**Percy**
Our attention turned to the thirteen godly, mystified faces when someone cleared their throat.
“And who might you be?’’ Zeus asked, clearly irritated, that a group of around twenty, masked, cloaked, and heavily armed people had appeared in the middle of the summer solstice meeting.
“Well, you could say I’m an old friend. Well… You may consider me to be an enemy, but that depends on if your thoughts have changed. You never liked me.’’ I replied in a perfect monotone, not wanting my voice to be recognized. “Oh and Chaos sent us. Something about you needing my help. That’s a first. You never did like to admit you needed help.’’
Zeus just glared at me, a look of realization slowly dawning on his face. “You.’’
“Yes, me.’’ I resisted the urge to laugh at his face.
“One second…’’ Hades looked at me, a slight look of surprise on his face.
“Yes Hades, I’m unfortunately back… I huffed.
“Good gods… You’re actually back? Did Chaos had to torture you to make you come back here? You and I both know that you despise this planet.’’ Hades grinned.
“What are you on about Hades?’’ Athena asked.
“My lord Hades. You’re correct. I am back, unfortunately. And no, Chaos didn’t have to torture me.’’ I answered his question, both of us ignoring Athena.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually missed you. I’ve bad to find my hellhounds some other chew toys. Also Cerberus has missed you these past five years. You owe him a visit. Take a toy. Preferably not a stick. He doesn’t like them, they remind him of swords.’’ Hades chuckled darkly, obviously thinking about me being chew toy to his three headed hound. I’d rather not. When Mrs. O’Leary licks my face, it’s bad enough. I wonder how she is.
“5 years?’’ I said astounded. I’m sure it had been 5000. That’s the only reason I didn’t put up a fight about coming here. I thought everyone would be long dead.
“Human years.’’ Zeus looked smug.
“Oh Styx.’’ I cursed softly. Apparently I had been wrong.
“So how are you?’’ Hades appeared in front of me.
“Is someone going to explain what the fu-‘’
“Language Ares!’’ Hera scolded.
“Sorry mother…’’ Ares huffed.
“Don’t call me mother in that patronizing, lazy tone.’’ Hera snapped.
“Sorry mom.’’ Ares glared at Hera.
“Don’t call me ‘mom’ either. It’s informal.’’ Hera glared back at her son.
“Am I missing something?’’ I whispered quietly to Hades, ignoring the mother and son argument that was now taking place. “14 thrones, only 13 are occupied. Why are there 14 thrones anyway? There was only 12 when I left, sure the extra two seats are smaller, but why? And where is Poseidon?’’
“The two extra thrones are for Hestia and I. We don’t have places on the council, but Zeus lets us witness the meetings from those thrones, occasionally letting us speak our minds on a tricky issue. And as for the location of your father? You ‘died’, five years ago today.’’ Hades muttered. “He chooses to never show up on an anniversary of your death.
“You’re kidding?’’ I stared at him in disbelief. “You have got to be kidding. He distanced himself from me. He refused to speak with me. He ignored my prayers. Why would he care if I died?’’
“I don’t ‘kid’ Jackson.’’ Hades muttered before returning to his throne, ignoring the stares from the other gods.
I turned to the Warrior closest to me. Castor.
“You speak. I don’t trust myself right now.’’ I muttered. “I might scream at Zeus.
“Are you sure you don’t want Alpha to speak. He’s your second in command after all.’’ Castor said nervously.
“I can’t be bothered speaking to the council.’’ Luke assured him. “Likewise to Omega, I’m unsure whether to trust myself around them. The slightest slip up on my part could lead to all of us dying. I’m pretty sure at least one of them would recognize me and after all I the things I did to Olympus, I fear that more than one god would like some alone time to beat me up to a bloody pulp.’’
“Hermes wouldn’t.’’ I muttered.
Luke froze. “Hermes is different… He muttered.
“Well, I’ll speak then if you’re sure.’’ Castor nodded.
“We are sure.’’ Luke grimaced. “Neither of us should be trusted near the council right now.’’
“Reveal yourself if you wish.’’ I muttered to Castor. “But don’t give your old man a heart attack. As much as I dislike the guy, I don’t want the death of an Olympian on our hands.’’
“Oh, I plan to reveal myself. Give Olympus a bit of a shock to see the walking dead.’’ Castor grinned before walking in front of me and staring at the gods.
“And who might you me?’’ Zeus quirked an eyebrow.
“Isn’t it kind of obvious that I’m a Warrior? I thought the black cloak and silver mask gave that part away.’’ Castor asked, sarcasm lacing his tone.
“Which Warrior are you then?’’ Zeus asked, his irritation clear.
“Unfortunately, Omega was allowed to assign our names and he saw fit to name me ‘Sugar’.’’ Castor shot me a glare. “But you don’t need to call me that, because I’m going to be taking this mask off, then you can see who I really am.’’
“Well get on with it then!’’ Dionysus spoke from his throne, having no idea who it was he was talking to. “Zeus won’t let me read my magazines until you masked brats leave, so tell your sob story and go.’’
“Ouch.’’ Castor stared at his father. “That hurt right here father.’’ He pointed to his heart.
“Father?’’ Dionysus stared at him.
“Yep. I think you’ll find my name is Castor, not Sugar.’’ Castor reached up and threw his hood back, pulling his mask off too. He ran a hand through his messy blonde hair and pulled a face. “’I hate having hood hair.’’
“Castor?’’ Dionysus was stunned, the rest of the gods silent. “How is this possible?’’
“Nice to see you too dad. I’ve missed you too. Yes I’m alive. No, being dead wasn’t fun.’’ Castor smiled at him, sarcasm flowing off him.
Dionysus slowly rose, shrinking down to mortal height as he walked slowly towards Castor.
For a man who wore purple running shoes and shorts, he didn’t put them to good use.
“I hate to break up the touching family reunion.’’ I spoke up after father and son had been hugging for a good three minutes. “But we wish to make it to Camp Half-Blood before dark. If you wish Castor, you could stay here for a while and I could come to fetch you later?’’
“Err…’’ He began, but was cut off by his father.
“All the gods will accompany you. It is only fit.’’ Dionysus spoke, a rare smile gracing his features.
I looked to Zeus who nodded.
To Camp Half-Blood we shall go.
