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ALL TOO WELL

THE LAST OLYMPIAN
[ G O O D B Y E T O A H E R O ]

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UNFORTUNATE NEWS: THE bridge to Mount Olympus was dissolving. Natalia Flynn still had incredible agility, thanks to her mother, but this might be too much for her to handle. As soon as the group of five stepped on the marble walkway after getting out of the elevator, cracks appeared underneath their feet.

Grover grabbed Natalia's hand. "Jump!"

The two of them jumped. While they landed safely on the next slab of stone, Thalia and Percy's tilted sickeningly.

"Gods, I hate heights!" Thalia yelled as her and Percy leaped.

However, Annabeth was in no shape for jumping, due to her injured arm.

"Percy! Natalia!" she called as she stumbled.

Natalia looked back and her eyes widened. Percy had caught Annabeth's hand as the pavement fell, but her hand had begun to slip until he was only holding onto her fingers. Natalia surged forward and grabbed Percy's legs, attempting to pull the weight of both of them. Thalia and Grover came to her aid and soon enough, Percy pulled them up. Natalia tumbled onto the pavement next to Grover, letting out a groan. She looked up, but immediately smirked at the sight of Percy and Annabeth, who still had their arms around each other.

Annabeth suddenly tensed. "Um, thanks."

Percy attempted to stutter out a response.

Grover tugged at his shoulder. "Keep moving!"

They all scrambled up and sprinted across the bridge as more stones continued to fall. Just as the final section collapsed, they made it to the edge of the mountain. Natalia glanced back at the elevator far away. The polished set of metal doors were hanging in space with nothing attached to them, six hundred stories above the island of Manhattan.

"We're marooned," Annabeth announced. "On our own."

"Blah-ha-ha!" Grover bleated. "The connection between Olympus and America is dissolving. If it fails—"

"The Gods won't move on to another country this time," Thalia revealed. "This will be the end of Olympus. The final end."

"We cant let that happen," Natalia stated. "Come on, let's go."

They ran through the streets. Mansions were on fire, burning to the ground. Statues had been cut down. The trees in the parks were blasted to splinters.

"Kronos' scythe," Percy voiced.

The group continued to follow the winding path that led to the palace of the Gods. Natalia definitely didn't remember it being this long. The palace seemed to be miles away. Despite this, she continued to urge herself forwards. She tried not to frown at the destruction of the beautiful mountaintop.

Apparently, some minor Gods and nature spirits had attempted to stop Kronos. The only things that remained of them were shattered armor, ripped clothing, and broken weapons.

"Brick by brick!" Kronos' voice suddenly roared from somewhere ahead of them. "That was my promise. Tear it down BRICK BY BRICK!"

A white marble temple with a gold dome spontaneously exploded. It shattered into a billion pieces and rained rubble over the city.

Natalia's eyes glowed silver and she slung her bow off her shoulder, clenching it tightly. "He destroyed a shrine to Artemis. Oh, he'll fucking pay for that."

When they ran under the marble archway with the huge statues of Zeus and Hera, the entire mountain groaned and rocked sideways.

"Look out!" Grover warned.

The archway crumbled. Natalia looked up just in time to see a scowling Hera topple over her, Annabeth, and Percy. However, Thalia pushed them out of the way.

"Thalia!" Grover cried.

Thalia's legs were revealed to be pinned under the statue once the dust cleared and the mountain stopped rocking. All of them tried to push the statue, but it was no use. Thalia yelled in pain when they tried to pull her out from underneath.

"I survive all those battles, and I get defeated by a stupid chunk of rock!" Thalia growled.

"It's Hera," Annabeth said, completely outraged. "She's had it in for me all year. Her statue would've killed me if you hadn't pushed us away."

Thalia winced. "Well, don't just stand there! I'll be fine. Go!"

Natalia didn't want to leave the lieutenant of Artemis, but she heard Kronos laughing as he approached the hall of the Gods. More buildings continued to explode.

"We'll be back," Percy promised.

"I'm not going anywhere," Thalia groaned in response.

Right next to the gates of the palace, a fireball erupted on the side of the mountain.

"We've got to run," Percy told them.

"I don't suppose you mean away," Grover muttered hopefully.

Percy sprinted up towards the palace with Annabeth right behind him.

"I was afraid of that," Grover sighed.

Natalia grabbed his hand and yanked him along. "Let's go!"

Despite the palace doors being enormous, they'd been ripped off their hinges like they weighed nothing. Just to get inside, they had to climb over a huge pile of broken stone and twisted metal. Kronos himself stood in the middle of the throne room with his arms stretched wide. He stared up at the dome ceiling that glittered with constellations as if he was taking it all in. His laughter echoed loud around the room.

"Finally!" he exclaimed. "The Olympian Council — so proud and mighty. Which seat of power shall I destroy first?"

