, sure, but… he didn't get the feeling he'd completely convince Luke. Not yet. Maybe a couple of seeds had been planted, but what grew would be up to the son of Hermes. Percy didn't like how he could see so many many ways this could blow up in his face. In both of their faces. Luke knew it too, he was sure. The blond could just hide it better.

"Y-yeah, sorry. I lost track of time earlier," Percy muttered to the approaching demigod.

Connor sighed and shook his head. "Well, let's get back. You've both missed dinner, but we saved some for you, of course."

Percy looked up, grinning. "Thanks."

Luke nodded in agreement.

Dinner sounded great. At least they could agree on that.

xXx

AN: So yeah, couldn't leave you guys without this. :) Hope you enjoyed it! By next week I'll likely have a up, though it will likely have more to do with my upcoming youtube channel, and I can't post a link here because of fanfic rules. Which, fair. So if you DO want to find out more, I recommend going to the discord (link below) and waiting for updates there.

I already have four different scripts written for my writing channel, so I hope people like it. I'm pretty sure my first few vids will... not be good, but how else do I get anywhere?

We were kind of knocked for a loop this week when it comes to Hubby's diagnosis. It wasn't caused by what we thought it was. It's actually less controllable, and that's scary, but I think it will help hubby understand that this isn't his fault, so trade offs? We're still kind of reeling from that.

Anyway, thank you all for your support! Here's my list of betas and reaction readers: Berix, The Shadow Slayer, Asterius Daemon, Quathis, Harlequin, Speedster, Snow, Starlightluv, and The Chronomancer!

Discord: www. discord. gg/xDDz3gqWfy (no spaces) - It's a little dead there except for the memes and the occasional poll, but when I do original stuff, I will announce it there first. :)