Ch8

Percy shifted under his father's gaze as he finished recounting the quest. The trip home was surprisingly easy with people thinking he was some abducted child he and Alabaster easily raised enough funds for the three of them to return to New York. Meeting with Zeus and his father wasn't easy but he wanted to see this quest to the end.

"Is there anything else Percy?" His father asked.

He swallowed his fear and fell to his knees. He didn't know his father well but he owed to Alabaster to ask for it. "F-Father Alabaster is a son of Hecate he helped me a lot along with his family. Can there be a cabin for his mother and the other minor gods as a reward for his efforts?" His heart raced as his father looked at him with his calm eyes. "His mother should be recognized too with a throne here."

While he recounted the story of his adventure to his father and Zeus he was very careful to make sure to bring Alabaster and the help he and his family gave. With him now being alone with his father he figured it would be a good time to ask.

For a moment he feared his father would get angry at demanding things from him. "Unfortunately that isn't something I can do by myself," Poseidon said calmly. "However, I will bring it up with the other gods, and if you wish he and that unclaimed boy and your other friend can stay in my cabin with you."

"Th-Thank you father," he said with a small bow. He didn't know if Alabaster and Ethan would like it but he wanted to do something for them. His heart raced as he looked at his father, one of the most powerful beings in the world. "I met Hecate's children, they wish their mother was respected at camp like the other gods. They were so nice to me, while at camp many didn't like me when they found out I was your son."

His father sighed. "Unfortunately when we designed the camp we didn't think of adding a cabin for each god."

"But it isn't fair, they deserve respect as well," he said. His heart was racing but he had to do his part, Alabaster helped him and now he wanted to return the favor. "Alabaster's siblings live alone because their mother doesn't have a cabin. There is so much place in the camp to build one for Hecate or the other children who aren't claimed. He and Ethan were so kind to me the entire time at camp yet they are treated like second-class demigods." He flinched as he felt his father's gaze on him, it seemed calm but he didn't know him well enough. "When I was claimed the other campers treated me coldly yet they stood by me."

The words came from his mouth so freely that he feared he would be punished. Yet his father didn't seem upset. "You have a righteous and loyal heart Percy," his father said calmly. "To have the courage to speak up for those that others would reject, you make me proud."

"Alabaster would do anything for his mother just like I would for mine." Taking a deep breath an idea came to him. "Father I swear on the Styx to make sure Hecate and those other minor gods get the thrones they deserve and cabins for their children."

Thunder rumbled his father's eyes widened. "Do you know the gravity of what you just said?"

A shiver went down his spine. "I would never allow someone to disrespect my mom. You said mom was the queen of women; the children of Hecate view their mom the same. Alabaster's family showed me nothing but kindness and I want to repay it. I won't let others treat me differently because you are my father while they are treated as afterthoughts." He swallowed his fear and looked up at his father. "Can you help me with that?"

Was he pushing his luck? Probably. But if his mom was mistreated he would raise hell and Alabaster wanted nothing more than his mother's recognition. "I won't let others be mistreated because their parent isn't recognized. Especially from those who have shown me kindness."

His father's gaze was firm, he feared he crossed a line. "Well if it means so much to you, then I promise that I'll speak up for Hecate and the others." Poseidon paused his eyes calm. "I know it wasn't easy for you to ask this of me. But to speak up for those that others deem as unworthy of attention says a lot about you."

"I've been treated like a second class person many times in my life," he said softly as memories from his school days passed through his head. "I won't allow others to be mistreated by things that are out of their control."

His father stood up. "I'll do what I can. Now I imagine you want to see your mother."

He bowed one more time before leaving the throne room. As he exited the Empire State Building to his surprise he was greeted by his mother.

"Mom!"

"Percy thank god you're ok," His mother said as she held him tightly.

He hugged her back tears falling down his face. "I missed you so much."

"Me too baby. I met your friend here," his mother said.

Looking up he saw Alabaster waving at him. "I thought you went back to camp?"

Alabaster shrugged. "After what you told me about your stepfather I couldn't just let her go back to your apartment."

He scratched his head. "I told my dad about you and your mom, he said he'll see what he can do but it won't be easy. In the meantime he said you're more than welcome to stay in the Poseidon Cabin."

