Chapter Four: The Lightning Thief

Percy leaned against the side of the boat, scowling. It was dark out, the sun having set a few hours ago. Percy hated the winter, and the fact that it would get dark out by 4:00. It was only like 6PM and it had been dark for more than 2 hours! That was stupid.

The boat was a 40 foot power catamaran, and Percy loved it. The boat moved like an extension of himself, rocking with the waves. He could feel the currents beneath him and spray of salt on his face. Changing direction was as easy as walking, and turning on the lights was like blinking. The boat responded to his commands easily, like they were one and the same. It was exhilarating being at sea, the wind whipping his hair, the salt on his face. Percy never felt more at home.

Alabaster didn't feel the same. He was fine for the first week or so of the journey, but the constant rocking eventually got to him. Percy laughed when Alabaster hurled over the side for the first time. Percy spent a good chunk of time sitting with Alabaster and consoling him, promising they'd be on land soon. When they finally reached land, the poor boy jumped off the boat and started kissing the ground. Percy just rolled his eyes at the dramatics.

They'd landed at Pier 57 on the Hudson river, as close to the Empire State building as they dared to get. It took them just over a month to sail from California to New York. When they'd arrived, Alabaster magicked up some fake documents to ensure that no one questioned why they were there. In reality they were a bunch of flyers for a Taylor Swift concert. It was hilarious watching them scrutinize their "documents" every time. Percy didn't know what they saw, but they looked so serious looking at Taylor Swift flyers.

Percy checked the digital clock on the boat. 6:57. Percy sighed. This "Luke" guy technically wasn't late yet, but Percy was eager to get away from this place. He could see the silhouette of Olympus hanging high above the Empire State building like a black cloud. It made him nervous that all the gods were up there. At any moment, one of them could come down and try to murder him. All because his dad had the audacity to sleep with his mom. He could tell Alabaster felt the same by the way he levitated a few drachmas in the air.

Suddenly there was the sound of slapping feet on the pavement nearby. Immediately Percy drew Charybdis and Alabaster drew his sword, Mirage, a blade made of enchanted gold. Some college-aged kid appeared, panting and out of breath as he sprinted towards them. He had cropped sandy blonde hair, blue eyes and a sharp nose. He was kind of handsome, but the deep, pale scar that ran from his eye to his chin kinda ruined the image. He was pretty fit, looking like he could've gone to the Olympics for track, or maybe hockey. Percy would pay good money to see this "Luke" on an ice rink. He clutched a red backpack close to his chest like there was something fragile inside.

When Luke reached them, he looked at them incredulously. "This is my getaway? A couple of kids? You've got to be kidding me."

"This is the guy that was brave enough to steal from the king of the gods? You look like you belong in a state penitentiary," Percy remarked.

Luke bristled. "I'm one of the most accomplished demigods of the age. I fought Ladon. What have you done, shortstack?"

"I fist fought a Titan. And unlike you, I won my fight," Percy snapped.

"Tch, yeah right. What happened, the Titan fall over laughing? His punches keep missing cause you're so short?" Luke sneered.

"What happened to the Golden Apple you were supposed to get? I don't see any new immortals," Percy sneered right back.

"What have we got here?" A deep rumbling laugh rolled from the far end of the pier. "A thief and a child of a broken oath. Daddy is not gonna be happy."

All three of them turned to the newcomer. It was obviously a god, anyone could tell just by the sheer aura this guy was giving off. There was an oppressive force radiating off of him. He wore black jeans and a leather jacket. A massive claymore was slung over his shoulder casually. He wore sunglasses, but even through them you could see fire brimming like twin suns beneath them. He grinned confidently, striding towards them. Luke tightened the grip he had on the backpack. Ares's eyes flicked to it.

"You mine as well hand that over now kid," Ares said. "You surrender right now, I'll give you a quick death. You'll only have to see dad when I toss him your severed head. If not, I bring you to him alive. And trust me kid, that's a Fate worse than death."

Percy and Luke looked at each other, a solemn agreement in their eyes. They nodded, and Percy jerked his head in Alabaster's direction. Luke tossed the backpack to Alabaster, who snatched it out of the air and started running towards their boat.

Ares just chuckled. "Poor choice kids."

Ares unslung his sword and swung it at them. A massive fireball appeared and rocketed towards them. He and Luke jumped in opposite directions. The roaring heat singed his hair as it passed. It smashed into a building, exploding and destroying it entirely. Percy and Luke charged Ares, who grinned, leveling his massive sword at them in challenge.

