Ch52

It had been a long day for Percy. First he along with Lou and Bianca had gone and met Luke's mother and learned more about him and then had run into Hestia. From there they gotten his mother's blessing and had snuck into the underworld where he was now bathing in the River Styx.

It was as if he were bathing in a lake of fire and for a moment he honestly thought his body would incinerate. "Percy be strong," his mother's voice echoed in his head.

Mom. He focused on her reassuring words as he focused on a spot on his back. He saw his mother smiling at him and the next thing he knew he was lying on the ground next to the River Styx.

"Percy are you ok?" Lou asked.

He groaned as he sat up. "I think it worked." Staggering up he felt strangely fine though he also felt as if something were different about him.

"Well it worked," Bianca said as she eyed the area carefully. "Come on lets leave before my father-"

"Before your father what?"

They froze and turned around to see Hades fully armored looked at them with a cold look in his eyes. Bianca's face paled. "F-Father. I just wanted to help Percy for this war."

Hades' gaze was anything but kind. "So you trespass into my realm without my permission?"

Bianca stepped forward. "Father please a war is happening and Nico-"

The ground shook as Hades' glare intensified. "Yes your embarrassment of a brother. He's caused enough trouble for me."

Taking a deep breath he stepped forward. "Lord Hades a war is happening as we speak and your children have chosen their sides. Only you yourself can choose who you wish to fight for."

Hades stared at him with a cold unreadable look in his eyes but surprisingly Lou stepped forward. She held a green torch in her hand that gave of a warm ominous glow to it. "Lord Hades my mother is the goddess of crossroads and right now everyone is an important crossroad. No one can make you choose your father."

Hades stared at Lou's torch with a contemplative look in his eyes, but he then turned around an motioned for them to leave. "I will choose for myself where I shall fight."

"But father-" Bianca was cut off by a glare from Hades.

"Bianca don't push me I'm not in the mood. Do you know how much trouble I am because of your brother's actions?" The coldness in his voice made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"My mother will stand up for you," Lou said calmly. "She has always held you high regard Lord Hades."

The lord of the underworld turned around. "If my son perishes in combat I will not blame anyone. Now go before I get angrier."

Lou bowed politely. "It was a pleasure to speak with you Lord Hades." She then pressed a button on her torch and a green light enveloped them all.

A bright light filled his vision and the next thing he knew they were on the streets of New York. "Wow that was something," he said as he looked around and felt the familiar sounds of New York City around him.

"Percy!" He turned around to see the other campers led by Chiron.

Alabaster came forward. "Low sent me a message that you wanted to us to meet you here."

He nodded. "Yeah." His heart raced as he thought of what to say, they had to defend Olympus but they only had so much time to prepare.

"I'll leave everything here in your hands," Chiron said calmly.

He did a double take. "Wait what?"

Chiron nodded. "It is time for you to lead the camp Percy. I'll go and get some of my brethren to help."

A bit of anxiety swelled inside of him but Lou placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry you aren't alone."

She's right. Looking into Lou's gaze he could feel reassurance grow inside of him. He took a deep breath and looked up at Olympus. "We need to see if anyone is home. Al can you prepare fortifications here."

The son of Hecate met his gaze and nodded. "On it."

"Alright put extra wards around the medic and command tents!" Alabaster ordered as his siblings went around to reinforce the wards.

Something is coming I can feel it. He stared out into the city, it appeared to be a normal day so far but an attack could come at any moment. His gaze drifted to the top of the Empire State Building where dark clouds had began to ominously gather. Be safe guys.

He walked over to the Hecate Cabin's tent where he found Medea and Circe going over plans with Daedalus. "Hey is everything ok?"

Medea looked up at him and nodded. "Everything is set up. From here we can monitor and defend the battlefield."

"I have the Talos II and our dragon ready to activate upon a moment's notice," Daedalus said as he looked over a map of the city with a glint in his eyes. "This city has a lot of interesting objects that I could use."

He nodded. "Good. As soon as the enemy-" It was then he felt it, a ripple of pure energy ripple throughout the area. "What was that?"

Circe frowned. "That was a god's power."

They quickly ran out of the tent and found the other campers looking through the various binoculars. "What's going on!"