Ethan Nakamura stood off to one side in effort to stay out of the way from Kronos' scythe. Hestia's hearth was almost dead — only a few glowing coals left — and the Goddess was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Natalia hoped they were safe. The Ophiotaurus swam around in his water sphere in the far center, not making a sound, but it would only be a matter of time before Kronos noticed him.

Natalia, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover stepped into the torchlight. Ethan noticed them first.

"My Lord," he warned.

Kronos turned and smiled. Despite his golden eyes, it was still Luke's face. He looked just like Natalia had always known. Annabeth made a painful sound in the back of her throat. Natalia gripped her hand tightly.

"Shall I destroy you first, Jackson?" Kronos asked. "Is that the choice you will make — to fight me and die instead of bowing down? Prophecies never end well, you know."

"Luke would fight with a sword," Percy countered. "But I suppose you don't have his skill."

Kronos sneered. His scythe suddenly changed into Luke's old weapon, Backbiter, a half steel half Celestial Bronze sword.

Annabeth gasped. "Percy, the blade! The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap."

Natalia stared at Annabeth with wide eyes. She knew what she meant. Before any of them could say anything, Kronos raised Backbiter.

"No!" Natalia protested.

Kronos charged at Percy. He slashed, dodged, and rolled away from the Titan, but Kronos was still advancing. Ethan ducked and tried to get behind Percy. Natalia and Annabeth shared one nod before letting go of each other's hands and intercepting him. Annabeth fought with her knife while Natalia used moonlight to temporarily blind him and glared at him with silver eyes, which always sent him stumbling back. Grover was playing his reed pipes which gave his friends the strength to fight.

Suddenly, a tendril of electricity hit Kronos from Hephaestus' throne, making him crumple to his knees and drop Backbiter. "ARG!"

Annabeth kicked Ethan out of the way and charged at the Titan. "Luke, listen!"

He didn't. Kronos flicked his hand and sent Annabeth flying back into Athena's throne. She crumpled to the floor and didn't move.

"Annabeth!" Percy screamed.

Ethan got to his feet. He went to go move towards Annabeth, but Natalia stepped in his way.

"Don't even fucking think about it," Natalia said angrily, holding a notched arrow right at him. "You hurt her once, and you will not do it again."

Grover's music became more urgent. He moved toward Annabeth to check on her, but he couldn't go any faster of else he'd mess up the song. Grass grew on the floor of the throne room and tiny roots appeared from the cracks of the marble stone. Kronos then rose to one knee with his hair smoldering and his face covered in electrical burns. He reached for Backbiter, but it didn't fly into his hands.

"Nakamura!" he groaned. "Time to prove yourself. You know Jackson's secret weakness. Kill him, and you will have rewards beyond measure."

Ethan's eyes drifted down to Percy's midsection. With horrible clarity, Natalia knew that he knew where Percy's weak spot was. She gritted her teeth and continued to glare at the son of Nemesis.

"Natalia, lower your arrow," Percy ordered.

"Percy—" she began.

"Now, Natalia."

Reluctantly, she lowered her bow and arrow. Ethan seemed to relax a little bit.

"Look around you, Ethan," Percy told him. "The end of the world. Is this the reward you want? Do you really want everything destroyed — the good with the bad? Everything?"

Natalia glanced over. Grover had almost reached Annabeth. The grass continued to thicken and the roots were now almost a foot long.

"There is no throne to Nemesis," Ethan muttered. "No throne to my mother."

"That's right!" Kronos attempted to stand up but he stumbled, a patch of blonde hair still smoldering above his left ear. "Strike them down! They deserve to suffer."

"You said your mom is the Goddess of balance," Percy continued. "The minor Gods deserve better, Ethan, but total destruction isn't balance. Kronos doesn't build. He only destroys."

Ethan turned to the sizzling throne of Hephaestus. He began to sway to Grover's music liked it filled him with nostalgia. His one eye blinked. And then he charged.

However, it wasn't at Percy. Ethan ran towards Kronos while he was still on his knees and stabbed the Titan Lord's neck. However, the blade merely shattered once it hit his skin. Ethan fell back while grasping his stomach in pain. A shard of his own blade had pierced through his own armor, due to it ricocheting.

Kronos rose unsteadily and towered over him and snarled. "Treason."

Grover continued to play his music, making grass grow around Ethan's body. Ethan stared up at Percy with his face tight with pain.

"Deserve better," he gasped. "If they just . . . had thrones-"

Kronos stomped his foot. The floor ruptured around the son of Nemesis, and Ethan Nakamura fell through a fissure that went through the heart of the mountain into open air. Natalia dropped her bow, and it clattered to the floor as her hands flew to her mouth.

"So much for him." Kronos picked up Backbiter. "And now for the rest of you."