Luke reached Ares first, slashing at his unarmed bicep. Quick as a flash, Ares blocked and counterstruck at Luke's chest. Luke deflected Ares's blade, but just barely.

But that left room for Percy to lunge in with a stab at his open abdomen. But Ares batted his sword away and swung his sword around for a massive overhead strike. Percy raised his sword to block, and Ares' blade slammed into his. The force was so great the concrete beneath his feet cracked. Percy grit his feet. That blow was far stronger than any he had gotten from Kratos or Prometheus over the years. He was fighting a whole nother monster now. He had a feeling that without the blessing of Atlas, that cut would've cleaved him in two.

From the look of surprise on Ares face, that was what he expected. But he recovered quickly, pushing Percy away and swinging his massive sword around to slash at his wrist. Percy deflected, pushing Ares's sword into the ground. That gave Luke an opening to stab at Ares's ribs, which he narrowly avoided. Percy jumped in, slashing at the god's slashing, forcing him to retreat.

Luke and Percy worked together like a well oiled machine. Percy would get in close, using his shorter range and short blade to counteract Ares's massive weapon. Because of his close proximity, Ares couldn't put his weight behind the weapon like it was designed to be used, forcing him to retreat to try and make space between them. But every time he did, Luke would be there slashing at his elbows, wrists, knees and ankles, looking to weaken and slow the war god. Luke's height, longer reach and longer blade made him perfect for doing the opposite of what Percy was doing, keeping out of range of Ares's massive weapon and striking at opportune times to inflict damage and exploit openings that Percy made. Percy and Luke pushed Ares back, not giving him any room to breathe. They moved in sync, slashing and stabbing, making and exploiting openings, blocking and thrusting, and slowly but surely, forcing the war god to retreat.

The rage was evident on Ares' face as he tried to make an opening but couldn't. Finally, he roared. "Enough!"

A wave of force exploded from his body, sending Luke flying and sending Percy skidding back, heels digging into the concrete. In a flash, his massive claymore was replaced with a shield and spear. Percy and Luke shared a look. It was the perfect counter to their previous strategy. The reach of Ares's spear would keep Percy at bay and the shield would protect him from Luke's attempt to wound him. They needed to switch things up.

Before they could do anything, Ares flew at them. His spear cut through the air, and Percy barely avoided the speartip, the wind rustling his hair. He barely had time to brace himself as the shaft of the spear flicked around and slammed into his gut. Percy coughed as the air was forced from his lungs as he flew back. He crashed into the pavement and wheezed. His vision was blurry. He'd never been hit that hard in his life. There was a carving in the concrete from where he ripped through it, all the way to the edge of the pier. He could feel blood pooling from the skin ripped from where his back carved into the concrete. He looked up to see Luke desperately defending against Ares's onslaught. Ares laughed as he stabbed at Luke over and over, driving him towards the edge of the pier. A rage filled Percy. These were the selfish gods that killed where they wished, and used demigods to fulfill their perverse desires. These were the gods that wished him dead for the crime of being born. This was the god so caught up in bloodlust and rage, he would slaughter armies with a smile, not caring about the victims he left in his wake.

With his free hand, Percy reached down and touched the Sea below him. Instantly strength surged into his body. Saltwater flowed up and over his body, sinking into his skin like lotion. The wounds on his back disappeared in an instant. Percy leapt to his feet, vision tunneled on the god that sought to kill him.

Clearly Ares felt the change in him as he backed away from Luke and faced him, twin red suns burning bright and angry. Percy lunged at Ares, covering the distance in less than a second. Ares reacted instinctively, stabbing at his unarmed collarbone. Percy moved, flicking Charybdis and slashing the tip of Ares's spear from the shaft. Ares's burning eyes widened as he raised his shield to defend against his overhead strike. Percy's blade cleaved a full inch into Ares's celestial bronze shield. Before Ares could react, Percy kicked him in the gut and wrenched his sword back. The straps on Ares's shield snapped, and Ares went tumbling. Percy snatched the pierced shield and tossed it aside.

Ares grunted, flames licking at his eyebrows as he tossed his headless spear aside. His massive claymore reappeared in his hand, and he gripped it in both hands this time. He sneered, swinging it in challenge. Luke didn't dare try and step in. He knew it was a one on one now.

Percy and Ares charged one another, their blades meeting with an explosive crash. Ares surged forward, swinging his sword at a pace too fast for Percy to see. He relied entirely on instinct. He could feel the blade moving through the air, and he moved without thinking. There was no time for thought. If he stopped to think he died. So instead, Percy moved.