Alabaster smiled his eyes showing genuine compassion. "Thanks, that means a lot." The son of Hecate cleared his throat. "Anyway I have an idea to get rid of your stepfather?"

His mom frowned. "What do you mean get rid of?"

"By magic of course," Alabaster said with a grin. "He won't be harmed but if you wish he won't bother you or Percy again Ms. Jackson."

His mother looked to the ground. "Boys that's not as easy as it sounds. Gabe he gets angry easily." She winced and that made his blood boil as the realization hit him. How dare he hurt her.

"Mom Alabaster and I can help you. Do you wish to never see him again?"

His mother sighed. "Fine but promise me no one will get hurt."

Alabaster grinned. "Don't worry Ms. Jackson, we'll make sure he never touches you or Percy again."

Gabe Ugliano was not pissed no he was furious. That damn punk gave my number out and now everyone wants something for free. When I get my hands on him he'll regret he was ever born. He cracked open another beer when he heard the footsteps behind him.

Turning around he nearly jumped as he saw a middle-aged man carrying a box in his hand next to a robed woman with long dark hair. "Hey who the hell are you people!" He yelled.

The woman smiled. "You may refer to me as Medea." With a flick of her wrist, he found himself immobile. "You've abused Sally Jackson and her son for far too long." Her hands glowed an unearthly green. "I will make sure you pay for your crimes."

He dropped his beer as a searing pain spread throughout his body and he let out a scream. Falling to the ground Medea and the man advanced on him with nothing but contempt in their eyes.

"Unfortunately for you, Lady Hecate ordered me to deal out her justice," Medea said as she drew a knife from her side.

His body shook as he tried to move and scream. Little did he know he would soon wish they killed him immediately.

Alabaster had to admit he enjoyed the attention. The camp treated him and Percy like heroes and even though there was no word so far on his mother's potential cabin he was glad enough to move into the Poseidon Cabin with Percy until then.

He sat on his bed and informed Percy of what was going on. The son of Poseidon laughed as he told him the gist of what he conjured.

Thanks to his manipulation and some help from his aunt and mom the world believed that Gabe Ugliano tortured Sally Jackson and sold Percy off to some cult where he freed himself. Gabe then 'disappeared' leaving a destroyed apartment.

As for Sally Jackson she was the hero who defended her son and was brutally abused when she refused to sell him. His aunt made sure donations went to help her get on her feet and help with any legal matters. In other news, she sold her first sculpture called Tortured Soul which was praised for its morbid artistic realism.

"Man I'm glad we are done with him," Percy sighed. "Anyway any news from your siblings? Will they want to come?"

"Um we'll wait and see for now," he said. He was in communication with Lou and the others but so far, his siblings were in debate of what to do. He then took a familiar box from under his bed. "My aunt gave it back to me."

Percy's eyes widened. "Medusa's head?"

Taking out a card a smile spread across his face. "It'll be useful in the future."

After carefully opening the box he took out a mistform card and began to chant. Medusa's head then turned to smoke as it went into his card. The crude form of her covered face being held by a hand appeared on the card. "This will be useful."

Percy shrugged. "Cool."

"Oh do you know if Ethan wants to move in or not?" He asked. Ethan had been oddly quiet since they got back and had strangely been keeping his distance from both of them.

"I'll talk to him later today," Percy said. "Come on lets get ready for dinner."

"Lets go." Personally, he enjoyed Percy's company. The son of Poseidon gave him the companionship he never really had and never knew he needed. Yeah he had his siblings but he never had a friend and with the son of Poseidon he felt like he could be his friend. Lou would be so proud that I have a potential friend.

Despite the quest being over something inside of him was telling him otherwise. Mother I hope I made you proud I'll make sure you get the respect you deserve. He tossed his food into the flame before offering some food to Poseidon. Lord Poseidon if you stand up for my mother and get her the respect she deserves I will forever be grateful. I'll make sure Percy is safe from anyone and anything. The flames flickered as he turned away.

"Hey."

Turning around he saw Ethan Nakamura his expression calm. "You doing ok?"

