Title: To Be A Hero: The Lightning Thief

Author: Keeper Of The Fandoms

Fandom: Percy Jackson And The Olympians (Book)

Major Pairing: Nico/Percy/Talon (Thalia)

Word Count: 3290 words

Tags (Will be added to later): Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Violence, Genderbent!Thalia (Talon), Good!Luke, Mild Annabeth bashing at first, Powerful!Percy

Basic Info: Percy is still male and so is Nico but Thalia has been turned into a male. Unfortunately Thalia/Talon and Nico will not appear until the end of book two for Thalia/Talon and the beginning of book three for Nico. Annabeth will be mildly annoying and sort of bashed in the first book but it won't extend into the second because I feel like hating on her a bit for the way she was acting in the first book even though she mellowed out sort of

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, its characters or plotline. I only own my own ideas!

Happiness is found when you stop comparing yourself to other people

Word of Percy's friendship with the feared daughter of Ares spread quickly, people watching them intently as they walked through the camp. Clarisse scowled at the curious stares while Percy giggled and waved innocently at a few of the Hermes cabin occupants.

Clarisse showed the raven haired boy a few of the places Chiron had missed such as the metal shop, where muscled kids were forging bands of iron hot metal into swords. The arts and crafts room, where a group of satyrs were sandblasting a giant marble statue of a goat man that Percy recognised as Pan, the lord of the wild

A giant climbing wall stood silhouetted against the rapidly darkening sky; it was split into two walls and shaking wildly, banging together every now and then, dropping boulders and spraying lava from the pit at the bottom.

"That. Is. So. Fucking. Awesome," Percy breathed, staring at the wall with wide eyes, Clarisse and Luke exchanging looks behind his back. What was wrong with this kid? Most of the new campers saw the wall and had panic attacks about trying it out.

"You can go on it later Princess," Clarisse said, grabbing him by the hand and dragging the sulking demigod away.

"So you say Risse," Percy shrugged, crossing his arms sadly and pouting prettily before brightening up as he realised what Clarisse had called him.

"Princess hmmm….. I like it," Percy declared laughingly, feeling Clarisse squeeze his hand gently as she smiled at him over her shoulder.

"Look dinner's in a little while, what do you want to do until then?" Luke asked, hooking his arm through the shorter demigod's once he caught up.

"Umm I kind of want to talk to my grandma, it's been a while since I've seen her," Percy mumbled, looking down at his feet as the other two stopped abruptly.

"You've actually seen a goddess more than once and not on accident?" Clarisse sounded surprised and Percy nodded.

"My grandma didn't give two shits about the ancient laws, the only reason she didn't raise me was because she still had to do her duties. But she's always around," he shrugged, knowing this was a big deal to them. Then again Gaea was tough shit in the demigod world, and she had never really been a part of the Olympus group.

"Can we… I mean… do you mind if we meet her?" Luke asked hesitantly and Percy nodded happily.

"Course you guys can meet her but I must warn you, she's not what you'll expect." They both exchanged looks but followed him as he hurried into the woods, checking over his shoulder for anyone following them before leading them to a small clearing.

Grinning at the two he kicked off his boots and curled up against a tree, eyes shut as he let his energy flow through the earth.

Luke and Clarisse watched in silent awe as vines slowly wound their way up from the ground, twining themselves around his arms like an earthen blanket. Flowers nestled into his hair, lacing together to create a diadem that sat perched across his forehead full of coral pink roses and vibrant carnations.

"She's coming," Percy breathed, sitting up and patting the vines absentmindedly as they sunk back into the ground, the crown remaining atop his head. Clarisse noted amusedly to herself that the shorter demigod was now a real princess with a crown and everything, it didn't matter that he was a boy.

A soft glow filled the small clearing and a breeze floated through smelling of berries and spring. The light cleared and the two older demigods opened their eyes cautiously just in time to see Percy race across the clearing and throw himself into the arms of a tall, soft looking woman. It took a second for their eyes to adjust to the sight but when they did they could do little more than gap like fools.

The woman who had appeared was beautiful, tall and willowy like a model with elegant limbs. Her hair was a dark obsidian colour that fell pin straight to her knees, held back from her face by a butterfly crown that seemed to be alive.

