A/N: It's November 29! I won NaNoWriMo (Day 28)! More writing on Day 30!

A/N 2: After three days' break from this story, due to needing recovery time from NaNoWriMo, I game back to finish this chapter on December 4th! 2015 words!

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Chapter 28:

Percy

The elevator doors opened, revealing Olympus in all its majestic glory. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover stepped out onto the pristine marble floors, but Percy's excitement was tempered by the realization that his mom, Sally, couldn't join them.

Sally smiled at Percy, a mix of pride and concern in her eyes. "Be careful, Percy. Remember, you're not alone in this."

Percy nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "We'll figure this out. I promise."

As Sally retreated into the elevator, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover made their way through the grandeur of Olympus, guided by the ethereal glow emanating from the council chambers. The doors swung open to reveal the divine assembly, where gods argued passionately.

Percy's gaze swept across the room until it settled on a man who seemed to radiate a powerful aura. There was an uncanny resemblance, and Percy felt a connection deeper than blood. His father, Poseidon.

Before Percy could approach, Zeus's booming voice echoed through the chamber. "Silence! The thief who stole my lightning bolt stands among us."

All eyes turned to Percy, who suddenly found himself at the center of the divine scrutiny. Poseidon's expression shifted from stern to contemplative.

Zeus, his eyes crackling with lightning, pointed an accusatory finger. "Percy Jackson, you stand accused of stealing the symbol of my power. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Percy, taken aback, stammered, "I didn't steal anything. I didn't even know the gods existed. You just accused me for no reason. The real thief was caught by someone in your presence and he didn't bring the matter to you."

Zeus scoffed, "An insolent mortal claiming innocence. Why should we believe you?"

Before Percy could respond, Poseidon stepped forward. "Brother, let him speak. There is more at play here than meets the eye."

Zeus scowled but allowed Percy to explain. As Percy recounted his journey, encounters with monsters, and the theft of the bolt, Poseidon listened intently.

When Percy mentioned Hades asking for his helm, Ares having given them the bolt, and Ares having the helm as well, Poseidon's eyes widened. "It seems my suspicions were correct. Percy is no thief; Someone else stole the bolt, blaming Percy."

Zeus, however, remained unconvinced. "Convenient excuses. The bolt is missing, and he's the only connection to the underworld. He must answer for this crime!"

The gods bickered among themselves, the tension escalating. Annabeth and Grover stood by Percy's side, offering silent support. Percy's frustration bubbled, but before he could speak, the room shuddered as a voice echoed, powerful enough to silence even the gods.

Hestia stepped forward. "Enough! The truth will be revealed in due time. We must not let our internal strife hinder the impending threat that looms over us all."

The gods, reluctantly, fell silent. No one could fight Hestia. Hestia turned her gaze to Percy. "You, Percy Jackson, have a destiny intertwined with the fate of both gods and mortals. You will face challenges, but your choices will shape the future. Now, the true enemy must be unveiled."

As the gods reluctantly returned to their thrones, Percy couldn't shake the feeling that his life was just getting more complicated. Why did the gods always blame things on him?

Later, Poseidon, regal and imposing, approached Percy amidst the divine backdrop of Olympus. The air crackled with unresolved tension as father and son locked eyes. Percy's initial excitement waned, replaced by a simmering anger that had lingered for years.

"Why did you leave her?" Percy's voice was sharp, the pain of abandonment echoing through his words.

Poseidon sighed, shrinking down to human-sized, a mixture of regret and understanding in his eyes. "Percy, my son, there are rules the gods must adhere to. Zeus commands that we do not interfere directly in the lives of our mortal children. It is a decree that binds us all."

Percy, his frustration palpable, retorted, "So, you just left her alone to raise me? Is that the divine way of parenting?"

Poseidon's gaze softened. "Sally is a remarkable woman, and she raised you with more love and strength than any god could provide. But our connection to our mortal children is complicated. We must walk a delicate line between divine duty and personal responsibility."

Percy crossed his arms, his resentment evident. "I could've used some divine intervention, especially when monsters started chasing me. I didn't even know what was going on!"

Poseidon nodded solemnly. "I understand your anger, Percy. But know that I've watched over you from a distance, bound by the laws of Olympus. There are forces at play, beyond our control, that demand a higher sacrifice."

Percy, still grappling with his emotions, asked, "And the bolt? Did you know about it?"

Poseidon's expression darkened. "I had my suspicions, but the gods are not always forthcoming with each other. Hestia's intervention shed light on the truth. You are entangled in a conflict that extends beyond Olympus. The real thief is still out there, and who knows who he or she is working for."

Percy, despite his anger, sensed a genuine concern in his father's words. The weight of his divine heritage and the responsibilities that came with it pressed upon him.

Poseidon placed a hand on Percy's shoulder, a gesture of both connection and apology. "Percy, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, and your destiny is intricately woven into the fabric of Olympus. I cannot change the past, but together, we can navigate the uncertain future."