Grover was now at Annabeth's side now, feeding her ambrosia. He'd stopped playing his music too early, since the roots that wrapped around Kronos' feet weren't thick or strong enough to hold him. That was enough to shock Natalia out of her trance. She picked up her bow and ran after Percy, who was fighting Kronos through the hearth. Natalia was about to rush over to Annabeth until Kronos slashed an armrest off of the throne of Artemis.

"Oh, hell no!" Natalia screamed. She could've sworn she saw a silvery aura surround her, but it was probably just her imagination. "My mother is the Goddess of the hunt, and I swear to Gods, I will hunt you!"

She charged at Kronos and shot a volley of arrows. No matter how many times she aimed in different areas, they only bounced off. Kronos then backed Natalia and Percy up to Poseidon's throne.

"Oh, yes," Kronos said. "This one will make fine kindling for my new hearth!"

Backbiter, Riptide, and Natalia's bow clashed in a shower of sparks. Percy pushed Kronos back and struck his sword against his breastplate, cutting a gash in the Celestial Bronze. That's when Kronos stomped his foot again, making time slow. Percy attempted to attack and Natalia wanted to get another arrow out of her quiver, but they were moving in slow motion. Kronos leisurely backed up to catch his breath and examined the gash in his armor. Natalia only hoped that him using his powers would wear the Titan down.

"It's too late, Percy Jackson," he announced. "Behold."

He pointed to the hearth. The coals glowed and a sheet of white smoke began to form images. Natalia saw Nico di Angelo, Sally Jackson, and Paul Blofis fighting a hopeless battle down on Fifth Avenue. Hades fought from his black chariot in the background, summoning more zombie warriors from the ground. However, the Titan army seemed just as endless as the zombie army. The rest of Manhattan continued to be destroyed. Mortals were running away in terror now that they were fully awake.

The scene shifted, and Natalia's eyes widened at the next terrifying image. A large column of storm was approaching the Hudson River and moved rapidly over the Jersey shore. Multiple chariots circled it as the Gods battled the creature in the cloud. Zeus made lightning flash. Artemis and Apollo shot exploding gold and silver arrows into the air. Slowly, the cloud ripped apart, and Natalia was able to see the storm Giant Typhon clearly. If she was able to survive this, she was sure the image would haunt her for the rest of her life. His head shifted constantly into different monsters, each becoming more horrible than the last. Natalia looked down at his body so she didn't go insane, but it wasn't much better. Typhon was humanoid but his skin was mottled green, splattered with huge blisters and blackened patches. His human like hands had sharp talons. The Giant's legs were scaly and reptilian.

"The Olympians are giving their final effort." Kronos laughed. "How pathetic."

Zeus launched a thunderbolt from his chariot. The blast lit up the world and Natalia could feel the shock from Olympus. However, when the dust cleared, Typhon was still standing. He now had a smoking crater on top of his head and staggered, but he roared in anger and kept advancing.

Natalia felt her limbs begin to loosen up and her hand grasped around the tail of a Celestial Bronze arrow. Kronos didn't notice since all his attention was focused on his final victory. He watched as Typhon stepped into the Hudson River and barely sank to mid calf.

Suddenly, a conch horn sounded from the smoky image - the call of the ocean and the call of Poseidon.

The Hudson River erupted around Typhon and churned with forty-foot waves. A new chariot then burst out of the water, pulled by massive Hippocampi. The God Poseidon glowed with a blue aura of power and rode in a circle around the Giant's legs. When he swung his trident, the river responded and formed a funnel cloud around Typhon. Natalia let out an elated laugh.

"No!" Kronos bellowed in anger after the throne room was captured in a stunned silence. "NO!"

"NOW, MY BRETHREN!" Poseidon ordered, his voice booming loudly. "STRIKE FOR OLYMPUS!"

A Legion of Cyclopes burst out of the water, riding on huge sharks, dragons, and sea horses. And leading them into battle was an old friend.

"Tyson!" Percy called.

Natalia stared at Percy's brother in amazement. He magically grew thirty feet tall while wearing full battle armor. Briares, the Hundred-Handed One, rode behind him. All of the Cyclopes held huge black iron chains with grappling hooks at the ends. They threw them like lassos and captured Typhon in the chains. The tide continued to circle, which slowly tangled the storm Giant. Typhon tried to thrash out of his chains, which succeeded in pulling some Cyclopes off their mounts, but he was too trapped. The weight of the Cyclopes began to weigh him down. Poseidon threw his trident. It imbedded itself in Typhon's throat, making golden ichor spew from the wound. Poseidon's weapon flew back into his hand.

