AN: Heyyyy!

I'm sorry it's been a while but I was trying to get my head around a story plan. Another sad thing is I can't necessarily promise that the chapters will always be this long.

However good news is that I have put up a poll on my profile for that pairing of this story and this is the current results:

Natasha R...3

Reyna A...3

Annabeth C. (No betrayal/Death)...2

Zoe N. (Bring her back to life)...2

Thalia G...2

Agent Hill...2

Artemis...1

Rachael D...1

Hestia...1

Piper M...1

Aphrodite...0

Nymph...0

OC...0

Hazel L...0

Gwen...0

Please add your vote and Review! Xx

AziAchillesJackson x

Chapter 3

We had lost Silena Beauregard. She had turned out to be the spy but no one mentioned it because she died a hero. She had led the Ares cabin from camp in her bestfriend's, Clarisse la Rue's, armour into battle against a Lydian Drakon knowing full well she couldn't win. If that wasn't hero complex I don't know what was.

We had won the war despite our huge losses. The entire camp had lost someone, whether it be family or friends. The gods had lost children despite the fact they were supposedly omnipotent. And guess what? They still wanted to smite me on sight with the exception of a few.

Zeus sat in his throne. He glared across the room at my dad while all the other gods Walked in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth with Hestia who was smiling as the flames became full of hope once more. Nico also sat by the Hearth, cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet.

I walked in with Dad both of us sharing details of 'The Battle of Manhattan' as everyone had taken to calling it.

"I'm proud of you Perce." He said

"I.. uh.. Anyone else would have… er…done the same." I stuttered

Dad shook his head. "I don't think you understand just how much you can do."

"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus drawled with a slight twinkle in his eye. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?"

I thought Dad was going to be annoyed, but he just looked at me and winked. "I would be honoured, Lord Zeus."

Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, AKA his throne, and the Olympian Council convened.

While Zeus was talking about the gods or something or other, Annabeth walked in with Thalia. They quickly and silently made their way over to sit next to me by the hearth where any demigods or hunters and taken to sitting.

"Miss much?" Annabeth whispered.

"Nobody's planning to kill us, so far," I whispered back.

Thalia snorted. "First time today."

I cracked up, but Grover nudged me because Hera was shooting us a dirty look.

"As for my brothers," Zeus was saying. "we are thankful"—he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out—"erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."

The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen him since the Bianca incident. I scowled at the ground in thought.

"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like his pants were smoldering,

"we must . . . um . . . thank Poseidon."

"I'm sorry, brother," Dad's eyes shone with mirth. "What was that?"

"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom . . . it would've been difficult—"

"Difficult?" Poseidon interrupted innocently.

"Impossible," Zeus amended. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."

The gods murmured agreement and pounded their weapons in approval. Seriously- who does that anymore.

"Which leaves us, only with the matter of thanking our young demigod

heroes, who defended Olympus well—even if there are a few dents in my throne." He grumbled something about 'humiliation' and 'upstarts' and 'powerful'.

He called Thalia forward first, since she was supposedly his daughter, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks.

Artemis smiled a rare genuine smile. "You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."

She glared pointedly at Hades.

He shrugged. "Probably."

Artemis glared at him some more.

Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."

Artemis grinned; clearly that was more than she were hoping for.

Thalia beamed with pride and happiness. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even our Uncle Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis's side.

"Tyson, Cyclopes son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the Council room, and Zeus grunted.

"Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered.

Both Dad and I shot him harsh glares until he flinched and muttered an apology.

Annabeth smiled at my loyal antics.

"Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new . . . um . . . what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"

"Stick!" Tyson said, showing his broken club.

"Very well," Zeus said. "We will grant you a new stick. The best stick that may be found in all the lands.."

"Hooray!" Tyson cried, and all the Cyclopes cheered and pounded him on the back as rejoined them.

"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called.

Grover came forward nervously, looking like he was begging for a coke can to eat.

"Oh, stop chewing your shirt," Dionysus chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders."

Grover collapsed on the spot.

"Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed, as several naiads came forward to help Grover.

"Well, when he wakes up, someone tell him that he will no longer be an outcast, and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a lord of the Wild, with all rights, privileges, and honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."

"FOOOOOD," Grover moaned, as the nature spirits carried him away. Annabeth and I burst out laughing at that causing many confused and annoyed looks to be sent our way. I figured he'd be okay. He would wake up as a lord of the Wild with a bunch of beautiful naiads taking care of him. Life could be worse.

Athena called, "Annabeth Chase, my own daughter."

Annabeth squeezed my arm, then walked forward and knelt at her mother's feet.

Athena smiled. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements."

Annabeth looked up, stunned. "My . . . my lady? Mum?!"

Athena smiled wryly. "You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"

"You mean . . . I can design whatever I want?"

"As your heart desires," the goddess said. "Make us a city for the ages."

