Chapter 22

When Nico and Percy arrived back at camp they knew they had made it just in time. The legion was assembling on the door steps of the camp, preparing to leave the retired legion to defend the camp. Percy saw Jason in the front trying to ease the transition forward.

It didn't take long before Nico saw his favorite daughter of Athena, but before he could shadow travel Percy gripped him hard, "Be careful with your choices little brother. I know she knew that you were going to dip in the Styx, but as far as we know, no one else does. The longer we can keep that secret, the better off we will be. Fight like you are still vulnerable, we may need a last trick to take down the son of Darunia."

Nico nodded his head sadly, "Of course Percy. We only need to rescue our sister today and then we can prepare to fight for Olympus."

Percy grinned slugging his brother in the shoulder, "A Demigods life never ends!"

With that Percy shadow traveled to the front of the troop movement. The legion went up in cheers at the site of him. Even Nico got pounded on the back by cohort one when he appeared beside Reyna. Percy barked out, "Legionairres, I do believe it is time we make our way to the black fortress a little quicker."

Some people looked disappointed that Percy was going to make them exert themselves even more, but the Praetor of Rome just smiled, "So I have brought a few friends to make our journey go a little faster."

With that Percy swiped the Lyre and Caduces pendent on his necklace and suddenly his two patrons were at his side. Percy bowed to the two Olympians, "Lord Mercury, Lord Apollo, we are in need of transportation to the Black Fortress."

Mercury grinned, "Well your lucky that I just so happen to be the God of Transportation. Everyone hold on tight, I will do us all one better."

A bright golden light took to the field and suddenly the entire legion was in a large garden. The occupants of the garden were only before they arrived, and the man stood in the shadows as if he barely had a care in the world. Percy stepped forward to greet the man, "Father, I see you have disposed of Ladon for us."

Pluto shrugged, "I figured I would stretch my muscles before you got here."

Percy looked dead ahead to see the entrance to the black fortress. He was surprised no force had been sent to meet them, he thought the garden of Hespiredes would be a perfect battlefield.

The Praetor of the twelfth legion turned to face his people, "Centurions, Legionairres, we stand today on the front door step of the Titan army. We face many threats inside this stronghold. Atlas has been freed of his burden, the son of Darunia is likely within our midst. We do not know every threat that is inside, but I do know that anything we face...will be destroyed. The time for mercy has passed. If an enemy of any kind crosses you, show them the mercy that Rome has showed all its enemies for a thousand years."

The men and women of the twelfth roared in approval as Percy continued, "I have two goals here today, but for the legion I only have one. My first goal is to save my sister, the second goal is to leave a path of destruction that Saturn will feel from the very depth of Tartarus. I plan to shove every Titan I come across right back into the Pit. Who will stand with me, and show the Titan army why Rome still stands?!"

The legion slammed their swords onto their shields in appreciation to Percy's speech. The dark eyed boy turned to the Lord of the Underworld, "Are you ready to fight by my side, my Lord?"

Pluto nodded and his sword shot up from the ground into his hands, "I have waited for this moment, for many years."

Jason roared to the legion, "Twelfth legion to our Praetor!"

The whole legion cried back, "Fulminata!"

Percy noticed Reyna was approaching him, before she could say anything though he swept her in his arms and planted one on her for all to see. Wolf whistles followed, but when they separated Reyna glared, as Percy grinned, "Just in case something bad happens."

With that Percy pulled Riptide and Ultor out of his pockets. He held his sword in the air and motioned a forward charge. He began with a light jog towards the doors, with his father, Jason, Nico, Reyna, Piper, and his other Greek allies. When they approached the doors Percy and Jason both held their swords into the air calling lightning to their command, and blasting the front doors open. Percy then ran into the fortress preparing for the assault. As one hundred demigods stormed the fortress, not a single creature approached them.

Percy growled in anticipation. He felt like he had walked into a trap, but he couldn't honestly be sure. The stronghold was several stories high from where they were standing, he could see rooms and hallways in every direction. The fortress was different from the last time, he felt like he was now standing in an arena, or a large football stadium...It was a perfect spot for a...Ambush!

Percy immediately bellowed out, "LOCK SHIELDS!"

Percy heard a low growl come from in front of him as he ventured forward. Suddenly two lights enveloped the room, but they weren't alone. Percy recognized Atlas standing at the forefront of a monster army, but standing beside him was a man he had seen since he had rescued Gwen from Montauk beach. Jason and his fellow praetor stepped forward, with Jason speaking clearly, "Atlas, you have been freed of your burden by the generosity of Olympus. Put down the Javelin and surrender yourself over in order to escape further punishment."

