A/N: Thank you for all of the wonderful support! I really appreciate it. I would also like some reviews on how you like the story so far. Am I making things interesting enough? Constructive criticism, please... not destructive. :) Part 1 of the story is almost done!

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Chapter 49:

Percy

Percy only had a few days to adjust to the fact that he had spent a month and a half in the Labyrinth, including his fifteenth birthday, before he had to go back to school. Annabeth had loved the items from the workshop, having gotten the backpack shortly after leaving the Labyrinth with Clarisse and Grover. Everyone had been devastated over the loss of Percy, especially Nico, and when Percy was recovering in the camp's hospital, the younger boy wouldn't leave his side. Nico would sleep in a chair by Percy's bed, or even curl up next to the recovering boy. When Percy got home, he didn't have much time with his mom before he was back to Goode, and his Freshman year of High School. That school year had actually been his calmest school year ever, and he was looking forward to going back to that school next year, if he survived this battle with Kronos.

Percy was drawn out of his thoughts by a jab to his ribs. Looking to his left, he saw Clarisse. She wasn't looking at him, but her elbow was moving back to her side. Percy looked back at the war table just as the plan was finalized.

"Percy and I will blow up the Princess Andromeda," Charles Beckendorf said. The son of Hephaestus looked at his girlfriend, Silena Beauregard, a daughter of Aphrodite. "We will make it back safely. I promise."

"You can't promise that," she said, sadly. Tears formed in her bright blue eyes.

Percy looked at the other campers. "When we get back, we're going to need to head out to protect the city," he said.

Nico piped up from the shadows he had hidden in. "Percy, you and I will need to make a stop before we head to help the others defend Olympus."

Percy looked at him worriedly. "What kind of stop?"

"I'll tell you when it's time." Nico looked worried.

Percy nodded, trusting his young cousin. "So, ready, Beckendorf?" He asked warily.

"Yeah," Beckendorf said. "Come on, let's go ahead and pack up the explosives... and probably some clothes."

Percy laughed. "Yeah, that would be best." He grinned at the older demigod. With the meeting over, Percy and Beckendorf hurried to their cabins for some clothes, before heading over to grab the needed explosives that Beckendorf had made. Soon, they were on the back of Blackjack, the black Pegasus that 'adopted' Percy, and flying out to sea.

*Be careful, Boss. Don't let them turn you into horse meat!* Blackjack said as he let them off and flew away.

"Don't call me 'Boss'," Percy whispered. He saw Beckendorf grinning and he scowled slightly. "Let's go before they find us." They walk through the ship to the engine room without being seen or heard. Percy kept his back to Beckendorf to keep an eye on the door while he helped stick the explosives to parts of the engine room. He listened hard waiting for any sound coming near. A touch to his shoulder had him jump, but a hand clamped over his mouth to keep him from yelling.

"Shush," Beckendorf said. "You were really focused on watching out for trouble out there," he added, having pulled his hand away from Percy's mouth. "I'm done on my end."

Percy let out a breath, looking around. "I'll put the last one on the door as we leave. The next person to open the door will set off all of the explosions."

Beckendorf blinked. "That's a good idea. I was just going to press the detonator on my watch." He picked up his backpack. "Come on, let's go."

"Yeah," Percy said, putting his backpack on his shoulder and holding the last explosive in his free hand. As they stepped out of the room, Percy placed the explosive on the door and shut it. They snuck around the ship, thinking that they were "home free", until they were suddenly surrounded.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite cousin," came the dreaded sound of Luke... the boy who had slashed Percy's chest open almost four years ago, and had tricked Annabeth into taking the weight of the sky two years ago.

Percy turned around. "Luke," he said harshly.

"What are you two doing here?" Luke asked, ignoring Percy's attitude.

"We were spying on you," Percy said with a shrug. He felt Beckendorf tense as they both looked around at the crowd. "You're helping Kronos and them attack the city."

"Why, yes," Luke said, smiling overconfidently. "You won't be able to stop us."

"Well, to be honest, I didn't know if you had survived the fall from when you fell through the cave wall." Percy looked back at Luke. "You look better, not as sickly as you were." He wondered how that was... but he had to get Beckendorf off of the ship.

Luke grinned. "I'm working with someone more powerful than the gods, so I had to get stronger, myself."

Percy whistled. "Wow," he said. "So this is you getting stronger? I'm not sure you needed to get stronger. You're plenty strong." Then he smiled when he heard something that no one else could hear. "Sorry, Luke. We're going to have to run." A shadow came down hurriedly and the black Pegasus landed on the deck of the ship. Percy pushed Beckendorf toward Blackjack, following behind him, and as he ran past an open room, he noticed a golden coffin that looked familiar. They took off, flying away from the ship as Luke yelled in frustration a few seconds before the ship exploded!