"As long as you have plenty of statues of me," Apollo added.

"And me," Aphrodite agreed.

"Hey, and me!" Ares said. "Big statues with huge wicked swords—"

"All right!" Athena interrupted. "She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus."

Annabeth rose in a trance and walked back toward me.

"Way to go," I told her, grinning. I pressed a kiss to her cheek and Aphrodite squealed.

"PERCEBETH FOR THE WIN!" Cue WTHs in 3…2..1.

"What the Hell?!" We all shouted

"Modern culture anyone?" We must have all given her clueless looks. "Nevermind." She humphed

Annabeth however, hadn't been paying attention. For once she was at a loss for words. "I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils—"

"PERCY JACKSON, SPARTAN OF OLYMPUS!" Poseidon announced. My name echoed throughout the chamber. Trust Dad to be dramatic.

All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire.

Everyone's eyes were on me—all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits. I walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at me reassuringly. She was in the form of a little girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Her smile gave me courage to keep walking.

First I bowed to Zeus. Then Ares. Then I knelt at my father's feet.

"Rise, my son," Poseidon said.

I stood up uneasily.

"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"

I waited for someone to pipe up. The gods never agreed on anything, and many of them still didn't like me, but not a single one protested.

"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."

I blinked and hesitated. "Any gift?"

Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Achilles Jackson—if you wish it—you shall be made a god. Fully Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."

I stared at him, stunned. "Um . . . a god?"

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you a god. Then I will have to put up with you forever."

"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea." He winked at me showing me he didn't mean it.

"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth.

I glanced back. Annabeth was trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was pale. I flashed back to two years ago, when I'd thought she was going to take the pledge to Artemis and become a Hunter. I'd been on the edge of a panic attack, thinking that I'd lose her. Now, she looked pretty much the same way.

Who could refuse that? Who could possibly want to refuse godhood?

I thought about Luke and my promise to him.

And I knew what to do.

"No," I said.

The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.

"No?" Zeus said. "You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"

There was a dangerous edge to his voice.

" Don't get me wrong. I'm honoured and everything," I said. " It's just... I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year." A couple of demi-gods laughed at me.

The gods were glaring at me, but Annabeth had her hands over her mouth. Her eyes shining. And that meant everything.

"I do want a gift, though," I said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"

Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."

"It is," I said. "It's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."

"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"

"Someone once told me," I said, looking at Hades, "you should always get a solemn oath."

Hades shrugged and grinned at me. "Guilty."

"Very well!" Zeus growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."

The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.

"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All the children . . . of all the gods."

The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.

"Percy," my father said, "what exactly do you mean?"

"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."

Zeus's royally red nostrils flared. "You dare accuse—"

"No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."

"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll.

"And the minor gods," I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—"

"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.

"No, of course not, my lord," I said quickly, smirking. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. Because let's be honest," – I gestured to myself and Thalia- "That didn't exactly work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."

"Is that all?" Zeus snorted.

"Percy," Apollo said, "you ask much. You presume much."

"I hold you to your oath," I said. "All of you."

I got a lot of steely looks. Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up: "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps"—she glanced at Annabeth, and then spoke as if the words had a sour taste—"perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."

"Humph," Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose . . ."

"All in favor," Hermes butted in before his Dad could start a new monologue.

All the gods raised their hands.

"Um, thanks," I said.

I turned, but before I could leave, Poseidon called, "Honor guard!"

Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door—an aisle for me to walk through. They came to attention.

"All hail, Perseus Jackson," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"

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Annabeth and I were on our way out when I spotted Hermes in a side courtyard of the palace. He was staring at an Iris-message in the mist of a fountain.

I glanced at Annabeth. "I'll meet you at the elevator."

"You sure?" Then she studied my face. "Yeah, you're sure."

Hermes didn't seem to notice me approach. The Iris-message images were going so fast I could hardly understand them. Mortal newscasts from all over the country flashed by: scenes of Typhon's destruction, the wreckage our battle had left across Manhattan, the president doing a news conference, the mayor of New York, some army vehicles riding down the Avenue of the Americas.

"Amazing," Hermes murmured. He turned toward me. "Three thousand years, and I will never get over the power of the Mist . . . and mortal ignorance."

"True, I guess, thanks."

"Oh, not you. Although, I suppose I should wonder, turning down Godhood."

"It was the right choice."

Hermes looked at me curiously, then returned his attention to the Iris-message.

"Look at them. They've already decided Typhon was a freak series of storms. Don't I wish. They haven't figured out how all the statues in Lower Manhattan got removed from their pedestals and hacked to pieces. They keep showing a shot of Susan B. Anthony strangling Frederick Douglass. But I imagine they'll even come up with a logical explanation for that."

"How bad is the city?"