The son of Pluto however stepped forward, "Perses, I have kicked the shit out of every single Titan I have come across, I would seriously consider surrendering."

Atlas took an aggressive step forward, but before he could do anything further Pluto put a hand on his shoulder, "Olympus sent me to kill or capture Atlas, allow Jason to take Perses, you must find your sister and the other prisoners. Take Reyna as your backup, you may need it."

Percy growled at the missed opportunity to kill a Titan, but he knew his father was right. Pluto stepped forward, "Twelfth legion to me, destroy!"

The demigod army roared in approval as they all charged forward to fight the monster army. Jason looked at me nervously while I signalled for Nico, Nico quickly came over to Jason's side and evened himself off with the Titan. Percy however was running out of what he felt like was precious time so he reached for Reyna's hand and they ran off down a hallway that he hoped would take him to Bianca.

Percy gripped his heart as he felt souls leaving to go to his fathers domain, he knew they were losing legionairres, he didn't have time to search for his sister forever. They searched at full speed for Bianca, when suddenly Percy felt a prescense. He turned to look down a dark hallway and Reyna looked at him questioningly. He heard a low voice speak to him, "Go down the hallway. You will find great treasures that you will need to fight in this war."

Percy recognized the voice as the son of Darunia, he knew that he shouldn't be trusting the kid, but he had yet to lead him astray thus far. He quickly took off at a sprint down the hall with Reyna hot on his heels. When they stormed into the large room he saw a large cinderblock prison in front of him. He couldn't see who was inside, but he needed to find out and fast. He carefully took two powerful swings cutting the bars in half and ripped them off the cage. He stormed into the entrance to find a disgusting site. Several dead people lied before him, the strange thing being was they were all women. There were easily two dozen people in this cell, most were clearly dead or dying. It was dark, but being a son of the Underworld he could see clearly. However at this moment, he wished more than anything that he did not have such a power. For when he eyes journeyed to the back of the cell he saw something that made his heart wrench. His little sister, his baby sister, was leaning against the cell walls, beaten, scarred, and what looked like heavy torture. Next to her a girl was trying to fan her, to keep her alive, but Percy could feel his little sisters life force slipping. As quickly as his feet would carry him he was at her side, scooping her up gently. He wanted to scream, he wanted to kill whoever did this, but all he could stutter out was, "B-B-Bian- Bianca?"

The girl took a sharp breath as she flicnhed at his voice, however she finally opened up her dark black eyes to look at her savior, "Percy..." She said weakly.

Harry gently scraped the hair out of her face nodding his head, "Its me sis, hold on, were going to get you out of here, were going to save you."

She merely shook her head gently, "They wanted information about you. They wanted to know everything about the camp as well, you walked right into the trap Percy. I didn't give them anything, but they knew you would come for me. Link is here, some of the Titan forces were heading to New Rome to fight."

Percy couldn't believe it, he fell right into their hands. He knew it was a trap, but he had no idea. Percy was about to ask for Reyna, but he suddenly realized she was not behind him, she was hovering over a girl several feet away from him, with tears streaming down her eyes, she sobbed, "Percy its Hylla. These women were the Amazon forces that must have been captured by the Titan army."

Percy gasped in surprise, "Rey, you have to get Bianca and your sister out of here. Take my necklace, get outside the fortress and call for help. Apollo will be able to save them."

She quickly nodded choking out, "What are you going to do?"

Percy's eyes darkened, "I am going to Avenge the damage they did to my sister."

She nodded her head surging forward planting a huge kiss on his face. Normally the son of Pluto would smile, but he held so much anger, he couldn't find it in him. He quickly commanded the survivors to find their feet and form a circle around him. He would need to help Reyna shadow travel this many people out of the fortress. After a minute they had all gathered and took hands. Percy spoke gently to Reyna, "Just picutre your destination, I will command the shadows."

She nodded her head as Percy slammed his sword into the ground roaring in pain as he felt the tug in his gut to allow so much power enter the room and engulf the group and take them to a different place.

He stared in the eyes of his sister hoping it wouldn't be the last time to do so as they all disappeared. With that he shadow traveled out of the cell and back into the main portion of the fighting. The numbers had spread thin. Many lay dead on the ground, but less than he expected. His father was still fighting Atlas toe to toe, while Jason and Nico had Perses on the rope. Nico was a demon that could not be touched, he hoped that he hadn't given up to much of his ability though.

Percy decided he would be better off helping the legion as he roared, "Legion rally to me, lets escort these sons of bitches right back to the gates of Tartarus."

