Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Percy groaned as he pulled himself out of the covers. The light trickled through the curtains as the radio clicked to life in the kitchen. Percy raked a hand through his long black hair, considering a brush before deciding on a good breakfast. He dragged himself into the kitchen opening the fridge and pulling out a couple of eggs and a pack of bacon. That was one thing he liked about this country, the eggs seemed less chemical and more natural. He looked out the window and the blue skies and the sun peeking through over the rolling green hills. He smiled to himself, it was a nice little slice of earth untouched by the damage of humanity. His phone rang on the side as he leant across checking to see who could be contacting him at this time.
He raised an eyebrow, clocking the number and name.
“Hey David. What you doing calling me this early?”
“You won’t believe it!” Came the gravely voice over the phone.
“We’ve found something. Something impossible! You need to get here as soon as you can, bring your gear and don’t forget the GIS footage for us to reevaluate the surrounding-“
“Easy there David. Give me time to have breakfast, I’ll then head over there as soon as I’m ready. Got it?”
“Yes Boss. You just won’t believe your eyes.” They ended the call there, Percy quickly wolfed down the food running round the house collecting the equipment he would need for this ‘impossible’ discovery. It took Percy 30 mins to get to the dig site. A number of shallow pits were scattered around a central hill, a hill Percy believed was a Roman burial tomb. Britain was full of various secrets. It’s history was long and varied producing new discoveries like the one before him.
“Dr Jackson! Over here!” Percy noticed David standing near an opening by the base of the hill and headed to him. David was beaming, something that was slightly unatural for the generally moody Brit.
“Look here.” He pointed to an area of ground excavated beyond the initial level. It revealed something that sent shivers down Percy’s spine.
“A trident.” He all but whispered.
“This isn’t a normal trident Dr. It’s been crafted out of metals that we can’t identify, it’s engraved with languages unknown. This is a major discovery!” Percy dropped himself onto the cleared ground kneeling next to the gently glowing trident. He could feel the power. It was godly. The writing was Atlantean. This wasn’t good. He didn’t want to see this, but it was his job. He was being paid an enormous amount of money for this dig so he could not ignore such a discovery. Putting aside his reservations and feelings he began examining the artefact.
“What do you think?” David asked from behind him.
“It’s definitely something.” Percy grunted. Before he could continue a shout called them to another pit. They rushed over and Percy was faced with something akin to a weapon he had handled 18 years ago. A lightning bolt. Bronze and engraved with imagery of the skies. Percy was panicking. What was this?
“Doc. What have we found?” David all but muttered, too distract by the divinity before him.
“Something dangerous.” Percy confirmed. It seems his peace was to finally be disturbed by the life he had tried so hard to leave behind.
Empire State Building, New York City.
1 Day Later.
Annabeth sighed as she walked the tall steps of the throne room. Zeus had announced an emergency meeting that Annabeth was not at all excited for. She noticed a couple of her friends, fellow gods, making their way to support their parents. It was obviously important if they were all called, it wasn’t often Annabeth and her old Argo crew would be called to a meeting so it had piqued Annabeths interest. She clutched the bracelet of beads around her wrist tightly. If only. She thought to herself. She made small pleasantries with Hazel and Frank before making her way to her throne at the foot of her mothers. She was proud, but it was bittersweet. In gaining one of the things she desired most in the world she lost the person who mattered most. And now she was alone, for all of eternity. She saw the statue of her fabled hero grandly centred between the thrones where she designed it as a way to remind the gods, and herself, to always, always focus on what’s important. To never be blinded like she was to pride. The rumbling of Zeus brought the muttering of the throne room to a close.
“I’ve called you here for a serious matter. One that we must address with utmost haste.” He began, Hera snorted. Annabeth simply rolled her eyes, which Piper caught from across the room and smirked towards the young goddess.
“That is putting it lightly husband. It seems a burial site was discovered, with a variety of interesting weapons.” Hera stated, the eyes of a number of gods turned towards her.
“It’s the burial site of our young weapons. The more unstable, less refined tools of our power. And they’ve been discovered by mortals.” Apollo blanched.
“That’s not good. Mortals and divinity to not mix well.”
“Indeed.” Zeus rumbled. “So it is why we must make plans to retrieve these tools and secure them quickly. We do not want the mortals to get any ideas with such power.” The gods broke into small groups of muttering, Annabeths mother spoke up.
“Where are these weapons then?” Zeus grumbled a little, as if the fact was slightly too difficult to face.
“They’re in Britain.” And a explosion of noise erupted across the room, all of which was negative towards the little island. Annabeth turned to her mother who had also joined in with the protests.
“What’s wrong with Britain?” She enquired. Athena turned to her with a grimace.
