Revenge is Best Served by Percy Jackson

“I’m innocent!” Percy screamed frantically, tears flowing rapidly down his face, “I swear.”

“Zeus! Cease these insolent accusations at once. My son is innocent, this you know,” growled Poseidon, “Percy is a hero of Olympus and the most powerful demi-god ever in existence. He remained loyal to Olympus through two wars, two very difficult wars, and you dare accuse him of treason?” Despite his hopeless situation, he felt joy at his father’s defense of him.

“How would he even do such a thing you good for nothing air-for-brains?” Hades questioned exasperated, “have you forgotten his fatal flaw?” That surprised him. He didn’t believe there would be any love lost between him and his ‘uncle’. Maybe it was because of Nico.

“They are right Father,” Artemis nodded, “Perseus is the only truly honorable man I know, demi-god or otherwise.” If Hades’ support was a surprise, Artemis’ was impossible. He couldn’t believe that the goddess who was known for hating men came to his aid.

“Silence!” Zeus exclaimed, thunder and lightning crashing behind him. “He has become far too powerful for us to trust him. All of our enemies attempt to recruit him to their side, one day he may say yes.”

“I would never do that!” Percy yelled, “I am loyal to Olympus.” His pleas fell on deaf ears as the Olympians continued to discuss him as if he wasn’t there.

“I say we toss the little twerp into Tartarus,” sneered Ares.

“I second that,” sang Aphrodite, “he’s so much more trouble than he’s worth. Don’t you think sweetheart?”

“Um…,” Hephaestus sounded conflicted, “I agree.”

“We’ll put it to a vote,” rumbled Zeus, “All in favor?” The only hands down were: his father, Hades, Artemis and Apollo, Hestia, and surprisingly enough Athena. Eight people had voted in favor… he was going back. Percy fell to his knees. He couldn’t go back.

Percy’s breath caught in his throat. Images of his time spent in Tartarus flashed before his eyes. He couldn’t go back. He wouldn’t make it. He only made it out alive the first time because of…Annabeth. His lungs wouldn’t work. He would have to leave Annabeth. The thought brought tears to his eyes. He turned towards his Wise Girl.

“No!” she screamed, shocking the room into silence. The daughter of Athena was normally so composed and level-headed. She started toward Percy but was pulled back by Nico and Jason, who were only slightly less distraught than Annabeth. Piper was almost in tears and Hazel was inconsolable, her face buried in Frank’s chest. They couldn’t believe it, Percy was going back to the pit of hell and there was nothing they could do about it.

For a moment the room was completely silent. Annabeth broke away from her friends, whose grips had gone slack with their own grief, and with a heartbreaking cry, threw herself onto Percy, sobbing openly. He cupped her face in his trembling hands as she pressed her forehead against his, gasping for air. “Breathe Annabeth, breathe.” He whispered against her lips. Annabeth pressed her face to Percy’s chest. Her own chest was so tight she could barely breathe in his scent. He was all sea breeze, and the color blue, and oh god, he couldn’t leave her. He just couldn’t… not her Seaweed Brain.

Percy buried his head in Annabeth’s blonde curls, grounding himself with the scent of ink and parchment and lemon. He was going to Tartarus. He was going Tartarus again, but he would return. He had to, for Annabeth… for his Wise Girl. He pressed his lips to hers as he made his decision.

Then all hell broke loose.

The throne room shook violently as Poseidon stood. “Are you willing to wage a war over your stupidity, Brother,” Poseidon spat lowly, his voice shaking in his rage, “because that is exactly what will come to head if you lay one hand on my son.”

Hades stood from his throne and moved across the room to lay a calming hand on Poseidon’s shoulder. “I will stand with you, Brother.”

Artemis and Apollo moved to stand by him as well. “We will as well, Uncle,” they spoke in unison, Apollo’s face grave, and Artemis’ fierce.

“As will I,” spoke Hestia, having transformed to a grown woman, an anger burning on her face that the others had never seen.

“And I,” Athena spoke softly, as she watched her daughter gasping into the sea child’s chest.
“And you, Athena” asked Zeus, enraged, “you would stand against your own father for a son of your enemy?”

“I would stand against you for justice, Father” she spat fiercely, as she glanced at Annabeth, “and for my daughter.”

“No,” Percy spoke up, directing the entire room’s attention toward himself. He looked up at his father as he stood, pulling Annabeth up with him. “I’m not worth starting a war.”

Poseidon strode over to his son and placed a loving hand on his head before pulling him into his chest. “You are worth much more. I am so sorry, Percy” he spoke, his voice cracking as a few tears trailed down his cheeks, “I love you, my son.”

Percy gripped his father’s back and relished in their affectionate contact, despite their current situation. “I love you too, Dad.” He pulled away and looked up at Poseidon, “You have to promise me,” he begged, “you cannot start a war over me. There would be so many innocent gods and demi-gods killed and I would hate to be the reason for so much death. Please.”
Poseidon looked down into eyes that mirrored his own exactly. His son’s sea green eyes were glossed over with unshed tears. He was right. Many lives would be lost in a war between the Olympians, he would not allow his son to bear the weight of those deaths along with his own inner turmoil. He could not deny him this one request, especially during such a time. “Okay,” he spoke resigned, “I promise.”

Zeus spoke quickly, “Ares. Take Perseus to Tartarus.”

Annabeth looked up from Percy’s chest, her panic clearly displayed on her face. “No! You can’t go. You can’t leave me. I’ll go with you!” she cried hysterically, her eyes wide and bright with tears.

“No,” Percy whispered, caressing her hair in an attempt to soothe her, and himself, “You have to stay here. Stay safe. I won’t allow you to ever return to that terrible place again. I will come back to you Annabeth. I swear it on the Styx,” he spoke fiercely, thunder punctuating his statement.

Ares moved towards them, grinning maliciously. Percy pressed his lips to Annabeth’s in a sudden surge of desperation. He poured his soul into their kiss. He wanted her to feel his determination to return and the strength of his all-consuming love.

Percy’s eyes darkened and swirled like a hurricane as he looked at the gods who betrayed him, “I will return. And when I do you will regret it. I swear that on the Styx, as well,” the thunder seemed to shake the room as Percy glared directly into Zeus’ eyes. He turned to Annabeth once again, his eyes softening as he grasped her face and kissed her one last time, memorizing her taste.

“Time’s up,” Ares hissed, chuckling evilly as he pulled Percy from her arms.

“I love you, Wise Girl” he whispered. Then he was gone.

Notes

Did you like it? I hope so!