A rally cry went up as Percy like a free safety ran through the battlefield easily slicing through monsters that stood no chance against him, the numbers of the monster army were dwindling quickly. Suddenly a scream ruptured through the air, as the whole battlefield seemed to halt. Percy turned to see Atlas smashing Hazel with his javelin, but it wasn't a scream of pain he heard it was a scream of anger coming from his father. Percy surged forward to help his father, quickly locking with Atlas in sword to sword combat. Pluto stepped back from the fight in awe watching his son whirl through the fight against the Titan, allowing nothing to phase or distract him. Pluto summoned a large blast of godly energy and unleashed it at Atlas just in time as Percy dived out of the way of a haymaker. With Atlas on the ground, he darted forward to finish the fight, but a blade tripped him causing him to spiral forward and roll up into a fighting stance. A young man with blonde hair stood before him. The kid was unfortunately familiar to Percy, "Link, stay out of this."

The son of Darunia smiled sadly, "I can't let you interfere Percy. Your father was destined to fight Atlas, just like Hazel was destined die by his hands. Perses won't hold out much longer, but if I let you continue your attack my forces will be completely decimated. I cannot allow that. Surrender your weapon over cousin."

Percy growled, "I think the time to surrender is far past. The Titans have now nearly killed both of my little sisters, I will not stop until every single one of them are dead at my feet."

Link sighed, "I can't allow that."

"Your either with me, or your against me. Link, please...Don't make me kill you." Percy exclaimed quietly.

Link however just looked puzzled, "You've never been able to beat me before, just because you feel a righteous anger you think you can kill me?"

Percy shook his head as the two combatants began circling each other, "I don't want to kill you, but I will do as I must."

"As will I." Link returned sadly.

Percy roared and surged forward with a speed he had never controlled before. Link was clearly caught off guard by the agression as he was quickly forced onto the defense. The son of Darunia attempted to use his powers to slow Percy down, but they only worked for a split second as he now felt the power of the Styx flow through his body. Link almost lost his head in surprise as Percy went for a finishing blow. As Link rolled backwards he whistled, "It seems your bath in the Styx has made you stronger, Perseus."

Percy growled, "You have no idea."

They met their blades once again in the middle as Percy feinted a strike at the boys head, then rolled backwards taking a swipe at his chest in only a matter of a second or two. Percy whirled around in a hurricane like strike bringing the wrath of the gods on his cousin. Link barely had time to raise his blade to deflect most of the strikes that were coming his way. However he did manage to stop time just long enough kick Percy in the chest sending him flying backwards at the force. When Percy stood he charged right back resuming the fight for Black Fortress.

When Link disappeared out of the Praetors vision, the son of Pluto slammed his foot into the ground calling on his powers as the earth shaker, but he also held his sword to the sky calling on the power of skies, however his finally move was to conceal the shadows in an attacking formation. Link was so discombobulated he never dodged the lightning that flew towards his chest.

Link slammed into the ground and monster army seemed to stop and watch in shock as their general had clearly been harmed. Jason and Nico finally joined his side as they noticed that Perses was completely out of the fight and back in the pit where he belonged. Pluto was delivering a finishing blow to Atlas, when suddenly the whole world stood still. The very rotation of the Earth stopped in this moment. Percy stared in shock as Link stood before him, clearly more angry than he had ever been in his life. The sons of the big three couldn't move as they were forzen in time. Percy and Nico weren't held for long, but Link stared at them regardlessly, "I have spared your lives multiple times, and this is how you repay me. My father was right about the children of Olympus. They have no sense of loyalty or family, all they seek to do is kill and destroy. Perseus Jackson, mark my words I will hold your life in my blade one day. You are the child of the prophesy for now I stand before you immortal. You may have won this day, but the fighting is not over, this is only the beginning Son of Pluto. Mark my words it is only the beginning. With that Link let out a terrfiying scream and the mountain began to shake. When the world resumed its play the mountain was beginning to cave in on them and he was gone. Percy turned to see his father inbed the Sword of Hades into Atlas, and quickly yank it out. The Lord of the Underworld quickly screamed to everyone, "Come to the center, we must leave now!"

What was left of the legion surged forward to the oldest son of Saturn and the shadows wrapped around the whole group dumping them out in a familiar place. They were inside Camp Jupiter once again. However the site before them made Percy's heart clench. They were under seige. Pluto growled, "Bring your forces to the Pomerian Line, I will get them all to the Underworld, we must abandon camp for now."