With renewed force, the other Gods continued to strike. Ares rode up and stabbed Typhon in the nose. Artemis shot a dozen silver arrows into his eye. Apollo shot a blazing volley of arrows and set the monster's loincloth on fire. Zeus threw more lighting at the monster. Finally, the water rose and wrapped around Typhon like a cocoon. The storm Giant began to sink under the weight of the chains. Typhon let out a bellow of agony and thrashed with such force that waves soaked five story buildings on the Jersey shore and the George Washington Bridge. Poseidon opened a tunnel at the bottom of the river that would take him right down to Tartarus. Typhon's head went under a churning whirlpool, and then he was gone for good.

"BAH!" Kronos screamed, slashing Backbiter through the smoke.

"Give it up, Kronos," Natalia began. "The Gods are on their way. You've already lost."

He glared at her. "I haven't even started."

Kronos advanced at her and Percy with blinding speed. Grover, being the brave stupid Satyr he was, tried to protect them, but Kronos tossed him aside like he was nothing. Percy sidestepped and jabbed under Kronos' guard. Unfortunately, Luke knew this trick. He countered the strike and disarmed him. Riptide skittered across the ground and fell straight through the open fissure. Natalia, breathing heavily, kept an arrow aimed at Kronos.

"STOP!" a voice yelled.

It was Annabeth. Kronos whirled towards her and slashed Backbiter, but somehow she was able to catch the strike on her dagger hilt. Natalia had no idea where she found the strength, but Annabeth stepped closer for leverage. For a moment, she stood face-to-face with the Titan Lord with their blades crossed. Both of them held each other at a standstill.

"Luke," she began through gritted teeth. "I understand now. You have to trust me."

Kronos let out an outraged roar. "Luke Castellan is dead! His body will burn away as I assume my true form!"

Percy gripped Natalia's ankle from his place on the ground. Both of them watched while frozen in shock. Kronos kept trying to push against her and dislodge his blade, but Annabeth held him in check. Her arms were trembling as Backbiter continued to reach down towards her.

"Your mother," Annabeth continued. "She saw your fate."

"Service to Kronos!" Kronos bellowed. "This is my fate."

"No!" Annabeth insisted, her eyes filling with tears. "That's not the end, Luke. The Prophecy: she saw what you would do. It applies to you!"

"I will crush you, child!"

"You won't," Annabeth denied. "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now."

"LIES!"

He pushed again, and Annabeth lost her balance this time. Kronos struck her with his free hand and Annabeth slid backwards. Natalia helped Percy stand up, but both of them stumbled. It was almost as if they were holding the weight of the sky together again. Kronos loomed over Annabeth with Backbiter raised dangerously close to her neck. Blood was trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"Family, Luke," Annabeth croaked. "You promised."

Natalia and Percy helped each other take a step forwards. Grover was on his feet by Hera's throne, but he struggled to move as well. Before any of them could get close to Annabeth, Kronos staggered. He stared at the knife in her hand and the blood on her face.

"Promise." He gasped as if he couldn't breathe. "Annabeth . . ."

It wasn't the Titan's voice. Instead, it was the familiar one of Luke. He stumbled forwards.

"You're bleeding. . . ."

"My knife." Annabeth attempted to raise her dagger, but it fell out of her hand and onto the floor. Her arm was bent in an awkward angle. She looked at Percy and Natalia imploringly. "Percy, Nat, please . . ."

Both of them were able to move again. While Natalia got Annabeth's knife, Percy knocked Backbiter out of Luke's hand, spinning it into the hearth. Luke barely paid them any attention. He stepped towards Annabeth, but Natalia and Percy blocked him from doing so.

"Don't touch her," Percy growled.

Anger rippled across his face.

"Jackson . . ." Kronos' voice snarled.

His body seemed to be glowing gold. And then he gasped again.

"He's changing," Luke's voice spoke. "Help. He's . . . he's almost ready. He won't need my body anymore. Please—"

"NO!" Kronos shouted.

He looked around for Backbiter, which was glowing among the coals in the hearth. Kronos stumbled towards it. Natalia and Percy tried to stop him, but he pushed them away. They both landed next to Annabeth by the base of Athena's throne. Natalia groaned as her head hit the hard stone, gripping her bow and Annabeth's knife tightly as a reaction to the pain.

"The knife," Annabeth muttered to them, her breath shallow. "Hero . . . cursed blade . . ."

Natalia blinked the fog out of her eyes. When she was able to see again, Kronos had grasped Backbiter. Then he bellowed in pain and dropped it, revealing his hands to be smoking and seared. The hearth fire suddenly grew red hot like the scythe wasn't compatible with it. An image of Hestia flickered in the ashes, frowning at Kronos in disapproval.

Luke turned back around and collapsed, clutching his burned hands. "Please, Percy . . ."

Percy looked to Natalia. She gave him a glance to say, are you sure? He nodded. Natalia handed him Annabeth's knife and tried to push herself up on her forearms. Percy struggled to his feet and moved towards Luke, prepared to kill him.

Luke moistened his lips. "You can't . . . can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can . . . can keep him controlled."