Hermes shrugged. "Surprisingly, not too bad. The mortals are shaken, of course. But this is New York. I've never seen such a resilient bunch of humans. I imagine they'll be back to normal in a few weeks; and of course I'll be helping. It's my job to monitor what the mortals are saying, and if necessary, help them make sense of what's happened. I'll reassure them. Trust me, they'll put this down to a freak earthquake or a solar flare. Anything but the truth."

He sounded bitter. George and Martha curled around his caduceus, but they were silent, which made me think that Hermes was really really angry.

I probably should've kept quiet, but I said, "I owe you an apology."

Hermes gave me a cautious look. "And why is that?"

"I thought you were a bad father," I admitted. "I thought you abandoned Luke because you knew his future and didn't do anything to stop it."

"I did know his future," Hermes said miserably.

"But you knew more than just the bad stuff—that he'd turn evil. You understood what he would do in the end. You knew he'd make the right choice. But you couldn't tell him, could you?"

Hermes stared at the fountain. "No one can tamper with fate, Percy, not even a god. If I had warned him what was to come, or tried to influence his choices, I would've made things even worse. Staying silent, staying away from him . . . that was the hardest thing I've ever done."

"You had to let him find his own path," I said, "and play his part in saving Olympus."

Hermes sighed. "I should not have gotten mad at Annabeth. When Luke visited her in San Francisco . . . well, I knew she would have a part to play in his fate. I foresaw that much. I thought perhaps she could do what I could not and save him. When she refused to go with him, I could barely contain my rage. I should have known better. I was really angry with myself."

"Annabeth did save him," I said. "Luke died a hero. He sacrificed himself to kill Kronos."

"I appreciate your words, Percy. But Kronos isn't dead. You can't kill a Titan."

"Then—"

"I don't know," Hermes grumbled. "None of us do. Blown to dust. Scattered to the wind. With luck, he's spread so thin that he'll never be able to form a consciousness again, much less a body. But don't mistake him for dead, Percy."

My stomach did a queasy somersault. "What about the other Titans?"

"In hiding," Hermes said. "Prometheus sent Zeus a message with a bunch of excuses for supporting Kronos. 'I was just trying to minimize the damage,' blah, blah, blah. He'll keep his head low for a few centuries if he's smart. Krios has fled, and Mount Othrys has crumbled into ruins. Oceanus slipped back into the deep ocean when it was clear Kronos had lost. Meanwhile, my son Luke is dead. He died believing I didn't care about him. I will never forgive myself."

Hermes slashed his caduceus through the mist. The Iris-picture disappeared.

"A long time ago," I said, "you told me the hardest thing about being a god was not being able to help your children. You also told me that you couldn't give up on your family, no matter how tempting they made it."

"And now you know I'm a hypocrite?"

"No, you were right, Luke loved you. At the end, he realized his fate. I think he realized why you couldn't help him. He remembered what was important."

"Too late for him and me."

"You have other children. Honour Luke by recognizing them. All the gods can do that."

Hermes's shoulders sagged. "They'll try, Percy. Oh, we'll all try to keep our promise.

And maybe for a while things will get better. But we gods have never been good at

keeping oaths. You were born because of a broken promise, eh? Eventually we'll become forgetful. We always do."

"You can change."

Hermes laughed. "After three thousand years, two of which you've seen, you think the gods can change their nature?"

"Yeah," I said. "I do."

Hermes seemed surprised by that. "You think . . . Luke actually loved me? After all that happened?"

I swore. "I promise."

Hermes stared at the fountain. "I'll give you a list of my children. There's a boy in Wisconsin. Two girls in Los Angeles. A few others. Will you see that they get to camp?"

"I promise," I said. "And I won't forget."

George and Martha twirled around the caduceus. Now I know snakes can't smile, but they seemed to be trying.

"Percy Jackson," Hermes said, "you might finally just teach us a thing or two."

Another god was waiting for me on the way out of Olympus. Athena stood in the middle of the road with her arms crossed and a look on her face that made me think Uh-oh. She'd changed out of her armour, into jeans and a white blouse, but she didn't look any less warlike. Her gray eyes blazed.

"Well, Percy," she said. "You will stay mortal."

"Um, yes, ma'am."

"I would know your reasons."

"I want to pretend to be a regular guy. Have, you know, a regular high school experience."

"And my daughter?"

"I couldn't leave her," I admitted, my throat dry. "Or Grover," I added quickly. "Or—"

"Spare me." Athena stepped close to me, and I could feel her aura of power. "I once warned you, Percy Jackson, that to save a friend you would destroy the world. You seem to have saved both your friends and the world. But think very carefully about how you proceed from here. I have given you the benefit of the doubt… and my blessing to court my daughter. Don't mess up."

Annabeth was waiting for me at the elevator. "Why do you smell like smoke?"

I smiled. Together we made our way down to the street level. Neither of us said a word. The music was awful; I should've made that part of my gift from the gods: better elevator tunes.