Percy looked at Jason and Nico as understanding crossed over, "We will bring the citizens of New Rome to you, but we will keep fighting."

Percy turned to the legion, "If you are injured stay with Lord Pluto, if you are fighting able, do not engage the enemy unless you must. Gather the wounded around camp and bring them here. The Centurions and my fellow praetor will keep the monster army busy."

Shouts went through the air as leadership ensued throughout what was left of the fighting force. Many people took off in sprints in hope of finding their family, while some merely dropped to the ground in so much pain or injury that they were unable to go on. Percy knew these people would be okay, it was the people that ran to help were who he was worried about. The son of Pluto didn't know where Reyna went, but he sure hoped she didn't come back here.

Percy, Jason, and Nico, ran through the battlefield cutting monsters down easily. Jason covered the aerial support using what little strength he had left to call down the lightning. Percy had barely crept into exhaustion yet, and Nico seemed to be waning on his power level.

When they came over the hill they could see miles of monsters approaching the camp. The sons of the three merely stared in fear at the force they saw before them. Leading it was a man in solid gold armor that seemed to radiate power and light. Jason gasped, "Hyperion. He's a Greek Titan? What's he doing here?"

Percy shrugged, "I don't know, but you two need to get back to my father. I will hold Hyperion. Evacuate the camp, make sure Bianca and Reyna are not here."

Nico shook his head, "I won't leave you."

Percy glared, "You don't have a choice. You look dead on your feet, you used a lot of power to kill that Titan. Have they found out about our secret?"

Jason looked between Nico and I strangely when Nico looked at the ground, "No Percy, Jason and I had him outmatched, there was no need to reveal myself."

Jason looked like he was going to ask what the hell was going on, but decided against it when he looked into Percy's eyes. They were nothing, but swirling mask of hatred. The son of Pluto did not unleash his anger at Link, for he knew he was not responsible for the state of his sister, however the Titan before him did not receive such a sympathy from him.

Percy felt a golden light appear beside him as he saw his father, "I have evacuated the camp, I don't detect any more living souls on the grounds. The monster force behind us is gone, however the army is clearly before us."

The leader of Rome nodded, "Bianca warned me of the trap."

Pluto stroked his beard gently as the monster army approached, "I detected it when I made it to the Black Fortress, by the way it is definitely in ruins now."

Percy's eyes never wavered from the front lines, "But at what cost?"

Jason, Nico, and his father eyed him curiously. The dark eyed boy sighed, "Link is immortal now. He told me I am certainly the child of the prophesy. The weight of the world now falls to me. Which means it is not my time to die."

Keeping an even strong voice he spoke swiftly, "Nico, Jason, go to the underworld with my father, I will stop this force in its tracks."

Nico and Jason both looked to the Lord of the dead, but he merely smiled, "Go boys, we will be behind you."

Nico nodded as he grabbed onto Jason and shadow traveled out of the site. Percy finally looked away from the front line, "What are you going to do?"

Pluto shrugged, "I am going to fight beside my favorite son. Our army has been anxiously awaiting my call all day."

With that Pluto drew the Sword of the Underworld out and slammed into the ground causing world to erupt, and the ground to split. Out of the grounds fissure thousands of undead warriors answered the call of its master. Lord Pluto cried, "Serve your King and Prince and pay off any debt you may owe to the Lords of the Underworld! ATTACK!"

Percy watched in awe as the monsters simply stared at the undead warriors coming out of the ground, but Hyperion motioned a charge and the two armies collided.

Hyperion seemed to cut through the army as he broke out into a run towards Perseus and his father. Pluto merely grinned, "It seems we have one more Titan to kill today."

Percy finally smiled, "Three for three ain't bad!"

With that as father and son they charged towards the blinding light that was one of the most powerful Titans. When the undead army cleared a path for their Lords and their opponent Hyperion finally stopped, "Perseus Jackson. I have been waiting a long time to fight you."

Pluto growled stepping forward, "You will have to wait a bit longer Titan scum, if you fight my son, you will take the both of us, together."

Hyperion laughed, "Now, now, now Pluto, I believe you have done enough damage to my brethren today. I do believe Perseus however wants some vengeance on my kind. Particularly me."

Percy growled stepping forward, "Why particularly you?"

Hyperion mocked surprise, "You mean your sister didn't tell you who her jailor was? I thought that might be why you stuck around to fight."

Pluto stared in wonder, clearly not knowing the state of his youngest daughter. Percy however seemed to emnate power and anger. Percy growled ripping off a piece of armor from his gear, "I challenge Hyperion, the Titan of the light in single combat, to the death."