Percy's blade stopped Ares's sword from cleaving his neck, then defend his skull, slash at Ares's thigh then protect his leg, then attack Ares's wrist and defend his hips, then his chest, all in less than a second. Ares's massive strength forced him back, step by agonizing step. It was a slow process, a step for every 10 seconds, an eternity in this fight, but it was enough. Ares was the war god. The longer this fight went on, the stronger Ares would get. He couldn't wait for Ares to tire or slow. If he wanted to win, he had to change his approach.

His instincts took over, and he felt a pull in his gut. The river exploded, sweeping Ares away in ten thousand gallons of saltwater. Ares skidded back a dozen feet, sputtering and angry, but still on his feet. But before Ares could open his eyes, Percy summoned Ketos, his trident, and threw it with all his strength at Ares. The instant Ares opened his eyes, Ketos slammed into his gut, six inches of prong sinking whatever counted as a godly lower intestine. Ares roared in pain, throwing his head back. Fatal mistake. Percy was on him in an instant. Percy grabbed his trident and heaved, lifting Ares over his head and hurling him 30 feet into the Sea, ripping his trident out of his stomach as the god was launched away. Using his hydrokinesis, Percy pulled Ares down to the depths, buffeting him with water. Percy took a second to aim, then threw his trident again. Percy felt it pierce the war god in the chest and push him down to the Seafloor.

He turned to Luke. "Come on! That won't keep him down long."

Luke was openly gaping at him. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Noted. Believe that I beat up a Titan now?" Percy grinned.

"Eh. Still doubtful," Luke said.

"Shut up. Now seriously, we gotta go!" Percy cried. The two of them sprinted to the boat and jumped on where Alabaster was waiting with the boat powered up. With a mental command, Percy sent the boat rocketing forward at three times the boat's normal max speed. They sped across the water, wind whipping their hair. They barely made it out of the bay before a massive fireball rose 500 feet into the air. Even all the way out in the ocean, the heat from the explosion ruffled their clothes and rocked the boat.

With that, the tension seemed to disappear. The three of them collapsed on deck, breathing heavily. They stared up at the stars, limbs spread out like wings. Someone started laughing, it might have been him. But soon enough, all three of them were laughing hysterically. They had done it. They escaped. They were alive.


Percy knew he was dreaming when he saw people that were 15 feet tall. They sat on giant thrones in a U-shaped council chamber with marble floors. Instinctively, Percy knew this was Olympus. Four members were missing, but everyone else was here. Two of the gods at the head of the room were yelling at each other in Ancient Greek, too fast to understand. The first, standing in front of the biggest throne at the center of the U, wore a blue pinstriped suit and lightning crackled in his full, dark beard and hair. The other god stood before a molded black seal leather seat attached to a swivel chair, with a built in holster for a fishing pole. But instead of a fishing pole, it held a massive golden trident, with green power radiating from the tips. Despite the throne itself not looking very impressive, the trident held an aura of power about it.

Just then Ares smashed open the doors of the council chamber, and the fighting stopped. He heaved with rage, sopping wet with his hair draped over his face. The fire in his eyes only seemed to grow brighter since their fight. There were six holes bleeding golden blood onto the floor, 2 rows of 3, one set half an inch above the other. Percy grinned as he recognized the wounds from his trident.

"I found the bastard," Ares seethed.

"Ares!" Hera scolded. "Make yourself presentable. I will not stand for this disrespect in this chamber."

Ares blinked and looked down. With a flick of his wrist, a fire engulfed him for a second. He was dried, his hair styled in his ugly style, and the wounds Percy dealt him disappeared. Percy pouted at that.

Zeus scowled, and thunder boomed across the sky. In seconds, the remaining thrones were filled as the gods teleported in. Zeus and Poseidon sat, but the tension in the room didn't lessen.

"You said you found my Bolt, son," Zeus growled, thunder rumbling overhead. "Where is it?"

"I found the thief, and his buddies," Ares sneered. "The thief was one of the bastards we let up on Olympus. One of Hermes's rats."

Hermes looked like he was about to protest but Zeus silenced him with a look.

"It was the cabin leader, Luke Castellan. He musta took it right off your throne without you even noticing. Sneaky, good for nothing rat," Ares sneered.

"And where is he now? Why is he not here?" Zeus demanded, lightning flashing in his eyes.

Ares audibly gulped. "Well, you see, I demanded he give the Bolt back, well as Hades's dark and misty hat, but he tossed it to one of his cronies. The rat ran off and he fought me. But there was another kid there, a son of Poseidon."

"POSEIDON!" Zeus roared. Poseidon looked shocked. "You dare steal from me!?"

