Chapter 6: His Redemption

Reviews:

Gamelover41592: *Insert Devious Smile here*

lorhob09: Indeed! Hope you stick around to what happens next!

hussainamm: ...Maybe...

brayanelgamer: She is indeed disappointed and trust me, she still will be in certain circumstances and Jaune will get some therapy in the form of a certain god or Goddess as he tried to help Penny, but trust me, things are not going to get any easier for Jaune.

X3runner: Kinda and also, I thought I was the only one who watched that movie! I loved it when I was a kid because it was so weird but cool and hey, I had a little crush on Leeloo too

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

"I was sent here by the Oracle, but I... I don't know why," He told her.

Rhea smiled, "I know why," She said. "You're here for answers as to what is going on and why your mere presence is affecting our world... and you came for her," Rhea told him.

Jaune nodded and when he heard the last part of Rhea's sentence, he looked at her with a confused face, "Her?" He asked.

Rhea nodded, "Yes,"

Before Jaune could ask who the Titan Queen was referring to, he heard yawning coming from the tent and heard someone cry out, like a baby would try calling out to a mother without actually using words.

"I'm out here, dear," Rhea said with a smile.

"Oah!" Cried the person inside the tent.

The flap opened up fully and the person inside stepped out of the tent and revealed themselves to the rest of the group, the moment they showed who they were, Jaune stood up quickly in shock, knocking over his chair in the process.

Standing barefooted before the young knight, in nothing but a long white nightgown was Penny Polendina, who looked as cheerful as she always had before.

Penny's eyes landed on Jaune and a bright and big smile graced her features as she rushed over to him and leaped toward him. Jaune was in shock but quickly caught her as she wrapped her arms around her.

"Oah! Oah!" Penny cried as she held him tighter.

Jaune was shocked that she was hugging him, but he began to wonder why she was speaking like someone who could formulate words or speak any language, his eyes fell on the Queen of Titans and he looked at her with a questioning look.

"What... happened to her?" Jaune asked.

Rhea sighed, "You may want to pick up that chair of yours, Jaune Arc," Rhea began, "You are gonna need it," She told him, looking at him with her golden eyes, which now looked sad.

However, before she could start, Thalia looked at Jaune with a raised brow, "Jaune, who is she?" Thalia asked.

Jaune looked back at her as he still held Penny, "She's... Her name's Penny, and she's from my world," Jaune replied.

Rhea nodded, "Yes, now, before you ask more questions, I believe I should explain what happened to her," Rhea said. "Now, from the beginning, she had fallen from the sky, landed not so far from my camp, and when I found her she was unconscious, however, I knew she wasn't normal... so I decided to search her memories, and that's when I discovered everything," Rhea said.

Hearing this, Jaunes entire body froze as Rhea knew what he had done back on the bridge, what he did to Penny.

"Don't fret, Jaune," Rhea told him softly, "I know why you did what you did, and I know she made her choice, one that only you could fulfill at the time,"

Jaune shook his head, "I could have done something else... I could have still healed her, saved her instead of..." Jaune trailed off before letting out a sigh.

The other three demigods were confused as to what the two were discussing, however, it was Thalia who remembered the beginning of their conversation before Theia attacked them.

"So... what was that all about?" Thalia asked him.

"Hm?" Jaune asked.

Thalia sighed, "Don't play dumb, what was that about knowing what it was like to kill someone... Have you... killed anyone" She asked.

Jaune let out a long sigh, "I... I don't wanna talk about it," Jaune told her.

Thalia's eyes glanced over to Penny who still held onto Jaune and she had a feeling she finally knew who Jaune had killed before arriving in their world, however, the question was why did he kill her?

"After she woke up, she was in the state you see her now," Rhea replied. "I wondered why because when I looked through her memories she was fine, but that's when I remember seeing a memory of her giving... something away to another woman, she had white hair and blue eyes,"

Jaune knew who Rhea was referring to, "Winter Schnee, that's her name, and the thing you're talking about, what Penny gave away, those were the Winter Maiden powers, Magic in our world that gets passed down to whoever the previous Maiden thinks about,"

Rhea nodded, "Interesting way of passing down magic," Rhea said, "I believe that's partially the reason for her current state," Rhea told him.