His body was definitely glowing more and his skin was starting to smoke. Percy raised the knife to strike. Natalia turned her head into Annabeth and forced her best friend to look away. Grover cradled both of them in his arms to shield them.

"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."

Natalia knew that if Kronos evolved in his true form they wouldn't be able to stop him. But she also knew something else. A hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap. Percy couldn't be the one to kill Kronos. He wasn't the hero of the Prophecy. When she glanced back up, Percy had handed the knife to Luke.

Grover yelped. "Percy? Are you . . . um . . ."

Crazy? Most definitely. But all Percy could do was watch as Luke grasped the hilt. Luke unlatched the side straps of his armor and exposed a small bit of skin just under his left arm — his Achilles heel. With extreme difficulty, Luke stabbed himself. It didn't seem to be a deep cut, but he howled in pain. His eyes glowed like lava. The throne room shook and Percy was thrown off his feet. A golden aura of energy surrounded Luke. It glowed so bright that Natalia had to shut her eyes.

Silence filled the room for a long moment. When Natalia opened her eyes again, Luke was sprawled at the hearth with a blackened circle of ash surrounding him. Kronos' scythe was now liquified into molten metal and trickled into the hearth. Luke's left side was bloody. His eyes were open, but they were blue, just like they always had been. His breath was a deep rattle.

"Good . . . blade," he let out.

Natalia struggled to her feet. After tapping her bow and sliding her silver bracelet on her wrist, she tried to help Annabeth up. She wrapped an arm around her shoulder while Grover put one around her waist. The three of them limped over as Percy knelt next to Luke. Tears filled Natalia's eyes as she stared down at him.

Luke gazed right at Annabeth. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew . . ."

"Shhh." Annabeth's voice trembled as she spoke. "You were a hero at the end, Luke. You'll go to Elysium."

He weakly shook his head. "Think . . . rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest."

Annabeth sniffled. "You always pushed yourself too hard."

He held up his charred hand towards her. Annabeth touched his fingertips.

"Did you . . ." Luke coughed, his lips glistening red. "Did you love me?"

Annabeth wiped the tears off her face. "There was a time I thought . . . well, I thought . . ."

She looked at Percy, drinking in the fact that he was still here. Percy was doing the same. Natalia looked between them with a sort of warmth filling her heart. The world may have been collapsing all around them, but she knew that the only thing that really mattered to them was that they were both alive.

"You were like a brother to me, Luke," Annabeth admitted softly. "But I didn't love you."

He nodded like he expected it. Luke then raised his hand to Natalia, who interlocked their pinkies together loosely.

"I'm sorry for letting you down, Natalia," he told her. "You're such a brave soul. Don't ever let it go."

She sniffled and nodded. "It's okay, that's in the past now. And I will be brave for you, I promise."

He winced in pain.

"We can get ambrosia," Grover suggested. "We can—"

"Grover," Luke gulped. "You're the bravest Satyr I ever knew. But no. There's no healing . . ."

He coughed again and gripped Percy's shirt sleeve. "Ethan. Me. All the unclaimed. Don't let it . . . Don't let it happen again."

His eyes were angry, but they were also pleading.

"I won't," Percy replied. "I promise."

Luke Castellan nodded for the last time and went slack.

The Gods arrived a few minutes later, expecting a battle as they marched into the throne room in their full war regalia. They didn't find a battle. Instead, they found three crying Demigods and a Satyr standing over a broken Half-Blood in the dim light of the hearth.

"Natalia?" Artemis questioned softly.

The girl turned towards her mother and gave her a pained smile, resisting every urge to run up and sob in her arms. "Hey, mom."

"Percy," Poseidon called, awe lacing his voice. "What . . . what is this?"

Percy turned and faced the Olympians.

"We need a shroud," he announced, his voice cracking. "A shroud for the son of Hermes."

»»---------------------►

LUKE'S BODY WAS taken by the Three Fates themselves. They were three ghoulish old ladies that held bags of knitting needles and yarn. When one of them glanced at Natalia, her entire life flashed before her life. Like, literally. She watched herself grow old until her body was being buried in the ground in a coffin. Natalia blinked and snapped herself out of the trance.

It is done, the Fate announced.

She held up a string of blue yarn that was Luke's lifeline. Then they gathered Luke's body in his white and green shroud and began to carry it out of the throne room.

"Wait," Hermes interrupted.

The God of messengers wore a classic outfit of white Greek robes, sandals, and a helmet which wings fluttered on as he walked. George and Martha were curled around his caduceus, murmuring, Luke, poor Luke. Hermes unwrapped the shroud to reveal Luke's face and kissed his pale forehead. He muttered a final blessing in Ancient Greek.

"Farewell," he whispered to his son.

With a nod, the Fates carried Luke away.