Ethan pointed out at the city. "Look for yourself."

Using one of the binoculars he saw the city around them was quiet as all the mortals were asleep as if they had been knocked out.

Medea summoned a magical staff in her hand. "The enemy is making their move. Get Percy Jackson now!"

Ethan and a group of other campers quickly ran into the Empire State Building. Damn it the invasion is already here.

It didn't take long for Percy and the others to come down. "What's going on?" The son of Poseidon asked.

He stepped away from the binoculars. "Look for yourself."

As he looked through the binoculars Percy's posture turned rigid. "Great. Monsters are already coming."

It was then a bus pulled up and Thalia Grace, Bianca di Angelo, and the rest of the Hunters of Artemis came out. "We're here!" Bianca said.

"Thalia!" Annabeth said as she ran over and hugged her friend.

"Glad to be here," Thalia said. "Where do you need us Percy?"

The son of Poseidon looked at the campers. His gaze hard but he could see the unease in his eyes. "Alright we need to act quickly and hold Manhattan at all cost. We'll guard the tunnels and bridges with all we got." Percy paused and looked at all the campers. "Miachael take the Apollo Cabin to guard Williamsburg bridge. Connor take the Hermes Cabin and divide it with your brother to protect the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Clarisse you and the Ares Cabin will defend the 59th Street Bridge."

Percy continued to distribute tasks before he turned to him and his siblings. "Hecate Cabin. Lou will be with your siblings that aren't fighters to help the wounded and help out with the reconnaissance. Balthazar will lead those that can fight and assist in helping the Hermes Cabin." He then met his gaze. "Alabaster I want you and Ethan to be my second and third in command."

"I'm on it," he said firmly.

Ethan nodded. "We'll do whatever you need us to do."

Percy smiled at both of them before turning to face the crowd. "For too long the minor gods have been treated as after thoughts. We fight this battle not just for Olympus but so that no child will feel unwanted and no parent disrespected. We are all heroes and we'll show them what we can do! For Olympus!"

Everyone raised their weapons. "For Olympus!"

"And where would you like us?" Daedalus asked.

Percy looked at Daedalus, Medea, and Circe. "For now you three could be in the command tent and watch over any movements; we'll activate our machines later. We shouldn't use all of our trump cards right away."

Medea nodded. "A wise choice. My first batch of dragon tooth warriors will be ready soon. They shall assist wherever they are needed."

Circe smiled. "I can't wait to turn the titan army into a bunch of guinea pigs."

"Um yeah anyway Al watch over things while I go pay a visit to the rivers. I'm going to get us some more allies," Percy said as he took out a sand dollar form his pocket.

"Good luck. He watched as the various campers and hunters went to their various stations. I don't know how long we can hold but we auntie, Circe, Daedalus, and two robots. He took out his deck of cards and shuffled them. "We just need to play our cards right."

Taking out one card he summoned Icarus. The young boy bowed. "My lord what do you require?"

"Take to the skies and scout the enemy. Feel free to take out any enemy that you can," he ordered.

Icarus bowed. "As you command."

Taking a deep breath he looked at his other cards. I'll use Pan later. Medusa's head could also come in handy. His mind began to calculate various strategies as he stared out into the city. "Mother guide us to the correct path."

With that he quickly went to his aunt's tent where he found her and Circe looking at sphere of light. Staring into the sphere he recognized it as a reconnaissance spell and could see the various movements of the titan army moving throughout the city.

"Alabaster take a division of dragon tooth warriors to Williamsburg Bridge now!" Medea said sharply.

He was taken aback by the urgency in her voice. "What's going-"

"The enemy is making their move get Percy Jackson and head over there now!" Medea said. "Circe shall go with you."

Oh boy. Circe's eyes glinted with a magical aura he only saw when she was serious. Great I have a bad feeling about this.

He quickly exited the tent with Circe by his side and about twenty skeletal warriors. As they headed towards Williamsburg Bridge he ran into Annabeth Chase. "Thanks gods. The Apollo Cabin needs a lot of help. I already told Ethan to find Percy."

"We're on our way lets go!"