Pluto took in a sharp breath, "Son don't do it. Hyperion is one of the most powerful Titans, if he accepts I will be unable to help you."

Percy shook his head, "I will kill this man myself for what he has done to my sister. Go to your army and help them eliminate the threat."

The Lord of the Underworld shrugged his shoulders snapping his fingers and many of the monsters throughout the Titan army dropped in a large whole that Percy knew went straight to Tartarus. The undead army let out a creepy cheer that erupted throughout the land. Pluto then snapped his fingers and all the soldiers went back underground to the Underworld. Percy stared at his father in awe, he felt that his father just broke a few ancient laws, but at the moment, his only thoughts were going to Hyperion.

Percy growled, "You are going to rue the day you stepped away from your punishment Titan."

Hyperion grinned, "You think you can take Vengeance against me boy?"

Percy snarled, "The rest of your brethren learned this the hard way Hyperion. I am nothing but an Avenger to my friends and family. Your last mistake was when you touched my sister.

Percy roared in anger and ran forward, with every step he took the ground shook beneath him. Hyperion was immediately thrown off balance, but it didn't matter, because he was simply to fast and met Percy's first flurry of strikes. Percy was merely a blur as he attacked with both blades at a speed he was just now beginning to get used to. Hyperions sword was strangely moving faster however in order to block both swords. Dodging came into a huge play, but that only lasted until the Titan threw a spartan kick at Percy causing him to fly backwards into the ground. The Titan growled, "I hear you have power boy, but let me see if you can turn on the lights with it."

With that Hyperion turned a shade that Percy couldn't see. The light that emanated off the Titan was as bright as the sun, but Percy held on to dear life, as he felt the Titan approach him with renewed vigor and speed. Percy barely had time to throw up his sword to block, but when another swipe came it connectect with his chest, but the sword merely bounced off of him. Hyperion growled, "I guess I will just have to rip you apart piece by piece until I find your vulnerable spot."

Just as Hyperion was going for another swing, Percy erupted with power, causing Hyperion to fall backwards at the burst of pure energy Percy released. The Son of Pluto had never done anything like that before, but he knew whatever he did it was effective. Percy stretched for the shadows and created a dome over them descending them into darkness, "You fight with the lights on, well Titan perhaps I will just descend the world into darkness to fight you."

Hyperion attempted to light himself up again, but everytime he did shadows from all corners of the globe seemed to cover him quickly. Percy however took advantage of this and darted forward slicing the Titan in vulnerable places causing the Titans ichor spew all over him. Hyperion howled in anger, but that didn't stop Percy as he hacked away. Hyperion screamed in anguish, but Percy was just getting warmed up as he continued to push Hyperion back to home territory, the water. When they reached the edge of the shadows Hyperion was a bloody mess, but that didn't mean Percy was going to be merciful, finally being presented the opportunity of vengeance he dash stepped forward and spartan kicked Hyperion as hard as he could, leaving a loud splash. Percy recalled the shadows allowing them to disappear the sun to reemerge, but Percy was aleady still in action boiling the water and holding Hyperion under. The titan howled and screamed, and finally when Percy finished he made the water throw him up right before him. Percy put a sword at the Titans throat, "What was your gameplan? Three titans and Link to stop me and my forces and you failed. Darunia and your brother will be pissed. Be thankful my mercy has extents, I won't send you back to them, however I hope you will take pleasure in rejoining your brethren in Tartarus."

Percy gave a might swoop cutting the Titan's head clean off. With the battle finally over Percy dropped to his knees in exhaustion. He felt his father come up beside him, "I see that our time to fight side to side has yet to come."

Percy barely grinned as he continued to heave, "I'd hate for you to hurt yourself, I could see you struggling with Atlas."

Pluto laughed, "No, I was toying with him, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to assist in the battle once he was dead."

Percy grumbled, "How many did we lose?"

Pluto sighed, "Maybe 15, a little more probably. You still had at least 80 men from your hundred man squadron."

Percy nodded thankfully, "Can I assume my men will make it to Elysium?"

"It is already done."

"Thank you father."

Pluto looked at the ground where Hyperion previously lay, "What did he do to Bianca?"

"Wait till you see her, you won't be to happy with me for letting him off so easy." Percy growled.

Pluto nodded his head, "We should get back to them, your people await."

"Yes sire."

(A/N) Sorry I thought I had posted this update last week, but I did not. Next chapter will be a filler, then probably a rebuilder, then we will be heading to Manhattan for a big fight. Many twist and turns to go, stay tuned!