"What do you mean?" Jaune asked.

"I believe that when she transferred those powers to that woman, a part of her left with them while a part stayed behind to pass on," Rhea explained. "But because she fell with you and was in the process of moving on her body and soul were unfamiliar with our process of moving on after death when she began entering our world, the instincts of the soul and body went haywire and so, the soul went back into the body and locked itself deep within the body, leaving only pieces of who she was and the basic functions of how the body works," Rhea told him.

"But that doesn't explain how she's alive," Jaune said as his confusion grew.

Rhea nodded, "It does not, but I believe that another outside force also did this to her and healed her, because she, like you, plays an important role in what is to come," She told Jaune. "She seemed to remember you in some capacity," Rhea told him.

Jaune looked at Penny who rested her chin and head on his shoulder as she still held on tight to him and didn't move, seemingly comfortable where she was, which felt a little odd to him since, he and she were never that close, they were somewhat friends at best.

So why was she seemingly so attached to him now?

Oddly enough, Thalia could sense what Jaune was feeling and thinking, it was sudden, but she felt the conflict and the confusion that was inside of him. She knew these emotions weren't her own, yet she also knew who it was coming from. She was confused as to how she was able to feel and read June's emotions but it gave her an insight and what he was feeling.

However, both she and Jaune were taken out of their thoughts when Rhea spoke.

"She might feel safe in your presence because, in this state, you are the only familiar thing to her," Rhea said.

Jaune looked back at the Queen of Titans with a raised brow, "Does every immortal being know what I'm thinking?" Jaune asked.

Rhea chuckled, "No, some of us can simply read emotions and know how the person is feeling," Rhea told him. "Now, if you wish, I can tell you a way to bring her soul back out and return her to normal," Rhea said.

Hearing that, Jaune's eyes widened, "We can return her to normal!?" He asked.

Rhea nodded, "Indeed," she replied.

"How!?" Jaune cried.

"Hecate," Rhea replied.

Hearing the name, Jaune was confused, "Who?" He asked.

"Hecate, she the minor goddess of magic, her skill surpasses the gods as she masters all magic," Drew said. "However, there's a bit of a problem there..." Drew began.

Jaune looked to the daughter of Aphrodite, "What is it?" He asked.

Drew looked at the blonde with a bit of a worried expression, "There's a rumor that she and a few of the minor gods have sided with Kronos since they have had enough of the unfair treatment they get from the Gods," Drew told him.

Jaune growled in frustration, 'Of course it was going to be that-'

"No need to worry about that, I'll talk to her and I'm sure she'll agree," Rhea said with a soft smile.

"Huh?" They all said.

Rhea smiled at their shock, "The minor gods will be great allies for what is to come, and with what I am offering them, they will switch sides, and with their help, I can make Hecate help you return Penny to her original state," Rhea said.

"And you'd just do that...?" Drew asked, "Without asking for anything in return?"

Rhea smiled, "Well, there is one thing I'd like you to do for me," she said.

"And what's that?" Thalia asked.

"Take me back with you," Rhea told them, "I wish to return to Camp Half-blood with you and protect it alongside Chiron,"

"Why?" Will asked.

"Because I have traveled all over the world, and seen everything, now, I simply wish to rest with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, because soon, a chosen few will decide the fate of the world, I feel it is my duty, to teach and guide them where I could not my own children," She told Will.

"A chosen few?" Thalia asked, "Who and how will they decide the fate of the world?" She asked.

Rhea smiled, "I can not say, dear Thalia, but know that Jaune and Penny, as well as those who will be chosen, will decide and shape what is to come," She told her granddaughter.

"And what is to come?" Jaune asked. "That's the big question, what's at the end of all this, what is coming?" Jaune asked, feeling he knew the answer but also feared that he was wrong.

