Tyrant King - A Percy Jackson FanFic

Chapter 29

Over the next few weeks, the people of Olympus noticed a great change. King Percy often wandered the halls, greeting people and actually taking notice of the things happening around him. At first, everyone was weary, believing it was some new trick. But after a while, people starting greeting him back when he strode past. He relaxed his strict rules on the Greeks and Romans. He started behaving like an actual king. He was even spotted dancing with Terpischore, the muse of dance. 
Soon he was far enough out of the darkness for Annabeth to approach him. She found him in the throne room, chatting with Nico and Will. 
"Excuse me, your majesty," she dipped into a curtsy, "May I have a word?"
Percy turned to her, "What's up, Annabeth?"
Annabeth glanced pointedly at Will and Nico.
"We'll go," Will grabbed Nico's hand and pulled him away. Once they were out of earshot, Percy said, "they're so cute together."
"Uh, yeah they are," Annabeth smiled. 
"You needed something?"
"I just need to talk to you."
Percy smiled, "I'm all ears."
Annabeth took a deep breath, "It's just a proposal. You don't need to actually do it, it's just a suggestion."
"Yes?"
"I think you should release the gods from Tartarus."
There, it was out. Percy's smile faded, "Why? So they can come and kill me?"
"No!"
"I thought you were on my side, Annabeth!"
"I am! The reason there are so many gods to begin with, is to help each other rule the universe. One god can't do it all by himself!"
"I can," Percy insisted, "I can do this Annabeth! Just trust me."
Annabeth didn't believe him, and she knew he could see it on her face. He sighed, then his eyes lit up, "You can help me!"
Annabeth stumbled back, "What?"
"I'll make you a goddess and you can rule as my queen!"
"Um... I'll think about it?"
Percy grinned, "You're the best."
She turned to leave, biting her own lip. She had brought him out of the darkness, and now she needed to get him off the throne.

***

When Percy dreamed that night, he was back in Tartarus, but it wasn't a memory. Percy stood on the banks of the Phlegethon, staring into the flame. He glanced down the river, spotting a woman shrouded in a long cloak. He strode up to her, "Gaea."
The woman looked up at him, revealing Gaea's face. She grinned, "Hello, Perseus. Long time, no see."
"You don't scare me anymore," he said. Gaea just laughed, "Yes I do. That's like a child of Athena saying their not scared of spiders. It might be burried deep, but if I were to come at you with one of these," she pulled a syringe out of her pocket, "You would turn and run."
As it was, he lurched backwards. Gaea smirked at him, "Relax, Perseus. You're dreaming. This won't hurt you."
"Why did you bring me here?" Percy demanded. Gaea laughed, "Always straight to the point."
She patted the earth next to her, "Sit with me Percy."
He hesitated a moment before sitting next to Gaea. 
"I love monsters," Gaea sighed after a moment, "They're always so loyal, always willing to do exactly as I say."
"What's your point?" Percy asked, "I wasn't loyal to you? FYI, if you want someone to be loyal to you, don't torture them."
Gaea laughed, "I'm actually referring to how your subjects aren't loyal to you."
Percy frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Did you know they recieved a prophecy?"
He shook his head. Gaea smirked, "I thought not."
"Do you know what this prophecy is?" Percy asked. Gaea sighed, "I thought you would ask that."
She took a deep breath before reciting, "The Owl will come to stop the Sea, and end his reign of tyranny, the Tyrant King's wrath shall one withstand, and save the world from his unstable hand, she'll guide him out from the dark, and be the one to bring back his spark, but the price he'll be shall be steep, and thus will come his final sleep."
Percy thought about the words, "Annabeth is the Owl."
"She's playing you, Percy. She's getting on your good side so she can overthrow you and bring back the gods."
Percy stood up, "No."
"Yes, Percy," Gaea said, "You know it's the truth. Your Wise Girl is conspiring against you."