When they arrived at Williamsburg Bridge they were greeted by the sight of an immense battle. The Apollo Cabin was raining arrows down on a large hoard of monsters. "Thank gods you're here," Michael yew said as he fired a few shots from his arrow. "They just came at us with a large force."

"Don't worry we're here." He drew his sword and pointed it at the enemy. "Kill them all!"

The skeletal warriors didn't need to be told twice, they immediately charged at the monsters with all their fury. Taking out a mistform card he summoned his butler who held Medusa's covered head in his hand. "Go out as many as you can but be careful not to his us." His butler only nodded before charging at the front lines.

"That should buy us some time," Annabeth said. "Why are they focusing on this area of all places?"

Circe frowned. "I'm not sure darling; but the enemy is here and we cannot change that." Her hands glowed ominously. "Come the battle is at hand."

Michael Yew stood up with his bow in hand. "Come on lets show them what we can do!"

The Apollo Cabin cheered as they fired their arrows with renewed vigor. The skeletal warriors along with his butler managed to cause confusion in the enemy lines as the Apollo Cabin quickly regrouped. Circe flew into the air and blasted the enemy monsters with magic pushing them back further.

"Incantare: Fulgur!" He snapped his fingers and a powerful blast of lighting flew from his hand and struck an enemy monster and incinerated it.

Alright what did auntie see here that frightened her so much. He and Annabeth stuck with the Apollo Cabin while Circe helped push them back. Her help alone managed to grind the enemy advance to a slowly halt but he wondered how long they could last.

"Hey guys!"

They quicky turned around to see Percy on Blackjack while Ethan rode on another Pegasi. "What's going on?"

"The enemy is making a full on assault on this bridge," he said as he unleashed another lightning spell at the enemy lines. "My aunt saw something here, we have to be careful."

Percy dismounted and drew Riptide. "The seas are safe. All that's left is the land." An explosion from one of Circe's spell rippled through the area causing them all to cover their ears.

Ethan looked at the enemy lines. "I could feel something."

"What do you mean?" Annabeth asked.

"A lot of negative energy," Ethan said as he traced his eye patch.

Suddenly Circe landed in front of them. "Man you positions it's the Titan Lord!"

He swore and drew his sword as he recalled his butler to his side. A large chariot emerged from the crowd of monsters. Kronos sat in the middle of the chariot as he gripped his scythe tightly while to his side Nico di Angelo road a skeletal hoarse.

"A pitiful last stand demigods," Kronos said through Luke's body. "But alas your assault will be useless. Surrender now while I'm still in a good mood."

Percy stepped forward. "We'll never surrender Olympus to you."

Kronos laughed his voice echoing coldly in the air. "Foolish boy you cannot defeat my army even with your tricks." He then turned to where he stood with Circe and Ethan. "It is a pit that your mothers chose to fight against me. I am grateful to those that serve me but since they are my enemies I will show you know mercy."

"We'll never bow to you," He said gripping his sword tightly. "My mother will help lead us to victory."

"We'll bring balance to the world," Ethan said as he gripped his katana and formed a fighting stance.

Nico's skeletal horse stepped forward. The son of Hades glared at them, his eyes were filled with even more madness than he last remembered. "You'll pay for what you did to my family. I'll make sure Zeus and Artemis pay for what they did!"

His gaze drifted to the sword on Nico's side. "Watch out for his sword."

Percy only nodded as he stepped forward. "Al can you and Circe strengthen me?"

"Sure but what for?"

Percy gave him a look. "Trust me. Just make sure everyone is safe."

He looked at Circe but nodded. "Incantare: Confirma!" Both of their spells hit Percy whose body glowed with a green energy.

Kronos pointed his scythe at them. "Kill them all!"

Percy slammed Riptide into the bridge. "Get back all of you."

Circe summoned a wall of magic around all the demigods just as the bridge began to shake. He quickly grabbed Michael Yew and pulled him back while Ethan and Annabeth huddled close to him and Circe. Suddenly a powerful wave of water unlike anything he had experienced before broke through the bridge while two waves hit it from each side.

You really outdid yourself didn't you. He quickly grabbed Michael Yew and activated a protection spell as they watched the water envelope the titan army.