They weren't high enough! Percy felt Beckendorf sliding in front of him, and stabilizing Beckendorf led to Percy falling off of Blackjack instead. "AHH!"

"Percy!" Beckendorf yelled. He attempted to turn Blackjack to catch Percy.

*Boss!* Blackjack cried out.

*Don't come after me, Blackjack! I'll survive. Take him back to camp.* Percy watched as the Pegasus turned back toward camp, leaving him behind, even with Beckendorf yelling at him to go back to Percy. He felt his body hit the ocean hard, knocking him out.

...

He felt like he was floating. Percy woke with a start, the weight of the ocean pressing against him like a heavy blanket. He blinked, disoriented, as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. It took him a moment to realize that he was underwater, deep beneath the waves.

As he looked around, Percy spotted his brother Tyson swimming toward him, his massive form moving gracefully through the water. "Percy! Brother!" Tyson exclaimed, his voice echoing in the underwater depths. "You're awake!"

Percy managed a weak smile as Tyson drew near. "Hey, Tyson. What's going on?"

Tyson's expression grew somber. "There is trouble, Percy. Oceanus is stirring, and war is coming to the seas."

Percy's heart sank at the news. "War? But why now?"

Tyson shook his head. "I do not know, brother. But Father has called upon us to prepare for battle."

At that moment, Poseidon emerged from the depths, his majestic form surrounded by swirling currents. "Percy," he said gravely, "the time has come for Tyson to help us to defend our domain. Oceanus has been keeping us busy this year, and I need Tyson's help."

Percy's mind raced as he tried to process the news. "But what about the war with Kronos? I have to go back to camp and help my friends."

Poseidon's expression softened with understanding. "I know, Percy. And believe me, I wish it were otherwise. But your place is with your fellow demigods, fighting against Kronos and his forces. The fate of Olympus depends on it."

Percy clenched his fists in frustration. "But what about the sea? What about our home?"

Poseidon placed a hand on Percy's shoulder, his gaze steady. "The sea will always have defenders, Percy. But your true mission lies elsewhere. You must return to camp and prepare for the coming battle. That is where you are needed most. I am needed here. I'm only upset that I can't help the other gods."

Percy sighed, knowing that his father was right. "I understand, Father. I'll do whatever it takes to defeat Kronos and protect Olympus."

Poseidon nodded, a proud smile tugging at his lips. "That's my son. Now go, Percy. Your friends are waiting for you, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance."

With a determined nod, Percy turned and swam back toward the surface, his mind already racing with plans for the battles that lay ahead. A Hippocampi swam up to him as he broke the surface. "Hey, are you here to give me a ride?" The Hippocampi did a flip in the water and swam between Percy's legs, making the boy hold on tight. "Woah! Okay, then. To Camp Halfblood."

They sped along the sea, making good time as they headed towards New York. Percy wondered what had happened with Luke and the weird coffin. He had also seen a ton of monsters on the ship, and he hoped that they were destroyed. He felt bad that Luke had probably gotten blown up, but another side of him hoped that he was dead so that he (Luke) couldn't hurt anymore demigods. Then Percy paled as he wondered and worried if there were any young impressionable demigods on the ship. If there had been, then Percy had just killed so many younger demigods that didn't know any better. He laid down on the back of the Hippocampi, waiting until they were back at camp.

Nico's voice brought him out of his thoughts as the Hippocampi slowed down. Percy sat up and saw the younger boy jumping up and down at the edge of the lake. "Percy! You're back!"

Percy waved a hand. When the Hippocampi stopped, Percy hopped off and said, "Thanks, buddy." He patted the Hippocampi on the head and watched as they dove back into the water. Percy turned back to Nico, walking out of the lake. "Hey, Nico."

"Percy, are you okay? Beckendorf said that the explosion went well, but that you fell off of Blackjack trying to keep Beckendorf from falling. He got back days ago."

"Yeah, I'm okay," Percy said. "Days?"

Nico nodded. "Beckendorf came back on the day of the explosion, but we've been waiting for you."

"Sorry, Nico," Percy said, wrapping an arm around the younger boy's shoulders. "I was knocked out when I hit the water. I came as soon as I woke up. My father is currently battling Oceanus, a lesser god of the sea. The other gods would be on their own since Dad's preoccupied." He gently squeezed Nico close. "Come on, let's head to the Big House to let everyone know about dad's fight." The two headed up the hill, and talked about what had happened during the last few days. "I still can't believe that I was unconscious for a few days."

"Yeah, it's been weird here. Chiron kept waiting for news of your survival, but Beckendorf said that you would be back, so they started planning the battle strategies we might need." Nico beamed up at Percy.

Percy frowned slightly. "During this battle, I know I can't stop you from coming, but please stay in a safe spot and don't die."