Natalia watched them leave and thought about the Great Prophecy. That lines were as clear as day now. The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap: Luke was the hero, and the cursed blade was Annabeth's knife that he had gifted her — cursed because Luke broke his promise and betrayed his friends. A single choice shall end his days: Percy's choice to give him the knife and believe, just like Annabeth had, that there was some good left in Luke that would set things right. Olympus to preserve or raze: Luke had sacrificed himself to save Olympus. This whole time, Natalia thought the Prophecy was about Percy. Now she knew it was about Luke all along.

Talk about a plot twist.

Suddenly, Annabeth's knees buckled next to them. Natalia caught her one arm, but dumbass Percy Jackson grabbed her broken arm. Annabeth cried out in pain.

"Oh Gods," Percy voiced. "Annabeth, I'm sorry."

"It's all right," she replied.

With that, she passed out in their arms.

Natalia looked up and gave a pleading glance to the God of medicine. "Apollo?"

He stepped forwards. "I've got this."

Apollo's fiery armor was hard to look at it because it was so bright. He wore matching Ray-Bans and a perfect smile, so it looked like he was modeling for battle gear.

"God of medicine, at your service."

He passed his hand over Annabeth's face and spoke an incantation. Almost immediately, her bruises faded, her cuts and scars disappeared, and her arm straightened. Annabeth sighed happily in her sleep.

Apollo grinned. "She'll be fine in a few minutes. Just enough time for me to compose a poem about our victory: Apollo and his friends save Olympus. Good, eh?"

Natalia returned the smile. "Thank you, Apollo."

"We'll, um, let you handle the poetry," Percy stammered.

Natalia barely had time to process the next few hours. The Gods started to repair the throne room, which went surprisingly fast since twelve super powerful beings were working on it at once. Natalia, Percy, and Grover treated the wounded, and once the bridge to Olympus re-formed, they greeted their friends who had survived. Thalia was saved from the fallen statue by Cyclopes, and was now on crutches, but otherwise she was okay. Connor and Travis Stoll made it through with only minor injuries and promised they hadn't looted the city much. They revealed that Sally Jackson and Paul Blofis were all right, though they wouldn't be allowed to come on Mount Olympus. Mrs. O'Leary managed to dig Chiron out of the rubble and bring him back to Camp. The Stolls looked worried about the Centaur, but the only thing that really mattered was that he was alive. Katie Gardner reported that Rachel Elizabeth Dare had run out of the Empire State Building at the end of the battle unharmed with nobody knowing where she was going.

A hero's welcome greeted Nico di Angelo and Hades when they came into Olympus, despite that the God of the dead was only allowed there during the winter solstice. Hades looked completely stunned when all of his relatives clapped him on the back. Clarisse La Rue then marched in while still shivering from being frozen.

"That's my girl!" Ares bellowed, ruffling her hair and pounding her on the back. "That Drakon slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!"

Clarisse seemed pretty overwhelmed. All she did was nod and blink until she eventually began to smile.

Hera and Hephaestus passed them. Natalia tried not to punch the Goddess in the face. And though Hephaestus was a little angry Percy had jumped on his throne, he thought he did a good job.

Hera sniffed in disdain at Percy. "I suppose I won't destroy you and those little girls now."

Natalia raised her hand. "I'm right here, you know."

"Annabeth saved Olympus," Percy argued. "She convinced Luke to stop Kronos. And Natalia fought extremely well in battle. I cant even count how many enemies she destroyed."

"Hmm," Hera responded, obviously unimpressed.

The Goddess whirled away with a huff. Natalia went to storm after her, but Percy grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He sent her a warning glance, and Natalia sighed while shaking his arm off.

Dionysus looked Percy up and down, his head wrapped in a bandage. "Well, Percy Jackson. I see Pollux made it through, so I suppose you aren't completely inept. It's all thanks to my training, I suppose."

"Um, yes, sir," Percy agreed.

Mr. D nodded. "As thanks for my bravery, Zeus has cut my probation at that miserable Camp in half. I now have only fifty years left instead of one hundred."

"Fifty years, huh?"

"Don't get so excited, Jackson," he replied. Natalia tried not to smile at the fact that he was saying Percy's name right. "I still plan on making your life miserable."

"Naturally."

"Just so we understand each other."

He then turned and began to repair his grapevine throne that had been singed by fire.

Grover stayed at Natalia's and Percy's sides. He would break down in tears from time to time.

"So many nature spirits dead," Grover groaned. "So many."

Percy put an arm around the Satyr's shoulder and gave him a tissue to blow his nose. "You did a great job, G-Man. We will come back from this. We'll plant new trees. We'll clean up the parks. Your friends will be reincarnated into a better world."

He sniffled. "I . . . I suppose. But it was hard enough to rally them before. I'm still an outcast. I could barely get anyone to listen to me about Pan. Now will they ever listen to me again? I led them into a slaughter."