Ethan nodded his legs shaking. "Yeah. How was your quest."

He shrugged as they walked around the camp. "Well we made it out alive." He looked up at the demigod. "You know you can stay with us in the Poseidon Cabin, Percy put in a good word for us and convinced his father to try and help our parents."

Ethan avoided his gaze and seemed to move in his way. "But will it really help?"

He sighed, out of the corner of his eyes he saw Percy enter the woods alone. He was about to call out to him but Ethan stepped in front of him. "I know its not much now but progress is being made he turned to the fire pit, all roads lead to something and for now I think I'll focus on letting this world know about my mother."

Ethan looked at him his gaze unreadable. "But how long will that take? Do they even care about our parents?"

It was then that he noticed that there was nowhere else around. "We'll never know until we try." He turned around and was about to leave when Ethan grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?"

There was a moment of panic in Ethan's eyes as he gripped his arm firmly, his body shaking. Looking into his eyes he saw a mixture of fear and uneaes in them. Then he remembered the shoes, the ones that were meant for Percy yet nearly killed Grover. That was when the last of his wards he cast on Percy broke.

He stared at Ethan and noticed how he was blocking the path to where Percy went down. "Where you in on it?"

"What are you-"

His blood boiled "Ventus!" he blasted Ethan away. "You bastard! He vouched for my mother and you tried to kill him!"

Ethan panicked. "Wait I-"

He wasn't going to hear it. "Crucio!" Ethan collapsed to the ground and screamed as he writhed in pain. "WHAT DID YOU DO?" Taking out his cards he quickly drew his golden sword.

"I didn't do anything, Luke just told me to talk to you." Ethan stared at him his body shaking. "H-He wants to show Percy something and asked that I keep you busy." The sincerity in his words took him by surprise, he was telling the truth.

He swore and drew his golden sword. "You better get Chiron now."

Ethan quickly got up and ran. Percy be ok. His heart raced in his chest as he ran through the woods the cold wind brushing past him Damn it. Ethan you fool. There was someone else pulling the strings behind all of this and they wanted to harm Percy.

He pushed through the brush until he found him. Percy lay on the ground bleeding. "Percy!"

"L-Luke," Percy coughed up blood as he brought him to the river.

"Don't speak we'll take care of this. Aqua Loculus!" The water in the river quickly enveloped Percy as he began to chant a spell to remove the poison. Runes flew at Percy as he continued to chant in Latin. The color slowly returned to Percy's face as the poison left his body, he wasn't much of a healer but he knew a few spells that could work.

"There they are!"

Turning around he saw Chiron and some other campers come up to them. "Mr. Torrington let me see him."

He took a deep breath and the water dissipated. Chiron took Percy's body and felt for a pulse. "He's alive but will need some rest."

Ethan gave him a guilty look as they returned to the camp and kept his head down as they brought Percy to the infirmary. You bastard what did Luke tell you?

"Mr. Nakamura would you tell us again what happened?" Chiron asked as he began to work on Percy.

Ethan looked to the ground his body shaking. "I swear all Luke told me to do was to keep Alabaster busy, that it was important. H-He wanted to see Percy alone. I swear that's everything."

He glared at Ethan and resisted the urge to blast him to pieces. "Luke tried to kill him on this quest and he tried it again. Now you expect us to believe you had nothing to do with it when you tried to stop me?"

Tears fell down Ethan's face, his body shaking as his face contorted in anger. "I swear on the Styx I didn't know what he was doing."

Thunder rumbled, so he was telling the truth.

"Lets wait till Percy is awake," Chiron said. "We'll speak more of this at another time."

Ethan's body shook his fists clenched as he glared at the ground his eyes were a mixture of sorrow and anger as he shook where he stood. "I swear I didn't do it." His widened with great fury when suddenly a small light in the shape of a broken wheel appeared above Ethan's head.

Chiron got up and did a small bow and he followed suit. "All hail Lady Nemesis goddess of retribution, vengeance, balance, and justice." The centaur placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Calm down I believe you Ethan. Just get some rest for now, you can stay in the Big House tonight."

Ethan slowly nodded. "Thanks."

Another child of a minor goddess.