As Percy met Poseidon's gaze, a complex mix of emotions swirled within him. The anger began to ebb, replaced by a reluctant understanding of the divine complexities that governed their lives. "It's still not fair," Percy said.

"It never is," Poseidon replied sadly. He pulled Percy into a hug, giving and receiving comfort. "Take care of your mom."

"Always," Percy swore. He looked up into his father's eyes with determination.

"Percy, we've got to go." Annabeth looked between him and a woman with dark hair and gray eyes.

"Okay," he said, looking around the room of gods and goddesses. A blond man winked at him, making Percy look away. "Didn't you want to say hi to your mom?" He asked her.

Annabeth smiled at her mom. "It's okay. Sometimes to get the best fruit, you don't shake the tree."

Percy and Grover looked at each other in confusion. They shrugged. Girls. The three heroes turned to leave Olympus, when the blond guy from before jogged over in a human size. "I can give you a ride to camp. They don't need me here right now."

"We have to meet my mom at the elevator, and ride down with her, but I guess you can meet us down there?" Percy was unsure about inviting the god, but not wanting to offend him. He saw his dad looking at the other god in suspicion.

"Great!" the blond god beamed at Percy and ran to get his chariot.

Annabeth set the backpack that Ares gave her on the floor, letting it fly back to Zeus, who grabbed it as it turned into a cylinder. Percy was still looking confused as they made their way to the elevator where Sally was still standing inside. "Hey, mom."

"Percy, is everything okay?" Sally looked worried at his expression.

Percy nodded with a smile. "We're getting a ride," he told her. They rode down to the lobby of the Empire State Building. Once outside, they saw a luxurious car with the blond guy from earlier.

They got a ride to the apartment that Sally and Percy lived in, and Sally got out. "Thank you for the ride," she said to the god.

"You're welcome, Milady," he said in response. "You can call me Apollo."

Sally smiled gently. "Lord Apollo," she said with a nod. She turned to Percy. "I'll see you later, Percy. Be safe and come home when summer's over." She kissed him on his forehead.

Percy watched her walk towards the apartment before a thought suddenly hit him. "Mom, wait!" He noticed that she stopped, and he untied the shopping bag from his travel pack. Then he hopped out of the car and jogged over to his mom. "Here. This is something that I won in battle. I think it can help you with Gabe." He grinned. "You don't have to deal with him ever again. Just make him open the bag. If you were to open the bag," He shuddered. "You'd never be able to see me again."

Sally put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand. I will think about it, but Perseus Jackson, just remember that violence isn't the answer."

"Yes, ma'am," Percy said. He handed over the bag. "Take care, mom." Sally nodded and took the bag inside. Percy waited a moment before turning to the car with the others inside it. He made his way back to the car and slid into the front passenger seat. He was ready to get back to camp.

Apollo started the car and took off. "Well, it was interesting," he said. "Father needs someone to tell him that he's a little blind to the consequences of his actions. Don't tell him I said that," he winked at Percy.

"I won't," Percy said. He tried not to look at the sun god. Soon, they were flying over the countryside where the camp was nestled in a valley guarded by the tall pine tree. "Thank you for the ride," he told Apollo when they landed.

"You're welcome." Apollo grinned blindingly at the sea god's son. The demigods and Grover hopped out of his car and he waved at them before leaving.

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover talked as they walked to the big house. Annabeth was discussing the implications of Zeus wanting to punish Percy over the bolt being stolen, when it was obvious that it was someone else.

Chiron was happy to see the three of them alive, and got them to tell him everything that happened on the quest. He assured them that Zeus would relax soon.

It was a month later when the last piece of the prophecy came to pass. Percy and Luke were practicing their sword fighting skills when Luke's movements got suddenly fiercer. "Why did you have to come back?"

"What?" Percy asked, confused. He had to suddenly leap out of the way of Luke's strike.

"You were supposed to be killed by Zeus for the stolen lightning bolt, and Poseidon would attack him… leading to war amongst the gods." Luke swung his sword at Percy's torso.

"Are you nuts?" Percy asked, jumping back and blocking the strike with Riptide. "Why would you want a war amongst the gods?"

"They have us and then abandon us!" Luke yelled, the scar on his face rippled as he spoke. "They use us to settle their differences, and say that we must 'prove ourselves'," he continued.

"So show them that they're hurting you," Percy said. "Don't try to start a war! What about your father?"

"He's just like the others!" Luke swung at Percy again, this time cutting Percy deeply from right shoulder to left hip. As Percy fell backwards in shock, landing hard on the ground, Luke stood over him. "I have been promised a better future. I'm working with someone better than the gods, who will make Olympus great again. See you, Percy Jackson, if you don't die from this." Luke smirked down at Percy. Then he was gone.