"Hey, they'll listen to you." Natalia put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. "Wanna know why? Because you care about them, Grover. You care more about the wild than anyone else."

He gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Percy and Natalia. I hope . . . I hope you know I'm really proud to be your friend. Both of you."

Percy patted his arm. "Luke was right about one thing, G-Man. You're the bravest Satyr I ever met."

His face blushed a light shade of pink. Before he could say anything, conch horns blew and the army of Poseidon marched into the throne room.

"Percy!" Tyson yelled — now back at his regular size — while charging at Percy and bringing him into a hug that no doubt crushed him. "You are not dead!"

"Yeah!" Percy agreed. "Amazing, huh?"

He clapped his hands and laughed in excitement. "I am not dead either. Yay! We chained Typhon. It was fun!"

Behind him, the other fifty Cyclopes laughed, nodded, and gave each other high-fives.

"Tyson led us," one spoke. "He is brave!"

"Bravest of the Cyclopes!" another bellowed.

Tyson's face burned red. "Was nothing."

"I saw you!" Percy told him. "You were incredible!"

Natalia nodded. "Percy's right, Tyson. You're a true hero."

She was worried that Grover would pass out due to his fear of Cyclopes, but he managed to steel his nerves. "Yes. Um . . . three cheers for Tyson!"

"YAAARRRRR!" the Cyclopes roared.

"Please don't eat me," Grover whimpered.

Natalia laughed and rested her arm on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Grover. I'll protect you."

Grover nudged her arm off with a playful scowl. He went to ruffle her hair which was now almost completely out of its French braid, but Natalia remembered her promise to Silena Beauregard. She ducked and slung an arm across Grover's shoulder, quickly kissing him on the cheek. The Satyr's face turned red, making Natalia giggle.

The conch horns blew again. When the Cyclopes parted, the sea God Poseidon walked into the throne room in his battle armor with his trident glowing in his hands.

"Tyson! Well done, my son. And Percy—" Poseidon's face turned stern and he wagged a finger at him. Natalia straightened up in concern and dropped her arm from Grover's shoulder. "I even forgive you for sitting on my throne. You have saved Olympus!"

Poseidon held out his arms and gave Percy a hug. Natalia smiled at the interaction. When he pulled away, the God smiled down at his son. Natalia could see that Percy was trying his hardest not to cry.

"Dad—" he began.

"Shhh," Poseidon interrupted. "No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules—"

"POSEIDON!" a voice suddenly roared.

Zeus was sitting at his throne. While all the other Gods filed in and took their seats, Zeus was glaring across the room at Poseidon. Even Hades was there, sitting on a simple stone guest chair by the foot of the hearth. Nico sat at his dad's feet with his legs crossed.

"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus questioned. "Are you too proud to join us in Council, my brother?"

Poseidon merely winked at Percy. "I would be honored, Lord Zeus."

He walked over to his throne, and the Olympian Council convened.

Zeus began to make some bullshit speech about the bravery of the Gods. Natalia listened with a bored expression painted on her face. Then Annabeth walked in, standing next to Percy. The four best friends, just like it had always been, were now standing in a line in front of the Olympians.

"Miss much?" Annabeth whispered to them.

"Nobody's planning to kill us, so far," Percy answered.

"First time today."

Natalia slapped a hand to her mouth as she and Percy began to laugh. It wasn't that good of a joke, but after being terrified for days, laughing seemed like a blessing. Natalia straightened up as Grover nudged them since Hera was giving them a dirty look. She locked her hands behind her back and tried to keep a neutral expressions.

"As for my brothers, we are thankful" — Zeus cleared his throat, trying to choke the words out — "erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."

Hades nodded, a smug look on his face. He patted Nico on the shoulders. Natalia's heart glowed at Nico looking happier than she had ever seen him.

"And, of course," Zeus continued. "We must . . . um. . . thank Poseidon."

"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon cut in. "What was that?"

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

"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently.

"Impossible. Impossible to defeat Typhon."

All of the Gods murmured in agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.

"Which leaves us only the matter of thanking our young Demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well — even if there are a few dents in my throne."

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

Artemis smiled at her. "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 a little longer.

"Okay," Hades grumbled in agreement. "I'll streamline their application process."

Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my Lady."

She bowed to the Gods — even Hades — and limped across the room to stand by Artemis' side.

"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called.

The Cyclops looked incredibly nervous, but moved to stand in the middle of the Council.

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

Tyson showed him his broken club. "Stick!"

"Very well. We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."

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

"Grover Underwood of the Satyrs!" Dionysus called.

Grover stepped forwards nervously.

"Oh, stop chewing your shirt. 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 immediately collapsed.

"Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed as several Naiads rushed forward to help him. "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 groaned as the Naiads carried him away.

Natalia shrugged to herself. She figured he'd be all right.