The news of Luke fleeing camp and attacking Percy spread through the camp like wildfire. Annabeth Chase didn't believe it at first but when she saw Percy's body, she was speechless. Ethan remained quiet and didn't associate with anyone, and frankly, he wasn't in the mood to speak with him either.

After a few days Percy awoke. He quickly ran to see him and found Chiron and Annabeth in the room. "Man I feel like hell," Percy muttered.

"Percy what happened to you?" he asked.

"Luke it was him," Percy said as he began to explain what had happened. He told them how it was all Luke and how he was planning to bring back Kronos.

"Not that must be a mistake," Annabeth said her legs shaking. "Luke wouldn't do this."

Chiron's face darkened. "I'm afraid things aren't as simple as they seem Annabeth."

"It was him," Ethan came into the room his face determined. All eyes shifted to the son of Nemesis. "Luke would often talk to us unclaimed demigods about how we can change things and take destiny into our own hands. How we can bring in a new age for our parents."

Annabeth covered her mouth her body shaking as her eyes watered up. "No. You're lying, he wouldn't do this!"

The son of Nemesis took a deep breath. "The last few days before he left he was very agitated, he told me to keep Alabaster the night he led him into the woods."

Annabeth sobbed. "No he wouldn't."

Chiron placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on we'll discuss this at a later date."

As soon as Chiron and Annabeth left the room Percy turned to them. "Are you guys staying all year?"

"I might visit my aunt," he said. "We have planning to do."

"I may visit family too," Ethan said.

Percy nodded. "Well if you guys ever want to stay remember you are both more than welcome to stay in the Poseidon Cabin."

"Percy I didn't mean to hurt you," Ethan said avoiding his gaze.

"It's alright I don't blame you," Percy said. "Luke's a tricky guy, I'll have to be on the lookout for him." The son of Poseidon smiled at them both. "You both are always welcome in the Poseidon Cabin."

"You would do that for me?" Ethan asked avoiding his gaze.

Percy frowned. "Yeah why not? You've been nice to me, besides everyone makes mistakes."

He sighed. "Yeah don't beat yourself up over it."

Ethan nodded. "Thanks. That means a lot."

Hecate sighed as she heard the storm clouds overhead. That boy really did stand up for Alabaster and me. She was amused about Percy Jackson, he definitely will have an interesting fate.

Nemesis appeared next to her. "So how did your son do it?"

She frowned. "Alabaster did nothing, Percy Jackson merely did what he felt was right."

"Well Poseidon tried to stand up for us but was shot down since Zeus saw it as a power move," Nemesis said as she tossed a coin in the air and caught it. "But I'll admit what he did was enough to move me enough to claim my son. At least he'll have some space to himself." She tossed a coin in her hand. "You know I've been thinking about working on my own for recognition and I think I found the right person."

She nodded. "He'll lead you to the path you are seeking."

They felt a familiar presence as Poseidon appeared before them his brow furrowed. "Lord Poseidon," she and Nemesis bowed.

Poseidon nodded, the air around him was really tense as he looked at them both. "My son wished for cabins for your children unfortunately my brother thinks I'm trying to win you both seats at the council as potential supporters."

"We appreciate the effort," She said diplomatically. Olympian politics were never simple. We can start small and build big.

"Apparently I can't just ask that new cabins be made so I'm going to do some renovations on mine," Poseidon said. "In the meantime you both are allowed to build a Cabin on my territory."

They both stared at the god in shock. "Lord Poseidon, are you sure about this?" Nemesis asked carefully.

Poseidon shrugged. "I can make my cabin bigger, until the issue is resolved you can both build one behind mine. Nemesis your kid was nice to my son too so I'll allow it. But I recommend you both lay low from my brother. Also my wife wants to invite you both to her Sunday brunch, you'll be getting some invitations soon."

"Thank you for your generosity Lord Poseidon," she and Nemesis bowed. A part of was hit by a wave of emotion. I'll have my own Cabin for my own children to live in. It was an exciting idea, she knew some of her kids would love it. Big things start small and no one path would be correct.

"I guess the times really are changing," Nemesis said.

"Time will tell how things go," she said calmly. Percy Jackson what do the fates have in store for you?