Ella Jackson- Apollos legacy

11

"Dad?"

I couldn't believe it. After all this time of waiting, wishing, anger, tears, I saw him right in front of me.

"Apollo?" Percy said in a louder voice.
"Hey, Sunshine." Apollo said in a quiet voice towards me.
Percy cut him off before he could say more.

"Do you know how lucky you are that she's your kid? How amazing, kind, stubborn, creative and silly she is? Do you know her favorite color or- or her birthday?! You were NEVER there for her! But you know what? I was! -I was there for her when people were mean! I was there for her when she needed food or help with school- not that I was a better but.. I was there! You did nothing! Nothing for her!" Percy shouted.

My dad looked at me and then at Percy with sad eyes. "Her favorite color is yellow, and her birthday is March 17th. She loves to sing and dance and she is the kindest girl to anyone." He shifted his gaze back to me. "I wasn't there physically, but I did watch you grow, Ella. And because I could only watch you, I gave you to a family I knew would love you. And I was right."

Tears were rolling down my cheeks.
"I have a good big brother. And mom." I say to him.
"I know. And that's why I'm going to help you." He smiled and then his face glowed again.

He walked in front of us while we tagged along leading up to Zeus. We were quiet almost the whole way there. I watched my father's walk so I could remember it, and studied his humming. It was the same one I remember, the only memory I had of him now is all back together and all I said to him was how I loved my family, not him. Not yet.
I bite the inside of my cheek wondering if he was somewhat hurt by what I said, or what Percy said. It was all true what my brother said. He protected me from Gabe and his beer, he taught me how to draw certain things like dragons, he talked for me at restaurants while ordering, he made me school lunches and let me talk to him after a bad day school so he could turn it around and make me laugh instead of crying..

We end up right before what looks like hundreds of old broken marble stairs that look like they lead up to the sky. My dad takes a deep breath and turns around to meet us again.

"Ella, Sunshine, - i love you. I will always love you and watch over you and even when you think I'm not, I'm there for you, okay?"
I shake my head yes. "I-I"
"You don't have to say anything back, because I know." He smiles again and places his hand on my cheek. He reaches in and kisses my forehead softly.
"Keep being you, alright? Keep singing for me. And show my dad for me too." He winks and then with a flash of light, he's gone. 

Percy grips my hand. I smile and look down at my converse and the first stair.
"Ready?" I say.
"No." Percy says. "But I will... He's just the most powerful God while being the king of the Gods.. so we won't have any problems talking to him."
I laugh softly and pump his arm with my shoulder. Then we start climbing.

When we get to the top, Percy walks forward while I stay behind.
Zeus is sitting on what looks like a marble throne with torches surrounding it with other smaller thrones circling around his main seat. There's pillars reaching up put with no ceiling. It just looks like we're standing in the sky. It's windy as Percy steps slowly forward with the backpack that hold his master bolt.
Percy slowly pulls off the backpack to reveal the bolt to Zeus. He places it in his hands and bows a little. Zeus gets up from his throne and has the sternest face while walking towards Percy.
"I didn't steal it. Neither did any of my friends. We found it, we got it back. We did try to get it back to you on time-" Zeus took the bolt from Percy's hands and it sounded like if voices became silent.
"You failed." Zeus said but sounded like a loud boom instead. It made Percy instantly step back.
"Yes. I know. But I had to return it to you, so I could tell you who did steal it. It was Kronos."
Zeus started walking away.
"He's behind all of it! He's trying to leave Tartarus and come get all of you with all his strength!"
"I know Kronos is in Tartarus because I put him there." Zeus spins and starts walking back to Percy, "I am his son. Of course he is looking for a chance to escape and of course he is coming. This is what he wants. Now, you may go."
He is right in front of Percy again.
"Again, thank you for the news. Now leave with your sister because it is the only reason I am letting you leave."
Percy pauses "But- you have to stop it. You have to stop the war from happening!"
"Boy!" Zeus shouts and a huge lightning bolt shoots down from the sky with a bang.
"The war will continue. It ends with a victory. You leaving is a victory. Did you think we would negotiate on war? Your prize is leaving, now go."
"He wants you to fight your brothers. Kronos wants you to fight my father and Ares. He wants you weakened."
"I will not be weakened, boy."
"You already are! Ares turned on you, and found someone stronger to stand by! They will be afraid when someone stronger like your father shows up, and puts you in your place!"
Percy pauses and Zeus looks like his growing, with anger and in size.
"Percy!" I shout as I see Zeus starting to make a lightning bolt to strike him. I start to run over as Percy crouches down. But I wouldn't make it in time, Percy will be...
"Wait!"
Percy is being blocked by a man now in between him and the god of thunder and lightning.
He is taller, blonde shorter hair, wearing a linen blue shirt with khaki shorts.
Even though I have never seen this man before, I know who it is, just like how Percy knew who my dad was. This was Poseidon.

Percy turns around to face the other god as I am about 20 feet away from them. Zeus is holding onto a huge blue lightning strike while the god of water is holding his wrist.
"I surrender."
Zeus doesn't lose his grip so he says it again.
"I surrender. Take the victory. Just spare my son. And his sister."
Zeus's bolt vanishes with a boom.
"Your forbidden son."
"Like your forbidden daughter."
Then the gods start talking in Greek.
Me and Percy look at each other knowing we could never explain what just happened.
"I'll tell Athena to make a meeting with the council. And make sure I never see that boy again."
With that, Zeus vanishes too, with a blue flash as quick as lightning.
Poseidon turns slowly around to meet Percy.
"You can't seem to listen.. can you?"
"No.. sir." Percy says quietly.
My brother stood up to the king of gods but to another god, he says manners and speaks quickly and quietly.
"I'm the same way. The sea doesn't like to be restrained."

He starts to break the space in between them.
"Patros." Percy states and makes him stop walking in his tracks.
"Father. In Ancient Greek. It's the only part I caught.."
"You know Ancient Greek?"
"From mom."
Poseidon laughs softly. "She's a good teacher.
But I don't know when Hades will return her, he likes to make points,—"
Percy cuts his father off.
"Can I ask you something? .... Do you dream?"
"Yes. I do."
"Do you dream of mom?"
Poseidon places a hand on Percy's cheek. Then shows a pearl in his hand.
"You both should be going." The god says with a small smile, then even before we can see the pearl hit the marble, we're back at camp.