“It was our seat of power for many years. But the people, the gods… they never were very cultured. We had much conflict with the native rulers, it proved difficult until we finally moved here.” Annabeth sighed. Of course the gods of Britain didn’t like them, it seemed the people of Britain didn’t like anyone and no one liked the people of Britain. This was already proving a headache for Annabeth who wanted to get back to designing the buildings of tomorrow… and perhaps reminiscing about the past.
“Apollo. I believe a situation like this calls for a prophecy. Please, call upon the powers of fate and the oracle to bestow one upon us.” Zeus thundered round the room.
“Sure thing daddy-o.” He was met with an awkward silence. “I’ll work on that.” He closed his eyes and took a breath. Suddenly smoke poured from his mouth and the infamous green eyes illuminated the room indicating the arrival of the oracle.
“The forces of darkness rise in land.
As the weapons of gods fall into hands.
The powers of old challenge that of new.
Whilst the wrongs of the past come true.
A past challenged, can see the world brought to its knees.
All hope rests with the lost Son of the Seas.”
Apollo then slumped into his chair as the room was silent. The Argo crew looked at each other with a variety of expressions as the gods looked grave. They looked upon the empty throne of the sea god, knowing that this prophecy was to mean facing him. A chuckle brought the attention of the room to the hearth. Hestia, who had forgone her usual look of a child had donned the look of an adult.
“It appears the prophecy is requiring you to face the problems that you have created yourselves.” She stated. Zeus went to argue but Hestia raised a hand in warning.
“Do not start little brother. I have protected you, protected them for this long. It is now time to face the truth.” She looked at the remanding seven somewhat mournfully.
“Your parents have once again lied to you. They influenced you to accept godhood following the giant war in order to have you under their control for all time. They warped your minds to agree, however, one god refused to do this. One demigod fought against this invasion of his mind. And now they’re missing, in our hour of need.” She spread her hands addressing the room.
“You all failed that day. You.” Pointing to the gods.
“Were too selfish.”
“And you.” Pointing to the seven.
“Were to prideful.” She darkly chuckled. This was the angriest any of them had seen the usually calm and kind goddess.
“Any hope you have on surviving this prophecy falls to the hope that Perseus is still a good individual. I’m afraid that he maybe far to bitter towards us to help but let us pray.” She eyed all of them.
“Let us pray.” And she burst into flames leaving a rather stunned throne room.
Annabeth was a gasp. She was used? Lied to? She felt somewhat violated.
“How could you?” Hazel growled out.
“Listen, we did what was in the best interests of all-“
“No you did what was in the best interests of yourselves!” Jason bellowed at his father who was somewhat taken aback by his sons outburst.
“We will fix this problem. We will fix the problem that’s been created by all of us, but just think.” Piper sneered.
“This might have all been avoided if you simply would have left us alone!” She yelled scaring her own mother and other gods. The six fled the room, tears streaking numerous faces, Annabeth being in the worse state of all. She betrayed him. That’s what Hestia had stated, that they too were at fault.
“I can’t believe it.” Frank cried. Hazel leant into him looking for some sort of support.
“We were his friends and we failed him.” Leo mumbled. He too, was raw with emotion.
“We need to find him. We need to talk to him. We then need to fix this problem. Retrieve the weapons. Win the prophecy.” Jason started, pushing his emotions aside to rally the others but Annabeth simply cried out. She had started doing that more since becoming a god, and now was more fragile than ever.
“I’ve betrayed him! I’ve done the one thing he thought I would never do!” She all but screamed. Piper wrapped her arms around her and tried to soothe her, but it was to little avail.
“Annabeth.”she whispered. “We have a chance to make things right but we need your help. We need you.” Annabeth hiccuped through tears but furiously wiped her eyes, she looked to the others with red rims.
“Ok.” She agreed, nodding to the others.
“Just a slight issue.” Leo started, draws the attention of the others.
“Anyone got any ideas as to where Percy has been the past 12 years?”
Two Days Later, United Kingdom
Percy was hunched over the lightning bolt as he carefully excavated the ground around it. He was unsure what he was dealing with but knew that it was godly. However, his mind was distracted as it kept wandering to that fateful day, the day his friends left him for godhood. He looked to the blue skies and fell into memory.
“The fateful seven!” Zeus boomed, theatrics as per usual with the god of the skies.
“We are once again indebted to you. Once more do we owe you our thrones.” He began, Percy looked around the room, seeing many of the gods smiling and nodding. However, his father was not. He looked furious and this confused Percy. What did that mean? Should he not be happy?