Ageless eyes were set into a tanned face, the colour changing from blue to red to purple, never staying on one for more than a few seconds. Her dress was a simple Greek chiffon, with a single shoulder strap and a belt around the waist styled to look like trees joined by their leaves. The dress shimmered as she moved, starting as a light green at the top and gradually fading to a deep emerald.

"I see my grandson has made some friends," she spoke softly, like a calming summers' breeze but the two could feel the power thrumming beneath her fragile exterior.

"Grandma this is Clarisse, daughter of Ares and Luke Castellan, son of Hermes. Guys this is my grandma, Gaia, primordial goddess of the earth," Percy bit his lip as he cast nervous glances between the two parties, the awed demigods quickly sinking into deep bows.

"None of that now, I dislike the whole bowing thing," Gaia laughed, the sound chiming as she shook back her long hair.

"So your grandma's Gaia," Clarisse addressed Percy awkwardly, the raven haired boy nodding slowly.

"So how long have you known about the demigod world?" Luke asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Since I was born, Mum wanted to raised me but she… died and I ran away."

"How old were you?' Clarisse questioned quietly, obviously sensing this was a sore topic for the younger boy; he was fidgeting and avoiding eye contact, .

"I was six," he mumbled, looking towards Gaia who gave him a soft smile, dragging her hand through her grandson's hair which was so much like hers. The inky shade of black was the same but whereas Gaia's dropped to her knees in a straight curtain Percy had slight curls that draped enticingly over his shoulders to just below his shoulder blades.

"How did you survive?" "You were six!" were the replies he got and he nodded, biting his lip.

"I lived in the forest, my powers helped me and I built a home in the trees, my big bro helped me get into school and I just sort of trained the rest of the time," he shrugged, playing with the chain of his necklace.

"Well Percy dear I must be going, it was nice to meet you, Clarisse, Luke, look after my grandson," Gaia stared them both down and they nodded quickly, the goddess bundling Percy up in her arms and kissing him gently on the forehead before flashing out of the clearing.

"Are you guys okay with this?" Percy asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer he was going to get.

"Yeah. You're still a pretty cool chick," Clarisse said, swinging an arm around the smaller teens shoulder and leading him back towards camp.

"So… dinner time?" Luke jogged to catch up with them, looking at the two hopefully.

"Yep, I'm starving," Percy muttered, swinging his hair over his shoulder and smiling brightly.

"You're gonna have to sit with the Hermes cabin,' Clarisse groaned, her eyes showing her annoyance.

"Come on Percy everyone meets at the cabin before dinner," Luke grabbed him around the waist, ignoring his squealing and tossing him over his shoulder, smiling at the small fists beating against his back.

"You son of a bitch, let me down!" Percy screeched, Clarisse following the two at a more sedate pace as they walked through the camp, campers turning to watch as Luke carried the huffing new camper toward his cabin.

"I'll scream," Percy threatened, pinching the skin between the blonde's neck and shoulder.

"Try it won't make much difference," Luke shrugged, an impressive feat with the small demigod on his shoulder.

"Bitch just let me down," Percy whined, slumping and taking great delight as Luke missed a step, his hold on him wavering.

"Not until we get to the cabin," Luke admonished, Clarisse laughing silently behind the two as the small raven haired beauty pouted, crossing his arms as best he could from his spot atop the blonde's shoulder.

Hermes cabin seemed to find the situation even funnier than the daughter of Ares did, bursting into hysterical laughter the second the two entered the cabin, Luke setting Percy down gently and smirking at his pout. "Aw poor little Princess, do you want me to hug it better?" he taunted and Percy grinned, holding out his arms for a hug.

Luke shrugged but hugged the smaller demigod tightly, missing the movement of his arm as he moved like lightning, his dagger in his hand in seconds and pointed at the Hermes' demigod's crotch.

"You try that again without my permission and you're going to be missing something very important," Percy hissed, glancing down and drawing Luke's attention to the deadly weapon inches away from his appendage.

"You win," he squeaked, shuffling backwards as his hands moved to cover his dick, paling as Percy waved the dagger in the air threateningly before attaching it back to his bracelet. A horn blew in the distance, the cabin members quickly stopping their laughter and shuffling into one long line.