"My daughter," Artemis called, and Natalia straightened up. "Natalia Flynn."

She took a deep breath and walked up to her mother's throne, kneeling at her feet.

"Rise, Natalia, and look at me."

Natalia did as she was told. She got to her feet and looked up into the silver eyes of her mother.

"You are so brave and have fought well, my dear girl," Artemis said, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I am incredibly proud of you. Therefore, I offer you a gift: whenever you need me the most, I will come to you. Focus on a central object and call on to me to arrive. This can be used only once."

Natalia nodded while smiling. "Thank you, mother."

Artemis kissed her forehead, which surprised Natalia a little. "I trust you will use it wisely."

"I will."

Natalia walked back to Percy and Annabeth. She grinned widely at them and began to wonder what she would use her mother's gift to do. It must have been important if Artemis rewarded her with it.

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

She walked forwards and knelt at Athena'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, a stunned expression on her face. "My . . . my Lady?"

"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 answered. "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 cut in. "Big statues with huge wicked swords and—"

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

Annabeth rose and walked back to Natalia and Percy in a trance.

"Way to go," Percy told her while grinning.

Natalia shook the blonde's shoulder a little. "You're perfect for this job, Annabeth. I couldn't think of anyone better."

For once, Annabeth Chase had no words to say. "I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils—"

"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced.

His name echoed around the chamber. The room went silent, the only noise left being the hearth fire crackling. Natalia turned to him and nodded her head subtly towards the thrones. Everyone stared at him — the Gods, Demigods, Cyclopes, and nature spirits — as he walked towards them. First he bowed to Zeus, and then he knelt at Poseidon's feet.

"Rise, my son," Poseidon ordered.

Percy stood uneasily. Annabeth gripped Natalia's hand, and she gave it a tight squeeze in return.

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

The Gods never agreed on anything, but none of them protested.

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

Percy hesitated. "Any gift?"

He 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 Jackson — if you wish it — you shall be made a God. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."

Natalia and Annabeth shared wide eyed glances. If Percy became a God . . . well, let's just say they didn't want to let go of their best friend just yet. But if he wanted it, Natalia would respect his decision.

Percy stared at him. "Um . . . a God?"

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted God, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. 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."

"I approve as well," Athena voiced, looking straight at Annabeth.

Percy glanced back at them. Annabeth was trying not to meet his eyes while her face turned pale. Natalia, however, locked eyes with him. Her brown eyes were gentle, as if to say, it's okay. She knew Percy was having an internal battle with himself, just as she had when Artemis asked her to be her lieutenant after the death of Zoë Nightshade.

He had apparently made his decision. "No."

The Council went silent, and the Gods frowned at one another. Natalia and Annabeth couldn't help but crack small smiles at each other.

"No?" Zeus asked, a dangerous edge to his voice. "You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"

"I'm honored and everything," Percy continued. "Don't get me wrong. It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."

The Gods glared at him. However, Natalia and Annabeth were ecstatic. Natalia had a bright grin on her face, the silver specks in her eyes glowing happily. Annabeth's hand was over her mouth with her eyes shining with happy tears.

"I do want a gift, though," Percy told the Gods. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"

Zeus thought about it for a moment. "If it is within our power."

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

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

Not completely, Natalia thought to herself.

Percy looked to Hades. "Someone once told me you should always get a solemn oath."

Hades shrugged casually. "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 and shook the throne room, signaling that the deal was made.

"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the Gods," Percy stated. "All the children . . . of all the Gods."

The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.

"Percy, what exactly do you mean?" Poseidon questioned.

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

Zeus looked like he was about to launch Percy off Mount Olympus. "You dare accuse—"

"No more undetermined children," Percy cut him off. "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 interrupted.

Percy ignored him, obviously on a roll. "And the minor Gods. 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, my Lord," Percy denied quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a Cabin at Camp. Nico has proven that. 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. That didn't 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."

Zeus snorted in amusement. "Is that all?"

Poseidon glanced at his son. "Percy, you ask much. You presume much."

"I hold you to your oath," Percy commented. "All of you."

A lot of steely looks were sent his way. Much to Natalia's surprise, it was Athena who spoke up to defend him.

"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" — Athena glanced at Annabeth, and then spoke as if the words left a sour taste in her mouth — "perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."

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

"All in favor," Hermes said.

Every single one of the Gods raised their hands.

"Um, thanks," Percy uttered.

Percy turned to leave, along with Natalia and Annabeth, but they were stopped.

"Honor guard!" Poseidon yelled.

All of the Cyclopes came forward and formed two lines from the thrones to the doors — an aisle for them to walk through. The Cyclopes came to attention.

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

★彡

so if y'all are confused, artemis' gift to natalia is used in epilogue part two of we are when she calls artemis to appear so she can become a hunter :)