Rhea looked at him with a soft smile, "The end of the Gods," She said.

XXX

XXX

XXX

It was night and they had brought the Van to Rhea's campsite. They put the back seats down so that Drew and Thalia could sleep, and Rhea gave Will another tent for him to sleep in, Jaune had decided to take the first watch, sitting on a blanket and watching out toward the distance, and with him, was Penny, sitting right along with him and leaning on his left side.

All day she had been attached to him, she didn't want him to leave her sight, even making a fuss when he wanted to go alone to fetch the van. Even at first, when the tree Demigods tried to befriend her, she was wary. Well... that was up until the three offered some roasted marshmallows for her to eat, she dropped the first one because it had burned her, but learned from that mistake and carefully ate the other two.

She felt pain.

Jaune had almost forgotten she was human, but seeing her wince from the slight burn made him remember the moment back on the bridge.

He quickly tried to forget it, but couldn't.

Penny was like this because of him, she was messed up because of what he did, and Jaune didn't think that he could ever forgive himself for doing that to her. The time he had seen Penny, she was always so cheerful and bright, always fascinated by the world around her. Jaune thought it was a little funny, that in a way, Penny was more human than he was.

He was taken out of his thoughts when he felt something landed on his lap and he looked down to see that Penny had fallen asleep and slumped down onto his legs. He watched as she took small breaths and seemed to sleep so peacefully and he smiled softly.

'Penny's here... she's alive... and I know how to bring her back to how she used to be,' Jaune thought. 'I can save her... I can undo what I did...' He thought.

unbeknownst to Jaune, he was being watched by electric blue eyes, that belonged to none other than the daughter of Zeus herself.

Thalia couldn't help herself, she wanted to know more about the guy since he was a bigger oddity than everything in her world and so, she continued to read his emotions and oddly enough, it told her what this moment meant for him, what Penny being alive meant to him.

For Jaune, Thalia could sense that he thought of this as a sign, a sign that told him he could make up for what he did, be the hero had always wanted to be for a single moment and save a friend.

For Jaune Arc, this was his redemption.

"Seem's things are progressing more than I believed," came a whisper.

Thalia nearly screamed as she turned around only to see her grandmother, looking at her with a knowing smirk

"Grandma!? Don't do that! I-I nearly screamed!" Thalia cried in a hushed tone.

Rhea chuckled silently, "Forgive me, Thalia dear, I didn't mean to startle you, but I couldn't help myself seeing your powers growing so fast,"

Thalia's brow raised in confusion, "What do you mean?" She asked.

Rhea smiled, "The Age of the Olympians is coming to an end, Thalia, however... there must always be gods of our pantheon," She told him. "The first rulers were us Titans, and they were cruel rulers, then there were my children, and while they were better, they still have done horrible things to each other, the other beings of this world, and Humans, so... perhaps, as you humans say, third time's the charm," Rhea said.

Thalia's eyes widened with realization at what her grandmother was saying, "You mean...!?" Thalia began.

Rhea slowly nodded, "Yes, Thalia," Rhea replied. "Change occurs, but there must be shepherds to guide others into a new age, and the catalyst of all this... are those two," Rhea said, pointing at Jaune and Penny.

Thalia turned back to look at the two people who were not of their world.

"The world needed something to kickstart change, and it did," Rhea said with a small smile, "Maybe Chaos brought them here, maybe their gods sent them here, how they got here is a mystery, but does it matter? Because without them... things may have remained the same as they are now," Rhea said.

Thalia looked at her grandmother, "You think so?" She asked.

Rhea shrugged, "Maybe, but Maybe even without them, the change would have occurred, maybe one of you Demi-gods would have changed things but for now, we've been put on this path and so we will walk it for now, and hopefully, this is the path, that will lead to a bright future, both for the gods, creatures, and humanity," Rhea said, her tone full of hope.

Thalia couldn't deny that the prospect of a world where Humans and Demigods alike didn't have to suffer was good, a world where they weren't... abandoned by their godly parents would be nice.