"Dinnertime," Luke said with satisfaction, watching curiously as Percy clambered into what they had dubbed 'his nest' and emerged with a bag of what looked like bottles slung across his back. Percy moved up beside Luke and looked up at him with puppy dog eyes.

"Carry me," he whined, lifting his arms and pouting prettily.

"Hop on," Luke sighed, crouching down and hooking his arms around the raven haired demigod's legs once he was on his back.

"Giddy up horsey," Percy cheered, ignoring the snickering from behind him and digging his heels into the blonde cabin leaders sides.

"I'm not a horse," Luke protested, refusing to move.

"Then run bitch run!" he yelled, bouncing excitedly and cheering loudly as Luke broke into a light jog, leading the rest of the cabin to the dining pavilion. Unknown to the two a pair of silvery grey eyes watched jealously, the blonde clenching her fists and teeth as she saw one of her oldest friends hanging out with that boy.

People began filtering into the mess hall, satyrs joined from the meadow, campers trooped in after their cabin leaders and a series of girls emerged from the side of trees, skipping happily towards the already large gathering. The instant they entered the pavilion they could feel a calming presence, much like the days when the sun beat down on their trees and the leaves soaked in the warmth and peace.

Their eyes were drawn to a young boy standing with the Hermes cabin, the shear amount of power pouring out of him drew them in, his power reminding them of wild flowers, towering forests, vast and powerful seas. "Who is he?" one of the younger nymphs whispered, her voice awed.

"Someone powerful dear heart," an older one whispered, petting the girls hair gently and leading her to their assigned seats amongst the trees.

Percy surveyed the pavilion from his place beside Luke, staring about with amazement. Torches blazed around the marble columns. A central fire burned in a bronze brazier the size of a bathtub. Each cabin had its own table, covered in white cloth trimmed in purple. Four of the tables were empty, but cabin eleven's was way overcrowded.

Luke smiled and took a seat on the edge of the bench, watching as the dark haired boy took it all in, seeming to remember something suddenly as he skipped towards table twelve where Mr D and the satyrs sat.

Mr D actually smiled at the demigod as he came closer, a great many campers choking on their drinks as they saw the director legendary for hating kids smile at one that wasn't his own.

"So how do you feel about another creation of mine?" Percy asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder and depositing it on the bench, grabbing out several bottles and putting some back.

"What's it called?" Mr D bounced in his seat excitedly, eyes glued to his hands as he quickly mixed and poured the drink, the colour a light purple with splashes of blue.

"Jellyfish," Percy shrugged, placing the bottles back in the bag and handing the rest of the drink to the childlike god who was drinking it reverently, eyes closed with bliss as he drank more and more.

"So I'll make you a drink every night and if you're lucky every morning however I will need money to keep buying the alcohol," Percy said matter of factly.

"Fine I'll give you money every time you need to stock up," Mr D agreed, waving him back to his table. Percy grinned happily and skipped back to the Hermes cabin, observing the packed table with concern before smirking and sitting down on Luke's lap, ignoring the stares as he used the blonde's chest as a leaning post.

"Quite comfortable there Princess?" Luke drawled, grabbing a plate of food from a passing nymph and placing it in front of the giggling demigod.

"Yep, you're like the perfect chair," Percy grinned, grabbing a strawberry and biting into it, groaning slightly at the succulent taste, his pink tongue darted out to capture the juice that glistened on his lips and Luke narrowed his eyes at all the eyes that were drawn to the motion and the hungry stares from surrounding demigods.

"You might wanna stop that Princess," Luke whispered, squeezing Percy's wrist quickly.

"Why? What's wrong?" Percy asked, turning his torso so he was facing Luke.

"Because nearly every demigod at the table and some surrounding is staring at you," he growled angrily, his protective instincts rising as he thought of how young the boy on his lap was.

"Why?" he questioned confused, brow scrunched up in adorable curiosity.

"Awwww little one," Luke muttered uncomfortably, running a hand through tousled blonde hair. "They're staring at you because you are absolutely delectable."

"Oh," Percy bit his lip, scratching his nose awkwardly and staring down at his empty cup.

"Just speak to it, whatever you want. Non-alcoholic of course," Luke nudged him and he nodded, tapping his leg in thought.