Before Nico could respond, Chiron appeared in the doorway of the Big House. "Oh, good, you're alive, Percy." He smiled. "Come in," he said, moving out of the way.

Percy and Nico walked into the house and further in to where the cabin leaders were standing around the war table. "Beckendorf," Percy said, drawing the attention of everyone there.

Beckendorf's head snapped in Percy's direction. "Percy! Thank the gods!" He hurried over and hugged Percy tightly. "Are you okay?"

"I would be," came Percy's muffled voice. "If I could breathe."

Beckendorf let go of Percy at once. "Sorry, man."

Percy smiled up at him. "It's okay. I'm glad you made it back."

"It's all thanks to you, Percy." Beckendorf ruffled Percy's hair.

"Percy," Chiron said, drawing everyone's attention briefly. "Can you tell us what you learned after you split from Beckendorf?" The eyes turned to Percy.

Percy took a deep breath. "When I woke up after hitting the ocean water, it had been a few days already. My father was taking a break from his war with Oceanus to call Tyson and I. He told me that he's been fighting Oceanus for a year, and that he needed Tyson's help."

Everyone started talking at once, but Nico pulled Percy a little closer to Chiron. Nico said, "Chiron, I'm sorry, but we need to go. I have a way to protect Percy for the battle."

Chiron looked at the two boys warily. "I think I know what you are thinking about doing. I don't approve of this choice, but if you are sure, then I have to wish you my best." He placed a hand on their shoulders. "You have my blessing to go forth, boys. Percy, You'll have to go to your mom and get her blessing for the protection. It's part of it."

"Thank you," Percy and Nico say together. They smiled at each other. Percy then turned to Chiron. "Thank you for the advice."

"You two may go," Chiron said.

"Come on, Percy," Nico said, leading Percy away from the Big House and they were going off on their journey. Nico and Percy made their way to Percy's mom, where Nico was amazed at how Sally welcomed him. "Thank you, Ms. Jackson."

"Sally," the woman said.

Nico blushed at the interaction. "Um, Sally."

Percy grinned. Then he remembered Chiron's words. "Mom, we are going on a quest to gain some protection for me in the next few days. I need your blessing."

Sally looked at her son with both and pride. "Thank you for telling me. Well, this must be important or you wouldn't have said anything. You have my blessing, Perseus Jackson." She wrapped her arms around Percy and kissed his forehead. "Be safe, my son."

"I'll come back, mom," Percy said, trying to help her feel peace. He hugged her back.

Sally stepped back, nodding. "Let me grab you some food. You both look like you need it." She moved to the fridge, pulling out a few containers of beef stew and setting it on the counter. She pulled several sandwiches out of the freezer in their separate bags and placed them on top of the stew containers. Sally packed everything into an insulated duffle lunch box, along with ice packs and silverware. In the pocket of the lunch box, she added napkins. "I'm handing this to you, Nico, since Percy would just eat it all." Her lips twitched into a smile at her son's groan and Nico's laugh. She passed the lunch box over to the twelve-year-old.

Nico was happy to get a hug from Sally before they left, shadow-traveling into the underworld. "Your mom is awesome."

Percy smiled. "I know." He looked around. "You're getting better at shadow-traveling. You've been practicing."

Nico blushed, remembering one incident where he had overshot his landing by a few thousand miles and fell asleep for a week. The camp had freaked out while he was gone, but celebrated his accomplishment when he got back. "Yes, well, the river Styx is over here." He led the way through the underworld.

Percy chuckled slightly. He looked at the scenery, remembering the different fields around here, and saw the dog guarding the lines waiting for judgement. The Cerberus stood there wagging their tail, looking over at Percy and Nico. "So, what do I need to do?" Percy asked when they reached the river.

"You prepare yourself by focusing on what you are about to do, focusing on the spot that will be your weak point, and the person that will tether you." Nico looked worried. "Then you'll step into the river, focusing on the spot that will become your weak spot. Don't lose concentration or you will die."

Percy nodded, patting Nico on the shoulder. He took a few deep breaths, closing his eyes and visualizing. Where would be a good spot? Roof of the mouth? Under his tongue? No, either spot would be bad if he ate something sharp. His armpit, going straight up into his shoulder joint. Yes, not as easy to hit. Maybe his left armpit, since he was right-handed. Who would he use to tether him? Not Nico, since he would be too worried for Nico's safety if Nico became his tether. Blond hair and golden skin filled his mind's eye and he flushed in realization. Percy's eyes snapped open. He stepped into the river Styx, focusing hard on the spot that would be his weakness and seeing Apollo in his mind's eye. The pain was immense as he fell below the surface of the water. Percy's mind screamed as he fought to keep both Apollo and his weak spot in the forefront. It seemed like hours later when he weakly dragged himself out of the river to flop next to Nico's feet.