"But even then, the world won't be completely free of hardships," Rhea's voice cut in.

Thalia looked at her with a raised brow, "Why? I mean if what you're implying is true then doesn't that mean that we Demigods could create a world where everyone lives in peace? Where we don't have to suffer? Why can't a world where there isn't pain exist?" She asked.

Rhea looked at her granddaughter, her eyes a mix of sadness and pity. "Because there is no paradise to escape to, there is no such thing as perfection, because if there was no suffering, pain or death, then what is the point to living?" Rhea asked. "Without pain and suffering, we as beings wouldn't grow nor mature, nor realize just how important the things we hold dear are... which is why I envy mortals," Rhea said.

Thalia's reaction to her grandmother's words was like hearing the biggest secret known to creation. "You... envy us?" Thalia asked.

Rhea nodded and smiled, "I do," She replied. "Because you live your life to the fullest, you know how little your time is and every single one of you tries so hard to live the life you want, you live knowing that any day could be your last, and don't waste it, sure there are those that do, but the one's who do what they can while they are alive, see the beauty in the world around them, and who save as many as they can and inspire hope, are truly remarkable people, which is why I envy mortals," Rhea said.

Thalia felt warm, hearing those words from her grandmother, "That's... wow," She said with a smile.

Rhea chuckled once more, "Now then, I believe you should get some rest, after all, not only do we have a long conversation ahead of us tomorrow, but I am sure our journey back will be met with some resistance," She told her granddaughter.

Thalia wanted to talk to her more, however, she knew that Rhea was right and decided to head back to the van and get some rest with Will and Drew, and as she lay in the back, she thought about what her grandmother meant and was both excited yet worried about what was implied, however, she'd cross the bridge when she came to it.

Once her granddaughter was in the van, Rhea turned around only to see her oldest daughter sitting on a lawn chair next to the fire, with a soft smile on her face.

"The fires you make, always feel the warmest, Mother," Hestia told her.

Rhea walked over and took a seat with her daughter, "But of course, after all, it is made with love," She said.

Hestia nodded, "Thank you, mother," Hestia said.

Rhea nodded, "Of course, daughter," she replied. "Tell me, why did you choose Jaune Arc as your champion?" She asked.

"His flame... is unlike any other I have seen," Hestia told her. "I've seen many people with flames of love in them, they burn bright, but none can compare to his... or hers," Hestia finished.

Rhea smiled with a raised brow, "You're fascinated by his love?" She asked

Hestia nodded, "I am... I want to know, for once before my immortal life ends... what it's like to be in love, and when I looked into his heart and saw into his flames, I saw a man, whose love for his family and friends, knew no bounds, and I... I couldn't help but want to know more, to experience more," Hestia told him.

Rhea smiled and a warm feeling flowed through her because she was happy to see her oldest child speak about love. After all, she always felt a little sad her daughter remained a virgin goddess. Rhea was happy that her daughter remained pure and didn't simply fall foolishly in love with Poseidon or Apollo, but she also knew the other reason her oldest remained pure.

She was afraid.

Afraid that whoever was her husband, would end up like her father, be them god or human.

Rhea herself, felt responsible for that fear, as it was because of her fear and weakness, that she did not try to save any of her children from what her ex-husband had done. However, she felt a sense of hope ignite inside of her, now that her oldest seemed to speak so fondly about the man from another world, and while she hoped that Hestia wouldn't rush things too fast, she couldn't blame her if she did a little.

After all, a mother just wants what's best for their children.

XXX

XXX

XXX

And so ends another chapter! Sorry if this was a bit shorter than the last but I think it revealed a lot about what is going to happen in the future of the story.

Trust me though, you think things just got bad? OH BOY! Let me tell you that things are only going to get harder and harder because now, Jaune has someone to protect while in a bad state of mind. So trust me when I say that Jaune is about to go through the hardest shit in the PJO world!

Anyway! I hope you all enjoy today's chapter and are waiting for what's about to happen next!