"Blue cherry coke," he said clearly, the glass filling with liquid a violent shade of cobalt. Shuffling through his bag he pulled out his bottle of tequila, adding a dash to the coke and stowing it back in his bag. Luke watched the process with evident amusement.

"You do know the whole point of us not being able to summon alcohol is that we don't consume it right?" Luke stifled a smile as Percy sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Who are you? My father," he raised an eyebrow and took a pointed sip of his coke.

"Here you go Princess," Luke passed him a plate of smoked brisket and he placed some on his plate, noticing everyone heading to the fire with their plates in hand so he followed.

"What's happening?" Percy whispered, nudging the twin looking boys he had seen in the cabin earlier. They smiled down at him and nudged him between them.

"Burnt offerings for the gods, they like the smell," one murmured back, moving forward with the crowd.

"I normally sacrifice battle souvenirs," he shrugged, moving towards the fire and placing in the best part of his brisket, sacrificing to several gods at once.

'Hey bro, I miss you, come visit soon. Hera I know you don't get a lot of offerings so here, and if you have any problems with thunderhead feel free to come talk to me. Hi Auntie Tia I'm sorry that you've been neglected, you were very kind to give up your seat on the council. Hermes, thanks for letting me stay in your cabin, you're a pretty cool guy. Hades… I'm sorry for all that's happened to you, you deserve better' He had closed his eyes as he sacrificed and he moved quickly back to the table, sitting down on Luke's lap and missing the variety of colours the fire turned as the brisket was consumed.

WITH THE GODS

The gods were each in their own domains, some receiving a few more offerings than others due to their children.

Apollo grinned when he heard his little one's prayer, sending down a bit of power to change the colour of the fire to a light golden, not knowing that his brilliant little princess had also sacrificed to other gods.

Hestia beamed happily, stoking the fire in the throne room higher, pouring all of her maternal feelings towards the young demigod into the hearth, the fire flaring brighter than it had in centuries. She also changed the flames in camp for just a second to show she had heard the prayer, the fire turning a deep, bloody red.

Hermes grinned at the unexpected prayer, barely anyone who stayed in his cabin thanked him and it was nice that his work was recognised. He sent out a pulse of power, turning the fire a light blue colour.

Hades stilled in his work over the asphodel fields, breathe refusing to enter his lungs as for the first time in centuries somebody actually apologised to him, and it was somebody who had never done anything to him who finally did it. He felt his lips quirk up slightly at the corners and sent out a quick burst of his power, the flame in camp turning pitch black for a few seconds.

Hera started as for the first time in more than millennium she felt a sacrifice in her name, looking for the source she found it was a young demigod child in the camp. Being the goddess of families she could clearly see who the boy considered family and smiled, her grandmother had helped save them from Kronos and that was all that mattered to her.

She wiped away a tear at the genuine heartfelt offer, making a mental note to take Percy up on that while snorting at the name the demigod had called Zeus. Sending out a pulse of her power she turned the fire a brilliant array of colours like a peacocks' plumage.

BACK IN CAMP HALF BLOOD

Percy ignored the shocked looks he received, accepting a ripe piece of watermelon from Luke and sucking on the sweet fruit. Slowly everyone diverted their attention back to their meals, finishing dinner quickly. Once everyone was fed and the dishes cleared Chiron stood, pounding his hoof, drawing everyone's attention in seconds. Percy watched with interest as Mr D clambered to his feet making a big show of sighing and moaning.

"So I suppose I should say hello to you brats… hello. Now don't expect me to be happy about it. Chiron, our activities director, has said that the next capture the flag shall be on Friday, cabin five presently hold the laurels." A bout of cheering rose up from the Ares table and Percy grinned, catching Annabeth's eye and sticking out his tongue, giving the blonde the finger as she snarled.

"Personally I couldn't care less but I guess I should say congratulations. Now I believe we have a new camper today, Percy Jackson. That's all now run along to your silly campfire," Mr D shooed them away and the cabins ran off chattering, crowding into the amphitheatre where Apollo cabin lead the sing along.

After a snack of s'mores and more jokes than Percy could stomach they all stumbled back to their cabins. He didn't realise how tired he was until he fell into his makeshift bed, curling one hand around the minotaur horn and the other around his stomach, drifting off to faint whispers beneath him.