"No brother, I did not! Ares lies!" Poseidon snapped. "My son is only twelves years old!"

Apollo burst out laughing. "You lost to a tweenager!"

Flames erupted from Ares' eyes. "I didn't lose."

"Then where is my Bolt!" Zeus demanded.

"They, uh, got away," Ares stammered.

"Useless!" Zeus roared, thunder cracking angrily in the sky. He turned to Poseidon. "And you! You dare break our oath!? You dare steal from me!? My symbol of power!? I will raze Atlantis for this!"

"You wouldn't dare! I did not steal from you! And let me remind you, brother," Poseidon spat. "That you broke the oath first!"

"And I did not send my daughter to take your trident!" Zeus yelled. "I have suffered your arrogance long enough! You will return my Bolt to me!"

"And what of Hades's Helm of Darkness?" a small woman asked, who stood next to a brazier, tending to the coals. "What will you do to retrieve it?"

"Hades's Helm is his own problem. If he wishes to see it returned, he may join me in my vengeance. If not, then it is his responsibility," Zeus demanded. "But that is of little importance. What is of importance is that Poseidon has taken my Bolt!"

"I do not have your Bolt! My son is no thief!" Poseidon roared. Percy couldn't help but smile at the irony.

"Is that so?" Zeus sneered. He snapped his finger, and with a strike of lightning a centaur appeared in the center of the council chamber. The centaur looked shocked, but quickly bowed. "Chiron! You have been summoned here to testify on the character of Poseidon's son! Speak quickly, or I will strike down my brother for his insolence!"

"Speak naught but the truth, Chiron, or you and your camp will know my wrath!" Poseidon countered. Percy couldn't help but gape at this. Was Poseidon really saying he would kill a bunch of innocent demigods if he didn't like what he had to say?

"The son of Poseidon? Percy Jackson?" Chiron asked nervously.

"You even named your spawn after my own son!?" Zeus roared.

"You do not have ownership of his name!" Poseidon screamed back.

"It is an insult to my son's legacy that your spawn would steal from Olympus!" Zeus yelled.

"My son is no thief!" Poseidon screamed. "Speak quickly Chiron! Now!"

"My Lords, Percy Jackson has been dead for five years," Chiron said. All eyes snapped to him. He shifted nervously. "Percy was taken from his mother's care by mortals and given to one of his mortal teachers. While I was trying to find out where he was, he was attacked. I found the wreckage. All evidence points to a Hellhound attack. There was the unmistakable scent of the Sea in the house, so I knew he was there, but it never left the house. Percy Jackson died there."

"Impossible! I fought Poseidon's spawn not even an hour ago! He had been given celestial bronze weapons and was clearly trained to use them! Who else could've trained him besides you!?" Ares roared.

"Yes," Zeus said, narrowing his eyes at Poseidon. "Who else could have trained him besides the boy's father? You brought your spawn to Atlantis and trained to use him as a weapon against me! In direct defiance of the Ancient Laws!"

"I did no such thing!" Poseidon roared.

"I will not hear it! You have committed treason not once but twice! By spawning and training a son to use against me! And by taking my Bolt!" Zeus exploded. "You will return my Bolt to me and hand over your son for punishment, or you will feel the wrath of Olympus!"

"I did not take your damn Bolt!" Poseidon bellowed.

"No excuses! Either return my Bolt to me by the summer solstice, or I will destroy Atlantis and cast you to Tartarus!" Zeus decreed. He began glowing, and even in his dream Percy knew he had to look away or he would be incinerated.

When he turned back, the throne room of Olympus was gone. Instead, he stood in the darkness, in front of a very familiar Pit.

Look at what you have done, my child, Kronos purred. You have turned Olympus on itself. The Olympians are at each other's throat. And you, my child, have won a great victory. Your skills continue to improve. Even Ares could not defeat you. No demigod in history has managed to defeat Ares, and yet here you stand, victorious.

"But I didn't really beat him," Percy said bitterly. "The wounds I gave him were like nothing to him."

Do not think like that. You overcame Ares. Gods can heal from even the most grievous wounds if they exit combat. Perhaps you did not slay him, but you defeated him all the same. And that, my child, is something to be proud of. Do not taint your victory with sour thoughts. Celebrate! You will return to Othrys a hero, Kronos said.

Percy smiled. "Thank you."

Anything for you, my child. Rest now, and dream of conquest. This was the first step in overthrowing the Olympians, Kronos said.

Kronos faded from his mind, and Percy faded into sleep with a smile on his face, dreaming of a world without vengeful gods.