“We have discussed and believe that you all deserve the highest of honours. The highest of awards. You seven, can choose godhood. To be at our right hand sides for all of eternity.” It was the same spiel that Percy had heard before. He knew his answer, he was sure that the others would follow, they had all seen what godhood can do and were not willing to succumb to its power. However, there was an inkling, a thought in Percy’s mind. A little voice telling him to do it, to join them. He shook the voice out, he did not want to be a god. He looked forward gripping Annabeths hand.
“Apologies again my lords and ladies. But I will have to decline.” There was a light muttering from the gods but Poseidon just nodded, he agreed? What was this backwards day?
“And what says the rest of you?” Hera asked. Percy looked to the others, they were silent, but they’re eyes were glazed over.
“We accept.” Annabeth stated and Percy broke. The others snapped out of whatever thoughts they were in smiling, they were to be made gods! Annabeth looked to Percy and was heartbroken. She had said yes, he had said no.
“I can’t believe this.” Percy said, staring with watery eyes towards the six.
“Percy wait-“ Piper started but he turned from the room and bolted. As he ran down the steps he reached for the beads around his neck, disgusted at the memories they held ripping them off throwing it to the floor. That was the last Olympus had seen of their hero.
Percy sighed as he was brought back to his current reality. A life that he thinks is much better than what he was dealt with before. But now his old life was threatening him, he had to deal with these weapons and deal with them carefully.
“Charlie? You ok?” This chatter drew Percy’s attention as he looked towards one of the pits where a spear similar to that of Athena’s was discovered. Charlie, a young archaeologist from the local University was somewhat transfixed by the weapon lifting it from the ground.
“Charlie! Come on you can’t be doing that! You could dama-ack!” The other archaeologist was hit by the butt of the spear swung by Charlie who landed a few feet away. Charlie had a crazed look to her eye as she seemingly challenged the others around her. Percy vaulted out of the pit, Charlie seeing the attacker struck out but she was sloppy, Percy grabbed the shaft of the spear disarming her quickly knocking her to the floor and dropping the weapon. Charlie looked around, confused.
“What happened? Why am I over here?” She asked, dazed. Percy turned to the rest of the workers.
“From now on, NO ONE touches what is found. We will move them wit but not by hand.” No one dared challenge him, Percy looked at the spear with an uncontrollable rage washing over him. What had they done now?
Long Island Sound
The six young gods and goddesses flashed onto Half Blood Hill. They looked down upon their old home with fondness and reluctance. It had been a long time since they had come back here and there was a growing feeling that the new gods will not be accepted well. With a nod to one another the six made there way down the hill as campers slowly gathered to meet them. There were many new faces and the camp seemed to be flourishing better than ever before.
“Well look who it is. The gods have come to grace us with their presence.” A familiar voice drawled. The gods turned to face the older daughter of Ares. Clarisse had really grown into her build, towering over many of the demigods around her, muscular and vicious. Her red hair was pulled tightly back and a bandanna round her head, her eyes seared into the gods seething with hatred.
“Come here to demand our prayers?” She mocked. Jason stepped forward, turning to the crowd.
“We’re here about the prophecy, have you heard it?” He spoke to them all exactly as a god would, and the veins on Clarisses neck bulged.
“Watch it sparky.” She spat. “I don’t care if you’re a god or not, I will kick your ass.” She sneered, her hands tightening into fists. Jason stood tall, accepting the challenge proposed until the oracle appeared, resting a hand on Clarisses shoulder.
“It’s alright.” She turned towards the new gods, her face impassive.
“The prophecy has been spoken. But we cannot help you.” Rachel had grown, she was now a tall woman, overalls coated in paint but her face lined with years of wisdom.
“Why?” Leo asked. Clarisse snorted.
“Because we have no clue where Percy is. And even if we did, we wouldn’t tell you.” She snarled, Annabeth took a step forward.
“We’re your gods. You have a duty to tell us what you know to help us save the world.” She started but a dark voice laughed.
“Look at the gods! Doing what they do best, telling us what to do and leaving us to clear up their messes!” The gods turned and was faced with the Ghost King. Nico had grown from the young boy that he once was, less pale but tall and lean. His Stygian iron blade strapped to his side as he strode towards the gods with not a care in the world.
“I knew you would become like them, I didn’t realise it would be this soon.” He seethed, towards the gods, the shadows licking at his feet as he began to tower over Annabeth.
“Don’t talk to her that way.” Frank started pushing the goddess behind him, to which Nico responded by drawing his sword and placing it against his throat.
“I might not be able to kill you, but I sure as hell can hurt you.” Nico jeered, which resulted in a rush of weapons. Jason had lightning crackle round his hands as demigods drew weapons against the gods. Annabeth, with teary eyes tried to halt the impending bloodshed but to no avail.
“ENOUGH!” Chiron yelled galloping between the groups of gods and demigods.
“You are all acting like children. Put your weapons away immediately.” The many weapons that were drawn were reluctantly put away as Chiron turned to the gods.
“Apologies my lords and ladies. But, as the children have told you, there is nothing we can do to help you.” He bowed his head which Annabeth felt somewhat hurt by. Did he really think she had changed that much? Obviously so from the way Nico had reacted to her, she just thought she was doing what was right. But wasn’t that how the gods think? Her mind spiralled as the conversation continued.
“Chiron, we need to find him.” Piper stated.
“I understand, but no one here knows where he has gone. He’s been gone for a very long time.” Chiron responded sadly. Obviously Percy’s departure hurt him just as much as the demigods ascendancy.
“Well there has to be someone?” Frank huffed. The demigods glare continued but no one responded, until Hazel chipped in.
“What about Sally?” The others nodded but were met with an angry son of Hades.
“Do not go near her.” Nico warned, Jason turned to him, his hands up to placate him.
“Look, Nico, we need to find him. Please.” Nicos eyes steeled and it looked like they weren’t getting anywhere until a tanned hand rested on Nicos shoulder.
“Neeks. Let’s help.” It was Will Solace, the son of Apollo and under his hands the dark son of Hades smiled.
“Only because you told me.” Nico returned his glare to the gods. “I hope you’re ready to meet the mother of the demigod you abandoned.” And with that the shadows enveloped them.
New York City
The apartment was alright with life. The gods stumbled round as they clutched onto anything that could ground them.
“Little warning next time!” Leo bit out as he stumbled against the wall.
“Now where’s the fun in that.” Nico said cooly as he strode into the large apartment.
“Sally! It’s Nico! And I have some guests.” He said the word as if it disgust him, Annabeth noticed. She looked around the apartment that she spent many hours in and felt some what comforted. But then she noticed it. The photos, the many photos that had littered the walls of her and Percy were gone. She felt squashed, shunned. Did Sally really hate her now?
“Of course dear!” Came the soothing voice of the one and only Sally Jackson-Blowfis. She strode in the room looking that little older, more lines dotted her face as did greys within her hair. She stopped when she noticed her guests.
“I don’t want them here.” And Annabeth shattered. She couldn’t believe it.
“Sally?” She somewhat sobbed but Sally turned her glare to her.
“It’s Mrs Jackson to you, and I especially do not want you here.” She sneered towards Annabeth who crumpled, Hazel quickly supported her.
“Please, Mrs Jackson. We need your help.” Sally eyed the gods warily before taking a seat before them as some sort of queen accommodating guests. In some cases she was.
“Speak quickly. I want you out of here as soon as possible but understand this.” She fixed them all with a stare. “I just have to say one name, and the god that the gods fear will be here.” The others nodded as they recalled the story, the problem of the prophecy and the truth as to what happened. Sally just laughed.
“You really expect my son to help you?”
“Please Mrs Jackson.” Annabeth begged. “I-we need to talk to him. To make things right.”
“Did you not here Hestia? You are to blame as well. You are not absolved of your crime.” Jason bristled.
“But it wasn’t our fault!” He protested.
“Yes but it was your fault for being so weak.” She mocked.
“Don’t talk to us like that!” Piper snapped and Sally levelled her with a look.
“Down girl. Don’t make me angry.”
“Look, Mrs Jackson we’re sorry but we need Percy. The fate of the world is in danger if we don’t.” Frank stated, pleading.
“Get out. Use your powers or whatever and try, try to find my son. But I promise you, you won’t.” She grinned a somewhat sadistic smile.
“He is beyond you now.”
Jason stood towering over the woman.
“This isn’t a game!” He yelled, but Sally just tutted.
“Shouldn’t have done that.” She calmly said as she pointed behind them. Standing in full regalia was the angry god of the sea.
“You dare nephew?” He growled out. Jason already shied away.
“I’m sorry my lord but-“
“No buts. You’ve been told once, get out.” The gods eyes fell, they were not getting help from anywhere, they were alone.
“Please.” Annabeth started. “I’ll do anything, just please, let me see Percy one more time.” She pleaded, the parents of her lost love looked to one another, as if they were having a silent conversation. Sally sighed, her good heart taking the lead once more. And perhaps, she thought that this would lead to her son coming home. “Ok girl, I will tell you where he is. But understand this.” She stood up and walked over to the goddess, her short stature meaning nothing as she eyed Annabeth with a level of hatred she had never seen before.
“If you hurt him, I will ensure that the rest of your eternal life, is a living hell.” She turned towards the sea god who was still standing, waiting to pounce on any one of the young gods if they placed a foot wrong.
“So where is he?” Hazel asked and Sally laughed.
“My son has always been at the centre of everything godly.” And it suddenly clicked with Annabeth where Percy was.
“He’s in Britain. He is part of the team excavating those weapons.”